Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons incidence in Portuguese traditional smoked meat products

Meat and meat products safety is, nowadays, a priority quality requirement with chemical hazards having a great impact. Amongst the residues and contaminants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be of particular concern, namely in those products having direct smoking during processing. In order to investigate the contamination levels in traditional dry fermented sausages manufactured in Alentejo (South of Portugal), 66 samples were collected from regional producers. PAH8 represented less than 0.5% of the total contamination profile, with benzo[a]anthracene and chrysene being the most concentrated compounds (maximum contents of 7.53 and 8.9 μg kg⁻¹), irrespective of the product type analysed. Benzo[a]pyrene content varied between 0.21 and 1.00 μg kg⁻¹, with only one sample showing this maximum content. Blood sausages were potentially more risky, since total PAH8 contents were generally higher and because its presence in inner parts were significantly superior than that found in casings, comparatively to meat counterparts, which expressed superior benzo[a]pyrene toxic equivalents.     

Influence of processing in the prevalence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a Portuguese traditional meat product

The concentration of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was determined in traditional dry/fermented sausage along distinct stages of processing under two different technological procedures (traditional and modified processes). The influence of product’s position in the smoking room, on the variation of contaminants and in their migration dynamics from the outer into the inner part, was also followed up. Raw material mixtures presented expressive total PAH values, 106.17 μg kg⁻¹ in wet samples and 244.34 μg kg⁻¹ in dry mater (DM), expressing the frequent fire woods occurred in the regions pigs were extensively reared. Traditional processing produced a higher (p < 0.01) total PAH levels comparatively to modified/industrial procedures, with mean values reaching 3237.10 and 1702.85 μg kg⁻¹ DM, respectively. Both, raw materials and final products, showed PAH profiles with light compounds representing about 99.0% of the total PAHs, mostly accounted by those having two rings (naphthalene-27.5%) or three rings (acenaphtene-16.9%; fluorene-27.1%; phenanthrene-19.5% and anthracene-3.9%). The benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) accumulated in traditional and modified processed products never surpassed the limit of 5 μg kg⁻¹ established by the EU legislation. PAHs in products hanged in bars closer to heating/smoking source speed up their transfer from the surface/outer portion to the inner part of the product.     

Determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cosmetic products by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

A gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method is developed to determine 18 representative polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cosmetics, including Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and others. The method offers high sensitivity and selectivity under selected reaction monitoring (SRM) mode to satisfy the requirements of both quantitation and qualitation. The extraction solvent system used in this study is acetone/hexane 1:1 (v/v) and other purification procedure is unnecessary. The linearities of 18 PAHs are validated in different concentration in the range of 0.25–20 ng/mL individually with coefficient correlation (r) higher than 0.996. The recoveries for spiking 3 different concentrations are from 87.40% to 120.44% for 18 PAHs and the coefficient of variation (CV) are below 12.32%. Limit of quantification (LOQ) of 18 PAHs is in the range of 0.05–0.2 mg/kg. A matrix enhancement effect is observed and can be compensated with deuterated internal standard. The method has been successfully applied to 73 samples, over 40 of them are lipsticks. The results show none of the samples detect Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA), both are classified as the most carcinogenic. 8 PAHs are detected and the average value between 0.08 and 0.27 mg/kg. This study offers a sensitive and simple method to analyze 18 representative PAHs successfully and can be applied to cosmetic products and raw materials.     

Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fish: a review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of pollutants which occur in considerable amounts in the environment and food. In this study, a meta-analysis study was conducted on PAHs concentrations in fish in different parts of the world. The results showed that the PAHs were observed and quantified in fish in the most considered studies. The maximum and minimum concentration of PAHs was found in Cynoglossus Bilineatus fish of Persian Gulf (3970?ng/kg) and Cyprinus Carpio fish of Caspian Sea (0.004?ng/kg), respectively. These values are below the maximum value currently allowed by European Union regulations (12.0?μg/kg wet weight).     

Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) between smoked marc spirits and whiskies.

