No abstract

The elemental composition of wine is influenced by endogenous sources and interventions from winemakers. The ICP-MS analysis of Fruška Gora wines (113) from vintages spanning across a decade (2011–2020), produced by 30 wineries and representing 18 autochthonous and international wine varieties, allowed a comprehensive insight into their elemental composition. Based on the mean concentrations of 23 investigated elements, B, Fe, and Mn, which were determined in mg per L of wine regardless of its colour or origin, were the most abundant. Red and white wines showed significant concentration differences in the case of B, Mn, and Sr (higher in red) as well as Be, Al, V, As, Mo, and Pb (higher in white). The elements of the highest toxicological concern were found in all (Pb and As) or almost all of the samples (Cd and Hg). Pb levels (maximum 47.1, 61.6, and 73.2 μg/L in red, rose, and white, respectively) were well below the legal limit. The applied risk assessment approaches (hazard quotient and index, margin of exposure) revealed no health concerns associated with consumption of Fruška Gora wines, except for a slightly increased lifetime cancer risk in the case of high wine consumption, and thus supported the promotion of Fruška Gora wines in the highly competitive international market.

Increased usage of herbal food supplements by both the paediatric and adult populations prompted a health risk assessment study. The elemental profiles of 52 supplements collected in Serbia were obtained using ICP-MS. The calculated contribution to permitted daily exposure was in compliance with the guidelines for elemental impurities: up to 46.8% for Pb (infants), 67.2% for Cu (toddlers), 6.8% for As (preschool children), and 8.0% for Hg (adolescents). Hazard quotients indicated high exposure of toddlers to Cu (100.9%) and Zn (112.7%), although by only one supplement, for which hazard indices ranged from 229 to 105% (aligning from toddlers to adolescents). Based on the margin of exposure, As and Pb were not of safety concern. Conversely, the proportion of supplements exceeding the acceptable level of lifetime cancer risk due to As exposure varied from 41.9% in adolescents to 54.3% in adults. Simultaneous use of multiple supplements over a prolonged period of time could further deepen health concerns.