Acrylamide in potato chips in Iran, health risk assessment and mitigation

This study aimed to determine the acrylamide content in potato chips sold in Kermanshah, Iran and assess the potential health concerns associated with acrylamide exposure. HPLC-DAD was used to analyse 120 samples across 40 brands. The possible non-carcinogenic risk index for adults was below 1 for all 40 brands (100%), but for children it was only below 1 for 9 brands (22.5%) and above 1 for 31 brands (77.5%). Regarding the possible carcinogenic risk index, for adults only 1 out of 40 brands rated > 10-4, whereas for children all brands rated > 10-4. This shows that children's exposure to acrylamide through potato chips consumption in Kermanshah can be considered a risk on cancer and exposure of adults requires attention and monitoring. The best way to reduce acrylamide in potato chips and associated health risks is to improve the production process, especially temperature and time.

A Systematic Literature Review on the Association Between Toxic and Essential Trace Elements and the Risk of Orofacial Clefts in Infants

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) have been linked to various toxic and essential trace elements (TETEs) worldwide. However, review estimation is absent. Therefore, addressing the hypothesis that TETEs are associated with OFCs is the main area of this review. A systematic literature search was conducted using electronic databases through PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar between 2004 and August 2022. The "AND" and "OR" operators were used to make our search results inclusive and restrictive as follows: ("Toxic element*" OR "Heavy metal*") AND ("Toxic element*" OR "Lead OR Arsenic OR Mercury*")) AND ("Essential trace element*" OR "Zinc OR Selenium OR Copper*")) AND ("Orofacial cleft*" OR "Cleft lip*" OR "Cleft palate*") AND ("Infant*" OR "Newborn*" OR "Neonate*")). The presence of toxic elements was linked to the development of OFCs. The results showed that higher levels of toxic elements in various biological sample types were related to increased risks for OFCs. Increased concentrations of essential trace elements (ETEs) lowered the risk of OFCs. Maternal consumption of diets rich in ETEs, including zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), and molybdenum (Mo), was linked to a more pronounced reduction in the risk of OFCs. Based on the findings, it is acceptable to infer that maternal exposure to toxic elements, whether through environmental contaminants or dietary sources, was associated with an elevated risk of OFCs. Furthermore, the study revealed that ETEs exhibited a potential protective role in reducing the incidence of OFCs. This observation highlights the importance of reducing exposure to toxic elements during pregnancy and suggests that optimizing maternal intake of ETEs could be an effective preventive strategy.

A national systematic literature review for aflatoxin M1 in commonly consumed cheese brands in Iran: Human health risk assessment by Monte Carlo simulation

Cheese is popular in Iran because of its high nutritional value; therefore, it is necessary to control this product regarding health risk factors, particularly aflatoxin M1 (AFM1). This research reviewed AFM1 in various varieties of cheese in Iran to assess the potential health risks associated with consuming these products for different age groups. In this regard, all accessible papers from different databases were screened between June 27, 2000 and October 10, 2022 b y systematic research and then considering the selection criteria of the studies; finally, 22 articles were selected for the current review. The amount and prevalence of AFM1 were calculated and separated based on the cheese variety, and the sampling location; health risk assessment (HRA), statistical, uncertainty, and sensitivity analysis for AFM1 of cheese for different age groups were performed. The study results for 2143 samples showed that the overall average AFM1 for cheese is 160 ± 175 ng/kg, below the European Commission (EC) regulation (250 ng/kg). AFM1 contaminated 72.42% of all cheese samples, and 13% of these contaminated samples had a higher AFM1 than the EC regulation. Cheese varieties were ranked based on average levels of AFM1 as white pasteurized > traditional > creamy > probiotic > Lighvan, and this ranking was obtained based on sampling locations as market > dairy factories > livestock farms. Based on the HRAs, from the perspective of the liver cancer risk (LCR), the margin of exposure (MOE), and the hazard index (HI) approach, it can be concluded that cheese produced in Iran, in terms of AFM1, particularly for children, poses serious health risks. Accordingly, it is imperative to carefully consider implementing suitable management methods to inhibit the growth of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in livestock fodder, and training in sanitary production and processing of dairy products according to world standards is suggested for industrial and traditional cheese producers across Iran.

A systematic literature review on the association between exposures to toxic elements and an autism spectrum disorder

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental illness characterized by difficulties in social communication and repetitive behaviors. There have been many previous studies of toxic metals in ASD. Therefore, the priority of this study is to review the relationships between exposure to toxic metals and ASD.

