Patrizia Licata

Levels of “toxic” and “essential” metals in samples of bovine milk from various dairy farms in Calabria, Italy

The aim of this research was to evaluate the possible contamination by heavy metals of milk from cows bred on various farms in Calabria. The concentrations of heavy metals were determined in 40 samples of bovine milk from the various dairy farms. Each sample, homogenized and powdered, was mineralized in a microwave oven. Quantitative analyses of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Se were performed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with graphite furnace; As was analyzed by hot vapor generation technique and Zn with the flame method. As regards toxic heavy metals, highest values are those of As (g.m. 37.90 microg/kg w.w.) and Pb (g.m. 1.32 microg/kg w.w.), while lowest concentrations are those of Cd (g.m. 0.02 microg/kg w.w). With regard to essential metals, Zn (g.m. 2016 microg/kg w.w) and Se (g.m. 13.24 microg/kg w.w.) showed the highest concentrations, followed by Cr (g.m. 2.03 microg/kg w.w.) and Cu (g.m. 1.98 microg/kg w.w.). Further investigations of the levels of heavy metals (As) in a greater number of milk samples from various zones of Calabria are necessary, both to examine this problem from the clinical epidemiological point of view and to identify the possible causes of milk contamination.

Trace elements in Thunnus thynnus from Mediterranean Sea and benefit–risk assessment for consumers

Trace elemental levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry in muscle, eggs and sperm of 23 Thunnus thynnus fishes collected from May to August 2013 in the Mediterranean Sea. Zn, Mn, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ni and Se content was compared with Recommended Daily Allowances. Cd, Hg and Pb concentrations were below the maximum limits fixed by the European Legislation. Tuna food safety was evaluated considering Tolerable Weekly Intake (TWI) or Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake for As, Hg, Cd and Pb. Only BMDL01 data for As and Pb were calculated as established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committed on Food Additives. The daily consumption of fresh tuna ensures a good intake of these elements. None of the tested samples surpassed the European maximum limits. Cd, Hg and Pb remained within safety margins, while As is slightly higher than the provisional TWI.

Determination of trace elements in goat and ovine milk from Calabria (Italy) by ICP-AES.

There are many sources of contamination to which milk could be exposed: grazing animals can ingest contaminants present in nature, such as lead in soil, or that have been deposited on grass, resulting from industrial emissions. Another possible route of contamination is represented by feed for animals, which may contain heavy and essential metals. The potential of high-resolution inductively coupled plasma spectrometry was evaluated to quantify reliably various toxic and essential elements (Fe, Zn, Pb, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Se, Cd) in 47 samples of goat and ovine milk from various farms in Calabria (southern Italy). The results showed that concentrations of cadmium were below the limit of detection. Lead levels were below the maximum limits as set by the EC in almost all samples tested. The highest values were those of Zn followed by Fe, Cu and Se.

Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS in the skin and nerve fibers of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris L. (Annelida Oligochaeta)

The epidermis of the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris is a multifunctional tissue. It is composed of supporting, mucous, neuroendocrine-like, sensory and basal cells. NO is considered to be a molecule that regulates numerous functional activities (also in non-neuronal cells) in vertebrates. In the earthworm epidermis, we found neuronal NO synthase immunopositivity in orthochromatic and metachromatic mucous cells, neuroendocrine-like cells and in epidermal and subepidermal nerve fibers and striated muscle fibers. It is suggested that NO has a multitude of biological actions, affecting functional activities of the epidermis such as tissue homeostasis, control of secretion, proliferation, respiration, defense, water-salt balance, as well as regulation of tonus in vascular and striated muscles.

Organochlorine pesticides and PCBs in wild boars from Calabria (Italy).

At present, there are no specific studies on the evaluation of environmental toxicological risks in Calabria (south of Italy) and on the presence of contaminants in the fauna of this region. The aim of the present research was to investigate the levels of contamination by OC pesticides and PCBs in some organs and tissues of wild boars (utilized as ‘biological indicator’) from various areas of Calabria. Quantitative determinations of organochlorines were carried out using GC-ECD and confirmed with GC-MS in 154 samples from wild boars (heart, liver, lung, kidney, muscle tissue and spleen) during the hunting season from 2000 to 2002. The results indicate the low residual levels of DDE in 8 samples and DDT in 4 samples and PCBs residues (Aroclor 1232) below the detection limits were found. Therefore, these results show that the Calabria region is not at contamination risk from organochlorines and moreover is free from health problems for the consumer of boar meat.

