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Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 493

  1. Multiresidue Pesticide Analysis in Onion Using GC-MS/MS Using Modified QuEChERS Method with Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticle

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • In this research, a straightforward sample treatment for multiresidue pesticide evaluation of onion samples was developed using the solid-phase extraction/quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and secure (SPE/QuEChERS) method. The suggested technique is based on acetonitrile liquid-liquid partitioning, then follows dispersive solid-phase extraction with ZrO2 particles for extract purification. ZrO2 is synthesized via co precipitation and analyzed via XRD, FTIR, and SEM.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues
  2. Chemometric−Assisted QuEChERS Method for Multiresidue Analysis of Veterinary Drugs in Pigeon Muscle by LC-MS/MS

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Pigeon is an essential poultry with tasty meat and high protein content, and its breeding and consumption of meat have been increasing annually. Nevertheless, technical bottlenecks still exist in detecting veterinary drug residues in pigeon muscle. A rapid and sensitive method for determining 67 veterinary drugs belonging to six major groups (quinolones, sulfonamides, macrolides, hormones, tetracyclines, and insecticides) was developed in pigeon muscle.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Antibiotic residues
      • Pesticide residues
  3. Review: Sample Pretreatment and Detection Strategies for Aflatoxins in Foods

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Aflatoxins (AFs) have strong liver and kidney toxicity, teratogenic, and carcinogenic effects. They can easily contaminate foods such as grains and oilseeds, and can easily enter the human body through the food chain, posing a huge threat to human health. There is an urgent need to establish a rapid, sensitive, and accurate analysis strategy for AFs in food to protect people’s health.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  4. Development of a Competitive Lateral Flow Assay for Rapid Paraquat Detection

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Paraquat dichloride is a widely used herbicide that poses a significant threat to human health. Its prohibition in several countries highlights the need for the development of a highly sensitive device capable of detecting minimum concentrations of this herbicide in food matrices. In this study, we developed a lateral flow test strip using gold nanoparticles conjugated to anti-paraquat antibodies for the visual and quantitative detection of paraquat in food samples.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues
  5. Rapid Discrimination of Pork Contaminated with Different Pathogens by Using SERS

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes are three of the most common foodborne pathogens found in pork. SERS technology enables the rapid acquisition of molecular information by harnessing the synergistic effect of Raman scattering and enhanced substrate surface plasmonics. However, because of the similar chemical composition between bacteria and between pathogens and pork, it is difficult to discriminate pork contaminated with different pathogens.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
  6. Availability and Use of Alternative Methods for the Detection and/or Confirmation of Listeria monocytogenes in the Frame of Official Controls in Europe: an overview

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Listeriosis remains one of the most severe foodborne diseases in terms of fatality rate. Listeria monocytogenes can grow under stressful conditions and contaminate various food categories. Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 modified on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs includes both qualitative and quantitative food safety criteria on L. monocytogenes and mentions EN ISO 11290–1 Standard as the reference detection method for the qualitative criteria.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
  7. Validation of a Method Based on Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Multiclass Screening and Analysis of 59 Veterinary Drugs in Fishery Foods

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Veterinary drugs (VDs) are regulated to prevent their abuse or misuse and protect humans that consume animal-based food products from exposure to VD residues. VD residues are managed according to the maximum residue limits (MRLs) or by prohibiting the use of VDs based on their residual properties and toxicities. However, all VD residues, even those that are not managed by MRLs, in animal-based food products will be regulated for public health improvement.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Antibiotic residues
  8. Method for Determination of Multi-mycotoxins in Milk: QuEChERS Extraction Modified Followed by HPLC-FL Analysis

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The objective was the development and validation of a method for simultaneous mycotoxins determination (aflatoxins B1 — AFB1, G1 — AFG1, G2 — AFG2 and M1 — AFM1, ochratoxin — OTA, and zearalenone — ZEA) in milk by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  9. A Comparative Study of Ethylene Detection Methods in Fruit Supply Chains: a Review

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Ethylene is a primary plant hormone associated with the ripening process of fruits. Ethylene can initiate the ripening process in fruits even at sub-parts per million concentrations. Therefore, ethylene monitoring during fruit transport and storage is very important in order to ensure optimum quality control and shelf-life extension.