MATERIALS & METHODS

This study was based on a comprehensive search of international databases, such as Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar, for all works related to the subject under discussion from 1982 to 2022. We further summarize published data linked to this topic and discuss with clarifying evidence that agrees and conflicts with the association between exposure to toxic metals, including mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and aluminum (Al) and ASD.

RESULTS

40 out of 63 papers met the requirements for meta-analysis. Blood Pb levels (standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.81; 95 % confidence interval (CI): 0.36-1.25), blood Hg (SMD = 0.90; CI: 0.30-1.49), hair Pb (SMD = 1.47; CI: 0.03-2.92), urine As (SMD = 0.65; CI: 0.22-1.09), and urine Al levels (SMD = 0.85; CI: 0.40-1.29) in autistic individuals were significantly higher than those of healthy control (HC). Whereas, blood As levels (SMD = 1.33; CI: -1.32-3.97), hair As (SMD = 0.55; CI: -0.14-1.24), hair Cd (SMD = 0.60; CI: -0.31-1.51), hair Hg (SMD = 0.41; CI: -0.30-1.12), hair Al (SMD = 0.87; CI: -0.02-1.77), urine Pb (SMD = -0.68; CI: -2.55-1.20), urine Cd (SMD = -0.26; CI: -0.94-0.41), and urine Hg levels (SMD = 0.47; CI: -0.09-1.04) in autistic individuals were significantly lower than those of HC.

CONCLUSION

Toxic metal content significantly differed between individuals with ASD and HC in the current meta-analysis. The results assist in clarifying the significance of toxic metals as environmental factors in the development of ASD.

Analysis of Minerals and Toxic Elements in Commonly Consumed Herbal Medicines in Zahedan, Iran, and Associated Human Health Risk Assessment

ABSTRACT

Herbal medicines (HMDs) are widely used in some countries. However, a consumer's health may be threatened when pollutants are present in HMDs and a high quantity of these medications is consumed. This work was conducted to evaluate the accumulation of toxic elements and the potential human health risks associated with high consumption of HMDs in Zahedan, Iran. In this study, 15 brands of popular HMDs were selected from five pharmacies. In each pharmacy, three HMD samples were randomly chosen, for a total of 225 samples, and evaluated for 11 elements. Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry was used to analyze cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and aluminum (Al) in each sample. Total arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. The human health risk of each element from ingestion of each HMD was estimated. The mean concentrations of these elements in different types of HMDs were highly variable and significantly different within the same type of HMD (P < 0.001). All samples contained detectable concentrations of target elements. However, the mean concentrations of each element in all HMDs were significantly lower than the legal limit published by the World Health Organization. The outcomes of this work indicated that for both children and adults, the target hazard quotient (THQ) for each metal and the hazard index (HI) for all metals in all types of HMDs were significantly lower than the acceptable limit (THQ and HI = 1). The incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) for each carcinogenic metal and the total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for all carcinogenic metals also were lower than the acceptable limit (ILCR and TCR = 10-4).

HIGHLIGHTS

A Review on the Antiviral Activity of Functional Foods Against COVID-19 and Viral Respiratory Tract Infections

Due to the absence of successful therapy, vaccines for protection are continuously being developed. Since vaccines must be thoroughly tested, viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs), mainly coronaviruses, have seriously affected human health worldwide in recent years. In this review, we presented the relevant data which originated from trusted publishers regarding the practical benefits of functional foods (FFs) and their dietary sources, in addition to natural plant products, in viral respiratory and COVID-19 prevention and immune-boosting activities. As a result, FFs were confirmed to be functionally active ingredients for preventing COVID-19 and VRTIs. Furthermore, the antiviral activity and immunological effects of FFs against VRTIs and COVID-19 and their potential main mechanisms of action are also being reviewed. Therefore, to prevent COVID-19 and VRTIs, it is critical to identify controlling the activities and immune-enhancing functional food constituents as early as possible. We further aimed to summarize functional food constituents as a dietary supplement that aids in immune system boosting and may effectively reduce VRTIs and COVID-19 and promote therapeutic efficacy.

