Title: Theoretical approach for estimation of potential exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by intake of food supplements with herbal ingredients
Abstract: Introduction: Medicinal plants may be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), particularly if they grow near industrial areas and urban regions. Benz[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene and benzo[a]pyrene are the four priority pollutants pointed out by European Food Safety Authority.Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the potential exposure to PAHs for five medicinal plants mostly used as ingredients in food supplements.Materials and Methods: The potential exposure to PAHs was assessed as theoretical evaluation of daily intake (DI), hazard quotient (HQ), and margin of exposure (МОЕ) for carcinogenic and genotoxic chemicals. The PAH concentrations were determined in the plant species: Matricaria chamomilla L., Thymus serpyllum L., Tilia tomentosa Moench, Sambucus nigra L. and Achillea millefolium L. The levels of 13 PAHs in the samples were measured by gas chromatography using mass spectrometry detection. For evaluation of potential cancer risk, МОЕ was calculated as a ratio of the benchmark dose lower confidence limit (BMDL10) and the DI for the sum of the 4 PAHs.Results and Discussion: The highest sum of the 4 PAHs was found in Tilia tomentosa Moench (4.13 µg/kg dry weight) and was below permissible limit of 50 µg/kg set by EU legislation. The most toxic compound benzo[a]pyrene was not found in plant species investigated. The highest value of HQ was evaluated for fluorene 0.0000869 (for food supplement with Tilia tomentosa Moench) and was much lower than 1, suggesting that intake of supplements would not pose any non-cancer risk. The MOE values were in the range from 3 129 520 to 29 824 561 (for food supplements with Achillea millefolium L. and Matricaria chamomilla L., respectively).Conclusion: The theoretical safety assessment of medicinal plants showed that the intake of supplements with herbs would not pose any health risk.