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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose an emerging environmental risk impacting food products and ecosystems. This study analyzes over 150,000 entries from food safety authorities and scientific publications from 2017 onwards. Our findings show that fish & seafood, and biota have the highest PFAS concentrations due to environmental contamination and bioaccumulation. Surface water samples also frequently contain PFAS, raising concerns about long-term ecological and human health effects. Comprehensive strategies are essential to mitigate these risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite recommendations to perform esophageal biopsies during esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) for esophageal food impaction to evaluate for eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), endoscopists often forgo biopsies. There are minimal data on the risks of biopsies in this setting. Aims: To determine the safety of performing biopsies during EGD for food impaction. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to University of North Carolina Hospitals from 2014 to 2021 with endoscopically confirmed food impaction. Data were abstracted from the medical records. Baseline clinical characteristics, procedural details, and adverse events were compared between patients who did and did not undergo biopsy. Adverse events were classified as esophageal (mucosal tear, bleeding, perforation) or extra-esophageal (aspiration, respiratory compromise, hypotension, arrhythmia). Results: Of 188 patients who underwent EGD for food impaction, 73 (39%) had biopsies taken. Older and non-White patients were less likely to be biopsied. None of the Black patients had biopsies taken. Only 2 (2.7%) of the 73 biopsied patients had an adverse event, and neither was related to the biopsies. Patients who were biopsied were less likely to experience adverse events. There were no differences in re-admission, ICU admission, or 30-day mortality between patients who were and were not biopsied. Conclusions: Esophageal biopsies remain underperformed during EGD for food impaction, especially in certain patient populations. Esophageal biopsies at the time of food impaction are unlikely to cause adverse events. Safety concerns should not preclude biopsies, and biopsies should be performed in the absence of extenuating circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetoelastic biosensors have emerged as a promising technology for the sensitive and label-free detection of a wide range of biological analytes. These biosensors use the magnetoelastic effect, which describes how the mechanical properties of magnetostrictive materials change in response to a magnetic field. This effect is utilized to detect biological analytes by immobilizing specific recognition elements, such as antibodies or nucleic acids, on the magnetoelastic material's surface. The binding of target analytes to the recognition elements induces a mass change, leading to a shift in the resonance frequency of the magnetoelastic material. Magnetoelastic biosensors find applications across various fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. In medical diagnostics, they offer rapid and sensitive capabilities for detecting pathogens, biomarkers, and toxins. For environmental monitoring, they demonstrate the ability to detect pollutants and heavy metals. Furthermore, in ensuring food safety and quality, magnetoelastic biosensors detect allergens, pathogens, and contaminants effectively. Ongoing research and technological advancements suggest that these biosensors hold great potential for revolutionizing various fields, including healthcare, environmental monitoring, and food safety, contributing to improved disease diagnosis, environmental protection, and public health. This review article provides an overview of the principles, fabrication methods, diagnosis, bacterial density, food, and agricultural applications of magnetoelastic biosensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ternary I-III-VI quantum dots, unlike traditional binary counterparts, offer advantages like low toxicity, cadmium-free composition, tunable electronic properties, and near-infrared light emission, making them increasingly popular for their cost-effectiveness and versatile applications in light emission. In this study, monodispersive, water-soluble, highly emissive CuInS2@ZnS quantum dots were synthesized using cysteine and threonine as ligands by a simple one-pot solution method. By adjusting, the ratio of cysteine to threonine to 1:5 and the heating time during the synthesis process to 40 min, CuInS2@ZnS quantum dots achieved the highest fluorescence intensity. Then, CuInS2@ZnS quantum dots were applied for ciprofloxacin (CIP) detection in food sample, showing a linear range of 2–18 μg/ml and a lowest detection limit of 0.28 μg/ml. The fluorescent probe was successfully established by quenching process as CIP concentration increasing, due to photoinduced electron transfer. Experimental results demonstrated the detection method has high sensitivity and good selectivity. We, then utilized smartphones to visually distinguish CIP concentrations based on the colors emitted by the CuInS2@ZnS quantum dots under UV light. The method was finally effectively to detect residual CIP in porcine kidneys, with recoveries of 92%–98%. This approach has promising potential for enhancing food safety testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring accurate classification of rice as either cooked or dry is vital for food safety, as improperly stored or cooked rice contain harmful bacteria, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and monitoring food safety standards. In the field of image analysis and food classification, classifying dry and cooked rice samples using photographs is an interesting but difficult task. The main challenge stems from the minute visual variations between cooked and dry rice, which has not always displayed distinct traits that are easily observable by machines. Hence, various machine learning algorithms were implemented to effectively mitigate this issue. However, the existing works have not analysed the physicochemical characteristics due