Research Publications (Food Safety)

Fabric-phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) coats organic–inorganic hybrid sorbent materials onto flexible and hydrophilic fabrics through sol–gel sorbent-coating technology. Herein, we explored four different coating chemistries, including those of nonpolar sol–gel poly(dimethylsiloxane), medium polar sol–gel poly(tetrahydrofuran), and polar sol–gel poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–block-poly(propylene glycol)–PEG, and sol–gel PEG.

A very explicate and ligand-less ultrasound-vortex-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (US-VA-DLLME) technique has been designed for the pre-concentration and extraction of ultra-trace amounts of cadmium ions, before its determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

Extending the shelf-life and ensuring microbiological safety of food products while preserving the nutritional properties are key aspects that must be addressed. Heat processing of food matrices has been the golden standard during the last decades, while certain non-thermal processing options have recently gained ground. In the present study, experimental pulsed light (PL) surface inactivation treatments of Salmonella enteritidis on almonds kernels are performed.

The aim of this research was to investigate the potential of tomato seed mucilage (TSM) as a new source for preparation of biodegradable films.

For the first time, a comparative study on antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of two lipid-based nanovesicles encapsulated myrtle extract, including different formulations of nanoliposome and nanoniosome, is conducted. GC–MS analysis of the hydroethanolic extract of myrtle leaf revealed 1,2,3-benzenetriol (40.62%) as a major component. It is worth mentioning that both nanovesicles were prepared in the absence of toxic solvents and cholesterol.

The effectiveness of a UV-A light emitting diode system (LED) to reduce the concentrations of aflatoxin B1 and aflatoxin M1 (AFB1, AFM1) in whole milk (WM) was investigated. Irradiation experiments were conducted using an LED system operating at 365 nm. Known concentrations of aflatoxins were spiked in WM and irradiated at quantified UV doses, which was calculated based on the average volumetric intensity.

The study presents chitosan nanoemulsion encapsulating Cinnamomum glaucescens essential oil (CGEO) as a novel green preservative against food born fungi and aflatoxin B1 production in food system. GC–MS analysis suggested 1,8-cineole (46.56%), safrole (17.64%) as major and terpineol (5.88%), 4-terpineol (4.68%), β-pinene (2.08%), β-thujene (2.03%), and linalool (2.02%) as minor components of CGEO.

Fungi belonging to the genus Induratia are endophytes that have received considerable attention because of the production of natural bioactive secondary metabolites, such as volatile compounds, with antimicrobial activity. In this study, we distinguished I. coffeana and Induratia sp. isolated from Coffea arabica in Brazil based on three-loci phylogeny, ITS, RPB2, and TUB2.

Field trials were conducted at the All India Co-ordinated Research Project on Potato, Main Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad, India, for two consecutive years during kharif 2016 and 2017 to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides viz., emamectin benzoate 5 SG @ 0.25 g/l, thiodicarb 75 WP @ 1.00 g/l, diafenthiuron 50 WP @ 1.00 g/l, spinosad 45 SC @ 0.20 ml/l, chlorpyriphos 20 EC @ 2.50 ml/l, chlorfenapyr 10 SC @ 3.00 ml/l, cyantraniliprole 10

Weeds are a major problem in potato production. Two years of trials were conducted to study the efficacy of herbicides and integrated use of mulch with herbicides in controlling weeds and for improving the growth and yield of autumn potato crop at Ludhiana, north-west India, during autumn 2016 and 2017. Each trial had a randomized complete block design with three replicates. There were 11 treatments including weed-free and weedy controls. Uncontrolled weeds caused a yield reduction of 49.7%.

Rimsulfuron is commonly used to control common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album L.) and redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) in potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) fields. Comparing rimsulfuron absorption and metabolism patterns in these two weed species with potato could provide crucial information to optimise herbicide application in the field.

Adequate integrated management of potato leaf diseases can have an influence on pathogens which are challenging to control and cause main potato tuber diseases. Deriving from this hypothesis, an experiment was designed to evaluate the efficacy of foliar application of twelve fungicides on late blight in tubers, common scab, black scurf and silver scurf. In the period of 2013 to 2017, the fungicides were equally applied six times in registered doses during the growing seasons.

