Search Results (304)

The increasing interest in plant-based diets has driven the demand for sustainable legumes such as lupins. However, their broader utilization is limited by the presence of quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs), secondary metabolites toxic to human health. Despite severe health risks, European legislation lacks harmonized maximum levels, necessitating comprehensive market surveillance. This study evaluates the occurrence of 14 specific QAs across 28 commercial samples collected from the Italian market using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Concurrently, the impact of a laboratory-scale debittering process was examined on a subset of eight dried seed samples to monitor toxin reduction efficiency. The total alkaloid content exhibited significant variability across food categories. Dried lupins samples showed the highest concentration (mean: 13,676 mg/kg), whereas lower levels were detected in lupin flours (mean: 253 mg/kg), brined lupins (mean: 86.1 mg/kg), and ready-to-use products (mean: 70.3 mg/kg), with lupanine being the predominant alkaloid across most matrices. Data on finished lupin-based products confirm the efficacy of industrial processing techniques in significantly reducing the alkaloid content. In parallel, laboratory debittering process demonstrated high QA reduction efficiency, ranging between 94% and 99%. Nevertheless, if initial QA levels were high, most of the debittered lupin seeds still retained residual alkaloid levels exceeding commonly accepted safety thresholds. This highlights the importance of establishing harmonized regulatory limits within the European Union and implementing continuous analytical monitoring programs, both at the field level and on commercial products, to guarantee consumer safety. Full article

Slaughterhouse wastewater introduces potentially toxic elements into aquatic ecosystems, yet bioaccumulation patterns in commercial fish species and associated human health risks remain underexplored in West Africa. This study quantified zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) in three ecologically distinct fish species—Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), Clarias gariepinus (African sharptooth catfish), and Mugil cephalus (Flathead grey mullet)—from two slaughterhouse-impacted rivers (Transamadi and Mgbuosimini) and a control site (Iwofe) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Two-way ANOVA assessed species and location effects. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed, with Mg used as a potential geogenic tracer, as its loading pattern was independent of Pb and Cd and consistent with the natural background. A Water Quality Index (WQI) classified Mgboshimini and Iwofe as having poor water quality (WQI > 75), while Transamadi had medium quality. Health risks were evaluated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), and hazard indices (HI) following USEPA guidelines. Metal levels varied significantly by species and location (p < 0.001). Flathead grey mullet from Mgbuosimini had the highest Pb (1.50 ± 0.05 mg/kg) and Cd (0.41 ± 0.02 mg/kg), exceeding EU maximum levels for fish muscle (Pb 0.30 mg/kg, Cd 0.05 mg/kg) by 500% and 800%, respectively. PCA explained 77.5% of the variance, with Pb and Cd clustering as anthropogenic sources, while Mg loaded independently. THQ for Pb approached unity in Flathead grey mullet (0.88), and THQ for Cd reached 0.97. HI exceeded 1.0 in all species from Mgbuosimini, peaking at 2.07 in Flathead grey mullet. Uncertainty analysis (using ±SD) gave a HI range of 1.89–2.25 for this species, all above the safety threshold. Carcinogenic risk for Flathead grey mullet (3.97 × 10⁻⁴) approached the upper acceptable limit. Slaughterhouse effluent appears to elevate Pb and Cd burdens in fish, with detritivorous Flathead grey mullet posing the highest health risk. Exceedance of safety thresholds and HI > 1.0 indicate potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. We recommend improved wastewater treatment and species-specific consumption advisories. Full article

