Skip to main content
Download PDF
Download ePub
  • Research article
  • Open access
  • Published:

Evaluation of heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon

Chemistry Central Journal volume 7, Article number: 10 (2013) Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The consumption of dietary supplements is widely spread and on the rise. These dietary supplements are generally used without prescriptions, proper counseling or any awareness of their health risk. The current study aimed at analyzing the metals in 33 samples of imported dietary supplements highly consumed by the Lebanese population, using 3 different techniques, to ensure the safety and increase the awareness of the citizen to benefit from these dietary supplements.

Results

Some samples had levels of metals above their maximum allowable levels (Fe: 24%, Zn: 33%, Mn: 27%, Se: 15%, Mo: 12% of samples), but did not pose any health risk because they were below permitted daily exposure limit and recommended daily allowance except for Fe in 6% of the samples. On the other hand, 34% of the samples had Cu levels above allowable limit where 18% of them were above their permitted daily exposure and recommended daily allowance. In contrast, all samples had concentration of Cr, Hg, and Pb below allowable limits and daily exposure. Whereas, 30% of analyzed samples had levels of Cd above allowable levels, and were statistically correlated with Ca, and Zn essential minerals. Similarly 62% of the samples had levels of As above allowable limits and As levels were associated with Fe and Mn essential minerals.

Conclusion

Dietary supplements consumed as essential nutrients for their Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn content should be monitored for toxic metal levels due to their natural geochemical association with these essential metals to provide citizens the safe allowable amounts.

Background

Over the years the pharmaceutical industry has been one of the most stable industries in the world, manufacturing a wide range of therapeutic agents and dietary supplements. While the use of therapeutic agents and prescribed medications are considered essential to resist against many diseases [1]; dietary supplements are consumed to extend our diet with needed vitamins, minerals, herbs and amino acids for optimal body function [2, 3].

Nowadays, the utilization of multivitamins or multiminerals preparations is widely spread to increase the daily intake of essential micronutrient. In the Unites States, it has been estimated that approximately 40% of the population consumes vitamins and/or mineral preparations [4]. Calcium, iron, manganese, zinc and copper are among these elements and are of great importance to our daily body functions due to their physiological and biological roles. The essentiality of Cu and Zn is based on its role as cofactor of a large number of enzymes [3–5]. Manganese is also a vital mineral, needed for normal growth; it helps breakdown fats, carbohydrates and proteins, and serves as co-factor for enzymes [5]. However, an increase in intake above recommended limit and daily allowance (RDA) for Mn (2–5 mg/day), Zn (8 mg/day female and 11 mg/day male) and Cu (1.5-3 mg/day) may result in toxic effects [3, 5, 6]. A high supplement of Cu has been related with liver damage and overdoses of Zn may weaken the immune system, reduce HDL levels (good cholesterol) and induce seizure [3–5]. High levels of Mn can pose a neurotoxic threat and chronic intake of high doses can cause Parkinson’s like symptoms [5]. Although the mechanism of action of Cr in the body and the amounts needed for optimal health care are not well defined, yet it is required in trace amounts. The biologically active form Cr3+ is believed to enhance the action of insulin [7], while Cr6+ is toxic and results from industrial pollution. Few serious adverse effects have been linked to high intake of Cr, and WHO [8] considered that supplements with chromium should not exceed 250 μg/day. But the recommended daily allowance (RDA) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is 35 μg/day [6]. Mo and Se are also essential minerals. Molybdenum is a component of important enzyme systems [2], and Se is incorporated into proteins producing important antioxidant enzymes the selenoproteins. The adverse health effects of selenium or selenium toxicity (selenosis) are hair and nail brittleness and other symptoms such as gastrointestinal disturbances, fatigue and irritability [9, 10]. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) according to the Institute of Medicine (IOM) is 55 μg/day [11].

On the other hand, heavy metals such as Pb, Hg, Cd, and As are toxic at much lower levels. Lead is known to induce renal tumors, reduce cognitive development, increase blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases in adults. The human brain is most affected by lead intake. Children appear to be especially sensitive to lead, and lead exposure has been correlated to decreased IQ and poor learning in children [2, 3, 12–14]. Organic mercury is more toxic than inorganic form since it is more readily absorbed through ingestion; it is very harmful to fetal and children developments [15]. However, high exposure to organic and inorganic mercury may cause neurological disorders including seizures and even death [3]. Cadmium excessive intake affects mostly the kidney and to a lower extent the reproductive system [3], while that of arsenic is known to cause cancer [16], impairment of the reproductive system [17], and atherosclerosis [18]. The US Pharmacopeia [19] in its latest revision of metal limit has set the oral permitted daily exposure (PDE) from drugs and dietary supplements to be for: Pb 5 μg/day, Hg 15 μg/day, Cd 25 μg/day, and As 1.5 μg/day (previously set at 15 μg/day by USP in 2008 [20]).

The manufacturing of medicinal products requires extensive quality control, including the control of all manufacturing phases until the final product. Some countries have set strict quality control regulations and many others failed [21]. Several regulatory agencies highlighted that some dietary supplements may induce health problems with regard to their quality, effectiveness and safety for human consumption [22]. Poor quality control increases the risk of contamination of these products by bacteria, fungi, heavy metals and metalloids [21, 23].