to non-destructive type of experimentation method with image processing. To overcome this issue, this work develops the Classification and Regression Tree (CART) of Decision Tree Learning method for classifying the rice grain samples as dry or cooked based on the physicochemical characteristics such as morphological, texture and color features, which in turn gain an exhaustive facts of rice quality in diverse state. Initially, the images are captured, pre-processed and the features are extracted. From the extracted features, the rice samples are classified as dry and cooked using DT and the results are compared with the existing algorithms like K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). The comparative analysis of these classification algorithms infers the outperformance of the DT learning model under morphological, texture and color features in terms of accuracy, error, precision, recall and F-score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates have been characterized as endocrine disruptors and migrated from plastic products for food use. The migration of five phthalates: di‐butylphthalate (DBP), butyl‐benzyl‐phthalate (BBP), bis(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP), di‐isononylphthalate (DINP) and di‐isodecylphthalate (DIDP), from various plastic products for food use into different food simulant (3% acetic acid, 10% ethyl alcohol and oil) through different polymer coating [(polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PETE)] was studied. This study showed that phthalates are found in all plastic products for food use that are common in Turkey. DBP, DINP and DIDP were not detected or detected at lower levels than their limit of quantification (LOQ) values in all analyzed samples. The results showed that DEHP was the predominant phthalate in only acetic acid and ethyl alcohol food simulants, followed by BBP, found in only samples analyzed in ethyl alcohol simulants. The concentration of DEHP in the samples, higher than the LOQ value, was within 5.23–8.89 µg/kg, while BBP was only detected in ethyl alcohol simulant, ranging between 5.31 to 6.49 µg/kg. However, the concentration of DEHP and BBP did not exceed their specific migration limits established by Regulation of the Commission (EU) No. 10/2011: 0.6 mg/kg for DEHP and 6 mg/kg for BBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites produced by fungi, and they are deemed the most perilous mycotoxin and food safety predicament. The exposure of humans to mycotoxins transpires either directly through the consumption of contaminated agricultural commodities or indirectly through the ingestion of items derived from animals that have been nourished with tainted substances of animal origin. To ensure the detoxification of AFs in animal and plant food products and to mitigate the risks they pose to public health and the economy, diverse techniques (physical, chemical, and biological) have been subject to scrutiny. By altering and eradicating the molecular structure of the toxin, all of these approaches impede its transmission to the digestive system and potentially diminish the accessibility of toxins to the target tissue, ultimately eliminating them. Given the pervasive predicaments attributed to the contamination of foods and feeds by AFs, it is of utmost importance to urgently devise cost-effective and appropriate strategies to combat this hazard. This review highlights the concept of AFs, definitions, and benefits of postbiotics and their biological role in the detoxification of AFs, as well as their benefits in the food-pharmaceutical industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food industry has been developing new products with health benefits, extended shelf life, and without chemical preservation. Bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains have been evaluated for food fermentation to prevent contamination and increase shelf life. In this study, potentially probiotic LAB strains, Lactiplantibacillus (Lb.) plantarum ST8Sh, Lacticaseibacillus (Lb.) casei SJRP38, and commercial starter Streptococcus (St.) thermophilus ST080, were evaluated for their production of antimicrobial compounds, lactic acid and enzyme production, carbohydrate assimilation, and susceptibility to antibiotics. The characterization of antimicrobial compounds, the proteolytic activity, and its inhibitory property against Listeria (List.) monocytogenes and Staphylococcus (Staph.) spp. was evaluated in buriti and passion fruit-supplemented fermented milk formulations (FMF) produced with LAB strains. Lb. plantarum ST8Sh was found to inhibit List. monocytogenes through bacteriocin production and produced both L(+) and D(−) lactic acid isomers, while Lb. casei SJRP38 mainly produced L(+) lactic acid. The carbohydrate assimilation profiles were compatible with those usually found in LAB. The potentially probiotic strains were susceptible to streptomycin and tobramycin, while Lb. plantarum ST8Sh was also susceptible to ciprofloxacin. All FMF produced high amounts of L(+) lactic acid and the viability of total lactobacilli remained higher than 8.5 log CFU/mL during monitored storage period. Staph. aureus ATCC 43300 in fermented milk with passion fruit pulp (FMFP) and fermented milk with buriti pulp (FMB), and Staph. epidermidis KACC 13234 in all formulations were completely inhibited after 14 days of storage. The combination of Lb. plantarum ST8Sh and Lb. casei SJRP38 and fruit pulps can provide increased safety and shelf-life for fermented products, and natural food preservation meets the trends of the food market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter is a major foodborne and zoonotic pathogen, causing severe human infections and imposing a substantial economic burden on global public health. The ongoing spread and emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains across various fields exacerbate therapeutic challenges, raising the incidence of diseases and fatalities. Medicinal plants, renowned for their abundance in secondary metabolites, exhibit proven efficacy in inhibiting various foodborne and zoonotic pathogens, presenting sustainable alternatives to ensure food safety. This review aims to synthesize recent insights from peer-reviewed journals on