Concentrations of Identified Elements 84 - Toxic and Essential Elements using NAA Technique 77

Chapter V Result and Discussion 77-114

5.2 Toxic and Essential Elements using NAA Technique 77

5.2.4 Concentrations of Identified Elements 84

Elemental concentrations of 9 elements e.g., Al, Br, Ca, Cs, Mg, Mn, Na, K, Zn were determined qualitatively and quantitatively in 15 baby foods collected from Savar locality. The obtained concentrations of each element in the 15 baby foods with given values quoted by the producers are presented in Tables 5.4-5.6. The international permissible limits of identified elements in the present experiments are presented in Table 5.7. The concentrations of identified elements are presented in the Table B1. A typical concentration calculation of Na is given in Table C1.

Table 5.4 Measured elemental concentrations in baby foods along with their given values (mg/kg)

Sample

Name Al Br Ca

Given value

Obtained

value Ratio of given to obtained

Given value

Obtained

value Ratio of given to obtained

Given

value Obtained

value Ratio of given to obtained

Anchor NG BDL Not found NG 47.9 Not found 9500 9420 1.008

Cereal-1 NG 42.8 Not found NG 17.7 Not found 6100 7050 0.865 Cereal-2 NG 40.9 Not found NG 10.7 Not found 4000 4890 0.818

Cereal-

3(Fruit) NG 41.4 Not found NG 12.4 Not found 4350 5110 0.851 Cereal-

3(Vegetable) NG 43.9 Not found NG 8.4 Not found NG 5260 Not found Cereal-4 NG 43.0 Not found NG 13.1 Not found 5400 6660 0.811

Cereal-

Kitory NG 43.5 Not found NG 4.5 Not found NG 4900 Not found

Dano NG 58.9 Not found NG 17.3 Not found 8800 10020 0.878

Diploma NG 54.3 Not found NG 36.3 Not found NG 9400

Junior

Horlicks NG 48.7 Not found NG 9.3 Not found 8100 9190 0.881

Lactogen-1 NG 34.7 Not found NG 7.2 Not found 3330 4220 0.789 Lactogen-2 NG 42.7 Not found NG 13.2 Not found 5500 7470 0.736

Marks NG 55.0 Not found NG 25.1 Not found NG 10190 Not found

Nido NG 62.9 Not found NG 33.5 Not found 8600 10390 0.828

Red Cow NG 45.6 Not found NG 21.8 Not found 9300 8980 1.036

NG means value ‘Not Given’ by the producer and BDL mean ‘Below Detection Limit’

Table 5.5 Measured elemental concentrations in baby foods along with their given values (mg/kg)

Sample Name

Cs K Mg

Given value

Obtained value

Ratio of given to obtained

Given value

Obtained value

Ratio of given to obtained

Given value

Obtained value

Ratio of given to obtained

Anchor NG BDL Not found 12000 15570 0.771 800 BDL Not found

Cereal-1 NG BDL Not found 5000 7950 0.629 NG 38.9 Not found

Cereal-2 NG 0.388 Not found 480 6170 0.078 NG 41.2 Not found

Cereal-

3(Fruit) NG BDL Not found 5500 6590 0.835 NG 33.6 Not found

Cereal-3 (Vegetable)

NG BDL Not found NG 4900 Not found NG 73.5 Not found

Cereal-4 NG BDL Not found 5600 5340 1.049 NG 28.0 Not found

Cereal-

Kitory NG 3.95 Not found NG BDL Not found NG 54.4 Not found

Dano NG BDL Not found 12000 13060 0.919 850 2.1 Not found

Diploma NG BDL Not found NG 14800 Not found NG 3.4 Not found

Junior

Horlicks NG 5.55 Not found NG 8000 Not found 418 27.1 15.410

Lactogen-1 NG BDL Not found 5780 8850 0.653 500 9.6 Not found

Lactogen-2 NG BDL Not found 6450 BDL Not found 530 0.54 97.985

Marks NG 5.36 Not found NG 13390 Not found NG 2.2 Not found

Nido NG BDL Not found NG 17470 Not found NG 2.8 Not found

Red Cow NG BDL Not found NG 14790 Not found NG 2.7 Not found

Table 5.6 Measured elemental concentrations in baby foods along with their given values (mg/kg)

