Michael Kempf

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey: Risk analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Recently, contamination of honey with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) has been reported as potential health risk. Therefore, it was of interest to develop a reliable tool for selective and quantitative determination of PA in honey. Sample preparation of the novel method comprises strong cation exchange SPE (SCX-SPE), followed by two reduction steps using zinc and LiAlH(4), as well as subsequent silylation. During this procedure the separated PA are converted into the necin backbone, the common structural feature of PA toxicity, which is analyzed by GC-MS in the SIM mode. The procedure was validated using PA from extracts of Senecio vernalis as well as authentic PA standards including their corresponding N-oxides. The PA content of honey samples was quantified with heliotrine as internal standard. The method was applied to generate a dataset in order to evaluate the potential risk of PA contamination especially for retail honeys available on the German/European market. No selection criteria in terms of floral or geographical origin were applied on the samples before analysis. In total, 216 commercially available floral honey samples were analyzed. Among them 19 samples contained PA, in the range of 0.019-0.120 microg/g, calculated as retronecine equivalents. The reported method facilitates the selective determination of PA without the need to identify each individual PA independently. The PA contamination of honey is expressed in terms of a single sum parameter and no background information such as foraged plants and pollen analysis is necessary. The LOQ is 0.01 ppm with a S/N of 7:1.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey and pollen‐legal regulation of PA levels in food and animal feed required

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are secondary plant constituents that comprise about 400 different structures and occur in two major forms, a tertiary form and the corresponding N-oxide. PAs containing a 1,2-double bond are pre-toxins and metabolically activated by the action of hepatic P-450 enzymes to toxic pyrroles. Besides the acute toxic effects, the genotoxic and tumorigenicity potential of PAs was demonstrated in some eukaryotic model systems. Recently, the potential PA contamination of food and feeding stuff attracted recurrent great deals of attention. Humans are exposed to these toxins by consumption of herbal medicine, herbal teas, dietary supplements or food containing PA plant material. In numerous studies the potential threat to human health by PAs is stated. In pharmaceuticals, the use of these plants is regulated. Considering the PA concentrations observed especially in authentic honey from PA producing plants and pollen products, the results provoke an international regulation of PAs in food.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in pollen and pollen products.

Recently, 1,2-dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) ester alkaloids, found predominantly as their N-oxides (PANOs, pyrrolizidine N-oxides), have been reported in both honey and in pollen obtained directly from PA plants and pollen loads collected by bees, raising the possibility of health risks for consumers of these products. We confirm these findings in regard to floral pollen, using pollen collected directly from flowers of the known PA plants Senecio jacobaea, S. vernalis, Echium vulgare and pollinia of Phalaenopsis hybrids, and we extend analyses of 1,2-unsaturated PAs and 1,2-unsaturated PANOs to include bee-pollen products currently being sold in supermarkets and on the Internet as food supplements. PA content of floral pollen ranged from 0.5 to 5 mg/g. The highest values were observed in pollen obtained from Senecio species. Up to 95% of the PAs are found as PANOs. Detailed studies with S. vernalis revealed unique PA patterns in pollen and flowers. While seneciphylline was the most prominent PA in S. vernalis pollen, the flowers were dominated by senecionine. To analyze trace amounts of 1,2-unsaturated PAs in pollen products, our previously elaborated method consisting of strong cation exchange-SPE, two reduction steps followed by silylation and subsequent capillary high-resolution GC-MS using SIM mode was applied. In total, 55 commercially available pollen products were analyzed. Seventeen (31%) samples contained 1,2-unsaturated PAs in the range from 1.08 to 16.35 microg/g, calculated as retronecine equivalents. The 1,2-unsaturated PA content of pollen products is expressed in terms of a single sum parameter and no background information such as foraged plants, pollen analysis, etc. was needed to analyze the samples. The detection limit of overall procedure and the reliable quantitation limit were 0.003 and 0.01 microg/g, respectively.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in honey: comparison of analytical methods

