Basmati rice is increasingly recognized and consumed in different parts of the world due to its different tastes and nutritional properties. This research focused on determining the cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni) and zinc (Zn) content in locally grown basmati rice in Pakistan and assessing the risks of these values to human health. Root, shoot and grain samples of basmati rice were taken, along with soil samples from the five regions studied. Metal mean concentrations (mg/kg) in grains fluctuated from 2.70 to 9.80 for Cd, 4.80 to 9.85 for Zn, 1.16 to 1.46 for Cu, 1.84 to 10.86 for Co, 2.05 to 13.07 for Fe, 5.03 to 11.11 for Mn and 3.24 to 13.28 for Ni, respectively. All metal values were within permissible limits except for Cd. The enrichment factor for Cd was highest among all sites. Cobalt and zinc had the highest bioaccumulation factor and translocation factor. The highest enrichment factor was noticed for Cd and the lowest for Cu. The health risk index at all examined sites was less than one. Consistent examination is recommended to limit health hazards instigated by the use of rice polluted with a greater concentration of Cd.
6 January 2021 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research
Synthetic food colors are important ingredients in the food industry. These synthetic food colorants are azo dyes, majorly acidic in nature such as Allura red and Tartrazine. They are present in sweets, carbonated drinks, meat products, and candies to attract the consumers. This review article is an attempt to explain the adverse effects of azo dyes and their association with oral cavities and cardiovascular disorders. These synthetic dyes (azo dyes) have staining effects on dentin. Poor dental care accelerates the bacterial accumulation on the dental crown (Gram-negative bacteria P. gingivalis, T. denticola, and T. forsythia and Gram-positive bacteria Strep. Gordonii), causing the washing of enamel, forming dental plaque. Bacterial pathogens (P. ginigivalis and F. nacleatum) release different chemicals (FadA and Fap2) that bind to protein on the cell by producing an inflammatory response through different line-host defenses, such as Gingival epithelial cells (ECs), Hemi-desmosomes, and desmosomes, which helps the bacterium migration from the cell–cell junction. This makes the junctions slightly open up and makes the whole vessel permeable, through which the bacterium enters into the blood stream line. This leads to different major arteries, such as the carotid artery, and causes the accumulation of plaque in major cardiac arteries, which causes different cardiovascular disorders. These bacterial species present in gums cause cardiovascular diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart attacks and strokes, and arrhythmias, which can lead to death.
6 October 2021 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research