Globally it is estimated that up to 37% of all marine mammals are at a risk of extinction, due in particular to human impacts, including coastal pollution. Dolphins are known to be at risk from ...anthropogenic contaminants due to their longevity and high trophic position. While it is known that beach-cast animals are often high in contaminants, it has not been possible to determine whether levels may also be high in live animals from the same populations. In this paper we quantitatively assess mercury contamination in the two main populations of a newly described dolphin species from south eastern Australia, Tursiops australis. This species appear to be limited to coastal waters in close proximity to a major urban centre, and as such is likely to be vulnerable to anthropogenic pollution. For the first time, we were able to compare blubber mercury concentrations from biopsy samples of live individuals and necropsies of beach-cast animals and show that beach-cast animals were highly contaminated with mercury, at almost three times the levels found in live animals. Levels in live animals were also high, and are attributable to chronic low dose exposure to mercury from the dolphin's diet. Measurable levels of mercury were found in a number of important prey fish species. This illustrates the potential for low dose toxins in the environment to pass through marine food webs and potentially contribute to marine mammal deaths. This study demonstrates the potential use of blubber from biopsy samples to make inferences about the health of dolphins exposed to mercury.
A survey of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) was conducted in Melbourne, Australia to determine background concentrations in residential, industrial, municipal wastewater treatment plants, ...and rural land uses. Surface water and sediment samples collected from 65 sites with different catchment land uses were analysed for thirty-three PFAS. Twenty-two out of thirty-three targeted PFAS were detected, with at least one PFAS species was detected in 98% water samples and 8% sediment samples. One site was determined to have point-source pollution from an airport (surface water Σ33PFAS = 4261 ng/L) and was excluded from statistical analyses. The median Σ33PFAS concentration in surface water was 63.5 ng/L and the average was 78.6 ng/L (range < DL-526 ng/L). PFAS species with the highest median concentrations were PFBA (11.3 ng/L), PFHxA (9.2 ng/L), PFOA (8.3 ng/L), PFOS (8.0 ng/L), PFPeA (7.5 ng/L), PFHpA (3.2 ng/L), and PFHxS (2.9 ng/L).
The average Σ4PFAS in sediments was 0.35 ng/g d.w. (range = <DL-6.7 ng/g) and the congeners detected were PFOS, N-MeFOSAA, N-EtFOSAA, and N-EtFOSE. Significantly higher concentrations of all PFAS were found in urban areas than rural, except for PFBA which was evenly dispersed throughout all areas. Short-chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs), PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, and the PFSA, PFBS were evenly dispersed throughout urban and industrial areas. PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA were higher, but not significantly, in residential catchments than industrial catchments. Industrial areas had significantly higher concentrations of perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids (PFSAs), PFPeS, PFHxS, and PFOS, and 6:2 FTS than other urbanised areas. The distribution of PFAS throughout catchment types in this study displayed similar trends to other studies including findings of PFBA in background areas. Ongoing monitoring of defined catchments is recommended to improve understanding of PFAS sources and changes in environmental profiles, and to assess the implications of its occurrence throughout the environment.
Display omitted
•PFAS surveyed in sediments and surface waters from greater Melbourne in Nov 2019.•PFAS was compared from treated wastewater, industrial, residential, rural runoff.•PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOS, 6:2 FTS found to be significantly higher in industrial areas.•Long-chain PFCAs: PFOA, PFNA, and PFDA showed associations with residential areas.•PFBA was the dominant congener in rural areas.
•Comparison of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays for lupine allergen detection.•Determination of detection capability for three different lupine species.•Investigation of lupine cross-reactivity to ...related legumes.
Lupine belongs to the genus Lupinus and includes three species commonly consumed by humans. The Lupinus genus is closely related to other legumes, such as peanuts, soya, chickpeas, peas, lentils and beans. However, the consumption of lupine (and related legumes) can cause severe allergenic reactions. Therefore, reliable analytical detection methods are required for the analysis of food samples. In this study three commercially available ELISA test kits were analyzed for the detection capability of three common lupine species, as well as cross-reactivity to related legumes. All three ELISA test kits could detect the lupine species, though with different sensitivities. Cross-reactivity varied for the ELISA test kits and all showed some cross-reactivity to related legume samples analyzed.
•A new rapid method to quantify phytosterols in fortified food was developed.•Analysis is based on gas chromatography with flame ionization detection.•The method is more economical, time and labour ...efficient than current methods.•Critical aspects of method validation and uncertainty are reported.•This method can ensure accurate plant sterol fortification for the food industry.
A novel method for the measurement of total phytosterols in fortified food was developed and tested using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. Unlike existing methods, this technique is capable of simultaneously extracting sterols during saponification thus significantly reducing extraction time and cost. The rapid method is suitable for sterol determination in a range of complex fortified foods including milk, cheese, fat spreads, oils and meat. The main enhancements of this new method include accuracy and precision, robustness, cost effectiveness and labour/time efficiencies. To achieve these advantages, quantification and the critical aspects of saponification were investigated and optimised. The final method demonstrated spiked recoveries in multiple matrices at 85–110% with a relative standard deviation of 1.9% and measurement uncertainty value of 10%.
