Occurrence of lead, cadmium, and aflatoxin M1 in eggs from four production systems: dietary exposure and age-stratified health risk assessment
Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s11694-026-04952-0
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Compendex, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Materials Science & Engineering Collection (ProQuest), Technology Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Aflatoxin M1, Dietary exposure, Eggs, Heavy metals, Production systems, Risk assessment
- Sivas Cumhuriyet Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Eggs are among the most widely consumed protein sources globally, yet their role as a vehicle for chemical contaminants across different production systems remains poorly understood, particularly for vulnerable consumers. This study determined lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) concentrations in eggs from four production systems (organic [C0], free-range [C1], barn [C2], and cage [C3]) obtained from retail outlets in several Turkish provinces, and calculated estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), and margin of exposure (MOE) for adults and children. Pb and Cd differed significantly among systems (p < 0.05), whereas AFM1 did not (Kruskal–Wallis H(3) = 3.55, p = 0.314). Cage eggs showed the highest Pb and Cd concentrations and barn eggs the lowest, while AFM1 levels were comparable across systems. Pb and Cd were near-perfectly correlated (r = 0.999, p < 0.001), consistent with, but not sufficient to establish, a common feed-related source, whereas no AFM1–metal correlation was detected. Neither EU nor Turkish legislation sets an egg-specific maximum level for Pb or Cd; all values fell below the closest regulated animal-origin benchmarks. Hazard indices for combined Pb–Cd exposure stayed well below 1.0 in every group (highest 0.09), indicating that appreciable non-carcinogenic effects from combined Pb–Cd exposure are unlikely under the assessed exposure assumptions. In contrast, AFM1 MOE values fell below 10,000 for children across all systems (2,120–3,160), highlighting AFM1 as the principal dietary concern based on these screening-level estimates; adult MOEs exceeded the benchmark in the other three systems (13,400–14,750) but fell marginally below it for cage eggs (9,880). Concentrations below available reference benchmarks do not necessarily preclude exposure-based concerns, particularly for young consumers. These results support incorporating exposure-based metrics into routine egg-safety monitoring, with particular attention to the higher metal concentrations observed in cage eggs and to potential feed-related contamination pathways.