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in three brands of smoked marc spirits, the only actually on the market, was studied and compared with literature PAHs concentrations reported for whiskies. In two brands of smoked marc spirit the higher-molecular-weight PAHs concentrations (5 and 6 rings PAHs) resulted higher (0.09-0.3 microg L (-1)) than in whiskies (0.00-0.02 microg L(-1)) and consequently higher resulted the carcinogenic potential expressed using the toxicity equivalent factor (TEF).     

Toxicity and EROD-inducing potency of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in chick embryos

The toxicities (embryolethality) of 24 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in chick embryos using a 72-h test. The substances, dissolved in peanut oil, were injected into the air sacs of eggs preincubated for 7 days. LD₅₀ values were determined for the four most toxic of the 24 compounds. Benzo [k] fluoranthene proved to be the most potent, with an LD₅₀ of 14 g (56 nmol)/kg egg. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, benz[a]anthracene and benzo[b]naphtho[2,3-d]thiophene were a few times less toxic [LD₅₀=39 g (140 nmol)/kg, 79 g (349 nmol)/kg and 82 g (350 nmol)/kg, respectively]. The LD₅₀ of benzo [k] fluoranthene was only about 5 times higher than that previously found for the most potent coplanar polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), 3,3,4,4,5-pentachlorobiphenyl [LD₅₀=3.1 g (9.4 nmol)/kg], in the same kind of test. The toxicities of 18 of the PAHs in this study have also been evaluated previously using a 2-week test in chick embryos. Dibenz[a,h]anthracene, which had not been studied earlier in the 2-week test, proved to be almost as toxic as previously found for benzo [k] fluoranthene in that test. Several of the PAHs studied induced EROD activity in chick embryos, and, in general, the most toxic PAHs were also the most potent inducers of EROD. The highest enzyme activities were found after treatment with indeno[1,2,3-c,d]pyrene (12 times the control value) and dibenz[a,h]anthracene (8 times the control value). However, due to the high toxicity of dibenz[a,h]anthracene, the dose used was 7 times lower than that of indeno [1,2,3-c,d]pyrene. Following injection of PAHs on day 7, the EROD activities on day 10 were considerably lower than those obtained after a corresponding treatment with coplanar PCBs in an earlier study. Of the PAHs studied, some exhibited very high embryotoxicity. The most toxic PAHs induced EROD activity, suggesting that their toxicity was at least partly mediated via binding to the Ah receptor.     

Benchmark dose analysis for PAHs hydroxyl metabolites in urine based on mitochondrial damage of peripheral blood leucocytes in coke oven workers in China

ObjectivesThe aim was to explore the dose-response relationship between occupational polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure and mitochondrial damage in coke oven plants workers.Methods544 workers and 238 healthy people were recruited. The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography was used to determine the level of 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene. The real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). The benchmark dose software was used to analyze the benchmark dose.ResultsThe mtDNAcn in the exposure group was lower than that in the control group. The concentrations of 1-hydroxypyrene, 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 2-hydroxynaphthalene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene in the exposure group were higher than those in the control group. There is a dose-response relationship between 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxyphenanthrene and mitochondrial DNA damage. The benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL) of 1-hydroxypyrene were 0.045, 0.004, and 0.058 pg/μg creatinine in the total, male, and female population, respectively. The BMDL of 3-hydroxyphenanthrene were 5.142, 6.099, and 2.807 pg/μg creatinine in the total, male, and female population, respectively.ConclusionsThe BMDL of 1-hydroxypyrene and 3-hydroxyphenanthrene initially explored can provide a reference to establish occupational exposure biological limits.     

Effect of charcoal types and grilling conditions on formation of heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in grilled muscle foods

Grilling muscle foods involves high temperatures that lead to production of cooking toxicants, such as heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To obtain realistic exposure levels of these two groups of mutagens analyses of the same samples using similar separation/detection techniques were performed. HAs and PAHs were quantified in well-done meat and fish samples grilled with wood and coconut shell charcoal at 200 °C. Quantitative HAs and PAHs profiles were different for beef and salmon using the same type of charcoal. Higher levels of HAs and PAHs were found in salmon samples. No significant differences were observed for HAs and PAHs in beef samples grilled with both charcoal types, whereas salmon grilled with coconut shell charcoal presented significantly lower amounts of HAs and PAHs than salmon grilled with usual wood charcoal. Continuous barbecuing with the same charcoal shown that combustion of fat that dropped along the grilling period contributed to higher formation of HAs and PAHs. Special attention must be given to the intake of barbecued foods since high amounts of HAs and PAHs can be taken in a single meal.     