Many analytical techniques have been developed to determine different methods of metal concentration. Tumir et al. [21] used microwave digestion and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry to find the concentration of Pb, Cd, As, Hg, Cr, Ni, and Zn. Kaufman et al. [12] determined lead content of dietary supplements by ICP-MS. The approved FDA method is the ICP. However, a proposed protocol is set to acknowledge the recent EDXRF technique (Energy dispersive XRF, using X-ray tubes as an excitation source) if the samples have toxic metal concentrations greater than 10 ppm [24]. Better detection limits and more elements would be obtained using X-ray tubes as excitation sources instead of radionuclide sources. With modern software’s, it is possible to produce clean spectra with net peak intensities, and precise corrections for inter-element matrix effects [25]. Though literature cites limited use of XRF for determining metals in dietary tablets, yet XRF has been widely used for applications in metal analysis of alloys, soils, Pb in paints and Cd in plastics. It has been used for monitoring trace metals in milk [26], metals in oysters [27], trace metals in fruit juices [28], metals in oriental spices [29]. Additionally, Anderson [30], an FDA researcher, used hand-held XRF analyzer for determining toxic elements in tableware. While Chuparina and Aisueva [31] determined heavy metals in medicinal plants using XRF, as well as Bueno and Romão [32] determined P, Ca, Ti and Fe in counterfeit medicines.

Lebanese are becoming more health conscious and nutritional supplements have become a vital part of their daily diet, which led to a growing demand for dietary supplements including vitamins and minerals. This increase is due to the consumers’ beliefs that these products are natural and safe and devoid of any adverse effects. Unfortunately, this trust made most consumers use these dietary supplements without proper counseling and monitoring. Regulatory agencies in Lebanon highlighted the problems with dietary supplements in terms of quality, effectiveness and safety. However, these regulations are not implemented and not strictly enforced. Thus the objective of the current study is to evaluate metal content and metal contamination in dietary supplements available in Lebanese market (imported goods) using XRF technique and digestion/AAS technique, and ensure the safety and awareness of the citizens regarding these dietary supplements.

Results and discussion

Dietary samples characteristics

Thirty three dietary supplement tablets of Vitamin, Vitamins and Minerals, Minerals, and Herbs were purchased from local pharmacies. The brands were selected based on two criteria: first that they contain either metals only and/or metals as their main constituent, second for their popularity among the Lebanese citizens. The samples were coded according to their main dietary supplements: Vitamins were coded as V (3 samples), Vitamins and Minerals as VM (13 samples), Minerals as M (7 samples), and Herbs as H (10 samples). Table 1 represents the manufacturing country, usage and content as indicated on each Label.

Table 1 Characteristics of dietary tablets
Full size table

Concentrations of micronutrients with a high upper intake limit

The most abundant elements in the dietary samples were iron and zinc, followed by Mn. These metals are classified by USP stimuli article “General Chapter on Inorganic Impurities: heavy metals, Pharmacopeia form 34/5” as class IV that is recognized as micronutrient with a high upper intake limit [33]. Table 2 presents the concentration of Fe, Zn and Mn in studied samples and the maximum allowable levels (MAL) proposed by the Expert Committee in USP Advisory Panel on Inorganic Impurities and Heavy metals [34]. It also includes the recommended daily allowance (RDA) set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) [6], the permitted daily exposure (PDE) recommended by US Pharmacopeia, and permissible daily intake set by WHO/FAO calculated using provisional tolerable intake for a body weight of 60 kg and allocating 10% of this to be due to dietary supplement as indicated in Dietary Supplement –Standard 173 [35].

Table 2 Concentration of micronutrients with a high upper intake limit (Fe, Zn, Mn) in tablets compared to maximum accepted level, and daily intake (DI) as recommended on tablet label and compared to recommended daily allowance and permitted levels
Full size table

The mean levels for Fe, Zn and Mn were 2690, 2133 and 305 μg/g, respectively. The highest levels of these metals were in Vitamins and Minerals with respectively mean levels of 6145, 4478 and 696μg/g, and were above their respective maximum allowable level (MAL) of 1500, 1500 and 250 μg/g [34]. Additionally, 7 (45%) of the Vitamins and Mineral samples had levels of these metals above their recommended MAL. For example, VM10, had the highest level of Fe (21280 μg/g), 14 times more than it’s MAL, and this product is advised as a supplement during pregnancy. The daily intake of iron from this product is 15,534 μg/day, and it slightly exceeds the maximum PDE (15000 μg/day), and is twice the FDA recommended daily allowance of 8000 μg/day. Similarly, VM13, an advised vitamin and mineral formula for pregnancy and lactation, had a high level of Fe (13, 494 μg/g) and its daily recommended intake is 19161 μg/day (1.3 times its PDE, and 2.3 times more than its RDA), while VM4 had Fe level of 11789 μg/g, but its daily intake (5894 μg/day) is below the recommended RDA and PDE levels. But compared to permissible daily intake by WHO/FAO [36] from provisional tolerable daily intake of 0.8 mg/kg body weight, for 60 kg and allocating 10% to dietary sample[35], then 24% of samples are above permissible levels. Nevertheless according to the National Institute of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements [1], the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for women is 18 mg/day, 27 mg/day during pregnancy and 10 mg/day for lactating women. Both products with high Fe content (VM10 and VM13) are recommended during pregnancy and lactation and do not pose any health concern in terms of Fe levels, because it is still below Tolerable Upper Intake levels (45,000 μg/day).

