engleski

Metalloids and metals in food supplements

Aim. To perform research of lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury, chromium, nickel and zinc burden on 14 vitamins or herbal preparations in order to estimate potential toxicity based on maximum possible bioaccumulation. Methods. Following microwave digestion (sample + 5 ml 65% HNO3 and 1 ml H2O2 ; 20 minutes), metals and metalloids were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS): for concentration determination graphite furnace AAS (Pb, Cd, Cr and Ni), flame AAS (Zn), quartz-tube AAS (As), and cold vapour AAS (Hg) were used. Results. Analysis results showed that the preparations contained lead ranging 0.50-3.86 mg/kg (5 samples), cadmium 0.12 mg/kg (1 sample), arsenic 0.10-0.19 mg/kg (3 samples), mercury 0.04-0.12 mg/kg (14 samples), chromium 0.42-64.38 mg/kg (10 samples), nickel 0.67-338.90 mg/kg (12 samples), and zinc 2.44-95.30 mg/kg (7 samples), counted on total preparation weight as the mean of three determinations. Obtained results compared to values of maximum allowed amount (MAA) for grains (Pb, As, Cd, Hg), honey (Zn), oil (Ni) and hydrogenated oil (Cr), in absence of specific regulative for food supplements, were above the specified limit for lead, mercury, chromium, and nickel, while for cadmium and arsenic were lower. Zn values were above the limit in 2 samples. Calculated cumulative daily doses compared to specific tolerable daily intake values (TDI) ranged for lead 0.05-1.94%, for cadmium 0.17%, for arsenic 0.01-0.12%, for mercury 0.02-0.94%, for nickel 0.10-30.10% and for zinc 0.003-0.16%. Calculated values of maximum possible bioaccumulation during administration period of preparations (depending on each sample) were low and ranged for lead 17.40-437.00  g, for cadmium 7.20  g, for arsenic 7.30-18.25  g, for mercury 1.20-24.00  g, for chromium 19.80  g -5.82 mg, for nickel 27.00  g - 30.68 mg, and for zinc 0.17-4.72 mg. However, it should be taken into account that the intake of metals and metalloids by consumption of food supplements is just one of possible yields of total daily intake into organism, besides food and water, as well as air inhaling. Conclusion. Research results point out the importance of defining food supplements MAA values because alternative product group values are not adequate for proper risk estimation of analysed preparations. Although chromium is the trace element, it can also be potentially toxic. Since the limit of tolerable daily intake of that metal has not been defined till now, it should be done in the future.

Metalloids; metals; food supplements

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