the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter species, elucidate the in vitro antibacterial activity of medicinal plant compounds against Campylobacter by delineating underlying mechanisms, and explore the application of these compounds in controlling Campylobacter in food. Additionally, we discuss recent advancements and future prospects of employing medicinal plant compounds in food products to mitigate foodborne pathogens, particularly Campylobacter. In conclusion, we argue that medicinal plant compounds can be used as effective and sustainable sources for developing new antimicrobial alternatives to counteract the dissemination of MDR Campylobacter strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouted seeds and microgreens are emerging as innovative specialty raw salad crops, valued for their health-promoting properties. However, the risk of foodborne illnesses associated with microbial contamination in microgreens underscores the need for effective sanitization in their production. This study explores using hydrolates, by-products of essential oil distillation from six plants, as natural sanitizers in alfalfa microgreen production. The research investigates their impact on seed germination, antimicrobial activity, and sensory attributes. Results revealed that oregano, fennel, lavender, and lemon catmint hydrolates decrease alfalfa seed germination, while peppermint and hop hydrolates have no significant impact. Peppermint and fennel hydrolates demonstrate notable efficacy in antimicrobial testing. Sensory analysis indicates differences in odour and flavour, with peppermint, oregano, and lavender receiving high scores. According to the results, peppermint hydrolate can be considered a favourable option for alfalfa micro sprout production, contributing to sustainable and organic approaches in urban agriculture and underlining the importance of natural sanitizers for food safety. Highlights: Micro sprouts are prevalent raw salad crops with functional properties. Alfalfa sprouting was done in water or six selected hydrolates during 10 days. Peppermint, oregano, fennel, hop, lavender and lemon catmint hydrolates were used. Peppermint hydrolate showed the highest antimicrobial and sensory potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey is known for its high nutritional value and is used both as a sweetener and as a medicine. However, owing to high demand and low supply, honey adulteration has become a global concern. Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) is an important quality indicator that exists in trace amounts but accounts for a significant portion of the sugar content in honey. According to the International Honey Commission and Codex Alimentarius Commission of the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and European Union, HMF levels ≥ 40 mg/kg (≥ 80 mg/kg in tropical countries) are considered harmful to humans. This review investigated the levels of HMF in commercial acacia honey from various countries worldwide. I selected 28 studies reporting on acacia honey, the utilization of HMF as a quality indicator, range and mean values for HMF, mean values for reducing sugar (total fructose and glucose), and acidity and moisture results. Most studies reported that the levels of HMF and other important factors were within the legal limit—only a few samples in four of the 28 studies had HMF levels higher than the legal limit. In conclusion, current evidence indicates that commercial acacia honey undergoes limited adulteration and maintains a high quality, in accordance with regulatory guidelines. It is necessary to maintain honey quality during harvest and storage.Article Highlights: Hydroxymethylfurfural is a key quality parameter for commercial Acacia honey sold worldwide Most studies report good quality honey products, based on various factors Storge time, conditions, and adulteration are important drivers of HMF content [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface water pollution is a critical and urgent global issue that demands immediate attention. Surface water plays a crucial role in supporting and sustaining life on the earth, but unfortunately, till now, we have less understanding of its spatial and temporal dynamics of discharge and storage variations at a global level. The contamination of surface water arises from various sources, classified into point and non-point sources. Point sources are specific, identifiable origins of pollution that release pollutants directly into water bodies through pipes or channels, allowing for easier identification and management, e.g., industrial discharges, sewage treatment plants, and landfills. However, non-point sources originate from widespread activities across expansive areas and present challenges due to its diffuse nature and multiple pathways of contamination, e.g., agricultural runoff, urban storm water runoff, and atmospheric deposition. Excessive accumulation of heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, chlorination by-products, pharmaceutical products in surface water through different pathways threatens food quality and safety. As a result, there is an urgent need for developing and designing new tools for identifying and quantifying various environmental contaminants. In this context, chemical and biological sensors emerge as fascinating devices well-suited for various environmental applications. Numerous chemical and biological sensors, encompassing electrochemical, magnetic, microfluidic, and biosensors, have recently been invented by hydrological scientists for the detection of water pollutants. Furthermore, surface water contaminants are monitored through different sensors, proving their harmful effects on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practice of preserving and adding value to food dates back to over 10,000 BCE, when unintentional microbial-driven chemical reactions imparted flavor and extended the shelf life of fermented foods. The process evolved, and with the urbanization of society, significant shifts in dietary habits emerged, accompanied by sporadic food poisoning incidents. The repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic have intensified the search for antibiotic alternatives owing to the rise in antibiotic-resistant