The highest level of Zn was found in VM8 (16054 μg/g) which is about 10 times more than its recommended maximum allowable level-MAL (1500 μg/g) and its daily intake (21673 μg/day) exceeds the set PDE (15000 μg/day), and is twice the set RDA value (Table 2). This product labeled as antioxidant, contains minerals and vitamins needed for healthy vision. Moreover 33% of all samples and 61% of Vitamin and Minerals samples had levels of Zn above their recommended MALs. Though Zn is an essential constituent of many enzymes, needed for protein synthesis, and energy metabolism, yet excess intake may lead to electrolyte imbalance and nausea [37]. The Office of Dietary Supplements [1] of the National Institute of Health set a daily requirement for zinc between 8 – 12 mg/day for adults. As such, the highest daily intake of Zn in sample MV8 exceeds the RDA value, but is still below Tolerable Upper Intake levels (40 mg/day), and hence there is no health risk of Zn intake in all these samples. Also 12% of samples exceeded WHO permissible limits based on provisional tolerable daily intake for 60 kg body weight and 10% allocation to dietary supplements [35, 38]. Compared to previous studies including multivitamin/mineral supplements, the reported Zn levels in this study were higher than those in dietary supplements in Mexican market (2.83- 4786 μg/g [3]; but were comparable to Avula et al. [39] with Zn ranges were between 170 and 22,500 μg/serving.

The mean level of Mn in all samples was 305 μg/g and is higher than its maximum allowable level (MAL). Similar to Fe and Zn, the Mn levels were highest in Vitamins and Minerals supplements, with a mean level of 696 μg/g. Mn content was very high in sample VM1 with a value of 2028 μg/g, exceeding by about 8 times the MAL (250 μg/g) set value. The therapeutic indication of VM1, as per label, is “essential vitamins and minerals needed for diabetics”. Nevertheless, the Mn daily intake in all samples was below their PDE set levels (2500 μg/day), and hence do not pose a health concern. Literature review shows that the reported Mn levels in multivitamin/mineral supplements are within the studied range as reported by Avula et al. [39] with an Mn range of 78 and 17,500 μg/serving.

The three metals showed a statistical significant correlation among studied samples (for Fe and Zn, r = 0.672, p < 0.01; Fe and Mn r = 0.554, p < 0.01, and Zn and Mn r = 0.518, p < 0.01). Thus either these minerals are added each as a supplement and/or they are geochemically associated to each other. Iron and Mn belong to the same class being considered geochemically as reducible fractions forms, and Zn is highly adsorbed and associated with these reducible fractions [40–42].

Concentrations of micronutrients with low established upper intake limit

Copper, Cr, Mo, and Se metals are classified by USP stimuli article “General Chapter on Inorganic Impurities: Heavy metals, Pharmacopeia form 34/5” as class III and are recognized as micronutrient with a low established upper intake limit [33]. Hence, these elements are regarded essential nutrients with trace amounts, but become toxic at high concentrations. Table 3 presents the concentration of Cu, Cr, Mo, and Se of studied samples, the maximum allowable levels (MAL), the recommended daily allowance (RDA), the permitted daily exposure (PDE), and the permissible daily intake of respective metals from dietary supplement.

Table 3 Concentration of micronutrients with low established upper intake limit (Cu, Cr, Mo, Se) in tablets compared to maximum accepted level, and daily intake (DI) as recommended on tablet label and compared to recommended daily allowance and permitted levels
Full size table

The mean level of Cu in all samples was 277 μg/g which is higher than its recommended MAL (100 μg/g), 34% (12 samples) of samples having concentrations above allowable levels. The highest Cu levels were in Vitamins and Mineral samples, with a mean of 635 μg/g, with 54% of these samples exceeding MAL values. The highest Cu level was found in VM 8 (1952 μg/g) and exceeds by 20 times the set MAL level. The indication of this product as per label is “vitamins and mineral salts necessary for healthy vision”. Similarly, VM1 had high Cu content (1583 μg/g) and is indicated as “essential vitamins and minerals for diabetics”. Two other samples, VM10 and VM7, had levels of 1270 and 867μg/g, and described as “essential vitamins and minerals for pregnant women”, and “essential energizer multivitamins”, respectively. The daily intake of Cu in VM 8, VM1 and VM7 are 2635, 1902 and 1396μg/day. All of these values are higher than the set PDE level of 1000 μg/day [19], and RDA levels of 900 μg/day [6], and WHO permitted daily intake of 300 μg/day [38] calculated from provisional tolerable daily intake for a body weight of 60 kg and allocating 10% due to dietary supplements. Consequently, these brands should be controlled and advised for their usage. Compared to other works of multivitamins and minerals, our studied Cu levels in samples were within the range of Cu in various multivitamins and multi-minerals (1 μg - 1981 μg per serving) reported by Raman et al. [2].