The ethanol extracts of 155 different foodstuffs containing medicinal plants were investigated for their biofilm eradication activities against pathogenic bacteria. A combined method of a colorimetric microbial viability assay based on reduction of a tetrazolium salt (WST-8) and a biofilm formation technique on the 96-pins of a microtiter plate lid was used to screen the biofilm eradication activities of foodstuffs.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, viruses and tumors is a serious threat to public health. Among natural peptides, indolicidin, a 13-residue peptide belonging to the cathelicidin family, deserves special attention. Indolicidin has a broad spectrum of biological activity and is active against a wide range of targets, such as bacteria (Gram+  and Gram−), fungi and viruses.

Thiamphenicol (TAP) is an amphenicol antibiotic, which has a broad-spectrum inhibitory effect on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Since it is widely used in animals and aquaculture, its residues in environment may bring potential risk for human health and ecosystems. While TAP can be removed through conventional physical or chemical methods, its bioremediation using microorganisms is less studied.

Forest soils play an important role in the global ecosystem, providing many beneficial services. Protection of forests and their soils from anthropogenic impacts is therefore of utter importance to conservation efforts. Lead (Pb) is one of the most widespread anthropogenic pollutants and has been introduced into forests of the Czech Republic since medieval times, mostly from smelting, coal burning, and later also leaded gasoline.

The study reported here concerns the geochemical distributions of macro- and trace elements (including potentially toxic elements, PTEs) in the vineyard soils of Alcubillas, which is one of the oldest, albeit not world-renowned, wine-growing areas in La Mancha (Central Spain). Soil and leaf samples were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to ascertain the levels of various elements in the soil and the plant.

In today’s agriculture, the use of pesticides has become a necessity for higher yield of crops. Out of the total pesticides applied, only a small fraction reaches the target pest and the rest pollute different environmental segments. The present study signifies the effect of soil moisture and enhanced sunlight intensity on the degradation of dimethoate, a commonly used organophosphate pesticide in soil.

The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 in over 200 countries globally, brought serious effects on our daily lives. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in combination with regional characteristics has achieved remarkable results in China. Prunella vulgaris is one of the ingredients of commercially available canned Chinese herbal tea which demonstrated lifespan extending effect on Drosophila in our previous study, whereas it is unknown which ingredients contribute to it.

Mucorales is the cause of mucormycosis, an emerging opportunistic infection in the era of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Condition of hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, and acidosis; dysregulated iron homeostasis in the form of hyperferritinemic syndrome, and high concentration of iron in circulation; and endothelial injury related to abundance glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), which are present in severe COVID-19, could favor Mucorales infection.

by Kwok-ho Lam, Jacqueline M. Tremblay, Kay Perry, Konstantin Ichtchenko, Charles B. Shoemaker, Rongsheng Jin Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are among the deadliest of bacterial toxins. BoNT serotype A and B in particular pose the most serious threat to humans because of their high potency and persistence. To date, there is no effective treatment for late post-exposure therapy of botulism patients.

by Bhagirath Singh Chauhan Avena fatua and A. ludoviciana (commonly known as wild oats) are the most problematic winter grass species in fallows and winter crops in the northeast region of Australia. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of glyphosate and alternative post-emergence herbicides on A. fatua and A. ludoviciana.

Occupational exposures to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been associated with numerous health complications including steatohepatitis and liver cancer. However, the potential impact of environmental/residential VOC exposures on liver health and function is largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the objective of this cross-sectional study is to investigate associations between VOCs and liver injury biomarkers in community residents.

SUMMARY Microbiological safety and quality of fresh chicken meat are important concerns to industry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of in-package, non-thermal high voltage dielectric barrier discharge (HVDBD) treatment on microbial quality, safety, and color of fresh chicken breast meat (pectoralis major). Boneless skinless chicken breast meat was collected from a local commercial plant.

SUMMARY Salmonella is a bacterium usually associated with mild gastroenteritis in chickens, but strains of the serotype Gallinarum can result in 2 severe systemic chicken diseases: fowl typhoid (by biovar Gallinarum) and pullorum disease (by biovar Pullorum). These diseases can be controlled by immunization with a specific vaccine (SG 9R).