Application of an in vivo swine model for the determination of arsenic bioavailability in contaminated vegetables

Albert L. Juhasz, Euan Smith, John Weber, Matthew Rees, Allan Rofe, Tim Kuchel, Lloyd Sansom, Ravi Naidu

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

52 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Considerable information is available in the literature regarding the uptake of arsenic (As) from contaminated soil and irrigation water by vegetables. However, few studies have investigated As speciation in these crops while a dearth of information is available on As bioavailability following their consumption. In this study, the concentration and speciation of As in chard, radish, lettuce and mung beans was determined following hydroponic growth of the vegetables using As-contaminated water. In addition, As bioavailability was assessed using an in vivo swine feeding assay. While As concentrations ranged from 3.0 to 84.2 mg As kg-1 (dry weight), only inorganic As (arsenite and arsenate) was detected in the edible portions of the vegetables. When As bioavailability was assessed through monitoring blood plasma As concentrations following swine consumption of As-contaminated vegetables, between 50% and 100% of the administered As dose was absorbed and entered systemic circulation. Arsenic bioavailability decreased in the order mung beans > radish > lettuce = chard.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1963-1969
Number of pages7
JournalChemosphere
Volume71
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished or Issued - May 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Arsenic
  • Bioavailability
  • In vivo
  • Risk assessment
  • Vegetables

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Pollution
  • General Chemistry
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Environmental Chemistry

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