Scientists from the National Institute of Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA) analyzed the presence of emerging contaminants in wheat, oats, barley and rice. Although the concentrations of bisphenol A and nonylphenol are very low, bisphenol A and nonylphenol are present in all samples, and these substances have potential endocrine disruptor activity. Traces of ibuprofen have also been found in some grains.
This cereals They are the staple food for human consumption. In order to maintain its yield, reclaimed water is often used for irrigation and fertilizer to help improve soil quality. This will increase the load of pollutants, which may be absorbed by crops and subsequently enter the food chain.
In this case, researchers from the Department of Environment and Agronomy Inha Analyzes Emerging pollutants -Recently introduced into the environment, but little known-Among the four widely consumed cereals: Wheat, oats, barley and rice. To this end, they took 16 samples, 10 of which were purchased at local supermarkets, and the rest were collected directly in the grain fields.
Using highly sensitive analytical techniques (mass spectrometry coupled with gas chromatography), scientists have focused on contaminants in medicines, personal hygiene products, plasticizers and other industrial additives.Some of these substances are or are suspected to be toxic, such as Bisphenol, Parabens with Nonanol, May act as an endocrine disruptor.
Specifically, has sought Bisphenol A (This is part of many plastics), Bifenor F (Replace the previous one), Methyl p-hydroxybenzoate (Additives used in food and personal care products), Propylparaben (Also used in the food and cosmetic industries), Nonylphenol (Which contains many detergents and other cleaning products) and six drug (Allopurinol, mefenamic acid, carbamazepine, paracetamol, diclofenac and ibuprofen).
The results are published in the journal Frontiers of Chemistry, Indicating a mixture of bisphenol A (concentrations between 2 and 1742 ng/g) and nonylphenol isomers (the average concentrations in wheat, barley, oats and rice are 49, 90, 142, and 184 ng/g, respectively) ).
Some grains in ibuprofen
In the lower percentage, bisphenol F was also found in six samples (up to 22 ng/g), two parabens, and another nonylphenol with a linear carbon chain (called 4- n-NP), and confirmed the presence of ibuprofen in some samples. sample.
The author emphasized the importance of understanding the most common contaminants in grains and concluded that it is important to further understand how certain agricultural practices affect grains, such as the use of recycled water and the addition of organic amendments. The content of all these compounds in food may pose a health risk.
reference:
Beatriz Albero, José Luis Tadeo and Rosa Ana Pérez. “Determination of emerging contaminants in grains by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Frontiers of Chemistry 8,571668. DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2020.571668.
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