pathogens, emphasizing the exploration of probiotic-origin antimicrobial peptides to alleviate human microbiome collateral damage. Often termed 'molecular knives', these peptides outstand as potent antimicrobials due to their compatibility with innate microflora, amenability to bioengineering, target specificity, versatility and rapidity in molecular level mode of action. This review centres on bacteriocins sourced from lactic acid bacteria found in ethnic fermented foods, accentuating their desirable attributes, technological applications as nanobiotics and potential future applications in the modern context of ensuring food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigated Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis from food vendors in Ondo State, Nigeria. Methods: A comprehensive whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of Bacillus genomes, including genome assembly, plasmid prediction, species identification, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) gene identification, virulence gene identification, and multilocus sequencing typing, was conducted. Results: The genome assembly revealed a B. cereus genome with 87 contigs, a length of 5,798,917 base pairs, and a GC content of 34.79%, whereas B. subtilis had a genome length of 4,238,143 bp and was composed of 253 contigs with a contig L50 of 24, a contig N50 of 55,053, and a GC content of 43.14904%. Plasmid prediction revealed the absence of prominent plasmids in the assembled B. cereus genome, whereas the repUS12 plasmid was recognized with an identity of less than 95.63% for the B. subtilis genome. Species identification via the average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculation confirmed that Bacillus cereus had a 98.97% ANI value, whereas a 98.39% ANI value was confirmed for B. subtilis WAUSV36. AMR genes were identified, with virulence genes such as the alo, cytK, and hbl genes also detected in B. cereus, whereas clpX, codY, purA, and purB genes were detected in B. subtilis. Multiple-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that B. cereus belongs to sequence type 73 with 100% identity, identifying housekeeping gene alleles, including glp_13, gmk_8, and ilv_9, whereas B. subtilis belongs to sequence type 130, with the ilvD gene showing a perfect match and the highest allele length of 471 for the housekeeping genes identified. Conclusions: This detailed WGS analysis provides valuable insights into the genetic composition, potential virulence factors, and resistance profiles of B. cereus and B. subtilis, enhancing the understanding of their pathogenicity and epidemiology. The genomic analysis of B. cereus and B. subtilis revealed potential genomic applications in the context of food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kojic acid (KA) has gained significant attention due to its widespread use in the food and cosmetics industries. However, concerns about its potential carcinogenic effects have heightened the need for sensitive detection methods. This study introduces a fluorescence-based optical sensor for the quantification of KA in food samples, utilizing fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) synthesized from pomegranate peel via a hydrothermal method. The Stern–Volmer plot demonstrated a linear response for KA in the range of 120 to 1200 µM, with a Pearson correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9999 and. The sensor exhibited a detection limit of 30 ± 0.04 µM and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 90 ± 0.14 µM. Application of the developed method to soy sauce and vinegar samples yielded accurate KA determinations, with recoveries of 103.11 ± 0.96% and 104.45 ± 2.15%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of the proposed sensor for practical applications in food quality and safety assessment, offering valuable insights into the presence of KA in food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mercury is one of the most toxic pollutants that has drawn the attention of scientists. This study investigates the phytoremediation capabilities of Vigna radiata L. in conjunction with microbial biostimulators. The inoculated seeds were cultivated in soil under controlled greenhouse conditions. The concentration of Hg, biomass, and photosynthetic pigments was investigated under amendment factor including EDTA, bacterial, fungal (Mycorrhiza and Trichoderma), biochar, and combined levels, as well as the pollution factor with three levels of HgCl2 as two factorial experiments. Results showed that Plant Growth-Promoting Microorganisms (PGPMs) influenced mercury absorption and distribution in different plant organs. Aside from biochar, all stimulators increased the plant's Hg concentration. Although EDTA greatly increased mercury accumulation in plants, it reduced biomass. Fungal and bacterial treatments increased total mercury in the plant but decreased its concentration in the leaves. The combination of bacteria and fungi resulted in the highest mercury absorption, while the biochar in combination with PGPMs produced the greatest biomass. Analysis of mercury concentration in seeds indicated that V radiata effectively prevented its contamination in seeds. The results disclosed that microbial combinations of bacteria and fungi could increase the plant's potential to cope with heavy metal pollution. This improvement is due to the different roles of these two organisms, like nitrogen fixation by bacteria and phosphorus absorption by mycorrhiza fungi. Moreover, biochar as a soil amendment and microorganism carrier was noticed. Finally, considering the plant's inherent capacity to stabilize mercury in the roots, phytostabilization with the benefit of combined levels of biochar and microorganisms can be introduced as the best approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing concern about chemical exposure from textiles, our study examines the risks of dermal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), bisphenol B (BPB) and bisphenol F (BPF) from conventional and recycled textiles for adults, aiming to obtain new data, assess exposure, and evaluate the impact of washing on bisphenol levels. A total of 57 textile samples (33 from recycled and 24 from conventional material) were