      • Produce Safety
      • Ethylene Sensitive
  10. Environmental Safety Assessment and Dissipation Dynamics of Pymetrozine 50% WG Residues in Paddy Ecosystem Using Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Pymetrozine, a member of the azomethine pyridine group, is gaining popularity among paddy farmers due to its anti-feeding properties against homopteran insects like planthoppers, whiteflies, and aphids on a wide range of fields, fruits, and ornamental crops.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues
  11. Navigating the UKAS Accreditation Process for Detecting Norovirus and Hepatitis A Virus in Fresh and Frozen Produce: a Case Study

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Given the urgent requirement for more laboratories to develop proficiency in detecting foodborne viruses, this case study charts the path to accreditation, demystifying the process of validating a method for detecting norovirus and hepatitis A virus in fresh produce. Securing accreditation is crucial to ensuring dependable and precise food analysis, particularly relevant for products frequently consumed raw, which are at risk of contamination by foodborne viruses.

      • Viruses
      • Hepatitis
      • Norovirus
  12. Use of Neutralizers to Improve Salmonella spp. Detection in Inhibitory Food Matrices

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The use of right sample preparation protocols is critical when analyzing challenging matrices containing inhibitory compounds inhibiting Salmonella growth during pre-enrichment step. The use of right sample preparation protocols will not only avoid a false negative result, but it can also have a huge positive impact on laboratory operations, as it is used for every type of method (cultural, ELISA, or PCR), every day in every laboratory.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  13. Determination of Antibiotic Residues in Boiler Chickens by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Antibiotics are those drugs that can be extracted from some microorganisms and they are effective against other organisms, such as bacteria, by either inhibiting the growth of bacteria or by killing them. The present study was conducted to measure the amount of various antibiotics in the local and imported broiler chickens by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (MS/Q-TOF).

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Antibiotic residues
  14. Short Communication — Stability of “Free” Norovirus RNA on Fresh Produce

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The accuracy and dependability of results generated through molecular detection of specific target sequences of RNA, commonly used for detecting viruses in food, have been extensively debated within the scientific community. Such concerns have been raised by researchers, clients, and regulators alike, highlighting the need for further investigation and clarification.

      • Viruses
      • Norovirus
  15. Metalloporphyrin-based Amphiphilic Porous Organic Polymer with Peroxidase-mimetic Activity for Colorimetric Detection of Ascorbic Acid

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Porous organic polymers (POPs) are a class of materials that combine the properties of both polymers and porosity. They are characterized by their network structure composed of repeating organic units, which form pores or cavities throughout the material. Owing to their unique features including tunable porosity, abundant accessible active sites and synthetically control ability, POPs have been widely employed in the fields of catalysis, adsorption, and biomedicine.

      • Produce Safety
      • Ethylene Sensitive
  16. Determination of Aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2 and Ochratoxin A in Dry Fermented Sausages Using a Dilute and Shoot Method and LC–MS/MS

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The presence of mycotoxins in meat and meat products can result from contaminated feed carry-over, from contamination with toxigenic molds during processing and storage, and from contaminated spices and ingredients. The occurrence of mycotoxins in dry fermented sausage is described worldwide; however, scarce information is available for Brazilian products.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  17. Fit-For-Purpose Method Development to Determine Co-Occurring Multiclass Mycotoxins in Apple and Apple Puree Samples

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Due to the impact of the climate change on mycotoxins production and their occurrence in foods, it is important to consider the potential accumulation of unexpected mycotoxins in matrices susceptible to be contaminated such as apples. In this regard, a fit-for-purpose LC–MS/MS method to determine co-occurring mycotoxins in apple purees has been proposed, considering the fungal profile isolated from stored apple fruits.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  18. An Ultrasensitive Method Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Dynamic Light Scattering for Detection of Salmonella in Milk