Accumulation and human health risk assessment of nitrate in vegetables irrigated with different irrigation water sources- transfer evaluation of nitrate from soil to vegetables

The present study aimed to investigate the rate of accumulation, human health risk assessment, and nitrate-related transfer factor in vegetables irrigated with different sources, including treated wastewater effluent (TWE) of Kermanshah wastewater treatment plant, Gharasoo river water (RW) of Kermanshah, and well water with chemical fertilizer (WWF). For this purpose, three different types of vegetables, including basil, coriander, and radish, was cultivated, and each of them was irrigated by the three irrigation sources mentioned above. Finally, the amount of nitrate in different sources of irrigation, soil (before growing vegetables and after harvesting vegetables), and the mentioned vegetables was measured. Based on the study results, it can be concluded that the water of the Gharasoo River (RW), compared to the other two irrigation sources, causes more nitrate accumulation in the soil and vegetables grown in it. The highest transmission factor was related to basil vegetables irrigated with WWF. The results showed that the average daily intake of nitrate through the consumption of vegetables grown in Kermanshah with any irrigation water is less than the allowable amount, so the consumption of such vegetables is not dangerous to consumers' health. Therefore, it is suggested that the best irrigation source for vegetable cultivation in Kermanshah is TWE, provided that all of its physical, chemical and microbial parameters meet the standards for reuse in agriculture irrigation. Thus, the use of treated wastewater reduces the need for farmers to use chemical and organic fertilizers and cost-effectiveness, high frequency, and high availability.

Presence of Biogenic Amines in Food and Their Public Health Implications: A Review

ABSTRACT

Essential foods as part of a daily meal may include numerous kinds of biogenic amines (BAs) at various concentrations. BAs have a variety of toxicological effects on human health and have been linked to multiple outbreaks of foodborne disease. BAs also are known to cause cancer based on their ability to react with nitrite salts, resulting in the production of carcinogenic organic compounds (nitrosamines). Ingestion of large quantities of BAs in food causes toxicological effects and health disorders, including psychoactive, vasoactive, and hypertensive effects and respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological disorders. The toxicity of BAs is linked closely to the BAs histamine and tyramine. Other amines, such as phenylethylamine, putrescine, and cadaverine, are important because they can increase the negative effects of histamine. The key method for reducing BA concentrations and thus foodborne illness is management of the bacterial load in foods. Basic good handling and hygiene practices should be used to control the formation of histamine and other BAs and reduce the toxicity histamine and tyramine. A better understanding of BAs is essential to enhance food safety and quality. This review also includes a discussion of the public health implications of BAs in foods.

HIGHLIGHTS

Biomedical effects of Laurus nobilis L. leaf extract on vital organs in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: Experimental research

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been treated with herbs for centuries and many herbs reported to exert antidiabetic activity. Laurus nobilis is an aromatic herb belonging to the Lauraceae family, commonly known as bay. This study aimed to investigate the activity of Laurus nobilis leave extracts on histopathological and biochemical changes in β-cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were included in the study and divided equally into 5 groups for 4 weeks as follow; control group (C), diabetic group (D), diabetic Laurus nobilis extract group (DLN), Laurus nobilis extract group (LN) and diabetic acarbose (DA) group. Histopathologically, D group rats exhibited various degenerative and necrotic changes in their liver, pancreas and kidney, whereas the DLN rats had nearly normal histology. Insulin immunostaining in the pancreatic beta cells was decreased in the D group compared to the C group, whereas the DLN group was similar to the C group. The glucose concentration decreased significantly in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose (p < 0.05). Additionally, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme were significantly decreased in both diabetic rats treated with L. nobilis and acarbose, compared to the D group (p ˃ 0.05). Outcomes of this study said that leave extracts of L. nobilis has valuable effect on blood glucose level and ameliorative effect on regeneration of pancreatic islets, it also restored the altered liver enzymes, urea, creatine kinase, total protein levels, calcium and ferritin to near normal.

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Diabetes mellitus has been treated with herbs for centuries and many herbs reported to exert antidiabetic activity.

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Historically, traditional herbal treatments have been shown to possess successful pharmacological activity, such as in the case with metformin, isolated from Galega officinalis.

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Laurus nobilis has a valuable effect on blood glucose level and ameliorative effect on regeneration of pancreatic islets.

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Laurus nobilis have also been shown to display insulin-enhancing activity in vitro.

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Laurus nobilis also restored the altered liver enzymes, urea, creatine kinase, total protein levels, calcium and ferritin to near normal.