► A rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous analysis of Vit D and 25OH-Vit D in meats was developed. ► Samples were saponified, underwent solid phase extraction and were analysed by LC–IT-MS. ► ...LOD and LOQ for Vit D and 25OH-Vit D were 0.03 and 0.05μg/100g respectively. ► Recoveries using internal/surrogate standard correction ranged from 80 to 100% for all vitamers. ► Measurement uncertainty ranged from 6 to 15% for all vitamers in this method.
This paper reports a method for the rapid, sensitive and simultaneous analysis of vitamin D (Vit D) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OH-Vit D) in meats. Samples were saponified and underwent solid phase extraction with analysis by normal phase liquid chromatography (LC) with ion trap mass spectroscopy (IT-MS), using positive polarity atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) for Vit D and 25OH-Vit D were 0.03 and 0.05μg/100g respectively. Deuterium labelled Vit D and 25OH-Vit D internal standards were added as surrogates prior to saponification, correcting for extraction inefficiencies and potential MS matrix enhancement or suppression effects. Recoveries using internal/surrogate standard correction ranged from 80% to 100% for all vitamers. Measurement uncertainty ranged from 6% to 15% for all vitamers in this method. This process required only 7.5g of sample per extraction and a batch of 28 extractions could be completed in six hours.
The incorporation of nanomaterials into a range of polymeric materials shows great potential for developing new active food packaging systems. Although there are many suggested benefits of ...nanoparticles (NPs) in food packaging, there are also potential risks due to the possibility of such particles migrating into foodstuffs. This has obvious implications for human health and it may also negatively impact on marketing and consumer confidence. This review focuses on 2 particular types of nanomaterials: nanoclays and nanosilver, with a view to examining the effects of these on system mechanical properties (nanoclays) and antimicrobial efficacy (nanosilver). It further reports on the various migration studies, techniques for characterization, and measurement of NPs as well as the potential migration of NPs from packaging into foodstuffs. Assessment of the literature to date suggests there is an urgent need for further research in order to devise better NP detection methods and to determine the likelihood of their migration from packaging materials into foodstuffs.
Undeclared allergens in imported packaged food for retail in Australia Sheridan, Michael John; Koeberl, Martina; Hedges, Claire Elizabeth ...
Food additives & contaminants. Part A, Chemistry, analysis, control, exposure & risk assessment,
02/2020, Letnik:
37, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code (the Code) requires a declaration of the presence of 11 different allergens made through the label on a food product. Most food recalls in Australia are ...now due to undeclared allergens . This survey determined the extent of undeclared allergens in imported food products on the Asian retail market in Australia. A total of 50 imported packaged foods were selectively purchased from local Asian grocery retail stores in Melbourne and the presence of undeclared gluten, milk, peanut and egg determined. Analysis was performed using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (R-Biopharm). Thirty-seven undeclared allergens (gluten n = 12, milk n = 12, peanut n = 6, and egg n = 7) were detected in 23 of the 50 products analysed (46%), with 18% containing multiple undeclared allergens. The high number of undeclared allergens is alarming and in line with the increasing number of food recalls and anaphylaxis recorded in Australia.
The fortification of processed foods including dairy products is increasingly commonplace with phytosterols among many compounds used to improve the nutritional value of food products. It is also ...increasingly common practice for some dairy cattle feeds to be fortified for their potential to increase phytosterol levels in milk. In this study, a combined, streamlined protocol using acid hydrolysis, saponification and sample clean‐up was developed to enable the rapid and reliable measurement of phytosterols. The method was developed with focus on streamlining the overall technique to make it suitable for commercial laboratories, to reduce labor and consumable costs, while maintaining accuracy. A total of 12 different feed types commonly used in the dairy industry were analyzed with the highest and lowest sterol contents found in cotton seed oil and tannin with average phytosterol contents of 256 and <30 mg per 100 g, respectively. With a limit of reporting of 30 mg/kg for individual sterols and a correlation coefficient > 0.99, the method was validated for milk to enable feed comparison studies with respect to the total phytosterol content in raw milk.
► We compare the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic profiles of Australian wines. ► Methods assessed included in vitro and ex vivo assays and polyphenolic profile. ► These profiles were evaluated ...between vintages and wine growing regions. ► Australian wines profiles varied significantly depending on wine growing region. ► Potential polyphenolic chemical markers of climate change were identified.
Many health benefits of wine result from specific polyphenolic compounds. Factors such as climate, CO2 levels and region are known to affect polyphenolic compounds in wine; therefore a pilot study was conducted to focus on the Australian climate which has shifted from El Niño to La Niña. This research paper presents the influence of climate conditions and growing regions on the in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant capacity of red and white wine and the profile and concentration of polyphenols in these wines from the 2008 and 2009 vintages. The ORAC and polyphenolic data show that warmer climate wines had lower in vitro antioxidant capacity values but retained good bioavailability based on data from the RBC ex vivo assay compared to cool climate wines. Based on this pilot study, further research is being conducted at the National Measurement Institute, Australia (NMIA) with the goal of determining more polyphenolic compounds which appear to be affected by climate conditions.
PDF