subjected to ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) followed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis (UHPLC-MS/MS). The BPA and BPS concentrations varied widely (BPA: < 0.050 to 625 ng/g, BPS: 0.277–2,474 ng/g). The median BPA content in recycled textiles (13.5 ng/g) was almost twice as high as that of 7.66 ng/g in conventional textiles. BPS showed a median of 1.85 ng/g in recycled textiles and 3.42 ng/g in conventional textiles, indicating a shift from BPA to BPS in manufacturing practices. Simulated laundry experiments showed an overall reduction in bisphenols concentrations after washing. The study also assessed potential health implications via dermal exposure to dry and sweat-wet textiles compared to a tolerable daily intake (TDI) of 0.2 ng/kg bw/day for BPA set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Exposure from dry textiles remained below this threshold, while exposure from wet textiles often exceeded it, indicating an increased risk under conditions that simulate sweating or humidity. By finding the widespread presence of bisphenols in textiles, our study emphasises the importance of being aware of the potential risks associated with recycling materials as well as the benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dual-emission ratiometric fluorescence sensor (CDs@CdTe@MIP) with a self-calibration function was successfully constructed for AMO detection. In the CDs@CdTe@MIP system, non-imprinted polymer-coated CDs and molecule-imprinted polymer-coated CdTe quantum dots were used as the reference signal and response elements, respectively. The added AMO quenched the fluorescence of the CdTe quantum dots, whereas the fluorescence intensity of the CDs remained almost unchanged. The AMO concentration was monitored using the fluorescence intensity ratio (log(I647/I465)0/(I647/I465)) to reduce interference from the testing environment. The sensor with a low detection limit of 0.15 μg/L enabled detection of the AMO concentration within 6 min. The ratiometric fluorescence sensor was used to detect AMO in spiked pork samples; it exhibited a high recovery efficiency and relative standard deviation (RSD) of 97.94–103.70% and 3.77–4.37%, respectively. The proposed highly sensitive and selective platform opens avenues for sensitive, reliable, and rapid determination of pharmaceuticals in the environment and food safety monitoring using ratiometric sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the first time in Iran, in this study, the amount of 19 trace elements in some types of commonly consumed Iranian fruits (in their peel and pulp) was evaluated by ICP-OES (Inductively coupled plasma—optical emission spectrometry) method. Based on the outcomes, the highest and lowest average detected elements in all fruits samples were related to (Al) aluminum (1842.18) and (V) vanadium (0.28) ppm, respectively. Mercury (Hg) and antimony (Sb) were not detected (ND) in any samples. Also, the maximum mean of elements in quince, lemon, grapefruit, kiwi, orange south, orange north and tangerine samples was related to(Fe) iron (2048.32 ppm), (Zn)zinc(753.45 ppm), Fe (1056.33 ppm), Al (9794.41 ppm), Zn (717.78 ppm), Fe (1334.87 ppm) and Fe (974.93 ppm), respectively. Furthermore, our outcomes revealed, the highest mean of elements in kiwi peel, kiwi pulp, orange North peel, orange North pulp, orange South peel, orange South pulp, quince peel, quince pulp, grapefruit peel, grapefruit pulp, lemon peel, lemon pulp, tangerine peel and tangerine pulp was related to Al (17967.79 ppm), Al (1621.03 ppm), Fe (1350.01 ppm), Al (1457.66 ppm), Zn (934.71 ppm), Fe (728.06 ppm), Fe (2768.11 ppm), Fe (1328.54 ppm), Zn (1008.54 ppm), Fe (1198.00 ppm), Zn (683.35 ppm), Zn (823.55 ppm), Fe (1182.59 ppm), and Fe (767.27 ppm), respectively. Based on the Monte Carlo simulation results, the THQ (target hazard quotient) and ILCR (Incremental Lifetime Cancer Risk) related to exposure to heavy metals via fruits for adults and children showed that there is no significant non-carcinogenic risk (THQ < 1) and carcinogenic risk (ILCR < 1E-4) for adults and children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Robust solutions to global, national, and regional burdens of communicable and non-communicable diseases, particularly related to diet, demand interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaborations to effectively inform risk analysis and policy decisions. Objective: U.S. outbreak data for 2005–2020 from all transmission sources were analyzed for trends in the burden of infectious disease and foodborne outbreaks. Methods: Outbreak data from 58 Microsoft Access® data tables were structured using systematic queries and pivot tables for analysis by transmission source, pathogen, and date. Trends were examined using graphical representations, smoothing splines, Spearman's rho rank correlations, and non-parametric testing for trend. Hazard Identification was conducted based on the number and severity of illnesses. Results: The evidence does not support increasing trends in the burden of infectious foodborne disease, though strongly increasing trends were observed for other transmission sources. Morbidity and mortality were dominated by person-to-person transmission; foodborne and other transmission sources accounted for small portions of the disease burden. Foods representing the greatest hazards associated with the four major foodborne bacterial diseases were identified. Fatal foodborne disease was dominated by fruits, vegetables, peanut butter, and pasteurized dairy. Conclusion: The available evidence conflicts with assumptions of zero risk for pasteurized milk and increasing trends in the burden of illness for raw milk. For future evidence-based risk management, transdisciplinary risk analysis methodologies are essential to balance both communicable and non-communicable diseases and both food safety and food security, considering scientific, sustainable, economic, cultural, social, and political factors to support health and wellness for humans and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the improvement of food safety requirements, rapid, nondestructive, accurate, and high-throughput determination of volatile ingredients plays an important role in the analysis