title: Mycotoxins, pesticides and toxic metals in commercial spices and herbs.
abstract: A total of 300 samples representing six condiments (black pepper, basil, oregano, nutmeg, paprika, and thyme) were analysed for 11 mycotoxins, 134 pesticides and 4 heavy metals by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Mycotoxins were detected in 4%, 10% and 30% of all nutmeg, basil and thyme samples, respectively. The residues of 24 pesticides were detected in 59% of the analysed condiments. The maximum residue levels of pesticides were exceeded in 10% of oregano and 46% of thyme samples. A risk assessment of heavy metals was performed, indicating daily intake levels far below the tolerable intake levels.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Food Safety , Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" , Riga , Latvia.
authors.forename: Ingars
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Reinholds
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Food Safety , Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" , Riga , Latvia.
authors.forename: Iveta
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pugajeva
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Food Safety , Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" , Riga , Latvia.
authors.forename: Konstantins
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bavrins
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Food Safety , Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" , Riga , Latvia.
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kuckovska
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Food Safety , Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" , Riga , Latvia.
authors.forename: Vadims
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bartkevics
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003132:Commerce; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000032:analysis*; D009183:Mycotoxins / Q000032:analysis*; D026323:Myristica; D018649:Ocimum basilicum; D031341:Origanum; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D010575:Pesticides; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000737:chemistry*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry; D017365:Spices / Q000032:analysis*; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D046930:Thymus Plant
chemical_list: D019216:Metals, Heavy; D009183:Mycotoxins; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D010575:Pesticides
keywords: HPLC-QqQ-MS/MS; ICP-MS; Spices; herbs; maximum residue limits; mycotoxins; pesticide residues; regression analysis; toxic metals