No abstract

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) rank among the primary risk pollutants and their adverse effects may endanger the environmental balance and affect the ontogenetic development of live organisms and their body functions. Therefore, the aim of this study was to monitor the occurrence of PAEs in packaging materials and plastics (infusion sets), to evaluate the accumulation and distribution of the most common phthalates such as DEHP (di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate) and DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) in body tissues and organs of pigs and broiler chicks having been administered the phthalates per os, to assess the occurrence of PAEs in pig and cattle farms in the district of Hodonín (1997–1999), and to propose precautionary measures to mitigate the risk of PAE penetration into the food chain and the environments. DEHP and DBP contents in packaging materials ranged from 0.1 to 4259 mg DEHP, and from 0.1 to 1298 mg DBP per 1 kg printed packaging material, respectively. In haemodialysis patients, over 0.5 mg DEHP per 1 kg blood was found after three hours of haemodialysis. In combined feeds for farm animals (pigs, cattle, poultry), DEHP and DBP concentrations ranging from 0.07 to 1.77 and from 0.06 to 2.36 mg/kg feed, respectively, were detected. In all the food samples investigated, measurable levels of DEHP (less than 0.01–0.22 mg/kgsample) and DBP (less than 0.01 to 1.31 mg/kgsample) were found. In the experimental pigs and broilers, phthalates were distributed in all the organs monitored and the highest accumulation was found in adipose tissue as expected. All the samples withdrawn from farms in the Hodonín district had measurable phthalate concentrations; the hygienic limit (4 mg/kg) was exceeded in 2 samples of swine adipose tissue (4.26 and 6.92 mg/kgfresh sample) and in 1 sample of cattle adipose tissue (4.75 mg/kgfresh sample).  

No abstract

ABSTRACT:The relationship between different levels of n-6 and n-3 PUFA in chicken breast and thigh meat and sensory characteristics of meat was studied. Chickens were fed diets containing 1, 3, 5 or 7 percent of oil made of seeds either of the linseed cultivar Atalante (A) with a high content of α-linolenic acid or of the cultivar Lola (L) with a predominating content of linoleic acid. The meat of chickens fed L showed better sensory characteristics than the meat of birds fed A. If the tissue contained more than 180 mg/100 g of n-3 PUFA, i.e. the thigh meat when chickens were fed 3% or more A and the breast meat when chickens were fed 7% A, significant fishy odour and taste as well as slight oily aftertaste were recorded. Texture, tenderness and juiciness of breast meat did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) in groups fed different diets. Thigh meat in the group with 1% A was significantly (P < 0.05) more fibrous than in the group with 7% L; however, there were no differences in texture between the other groups. The thigh meat of chickens fed L was tenderer, juicier and tastier than the meat of those fed A. Tenderness and juiciness were the highest in the group fed 7% of L. There is only a limited possibility to increase the intake of n-3 PUFA without any risk of changes in sensory characteristics of meat. If the levels of α-linolenic acid in the diet were 6.5 and 31 g/kg and the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratios in the meat were 3.3:1 and 0.9:1, respectively, the sensory value of TM and BM was not significantly deteriorated.

ABSTRACT:For the monitoring of distribution and accumulation of phthalic acid esters (PAE) in animal tissues, samples of muscle, mesenteric fat (fat), skin and liver from broiler chicks ROSS 308 were used. The chicks were divided into four groups (50 chicks each). All the chicks were given commercial diets (complete feed, KKS) for broiler chicks (starter -BR1; grower -BR2 and finisher -BR3). The experimental diets were supplemented with vegetable oil (RV) with low (group N) or high (group V) phthalate contents, or animal fat with a high phthalate content (group Z). Neither the control diets (K), nor the grower (BR1) diets contained vegetable oils or animal fat. The N chicks were given the grower (BR2) and finisher (BR3) diets supplemented with 5% and 3% vegetable oil, respectively. The V chicks were given BR2 and BR3 diets with 5% and 3% vegetable oil, respectively. The Z chicks were given BR2 and BR3 diets with 5% and 3% animal fat, respectively. The chicks were fattened till 42 days of age. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were found in the tissues of chicks in all the experimental groups. The DBP content in the muscle ranged from 0.03 to 0.55 mg/kg, in the adipose tissue from < 0.20 to 2.56 mg/kg, in the skin from < 0.20 to 1.49 mg/kg , and in the liver from 0.03 to 0.13 mg/kg. The content of DEHP in the muscle ranged from 0.03 to 1.15 mg/kg, in the adipose tissue from 0.25 to 9.85 mg/kg, in the skin from < 0.20 to 4.68 mg/kg, and in the liver from 0.16 to 0.24 mg/kg. The highest concentrations of DBP of 1.28 ± 1.00 mg/kg of fresh sample (an average value from eight chicks) was determined in the adipose tissue of V chicks. The highest concentration of DEHP of 3.27 ± 2.87 mg/kg of fresh sample (mean of eight chicks) was also determined in the V group. The accumulation of DEHP was 3.2; 2.6 and 2.9 times higher than that of DBP in the muscle, adipose tissue and skin, respectively. The V and Z chicks showed higher phthalate contents (the sum of DBP and DEHP) in the adipose tissue, skin and liver than the K and N chicks.

