Health risk assessment of acrylamide in bread in Iran using LC-MS/MS.

Abstract Acrylamide is a chemical, often present in bread, legally classified as carcinogen, mutagen and reproductive toxicant. Since bread is consumed both world-wide and in Iran, determination of acrylamide in different types of breads is of high interest. In the present study, acrylamide was monitored in 56 Sangak and 30 industrial bread samples collected from Tehran and Shiraz, using LC-MS/MS (LOQ = 1 ng/g). In addition, the noncarcinogenic risk (target hazard quotient–THQ) and carcinogenic risk (incremental lifetime cancer risk–ILCR) due to ingestion of acrylamide through bread consumption in children and adults were assessed. Acrylamide was detected in more than 90% of the samples tested. The average daily intake of acrylamide in Iran based on exclusive consumption of Sangak bread, was estimated at 145 ng/kg bw/day. Based on the THQ for bread acrylamide in adults and children, the decreasing risk order was: Shiraz semi-industrial Sangak, Shiraz traditional Sangak, Tehran traditional Sangak, Tehran industrial bread. The ILCR of bread acrylamide calculated for adults and children was higher than the permissible lifetime carcinogenic risk value established by USEPA (1.00E-5). Results show that bread is a major source of acrylamide intake by people in Iran and all consumers regardless of age could be at elevated carcinogenic risk. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • Monitoring of acrylamide in different bread types using effective method is necessary. • Bread is a major source for acrylamide intake by people in Tehran and Shiraz. • The Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk of acrylamide for adults and children consuming wheat flour bread was higher than the permissible lifetime carcinogenic risk. • All consumers regardless of age are at elevated carcinogenic risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]