Research Publications (Food Safety)

This study developed and validated an analytical method for the simultaneous identification and quantification of 41 veterinary antibiotic drugs from 9 different classes, including sulfonamides, quinolones, tetracyclines, penicillins, macrolides, nitroimidazoles, cephalosporins, diaminopyrimidines, and amphenicol, in animal-derived food products.

Grain filling is critical for determining yield and quality, raising the question of whether central coordinators exist to facilitate the uptake and storage of various substances from maternal to filial tissues. The duplicate NAC transcription factors ZmNAC128 and ZmNAC130 could potentially serve as central coordinators.

by Daniel Ciccarone, Nicole Holm, Jeff Ondocsin, Allison Schlosser, Jason Fessel, Amanda Cowan, Sarah G. Mars

Background

Illicitly manufactured fentanyls and stimulants are implicated in the escalating US mortality from drug overdose. San Francisco, California (SF) has seen declining fentanyl injection while smoking has increased. Beliefs and behaviors surrounding this development are not well understood.

Methods

Several limitations in genetic engineering interventions in saffron exist, hindering the development of genetically modified varieties and the widespread application of genetic engineering in this crop. Lack of genome sequence information, the complexity of genetic makeup, and lack of well-established genetic transformation protocols limit its in planta functional validation of genes that would eventually lead toward crop optimization.

This study established a CLIA for trace detection of MG, and this is the first time that automated detection of MG residues has been achieved by combining POCT with CLIA. Abstract Malachite green (MG), a triphenylmethane dye is often used as a fungicide and preservative in fisheries due to its effectiveness against water molds in fish and fish eggs. However, excessive inhalation can be hazardous to human health.

Flow cytometry has made a significant contribution to the study of several complex fundamental mechanisms in plant cytogenetics, becoming a useful analytical tool to understand several mechanisms and processes underlying plant growth, development, and function.

Abstract According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance gamma‐cyhalothrin.

Background and aims Human health is seriously threatened by cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) poisoning in paddy soils. Due to different geochemical behavior, Cd and As are challenging to repair together. We aims to inquire into the influences of zero valent iron (ZVI) and its mixture on acidic Cd-As contaminated paddy soil and reveal the relevant mechanisms.

Background The widespread presence of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils coupled with a problem of Al phytotoxicity threatens sustainability of agricultural production system as well as natural ecosystems.

Abstract Acetamiprid is a pesticide active substance with insecticidal action whose approval was renewed by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/113. In January 2022, the EFSA PPR Panel published a statement following a request from the European Commission to advise on human health or the environment based on new scientific evidence presented by France during the decision‐making phase.

Cadmium (Cd) is a common environmental pollutant associated with an increased incidence of renal metabolic diseases. Luteolin (Lut), a natural flavonoid, is widely used for its multifaceted therapeutic properties in inflammatory diseases. However, whether Lut protects against Cd-induced nephrotoxicity is still equivocal.

Background. Excess accumulation of potentially toxic elements in frequently consumed fruits is a serious threat to human health. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) and to estimate the noncarcinogenic and carcinogenic health risks associated with their daily intake in commonly consumed fruits in Bahir Dar town, northwest Ethiopia. Methods.

The rapid development of livestock and poultry industry in China has caused serious environment pollution problems. To understand the heavy metals accumulation and identify their sources, 7 heavy metals contents and lead isotope ratios were determined in 24 soil samples from vegetable fields irrigated with swine wastewater in Dongxiang County, Jiangxi Province, China.

Cadmium contamination inevitably affects the microbially mediated transformation of nitrogen in soils with wheat straw return. The responses of nitrogen functional microorganisms to cadmium in acidic and alkaline soils under wheat straw returned are still unclear.

This study systematically investigates the residue changes, processing factors (PFs), and relation between the physicochemical properties of pesticides during peanut processing. Results revealed that peeling, washing, and boiling treatments removed partial or substantial pesticide residues from peanuts with PFs of 0.29–1.10 (most <1). By contrast, pesticides appeared to be partially concentrated during roasting, stir-frying, and deep-frying peanuts with PFs of 0.16–1.25.

Abstract Fermentation is a traditional method utilized for vegetable preservation, with microorganisms playing a crucial role in the process. Nowadays, traditional spontaneous fermentation methods are widely employed, which excessively depend on the microorganisms attached to the surface of raw materials, resulting in great difficulties in ideal control over the fermentation process.

3,3′,4,4′,5-Pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB126) is the most toxic congener of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL PCBs), while nanoplastics (NPs) have recently emerged as significant marine pollutants, both posing threats to aquatic organisms and human health. They coexist in the environment, but their comprehensive toxicological effects remain unclear. In this study, zebrafish embryos were simultaneously exposed to PCB126 and 80-nanometer nanoplastyrene (NPS).

Lead (Pb) is a hazardous heavy metal that accumulates in many environments. Phytoremediation of Pb polluted soil is an environmentally friendly method, and a better understanding of mycorrhizal symbiosis under Pb stress can promote its efficiency and application. This study aims to evaluate the impact of two ectomycorrhizal fungi (Suillus grevillei and Suillus luteus) on the performance of Pinus tabulaeformis under Pb stress, and the biomineralization of metallic Pb in vitro.

by Lingyun Li, Baoyan Li, Henghua Qu, Shan Tian, Zimeng Xu, Lulu Zhao, Xueqin Li, Baoyou Liu In the present study, we attempted to use melatonin combined with germination treatment to remove pesticide residues from contaminated grains. High levels of pesticide residues were detected in soybean seeds after soaking with chlorothalonil (10 mM) and malathion (1 mM) for 2 hours.

Although more attention has been paid to microplastics (MPs) pollution in environment, research on the synthetic influence of microplastic and heavy metals remains limited. To help fill this information gap, we investigated the adsorption behavior of virgin polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVCMPs) (≤450 µm white spherical powder) on cadmium (II).

Probiotic feed additive use in the swine industry has become increasingly popular as a substitute for antibiotic feed additives. This is due to the overuse of antibiotics in swine diets that has led to antibiotic residues in animal products and bacterial resistance. For this reason, we decided to feed a probiotic to prevent illnesses associated with the transition from the nursery to finisher phase.

Abstract Aims Our aim is to characterize through whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and heavy metal tolerance (HMT) genes content, plasmid presence, virulence potential and genomic diversity of the rare non‐typhoid Salmonella enterica serovar Orion (S. Orion) from 19 countries of the African, American, Eastern Mediterranean, European, Southeastern Asia and Western Pacific regions. Methods and Results Totally 324 S.

Sulfonamide antibiotics with superior performance are widely used in aquaculture. However, the residues of sulfonamide antibiotics in aquatic products may pose a threat to human health. In this work, a novel type of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (mMIP) was synthesized and coupled with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for the selective separation and determination of 4 sulfonamide antibiotics residues in tilapia.

Background and aims Cadmium (Cd) pollution in rice is a health hazard. to humans. Amendments often decreases soil Cd bioavailability and Cd accumulation in rice plants. However, a complete and quantitative understanding of the effects of soil amendment on soil properties, Cd availability, rice yield, and Cd accumulation in rice is lacking.

Abstract Rice is a staple diet for a significant proportion of the global population. As toxicity is a major issue affecting the rice productivity and quality worldwide. Phloem tissues of rice plants play vital roles in As speciation, long-distance transport, and unloading, thereby controlling the As accumulation in rice grains.