ZORNÍKOVÁ, G., JAROŠOVÁ, A., HŘIVNA, L.: Distribution of phthalic acid esters in agricultural plants and soil. Acta univ. agric. et silvic. Mendel. Brun., 2011, LIX, No. 3, pp. 233-238 The study observed the occurrence of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the soil and agricultural crops (Triticum aestivum, Brassica napus, Zea mays) and their distribution to the individual parts. For the experiment were selected 4 locations in central Moravia. At two locations (L1, L2) winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) was grown, at the third location (L3) winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus), and at the fourth location (L4) fl int corn (Zea mays). The soil samples (n = 72) and whole plant samples (n = 78) were collected during the vegetation. The aboveground and underground parts of plants, ears, siliques and seeds were analyzed separately. The values of DBP in soil at all areas ranged from 0.28 to 1.59 mg.kg −1 of dry matter and DEHP < 0.03 to 0.73 mg.kg −1 of dry matter. The soil at the L4 site, which was the most fertilized with organic fertilizers, especially manure, was detected signifi cantly (P < 0.05) to show the highest values of both the PAEs (phthalic acid esters) observed (DBP L4 1.59 ± 0.07 mg.kg −1 of dry matter, DEHP L4 0.73 ± 0.18 mg.kg −1 of dry matter). Average concentrations measured in underground parts of monitored crops ranged from 1.68 to 14.26 mg.kg −1 of dry matter for DBP, and 0.12 to 10.34 mg.kg −1 of dry matter for DEHP. Values detected in aboveground parts were 0.03 to 8.84 mg.kg −1 of dry matter for DBP, and 0.25 to 4.59 mg.kg −1 of dry matter for DEHP. Average values of DBP in fi nal products ranged from 0.05 to 0.83 mg.kg −1 of dry matter, and < 0.06 to 0.98 mg.kg −1 of dry matter for DEHP.phthalic acid esters, di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) have long been used as plasticizers of polymer materials. These materials gain fl exible features, improve adhesion and solubility. They are most o en added to paints, varnishes, adhesives, sealants, coatings, fl oor coverings, wire insulation, or dialysis equipment, and blood transfusion bags.

Phthalates are animal carcinogens and may cause death or tissue deformities. Samples of feedstuffs collected in 2005 and 2006 from industrial feed manufacturers in the Czech Republic were analysed for contamination with phthalic acid esters (PAEs), specifically di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP). Samples of feed additives, premixes and raw materials were collected (year 2005, n = 26). For soybean oil, the total volume of phthalates measured (DBP ? DEHP) reached a level of 131.42 mg kg -1 ; for rapeseed oil, fish meal and animal fats, the levels measured were 15.00, 7.96 and 58.87 mg kg -1 , respectively. The lowest level of DBP ? DEHP was found in corn (2.03 mg kg -1 ). Since phthalates were detected, samples of feed additives (n = 28) and raw materials (n = 28) were collected again in 2006. The highest levels of DBP ? DEHP were found in raw materials containing fat. Phthalate levels in rapeseed oil samples ranged from 1.38 to 32.40 mg kg -1 DBP ? DEHP. For feed additives, contamination levels in vitamins and amino acids ranged from 0.06 to 3.15 and 1.76 to 4.52 mg kg -1 DBP ? DEHP, respectively. Here, we show that the levels of PAEs found in cereals such as wheat, barley and corn may be regarded as being alarmingly high, because cereals make up the largest proportion of compound feed of farm animals.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) seed cakes at dose 5% and 15% in feed mixture on quality indicators of broiler chickens meat. The used milk thistle seed cakes contained 3.73% of flavonolignans and 129.83 mg.kg -1 of cyanidin-3-glucoside. A 150 cockerels of Ross 308 were divided into three equal groups. The chickens were fattened on conventional deep litter system. The experimental groups received feed mixtures containing 5% of milk thistle seed cakes (MT5), 15% of milk thistle seed cakes (MT15) and third group was controlwithout milk thistle seed cakes (C). The trial lasted 37 days. At the end of trial was observed significant higher average weight of chickens (2,320.31 g) in control group. Compare to that the experimental group MT5 achieved significant lower mean bodyweight 2,166.69 g. From the perspective of fattening was decreased growth of chickens where a higher percentage of milk thistle seed cakes (MT15). The group MT15 was up to 420 g lower slaughter weight compared to the control group. This was probably due to the higher content of fiber in the feed. At the end of experiment 15 birds were selected randomly from each group, weighed and slaughtered. Feathers were removed and chickens were eviscerated. Carcass yield was calculated for each group like as percentage of live weight. The MT5 and MT15 group had significantly higher breast meat tenderness that the control group. Initial pH1 was highest in group with its middle addition of milk thistle seed cakes (MT5). Significant differences were not observed between control and group MT15. Breast meat was rated as the best in parameter flavour in control and MT15 group. The thigh meat was evaluated significantly best for colour parameter in MT15 group. Fibreness was rated as the finest in MT15 group. The addition of milk thistle seed cakes do not worsened sensory characteristic of breast or thigh meat of broilers and reflects optimal sensory quality traits.