area. Owing to the advantages of high separation efficiency, high sensitivity, no sample pretreatment requirement, and fast response, gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry (GC–IMS) is important in the nondestructive and rapid detection of volatile organic compounds in the fields of biology, pathology, and food science. In the end, current GC–IMS applications in food safety control and quality analysis are systematically reviewed based on developments in working principles, experimental processes, and methods in cheminformatics and bioinformatics. In addition, the latest developments and advances, practical challenges and limitations, and requirements for GC–IMS applications are also critically discussed, providing new insights into GC–IMS application in food science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accurate differentiation of Baijiu holds significant importance in the realm of food safety. Hence, a comprehensive dataset comprising UV, NIR, and three-dimensional fluorescence spectral information was collected from 17 representative Chinese Baijiu brands. By combining multispectral information with chemometrics, the different Baijiu brands were classified and identified. PCA was employed to extract characteristic variables from the high-dimensional UV and NIR spectral data, while PARAFAC decomposition was applied to the three-dimensional fluorescence spectral data to obtain concentration scores as characteristic variables. The dataset was balanced using the SMOTE algorithm, and subsequently, LDA, SVM, and BPNN classification models were constructed. Model evaluation was based on the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the test set. The results demonstrated that the three models, in conjunction with chemometric methods, effectively distinguished between different Baijiu brands, boasting accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity rates exceeding 99%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal fuer Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Commercially produced and home-made raw meat-based pet diets are becoming increasingly popular and have been recognised as an emerging public health risk by the European Food Safety Authority. The aim of this study was to investigate risk perceptions and self-reported pet food preparation practices in the home setting among pet owners who feed raw meat-based diet to pets. An online questionnaire was distributed to pet owners through social media groups. Ultimately, 750 respondents were included in the detailed analysis, divided into two subgroups, a "raw group" consisted of pet owners who provided raw meat-based diets for pets (n = 382), while the "conventional group" consisted of pet owners who did not (n = 368). There was no significant difference between the two groups in overall risk perception. Only one third of respondents in both groups were aware of the potentially fatal consequences of food poisoning. Self-reported frequency of hand washing, and surface cleaning, were significantly higher (p = 0.000) in the raw group than the conventional group. Food safety malpractices were noted in the raw feeding group, with 47% reporting to rinsing raw peat meat before preparing it, and 42% thawing frozen raw peat meat at room temperature on the kitchen counter. The results provide information on the prevalence of feeding raw meat to pets among Slovenian pet owners and provides the basis for developing tailored food safety education campaigns to improve risk awareness and provide food safety recommendations for pet owners providing raw meat-based diets for pets in Slovenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal fuer Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plastic, which has become an indispensable part of our daily life due to its wide range of uses, is produced worldwide by millions of tons, and most of it accumulates in the ecosystem. Microplastics (MPs), which emerge as a result of their decomposition over time, are found almost everywhere we live. Some foods can also have high MP concentrations. Fish and shellfish living in the sea and oceans appear to be one of the most important ways of MPs uptake through the food chain. At the same time, table salt and drinking water pose a threat to food safety in terms of the presence of MPs. Unfortunately, increased exposure to MPs can also bring health problems. For example, respiratory diseases, reproductive problems, change of microbiota, neurotoxicity, and even cancer are just a few of them. Therefore, this danger should be recognized and necessary precautions should be taken. Even small steps are needed in this area. It is extremely important for people to increase their awareness of this issue and for countries to prevent this threat with various policies. This review was written to explain how MPs threaten food safety and human health. Transmission routes of microplastics and possible health risks (Created with BioRender.com) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world has encountered numerous global crises, including epidemics, military conflicts, and economic collapse. Innovative digital technologies, such as Industry 4.0 (I4.0), can undoubtedly help improve industries' operations during critical times. The dairy industry has seen an increment in technological adoption in the last few years. Adopting cutting-edge technologies is regarded as more feasible as compared to existing practices. The advancements achieved through the white revolution became game changers for the Indian dairy industry, establishing it as a top producer. The key challenges faced by the Indian dairy industry include safety, quality, transparency, and sustainability. The Indian dairy sector needs a revolution to address these challenges, and digital technologies can play a big role. This study critically demonstrates the emergence of technological transformations in the Indian dairy industry. A conceptual framework, White Revolution 2.0, which indicates the digital revolution, is introduced. This proposed framework presents the three dimensions of White Revolution 2.0, i.e., technological dimension, external factors, and applications of I4.0. The proposed framework will significantly improve dairy operations by