Biohit Oyj June 11, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. local time (EET)
Biohit has carried out new measurements of acetaldehyde concentrations in quarks and soy sauces. Acetaldehyde is a substance with apple flavor that is especially rich in food prepared with a fermentation process such as alcohol beverages, vinegar and dairy products. In 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which forms part of the World Health Organization, classified acetaldehyde included in and generated endogenously from alcoholic beverages as a Group I human carcinogen.
This study measured acetaldehyde concentrations in generally available quarks and soy sauces. The sample included 46 different commercial products. Sample products were randomly selected in different grocery stores in the capital area of Finland and Boston area in the United States.
According the measurements, the acetaldehyde content in quarks ranged from 0 to 177 µM and in soy sauces the concentration varied between 45 to 199 µM. The carcinogenic acetaldehyde concentration exceeds the limit in the third of the measured quarks, but the average acetaldehyde concentration is less than in measured yoghurts. Half of the measured soy sauces exceeded the carcinogenic limit.
In results it is significant that both product groups had high acetaldehyde concentrations on the average. Quark products show high concentrations of acetaldehyde due to the leaven used in the production.
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: “Quarks are commonly marketed as contribution to health, but the results from acetaldehyde measurements are eye-opening. Product manufacturers should openly mention the acetaldehyde concentration in their product data sheets and let consumers themselves decide on their possible acetaldehyde exposure."
The measurement results and additional information:
www.biohithealthcare.com/laboratory-services/determination-of-acetaldehyde
http://www.acetium.com/test - test your acetaldehyde exposure
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 773 861
semi.korpela@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit in brief
Biohit Oyj is a globally operating Finnish biotechnology company established in 1988. Biohit's mission is "Innovating for Health". The purpose of the company is to take social responsibility and produce innovation, new technologies and analysis systems for use in medicine, research institutions and industry, helping to promote research and diagnostics and to improve the quality of life of people by means of preventing disease, human suffering and financial loss. We are committed to social responsibility and it is our duty to spread knowledge about the Group I human carcinogen, acetaldehyde, and innovate and develop the marketing and availability of our products and services. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and its subsidiaries are located in China, Italy and the United Kingdom. Since 1999, Biohit's Series B shares (BIOBV) have been listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy Small cap/Healthcare sector. www.biohithealthcare.com
Acetaldehyde Group I human carcinogen
In October 2009, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which forms part of the World Health Organization, classified acetaldehyde included in and generated endogenously from alcoholic beverages as a Group I human carcinogen. Acetaldehyde belongs to the same risk class as, for example, asbestos and tobacco.
Specific microbes (bacteria and yeasts) in the gastrointestinal tract are the most important source of acetaldehyde exposure to the human body. These microbes produce acetaldehyde from alcohol and, in certain circumstances, from sugar. Unlike the liver, the microbes and the intestinal mucosa cannot remove the acetaldehyde, and due to the effect of alcohol, an abundance of acetaldehyde accumulates in the saliva and elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Acetaldehyde is a substance that accumulates in the body from several sources, continuous exposure to it thereby severely increasing the risk of cancer to various organs.
Source: IARC, Secretan et al (2009)
Additional information: www.biohithealthcare.com
Specify the acetaldehyde concentrate in foodstuff with Biohit laboratory
Biohit's Service laboratory offers the possibility to measure the concentrations of carcinogenic acetaldehyde mm. nutrients in foods and alcoholic beverages. The service is suitable for the food industry, research institutions and supervisory authorities as a regular consumer alike.
Detailed instructions can be found on the website of Biohit www.biohithealthcare.com
If you are interested in the measurement, contact info@biohit.fi.