Occurrence of Phthalate Esters in Coffee and Risk Assessment

Coffee, one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, is commercialized as powder and beans in different types of packaging and extracted through several methods. In this regard, the present study focused on evaluating the concentration of two of the most used phthalates in plastic materials (bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-butyl phthalate (DBP)) in coffee powder and beverages to assess their migration from different packaging and machines. Furthermore, the levels of exposure to these endocrine disruptors in regular coffee consumers were estimated. Samples of packaged coffee powder/beans (n = 60) from different forms of packaging (multilayer bag, aluminum tin, and paper pod) and coffee beverages (n = 40) that were differently extracted (by professional espresso machine (PEM), Moka pot (MP), and home espresso machine (HEM)) were analyzed by extraction of the lipid fraction, purification, and determination by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Risk due to consumption of coffee (1–6 cups) was assessed based on tolerable daily intake (TDI) and incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR). No significant differences emerged in DBP and DEHP concentrations among different types of packaging (multilayer, aluminum, and paper), whereas higher levels of DEHP were reported in beverages extracted by PEM (6.65, 2.58–11.32) than by MP (0.78, 0.59–0.91) and HEM (0.83, 0.62–0.98). The presence of higher DEHP levels in coffee beverages than in coffee powder may be due to its leaching through machine components. However, the levels of PAEs did not exceed the specific migration limits (SMLs) set out for food contact materials (FCM), and exposure to PAEs from coffee beverages was low, justifying the small risk due of its consumption. Consequently, coffee can be considered a safe beverage for exposure to some phthalic acid esters (PAEs)

Coffee Silverskin: Chemical and Biological Risk Assessment and Health Profile for Its Potential Use in Functional Foods

The coffee supply chain is characterized by a complex network with many critical and unsustainable points producing a huge amount of waste products. Among these, coffee silverskin (CS), the only by-product of the coffee roasting phase, has an interesting chemical profile that suggests potential use as a food ingredient. However, few data on its safety are available. For this reason, the purpose of the study was to assess the occurrence of chemical and biological contaminants in CS, and the resulting risk due to its potential consumption. Essential, toxic, and rare earth elements, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), process contaminants, ochratoxin A (OTA), and pesticides residues were analyzed in three classes of samples (Coffea arabica CS, Coffea robusta CS, and their blend). Furthermore, total mesophilic bacteria count (TMBC) at 30 C, Enterobacteriaceae, yeasts, and molds was evaluated. The risk assessment was based upon the hazard index (HI) and lifetime cancer risk (LTCR). In all varieties and blends, rare earth elements, pesticides, process contaminants, OTA, and PAHs were not detected except for chrysene, phenanthrene, and fluoranthene, which were reported at low concentrations only in the arabica CS sample. Among essential and toxic elements, As was usually the most representative in all samples. Microorganisms reported a low load, although arabica and robusta CS showed lower contamination than mixed CS. Instead, the risk assessment based on the potential consumption of CS as a food ingredient did not show either non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic risk. Overall, this study provides adequate evidence to support the safety of this by-product for its potential use in functional foods

Dietary exposure to heavy metals through polyfloral honey from Campania region (Italy)

Honey may have potential benefits due to its nutrient and bioactive molecules. On the other hand, it is a food that could be affected by environmental pollution; therefore, honey may contain contaminants such as heavy metals. The present study aimed to quantify eleven heavy metals and essential elements (Hg, Cd, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, As, Sb, Pb, Ba, Mn) in honey collected in the Campania region (Italy) and analyzed through Q-ICP-MS. Secondly, carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks due to ingestion of honey in toddlers, adolescents, and adults were estimated based on the Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Lifetime Cancer Risk (LTCR). No statistically significant difference emerged among the different areas. The risk assessment did not report concerns for non-carcinogenic risk. However, the three groups showed a potential carcinogenic risk for Ni, Cr, and As, even though toddlers reported higher exposure values. The finding of this study provides pieces of knowledge on levels of contaminants in honey in Campania. Furthermore, it can aid in understanding the resulting risk due to honey ingestion

Effects of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown and environmental pollution assessment in Campania region (Italy) through the analysis of heavy metals in honeybees