Unlike other metals, the Cr levels in the tested samples were low. The mean level in all samples was 0.29 μg/g and it was highest in Vitamins and Minerals (0.63 μg/g). The highest Cr level was 5.5 μg/g, thus 3 times less than its maximum allowable level (MAL) of 15 μg/g. Chromium levels were also below those reported by Avula et al. [39] for multimineral and multivitamin supplements with a range between 4 μg/serving and 248 μg/serving.

The calculated mean value of Mo in Vitamins and Minerals of 10 μg/g is identical to the maximum allowable level (MAL) Table 3[19]. Thirty percent of these samples had Mo levels higher than the MAL level, with the highest in sample VM9 of 44 μg/g. This sample is constituted of vitamins and minerals and recommended for adults (above 50) to support heart health. VM7, classified also as an energizer multivitamin, had a level of 35 μg/g. Nevertheless, the daily intake (μg/day) of Mo in all samples was below the permitted daily exposure limit (PDE) of 100 μg/day [19]. However, samples VM2 (43 μg/day), VM7 (57 μg/day), and VM9 (67 μg/day) exhibited daily intake above the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of 45 μg/day for males and 34 μg/day for females [6]. Thus these samples should be consumed with caution, not exceeding the recommended dose.

Though the mean level of Se (19 μg/g) is lower than the recommended set MAL (25 μg/g) value, yet four samples exhibited levels higher than 25 μg/g. The highest Se level of 200 μg/g was in H3 sample (herbs category) and indicated to maintain a healthy immune system. The three other samples were VM1, with a Se level of 60 μg/g, VM8 with 53 μg/g, and VM2 with 31 μg/g. Nevertheless all samples showed a daily intake level of Se below the permitted daily exposure (PDE) value of 250 μg/day [20]. However, considering the Se RDA value of 55 μg/day and its upper limit (UL) of 400 μg/day [11], then samples VM8 with 72 μg/day and H3 with 104 μg/day are above the recommended daily intake value levels but far below the upper limit [11]. Still, tablets of H3 should be consumed cautiously.

Concentrations of toxic elements

Lead, Hg, Cd, and As are classified by USP stimuli article “General Chapter on Inorganic Impurities: Heavy metals, Pharmacopeial form 34/5” as class I. These are metal impurities and generally recognized as presenting significant toxicity [33]. Table 4 presents the concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cd, and As in studied samples, the maximum allowable levels (MAL), the permitted daily exposure (PDE), and the permissible daily intake of respective metal from dietary supplement. Since these metals are toxic, there are no recommended daily allowance levels.

Table 4 Concentration of toxic metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, As) in tablets compared to maximum accepted level, and daily intake (DI) as recommended on tablet label and compared to recommended daily allowance and permitted levels
Full size table

The levels of lead and mercury in all dietary samples were low. The mean levels of Pb and Hg in all samples were respectively 0.11 μg/g and 0.08 μg/g, with corresponding ranges of 0.01 – 0.41 μg/g, and 0.01 – 0.55 μg/g. Both Pb and Hg levels were lower than their maximum allowable levels (MAL) of 0.5 μg/g for Pb, and of 1.5 μg/g for Hg [19]. These levels were also way below the permissible daily intake calculated from provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 25 μg/kg body weight for Pb [38], and of 4 μg/kg body weight for Hg [43], adjusted per day for a 60 kg body weight and allocating 10% for supplementary dietary tablets [35]. The levels of Hg (0.02 -0.12 μg/g) and Pb (0.25-3.86 μg/g), in dietary supplementary tablets of vitamins and minerals and herbs, reported by Tumir et al. [21] are compatible with the Hg levels in this study, yet their Pb levels are much higher.