Potential effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in marine foods on human health: a critical review

Marine pollution particularly oil pollution is a major threat to human and environmental health. Commercial species being suitable for consumption of marine environment such as fish, mollusks, invertebrates, etc. are demanded by consumers all around the world. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are one of the most widespread organic environmental pollutants that pose a potential risk to human health via marine biota. Toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of PAHs are studied in several researches. This paper reviews thoroughly the sources, potential risks and harmful health effects of PAHs in marine food according to the findings of published research studies.     

肺癌和肺癌前病变组织中多环芳烃-DNA加合物的检测

目的苯并(a)芘等多环芳烃(PAHs)的代谢产物作用于DNA可形成多环芳烃-DNA(PAHs-DNA)加合物,由此导致细胞的恶变和肿瘤的发生。本研究是为了探明多环芳烃-DNA加合物在人类肺癌发生中的作用。方法通过免疫学方法检测108例肺癌患者手术标本、41例支气管黏膜上皮不典型增生组织及41例正常肺组织中该加合物的含量,并检测体外人气管上皮细胞癌变过程中多环芳烃-DNA加合物的动态变化。结果14.6%(6/41)的正常肺组织中可检测到多环芳烃-DNA加合物;70.7%(29/41)的支气管黏膜上皮不典型增生组织和84.3%(91/108)的肺癌组织中可检出多环芳烃-DNA加合物;组间差异有显著性意义,P<0.001;且随着肺组织癌变过程的变化,多环芳烃-DNA加合物的检出率呈逐渐增高的趋势,P<0.001。吸烟者该加合物检出率高于非吸烟者。苯并(a)芘的活性代谢产物BPDE可诱导人气管上皮细胞发生转化,多环芳烃-DNA加合物与细胞的转化、癌变过程相一致。结论多环芳烃-DNA加合物与肺的癌变过程密切相关,它是化学致癌过程中的一个早期可检测的生物标记物。     

Occurrence and exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in kindling-free-charcoal grilled meat products in Taiwan

This study aimed to determine the contents of 16 PAHs in kindling-free-charcoal grilled meat and seafood products by GC–MS coupled with a QuEChERS method, and estimate the potential risk associated with consumption of those products in Taiwan. Results showed that the total PAHs contents ranged from 6.3 ± 0.9 to 238.8 ± 8.3 ng/g in poultry meat, 0.1 ± 0.0–547.5 ± 12.2 ng/g in red meat, and 6.6 ± 1.4–249.7 ± 6.4 ng/g in seafood products. Among various PAHs, the highly carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene was detected in chicken breast grilled at 84 °C (30 min), chicken heart at 100 °C (26 min), chicken drumstick at 74 °C (20 min), duck drumstick at 85 °C (40 min), and lamb steak at 88 °C (12 min), with its level amounting to 1.3 ± 0.0, 2.4 ± 0.1, 4.0 ± 1.3, 3.1 ± 0.0, and 5.8 ± 0.5 ng/g, respectively. The generation of PAHs was associated with grilling time, temperature and fat content. Risk assessment of dietary exposure to PAHs revealed toxicity equivalent to range from ND – 6.174 ± 0.505 μg/g and margin of exposure was >10,000, which agreed with the EFSA’s definition of low public health concern. The lifelong average daily PAHs intake was higher for adults than for elderly people in Taiwan, however, consumption of kindling-free-charcoal grilled meat should not be a public health concern based on cancer risk potency.     

