Investigation of heavy metal contents in Cow milk samples from area of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Background: Cow milk is considered as one of the responsible food sources contaminated with heavy metals. The objectives of the study were to assess the content of selected metals in cow milk and its associated human health risks in the food chain of Bangladesh. A total of 90 cow milk samples of Branded, Dairy and Domestically produced milk were collected randomly from different sources of Savar Upazila in Dhaka area. Cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu) and iron (Fe) contents in collected milk samples were determined using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS). To ensure quality control, one of the best quality control parameters i.e. recovery test; from eight various sample digestion methods were used. The Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values were also calculated. Results: From the results, it was found that, the orders of heavy metal content in brand, dairy and domestic cow milk were Cr > Fe > Cu>Mn > Cd > Pb, Cr > Fe > Mn > Cu > Cd > Pb and Fe > Cr > Mn > Cu > Cd > Pb, respectively. Among the six metals, only Cr showed to exceed the highest Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) rate (for brand cow milk: 0.413 mg/day, dairy farm cow milk: 0.243 mg/day, domestic cow milk: 0. 352 mg/day),and the comparison percentages of calculated values per permeable values were as follows; 206.5 % for brand cow milk,121.5 % for dairy farm cow milk and 176.0 % for domestic cow milk. Hazard Quotients (HQ) values and Carcinogenic Risk (CR) values were found within the acceptable level. Conclusion: Although, the metal content in sampled cow milks were within the safe limit, the potential human health risks cannot be neglected for the regular/long time consumption of heavy metal contained cow milk

Detection of Residual Levels and Associated Health Risk of Seven Pesticides in Fresh Eggplant and Tomato Samples from Narayanganj District, Bangladesh

Residual levels of seven frequently used pesticides were investigated in 140 samples of two common vegetables, eggplants and tomatoes, from agricultural fields in the Narayanganj district of Bangladesh. The analysis of pesticide residues was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection. A large percentage of the eggplants (50%) and tomatoes (60%) from the Narayanganj district were contaminated with pesticides, and all of the levels were above the maximum residual limit (MRL) proposed by the EC regulation. Diazinon was the most common (35%) pesticide detected in the vegetable samples at a concentration of 45–450 times higher than the MRL. The health risk index for diazinon was highest for both eggplant and tomato samples, which may be due to its physiochemical properties. Fenitrothion and linuron are the two second most common types of pesticides detected in the vegetable samples. Regular monitoring of the use of common pesticides on vegetables should be conducted

Microbial decontamination of gamma irradiated black tea and determination of major minerals in black tea, fresh tea leaves and tea garden soil

The purpose of this research was to establish an effective dose of gamma irradiation to eliminate any possible bacterial contamination as well as assess the levels of essential major elements [sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe)] present in black tea. The samples were compared to fresh tea leaves and soil from the tea gardens of two distinct tea cultivating regions (Sylhet and Moulvibazar) in Bangladesh. Maximum coliform bacterial contaminants (4.0 × 10 cfu/g) were completely eliminated following an irradiation dose of 2.5 kGy, whereas a viable bacterial load of 9.0 × 10 cfu/g was completely eliminated at 5.0 kGy. Major elements were present at higher concentrations in black tea samples originating from Sylhet compared to those from Moulvibazar. Among the analyzed elements, only Na and Fe were present at higher concentrations in the fresh tea leaves from Sylhet, whereas K, Ca and Mg were observed at higher concentrations in the tea leaves from Moulvibazar. The amount of each mineral in the black tea is acceptable for daily intake and is safe for consumption. It is concluded that black tea from Bangladesh is a rich source of minerals and could be free of microbial contamination after receiving 5.0 kGy of gamma radiation

Antioxidant, brine shrimp lethality and analgesic properties of propolis from Bangladesh

Propolis which is a natural resinous product from the honeybees, is becoming increasingly popular for its diverse therapeutic and industrial applications. In this study, we report for the first time the antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antinociceptive activities of propolis from Bangladesh (BDP). The antioxidant activities were measured by biochemical analyses while cytotoxicity was evaluated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Analgesic activity was evaluated by tail immersion and acetic acid-induced writhing models in mice. BDP contained higher concentrations of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, ascorbic acid, vitamin E, and reducing sugars, as compared to previous reports of propolis from several countries. BDP also exhibited higher free radical-scavenging activities and a dose-dependent reducing power activity indicating its superior antioxidant potential. Moreover, BDP extract was most toxic to brine shrimp nauplii, with 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of 57.99 mu g/mL and exhibited considerable antinociceptive activities which may be mediated via central and peripheral inhibitory mechanisms.Practical applicationsBDP is a honeybee product, becoming increasingly popular due its potential contributions to human health. BDP is a rich source of natural antioxidants which has the potential to be used to ameliorate oxidative stress disorders and has useful antinociceptive activities. It may be useful as potential therapeutic agents against cancer, pesticidal agents, and for other cytotoxic uses

Ameliorative effects of ethanolic constituents of Bangladeshi propolis against tetracycline-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats

The study reports the phenolic composition of propolis from Bangladesh and its ameliorative effects against tetracycline-induced hepatonephrotoxicity in rats. Male Wistar Albino rats (n\ua0=\ua018) were randomly divided into three following groups: (1) normal control, (2) tetracycline-treatment (200\ua0mg\ua0kg\ua0rat), and (3) tetracycline (200\ua0mg\ua0kg\ua0rat) + propolis (100\ua0mg\ua0kg\ua0rat) treatments. The ethanolic extract of propolis contained major phenolic acids as well as a flavonoid, rutin. Oral exposure to tetracycline caused severe hepatic and renal damage as indicated by significant alterations in liver marker enzymes in rat serum: bilirubin and protein concentrations, lipid profile, and markers of kidney function when compared with controls. The observed biochemical perturbations were accompanied by histopathological changes. Co-administration with propolis extract, however, prevented the changes in biochemical parameters, as revealed by maintenance of cell membrane integrity and regulation of lipid profile and the conservation of the histoarchitecture. Practical applications: Propolis is a resinous honeybee product which is becoming increasingly popular due to its potential contributions to human health. The phenolic compounds identified in propolis from Bangladesh were effective against tetracycline-induced hepatic and renal toxicity. Propolis may be a promising natural product in reducing the effects of chronic liver and kidney damage

Ganoderma lucidum and Auricularia polytricha mushrooms protect against carbofuran-induced toxicity in rats

The current study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of two types of mushrooms, (GL) and (AP), against carbofuran- (CF) induced toxicity in rats. Male Wistar rats ( = 42) were divided into six equal groups. The rats in the negative control group received oral administration of CF at 1 mg/kg with the normal diet for 28 days. The treatment groups received oral administration of ethanolic extract of GL or AP at 100 mg/kg followed by coadministration of CF at 1 mg/kg with the normal diet for the same experimental period, respectively. In the CF alone treated group, there were significant decreases in the erythrocytic and thrombocytic indices but increases in the concentrations of the total leukocytes, including the agranulocytes. A significant increase in all of the liver function biomarkers except albumin, in lipid profiles except high-density lipoprotein, and in the kidney function markers occurred in the negative control group compared to the rats of the normal control and positive control groups. The coadministration of mushroom extracts significantly ameliorated the toxic effects of the CF. The GL mushroom extract was more efficacious than that of the AP mushroom, possibly due to the presence of high levels of phenolic compounds and other antioxidants in the GL mushroom