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) are a structurally diverse group of toxicologically relevant secondary plant metabolites. Currently, two analytical methods are used to determine PA content in honey. To achieve reasonably high sensitivity and selectivity, mass spectrometry detection is demanded. One method is an HPLC-ESI-MS-MS approach, the other a sum parameter method utilising HRGC-EI-MS operated in the selected ion monitoring mode (SIM). To date, no fully validated or standardised method exists to measure the PA content in honey. To establish an LC-MS method, several hundred standard pollen analysis results of raw honey were analysed. Possible PA plants were identified and typical commercially available marker PA-N-oxides (PANOs). Three distinct honey sets were analysed with both methods. Set A consisted of pure Echium honey (61–80% Echium pollen). Echium is an attractive bee plant. It is quite common in all temperate zones worldwide and is one of the major reasons for PA contamination in honey. Although only echimidine/echimidine-N-oxide were available as reference for the LC-MS target approach, the results for both analytical techniques matched very well (n = 8; PA content ranging from 311 to 520 µg kg−1). The second batch (B) consisted of a set of randomly picked raw honeys, mostly originating from Eupatorium spp. (0–15%), another common PA plant, usually characterised by the occurrence of lycopsamine-type PA. Again, the results showed good consistency in terms of PA-positive samples and quantification results (n = 8; ranging from 0 to 625 µg kg−1 retronecine equivalents). The last set (C) was obtained by consciously placing beehives in areas with a high abundance of Jacobaea vulgaris (ragwort) from the Veluwe region (the Netherlands). J. vulgaris increasingly invades countrysides in Central Europe, especially areas with reduced farming or sites with natural restorations. Honey from two seasons (2007 and 2008) was sampled. While only trace amounts of ragwort pollen were detected (0–6.3%), in some cases extremely high PA values were detected (n = 31; ranging from 0 to 13019 µg kg−1, average = 1261 or 76 µg kg−1 for GC-MS and LC-MS, respectively). Here the results showed significantly different quantification results. The GC-MS sum parameter showed in average higher values (on average differing by a factor 17). The main reason for the discrepancy is most likely the incomplete coverage of the J. vulgaris PA pattern. Major J. vulgaris PAs like jacobine-type PAs or erucifoline/acetylerucifoline were not available as reference compounds for the LC-MS target approach. Based on the direct comparison, both methods are considered from various perspectives and the respective individual strengths and weaknesses for each method are presented in detail.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in food: downstream contamination in the food chain caused by honey and pollen

In recent years, there has been a steadily growing number of published data on pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in honey and pollen. This raises the question whether honey and/or pollen used as ingredients in food processing might provoke a downstream contamination in the food chain. Here we addressed two different facets in connection with PAs in honey and pollen. First, we analysed the PA content of several food types such as mead (n = 19), candy (n = 10), fennel honey (n = 9), soft drinks (n = 5), power bars and cereals (n = 7), jelly babies (n = 3), baby food (n = 3), supplements (n = 3) and fruit sauce (n = 1) that contained honey as an ingredient in the range of 5% to approximately 37%. Eight out of 60 retail samples were tested as being PA-positive, corresponding to 13%. Positive samples were found in mead, candy and fennel honey, and the average PA content was calculated to be 0.10 µg g–1 retronecine equivalents (ranging from 0.010 to 0.484 µg g–1). Furthermore, we investigated the question whether and how PAs from PA pollen are transferred from pollen into honey. We conducted model experiments with floral pollen of Senecio vernalis and PA free honey and tested the influence of the quantity of PA pollen, contact time and a simulated honey filtration on the final PA content of honey. It could clearly be demonstrated that the PA content of honey was directly proportional to the amount of PA pollen in honey and that the transfer of PAs from pollen to honey was a rather quick process. Consequently, PA pollen represents a major source for the observed PA content in honey. On the other hand, a good portion remains in the pollen. This fraction is not detected by the common analytical methods, but will be ingested, and it represents an unknown amount of ‘hidden’ PAs. In addition, the results showed that a technically and legally possible honey filtration (including the removal of all pollen) would not be an option to reduce the PA level of the final product significantly.

Model experiments mimicking the human intestinal transit and metabolism of D-galacturonic acid and amidated pectin.

