Research Publications (Food Safety)

Background: The food truck industry has rapidly expanded in the United States and kitchen environments can contain harmful contaminants from cooking emissions. The objective of this study was to examine the levels of aldehydes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and Particulate Matter (PM)2.5 generated from cooking process in food trucks. Methods: Area sampling was performed twice at two participating food trucks during work shifts.

Author(s): Na Chen, Xiaofeng Tang, Zhaoyang Ye, Shanshan Wang, Xianjin Xiao

In this study, the photodegradation of organophosphorus (OPs) pesticides in the honey medium was evaluated under sunlight irradiation. Some of the 22 samples collected at different sites contained OPs pesticides (Methyl parathion, Coumaphos and Fenitrothion) with an average of 8 ng/g. Moreover, three samples were found with pesticide residue levels exceeding the maximum residue limits (MRL ≥ 50 ng/g) imposed by the standard water (WHO).

Author(s): Lixin Ma, Bo Li, Yuping Liu, Xiazhong Sun, Donglei Fu, Shaojing Sun, Samit Thapa, Jialu Geng, Hong Qi, Anping Zhang, Chongguo Tian

Author(s): Z.T. Ichlas, R.A. Rustandi, M.Z. Mubarok

Author(s): Hadi Atabati, Beheshteh Abouhamzeh, Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar, Sara Sadat Javadinia, Saeed GharibianBajestanie, Ali Atamaleki, Amir Raoofi, Yadolah Fakhri, Carlos A.F. Oliveira, Amin Mousavi Khaneghah

The consumption of acrylamide through different types of food products can be correlated with cancer risk. In this study, the correlation between high oral intake of acrylamide and breast cancer risk was assessed with the aid of meta-analysis.

Author(s): Wei Cao, Shuying Geng, Jing Zou, Yingying Wang, Yanqing Guo, Yi Zhu, Junfeng Dou

In this study, the new and efficient three‐dimensional network porous aromatic frameworks materials called as Silica‐PAFs‐a, Florisil‐PAFs‐a, Silica‐PAFs‐b and Florisil‐PAFs‐b were first synthesized. The properties of materials were analyzed by five characterization methods. And they were used as adsorbents in pipette‐tip solid‐phase extraction for the effective determination of carbendazim and thiabendazole in spinach sample.

Waterbirds are considered the effective sentinels of aquatic ecosystems contamination and their feathers are widely used as non-destructive biological tools for contaminant biomonitoring. In this work, we measure and evaluate the concentrations of lead, copper and zinc in the breast feathers of three species namely Fulica atra, Anas crecca and Anas platyrhynchos in the wetland National Park Boujagh.

Author(s): Ogouyôm Herbert Iko Afé, Caroline Douny, Yénoukounmè Euloge Kpoclou, Ahmed Igout, Jacques Mahillon, Victor Anihouvi, Djidjoho Joseph Hounhouigan, Marie-Louise Scippo

The leaching behavior of five additives, including citric acid (CA), wood vinegar (WV), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), polyaspartic acid (PASP) and FeCl3, was investigated to evaluate the possibility of enhanced phytoextraction of Pennisetum sp. from cadmium-contaminated soil. FeCl3 and CA have the highest leaching potential due to the ability that could convert large amounts of mobile fractions of Cd.

Water quality degradation by organochlorine pesticides and potentially toxic elements is of worldwide concern. This research explores groundwater conditions, regarding organochlorine pesticides and potentially toxic elements, in Hopelchen, Campeche, which is located in the buffer zone of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. Unfortunately, agriculture is allowed and agrochemical use is not monitored and sanctioned.

The potential of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs) for use as topical biopesticides in agriculture was recently discussed during an OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) Conference on RNA interference (RNAi)-based pesticides. Several topics were presented and these covered different aspects of RNAi technology, its application, and its potential effects on target and non-target organisms (including both mammals and non-mammals).

Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) can promote the level of plant-absorbable phosphorus (P) in agro-ecosystems. However, little attention has been paid to PSB harboring abilities in utilizing multiple phosphorus sources and their potentials for heavy metal immobilization. In this study, we applied the strategy of stepwise acclimation by using Ca3(PO4)2, phytate, FePO4, and AlPO4 as sole P source.

Nacubactam is a novel β-lactamase inhibitor with dual mechanisms of action as an inhibitor of serine β-lactamases (classes A and C and some class D) and an inhibitor of penicillin binding protein 2 in Enterobacteriaceae. The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of intravenous nacubactam were evaluated in single- and multiple-ascending-dose, placebo-controlled studies.

Ceftobiprole is an advanced-generation broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic with potent and rapid bactericidal activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, as well as susceptible Gram-negative pathogens, including Pseudomonas sp. pathogens. In the case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ceftobiprole acts by inhibiting P. aeruginosa penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3).

Author(s): Zhiming Xiao, Ruiguo Wang, Decheng Suo, Tong Li, Xiaoou Su

Levels of amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzoylecgonine (BE), the metabolite of cocaine, were quantitated by solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) in Forester Creek in San Diego County, CA, and in raw wastewater from the region’s sewage treatment plant. Drug residues in these surface waters were detected with 100% frequency.

The recent global climate change has directly impacted major biotic and abiotic stress factors affecting crop productivity worldwide. Therefore, the need of the hour is to develop sustainable multiple stress tolerant crops through modern biotechnological approaches to cope with climate change. Hybrid proline rich proteins (HyPRPs) are the cell-wall structural proteins, which contain an N-terminal repetitive proline-rich domain and a C-terminal conserved eight-cysteine motif domain.

The development of anuran larvae from hatchling through metamorphosis is a particularly sensitive life stage that often is studied to assess adverse effects of water pollution, such as metal contamination. As an integral part of the food chain, high metal exposure and accumulation in developing anuran larvae may not only affect their survival but also pose a threat to secondary consumers.

The physicochemical parameters and 16 priority PAHs in surface water, porewater and sediment at a sawmill wastes-impacted and High-Rise study sites on the Lagos lagoon in Nigeria were assessed. Further, the embryotoxic effects of sediment organic and porewater extracts from the study sites were evaluated in Clarias gariepinus (African sharptooth catfish) embryos for 26 h. High molecular weight PAHs dominated the PAHs profile especially in the sediment.

Sewage effluent has been identified as a potential source of metal(loid) contamination in the aquatic environment. The Sydney rock oyster, Saccostrea glomerata, can accumulate most metals and is well established as a biomonitor of metals in the marine environment. To determine if Burwood Beach wastewater treatment works (WWTW) is a source of metal(loid) contamination, S.

The effect of shoot cutting was tested on cadmium, lead and zinc concentration in leaves and capitula of Erigeron annuus, an invasive species, which is considered as a potential phytoremediator. Plant material and soil were collected in the city center of Kraków, southern Poland, considered as one of the most contaminated cities in Europe.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) pose great risks to lake ecosystem and human health. Comprehensive knowledge on PAHs in lakes is critical for their risk control. 118 samples were collected from different environmental medium to study the occurrence and fluxes of 16 PAH in Lake Taihu.

This preliminary study describes the use of high resolution and accuracy mass spectrometry techniques combined with new generation chemical software products for detecting and identifying contaminants in food commodities. As a first step, the extracts of routine target analysis samples (obtained in our official laboratory responsible for food residues control) were acquired and processed with this method in order to search unknown and non-targeted contaminants in food.