The mean level of Cd in all samples was found to be 1.8 μg/g, with a range of 0.08 to 2.9 μg/g. Eight of the samples had Cd levels above their maximum allowable level (MAL) of 2.5 μg/g as illustrated in Figure 1. Furthermore, 4 of the Vitamins and Minerals samples had levels above the recommended MAL. The highest level of Cd was found in sample VM1 (2.914 μg/g) followed by VM4 with a level of (2.621 μg/g). VM1 is labeled as “essential vitamins and minerals for diabetics”, while VM4 as “supplement multicomplex vitamins and minerals”. The other 4 samples with high Cd levels (above MAL) were from the other categories. For example the level in H5 sample was 2.62 μg/g and is recommended for the wellbeing of the urinary ducts, H1 of 2.551 μg/g and advised for memory disorder. The high levels of Cd in these samples resulted most probably from other essential minerals existing in the samples such as Zn, Ca and P. A statistical significant correlation existed between the levels of Cd and Zn (r = 0.75, p < 0.01), and most samples that had Ca and/or P as a constituent had high Cd levels. For instance, V3 (rich in calcium and phosphorous), H1 sample contains di-calcium phosphate, and H4 contains calcium phosphate. It is well established that Zn and Cd are geochemically related [41], and also Cd is an out product of phosphate rocks [44–46]. Cadmium and Ca have similar ionic radii and Cd can co-precipitates with calcium carbonate and/or has a high affinity for carbonates [40–42]. The daily intake of Cd in all samples, with a range of 0.03 - 9.4 μg/day is lower than the permitted daily exposure from drugs and dietary supplements (PDE of 25 μg/day). Yet 3 samples had higher levels than those calculated from FAO/WHO provisional tolerable intake [47], for a 60 kg body weight and 10% allocation due to dietary supplements (Table 4). The studied samples levels were below the MRL level (minimum risk level) of 14 μg/day [39]. MRL is an estimate of the daily exposure to a hazardous substance that is likely to be without appreciable risk of adverse non cancer health effects over a specified duration of exposure. Even if Cd levels were below referenced safety and health values, yet due to natural occurrences of Cd with essential metals (Ca, Zn), dietary supplements should be checked for content of Cd in samples that are essential for delivering the nutrients such as Ca and Zn.

Figure 1
figure 1

Samples above the maximum allowable Cd levels.

Full size image

With respect to As, the mean level of all dietary samples was 0.26 μg/g, with a range between 0.012 and 0. 16 μg/g. Nine samples had levels above the newly revised MAL (0.15 μg/g) as set by US Pharmacopeial in 2012 [19]. Mineral and Vitamins samples were highest in As levels, and eight samples had levels above the recommended MAL (Figure 2). The highest As levels was in sample VM3 (1.621 μg/g), which is assigned as multi vitamins and minerals for children. VM10 As level was relatively high (1.095μg/g) and it is classified as “essential vitamins and minerals for pregnant women”. Whereas VM4 (labeled as “supplement of multi vitamins and minerals and does not result in accumulation when taken accordingly”) and VM7 (an energizer) had levels of 0.61 μg/g, and V1 had a level 0.514 μg/g. Furthermore a significant statistical correlation existed between the levels of As and those of Fe (r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and Mn (r = 0.67, p < 0.01). The geochemical association between As and Fe, As and Mn has been reported by Goh and Lim [48] and Kim et al. [49]. The mean daily intake of As for all samples was 0.3 μg/day, whereas for vitamin and mineral samples it was 0.5 μg/, with a range of 0.01 – 1.8 μg/day. Two samples had daily As intake values (Figure 3) higher than the oral permitted daily exposure (PDE of 1.5 μg/day) as revised by USP in 2012 [19]. But the As daily intake levels of all samples is lower than the previous level of 15 μg/day set by USP in 2008 [20], and lower than the recommended permissible daily intake by WHO/FAO [50] (Table 4). Furthermore, all samples had lower levels than the MRL level of 21 μg/day [39]. Yet even if the levels of As in all our samples were below the referenced values for safety and health, our dietary supplements should be monitored for content of As in dietary samples that have high Fe and Mn as essential nutrient.

Figure 2
figure 2

Levels of As in samples composed of vitamins and minerals.

Full size image
Figure 3
figure 3

Levels of As daily exposure in samples composed of vitamins and minerals.

Full size image

Conclusions

  • Dietary supplements are generally utilized by most people on voluntary basis and without strict supervision and knowledge of their health/risk factor, in contrast to medications which are under control of Physicians. This project has evaluated the quality of 33 imported dietary supplements in terms of metals consumed by the Lebanese population.

  • The sequence of the highest metals’ concentrations in all supplements was Fe, Zn, and Mn respectively.

  • Statistical significant correlations occurred among the three metals (Fe, Zn, and Mn) indicating that either these minerals are added as supplements or as natural geochemical associations.

  • With regard to the micro minerals, Cr concentrations were found to be less than the international maximum accepted levels. While in some samples, concentrations of Se and Mo were above the accepted limits, yet they were below the daily permitted exposure levels posing no health risk factor. On the other hand, some samples had levels of copper above allowable levels and permitted daily exposure, thus, it is recommended to monitor dietary supplements for their Cu levels.

  • The health hazard effect level of the toxic metals Hg and Pb was absent in all studied samples.

  • In contrast, 30% of the analyzed samples had levels of Cd above allowable levels, and were statistically correlated with Ca, and Zn essential minerals. 62% of samples had also levels of As above accepted limit and these levels were associated with Fe and Mn essential minerals.

  • Consequently, supplements consumed as essential nutrient for their Ca, Zn, Fe and Mn should be monitored for toxic metal levels due to their natural geochemical association with essential metals to ensure the safety of supplement consumptions.

  • However, exact justification of this association requires subjecting samples to chemical speciation analysis.

Methods

Reagents and glassware

All reagents used were of analytical reagent grade. High quality water, obtained using a Milli-Q system (Millipore, Direct Q equipped with ultrapure Ion-Ex Cartridge, C.No. QTUM000IX Bedford, MA, USA), was used exclusively).

