Tissue distribution of ochratoxin A in pigs after administration of two-levels contaminated diets

The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of ochratoxin A (OTA) in pigs experimentally exposed to this mycotoxin and to evaluate if bile may be used to assess exposure to OTA. Twelve hybrid pigs were divided into 3 equal groups, a control group D0,and 2 experimental groups, D1fed with 50 \uce\ubcg OTA/kg diet, and D2fed with 500 \uce\ubcg OTA/kg diet for 15 days. At the end of the test, the animals were euthanized and samples of different tissues and biological fluids were analysed by HPLC-fluorescence detection for the presence of OTA. Samples of unconventional edible tissues such as lung and heart were also taken for analysis because they are used in typical Italian regional dishes. The Italian guidance value for OTA of 1 \uce\ubcg/kg established for pork meat and derived products has been exceeded in all the matrices from both the experimental groups. The comparison between OTA levels detected in D1and D2groups showed clearly a linear doseresponse relationship. Based on the mean values measured, OTA distribution follows the order blood plasma > lung > kidney (in D1group), heart (in D2group) > heart (in D1group), kidney (in D2group) > bile > liver > fat > muscle. Analysis of bile can be useful for the detection of OTA in pigs. However, since blood can easily be taken from pigs, and given the correlation between the mycotoxin concentration detected in this matrix and the concentrations detected in the others, OTA level in blood is a more viable approach to assessing the presence of OTA in edible tissues. As lung and heart may contain high concentrations of OTA, the analytical controls should also include these matrices

Occurrence of fipronil in indoor house-dust in Italy

The wide use of Fipronil as insecticide, acaricide and product to control other arthropods in pets and households may determine its indoor presence and cause non-food exposure. The presence of total Fipronil (as sum of the parent drug plus its sulfone metabolite) was determined in samples of residential house-dust, in Italy, by LC-MS Orbitrap, with a reporting limit (RL) of 0.01 mg/kg dry weight. A number of 127 out of 164 samples felt above the RL, and total fipronil followed a skewed distribution, with P50, P75, mean, P90, P95 and maximum values falling at 0.05, 0.53, 2.93, 5.83, 18.2 and 74.1 mg/kg dust, respectively. Fipronil has been reported up to 14 mg/kg level in in indoor dust USA in 2009 (N = 24), whereas sparse of data are available in the EU. Within an \u201cOne Health\u201d approach, such evidences highlight the need to consider indoor dust as an aggregated source of exposure in toddlers, due to their mouthing and licking behaviour and time spent in close contact with floor. Moreover, results indicate the persistence of veterinary biocide/drug residues in indoor as an emerging issue to be tackled also in term of the induction of drug resistance in target pests