Wheat toxic factors

Plant protein sources provide 65% of the world s supply of protein, with cereal grains (47%) and pulses, nuts and oilseeds (8%) as the other major sources. Of the cereals, wheat (43%), rice (39%) and maize (12%) are the main contributors. Other limited sources of plant protein are fruits, leaves, tubers and other parts of plants included under the terms fruits, vegetables or root crops. Plant protein sources can differ from animal protein sources in terms of digestibility, amino acid composition, the presence of antinutritional (such as enzyme inhibitors) and toxic factors (e.g. saponins, cyanogens and lectins), which adversely influence protein digestibility, nutritional value and food safety. 

MeHg exposures in humans and animals. Such factors include age, sex, genetics, health status, nutritional supplement use, and diet. Food components considered to be protective against MeHg toxicity in humans also deserve closer study (e.g., wheat bran and vitamin E). 

In 1954, the Food and Drug Administration published a paper that defined the basis for the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The ADI was a threshold for intake of a chemical for a large population, below which there should be no significant toxic risks. The paper not only defined a procedure for the ADI, but also described the use of safety factors and how animal data could be used to estimate risk to humans. A no effect level was determined from animal studies and a safety factor of 100 was used to establish a safe level. Tolerances for chemical additives and pesticides were calculated, comparing the safe level to the residue concentration of these chemicals in crops (e.g., wheat) and that crop s contribution to the individual s daily diet. 

Estimates of Field Worker Exposure to Pesticides An example will be presented to show how estimates of lifetime field worker exposure can be made and show how a number of the factors above come into play during such calculations. These calculations apply only to chemicals which demonstrate chronic toxicity predominantly. Shorter term estimates must be made for chemicals showing acute toxicity. For this exercise consider only field crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans. The example presented here will deal with one application type, i.e., ground boom spray application. Mixer-loaders, cleanup workers and applicators will be considered. Factors such as effectiveness of protective clothing will also be considered. Further, this example will consider only an individual farm operation scenario. 

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