Research Publications (Food Safety)

The migration of eight trace elements (Fe, Sn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Cu, and Zn) was monitored for fruits canned in uncoated tinplate cans under different storage conditions until the shelf life. The levels of most of these elements significantly increased with storage time and were also affected by storage temperature. Particularly, storage at 40°C (simulating sunlight exposure of the cans) caused important release of Sn and Fe so that canned foods did not comply with regulation.

Antioxidant and anti‐proliferative activities of M. laevigeta leaf and bark extract were determined against EAC cells in the peritoneum fluid of Swiss albino mice. Morphological alteration of the treated EAC cells on florescence microscope and DNA degradation in gel electrophoresis confirmed the apoptosis induction.

Meiotic recombination ensures accurate homologous chromosome segregation during meiosis and generates novel allelic combinations among gametes. During meiosis, DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) are generated to facilitate recombination. To maintain genome integrity, meiotic DSBs must be repaired using appropriate DNA templates.

In the present study, we conducted field surveys to detect the population density of the most important invasive weed species and their associated virus vectoring aphids in crops grown under high input field (HIF) vs. low-input field (LIF) conditions, with and without fertilizers and pesticides. The most frequent invasive weed species were annual fleabane, Erigeron annua (L.), Canadian horseweed, Erigeron canadensis (L.) and Canadian goldenrod, Solidago canadensis (L.).

Nitrile hydratases have received significant interest both in the large-scale industrial production of acrylamide and nicotinamide, and the remediation of environmental contamination with nitrile-containing pollutants. Almost all known nitrile hydratases include an α-subunit (AnhA) and β-subunit (AnhB), and a specific activator protein is crucial for their maturation and catalytic activity.

Author(s): Zhengxin Xie, Ying Gan, Jun Tang, Shisuo Fan, Xiangwei Wu, Xuede Li, Haomiao Cheng, Jie Tang

Peppers are rich in health‐promoting phytochemicals, which are involved in the defense mechanisms against cancer. To select a lead variety of pepper with anti‐proliferative activity against colon cancer cells and liver cancer cells, high antioxidant activity, and high concentrations of capsaicin, flavonoids, and phenolics, we compared these attributes in nine different pepper accessions belonging to Capsicum annuum and C chinense.

Rifampin is the first-line antituberculosis drug, with Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase as the molecular target. Unfortunately, M. tuberculosis strains that are resistant to rifampin have been identified in clinical settings, which limits its therapeutic effects. In clinical isolates, S531L and D516V (in Escherichia coli) are two common mutated codons in the gene rpoB, corresponding to S456L and D441V in M. tuberculosis.

Ceftazidime-avibactam and cefiderocol are two of the latest generation β-lactam agents that possess expanded activity against highly drug-resistant bacteria, including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. Here, we show that structural changes in AmpC β-lactamases can confer reduced susceptibility to both agents. A multidrug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae clinical strain (Ent385) was found to be resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam and cefiderocol without prior exposure to either agent.

Author(s): Long Cang, Jinfeng Xing, Cun Liu, Yujun Wang, Dongmei Zhou

The distribution, seasonal variation and sources of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from suspended particulate matter (SPM) of the Aurá River, a small amazon typical river located in Northern Brazil, were determined. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis of SPM revealed a mixture of PAH from different origins and a seasonal variation of PAH primary source for the studied area. Pyrene was the dominant PAH in both studied periods.

Terpene glycosides (TGs) in the berry skins of Ecolly and Cabernet Gernischet (CG) grapes were profiled by ultra performance liquid chromatography‐quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS) and compared to that of Muscat Hamburg (MH) grapes. The aroma glycosides in grape skins were extracted by methanol, purified using Amberlite XAD‐2 resins, eluted in methanol/ethyl acetate, and analyzed by UPLC‐Q‐TOF‐MS.

Battered and breaded fish nuggets (BBFNs) were prepared by treating fish with a batter composed of wheat starch (WS) and wheat protein (WP) blends (at the ratios of 15:1, 13:1, 11:1, 9:1, and 7:1, w/w), frying at 170 °C (40 s) followed by 190 °C (30 s). Fried BBFNs were evaluated for moisture and fat contents, color, shrinkage, acrylamide content, and fat distribution.

In this paper, we report leaching of precious and scattered metals such as gold (Au), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and lead (Pb) from printed circuit boards of scrap mobile phones by hydrometallurgical process using inorganic acid, organic acid and base. The amount of metals leached by different leachants are quantified using atomic absorption spectroscopy.

Mobile genetic elements, including plasmids, drive the evolution of prokaryotic genomes through the horizontal transfer of genes allowing genetic exchange between bacteria. Moreover, plasmids carry accessory genes, which encode functions that may offer an advantage to the host. Thus, it is expected that in a certain ecological niche, plasmids are enriched in accessory functions, which are important for their hosts to proliferate in that niche.

by Elspeth Ready, Patrick Habecker, Roberto Abadie, Bilal Khan, Kirk Dombrowski

Surfactants are substances applicable in the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soil. This study aims to investigate the effects of surfactant mixtures, composed of nonionic, anionic, and cationic surfactants, on the removal efficiency of Cd and Zn by mixture design (MD). Central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was integrated to optimize the conditions of contaminated soil washing.

BACKGROUND Central kitchen is a new trend in food industry where centralized preparation and processing of fresh foods as well as distribution of finished or semi‐finished products to catering chains or related units take place. Fresh foods processed by a central kitchen mainly include fruit and vegetables, meat, aquatic products and edible fungi; these foods have high water activities and thermal sensitivities and must be processed with care.

Author(s): Yamdeu Joseph Hubert Galani, Michael Houbraken, Abukari Wumbei, Joseph Fovo Djeugap, Daniel Fotio, Yun Yun Gong, Pieter Spanoghe

The acrylamide content and color formation (CIE L*, a* and b*) of hazelnuts which processed at different roasting temperatures of 130 °C, 150 °C, 160 °C and 170 °C with roasting time for 15 and 30 min were evaluated. Acrylamide contents of roasted hazelnuts were measured by means of Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC).

The growth response, tolerance, and enrichment characteristics of six ornamental species, Chlorophytum comosum, Calendula officinalis, Iris lacteal, Belamcanda chinensis, Saponaria officinalis, and Polygonum lapathifolium were studied under hydroponic culture with lead (Pb) concentrations ranging from 0 to 1000 mg/L. The results showed that the growth of the tested ornamental species under Pb stress was inhibited.

by Emily E. Lynch, Helen C. S. Meier

Author(s): Hemily Batista-Silva, Keyla Rodrigues, Kieiv Resende Sousa de Moura, Glen Van Der Kraak, Christelle Delalande-Lecapitaine, Fátima Regina Mena Barreto Silva

The effects of atmospheric precipitation on heavy metal accumulation and deactivation amendment in wheat surrounding a lead smelter were studied. The total precipitation amounts of Cd, Pb, and As in an in situ test were noticeably more than their amounts in an off-site test over the entire growing period of wheat. In the same soil-wheat system, the heavy metal concentrations of wheat leaves in the off-site test were significantly lower than those in the in situ test near the lead smelter.

Wetlands are common sites of active Hg methylation by anaerobic microbes; however, the amount of methylmercury produced varies greatly, as Hg methylation is dependent upon both the availability of Hg and the composition and activity of the microbial community involved.