Adnan Husain

Benzo[a]pyrene and total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) levels in vegetable oils and fats do not reflect the occurrence of the eight genotoxic PAHs

Concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were determined in 115 samples of olive oil (extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, olive oil, pomace olive oil and blended olive oil), cooking oil (corn oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, palm olein oil, soya oil, canola oil, mustard oil, peanut oil and mixed vegetable oil) and fat (butter and table margarine) collected from retail stores in Kuwait. Carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) was detected in 43% of the samples analyzed. Benz[a]anthracene and chrysene were detected in 37 and 45% of the samples, respectively, that did not contain BaP. Of the individual non-carcinogenic PAHs, naphthalene showed the highest mean concentration (14 µg kg−1), while for the carcinogenic PAHs, BaP (0.92 µg kg−1) and chrysene (0.87 µg kg−1) showed the highest mean values. Approximately 20% of the samples within the olive oil and cooking oil sub-categories exceeded the EU maximum tolerable limit for BaP, with the highest level of 6.77 and 11.1 µg kg−1, respectively. For the fat sub-category, 9% of the samples exceeded the tolerance limit, with the highest level of 3.67 µg kg−1. The Kuwaiti general populations dietary exposure to the genotoxic PAHs (PAH8: benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, benzo[a]pyrene, indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene, dibenz[a,h]anthracene and benzo[ghi]perylene) was estimated to be 196 ng day−1 (3.3 ng kg−1 bw day−1, assuming an average adult body weight of 60 kg). Results indicated that PAH8 and BaPeq (total sum benzo[a]pyrene equivalents) are more reliable measures of the concentrations of other carcinogenic PAHs in oil and fat samples, while BaP and PAHs alone are not good indicators of the occurrence or degree of contamination by carcinogenic PAHs in these food products.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food products originating from locally reared animals in Kuwait

Analysis for the presence of 12 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in 327 foodstuff samples originating from locally reared animals was carried out. The data revealed that non-carcinogenic PAHs were detected in considerable amounts in several food commodities. The carcinogenic PAH concentrations were relatively low in most of the samples investigated. Among the carcinogenic PAHs detected, chrysene had the highest concentration.

Estimates of dietary exposure of children to artificial food colours in Kuwait.

To assess the intake of artificial food colour additives by 5–14-year-old children in the State of Kuwait, a 24-h dietary recall was conducted twice on 3141 male and female Kuwaiti and non-Kuwaiti children from 58 schools. The determination of colour additives in 344 foods items consumed was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector. A comparison with the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization acceptable daily intakes (ADIs) was undertaken to evaluate the potential risk associated with the consumption of artificial colour additives by children in Kuwait. The results indicated that out of nine permitted colours, four exceeded their ADIs by factors of 2–8: tartrazine, sunset yellow, carmoisine and allura red. Further, follow-up studies to provide insight into potential adverse health effects associated with the high intakes of these artificial colour additives on the test population are warranted.

Dietary intake of organophosphate pesticides in Kuwait

Abstract The State of Kuwait, in cooperation with the U.S. FDA, conducted a total diet study (TDS) to estimate pesticide intake by the population. The organophosphate (OP) pesticide levels in 139 food items, constituting the TDS core list, are reported here. The TDS core food list was established through a nationwide food consumption survey. All foods were prepared as eaten, and analyzed for their organochlorine pesticide, OP, carbamate, benzimidazole and phenyl urea contents. The FDAs Multiresidue Methods, PAM I, were used employing GC, HPLC and GPC. Twenty-five of the foods analyzed contained OPs. These included 7 of 12 cereal products (chloropyriphos=0.03–0.21 ppm and fenetrothion=0.016–0.84 ppm), 6 of 16 vegetables (diazinon=0.05–0.2 ppm, and chloropyrifos, and fenthione sulfone), 1 of 16 fruits (monocrotophos) and 11 of 47 composite dishes (chloropyrifos methyl=0.011–0.089 ppm and fenetrothion 0.011–0.044 ppm). The higher levels of fenetrothion in one cereal product exceeded the MRLs, and warrant corrective and preventive measures. The daily intakes of OP pesticide residues are discussed in light of the ADIs of the FAO/WHO (1993). Codex Alimentarius. Pesticide residues in food (Vol. 2, 2nd ed.). Rome: Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.

Screening for β-agonists in sheep urine and eyes by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the state of Kuwait

Abstract Data are reported here on the assessment of the potential use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to monitor the presence of the β-agonist, clenbuterol in 142 samples of sheep urine and 53 samples of eye tissues from the same sheep. Data obtained showed that the clenbuterol levels ranged in the urine and eye tissues from not detected to 0.272 ppb and not detected to 1.54 ppb tissue, respectively. For confirmation, all samples that showed to be ELISA positive for clenbuterol residues were analyzed by GC–MS and were all found to be negative.

