Monitoring Of Nitrites And Nitrates Levels In Leafy Vegetables (Spinach And Lettuce): A Contribution To Risk Assessment.

Auteur(s) :
Iammarino M., Taranto AD., Cristino M.
Date :
Oct, 2013
Source(s) :
Journal of the science of food and agriculture., J Sci Food Agric. # p
Adresse :
Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121, Foggia, Italy.

Sommaire de l'article
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BACKGROUND
Nitrites and nitrates are compounds considered as harmful for humans and the most part of the daily intake of nitrates by foodstuffs is related to vegetables consumption. In this work, 150 leafy vegetables samples (75 spinaches and 75 lettuces) were analysed in order to assess the levels of nitrites and nitrates. The analyses were carried out by a validated ion chromatography method and the samples with nitrates concentrations higher than legal limits and/or with quantifiable concentrations of nitrites were confirmed by an alternative ion chromatography method.

RESULTS
Nitrates levels higher than legal limits were detected both in spinaches (4 samples) and in lettuces (5 samples). Nitrites residues were registered both at low concentrations, lower than 28.5 mg/kg (12 spinaches samples) and at high concentrations, up to 197.5 mg/kg (3 spinaches and 1 lettuce sample).

CONCLUSIONS
Considering the not negligible percentage of "not-compliant" samples for nitrates (6.0%), control is needed. Moreover, it is possible to suggest the introduction in the Communities Regulations of a "maximum admissible level" for nitrites in leafy vegetables.

Source : Pubmed
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