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is increasingly recognized as a complex environmental pathology driven by “contaminant metals,” rather than solely lifestyle factors. This scoping review (2016–2025) analyses the correlation between anthropogenic soil/water-derived Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) and progressive vascular hardening. The analysis confirms a robust, non-linear dose–response relationship. Chronic Cd exposure functions as a potent independent toxicant (Risk Ratio = 2.58 at 1 µg/L), significantly lowering Ankle–Brachial Index scores by inducing oxidative stress, inhibiting nitric oxide bioavailability, and displacing calcium in endothelial walls. Synergistically, Pb exposure, even at levels <5 µg/dL, compounds toxicity, amplifying arterial stiffness and hypertension. Consequently, “Heavy Metal Hardening” constitutes a critical link between water quality management and public health. Current regulatory thresholds appear insufficient to prevent chronic vascular remodeling, mandating urgent remediation of metal-laden aquifers and agricultural soils to mitigate this silent cardiovascular epidemic. Full article

Ionizing radiation induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory signaling that contribute to both therapeutic efficacy and normal tissue toxicity. While the effects of high-dose radiation are well characterized, responses to low-dose-rate radiation (LDRR) remain inconsistent and are not adequately explained by conventional linear dose–response models. To address this gap, we conducted a narrative review of recent experimental studies across multiple biological systems, including body fluids, joint microenvironments, and reproductive tissues, focusing on redox and immune-related responses under LDRR conditions (dose rates: 0.39–3.49 mGy/h). Literature was identified through PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, with emphasis on studies published between 2015 and 2026. These studies demonstrate that LDRR elicits nonlinear, dose-dependent effects that vary across biological compartments and involve coordinated changes in oxidative stress, immune signaling, and metabolic regulation. Based on this synthesis, we propose a unifying framework of nonlinear redox–immune coupling, in which oxidative stress functions as a threshold-dependent regulator and immune responses follow a biphasic trajectory characterized by activation at lower dose rates and attenuation or adaptation at higher levels. These responses are strongly influenced by the local microenvironment, resulting in compartment-specific variability. This integrated perspective supports a shift from dose-centric to systems-level interpretations of radiation biology and provides a basis for improving biomarker development, risk assessment, and therapeutic strategies in chronic low-dose radiation exposure settings. Future research priorities include time-resolved mechanistic studies to define compartment-specific redox thresholds, validation of candidate biomarkers under identical multi-compartment experimental conditions (e.g., GSH/GSSG ratio, 8-OHdG, circulating cytokine panels including IL-10/TNF-α ratio), and integration of subject-specific biological variables (e.g., age, sex, and baseline redox capacity) into predictive models of LDRR response. Full article

Bryophytes are key components of acid–soil ecosystems; however, their capacity for aluminum (Al) accumulation and tolerance remains poorly understood. In this study, bryophytes and a limited number of pteridophyte and lichen species were collected from acidic soils of tea plantations and adjacent forest stands in the Caspian region of northern Iran and analyzed. Nearly all bryophyte specimens exhibited Al concentrations above the critical accumulation threshold (1000 µg g⁻¹ DW), with some reaching values exceeding 28,000 µg g⁻¹ DW, confirming their strong accumulation capacity. After Al, iron was the most abundantly accumulated metal (1430–22,800 µg g⁻¹ DW), followed by manganese (100–3100 µg g⁻¹ DW). The sampled lichen species accumulated Al at concentrations between 1063 and 9154 µg g⁻¹ DW, while Al levels in the aerial parts of pteridophytes rarely exceeded the critical threshold; when they did, accumulation occurred predominantly in old and fertile fronds rather than sterile ones. Three field-collected bryophyte species—Barbula unguiculata, Palamocladium euchloron, and Hypnum cupressiforme—were acclimated to laboratory conditions and treated with two Al levels (without or with 150 µM Al, pH 4.0) for 12 weeks. The leafy shoots were analyzed for their antioxidant response, osmolyte accumulation, phenolic metabolism, callose deposition, and carboxylic-acid profile. Histochemical analyses revealed predominant localization of Al in cell walls, associated with enrichment of pectin and uronic acids. These responses were most pronounced in H. cupressiforme, followed by P. euchloron, and least evident in B. unguiculata. Elevated levels of intracellular detoxification compounds—phenolics, flavonoids, and carboxylic acids (tartaric, oxalic, malic, and citric acids)—were detected, again with species-specific differences. Overall, the results reveal that bryophytes employ multiple physiological strategies to tolerate Al toxicity, with substantial interspecific variation. These findings emphasize their ecological significance and provide a foundation for future research on the physiological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying Al tolerance and accumulation in early land plants. Full article

