The aim of this study was to evaluate the blood serum and diet concentrations of copper, zinc, and iron in Holstein dairy cattle kept under semi-industrial farming in Isfahan province, central Iran. Moreover, the effects of season, pregnancy, and daily milk yield on serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations were also evaluated. The study was carried out on 12 semi-industrial Holstein dairy cattle farms. A total of 120 blood serum samples (60 in each season) and 24 diet samples (12 in each season) were collected in the summer and winter. The Cu, Fe, and Zn contents were assessed in samples using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In the summer, the mean concentrations of Cu and Fe in serum samples were lower and higher than the critical level, respectively (P < 0.05). In total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Zn were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). In summer, winter, and total diet samples, the mean concentrations of Fe were significantly higher than critical level (P < 0.05). The serum Cu and Zn concentrations were significantly higher in the winter than those determined in the summer (P < 0.05). The serum Cu concentrations were significantly higher in nonpregnant than those in pregnant dairy cattle (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed in serum Cu, Zn, and Fe concentrations of dairy cattle in different daily milk yield groups. It can be concluded that Holstein dairy cattle reared under semi-industrial dairy farming were deficient in serum Cu concentrations, especially in summer. Further, high level of Fe in blood serum might be due to feeding of cattle with diet containing excess quantity of Fe.
Aflatoxins (AFs) are highly toxic and carcinogenic secondary fungal metabolites and have been detected in various food commodities including pistachio nuts. One hundred samples of pistachio nuts, purchased from retail shops and local markets in Esfahan province of Iran from September to November 2007, were analyzed for AFs content by immunoaffinity column (IAC) cleanup with liquid chromatography and fluorescence detection. Results showed that the frequency of total AFs (AFT), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1 and aflatoxin G2 in pistachio samples were 95, 95, 42, 64 and 28%, respectively. Thirty‐six and 29% of pistachio nuts exceeded the maximum tolerable limit (5 and 15 µg/kg) set for AFB1 and AFT by European Union regulations, respectively. The present paper is the first report on the natural occurrence of AFs in available pistachio nuts from retail shops in Esfahan province of Iran. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The goal of the Health and Hygienic Ministry of Iran is to increase public health and so they schedule programs such as Good Manufacturing Practice and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point to achieve this goal. Pistachio nut is one of the popular commodities that are consumed in high amounts during special periods (Norows holiday), and so, the exposure of this product increased. In this work, we determined the amount of aflatoxin contamination in Esfahan pistachio nuts samples that were gathered from retail shops and local markets by high‐performance liquid chromatography method. This work showed that keeping nuts under uncontrolled condition will lead to contamination. Our work showed the necessity of full consideration and permanent supervision of local markets. It is useful as a set‐up method for the determination of aflatoxin contamination in nuts and it can be used for other nuts and dried fruits sample.
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