In order to study the human intestinal transit and metabolism of D-galacturonic acid and amidated pectin a number of model experiments were carried out. Both substrates were incubated under aerobic conditions at 37 degrees C using saliva (2 min) and simulated gastric juice (4 h). Under anaerobic conditions the substrates were incubated at 37 degrees C using human ileostomy and colostomy fluids, each obtained from three different donors, for 10 and for 24 h, respectively. D-Galacturonic acid, SCFA (acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid), as well as methanol were analyzed photometrically after carbazole reaction, GC-flame ionization detection (GC-FID), and headspace solid-phase microextraction GC/MS (HS-SPME-GC/MS), respectively. D-Galacturonic acid and amidated pectin were found to be stable during incubations with saliva and simulated gastric juice, whereas both substrates underwent degradation in the course of human ileostomy and colostomy fluid incubations. D-Galacturonic acid was practically completely decomposed within 10 h and SCFA, with acetic acid as the major representative, were formed up to 98% of the incubated substrate in colostomy effluent. The amidated pectin was only degraded in part, revealing stable amounts of 22-35% and 3-17% in ileostomy (after 10 h) and colostomy fluid (after 24 h), respectively. SCFA were generated up to 59% of the applied amidated pectin. In parallel, 19-60% and 52-67% of the available methyl ester groups were cleaved in the course of incubations with ileostomy and colostomy fluids, respectively. The results demonstrate for the first time that D-galacturonic acid and amidated pectin are stable in human saliva and simulated gastric juice. The degradation of both compounds during incubation with ileostomy effluent is highlighted, providing evidence for a considerable metabolic potential of the small intestine.

Pyrrolizidinalkaloide in Honig und Pollen

ZusammenfassungPyrrolizidinalkaloide (PA) sind eine Gruppe sekundärer Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe, die über 370 bekannte Strukturen umfasst und meist in zwei Formen, als tertiäres PA und als dessen korrespondierendes N-Oxid, auftreten. PA mit einer 1,2-ungesättigten Bindung können durch lebereigene Cytochrom-P-450 Monooxygenasen zu reaktiven Pyrrolestern mit toxischen Wirkungen aktiviert werden. Neben einer akuten Toxizität wurde in verschiedenen Tiermodellen auch das genotoxische und tumorinduzierende Potential der PA belegt. In jüngster Vergangenheit hat die potentielle Belastung von Lebens- und Futtermitteln mit PA wiederholt Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Eine Exposition des Menschen mit PA kann über den Genuss von Tees, Phytopharmaka, pflanzlichen Lebensmitteln (z. B. Salatmischungen), oder im Fall einer Verfütterung von PA-Pflanzen an Tiere, als sekundäre Kontamination über tierische Lebensmittel erfolgen. In zahlreichen Studien ist die grundsätzliche Gefährdung der menschlichen Gesundheit durch PA dokumentiert. Aus Gründen des vorbeugenden Verbraucherschutzes gibt es demzufolge Rechtsvorschriften zur Regulierung PA-haltiger Phytopharmaka. In Anbetracht der insbesondere in Pollen und Honigen von PA-produzierenden Pflanzen nachgewiesenen PA-Gehalte stellt sich die Frage, ob diese Lebensmittel weiterhin ohne Überwachung ihrer PA-Gehalte gehandelt werden sollten. Aufgrund der vorliegenden Daten erscheint eine internationale Regulierung des Vorkommens von PA in Lebensmitteln geboten.AbstractPyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant constituents which comprise about 370 different structures, occurring in two major forms, a tertiary form and the corresponding N-oxide. PA containing a 1,2-double bond are pre-toxins and metabolically activated by the action of hepatic P-450 enzymes to acute toxic and genotoxic pyrroles. Beside the acute toxic effects, the genotoxic and tumorigenicity potential of PA was demonstrated in some eukaryotic model systems. Recently, the potentially PA contamination of food and feeding stuff attracted recurrent great deals of attention. Humans are exposed to these toxins by consumption of herbal medicine, herbal teas, dietary supplements or food containing PA-plant-material. In numerous studies the potential threat to human health by PA is stated. In pharmaceuticals, the use of these plants is regulated. Considering the values observed especially in authentic honey from PA producing plants and pollen products, the results provoke the discussion of an international regulation of PA in food.

