Predicting PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB contamination levels in bovine edible tissues from in vivo sampling

European Union regulation has defined maximum levels for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) in food from animal origin. In case of particular event where livestock is potentially exposed to a specific source of contamination, the possibility of accurate estimation of the PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB levels in edible tissues of the animals from in vivo and weakly invasive biological matrices (fast animal recovery, no major side effects) may be of clear valuable interest. This study investigated the correlations between contamination levels determined in subcutaneous adipose tissue and blood samples obtained from living animals and those measured after slaughtering in muscle and liver. The obtained results demonstrated very good correlations between these in vivo and ex vivo samples in terms of PCDD/F and PCB contamination levels. Finally, it seems to be demonstrated that a weakly invasive biopsy of subcutaneous adipose tissue performed on living animal (potentially completed by a blood sample) can be used in order to predict contamination levels in muscle and liver destined to human consumption.