Sample Name

Mn Na Zn

Given

value ^Obtained^value

Ratio of given to obtained

Given

value ^Obtained^value

Ratio of given to obtained

Given

value Obtained value

Ratio of given to obtained

Anchor NG BDL ^{Not found} 2800 4120 0.680 30 29.4 1.019

Cereal-1 NG 5.1 ^{Not found} 2750 2609 1.054 30 39.3 0.764

Cereal-2 NG 5.8 ^{Not found} 1100 1140 0.965 30 26.3 1.142

Cereal-

3(Fruit) NG 5.2 ^{Not found} 1100 1000 1.100 30 27.8 1.081

Cereal-3

(Vegetable) NG 11.6 ^{Not found} NG 1120 Not found NG 24.3 _{Not found}

Cereal-4 NG 4.3 ^{Not found} 3000 2320 1.293 NG 39.3 _{Not found}

Cereal-

Kitory NG 8.0 ^{Not found} NG 3830 Not found NG 33.1 _{Not found}

Dano NG BDL ^{Not found} 3000 2660 1.128 26 38.2 0.681

Diploma NG BDL ^{Not found} NG 2390 _{Not found} NG 32.5 _{Not found}

Junior

Horlicks NG 4.5 ^{Not found} NG 3110 _{Not found} NG 40.9 _{Not found}

Lactogen-1 76 BDL ^{Not found} 1350 1630 0.828 51 43.0 1.186

Lactogen-2 46 BDL ^{Not found} 2280 2570 0.887 52.6 74.5 0.706

Marks NG BDL ^{Not found} NG 230 Not found NG 40 Not found

Nido NG BDL ^{Not found} 3350 3260 1.028 45 82.5 0.545

Red Cow NG BDL ^{Not found} NG 3030 Not found NG 25.6 Not found

Table 5.7 Data table for the international permissible limit of identified elements of the present experiment (using NAA technique)

Sl. No. Name of the elements

Recommended permissible limit for

foodstuff Recommended daily intake for

children

1 Al 1mg/kg TWI [5] infant<1mg/kg body

weight/day) [5]

2 Br Undetected Undetected

3 Ca (2075–3825) ppm powder milk

[6]

(2475–3600) ppm infant formula [6]

1000 mg/day [8]

4 Cs - -

5 Cu (0.11–2.37) ppm infant formula [6]

(0.10–1.40) ppm Powder milk [6] (340-440) µg/day (for children) [9]

6 K (2610-51340) mg/kg [5] 2300 mg/day (adult women)

[10]

3100 mg/day (adult women) [10]

7 Mg (250–825) ppm infant formula [6]

225–875 ppm Powder milk [6] 250-350 mg/day [11]

8 Mn 0.50µg/kg PTWI [7]

(0.01–0.07) ppm infant formula (0.02–0.09) ppm powder milk [6], 0.6 mg/kg

(1.2-1.5) mg/day (for children) [9] (1.8-2) mg/day for female [9]

2.3 mg/day for male [9]

9 Na (2610-51340) mg/kg [4] (1-3.8) mg/day for adult [8]

10 Zn 4.69–11.34 ppm infant formula [5]

2.22–12.80 ppm [5] 20 mg/day(for adults) [6]

(4-5) mg/day (for children) [12]

As can be observed from Tables 5.4-5.6, the given values of mineral content in baby foods quoted by the producers are somewhat lower than the present experimental values in most of the cases. Each of the elemental status in baby food and their international permissible limits are described individually below.

5.2.4.1 Aluminum Concentration

Aluminum is a reactive metal and it is hard to extract it from aluminum oxide (Al2O3). It is the most difficult metal on earth to refine among others. The reason is that it is oxidized very rapidly and its oxide is an extremely stable compound. Although Al is commonly known as an innocent compound, it can cause health problems when one is exposed to high concentration of the metal. The water-soluble form of aluminum causes the harmful effects and they are usually found in a solution of aluminum in combination with other ions. Long lasting uptakes of significant concentrations of aluminum mainly by food can lead to serious health effects such as damage of the central nervous system, dementia, loss of memory and severe trembling. Al and its oxide powder affects pulmonary fibrosis and lung damage [13].