The quantitative identification of heavy metal sources is essential to clarify their relationships with ecological and health risks. This study focused on the Manghe Watershed in Jiyuan City, Henan Province, China, integrating the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model, ecological risk index (RI), and health risk assessment (HRA) to construct a coupled PMF-RI/PMF-HRA framework to quantify source-specific risk contributions and propose targeted mitigation strategies. Key findings included: (1) Among the 121 surface soil samples, Cr and Ni showed natural background levels, while Cd, Pb, Hg, Zn, As, and Cu exceeded regional backgrounds by 1.63–33.65 times with anthropogenic-driven spatial heterogeneity. (2) The PMF identified four sources: natural–agriculture mixed (42.65%), the main contributor to Cr, Ni, As, and Cu; industrial activity (24.99%), the primary source of Cd and Zn; traffic–agriculture mixed (20.99%), primarily emitting Pb and As; and coal combustion (11.36%), dominating Hg emissions. (3) Ecological and health risks were governed by heavy metal toxicity and exposure pathways rather than mere concentration levels. Specifically, industrial sources (Cd, Zn) should be prioritized for ecological risk control, whereas natural–agricultural mixed sources (As, Pb, Cr) should be prioritized for health risk control. Oral ingestion was the dominant exposure pathway for both non-carcinogenic risk and carcinogenic risk in children, with the natural–agricultural mixed source contributing the most to this pathway. (4) The total carcinogenic risk (TCR) for children was 1.17 × 10⁻⁴, which exceeds the commonly accepted unacceptable threshold of 1 × 10⁻⁴, indicating a potential carcinogenic concern. (5) The PMF-RI and PMF-HRA frameworks quantitatively proved that the main sources of ecological risks and health risks may be completely different, and this phenomenon was jointly regulated by the toxicity response coefficient and exposure pathways. A “source–risk-pathway” quantitative attribution was achieved and provides clear support for targeted interventions, emphasizing source control for industrial emissions (Cd-Zn), traffic–agriculture inputs (Pb-As), and coal-derived Hg, alongside optimized agricultural practices. Full article

Food adulteration with melamine represents a serious threat to food safety due to its toxic effects and its ability to falsely elevate protein values measured by nitrogen-based methods. Visual inspection and visible reflectance spectroscopy are unsuitable for identifying low-level adulteration. This study evaluates Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric tools for the identification of melamine in brown rice flour adulterated at 0–2.00% (w/w). Under the tested conditions, no clear FTIR-detectable interactions between melamine and starch or proteins were observed, suggesting that melamine primarily acts as a physical admixture. Characteristic melamine absorption bands were identified at 3466, 3415, 1431, and 810 cm⁻¹. Spectral normalization and second-order derivative processing improved sensitivity and enabled quantitative calibration models. The method achieved a limit of detection of 1408 mg/kg. Although this value is above the regulatory threshold of 2.5 mg/kg, the approach provides a rapid, non-destructive screening tool for identifying highly adulterated samples and prioritizing them for confirmatory chromatographic or mass spectrometric analysis. Overall, FTIR spectroscopy combined with chemometric analysis offers an efficient first-line approach for identification of melamine adulteration in brown rice flour. Full article