effectively addressing the identified challenges throughout every aspect of the dairy industry. The findings indicate that adopting the proposed concept can ensure effective supply chain integration and a sustainable future for the dairy industry by integrating all the stakeholders. Practical implementation of this concept includes improvements in food safety, security, and quality sustainably. This study will assist practitioners and researchers in understanding the fundamentals and necessity of the White Revolution 2.0 and can serve as a roadmap for integrated dairy digitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne illnesses occur due to contamination by pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, decontaminating food is vital before marketing and circulation. Radio frequency (RF) heating stands out in several branches of industry, mainly food processing, as an alternative method to conventional pasteurization which takes long process times and overheating. RF heating functions without relying on heat conduction. It generates internal heat by inducing the rotation of polar molecules and the motion of ions. The advantages of dielectric heating with greater wave penetration include rapid, uniform and volumetric heating, presenting high energy efficiency. Furthermore, it is an effective, validated method for eliminating pathogens in agricultural products and is free from chemical residues. Although many reviews have discussed this technology, few reviews have covered the research trends in this field in the recent years, during which the number of studies discussing RF treatment of foods have increased. Therefore, this review focuses on the RF applications in the food industry for pest control, microbial and enzymatic inactivation of solid, liquid, and powdered foods in the last five years. Besides covering the fundamental aspects of RF technology, we also examine its benefits and drawbacks, address the challenges it presents, and explore future prospects [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastroenteritis and hepatitis are the most common illnesses resulting from the consumption of food contaminated with human enteric viruses. Several natural compounds have demonstrated antiviral activity against human enteric viruses, such as human norovirus and hepatitis A virus, while little information is available for hepatitis E virus. Many in-vitro studies have evaluated the efficacy of different natural compounds against human enteric viruses or their surrogates. However, only few studies have investigated their antiviral activity in food applications. Among them, green tea extract, grape seed extract and carrageenans have been extensively investigated as antiviral natural compounds to improve food safety. Indeed, these extracts have been studied as sanitizers on food-contact surfaces, in produce washing solutions, as active fractions in antiviral food-packaging materials, and in edible coatings. The most innovative applications of these antiviral natural extracts include the development of coatings to extend the shelf life of berries or their combination with established food technologies for improved processes. This review summarizes existing knowledge in the underexplored field of natural compounds for enhancing the safety of viral-contaminated foods and underscores the research needs to be covered in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the raw materials of plants as a source of biologically active substances. Black rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L.) fruits could be a good resource for potential functional components in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Also, drying can influence the composition of heat-sensitive phytochemicals. However, less attention is given to comparing black rosehip bioactive compounds particularly compositions of fatty acid, amino acids, and phenolic content in fresh and dried fruits. So in this study, the amino acid constituents (by amino acid analyzer), fatty acids (by GC–MS), mineral elements (by atomic absorption spectrometer), antioxidant (by DPPH) and phenolic compounds (by HPLC) present in fresh and dried fruits of black rosehip naturally grown in Iran were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that dried fruits had a lower level moisture by 51.55%, and a higher level of total phenolic compounds and total sugar by 786.20 mg GAE/100 g and 15.77 g/100 g, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and gallic acid were the major phenolic compounds (109.3 mg/g). Whilst, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidic acid (85.34%) were the most dominant fatty acids. The most dominant amino acids were glutamic acid, phenylalanine, and arginine (29.41 g/100 g). Also, Fe and Mn as micro-elements were the most dominant elements. In general, the results illustrated the potentials and differences of black rosehip fruits grown in the Arasbaran region as promising resources for food sources, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and breeding programs. Also, these findings confirm that black rosehip fruits contain significant amounts of secondary metabolites that may positively affect human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owning pets offers various potential health benefits; however, it can be associated with gastrointestinal illnesses due to poor food safety knowledge and practices. This study aimed to evaluate the level of food safety knowledge and practices among pet owners in Lebanon, exploring the association between their knowledge/practices and socio-demographic characteristics. The participants included 300 pet owners, representing various genders, ages, educational levels, educational backgrounds, and incomes. They completed a questionnaire of 72 food handling practices and knowledge questions related to preparation, cross-contamination, storage and hygiene. In parallel, 300 non-pet owners with comparable sociodemographic characteristics to pet owners (control group) completed the questionnaire. On average, food safety knowledge scores were 62.1 ± 14.9% and 58.7 ± 15.5% among pet and non-pet owners, respectively, and the difference was significant (p = 0.05). On the other hand, mean food safety practice scores were 41.3 ± 