Research Publications (Food Safety)

Author(s): Jiahui Wu, Qingmei Song, Jingyan Zhou, Yingxin Wu, Xiaowen Liu, Junjun Liu, Lingli Zhou, Zhuohao Wu, Wencheng Wu

One integral step in the transition from a nucleic acid encoded-genome to functional proteins is the aminoacylation of tRNA molecules. To perform this activity, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) activate free amino acids in the cell forming an aminoacyl-adenylate before transferring the amino acid on to its cognate tRNA. These newly formed aminoacyl-tRNA (aa-tRNA) can then be used by the ribosome during mRNA decoding.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] has great economic and nutritional importance mainly due to its high protein content. All plant's N needs can be met by the symbiosis with elite Bradyrhizobium strains applied as inoculants to the seeds at sowing time; however, the increasing use of pesticides in seed treatments can impair the contribution of the biological nitrogen fixation. In this study, we report decreases in cell survival of two strains, B.

Author(s): Bruno Elias dos Santos Costa, Nívia Maria Melo Coelho

Author(s): Xinyue Yuan, Dianwei Zhang, Xuecheng Zhu, Huilin Liu, Baoguo Sun

Carbendazim (CBZ), which is a fungicide widely used for the management of plant diseases, has been detected in a number of food products. The negative effects of CBZ to human health have stimulated the reduction of the maximum residue limits (MRLs), and subsequently the development of reliable and sensitive detection methods. Here, we are reviewing for the first time all reported chromatographic methods for the detection and quantification of CBZ in food.

Owls are predators that perform important ecological functions. There are several threats to owl conservation such as the bioaccumulation of chemicals through environmental contamination. The high probability of bioaccumulation in these animals is related to their role as predators and high trophic positions. The objective of this study was to quantify four elements (cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead) as the biomarkers of environmental exposure in owls.

Cenotes are naturally occurring flooded caves that are frequent in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula; they result from the collapse of limestone bedrock into the regional groundwater table. Cenotes in Quintana Roo are important ecological and economic hot spots but are susceptible to anthropogenic pollution. In this study, we collected water samples from 11 cenotes over multiple years to evaluate polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations and patterns as associated with tourist traffic.

Fast detection for heavy metal in vegetables is one of the most important steps to ensure the food safety. A novel method to identify lead pollution levels of lettuce based on hyperspectral image technology was proposed in this study. Firstly, hyperspectral images of lettuce samples cultivated under four lead stress levels (0 mg/L, 50 mg/L, 100 mg/L and 200 mg/L) were collected using hyperspectral image system.

Arsenic, a major environmental toxicant and pollutant, is a global public health concern. Among its many adverse effects, arsenic is immunotoxic, but its effects on human neutrophil functions are not yet well-defined.

In this study, we report the presence of a microbial community of bioremediation potential in terms of relative abundance and taxonomic biodiversity in sediment samples of river Ganga and Yamuna, India at nine different sites. Metagenomic libraries were constructed using TruSeq Nano DNA Library Prep Kit and sequenced on NextSeq 500 by Illumina Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology.

Contamination of soil and water with heavy metals and metalloids is a serious environmental problem. Cadmium and arsenic are major environmental contaminants that pose a serious threat to human health. Although toxicities of cadmium and arsenic to living organisms have been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms of cellular responses to cadmium and arsenic remain poorly understood.

The risk of petroleum spills coupled with the potential application of chemical dispersants as a spill response strategy necessitates further understanding of the fate of oil and dispersants and their interactive effects during biodegradation.

Author(s): Cheng Xu, Zhenkun Weng, Liye Zhang, Jin Xu, Maginsh Dahal, Til Bahadur Basnet, Aihua Gu

Melamine adulteration is a fraudulent practice to increase the protein content of food in some areas of the world. In 2008, many babies in China suffered from serious illness and death because of melamine-tainted powdered infant formula. The issue prompted researchers to develop methods on detecting melamine in milk powder. Optical spectroscopy technologies have been proven to be effective in identifying and quantifying food contaminants.

The aim of this study was to generate knowledge on the most important milk quality and safety attributes, including somatic cell count (SCC), total bacterial count (TBC), Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Brucella spp. antibodies and antibiotic residues in milk in the chain from farm to milk collection center (MCC) in Rwanda. In addition, we investigated farm and management factors associated with high TBC, SCC, and Salmonella counts. Raw milk was sampled at the farm and MCC levels.

Author(s): Chunxing Li, Shengyu Xie, Futian You, Xinyu Zhu, Jie Li, Xinhai Xu, Guangwei Yu, Yin Wang, Irini Angelidaki

Microorganisms are key players in the transformation of mercury into neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg). Nevertheless, this mechanism and the opposite MeHg demethylation remain poorly understood.

This study introduces an applicable colorimetric sensor array for the detection of pesticides in the vapor phase. The array consisted of six metal nanoparticles spotted on the piece of filter paper. 3D-origami pattern was used for the fabrication of a paper-based sensor to decrease the effect of the nanoparticles leaching after exposure to analytes. Exposure to pesticide aerosols caused changes in the color of the array due to the aggregation of nanoparticles.

Author(s): Cristian Rojas, José F. Aranda, Elisa Pacheco Jaramillo, Irene Losilla, Piercosimo Tripaldi, Pablo R. Duchowicz, Eduardo A. Castro

Author(s): Agnese Giacomino, Andrea Ruo Redda, Rocco Caligiuri, Paolo Inaudi, Stefania Squadrone, Maria Cesarina Abete, Ornella Abollino, Sara Morandi, Eleonora Conca, Mery Malandrino

Author(s): Masatake Fujimura, Fusako Usuki, Takamitsu Unoki

Pesticide residue analysis is critically important for ensuring food safety and regulating international trade. In a greenhouse setting, we assessed pesticide residue and exposure patterns using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and Allura Red tracer analysis. Our results show significant effects of eggplant canopy position and spray concentration on deposition parameters.

Sponges have co‐evolved for billions of years alongside several types of microorganisms, which aside from participating in the animal's diet, are mostly symbionts. Since most of the genetic repertoire in the holobiont genome is provided by microbes, it is expected that the host‐associated microbiome will be at least partially heritable. Sponges can therefore acquire their symbionts in different ways.

Cadmium chloride evoked oxidative stress‐mediated inflammation and cell death in testis of rats. Ferulic acid acts as an antioxidant protector against CdCl2‐induced reproductive toxicity via enhancing Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in rats. Abstract Here, we examined the protective effect of ferulic acid (FA) on cadmium chloride (CdCl2)‐mediated reproductive toxicity in male rats.