Recommended Monthly Intake (RMI) for Adult (A), Infant (I), Cereal(C), Milk powder (M)

Fig. 5.5 Al concentration in (mg/kg) in the powder milks and cereals

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Concentration ( mg/kg)

Sample ID

From Fig. 5.5, it was observed that the average Al concentration in the powder milk samples amounted to 44.26±1.77 mg/kg, whereas in the cereals it was 43.45±1.68 mg/kg. The highest amount of Al was found in Nido (N.1) amounting 60 mg/kg. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) evaluated the safety of various Al compounds in June 2006 that the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) for an adult is 1 mg/kg bw (Body Weight), which applies to all aluminum compounds in food, including additives [11]. The highest mean exposure to Al per kg bw was found in young children, 67.20 mg/kg per month in the 1.5–4.5 years age group in the UK that is based on measured body weight 16 kg. In the USA, in case of children of age 2 years considering a standard body weight of 16 kg, the mean exposure to Al is about 210 mg/kg [14]. Under the above discussion and references it is concluded that none of the samples analyzed in the present experiments exceeded the recommended aluminum values worldwide. This implies that all the investigated milk powders and cereals contained trace amount of Al which is essential for the body but none of the samples contained elevated level to occur any toxic effect.

5.2.4.2 Bromine Concentration

Bromine is corrosive to human tissue in a liquid state and its vapour irritates eyes and throat. Bromine-vapors are very toxic with inhalation. Humans can absorb organic bromines through the skin, with food and during breathing. Organic bromines are widely used as sprays to kill insects and other unwanted pests. But they are not only poisonous to the pests but also to larger animals. In many cases they are poisonous to humans too.

The most important health effects that can be caused by bromine-containing organic contaminants are malfunctioning of the nervous system and disturbances in genetic materials. But organic bromines can also cause damage to organs such as liver, kidneys, lungs and they can cause stomach and gastrointestinal malfunctioning. Some forms of organic bromines such as ethylene bromine can even cause cancer. Inorganic bromines are found in nature. Through food and drinking water humans absorb high doses of inorganic bromines. These bromines can damage the nervous system and the thyroid gland [15].

Fig. 5.6 Br concentration in (mg/kg) in the powder milk and cereal samples From Fig. 5.6, it was observed that among the powder milks, the Br concentration was found in the following order: Anchor(A.1)>Diploma(D.2)>Nido(N.1)>Marks(M.1)>Red Cow(R.C)>Dano(D.1)>Lectogen-2(L.2)>Lectogen-1(L-1). Bromine in powder milks varies in a wide range of 7.2-47.9 mg/kg, with the highest concentration in Anchor. The average Br concentration in the powder milk samples was found to be 25.29±0.83 mg/kg.

In case of cereals, the Br concentration range is 4.5-17.7 mg/kg and it was found to exist in the order of: Cereal 1 (C.1: Rice and mango with milk)>Cereal-4 (C.4 Rice and potato with chicken)>Cereal-3(C.3F: Wheat and fruit)>Cereal-2 (C.2: Wheat and honey)>Junior Horlicks (J.H)>Cereal-3 (C.3V: Wheat and vegetables)>Cereal-K (C.K:

Rice and bins). The average Br in cereals amounted to 10.9±0.37 mg/kg. The Br in powder milks is about 2.3 times higher than in cereals. The literature surveyed so far stated that the Br concentration in investigated powder milks and cereals are comparable with the Indian cereals, food items and vegetables [16].

0 10 20 30 40 50

Concentration ( mg/kg)

Sample ID

5.2.4.3 Calcium Concentration

Calcium is one of the most important macronutrients mostly obtained from various dietary sources. Apart from its crucial role in the body’s metabolic process, Ca along with phosphorus is a structural component of bones, teeth, and soft tissues. Binding of the Ca ions on the surface of human growth hormone provides considerable thermodynamic stability to protein by changing the secondary structure of the protein [17]. Cellular Ca is involved in various regulatory functions like regulation of muscle and nerve functions, glandular secretions, and blood vessel dilation and contraction. Ca deficiency is responsible for weakness of the bones and thus bones are more prone to fracture. It can produce skeletal muscles spasm and abnormality in heart beat and can even cease functioning of heart. Ca intoxication is rare but when occurs is characterized by hypercalcemia, which causes constipation, kidney stones, appetite loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, seizures, and even coma [8]. It is an essential component for the preservation of the human skeleton and teeth. It also assists the functions of nerves and muscles. The use of more than 25 g of calcium per day without a medical necessity can lead to the development of kidney stones and sclerosis of kidneys and blood vessels. A lack of calcium is one of the main causes of osteoporosis. Evidence suggests that we need the intake of 1000mg/day of calcium in order to preserve the osseous mass in normal conditions. This is valid for both man and pre-menopausic women. The recommended daily intake rises to 1500mg/day for menopausic woman [18].