Compost offers high potential for sustainable agriculture, but its agronomic outcomes vary. This critical review combines qualitative evidence with literature-derived quantitative benchmarks for compost maturity, salinity, nutrient loading, application-rate classes and monitoring triggers. Evidence demonstrates that mature, stable composts consistently improve soil health, including aggregation, water-holding capacity, soil organic carbon (SOC), and nutrient availability while boosting crop yield and establishment. These high-quality composts are characterized by low phytotoxicity, moderate C:N ratios, acceptable EC levels, and pathogen compliance. However, benefits are not universal. Immature or poorly stabilized compost poses risks of phytotoxicity, ammonia toxicity, and nitrogen immobilization. Excessive application rates are associated with nutrient imbalances, increased salinity, nitrate leaching, phosphorus runoff, greenhouse-gas trade-offs, and cumulative contaminant loading. To enhance the precision of rate recommendations, this review categorizes applications into four distinct tiers: starter or maintenance (2–5 Mg dry matter ha⁻¹), common agronomic (5–20 Mg ha⁻¹), rehabilitation (20–35 Mg ha⁻¹), and high-risk (>35 Mg ha⁻¹). It posits that the final application rate must be dictated by the most limiting factors, such as crop nitrogen requirements, soil-test phosphorus levels, salinity tolerance, contaminant thresholds, hydrologic risk, or specific management objectives. In conclusion, while manure-based composts enhance short-term fertility, they introduce significant risks of phosphorus accumulation and salinity compared to green-waste alternatives. This review, therefore, redefines compost not as a generic organic amendment, but as a quality-controlled, rate-sensitive input essential for precision nutrient management. Full article

Coastal environments are becoming more susceptible to enrichment of trace elements from human activities and natural processes. This research presents a detailed assessment of heavy metal pollution and radiological risks in coastal sediments from the Ras Mohamed area, South Sinai, at the northern Red Sea. Fifteen surface sediment samples were examined for nine trace metals and naturally occurring radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K) using ICP-OES and gamma spectrometry techniques, respectively. Geochemical analyses showed the concentration sequence Fe > Ba > V > Cr > Zn > Co > Ni > Cu > Pb, where average levels of Cr, V, and Co were higher than Canadian Soil Quality Guidelines (CSQGs) and global crustal background values. Environmental evaluation using the pollution load index = 2.16 reflected ongoing contamination, and the Geo-Accumulation Index indicated low to moderate polluted sediment conditions. Nevertheless, ecological risk results (PERI = 87.21) together with toxicity indicators pointed to low to moderate biological effects. Human exposure assessments for adults and children revealed no significant non-carcinogenic risk (HI < 1), and the Total Cancer Risk remained below the acceptable regulatory threshold (1 × 10⁻⁴). From the other side, all recorded radiation activities were low, falling below internationally recognized safety limits. An evaluation of radiological hazard indices further confirmed that the sediments present no significant radiation risk, as all measurements remain within the low-level classification of international standards. Overall, the results indicate that although localized sediment transport and tourism-related pressures have increased certain metal levels, the region is radiologically secure and currently presents negligible risk to human health. Full article

River water quality assessments are commonly conducted under conventional anthropogenic pressures; however, the long-term environmental impacts of armed conflicts remain insufficiently understood. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the persistence of war-related heavy metal contamination and its associated human health risks in the Tigris River, Mosul, a post-conflict urban system. The results revealed that Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni concentrations exceeded WHO guideline values across most sites, while Zn remained within acceptable limits. The highest contamination levels were observed in the central urban zone (Zone 3), which was directly affected by military activities. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for Cd and Pb exceeded the safe threshold (HQ > 1) at all sites, identifying them as dominant contributors to toxicity. The cumulative hazard index (HI) reached extremely high levels (>300 in 2022 and >200 in 2023), indicating severe non-carcinogenic health risks despite a slight temporal improvement. Spatially, contamination increased from upstream to downstream, with midstream and downstream areas acting as critical hotspots. Temporally, although pollutant levels declined in 2023, they remained significantly above safe limits, demonstrating limited natural recovery. Overall, the findings provide clear evidence of the long-term persistence of conflict-related contamination and its sustained risks to human health. This study highlights the need for targeted remediation strategies and offers a transferable framework for assessing water quality in conflict-affected river systems.: Full article

