Concentrations and bioaccessibilities of trace elements in barbecue charcoals.

Annabel Sharp, Andrew Turner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Total and bioaccessible concentrations of trace elements (Al, As, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) have been measured in charcoals from 15 barbecue products available from UK retailers. Total concentrations (available to boiling aqua regia) were greater in briquetted products (with mean concentrations ranging from 0.16 μg g(-1) for Cd to 3240 μg g(-1) for Al) than in lumpwoods (0.007 μg g(-1) for Cd to 28 μg g(-1) for Fe), presumably because of the use of additives and secondary constituents (e.g. coal) in the former. On ashing, and with the exception of Hg, elemental concentrations increased by factors ranging from about 1.5 to 50, an effect attributed to the combustion of organic components and offset to varying extents by the different volatilities of the elements. Concentrations in the ashed products that were bioaccessible, or available to a physiologically based extraction test (PBET) that simulates, successively, the chemical conditions in the human stomach and intestine, exhibited considerable variation among the elements studied. Overall, however, bioaccessible concentrations relative to corresponding total concentrations were greatest for As, Cu and Ni (attaining 100% in either or both simulated PBET phases in some cases) and lowest for Pb (generally <1% in both phases). A comparison of bioaccessible concentrations in ashed charcoals with estimates of daily dietary intake suggest that Al and As are the trace elements of greatest concern to human health from barbecuing.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)620-626
Number of pages0
JournalJ Hazard Mater
Volume262
Issue number0
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2013

Keywords

  • Barbecue
  • Bioaccessibility
  • Charcoal
  • Exposure
  • Trace elements
  • Acetic Acid
  • Arsenic
  • Bile Acids and Salts
  • Citrates
  • Cooking
  • Gastric Juice
  • Hydrochloric Acid
  • Intestinal Secretions
  • Lactic Acid
  • Malates
  • Metals
  • Nitric Acid
  • Pancreatin
  • Pepsin A
  • Sodium Citrate

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