Sameer Al-Zenki

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.

Comparison of methods for the assessment of the extent of staling in bread

Most of the physico-chemical methods used for indirect measurement of staling in western pan bread have been used for measuring the extent of staling in arabic bread. The water activity and alkaline water retention capacity values decreased significantly with the ageing of bread samples. The amount of soluble starch and amylose contents also decreased significantly as the bread aged during storage. In spite of their limitations, sensory analysis parameters were found to follow the staling of white as well as extra bran arabic bread more closely than any other single method. Instron puncture force measurements correlated well with other chemical methods and sensory analysis parameters in white arabic bread, but did not provide significant correlations for extra bran Arabic bread. Based on the data presented for the different physical, chemical and sensory methods investigated in this study, the alkaline water retention capacity produced the best correlation with most of these parameters. This test is, therefore, recommended as an appropriate objective method for assessing the extent of staling of arabic bread.

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.

Evidence for nutrition transition in Kuwait: over-consumption of macronutrients and obesity

OBJECTIVES To describe nutrient intakes and prevalence of overweight and obesity in a nationally representative sample of Kuwaitis and to compare intakes with reference values. DESIGN Cross-sectional, multistage stratified, cluster sample. Settings National nutrition survey covering all geographical areas of the country. SUBJECTS Kuwaitis (n 1704) between 3 and 86 years of age. RESULTS Obesity was more prevalent among women than men (50 % and 70 % for females aged 19-50 years and ≥51 years, respectively, v. 29 % and 42 % for their male counterparts). Boys were more obese than girls, with the highest obesity rate among those aged 9-13 years (37 % and 24 % of males and females, respectively). Energy intake was higher than the estimated energy requirements for almost half of Kuwaiti children and one-third of adults. The Estimated Average Requirement was exceeded by 78-100 % of the recommendation for protein and carbohydrates. More than two-thirds of males aged ≥4 years exceeded the Tolerable Upper Intake Level for Na. Conversely, less than 20 % of Kuwaitis, regardless of age, consumed 100 % or more of the Estimated Average Requirement for vitamin D, vitamin E, Ca, n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. Less than 20 % of children met the recommended level for fibre. CONCLUSIONS Nutrition transition among Kuwaitis was demonstrated by the increased prevalence of obesity and overweight, increased intakes of energy and macronutrients and decreased intakes of fibre and micronutrients. Interventions to increase awareness about healthy foods combined with modifications in subsidy policies are clearly warranted to increase consumption of low-energy, nutrient-dense foods.

Nutrient contents of some traditional Kuwaiti dishes : proximate composition, and phytate content

Abstract Thirty-two Kuwaiti composite dishes were analyzed for their proximate composition and phytate content. The moisture content ranged from 89.5% in vegetable soup to 0.89% in rahash (a traditional sweet). The fat content varied from 0.99 to 29.2%. Fish dishes showed the highest protein content (20.9%) while vegetable soup had the lowest (1.19%). Carbohydrate content of the 32 dishes varied from 3.5% in fried fish to 53.3% in rahash. The ash content ranged from 5.1% in hallomi cheese to as low as 0.39% in legemat (sweet dumpling). Phytate content, ranged from 2835 mg/100 g in rahash to 32.6 mg/100 g in labnah (strained yoghurt).

Avian Influenza A Virus (H5N1) Outbreaks, Kuwait, 2007

Phylogenetic analysis of influenza A viruses (H5N1) isolated from Kuwait in 2007 show that (H5N1) sublineage clade 2.2 viruses continue to spread across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Virus isolates were most closely related to isolates from central Asia and were likely vectored by migratory birds.

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.

Characterisation of quality and safety of tomatoes sold in the state of Kuwait

This study determined the microbiological quality and safety of locally produced and imported tomatoes at selected points of the food chain. To accomplish this objective, a survey was conducted to obtain necessary information on the various links in the food chain for tomatoes. The food chain operational links for local and imported tomatoes were then prepared. Microbiological assessment of tomatoes was then carried out by collecting samples from local farms, retail and wholesale outlets. Microbiological analyses included aerobic plate count (APC), yeast and moulds, Streptococcus faecal, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes and detection of Salmonella spp. All samples collected at the farms and the outlets had APC counts less than 107 CFU g−1. Local samples collected from the farms exceeded the microbiological recommendations set for yeast and moulds (10%), faecal Streptococcus (0.7%) and L. monocytogenes (0.7%). Similarly, local tomato samples collected at the outlets exceeded the microbiological recommendations set for yeast and moulds (7.6%) and L. monocytogenes (1.3%). For imported tomatoes, samples exceeded the microbiological recommendations for yeast and moulds (10%), faecal Streptococcus (2.5%) and L. monocytogenes (1.3%). The pathogen, Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the samples analysed.