ResumoHidrocarbonetos policíclicos aromáticos (HPAs) são compostos orgânicos persistentes formados unicamente por carbono e hidrogênio, condensados em anéis aromáticos. Classificam-se como poluentes prioritários em estudos ambientais devido a sua toxicidade (carcinogênicos e/ou mutagênicos), fácil disseminação no ambiente, serem persistentes e bioacumulaveis. Podem estar presentes no meio ambiente (plantas, ambiente aquático) e nos alimentos, sendo através de poluição ambiental que contamine ingredientes e matérias primas vegetais, ou por meio de alimentação contaminada (rações, pastagens) que transferem a contaminação para produtos de origem animal e derivados, ou ainda por meio de etapas do processamento de alimentos que utilizam alta temperatura. Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma revisão sobre os HPAs a fim de fornecer informações quanto às características físico-químicas, formação dos compostos, fontes produtoras, vias de contaminação,

This study evaluated the influence of the clomazone herbicide (2-[(2-chlorophenyl)methyl]-4,4-dimethyl-3-isoxazolidinone) contamination on the hematological parameters and histological changes in gills and liver of silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) from Madre River, Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil. Fish were collected between March 2010 and January 2012 at two different sites of the Madre River, one site receiving residual water (contaminated site) from rice culture (n=49) and another that do not receive residual water (reference site) (n=48). The herbicide clomazone analysis detected 3.40±1.70 μg/L in the contaminated site and 1.1±0.33 μg/L in the reference site. Fish from contaminated site showed increased (P<0.05) number of monocytes suggesting the possible defense response as a result of chronic exposure to clomazone. On the other hand, no difference was found in the hematocrit percentage, red blood cell count, total thrombocyte number, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, and neutrophils number. Fish from both sites showed histopathological changes in gills and liver, possibly caused by chronic exposure to contamination. The influence of herbicide sub doses on fish health is also discussed.

The aim of this study was to quantify polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) levels in milk powder samples commercialised in Argentina and Brazil during 2012. Thirty-one samples were available from the retail market. An HPLC method for the determination of PAHs was applied involving a clean-up step with silica cartridges. Recoveries were greater than 79% for all PAHs analysed. Reproducible determination with adequate detection and quantification limits (LOD and LOQ) were attained by HPLC with fluorescence detection for 14 PAHs. Acenaphthylene was determined with a UV-VIS detector. There is no significant difference in any PAHs or in the sum of them between the Argentinean and Brazilian samples. Therefore, the samples were evaluated together. The highest concentration of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) detected was 0.57 µg kg⁻¹ in milk powder. Contamination of samples expressed as the sum of 15 analysed PAHs varied between 11.8 and 78.4 µg kg⁻¹ and as PAH4 (BaP, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene and benzo(b)fluoranthene) was between 0.02 and 10.16 µg kg⁻¹. The correlation coefficient for PAH2 (BaP and chrysene) and PAH4 groups was 0.95, for PAH2 and PAH8 it was 0.71, and for PAH4 and PAH8 it was 0.83. All the samples were below the regulatory limit for BaP, but 65% of commercial milk powders do not comply with the European Union limit for PAH4. This is the first report of PAH contamination in powder milk from Argentina and Brazil.

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This survey reports the occurrence of fumonisins (FBs) and fungi in dry soybeans sold for human consumption. The variation levels were 138-1495 µg kg(-1) and 178-552 µg kg(-1) for FB1 and FB2, respectively. In addition, potentially toxigenic fungi as Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium genera were isolated in the samples. These can be considered as indicator-toxin and can produce considerable amounts of mycotoxins. Despite FB presence in the soybeans for human consumption, there is no legal regulation. Therefore, it is important to emphasise the need for frequent monitoring of these contaminants in soybeans.