All glassware was thoroughly cleaned by soaking overnight in 2 M nitric acid and then rinsing thoroughly with MilliQ water, then kept in an oven at 110°C.

Sample preparation and analysis by EDXRF

The tablets of each sample and the content of each capsule were grinded, reduced to a fine homogenous powder, sieved using 2 mm plastic sieve size, and stored in plastic bags for metal analysis.

The concentrations of 6 metals (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mn, Se, Zn) in the prepared samples were determined using handheld XRF technique (Niton XL3 GOLLD hand held, Thermo Fisher Scientific) which is energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) up to 50kV x-ray tube source and optimized silicon drift detector (SDD).

Digestion procedures of samples

Samples of low metal concentrations were analyzed by the digestion method. The digestion procedure involved adding slowly and in portions 50 mL of freshly prepared 1:1 (v:v) H2O2 (30%): HNO3 (65%) to one gram of each sample, then covered and kept for 2 days. Each solution was heated till it became clear, then filtered into a 25 mL lidded plastic tube and diluted with deionized water, next inserted in a water bath at 60°C for 30 minutes, and stored at 4°C. Whereas, for samples that did not form clear solutions, 10 mL aqua regia was added before heating in oil bath at 120°C till clear, then filtered and stored similarly as above.

Analysis by thermal AAS and ICP-MS

The concentrations of Cd, Cr, Mo, and Pb, in the prepared and digested dietary samples were determined by using AAS-Graphite furnace (“Shimadzu” AA-6300) and background correction deuterium lamp. Working standard solutions were prepared by dilution of stock solutions (1 mg metal/ml in 2% HNO3, Merick, Germany) with MilliQ water. The instrument detection limits were Cd: 2 μg/L, Cr: 4 μg/L; Pb: 3 μg/L, and Mo: 30 μg/L.

The concentrations of As and Hg were determined by ICP-MS (Agilent ICP-MS 7500-Ce, Japan). The instrument detection limits on the ICP-MS were 50 ppt for Hg, and 25 ppt for As.

Reliability and efficiency of analytical techniques

Certified Reference Material (CRM) was used, including Tomato leaves (NIST 1573a) and soil (NIST 2586), to determine the efficiency and accuracy of the analytical methods and digestion procedures. Reference materials were done in triplicates. The recovery percentages based on CRMS for XRF technique are presented in Table 5, and those of metals analyzed by digestion in Table 6.

Table 5 Percent recovery of reference material by XRF (Expected Value)
Full size table
Table 6 Percent recovery of reference material by digestion (Expected values)
Full size table

Abbreviations

DI:

Daily intake

DIVM:

Daily intake of vitamin and mineral

FDA:

Food and drug administration

H:

Herbs

MAL:

Maximum allowable levels

M:

Minerals

PDE:

Permitted daily exposure

V:

Vitamin

VM:

Vitamins and minerals

USP:

United states pharmacopeia

WHO:

Worlds health organization.

References

  1. National Institute of Health: What’s in the bottle? An introduction to dietary supplement. 2003, USA: NCCAM Publication Number D191

    Google Scholar 

  2. Raman P, Patino LC, Nair MG: Evaluation of metal and microbial contamination in botanical supplements. J Agriculture Food Chemist. 2004, 52: 7822-7827. 10.1021/jf049150+.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Garcia-Rico L, Leyva-Perez J, Jara-Marini ME: Content and daily intake of copper, zinc, lead, cadmium and mercury from dietary supplements in Mexico. Food Chem Toxicol. 2007, 45: 1599-1605. 10.1016/j.fct.2007.02.027.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Soriano S, Pereira Netto AD, Cassella RJ: Determination of Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn by flame atomic absorption spectrometry in multivitamin/multimineral dosage forms or tablets after acidic extraction. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2007, 43: 404-410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Gomez MR, Cerutti S, Olsina RA, Silvia MF, Martínez LD: Metal content monitoring in Hypericum perforatum pharmaceutical derivatives by atomic absorption and emission spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2004, 24: 569-576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. FDA (Food and Drug Administration): Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. 2001, Washington DC: Report of the Panel onMicronutrients, Food and Drug Administration. Dietary Supplements. Centerfor food Safety and Applied Nutrition, National Academy Press,

    Google Scholar 

  7. Mertz W: Interaction of chromium with insulin: a progress report. Nutrition Review. 1998, 56: 174-177.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. WHO: Trace elements in human nutrition and health. 1996, Geneva: WHO

    Google Scholar 

  9. Goldhaber SB: Trace elements risk assessment vs. toxicity. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2003, 38: 232-242. 10.1016/S0273-2300(02)00020-X.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Thomson CD: Assessment requirements for selenium and adequacy of selenium status: a review. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004, 58: 391-402. 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601800.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Institute of Medicine. Food and Nutrition Board: Selenium. Dietary reference intakes: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, selenium, and caroteniods. Panel on Dietary Antioxidants and Related compounds, Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of MedicineNational. 2000, Washington DC: Academy Press