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The development of rapid and effective detection of pathogens is necessary to prevent bacterial infection. Herein, we constructed a novel polymerase chain reaction-dynamic light scattering (PCR-DLS) sensing assay for detecting Salmonella sensitively.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  19. Evaluation of Larger Test Portion Sizes for Escherichia coli Shiga Toxin Producer (STEC) on the Detection by Immunomagnetic Separation and Real-Time PCR in Meat and Vegetables

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the performance of the Assurance® GDS method combining immunomagnetic separation and real-time PCR for STEC detection in pooled samples (up to 375g) of vegetables and meat, and (ii) to compare its performances to that of the reference method ISO/TS-13136:2012 (25 g sample size) in artificially contaminated samples.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli
  20. Simultaneous Determination of Neonicotinoid Insecticides and Metabolites Residues in Milk and Infant Formula Milk Powder by EMR-Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • An analytical method based on enhanced matrix removal–lipid liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (EMR-LC–MS/MS) was developed for the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides and metabolites residues (imidacloprid (IMI) and its metabolites imidacloprid-urea (IMI-U), imidacloprid-olefin (IMI-O), acetamiprid (ACE) and its metabolite N-desmethyl acetamiprid (IM 2–1), dinotefuran (DIN) and its metabolite [1-methy1-3(tetrahydro-3-furylmethy1) urea (DIN-UF), thiacloprid (THIA), thiamet

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues
  21. Novel Electrochemical Sensor Based on PDA/MXene/MWCNTs/NiCo2O4 Nanocomposites for Rapid, Sensitive, and Selective Detection of Aflatoxin B1

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • This work established a novel nucleic acid aptamer sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of AFB1 (Aflatoxin B1), which has important implication for food safety. In a word, we synthesized MXene/MWCNTs/NiCo2O4 composite nanomaterials to improve the sensitivity of the aptamer sensor. The surface of the composite nanomaterials was modified with PDA (poly dopamine) in order to immobilize the NH2-cDNA-aptamer complex on the electrode surface by the Schiff base reaction.

      • Natural toxins
      • Aflatoxins
      • Mycotoxins
  22. Determination of Lead and Cadmium in Non-mineralized Raw Milk Samples Employing Extraction with Magnetic Restricted Access Carbon Nanotubes Followed by FAAS Analysis

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Lead and cadmium were determined in non-mineralized raw milk samples employing dispersive solid-phase extraction with magnetic restricted access carbon nanotubes (M-RACNTs), followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry analysis. M-RACNTs were obtained by modifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with magnetite nanoparticles and then covering with a chemically crosslinked bovine serum albumin (BSA) external layer.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Heavy Metals
  23. A Fabric Phase Sorptive Extraction Protocol Combined with Liquid Chromatography-Fluorescence Detection for the Determination of Ochratoxin in Food Samples

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • The sample preparation step is very useful in obtaining precise and accurate results. Achieving a quickly performed, inexpensive, sensitive, and accurate analytical approach for measuring extremely small amounts of a dangerous compound such as mycotoxin, while posing environmental issues, has always been crucial and important.

      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  24. Multiresidue Determination of Pesticides in Potato Tuber, Peel, and Pulp by QuEChERS and UHPLC-MS/MS

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • Pesticides have been widely used to control pests and weeds during food production or storage, but when used incorrectly, they can cause damage to human health and the environment. Thus, this study aimed to develop and validate a multiresidue method for the determination of pesticides in potatoes, as well as to evaluate the concentrations in the peel and pulp of the tuber.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues
  25. Sample Preparation Approach by In Situ Formation of Supramolecular Solvent Microextraction for Enrichment of Neonicotinoid Insecticide Residues

    • Food Analytical Methods
    • An effective microextraction, namely, in situ formation of supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) method, was investigated for the determination of neonicotinoid insecticides prior to high performance liquid chromatographic analysis. The microextraction method has been utilized for the first time in the literature for separation and preconcentration of neonicotinoid insecticides.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Pesticide residues