Determination of contamination of Lead and Cadmium in Canola and safflower in around of Isfahan Still Company (ESCO) and Compare this pollution with oil extracted from them

Background and aims: Contaminants are a disturbing factor for ecosystems, among which “heavy metals” are considered as significant due to their physiological effects at low concentrations on organisms. This contamination is concentrated several times more in the products that are available in markets as oil than in natural plant, and in each consumption time, a considerable amount, higher than authorized amount of heavy metals may enter into consumer’s body. This study was designed and conducted for this aim to investigate the contamination rate with lead and cadmium in canola (Brassica napus) and safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) in the farms around Isfahan Steel factory and to compare this contamination with oil extracted from them. Methods: The present study was conducted in 2012. The samples were randomly selected from oil seeds of B. napus and C. tinctorius L. in the farms within a 20 to 50 km distance from Isfahan Steel factory. Samples were assigned to two groups and only group 1 underwent washing operation with deionized water. The amount of lead and cadmium in seeds and their oil was measured by atomic absorption. Data were analyzed by SPSS. Results: The results indicated that the lowest lead concentration was 0.00 µg.g in washed B. napus samples and the highest lead concentration was 24.74 µg.g in C. tinctorius L. oil extracted by traditional method. The amount of lead was less in washed seeds than unwashed seeds, with a significant difference for B. napus seeds (P<0.05). No cadmium contamination was observed in B. napus and C. tinctorius L. plants and the oils extracted from them. Conclusion: A rate of contamination with lead was seen in the plants cultivated near Isfahan Steel factory, but no contamination with cadmium was seen. In view of the lead amount being less in the group washed with deionized water than the unwashed group, it is recommended to do washing steps of oil seeds in the factory at low volume, with clean water, and carefully prior to oil tapping

The effect of seafood oil omega-3 supplementation on ulcerative colitis remission: A systematic review

Background and aims: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a prevalent and long-term condition that causes inflammation, irritation, and ulcers in the colon. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of seafood oil omega-3 supplementation on UC remission. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were extensively searched on 25.5.2022 according to the PRISMA checklist. The studies were imported into EndNote X9. Data were extracted in Excel form, including the first author’s name, study setting, year of publication, sample size, sea oil type, intervention, and outcomes. Results: Seafood oil omega-3 supplementation reduced the levels of leukotriene B4, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-8, IL-1β, thromboxane A2, prostaglandin E2, scavenges-free radicals, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, supplementation with this oil could decrease free radicals at the cellular level and subsequently increase antioxidant activity, which also mediates the inflammatory process itself. Conclusion: Most studies showed that omega-3 extracted from seafood can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress (OS) in intestinal cells. It also could improve clinical symptoms and scores of histological, sigmoidoscopic, and simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI). However, some studies reported no positive effects in this regard and confirmed that these compounds have no effect on improving UC symptoms. Keywords: Omega-3, Fish oil, Ulcerative colitis, Inflammatory bowel diseas

Lead and Cadmium Contamination in Seeds and Oils of Brassica napus L and Carthamus tinctorius Grown in Isfahan Province/Iran

Background: Lead and cadmium are toxic heavy metals found as major contaminants in food products and edible oils. The aims of this study were to investigate the lead and cadmium contaminations in seeds and extracted oils from Brassica napus L and Carthamus tinctorius grown in the vicinity of industrial sites (Isfahan Zobe Ahan) near Isfahan province/Iran. Methods: In this study, the seeds of B. napus and C. tinctorius were randomly sampled from the farms. The oils of seeds were provided by factory and extracted as well in our laboratory. The two series of washed and unwashed seeds digested with nitric acid and the amount of elements in seeds and oils were measured using GF-AA spectrometer equipped with Zeeman Effect. Results: Cadmium was found in all samples below the Method Detection Limit (MDL, 0.04 μg/L). Lead contaminations were found in all seeds and oils except washed B. napus seeds. The highest levels of lead contaminations were observed in oils of C. tinctorius and B. napus with the amount of 24.74 μg/L and 11.85 μg/L, respectively. The level of lead in unwashed seed oils were significantly higher than washed seed oils (P<0.05). Conclusions: The contamination rate of cadmium compared with lead was very low. The higher lead contaminations in unwashed seeds oils compared with washed seeds oils indicated that the contaminant should have been be transferred through the air. Although these observations suggest that the levels of contaminations in edible oils are below the toxic level, long-term exposure may lead to potential health risks