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kauffman JF, Westenberger BJ, Robertson JD, Guthrie J, Jacobs A, Cummins SK: Lead in pharmeucitical products and dietary supplements. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2007, 48: 128-134. 10.1016/j.yrtph.2007.03.001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ang HH: Lead contamination in Eugenia dyeriana herbal preparations from different commercial sources in Malaysia. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008, 46: 1969-1975. 10.1016/j.fct.2008.01.037.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Ikem A, Egiebor NO: Assessment of trace elements in canned fishes (Mackerel, Tuna, Salmon, Sardine, and Herrings) marketed in Georgia and Alabama (United States of America). J Food Composition Anal. 2005, 18: 771-787. 10.1016/j.jfca.2004.11.002.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Obeid PJ, El-Khoury B, Burger J, Aouad S, Younis M, Aoun A, El-Nakat JH: Determination and assessment of total mercury levels in local, frozen, and canned fish in Lebanon. J Environ Sci. 2011, 23 (9): 1564-1569. 10.1016/S1001-0742(10)60546-3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Kitchin KT, Conolly R: Arsenic-induced carcinogenesis–oxidative stress as a possible mode of action and future research needs for more biologically based risk assessment. Chem Res Toxicol. 2010, 23: 327-335. 10.1021/tx900343d.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Rahman A, Persson LA, Nermell B, El Arifeen S, Ekstrom EC, Smith AH, Vahter M: Arsenic exposure and risk of spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and infant mortality. Epidemiology. 2010, 21: 797-804. 10.1097/EDE.0b013e3181f56a0d.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hsieh YC, Lien LM, Chung WT, Hsieh FI, Hsieh PF, Wu MM, Tseng HP, Chiou HY, Chen CJ: Significantly increased risk of carotid atherosclerosis with arsenic exposure and polymorphisms in arsenic metabolism genes. Environ Res. 2011, 111: 804-810. 10.1016/j.envres.2011.05.003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. USP: The new USP <232 > (Elemental Impurities-Limits) and USP <233 > (Elemental Impurities-Procedures). 2012, http://www.chemicalsolutionsltd.com/Cap_USP.htm,

    Google Scholar 

  20. USP: General Chapter on Inorganic Impurities: Heavy Metals Stimuli Article, USP Ad Hoc Advisory Panel on Inorganic Impurities and Heavy Metals. 2008, http://www.usp.org/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/USPNF/2008-04-10InorganicImpuritiesStim.pdf,

    Google Scholar 

  21. Tumir H, Bošnir J, Dragun Z, Tomić S, Puntarić D, Jurak G: Monitoring metal and metalloid content in dietary supplements on the Croatian market. Food Control. 2010, 21: 885-889. 10.1016/j.foodcont.2009.12.005.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Haidar S, Naithani V, Barthwal J, Kakkar P: Heavy metal content in some therapeutically important medicinal plants. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2004, 72: 119-127. 10.1007/s00128-003-0249-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Mazzanti G, Battinelli L, Daniele C, Costantini S, Ciaralli L, Evandri MG: Purity control of some Chinese crude herbal drugs marketed in Italy. Food Chem Toxicol. 2008, 46: 3043-3047. 10.1016/j.fct.2008.06.003.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Palmer PT, Jacobs R, Baker PE, Ferguson K, Webber S: Use of Field-Portable XRF analyzers for rapid screening of toxic elements in FDA-regulated products. J Agric Food Chem. 2009, 57: 2605-2613. 10.1021/jf803285h.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Al-Omari S: Determination of essential and toxic elements in ten herbal medicines using energy-dispersive XRF analysis. X-Ray Spectrometry. 2011, 40: 31-36. 10.1002/xrs.1288.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Perring L, Audrey D: EDXRF as a tool for rapid minerals control in milk-Based products. J Agric Food Chem. 2003, 51: 4207-4212. 10.1021/jf034158p.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Talbot V, Chang WJ: Rapid multielement analysis of oyster and cockle tissue using X-ray fluorescence Spectrometry with applications to reconnaissance marine pollution investigations. Sci Total Environ. 1987, 66: 213-223.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Sheng-Xiang B, Zhi-Wong W, Jing-Song L: X-Ray-Fluorescence analysis of elements in fruit juice. Spectrochemica Acta B. 1999, 54: 1893-1897. 10.1016/S0584-8547(99)00160-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Al-Bataina BA, Maslt AO, Al-Kofahil MM: Element analysis and biological studies on ten oriental spices using XRF and Ames tests. J Trace Elements Medicinal Biol. 2003, 17: 85-90. 10.1016/S0946-672X(03)80003-2.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Anderson D: Multielement analysis of housewares and other food –related items by 23Am radioisotope X-Ray Fluorescence transportable spectrometer and hand held analyzers. J Assoc Official Analytic Chem. 2003, 86: 583-597.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Chuparina EV, Aisueva TS: Determination of heavy metal levels in medicinal plant Hemerocallis Miller by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Envi Chem lett 2011. 2011, 9 (1): 19-23.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Bueno MI, Romão W: Fingerprinting of sildenafil citrate and tadalafil tablets in pharmaceutical formulations via X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2012, 56: 7-11.

