Plant-based beverages have been positioned as an alternative to cow's milk. One of the most consumed plant-based beverages are those made with soybeans. Soybean beverages may be an important source of essential elements. However, the soybean plant is exposed to high amounts of contaminants from the soil and the environment, such as toxic metals. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Mo, Zn, B, Ba, Ni , Li, Sr, V, Al, Cd, Pb) in order to evaluate the human exposure and the toxic risk from the consumption of these products. A total of 40 samples of different brands of soybean beverages were analyzed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy). The most notable PTEs is Al (3.93 mg/L), followed by Fe (1.91 mg/L) and Ba (0.69 mg/L). Considering a mean consumption of two serving per day (250 mL/serving), soybean beverages would contribute to the dietary intake of essential elements such as Fe and Mn. This consumption would mean considerable percentages of contribution to the maximum intakes of Al and Pb, which do not exceed the maximum values indicated, but in cases of higher consumption these values could be exceeded with the consequent risk to public health.
Infertility has become more common, with an increased exposure to toxic compounds including heavy metals (HM). Follicular fluid (FF) surrounds the developing oocyte in the ovary and can be analysed to assess metal content. The levels of twenty-two metals were measured in the FF of ninety-three females in a reproduction unit, and their influence on assisted reproduction technique (ART), were examined. The metals were determined by optical emission spectrophotometry. Low values of copper, zinc, aluminium, and calcium favour polycystic ovary syndrome. The relationships between the number of oocytes and metals: iron (rs=0.303; p=0.003) and calcium (rs=−0.276; p=0.007) are significant, as well as between the number of mature oocytes with iron (rs=0.319; p=0.002), calcium (rs=−0.307; p=0.003) and sodium (rs=−0.215; p=0.039) and are near to significance in the case of aluminium (rs=−0.198; p=0.057). In the group with a fertilisation rate ≤ 75%, 36% of the women presented calcium >176.62 mg/kg compared to the group with a fertilisation rate ≥ 75% where this percentage was only 10% (p=0.011). An excess of iron and calcium reduces the good quality embryo rate, and an excess of potassium impairs the blastocyst rate. If potassium is above 237.18 mg/kg and calcium is below 147.32 mg/kg, these conditions favour embryo implantation. Pregnancy is influenced by high potassium and low copper levels. Controlling exposure to toxic elements is recommended for all couples with reduced fertility or receiving an ART.
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