Predicting risk of low birth weight offspring from maternal features and blood polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentration

Prenatal exposure to organic pollutants increases the risk of low birth weight (LBW) offspring. Women involved in the plucking of tea leaves can be exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during pregnancy through inhalation and diet. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the association of maternal socio-demographic features and blood PAH concentration with LBW; also to develop a model for predicting LBW risk. The study was performed by recruiting 55 women who delivered LBW and 120 women with NBW (normal birth weight) babies from Assam Medical College. The placental tissue, maternal and cord blood samples were collected. A total of sixteen PAHs and cotinine were analysed by HPLC and GC-MS. Association of PAH concentration with weight was determined using correlation and multiple logistic regression analyses. Predictive model was developed using SVM^light and Weka software. Maternal features such as age, education, food habits, occupation, etc. were found to be associated with LBW deliveries (p-value<0.05). Overall, 9 PAHs and cotinine were detected in the samples. A multiple logistic regression depicted an increased likelihood of LBW by exposure to PAHs (pyrene, di-benzo (a,h) anthracene, fluorene and fluoranthene) and cotinine. Models based on the features and PAHs/ cotinine predicted LBW offspring with 84.35% sensitivity and 74% specificity. LBW prediction models are available at http://dev.icmr.org.in/plbw/ webserver. With machine learning gaining more importance in medical science; our webserver could be instrumental for researchers and clinicians to predict the state of the fetus.     

Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from tobacco: the link between low temperature residual solid (char) and PAH formation.

The formation of condensed ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from the pyrolysis of ground tobacco in helium over the temperature range of 350-600 degrees C was investigated. PAH yields in the ng/g range were detected and the maximum yields of all PAHs studied including benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and benzo[a]anthracene (B[a]A) occurred between 500 and 550 degrees C. The pathway to PAH formation in the 350-600 degrees C temperature range is believed to proceed via a carbonization process where the residual solid (char) undergoes a chemical transformation and rearrangement to give a more condensed polycyclic aromatic structure that upon further heating evolves PAH moieties. Extraction of tobacco with water led to a two fold increase in the yields of most PAHs studied. The extraction process removed low temperature non-PAH-forming components, such as alkaloids, organic acids and inorganic salts, and concentrated instead (on a per unit weight basis) tobacco components such as cell wall bio-polymers and lipids. Hexane extraction of the tobacco removed lipophilic components, previously identified as the main source of PAH precursors, but no change in PAH yields was observed from the hexane-extracted tobacco. Tobacco cell wall components such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin are identified as major low temperature PAH precursors. A link between the formation of a low temperature char that evolves PAHs upon heating is established and the observed ng/g yields of PAHs from tobacco highlights a low temperature solid phase formation mechanism that may be operable in a burning cigarette.     

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using data from a duplicate diet study in Catalonia,Spain

In this study, the dietary intake of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by the population of Tarragona County (Catalonia, Spain) was assessed using the duplicate diet approach. Duplicate diet samples, prepared as per consumption, were collected during September 2010 in various restaurants offering a variety of daily menus (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). For analysis of PAHs, a total of 90 composite samples were prepared. Analytical procedure of PAHs was performed by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Intake calculations were made for the standard male adult population. The highest intakes corresponded to acenaphthylene (12.7 μg/day), acenaphthene (12.4 μg/day), and fluorene (11.9 μg/day), while the lowest intake corresponded to dibenz[a,h]anthracene (0.12 μg/day), being also comparatively low those of pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene + benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[ghi]perylene (0.13 μg/day in all cases). The results were compared with data from previous total diet studies (TDS) recently performed in the same geographical area. In the present study, the estimated mean dietary intake for a standard male adult living in Catalonia was 59.2 μg/day, a value notably higher than that found in our recent TDS (6.72 μg/day). However, it is essential to remark that important methodological differences exist between both surveys, reflecting that calculation methods should be similar when the purpose is to compare results from different surveys. In general terms, we conclude that for PAHs, duplicate diet studies may be a good alternative to total diet studies, especially when there are important economical limitations to perform a suitable TDS. The costs associated to the former may be notably lower, as they do not require such an extensive number of samples for chemical analysis. Moreover, a duplicate diet approach may even be more realistic, as cooked foodstuffs are used for dietary exposure assessment.     