Persistent organic pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) remain a public health concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential health effects. Human breast milk is an important biomonitoring matrix for assessing maternal and infant exposure to lipophilic contaminants. This pilot study aimed to determine concentrations of PCDD/Fs, dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs), and non-dioxin-like PCBs (ndl-PCBs) in breast milk samples collected from five lactating women residing in the Greater Poland Province and to explore potential determinants of exposure. Following participant recruitment, sample collection, and questionnaire-based assessment performed by the authors, breast milk samples were analyzed at the accredited Laboratory of Trace Analysis (Cracow University of Technology, Poland) using isotope dilution gas chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Toxic equivalency values (TEQ) were calculated using World Health Organization 2005 toxic equivalency factors (WHO-TEFs). WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ ranged from 0.096 to 0.22 pg/g fresh weight. Median lipid-normalized WHO-PCDD/F-TEQ and total WHO-PCDD/F-PCB-TEQ concentrations were 3.5 and 4.7 pg/g lipid, respectively, remaining below the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference level of 5.9 pg/g lipid; only one sample exceeded this threshold (6.2 pg/g lipid). Lipid-normalized WHO-PCB-TEQ correlated positively with maternal age (ρ = 0.949, p = 0.0389). The observed values were within the lower range reported in recent European studies. The congener patterns suggest a combination of chronic exposure to combustion by-products and long-term bioaccumulation of historical industrial pollutants. Although limited by the small sample size, this exploratory study provides preliminary regional biomonitoring data supporting future environmental exposure research. Full article

Data on arsenic (As) and other potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in Pakistani retail meats are limited, constraining evidence-based dietary risk assessment and management. This study aimed to determine the concentrations and profiles of As and seven other PTEs (Cr, Ni, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cu, Zn) in commonly consumed meats and to evaluate the associated non-carcinogenic health risks. Ninety-two paired liver and muscle samples from broiler chicken, goat (mutton), and beef cattle were collected from four cities across the Indus Plain and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Dietary exposure was evaluated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazardous index (HI) under typical and high-consumption scenarios. Overall, Zn and Cu exhibited the highest concentrations, followed by Mn and Cr, whereas As, Pb, Ni, and Cd occurred at comparatively lower but environmentally relevant levels. Beef liver exhibited the highest contamination levels, exceeding FAO/WHO permissible limits for Pb, Cu, and Cd in up to 40% of samples. In contrast, mutton and beef muscle contained the highest As and Zn concentrations, while chicken muscle showed elevated Cr levels. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed three dominant co-variation patterns, suggesting potential contamination pathways: (i) geogenic groundwater sources enriched with As, Cr, and Ni; (ii) atmospheric and industrial dust inputs linked with Pb, Cd, and Mn; (iii) mineral-enriched feed additives potentially contributing to elevated Zn and Cu, particularly in poultry. Under high-consumption scenarios, THQ values for As, Cr, Cu, and Zn exceeded the safety threshold (THQ > 1), highlighting beef products as the dominant source of chronic dietary risk. Overall, the findings highlight pronounced tissue- and species-specific accumulation trends, and emphasizes the urgent need for stricter feed and water quality control measures to minimize dietary exposure to PTEs. Full article

