Biohit has carried out new measurements of acetaldehyde concentrations in beer and yoghurts. 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. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified acetaldehyde as a Group I human carcinogen in 2009.
This study measured acetaldehyde concentrations in generally available yoghurts and alcoholic beers. The sample included 44 different commercial products. Sample products were randomly selected in different grocery and liquor stores in the capital area of Finland.
According the measurements, the acetaldehyde content in beers ranged from 0 to 208 µM and in yoghurts the concentration varied between 14 to 394 µM. It was remarkable that in only one yoghurt, the acetaldehyde concentration was below the carcinogenic level (100 µM), whereas in all others the concentrations were equal or higher than 205 µM. In addition, the concentrations in analyzed yoghurts were approximately three times higher than in beers.
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj: “The most important thing is the knowledge that it is possible to reduce the exposure to acetaldehyde. This could be a new opportunity for the food industry. Biofood method invented by Biohit Oyj is could reduce the acetaldehyde concentration in foods remarkably and in this way reduce food stuff mediated exposure to acetaldehyde.”
The measurement results and additional information:
www.biohithealthcare.com/laboratory-services/determination-of-acetaldehyde
Additional information:
CEO Semi Korpela, Biohit Oyj
Tel. +358 9 773 861
semi.korpela@biohit.fi
www.biohithealthcare.com
Biohit Oyj in brief
Biohit Oyj is a Finnish biotechnology company operating globally that was established in 1988. Biohit’s mission is “Innovating for Health” and “Cancer Prevention”. 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 responsibility and it is our duty to innovate and develop the marketing and availability of our products and services. Biohit is headquartered in Helsinki and its subsidiaries are located China and UK. Since 1999, Biohit’s Series B shares (BIOBV) have been listed in the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Oy Small cap/Healthcare sector.
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.comIf you are interested in the measurement, contact info@biohit.fi