Dietary intake of pesticides : State of Kuwait total diet study

The State of Kuwait conducted a total diet study (TDS) to determine the dietary intakes of selected pesticides. This paper reports the results of this study. A national food consumption survey was performed and core food lists for different population groups were established representing the total diet of the Kuwaiti population. Food items (table-ready) were purchased/prepared and analysed for their contents of organophosphate/organochlorine carbamate, benzimidazole and phenylurea pesticides according to the US FDA Pesticide Analytical Manual (PAM I). Dietary intakes of these pesticides are presented for 19 population groups, which range from infants to elderly adults. The intakes of selected population groups are compared with representative findings from the US FDA/TDS and data published from other countries. In general, the average daily intakes were well below acceptable limits, but higher than those reported from developed countries.

Detection of pork in processed meat: Experimental comparison of methodology

Abstract Four different methods were compared to detect pork in processed meats. These included: analysis of meat fat by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for triglycerides (TGs) and by gas chromatography (GC) for fatty acids; and analysis of meat proteins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and of ophidine dipeptides by HPLC. Low levels of pork in processed meats can be detected by either fat or protein analysis; fat analysis can also be used for all food products that contain pork fat. TG analysis is more reliable than fatty acid analysis using C20:2 as a marker; however, the GC method is simpler, faster and requires less sample preparation. Both TG and GC methods can detect levels as low as 2% pork in processed meat. In the ELISA technique, crude preparations of sheep-antipig antiserum can detect low levels (2%) of pork in beef or mutton samples heated at 70, 100 and 120°C. The analysis of ophidine dipeptides can also detect low levels (2–5%) of pork in heated/processed meats; however, this method was not tested for differences in sex, breed, diet and muscle type.

Screening for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs in local and imported food and feed products available across the State of Kuwait and assessment of dietary intake.

A total of 318 local and imported meat, milk, eggs, fish, and animal feed samples collected in Kuwait were analyzed by cell-based reporter gene assay (Dioxin-Responsive Chemical Activated LUciferase gene eXpression DR-CALUX) for PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs. The bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs) obtained by DR-CALUX bioassay were compared with the official maximum limits according to the European Commission (EC) regulations. Suspected and randomly chosen negative samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS). The results showed that among suspected samples, one sample was confirmed to be non-compliant. The positive sample was of imported origin. The correlation coefficient of 0.98 between DR-CALUX and GC-HRMS was found. Moreover, the average daily intakes of PCDD/Fs and dl-PCBs for the Kuwaiti population were estimated. Results obtained in this study were discussed and compared with other published data.

Application of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for screening of sheep urine and animal tissue for the androgenic steroid trenbolone acetate in the state of Kuwait

This study was undertaken to determine the presence of any residue-positive meat and urine samples from live sheep in the State of Kuwait market by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and to examine the accuracy and precision of the method. A total of 350 samples, including 230 sheep urine, 30 beef meat and 90 chicken, were subjected, after extraction, to an ELISA for the determination of their contents of the androgenic hormone, trenbolone acetate. The results obtained showed that the trenbolone acetate levels in the urine ranged from 0.1 to 0.9 ng/ml and in the muscle tissue from 0.02 to 0.05 ng/g all of which are below the maximum residue levels accepted (2.0 ng/g) by FAO/WHO. The mean recovery and CV, respectively, ranged from 36.7% and 5.8 (spiking level to 0.2 ng/g) to 49.6% and 10.4 (spiking level 1.5 ng/g). These results were confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS). Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that ELISA can be used safely for screening purposes, however, any suspect sample must also be analysed by GC-MS to exclude any false positive identifications.

Consumption patterns of artificially coloured foods among children in Kuwait

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the consumption patterns of artificially coloured foods among children in Kuwait. A 24‐h dietary recall field survey was conducted on 3,141 male and female children from 58 schools in Kuwait to determine colour additive levels in food products marketed in Kuwait, and to assess and compare intake levels to FAO/WHO acceptable daily intakes.Design/methodology/approach – Of 450 coloured foods available in the market, 344 that were commonly consumed by children were purchased from different co‐operative societies and supermarkets distributed in Kuwait and were grouped into nine categories, namely: biscuits, cake, candy, chips, chocolate, drinks and juices, chewing gum, jelly, and lollypops. These were then analysed for their contents of artificial colour additives using a high‐pressure liquid chromatography with diode array detector.Findings – Data obtained from the field survey showed that “drinks and juices” contributed the most to the mean daily intake, follo...