Food safety evaluation of the selected metal levels in bananas and other natural complementary foods | |
| Author | Nucharat Tuntiwigit |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-09-17 |
| Subject(s) | Baby foods--Safety measures--Evaluation Food combining--Safety measures--Evaluation |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Management Inter-University Program on Environmental Toxicology, Technology and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | The increasing demand of food safety and being vulnerable group of infant has stimulated research on the risk associated with consumption of metal contaminated complementary foods. Very few studies examined the heavy metal contents in banana, soy products and rice samples from Thailand. The aim of this research is to analyze the contents of 7 metals (Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) in 155 bananas, 42 soy milk, 4 soy-based infant formulas, and 44 rice samples by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (ICP/MS). The results revealed that Mn contents in bananas from the present study were much higher than those from other parts of the world. The Mn contents in three cultivars of banana (Khai, Hom, and Namwa) were found to vary from 0.6-11.8, 0.4-31.9, and 0.8-48.0 mg/kg fresh weight, respectively. The average Mn contents were significantly different among cultivars (p<0.05) and the highest level was found in cv. Namwa followed by cv. Hom and Khai, respectively. Mn, Cu and Zn contents in the internal part of the banana were higher than those in the external part. The varied concentrations of Mn found in these bananas derived from spatial and temporal factors. The high Mn contents were found in bananas grown in areas with industrial, mining, and agricultural surroundings. Mn content tended to be higher in wet season than dry season. The daily intakes (DI) of Mn through banana have been estimated for infant (6-12 month). The estimated DIs from mean Mn contents were found to be below the recommended upper levels (UL), although some samples having high Mn levels leading to the intakes exceeding UL (2000 μg/day). The mineral contents in soy-based infant formulas were within the standard limits except for aluminum. Soy milk products contained high contents of Mn, Al, and Cd surpassing the WHO drinking water standard of 0.4, 0.2 and 0.003 mg/L, respectively. The Mn daily intakes in 0-6 month infant through soy products were below the UL, but soy milk intake held a high proportion as 89.3% of the UL. The results of aggregate exposure from these complementary foods by 6-12 month infant showed that banana was the major contributor of Mn, infant formula was the major source of Mn, Al, Cu, and Zn, and rice was the major source of As and Cd. The average contents of Mn, Al, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb in these foodstuffs were below the upper/tolerable levels of 2000 μg/day, 1, 3.5, 7, 0.015, 0.007, and 0.025 mg/kg bw/week, respectively, but higher than RDI. The data from the present study may be useful for setting up the specific upper/tolerable intakes for infants which at present is not yet available. |
| Year | 2009 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Jutamaad Satayavivad;Preeda Pakpian; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nuchanart Rangkadilok;Piyajit Watcharasit; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | S & T Postgraduate Education and Research Development Office (PERDO), Ministry of Education, Thailand;RTG fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology - Chulabhorn Research Institute - Mahidol University, 2009 |