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The collection of occurrence data on Alternaria toxins in food and feed across the European countries is required since 2012 by the European Commission, endorsing the relevant scientific opinion by the EFSA CONTAM Panel. Within this framework, occurrence data for Alternaria toxins (Alternariol, Alternariol monomethyl ether, Tenuazonic acid, Tentoxin, and Altenuene) in 97 samples of cereal foods, tomato products, and sunflower seeds have been provided as requested by the Italian national monitoring programme (years 2017–2020). To this purpose, an LC-MS/MS method was set up and validated, obtaining fit for purpose sensitivity, recoveries (70–120%), repeatability (≤20%) and within laboratory reproducibility (≤26%). Occurrence data showed that oilseeds were the most contaminated food group with levels of Tenuazonic acid up to 16752 µg/kg and Tentoxin up to 570 µg/kg, whereas for the other mycotoxin/commodities combinations, the percentage of left censored data (below the limit of quantification) ranged from 74 to 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Grain consumption has been associated with brain carcinogenesis in earlier studies, however, no data are available examining the association between refined grains consumption and risk of glioma. The current study was done to investigate the association between refined grains consumption and risk of glioma in Iranian adults. Methods: This hospital-based case-control study was performed on 128 pathologically confirmed cases with glioma and 256 age- and sex-matched controls in Tehran, Iran. Dietary intakes of participants including refined grains consumption were collected using a validated Block-format 123-item detailed food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Refined grains were considered as the sum of white breads, pasta, rice, boiled and fried potato, sweets, and cookies. Results: A significant positive association was found between refined grains consumption and glioma (OR: 3.51, 95% CI: 1.97–6.26, Ptrend <0.001). This association did not change after adjustment for energy intake (OR: 4.30, 95% CI: 2.27–8.15, Ptrend <0.001). After controlling for potential confounders, those in the top tertile of refined grains consumption were significantly more likely to have glioma than those in the bottom tertile (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.38–6.17, Ptrend = 0.007). This significant association remained unchanged, even after further adjustment for other dietary variables (OR: 2.54, 95% CI: 1.15–5.63, Ptrend = 0.02) and BMI (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.12–5.53, Ptrend = 0.03). Conclusion: We found a significant positive association between refined grains consumption and odds of glioma. Further prospective cohort studies are needed to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issue of assessing the safety of food products that are traditional for the Ukrainian consumer (bakery products and wheat flakes). The relevance of the work is due to the fact that safety is an important indicator of consumer properties that all food products should have. The biological methods are widely used, including biosensor technologies and biotestingto assess the safety of food products. Biotesting is one of the research methods used to determine the degree of influence of chemicals potentially hazardous to living organisms by registering changes in biologically significant indicators (test functions) of research test objects with subsequent assessment of their condition in accordance with the selected toxicity criterion. The work assessesthe organoleptic indicators of the test samples. As a result, it was established that the samples fully comply with the requirements of the regulatory documentation, except for sample № 7 in which dampness and an off-taste are felt; this may indicate non-compliance with the storage or sale conditions. The safety of bakery products and wheat flakes was assessed using the Colpoda Steinii ciliate test object. It was established that the test samples did not contain toxic substances, and in the sample № 7 – wheat flakes purchased by weight on the market, the death of most of the Colpoda Steinii occurred within 10 minutes. This indicates its insignificant toxicity and the inadmissibility of further sale of such a product to the population. The second method was used to test the lethality of Daphnia Magna Straus (Crustacea).The results showed that in samples № 1 – 6 the number of dead Daphnia corresponds to the "non-toxic" indicator, but in sample No. 7 the number of dead Daphnia was 25%, which indicates the toxicity of this product. The third method was carried out according to the method based on the non-destructive biocrystallization method. It was established that samples 1 and 2 are characterized by the most symmetric biocrystallogram, which indicates their higher degree of organicity, which, in our opinion, is determined by a smaller share of external negative impact on the product and high-quality raw materials that were used in the production of these samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conventional electrochemical detection in food samples often suffers from low stability and poor reproducibility. The construction of ratiometric sensor is regarded as an effective means to overcome the issues. Herein, poly-curcumin (p-CCM)-Multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) was constructed as a novel rationmetric sensing material for detection of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in grain samples. Under the synergistic effect of MWCNTs and the adsorption capacity of LDHs, the p-CCM/MWCNTs/LDHs can significantly enhance the electrochemical responses of heavy metals. In the differential pulse voltammetry test, the ratio of oxidation peak currents between heavy metal ions and curcumin was directly proportional to the concentration of heavy metal ions. This has formed the basis of a new ratiometric electrochemical sensor for the detection of the levels of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in grain products. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection for Cd2+ and Pb2+ were found to be 0.61 μg mL−1 and 0.74 μg mL−1, respectively. It is worth mentioning that the method was additionally utilized to detect Cd2+ and Pb2+ in rice and flour samples. The satisfactory recovery outcomes in both samples demonstrated minimal interference of the food matrix with the obtained ratiometric sensor. In this work, a CCM-based ratiometric electrochemical sensor was presented, which could potentially replace the widely used ferrocene-based ratiometric electrochemical sensor, thereby enhancing the exploration of electrode materials for ratiometric electrochemical sensors. [Display omitted] • Curcumin was composited with CNTs/LDHs to form an ratiometric electrochemical sensing interface by a simple and wild method. • Curcumin-based ratiometric electrochemical sensor was established for the first time and utilized for Pb2+ and Cd2+ sensing. • The method was applied to detect Pb2+ and Cd2+ in cereal samples with satisfactory LOD and recoveries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review presents an overview of the state-of-art on uses of Lupinus mutabilis. This valuable legume is cheap, eco-friendly, has good taste and could be used to increase the protein content and to improve the fat and protein profile of more than fifty processed and fresh products (i.e. spaghetti, lasagne, snacks, bread, hamburgers, sweets, soups, and salads). L. mutabilis might also be used to prepare meat, milk and yoghurt substitutes with good sensory evaluation. Sensory evaluation of specific fermented sausage and jelly ranked better than the control. Specific L. mutabilis spaghetti had similar rheological behaviour like the control. Bread with 10% of L. mutabilis flour had a protein efficiency radio (76%) higher than the control (28%) and similar acceptability. L. mutabilis jelly could reduce postprandial glucose in people with non-insulin dependent diabetes and L. mutabilis purée could be eaten by people with celiac disorders (especially babies). Data on each product is critically evaluated to infer conclusions and to make suggestions to improve the sensory, rheological and nutritional quality of lupin products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel electrochemical probe PB@ZIF-8/PDA/IgG was proposed. • The advantages of PB, ZIF-8 and PDA collaborated to enhance detection sensitivity. • The developed immunosensor had a detection limit of 0.0186 pg mL−1. • Proposed immunosensor was used for detection of deoxynivalenol in grain products. The presence of deoxynivalenol (DON) in grains poses a threat to human health, which is critical for sensitive detection of DON. In this electrochemical immunosensor, zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) loaded with Prussian blue (PB) nanoparticles was coated by polydopamine (PDA) as a redox probe. The high porosity of ZIF-8, the unique electrochemical activity of PB and the outstanding electrical conductivity of PDA improved the sensitivity of the immunosensor. Under the optimized conditions, the peak current in differential pulse voltammetry displayed a good linear relationship over DON concentrations in a range of 0.1–5000 pg mL−1 with a detection limit of 0.0186 pg mL−1. In addition, the immunosensor also had good selectivity and stability. Good recoveries of 85.67 to 118.00 % have been achieved for the detection of DON in spiked grain products. This new strategy exhibits great potential for simple and rapid detection of DON in grain and feed products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Controlled germination of wheat grain using low-frequency ultrasonic treatment. • Germinating exposed to ultrasound intensifies the accumulation of γ-aminobutyric acid and increases the AOA of wheat grain products. • Whole-wheat flour made from germinated wheat when exposed to ultrasound showed a high nutritional value. The use of ultrasound to intensify the germination process of Triticum aestivum L. wheat was studied. This method of controlled germination can be used in several sectors of food industry, in particular in bakery. The effect of low-frequency ultrasound (20 kHz) at different intensities and duration on the germination process of Triticum aestivum L. wheat was systematically studied. We have found that 3-minute processing at 227 W/l output reduces the duration of wheat grain germination by 25% (12 ± 2 h) compared to the control samples. The use of ultrasound stimulated γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis (18.9 ± 0.5 mg/100 g), increased the antioxidant activity (AOA) (2.86 ± 0.2 mg/g Trolox equivalents) and the amount of flavonoids (0.19 ± 0.03 mg QE/g). The SEM analysis of powder particles of whole-wheat flour made from wheat germinated with ultrasound exposure showed densely packed aggregates of protein matrix. To sum up, controlled ultrasound during wheat grain germination increases the amount of GABA and AOA. The whole-wheat flour is useful for food enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following up transfer of strontium from soil to plants requires determination of isotope in the surface layer of soil and a chosen plant. The most endangered food products are plants including commonly grown grain, which constitutes a basic feeding component for both people and animals. Indeed large amounts of Cs, Sr get into organisms of people and animals with the food, therefore determination of radioactivity of elements in food products and animal fodder is very essential. Choice of proper diet allows to limit the level of human organism denaturation. The aim of this paper was to study relocation of Sr, Cs, K isotopes from soil to grain and then from grain to food products. There were investigated soil, wheat, barley, groats, flour, macaroni and breakfast flakes. Based on the obtained results there were calculated effective weighted doses [nSv] from consumption of 1 kg of a product for different age groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Cadmium and iron are antagonistic elements in the sense that they produce different effects in the human body. Both elements have to be determined routinely in grain products, cadmium because of its toxicity, and iron because all grain products, according to Brazilian law, have to contain a minimum of 42mgkg−1 Fe to combat anemia. A routine screening method has been developed for the quasi simultaneous determination of cadmium and iron using high-resolution continuum source electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and direct solid sampling. The primary absorption line at 228.802nm has been used for Cd, and an adjacent secondary line at 228.726nm for the determination of Fe. Various chemical modifiers have been investigated, and a mixture of tungsten and iridium, applied as a permanent modifier, showed the best performance; it stabilized Cd up to a pyrolysis temperature of 700°C and did not over-stabilize Fe. Two atomization temperatures were used sequentially, 1700°C for Cd and 2600°C for Fe, because of their significantly different volatilities. The characteristic masses obtained were 0.9pg for Cd and 1.2ng for Fe. The limits of detection (3σ, n =10) were 0.6μgkg−1 for Cd and 0.5mgkg−1 for Fe. The relative standard deviation ranged from 3 to 7% for Cd and from 4 to 13% for Fe, which is satisfactory for the purpose. The accuracy of the method was confirmed by the analysis of three certified reference materials; the results were in agreement with the certified values at a 95% confidence interval. The Cd content in the investigated grain products was between 0.9 and 10.5μgkg−1, but most of them did not contain the required minimum amount of iron. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]