Methotrexate (MTX) remains the first-choice treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but individual variability in response and adherence underscores the need for reliable biomarkers of long-term drug exposure. Intracellular methotrexate polyglutamates (MTXPGs), typically measured in red blood cells (RBCs), fulfill this role but require invasive venous sampling. This study aimed to develop and validate a multi-matrix LC–MS/MS method for measuring MTXPGs in capillary blood samples obtained via volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) and dried blood spots (DBS), and to compare these methods with traditional matrices. The method was validated in accordance with ICH M10 guidelines across RBC, whole blood (WB), VAMS, and DBS samples. MTX and MTXPG_2–5 and total MTXPG were measured in 40 matched clinical samples. MTXPG_6–7 were not detected across the tested clinical samples. Validation using Passing–Bablok regression, Bland–Altman analysis, and Spearman correlation showed strong agreement between VAMS and DBS (slopes 0.95–1.07; bias −4.21% to 0.36%; SRCC ≥ 0.969), with up to 100% of samples within ±20% of the agreement limits for total MTXPG. Significant differences were observed between capillary matrices and RBCs, with higher MTXPG levels in erythrocytes (bias up to −28%). Whole blood showed closer agreement with microsampling methods. ISR pass rates ranged from 84% to 95%, and stability tests indicated matrix- and chain length-dependent degradation, particularly for long-chain MTXPGs. These findings show that VAMS and DBS yield comparable results and can be considered interchangeable within a capillary-sampling framework. However, interpretation must account for matrix-specific differences when relating measurements to RBC-based reference values. This validated method could support the analytical feasibility of decentralized MTXPG monitoring in RA. However, prospective studies linking matrix-specific thresholds with disease activity, adherence, and toxicity are required before implementation for therapeutic decision-making. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal pollutant to which most people are exposed daily through their diet because of its presence in nearly all food types, including potatoes, vegetables, cereals, grains, legumes, shellfish, and organ meat. Cd has no physiological role or nutritional value in the body and causes toxicity to multiple tissues and organs via oxidative stress and chronic inflammation; as such, at high prevalence, it is frequently associated with diseases, notably cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and chronic kidney disease. Using kidneys and bones as critical toxicity targets, current dietary Cd exposure guidelines vary from 0.21 to 0.83 μg/kg b.w./d. There is a widespread concern about these guidelines because they were based on the excretion of β₂-microglobulin (β₂M) at a rate of 300 µg/g of creatinine as an endpoint. Concerningly, rice is a staple food for over 50% of the world’s population; however, the permissible Cd level in this commodity has not been adequately addressed. This narrative review focuses on critiquing existing food standards and exposure guidelines for Cd. It discusses the threshold-based risk assessment that was used to define the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) for Cd, when β₂M excretion was used with Cd excretion at a rate of 5.24 µg/g of creatinine being a threshold. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is recommended as an appropriate kidney disease endpoint. The current view around how Cd uses various transport proteins to enter and induce toxicity to its target cells are summarized. The strategies to minimize Cd accumulation and mitigate its nephrotoxicity are highlighted. Full article

Evaluating the safety of botanical extracts for cosmetics has become mandatory, but it is often challenging because of their phytochemical complexity and limited toxicological data. In this study, the safety of aqueous Sophora flavescens root extract (SFRE), widely used in cosmetics, was assessed using an integrated approach combining in vitro, in silico, margin of safety (MoS), threshold of toxicological concern (TTC), and history of safe use (HSU). Chemical characterization was performed by literature review and LC–MS/MS analysis. SFRE was classified as non-irritant in in vitro skin and eye irritation tests conducted according to OECD TG439 and 492. Whole-extract and constituent-level in silico analysis and literature evaluation were conducted to assess genotoxicity and skin sensitization potential. For systemic toxicity, a 13-week oral repeat dose no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 10 mg/kg bw/day for a decocted Sophorae radix extract was employed without compositional adjustment to calculate the acceptable systemic exposure dose of 0.10 mg/kg bw/day, which was slightly lower than the current usage of SFRE in cosmetics (up to 0.13 mg/kg/day). The TTC approach revealed that many bioactive constituents fell outside the applicability domain due to steroid moieties. HSU data from dietary supplements (32–64.67 mg/kg/day) could support the safety of the current use of SFRE in cosmetics. The findings highlight that a combined, case-by-case application of MoS, TTC, and HSU is essential for the robust safety assessment of complex botanical ingredients. Full article