Dietary intake assessment of macro, trace and toxic elements via consumption of kimchi in South Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nKimchi; a representative Korean food is now produced and consumed in many other countries. In this study, the contents of macro, trace, and toxic elements in varieties of kimchi from Korea and China were evaluated. Furthermore, health risks assessment in terms of estimated dietary intake values were calculated. To discriminate the samples of different origin, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe analytical methods used for analyses were successfully validated. In quantification of elements, no significant differences in the concentrations of the analyzed elements were detected. Based on kimchi fresh weight, among the macro elements, the concentrations of Na and K were relatively high with the values 4181.9-9919.8 mgkg-1 and 1661.8-6623.5 mgkg-1 , respectively. Among the analyzed trace elements, zinc in Korean, and strontium in Chinese samples showed the highest concentrations with 2.67 and 2.98 mgkg-1 , respectively. Concentration levels of the toxic trace elements were within the permissible limits. Additionally, the amount of daily intake and provisional daily intake of each element calculated based on kimchi intake confirmed its safety for consumption. LDA and PCA successfully discriminated the samples of Chinese and Korean origin.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nThe provisional daily intake of the toxic elements was within the corresponding provisional tolerable daily intake values. In conclusion, the normal intake of kimchi could not pose threats upon consumption. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.