Airborne PAHs inhibit gap junctional intercellular communication and activate MAPKs in human bronchial epithelial cell line

Inhalation exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been associated with various adverse health effects, including chronic lung diseases and cancer. Using human bronchial epithelial cell line HBE1, we investigated the effects of structurally different PAHs on tissue homeostatic processes, namely gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and MAPKs activity. Rapid (<1 h) and sustained (up to 24 h) inhibition of GJIC was induced by low/middle molecular weight (MW) PAHs, particularly by those with a bay- or bay-like region (1- and 9-methylanthracene, fluoranthene), but also by fluorene and pyrene. In contrast, linear low MW (anthracene, 2-methylanthracene) or higher MW (chrysene) PAHs did not affect GJIC. Fluoranthene, 1- and 9-methylanthracene induced strong and sustained activation of MAPK ERK1/2, whereas MAPK p38 was activated rather nonspecifically by all tested PAHs. Low/middle MW PAHs can disrupt tissue homeostasis in human airway epithelium via structure-dependent nongenotoxic mechanisms, which can contribute to their human health hazards.     

中药材中多环芳烃的残留量测定及风险评估

目的 基于气相色谱-串联质谱法(GC-MS/MS)建立16种多环芳烃的高通量的检测方法,采用点评估法进行多环芳烃残留摄入暴露风险研究.方法 含有稳定同位素内标的环己烷提取109份样品,经过DB-5MS(0.25 mm×30 m,0.25μm)分离后由GC-MS/MS测定,检测模式为质谱多反应监测技术(MRM)模式,方法...     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) processed by traditional flue gas smoking and by liquid smoke flavourings

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection in rainbow trout fillets processed by traditional flue gas smoking and by liquid smoke flavourings, at low temperature (25 degrees C for 3h). Raw fillets were also investigated as control group. The following compounds, anthracene, fluoranthene, pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, chrysene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene and benzo(ghi)perylene were detected in all samples and no significant difference (p>0.05) was found neither between fresh and processed samples nor between the two different smoking techniques, except for chrysene and benzo(b)fluoranthene. The results show that PAHs found in rainbow trout fillets could be considered as a consequence of environmental pollution and the mild smoking process described in the present study did not affect their concentrations.     

2014-2015年郑州市熟肉制品中亚硝酸盐检测与分析

目的 了解郑州市熟肉制品中亚硝酸盐残留量现状,为食品安全监管提供科学依据.方法 采用盐酸萘乙二胺比色法对2014与2015年度抽检的878份熟肉制品中亚硝酸盐进行检测,并对结果进行统计分析.结果 878份熟肉制品中,亚硝酸盐的平均检出率为87.9％(772/878),平均超标率为9.7％(78/878).结论 在郑州市售熟肉制品的加工过程中亚硝酸盐的使用较普遍但比较规范,基本符合食品添加剂安全标准规定的允许量.     

Expression of cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1B1 in human lung from smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers

Cytochromes P450 1A1 and 1B1 are known to bioactivate procarcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in cigarette smoke and are inducible via an Ah receptor-mediated mechanism. The aim of this study was to examine the levels of expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in samples of lung from smokers (n = 18), non-smokers (n = 7), and ex-smokers (n = 7). Using immunoglobulin preparations of highly specific polyclonal antibodies and immunoblot analysis of microsomes from lung tissues, we determined the specific content for CYP1A1 and CYP1B1. For CYP1A1, we found median expression levels of 15.5 pmol/mg microsomal protein in smokers, 6.0 pmol/mg microsomal protein in non-smokers, and 19.0 pmol/mg microsomal protein in ex-smokers. The difference in median expression levels of smokers and ex-smokers compared to non-smokers was statistically significant. For CYP1B1, we found median expression levels of 1.8 pmol/mg microsomal protein in smokers, 1.0 pmol/mg microsomal protein in non-smokers, and 4.4 pmol/mg microsomal protein in ex-smokers. The difference in median expression levels between ex-smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant. These results suggest that levels of expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 protein in lung tissues from smokers and ex-smokers are quantitatively greater than in non-smokers. By immunohistochemical analysis, we demonstrated the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in normal human alveolar type I and II cells, ciliated columnar epithelial cells lining bronchoalveolar airways, and alveolar macrophages. These results confirm that CYP1A1 is expressed in normal human lung, appears to be induced in smokers, and show interindividual variation; the similar characteristics of CYP1B1 are demonstrated.