Online Gas Chromatography Combustion/Pyrolysis―Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (HRGC-C/P-IRMS) of (+)-Dihydroactinidiolide from Tea (Camellia sinensis) and Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis)

Online capillary gas chromatography-isotope ratio mass spectrometry in both the combustion and the pyrolysis modes (HRGC-C/P-IRMS) was employed to perform authentication studies of the flavoring agent (+/-)-dihydroactinidiolide. Thus, the delta(13)C(V-PDB) and delta(2)H(V-SMOW) values of synthetic (ex synthetic beta-ionone and natural beta-carotene) as well as enzymatically (ex synthetic and natural beta-carotene) produced references were studied in comparison with those of the natural substance isolated from black (n = 17) and green teas (n = 6) ( Camellia sinensis ) as well as Rooibos tea ( Aspalathus linearis ) (n = 7). The isotope values determined for both the synthetic and enzymatically produced samples of (+/-)-dihydroactinidiolide reflected the influence of the origin of their educts. Hence, in cases when synthetic educts were used, the delta(13)C(V-PDB) and delta(2)H(V-SMOW) values ranged from -27.0 to -28.4 per thousand and from -28 to -169 per thousand, respectively, whereas the use of natural educts led to ranges from -30.3 to -31.6 per thousand and from -154 to -228 per thousand, respectively. As to the tea samples, delta(13)C(V-PDB) and delta(2)H(V-SMOW) values ranging from -29.0 to -34.1 per thousand and from -153 to -274 per thousand, respectively, were recorded for (+/-)-dihydroactinidiolide from black and green teas, whereas that from Rooibos tea showed (2)H/(1)H ratios ranging from -189 to -210 per thousand as well as slightly enriched values in the (13)C/(12)C ratios ranging from -24.4 to -27.1 per thousand.

Pyrrolizidinalkaloide in Honig und Pollen@@@Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids in Honey and Pollen

ZusammenfassungPyrrolizidinalkaloide (PA) sind eine Gruppe sekundärer Pflanzeninhaltsstoffe, die über 370 bekannte Strukturen umfasst und meist in zwei Formen, als tertiäres PA und als dessen korrespondierendes N-Oxid, auftreten. PA mit einer 1,2-ungesättigten Bindung können durch lebereigene Cytochrom-P-450 Monooxygenasen zu reaktiven Pyrrolestern mit toxischen Wirkungen aktiviert werden. Neben einer akuten Toxizität wurde in verschiedenen Tiermodellen auch das genotoxische und tumorinduzierende Potential der PA belegt. In jüngster Vergangenheit hat die potentielle Belastung von Lebens- und Futtermitteln mit PA wiederholt Aufmerksamkeit erregt. Eine Exposition des Menschen mit PA kann über den Genuss von Tees, Phytopharmaka, pflanzlichen Lebensmitteln (z. B. Salatmischungen), oder im Fall einer Verfütterung von PA-Pflanzen an Tiere, als sekundäre Kontamination über tierische Lebensmittel erfolgen. In zahlreichen Studien ist die grundsätzliche Gefährdung der menschlichen Gesundheit durch PA dokumentiert. Aus Gründen des vorbeugenden Verbraucherschutzes gibt es demzufolge Rechtsvorschriften zur Regulierung PA-haltiger Phytopharmaka. In Anbetracht der insbesondere in Pollen und Honigen von PA-produzierenden Pflanzen nachgewiesenen PA-Gehalte stellt sich die Frage, ob diese Lebensmittel weiterhin ohne Überwachung ihrer PA-Gehalte gehandelt werden sollten. Aufgrund der vorliegenden Daten erscheint eine internationale Regulierung des Vorkommens von PA in Lebensmitteln geboten.AbstractPyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) are secondary plant constituents which comprise about 370 different structures, occurring in two major forms, a tertiary form and the corresponding N-oxide. PA containing a 1,2-double bond are pre-toxins and metabolically activated by the action of hepatic P-450 enzymes to acute toxic and genotoxic pyrroles. Beside the acute toxic effects, the genotoxic and tumorigenicity potential of PA was demonstrated in some eukaryotic model systems. Recently, the potentially PA contamination of food and feeding stuff attracted recurrent great deals of attention. Humans are exposed to these toxins by consumption of herbal medicine, herbal teas, dietary supplements or food containing PA-plant-material. In numerous studies the potential threat to human health by PA is stated. In pharmaceuticals, the use of these plants is regulated. Considering the values observed especially in authentic honey from PA producing plants and pollen products, the results provoke the discussion of an international regulation of PA in food.