Biogenic amines formation and their importance in fermented foods

Biogenic amines (BAs) are low molecular weight organic bases with an aliphatic, aromatic, or heterocyclic structure which have been found in many foods. biogenic amines have been related with several outbreaks of food-borne intoxication and are very important in public health concern because of their potential toxic effects. The accumulation of biogenic amines in foods is mainly due to the presence of bacteria able to decarboxylate certain amino acids. Biogenic amines are formed when the alpha carboxvl group breaks away from free amino acid precursors. They are colled after the amino acid they originated from. The main biogenic amines producers in foods are Gram positive bacteria and cheese is among the most commonly implicated foods associated with biogenic amines poisoning. The consumption of foods containing high concentrations of biogenic amines has been associated with health hazards and they are used as a quality indicator that shows the degree of spoilage, use of non-hygienic raw material and poor manufacturing practice. Biogenic amines may also be considered as carcinogens because they are able to react with nitrites to form potentially carcinogenic nitrosamines. Generally, biogenic amines in foods can be controlled by strict use of good hygiene in both raw material and manufacturing environments with corresponding inhibition of spoiling microorganisms. The aim of this review was to give some information about biogenic amines in foods.

Evaluate the effects of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and zinc oxide ointment on skin wound healing

In this study efficiency of platelet rich plasma (PRP) and zinc oxide on full thickness wounds created on rabbits was researched. This study conducted on 24 New Zealand rabbits divided 2 groups. A circular of 1.5 × 1.5 cm (2.5 cm²) full thickness skin wound was created under the general anesthesia. 1 ml PRP (5.503106/mm³) was applied to the one of the wounds subcutaneously. To the other wound 1 mm³ zinc oxide ointment was applied once a day during the study. Wound contraction rates were measured, biopsy materials were collected and evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically postoperatively 3rd, 7th and 15th days. As a result it is determined that PRP and zinc oxide accelerated wound contraction rates between the groups were determined as 3rd day p = 0.007, 7th day p = 0.0002 and 15th day p = 0.002.

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Wound healing is inborn to all species and is the biologic procedure by which the body repairs itself after injury, whichever it be traumatic, complicated, infected and/or surgical.

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Platelet rich plasma (PRP) gel is measured to be progressive wound treatment for acute and chronic wounds. PRP gel has mainly been applied to improve or accelerate healing of wound.

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Zinc is a vital trace element in the human body and its significance in wellbeing and infection is valued. Zinc deficiency of genetic or dietary cause can prompt neurotic, pathologic and physiological changes and deferred wound healing.

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Topical treatment with autologous PRP can be used as clinical therapy and can enhance tissue healing and enhanced angiogenesis compared to zinc oxide treatments.

Detection of common biogenic amines in fermented sausage produced in Turkey

The application of HPLC method to detect the BA concentration in fermented sausage was successful and proved that HPLC system and method served its purposes. Biogenic amines are generated in foods as a result of free amino acid decarboxylation by bacterial enzymes. Biogenic amines accumulations are unwanted in all foods and beverages because if consumed at high concentrations, they may induce foodborne intoxications. Histamine, putrescine, cadaverine, tyramine, tryptamine, beta-phenylethylamine, spermine and spermidine are considered to be the most important biogenic amines occurring in foods. The determination of biogenic amines in foods is of great interest due to their potential toxicity and can be used as indicators for food quality markers.

The determination of some biogenic amines in Turkish fermented sausages consumed in Van

Biogenic amines, has been implicated as the causative agent in several outbreaks of food poisoning. Fermented food such as Turkish style fermented sausages can also contain biogenic amines, microorganisms possessing the enzymes decarboxylase, which converts amino acids to biogenic amines, are responsible for the formation of biogenic amines in fermented sausages. The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of biogenic amines in Turkish fermented sausage consumed in Van in Turkey, and to evaluate their concentrations in term of public health risks. High performance liquid chromatography method was used to the determination of 8 biogenic amines in 120 sausage samples collected from 10 different brands sold in the local markets of Van. The detection levels of biogenic amines in the samples was ranged from 0 to 129.375 mg/kg for tryptamine, from 0 to 65.625 mg/kg for 2-phenylethylamine, from 0 to 255.625 mg/kg for putrescine, from 0 to 1148.75 mg/kg for cadaverine, from 0 to 469.375 mg/kg for histamine, from 0 to 438.125 mg/kg for tyramine, from 0 to 554.375 mg/kg for spermidine, and from 0 to 614.375 mg/kg for spermine.