Mycotoxins, trace elements, and phthalates in marketed rice of different origin and exposure assessment

The aim of this study was to determine levels of 11 mycotoxins, 10 trace elements, and 6 phthalates in rice samples from Serbian and Chinese market. Mycotoxins were not detected in any of the analysed rice samples. Results revealed similar median levels for following elements: Mn, 17.5 and 15.7 mg kg−1; Fe, 2.47 and 2.12 mg kg−1; Cu, 1.95 and 1.59 mg kg−1 in marketed samples from Serbia and China, respectively. Median concentration of Ni in Serbian marketed samples was 1.9 times higher than in Chinese ones. The median levels (µg kg−1) of phthalates ranged from 1.2 (benzylbutyl phthalate [BBP]) – 566 (di(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate [DEHP]) and 1.7 (BBP) – 348 (DEHP) in Serbian and Chinese marketed samples, respectively. The results were used to assess daily exposure of Serbian and Chinese adult consumers. The calculated target hazard quotients indicated that the potential risk attributable to the analysed contaminants in rice samples should not be of concern neither for the Serbian nor the Chinese consumers.