Research Publications (Food Safety)

Progressive pollution due to toxic metals significantly undermines global environmental sustainability efforts. Chromium (Cr) is one of the most dangerous to human health. The use of plants to rid the environment of such pollutants “phytoremediation” proves to be a promising alternative to the current remediation methods.

Corn (Zea mays L.) is not only an important food source, but also has numerous uses, including for biofuels, fillers for cosmetics, glues, and so on. The amount of corn grown in the U.S. has significantly increased since the 1960’s and with it, the demand for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides/fungicides to enhance its production.

In recent years, pesticide residues in food have increasingly become the focus of public attention. However, the standard system of pesticide maximum residue limits in fermented food is imperfect, which can lead to potential safety risks to consumers. In this context, the aim of the study was to assess the potential effects of paclobutrazol residue on the yogurt fermentation process.

Cocoa and chocolate can contain cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) from natural and anthropogenic sources. This perspective provides background on the origin, occurrence, and factors affecting Cd and Pb levels in chocolate products as well as ongoing international efforts to mitigate Cd and Pb in these popular foods, particularly the higher Cd levels observed in some cocoa and chocolate originating from parts of Latin America.

The mining sector has great importance to the economic activity in Brazil. However, it is also responsible for several environmental impacts such as the rupture of the Fundão dam (Mariana, Brazil) that resulted in the spillage of 50 million m3 of mining tailings in the Doce River Basin. This study evaluated the acute and chronic effects of Fundão tailings on growth, development, respiration rates, swimming performance, and avoidance behavior of Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles.

Author(s): Hongbiao Cui, Lulu Shen, Xiong Yang, Shiwen Zhang, Qitao Yi, Lin Meng, Xuebo Zheng, Qiuya Wang, Jun Zhou

An analytical program for multiclass, multiresidue residue analysis to qualitatively and quantitatively determine veterinary drug compounds in game meats by LC-MS/MS has been developed and validated.

A bulky waste, oyster shell (OS), was calcinated at 400–800°C to produce Ca-rich products (OS400–OS800) to reduce the human health risk of soil cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As). Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and BET method were used to characterize OS and its calcined products.

The concentrations of zinc, copper, lead and cadmium owing to vehicles were analyzed in roadside soils during all the four seasons from Faisalabad-Gojra road (M-4) and Gojra-Jhang road (GJR) in the Punjab, Pakistan. Results indicated that all the polluted sites along the roadside had comparatively higher metal concentrations as compared to control, nevertheless, spatio-temporal variations in metal concentrations were apparent in different soil samples.

A selective and reliable method was developed and validated for the determination of 14 lipophilic pesticides in raw propolis by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) analysis. A test portion of milled sample was extracted with n-hexane followed by back extraction with acetonitrile and cleanup using EMR-Lipid and Florisil column adsorption. Matrix-matched standards were used to compensate for matrix effects.

In spite of the fact that pesticides enhanced the quality and yield of the agricultural production however do have certain serious effects on the environment. This study was carried out for isolation and molecular identification of microorganisms from water for malathion biodegradation in aquatic system. PCR analysis was used for identification of the isolated fungus. The growth kinetics of A.

Even though antimicrobial‐resistant bacteria have begun to be detected in wildlife, raising important issues related to their transmission and persistence of clinically important pathogens in the environment, little is known about the role of these bacteria on wildlife health, especially on endangered species.

A novel, facile, and robust strategy was proposed to increase the pore size and mechanical strength of cryogels. By mixing the monomers of acrylamide and 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate as the precursor, a monolithic copolymer cryogel with large interconnected pores and thick pore walls was prepared. Hydrogen bonding between the two monomers contributed to the entanglement and aggregation of the copolymers, thickening the pore walls and resulting in larger pore sizes.

Arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury contents of Ganoderma lucidum, Phellinus linteus, Umbilicaria esculenta, Trametes versicolor, Agaricus blazei, Hericium erinaciium, Paecilomyces japonica, Fuscoporia obliqua, Sarcodon imbricatu and Hypsizygus marmoreus mushroom samples from the South Korean market were analyzed using validated methods. Method validation was performed, and the limits of detection and quantification were determined to be 0.38–0.66 and 1.21–2.09 μg/kg, respectively.

Author(s): Hyuck Soo Kim, Byoung-Hwan Seo, Gary Owens, Young-Nam Kim, Jae-Hwang Lee, Mina Lee, Kwon-Rae Kim

Due to high toxicity to mammals and hazard to the ecosystem, parathion has been banned or limited for use in many countries. It is essential to ensure food safety by parathion suspecting. On-site testing, as a critical component of the food chain safe system, plays a major role in the protection of food safety and human health.

Pesticide residue and saponin content are two important factors affecting the quality of ginseng products. In this paper, the effects of four new drying processing technologies on pesticide residues and saponins in ginseng were studied. The change in pesticide residue was determined by GC and the content of ginsenoside was determined by HPLC. After the microwave treatment for 32 min, the degradation rate of pesticide residues was best.

The aim of this research was to determine concentration, spatial distribution and human health risks of four trace elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni)) in particulate matter PM10 in the mining and smelting basin, Bor, in Serbia. Based on the results, it was concluded that the air in the Bor Basin does not contain significant trace element concentrations despite mining and smelting operations.

Author(s): Su Lee Kuek, Azmil Haizam Ahmad Tarmizi, Raznim Arni Abd Razak, Selamat Jinap, Norliza Saparin, Maimunah Sanny

Author(s): Sanjay Saini, Lavi Rani, Neha Shukla, Monisha Banerjee, Debapratim Kar Chowdhuri, Naveen Kumar Gautam

Author(s): Marco Aurelio M. Freire, Rafael Rodrigues Lima, Priscila Cunha Nascimento, Walace Gomes-Leal, Antonio Pereira

It is known that the current treatment for toxoplasmosis causes side effects. Thus, it is essential to develop new therapies with reduced adverse effects while concurrently maintaining broad coverage and prophylactic therapy. Melatonin is a hormone that participates in the circadian cycle in vertebrates and has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and antitumoral functions.

Author(s): Yanan Yuan, Yehong Han, Dandan Han, Chunliu Yang, Hongyuan Yan

Author(s): Kristi Tatsi, Thomas H. Hutchinson, Richard D. Handy

Author(s): Qingtie Xiao, Yujie Wang, Qixin Lü, Huanhuan Wen, Bolun Han, Shen Chen, Xinyu Zheng, Ruiyu Lin