    Google Scholar 

  33. USP: General Chapter on Inorganic Impurities: Heavy Metals Stimuli Article. Pharmacopeial Forum. 2009, 34 (5): http://www.usp.org/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/hottopics/2009-04-22MetalImpuritiesCommentDigest.pdf,

  34. USP: USP Advisory Panel on Metal Impurities Metals and Limits Table. 2009, http://www.usp.org/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/hottopics/2009-04-22MetalImpuritiesToxChart.pdf,

    Google Scholar 

  35. NSF International: Dietary Supplement-Standard 173, Metal Contaminant Accepted level. 2003, USA: NSF International, http://www.nsf.org/business/newsroom/pdf/DS_Metal_Contaminant_Acceptance_Levels.pdf,

    Google Scholar 

  36. JECFA: Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants, Twenty-seven report of joint FAO/WHO Expert committee on food additives. 1983, WHO Technicalreport Series 696,

    Google Scholar 

  37. Onianwa PC, Adeyemo AO, Idowu OE, Ogabiela EE: Copper and zinc contents of Nigerian foods and estimates of adult dietary intakes. Food Chem. 2001, 72: 89-95. 10.1016/S0308-8146(00)00214-4.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. JECFA: Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants, twenty-six report of joint FAO/WHO Expert committee on food additives. 1982, Geneva: WHOTechnical report Series 683,

    Google Scholar 

  39. Avula A, Wang YH, Duzgoren-Aydin NS, Khan IA: Inorganic elemental composition of commercial multivitamin/mineral dietary supplements: application of collision/reaction cell inductively coupled-mass spectroscopy. Food Chem. 2011, 127: 54-62. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.12.083.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Korfali SI, Davies BE: Speciation of metals in sediment and water in a river underlain by limestone: role of carbonate species for purification capacity of rivers. Advances in Environmental Research. 2004, 8: 599-612. 10.1016/S1093-0191(03)00033-9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Korfali SI, Davies BE: Seasonal variations of trace metal chemical forms in bed sediments of a karstic river in Lebanon: implications for self-purification. Environ Geochem Health. 2005, 27: 385-395. 10.1007/s10653-004-7096-8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Korfali SI, Jurdi M: Speciation of metals in bed sediments and water of Qaraaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. Environ Monit Assess. 2010, 178: 563-579.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  43. JECFA: Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants, Seventy-three report of joint FAO/WHO Expert committee on food additives. 2011, Geneva: WHOTechnical report Series 960,

    Google Scholar 

  44. Selinus O, Alloway B, Centeno JA, Finkelman RB, Fuge R, Lindh U: Essentials of Medical Geology: Impacts of the Natural Environment on Public Health. 2005, USA: Elsevier Academic Press

    Google Scholar 

  45. Korfali SI, Jurdi M: Suitability of surface water for domestic water use: Awali River case study. European Water. 2011, 35: 3-12.

    Google Scholar 

  46. Korfali SI, Jurdi M: Chemical profile of Lebanon’s potential contaminated coastal water. J Environ Sci Eng. 2012, A 1: 351-363.

    Google Scholar 

  47. JECFA: Evaluation of certain food contaminants, Sixty-four 64 report of joint FAO/WHO Expert committee on food additives. 2006, Geneva: WHO Technicalreport Series 930,

    Google Scholar 

  48. Goh K-H, Lim T-T: Arsenic fractionation in a fine soil fraction and influence of various anions on its mobility in the subsurface environment. Appl Geochem. 2005, 20: 229-239. 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2004.08.004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Kim K-W, Chanpiwat P, Hanh HT, Phan K, Sthiannopkao S: Arsenic geochemistry of groundwater in Southeast Asia. Frontiers in Medicine. 2011, 5 (4): 420-443. 10.1007/s11684-011-0158-2.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. JECFA: Evaluation of certain food additives and contaminants, Thirty-three report of joint FAO/WHO Expert committee on food additives. 1989, Geneva: WHOTechnical report Series 776,

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Mr. Marwan Wehbeh, Chemistry Laboratory Supervisor at LAU for his technical support.

Mr. Yousef Korfali for his assistance in editing the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lebanese American University, P.O.Box 13–5053, Chouran Beirut, 1102 2801, Beirut, Lebanon

    Samira Ibrahim Korfali & Tamer Hawi

  2. Lebanese American University, P.O. Box 36, Byblos, Lebanon

    Mohamad Mroueh

Authors
  1. Samira Ibrahim Korfali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tamer Hawi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohamad Mroueh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Samira Ibrahim Korfali.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

MM have recommended the project and have been involved in drafting the manuscript and revised it critically for soundness of the pharmaceutical concepts. SIK carried the project design, data analysis, interpretations, and prepared the manuscript. TH carried out all experimental procedures and acquisition of data. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Authors’ original file for figure 2

Authors’ original file for figure 3

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Korfali, S.I., Hawi, T. & Mroueh, M. Evaluation of heavy metals content in dietary supplements in Lebanon. Chemistry Central Journal 7, 10 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-7-10

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-7-10

Keywords

BMC Chemistry

ISSN: 2661-801X

Contact us