Infant Formula (IF), Powder Milk (PM), Recommended Monthly Intake (RMI) for Adult (A), Infant (I), Cereal(C), Milk powder (M)

Fig. 5.7 Ca concentration in mg/kg in the powder milk and cereal samples

The calcium concentrations of all experimental samples are shown in Fig. 5.7. The highest amount of Ca is found in N.1 (10388±386 mg/kg) and the lowest in Lectogen-1 (4217±176 mg/kg). The measured average Ca concentration in the powder milks is 8760±335 mg/kg and in cereals it is 6161± 244 mg/kg. On an average, powder milks contain higher Ca than cereals. This means that milk is a good source of Ca than cereals.

Although, the concentration of Ca is found within the range of international limit of infant formula and powder milk, it is quite less than the recommended monthly intake level. It is also observed from Table 5.4 that the obtained values of Ca in all powder milks and cereals are about 20% lower than the given values by the producers except Anchor and Red Cow.

5.2.4.4 Cesium Concentration

Humans may be exposed to Cs by breathing, drinking or eating. In air the levels of cesium are generally low, but radioactive cesium has been detected at some level in

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000

Concentration in mg/kg

Sample ID

surface water and in many types of food. The amount of cesium in foods and drinks depends upon the emission of radioactive cesium through nuclear power plants, mainly through accidents such as Three Miles, Chernobyl disaster etc. People that work in the nuclear power industry may be exposed to higher levels of cesium, but many precautionary measurements can be taken to prevent this. It is not very likely that people experience health effects that can be related to cesium itself. When contact with radioactive cesium occurs, a person can experience cell damage due to radiation of the cesium particles. Due to this effect such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding may occur. When the exposure lasts for a long time, people may even lose consciousness.

Coma or even death may then follow. Cs has antagonistic properties in relation to K. At toxic doses this metal accumulates in soft tissues [19].

In the present experiment, the Cs content in most of the samples is less than the detection limit (0.46 mg/kg) except Junior Horlicks and Marks, which contain trace levels amounted to 0.555 mg/kg and 0.536 mg/kg respectively. However, the measured concentrations of Cs in these two samples are very close to the detection limit. It may be concluded that the Cs content in all the samples are less than or close to detection limit and thus has no toxic effect at all.

5.2.4.5 Potassium Concentration

Potassium works with sodium to control the body's water balance, which helps maintain healthy blood pressure. In fact, a diet that is low in potassium and high in sodium appears to be a factor in high blood pressure. Potassium also helps with muscle function and heart rhythm and, in later years, may reduce the risk of kidney stones and osteoporosis. The average uptake of Potassium is 2300mg/day for an adult woman and 3100mg/day for an adult man [13]. The recommended value of K for the children: ages 1 to 3 years: 3,000 mg/day and ages 4 to 8 years: 3,800 mg/day [20].

Lower permissible limit (LPL), Maximum permissible limit (MPL), for Adult (A), Infant (I), Cereal(C), Milk powder (M)

Fig. 5.8 K concentration in mg/kg in powder milk and cereal samples

The potassium concentrations of powder milk samples are shown in Fig. 5.8. The average K concentration in powder milks (12242±443 mg/kg) is about 2.2 times higher than the cereals (5563±206) mg/kg, which means that the powder milk is a good source of K nutrient. The highest concentration of K was found in N.1 (Nido-1) amounted to 17470±729 mg/kg, whereas in L.2 (Lectogen-2) it was below the detection limit (<1112 mg/kg). In case of cereals, the highest concentration was found in Junior Horlicks. The K concentrations in most of the cereal samples were around the lower permissible limit which indicated that cereal samples were not potassium rich food supply for infants.

