Analysis of total arsenic content in purchased rice from Ecuador

Abstract

Natural and anthropogenic sources contribute to arsenic contamination in water and human food chain in Andean countries. Human exposure to arsenic via rice consumption is of great concern in countries where this crop is the dominant staple food, and limited information is available on the arsenic contamination on rice in Ecuador. This work was to contribute to the lack of knowledge analysing total arsenic by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry in the samples of white, brown and parboiled rice purchased in Ecuadorian markets and produced in the two main rice wetlands in Ecuador, Guayas and Los Ríos, were carried out. For the samples from Guayas, arsenic concentration in white, brown and parboiled rice were 0.174 ± 0.014, 0.232 ± 0.021, and 0.186 ± 0.017 mg/kg respectively, whereas samples of white rice from Los Ríos showed a total arsenic level of 0.258 ± 0.037 mg/kg. This last arsenic concentration exceeds recommended maximum permissible limit by the FAO/WHO. Obtained data have available to estimate the Ecuadorian dietary exposure revealing serious health risk for population.

Estimation of arsenic contents in rice purchased on Peruvian markets and estimation of dietary intake by Peruvians through rice consumption

“…These results showed a slighter lower tAs concentration in parboiled than non-parboiled rice (p˃0.05). A similar result was reported by Fão et al (2019) in Brazil andAtiaga-Franco et al (2019) in Ecuador.…”

“…Likewise, in the scientific literature is reported that brown rice present 80% more iAs than white rice (Hassan et al, 2017). Corroborating our results, several authors reported higher tAs concentration levels in brown rice than white rice (Atiaga-Franco et al, 2019;Batista et al, 2011;. Lower tAs concentration in white rice compared to brown rice is related to the removal of the outer layer (bran layer; more high levels of As are concentrated here) of the rice grain, during the polishing process to obtain white rice (Atiaga-Franco et al, 2019).…”

Effects of Elevated Atmospheric CO2 Concentration and Water Regime on Rice Yield, Water Use Efficiency, and Arsenic and Cadmium Accumulation in Grain

“…A similar difference was observed in 2018/19, but higher overall As concentrations were obtained. Researchers have investigated As uptake and concentration in rice grain along two central lines: toxicity in the plant [57,58] and accumulation in grain [27,59]. Studies have demonstrated that high [CO2] reduces the concentration of several micronutrients, including iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and manganese, in rice grains and other species [60,61].…”

“…The speciation study in the monitoring mentioned earlier indicated averages between 68 to 174 μg kg −1 of inorganic As in rice from the flooded system. Therefore, the total concentration study is not the best parameter to assess the risk of consuming this rice, and the grains may contain a high concentration of total As and, in this total, low concentrations of most toxic species (inorganic As) [57]. Besides that, in the condition of e[CO2], several factors can be altered, influencing the As uptakes, such as higher root growth and changes in the composition of the rhizosphere.…”

“…Besides that, in the condition of e[CO2], several factors can be altered, influencing the As uptakes, such as higher root growth and changes in the composition of the rhizosphere. It is also essential to carry out Researchers have investigated As uptake and concentration in rice grain along two central lines: toxicity in the plant [55,56] and accumulation in grain [26,57]. Studies have demonstrated that high [CO 2 ] reduces the concentration of several micronutrients, including iron, zinc, copper, calcium, and manganese, in rice grains and other species [58,59].…”