The Covid-19 outbreak had a critical impact on a massive amount of human activities as well as the global health system. On the other hand, the lockdown and related suspension of working activities reduced pollution emissions. The use of biomonitoring is an efficient and quite recent tool to assess environmental pollution through the analysis of a proper bioindicator, such as bees. This study set out to ascertain the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown on the environmental occurrence of eleven heavy metals in the Campania region (Italy) by analyzing bees and bee products. A further aim of this study was the assessment of the Honeybee Contamination Index (HCI) in three different areas of the Campania region and its comparison with other Italian areas to depict the current environmental pollutants levels of heavy metals are concerned. The results showed that the levels of heavy metals bioaccumulated by bees during the pandemic lockdown (T1) were statistically lower than the sampling times after Covid-19 restrictions and the resumption of some or all activities (T2 and T3). A comparable trend was observed in wax and pollen. However, bee, pollen, and wax showed higher levels of Cd and Hg in T1 than T2 and T3. The analysis of the HCI showed a low contamination level of the sampling sites for Cd and Pb, and an intermediate-high level as regards Ni and Cr. The biomonitoring study highlighted a decrease of heavy metals in the environmental compartments due to the intense pandemic restrictions. Therefore, Apis mellifera and other bee products remain a reliable and alternative tool for environmental pollution assessment

Occurrence of phthalate esters and preliminary data on microplastics in fish from the Tyrrhenian sea (Italy) and impact on human health

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) are chemical pollutants widely distributed in the marine environment. They can accumulate in biota, posing a risk to the marine ecosystem and humans. The aim of this study was to measure the content of PAEs in the gills and muscles of three fish species (Mugil cephalus, Diplodus annularis, and Mullus barbatus) caught along the coast of Campania (Italy), as well as to ascertain the dietary exposure to PAEs' through the consumption of fish. Secondly, a preliminary insight into MPs pollution in this area was provided through the analysis of Mugil cephalus organs. Solid-phase extraction and GC-MS were used for the PAEs analysis, while an infrared microscope was used to detect MPs after a pre-digestion of the samples. Risk assessment was based on estimated daily intake (EDI) and lifetime cancer risk (LTCR). The results showed higher bioaccumulation of PAEs in Mullus barbatus than in the other two species and higher concentration in gills than in muscles. MPs (polyamide, polypropylene, and high-density polyethylene) were detected in 50% of the gill samples, but no particle was detected in the muscle samples of Mugil cephalus. A low carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risk from the consumption of fish emerged, although a potential risk for the development of cancer was found in the worst-case, especially in toddlers. In conclusion, this study provides insight into PAEs pollution in the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), their distribution in fish with different behaviors, and the potential risk to the consumer. Moreover, the data on pollution by MPs in this area could form the basis for future studies

Valorization of coffee industry wastes: Comprehensive physicochemical characterization of coffee silverskin and multipurpose recycling applications

Every year, the coffee supply chain produces tons of waste materials from the processing of the coffee bean. Coffee silverskin (CS) is the only waste product from the coffee bean roasting phases but as roasting is a key step in obtaining the coffee beverage, there are tons of CS collected and thrown away by coffee roasting industries. This study is based on the characterization of this integument, with a view to its use in nutritional, nutraceutical and industrial fields. From the results obtained, silverskin can be used in the food sector for its nutritional profile with a good amount of protein (18.9%) and total dietary fiber (34.7%) andits low-fat content (3.0%). Food safety was also determined by evaluating the low levels of contaminants such as ochratoxin A (OTA) and acrylamide (AA), with values < 0.1 mg/kg and <0.02 mg/kg respectively. Low concentrations of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) completed the safety-related overview in terms of CS contamination. For the nutraceutical aspect, an in-silico analysis of the peptide fraction was proper to evaluate the presence of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides, antioxidants and dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) IV inhibitors with promising uses for the treatment of diabetes and its side effects. Finally, through morphological-structural characterization of CS, the main constituents such as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose were identified spectrally by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and solid-state CP/MAS 13C NMR spectroscopy. The CS thermostability was monitored by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and the tegument surface was evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and volumetric nitrogen adsorption analysis. This information provides a broader view of the possible uses of CS as a filler for biocomposite materials. Therefore, from the perspective of recovering waste materials from food supply chains, coffee silverskin could be a good product to focus on