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[a]anthracene in smoked “Provola” cheese from Calabria (Italy)

Levels of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) and benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) in “Provola” cheese samples from Calabria, smoked naturally and using commercial smoke-flavouring, have been determined. A comparative study of BaP and BaA concentrations was carried out on rind, exterior zone, core and slice of these samples. Quantitative determination of BaP and BaA was ascertained by HPLC using fluorescence detection. Levels of BaP and BaA were found in all smoked “Provola” cheese samples, but higher in cheese smoked with natural methods (0.46–1.13 µg kg−1 for BaP and 1.38–9.29 µg kg−1 for BaA) compared to samples smoked using commercial flavouring (0.085–0.32 µg kg−1 for BaP and 1.20–2.98 µg kg−1 for BaA). The smoking process contributes to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contamination; however, for improved food safety, the use of commercial buffered smoke is preferable to traditional smoking procedures.

Immunohistochemical localization of nNOS and VIP in the mantle integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis

The phylogeny and functional roles of many bioactive compounds in the invertebrate integument are still unclear. In order to deal with this issue, we performed an immunohistochemical investigation of the integument of the mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, to demonstrate the presence of nNOS- and VIP-positive nerve fibers in subepidermal connective tissue of the mantle. Positive nerve cell bodies were detected in this tissue as well as in cortex of sperm follicles, and adjacent to maturating oocytes and spermatocytes located in the thickness of the mantle. These results indicate involvement of a local inhibitory non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic (NANC) regulatory mechanism of epidermal functions, such as mucous secretion and ciliary beating. At the gonadic level, this mechanism probably regulates the cycle of maturation and release of the gametes in both sexes.

Statistical analysis of heavy metals in Cerastoderma edule glaucum and Venerupis aurea laeta from Ganzirri Lake, Messina (Italy).

Our study was carried out on two species of clams, Venerupis aurea laeta and Cerastoderma edule glaucum, from Ganzirri Lake considered as “environmental biomarkers” for their changes in physiology, morphology or distribution under the influence of substances in the environment. The aim of the present study was to conduct a statistical analysis on Venerupis and Cerastoderma to investigate the difference between the two autochthonous clams according to the presence of metals, and to link metal concentrations to the reproductive cycle of clam during 2009–2010. Metal analysis was carried out with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Accuracy and precision were assessed by analyzing the certified standard matrix: mussel tissue NIST SRM 2976. The multivariate analysis was made using the SPSS 13.0 software package for Windows (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). In this study, the concentrations of some metals found in clam tissues showed seasonal cycles with higher values in summer than in winter. The significances of metal concentrations differences between Venerupis and Cerastoderma samples were estimated with Mann–Whitney U-test. The concentrations of Ag, As, Cd, Mn, Se and Zn show a significant p-level that suggests a difference between the two group samples. Statistical analysis showed that the link of metal concentrations to the reproductive cycles of Venerupis and Cerastoderma was not evident.

Levels of Cd (II), Mn (II), Pb (II), Cu (II), and Zn (II) in Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) from Sicily (Italy) by Derivative Stripping Potentiometry

The purpose of this study was to determine the concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in different organs (liver, kidney, muscle, lung, skin, and feathers) of buzzards (Buteo buteo), utilized as a “biological indicator” for environmental contamination, from different areas of Sicily and to investigate the relationships between birds sex, age, and weight and metal levels in these samples. All samples of common buzzards were collected at the “Recovery Center of Wild Fauna” of Palermo, through the Zooprophilactic Institute. Potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) was used to determine the content of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in bird tissues. For toxic metals, the highest levels of Pb were in liver and those of Cd in lung; Zn levels were higher than Cu and Mn in all tissues analyzed. The concentrations in liver, lung, kidney, and muscle could be considered as an indicative of chronic exposure to metals while the presence of metals in skin could be consequential to storing and elimination processes. The found concentrations of metals in the studied matrices required a highly sensitive method for their determination and a simple sample preparation procedure, and the proposed method was well suited for this purpose.

Effects of monensin on Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca++-ATPase activities in chick skeletal muscle and myocardium after subacute treatment

Chicks were treated at 2 weeks of age with 4,15, 40, 100 and 150 mg/kg of monensin, an ionophore used for its anticoccidial and growth-promoting properties. In the present immunohistochemical study, the expressions and distribution of Na+/K(+)-ATPase and Ca(++)-ATPase were studied in myocardium and skeletal muscles (pectoral and quadriceps femoris). We detected an increase of Na+/K(+)-ATPase immunostaining with prominent staining of the sarcolemma and a slight increase of Ca(+)-ATPase with prominent staining of the sarcoplasma.