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Trace elements level in the Brazil nuts risk assessment

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The Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa H.B.K.) is well-known worldwide due to the Selenium (Se) content and their antioxidant and clinical benefits. On the other hand, some metals can be absorbed from soil according to different geographic region, because the Brazil nut tree is an accumulating plant. In this context, some Brazil nuts can exceed the safe level of some chemicals and become toxic. In order to provide information concerning risk assessment, the aim of this research was to evaluate other trace elements, according the chemical profile of Brazil nuts from different Amazon regions. The elements Cu, Fe, As, Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr, Zn, Ti and Sb were evaluated by ICP-MS. Samples from Eastern-Amazon region presented higher levels of antimony (Sb) ranging from 0.541-1.130mg/kg. Concerning the WHO tolerable daily intake (TDI) for Sb of 6 µg/bodywheight/day, the nuts from some regions presented levels to support the consumption of 3 nuts/day as suggested in previous work concerning Se. There is no legal threshold for Sb in Brazil nuts, but potential human risk can occur. In conclusion, it is possible to affirm that the levels of the elements evaluated have not shown be toxic to human health, considering the recommended daily consumption of Brazil nuts. Our results relevant for provide the preliminary data concerning the surveillance of Antimony and other metals as chemical hazards in the risk assessment evaluation of Brazil nuts. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the bioavailability of Sb and other metals and the Se mechanisms to detoxifying Sb.