The concentrations of ochratoxin A (OA) and C (ethyl ester of OA, OC) have been measured in table wine from the Swiss retail market. The overall median concentrations of OA in white, rose and red table wine were (number of samples; range) < 3 pg/ml (24; < 3-178 pg/ml), 19 pg/ml (15; < 3-123 pg/ml) and 13 pg/ml (79; < 3-388 pg/ml)), respectively. For dessert wines (Malaga, Marsala) a median of 337 pg/ml (5; 44-451 pg/ml) resulted. Concentrations of OC were about 10% of those of OA. OA has been detected in red grape-juices for the first time with median concentrations amounting to 235 pg/ml (8; < 3-311 pg/ml). White grape-juices (3) as well as other fruit juices (2 apple, 6 orange, 2 others) did not contain OA (< 5 pg/ml). The analytical method used was not appropriate for grapefruit-juices because of an interfering substance. The results indicate that OA is formed prior to the alcoholic fermentation. It also appears that the more southerly in Europe is the origin of the samples the higher is the frequency of occurrence and the concentration of OA in red wines and red grape-juices. Although the estimated mean daily OA intake of 0-7 ng/kg body mass (men) can easily be more than doubled by moderate wine consumption, an additional health risk by OA is not to be expected. On the other hand the consumption of red grape-juices among infants and children may result in intakes high enough to justify a reduction of the OA concentrations in these juices to less than 100 pg/ml.

No abstract

No abstract

A new ICP-MS method for the determination of iodine in food samples is presented. The method makes use of a new miniature cyclonic spray chamber and a concentric glass nebulizer that is designed for low sample uptakes and is operated in a self-aspirating mode. As a consequence the wash-out was accelerated over conventional systems. This configuration allows the direct determination of iodine in mineralized solutions following digestion with nitric acid only. No strong oxidizing reagents such as perchloric acid or lengthy sample preparation were necessary to alter the chemical form of potentially volatile species. The isotope dilution technique using the long-lived isotope 129I was applied to obtain freedom from matrix effects. The present study reports on results for total iodine in selected nutritional and biological reference materials and makes a comparison with instrumental neutron activation analysis.

Objective: Because of known significant seasonal fluctuations of iodine concentration in cow's milk (ICM) in Switzerland (winter=summer (w=s) ICM ratio averages 5.6), we looked for seasonal variations and familial aspects in urinary iodine and sodium concentrations (UIC, UNaC). Design: Prospective sequential cohort investigation. Setting: University hospital. Subjects: Thirteen children (six girls, seven boys) aged 3 -10 y and their parents (n ¼ 9) aged 30 -47 y. Interventions: The volunteers collected 1729 spot urine samples (5.1996 -5.1998). UIC data from winter (UIC w : DecemberFebruary) and summer seasons (UIC s : July -September) were compared with UNaC and average milk consumption. Iodine intakes from milk and salt were modelized. Results: Highest seasonal fluctuations of UIC were found in six pre-school children (w=s UIC group average ¼ 1.56, significant), followed by seven school children (w=s UIC group average ¼ 1.24, N.S.); none existed in adults. UIC=UNaC showed corresponding seasonal fluctuations in children, but not in adults. Winter milk was an important iodine source for children, as proven indirectly by similar seasonal fluctuations of ICM, UIC, UIC=UNaC and an important part within UIC due to milk. Conclusions: Contribution to UIC from milk intake during winter was high in children (40 -50%) and lower in adults (about 20%). Compared with children, dietary habits of adults are more complex and their iodine supply depends mainly on iodized salt and not on milk, so the effect of seasonal ICM variations on UIC is less marked. Because of significant seasonal UIC fluctuations in consumers of fresh milk products in Switzerland, results of future UIC studies conducted during summer and winter seasons should be compared cautiously, especially in young children. Furthermore, consumption of milk is to be promoted, since, besides calcium and vitamins, it is an essential source of iodine. UNaC determination should be included in epidemiologic studies if the dietary source of iodine is questioned. Sponsorship: This work was supported by grants from the University Hospital in Bern, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, the 'Swiss National Foundation for Scientific Research' (32-49424.96), the 'Fondation Genevoise de Bienfaisance V Rossi di Montelera', the 'Schweizerische Lebensversicherungs-und Rentenanstalt' and the 'Schüpbach Foundation of the University of Bern'. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2003) 57, 636 -646. doi:10.1038=sj.ejcn.1601590 Keywords: iodine; season; milk; child; diet; salt *Correspondence: C Als, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland. E-mail: claudine.als@insel.ch Guarantors: C Als, B Zimmerli and M Haldimann. Contributors: CA had the initial idea, wrote and coordinated the project over several years. CA and BZ wrote the manuscript. MH and BZ did the calculations and the statistical evaluations. MH did the analyses of urinary iodine in his laboratory. All contributors helped in planning the study, evaluating the results a...