5.2.4.6 Magnesium Concentration

Magnesium is chemically a very active element; it takes the place of hydrogen in boiling water. A great number of metals can be produced by thermic reduction of its salts and oxidized forms with magnesium. It joins together with most non-metals and almost every

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000

Concentration (mg/kg)

Sample ID

acid. Magnesium reacts only slightly or not at all with most of the alkalis and many organic substances, like hydrocarbons, aldehides, alcohols, phenols, amines, esters and most of the oils. As a catalyst, magnesium promotes organic reactions of condensation, reduction, addition and dehalogenization. It was used for a long time for synthesizing special and complex organic components by the well-known Grignard reaction. The over-indulgence of magnesium intake supplements and medicines can lead to muscle weakness, lethargy and confusion [21]. The Mg concentration was determined in powder milks as well as cereals in the present experiment and the results so obtained are shown in Fig. 5.9.

Infant Formula (IF), Powder Milk (PM) for Adult (A), Infant (I), Cereal(C), Milk powder (M)

Fig. 5.9 Mg concentration in mg/kg in powder milk and cereal samples

Magnesium concentrations of all samples are considerably low compared to the Infant formula (IF) and Powder Milk Reference for Adult (MP). Overall comparison has been made: both milk powder and cereal samples has negligible Mg contents but milk powder has Mg lower than that of cereal samples.

0 200 400 600 800 1000

Concentration (mg/kg)

Sample ID

5.2.4.7 Manganese Concentration

Manganese is a very common compound that can be found everywhere on earth.

Manganese is one out of three toxic essential trace elements which means that it is not only necessary for humans to survive. It is toxic when too high concentrations are present in human body. The main source of Mn uptake of humans is through food such as spinach, tea, rice, soya beans, eggs, nuts, olive oil, green beans, oysters and herbs.

After absorption in the human body manganese will be transported through the blood to the liver, the kidneys, the pancreas and the endocrine glands. Manganese effects occur mainly in the respiratory tract and in the brains. Symptoms of manganese poisoning are hallucinations, forgetfulness and nerve damage. The shortage of Mn has following effects, fatness, glucose intolerance, blood clotting, skin problems, lowered cholesterol levels, skeleton disorders, birth defects, changes of hair colour, neurological symptoms [22]. The Manganese concentrations of all the samples are shown in Fig. 5.10. The highest concentration was found in the cereal sample C.3V (11.6±0.49 ppm). Mn in all the powder milks are less than the detection limit (<3.62). Comparing all the obtained data with permissible limits, it can be said that the Mn concentrations were in the range of powder milk and infant level but considerably below the monthly intake.

Infant Formula (IF), Powder Milk (PM), Recommended Monthly Intake (RMI), for Adult (A), Infant (I), Cereal(C), Milk powder (M)

Fig. 5.10 Mn concentration in mg/kg in powder milk and cereal samples

0 10 20 30 40 50

Concentration (mg/kg)

Sample ID

5.2.4.8 Sodium Concentration

Sodium is a very important macronutrient of human body system. The most common dietary source of sodium is common table salt (NaCl). It has got the prime role in the maintenance of normal physiology in all living organisms. A lack of sodium intake is incompatible with survival. An adequate intake of sodium is required for optimal growth.

Distribution of intra and extra cellular fluid volumes are affected by sodium and either a deficiency or excess of sodium will alter overall fluid balance and distribution. Na depletion is characterized by mood changes, muscle cramps, fatigue, hair loss, hypotension and dehydration. The recommended daily intake of Na is 1-3.8 mg/day [8].

Sodium is a very reactive metal, and therefore does not occur in its free form in nature.

High sodium levels in drinking water can have adverse effects on humans with high blood pressure or pregnant women suffering from toxemia [23].

Lower permissible limit (LPL), Maximum permissible limit (MPL)

Fig. 5.11 Na concentration in mg/kg in powder milk and cereal samples

The concentration of Na is shown in Fig. 5.11. The highest and lowest concentration was found among the milk powder at Anchor (A.1) and Lactogen-1 (L.1) where the figures were 4118.3±131.02 and 1625.2±51.9 mg/kg respectively. Moreover, Nido (N.1) and

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 50000 55000

Concentration (mg/kg)

Sample ID

Dalam dokumen DEFICIENCY IN READY-MADE BABY FOODS AVAILABLE IN LOCAL MARKET USING NEUTRON ACTIVATION ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE (Halaman 100-115)