14.8% and 40.4 ± 15.3% among pet and non-pet owners, respectively, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.41). In the food safety knowledge part, non-pet owners who were young, high income, university graduate, and from health-related majors scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher, while among pet-owners, only participants with a university degree and from health-related majors scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher, in terms of knowledge. On the other hand, In the food safety practices part, non-pet owners who were young, high income, and university graduates scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher, while among pet-owners, only young and high-income participants scored significantly (p < 0.05) higher. These results highlight the need for ongoing educational initiatives to improve food safety practices among both pet owners in Lebanon. The study suggests that targeted educational programs should be developed, considering specific socio-demographic characteristics, to enhance overall food safety awareness and practices among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapes are among the most popular fruits globally, and insecticides are commonly used on grape farms. Sulfoxaflor, a novel sulfoximine insecticide that works against various insect pests, is extensively used in Egypt. Our field trials assessed the dynamics and final residues of sulfoxaflor in grapes and grape leaves grown in Egyptian environments with different application rates, including worst-case scenarios. A QuEChERS-based method with LC–MS/MS was used to analyze residues of sulfoxaflor in grapes and grape leaves. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was validated at 0.01 mg‧kg−1. Sulfoxaflor residues are degraded in grapes and grape leaves according to a first-order kinetic model, with an estimated half-life (t1/2) of 7.04 and 7.7 days, respectively, and considerable degradation (74.68 and 72.16%, respectively) after 14 days. The final residues in grapes and grape leaves were below the Codex or EU maximum residue limit (MRL) (2 mg‧kg−1) after 3 days of the recommended and high application rates. The findings showed that grapes and leaves treated with sulfoxaflor at the recommended rate are safe for humans 3 days after two or three consecutive treatments with intervals of 14 days. The current study should pave the way for implementing safe and appropriate sulfoxaflor use in grapes and grape leaves in Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coix lacryma-jobi L. is a traditional medicinal plant in east Asia and is an important crop in Guizhou province, southwest China, where there are elevated levels of soil mercury and arsenic (As). Exposure to multiple potentially toxic elements (PTEs) may affect plant accumulation of metal(loid)s and food safety in regions with high geological metal concentrations. Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of PTEs on metal(loid) accumulation and physiological response of C. lacryma in different plant parts at three pollution levels. Total root length, number of root tips, number of branches, and number of root crosses increased with increasing pollution level, with increases in highly polluted areas of 44.2, 57.0, 79.6, and 97.2%, respectively, compared to lightly polluted areas. Under multi-element stress the activity of C. lacryma antioxidant oxidase showed an increase at low and medium PTE concentrations and inhibition at high concentrations. The As contents were all below the maximum limit of cereal food contaminants in China (GB 2762-2022, As < 0.5 mg kg−1). The stems had high Tl bioconcentration factors but the translocation factors from stem to grain were very low, indicating that the stems may be a key plant part restricting Tl transport to the grains. C. lacryma increased root retention and reduced the transport effect, thus reducing metal accumulation in the grains. C. lacryma adapted to PTE stress through root remodeling and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella, the prevailing zoonotic pathogen within the Enterobacteriaceae family, holds the foremost position in global bacterial poisoning incidents, thereby signifying its paramount importance in public health. Consequently, the imperative for expeditious and uncomplicated detection techniques for Salmonella in food is underscored. After more than two decades of development, loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a potent adjunct to the polymerase chain reaction, demonstrating significant advantages in the realm of isothermal amplification. Its growing prominence is evident in the increasing number of reports on its application in the rapid detection of Salmonella. This paper provides a systematic exposition of the technical principles and characteristics of LAMP, along with an overview of the research progress made in the rapid detection of Salmonella using LAMP and its derivatives. Additionally, the target genes reported in various levels, including Salmonella genus, species, serogroup, and serotype, are summarized, aiming to offer a valuable reference for the advancement of LAMP application in Salmonella detection. Finally, we look forward to the development direction of LAMP and expect more competitive methods to provide strong support for food safety applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed is seen as a promising future source of biomass, and significant efforts are taken to upscale seaweed aquaculture production in Europe. Despite regulatory frameworks for food safety, environmental safety, and occupational health and safety applicable to seaweed production, a major barrier to upscaling production is the lack of commonly accepted, uniform frameworks for safety assessment. As a consequence, efforts to deal with food safety, environmental safety, and occupational health and safety are fragmented. Based on a literature review and consultations with stakeholders, this paper introduces a generic protocol on how to approach safety of the production of seaweed. A prototype version of the generic protocol was evaluated in a practical setting in Norway. Results show that a consistent, structured approach to safety makes it possible to identify hazards and prioritize and collect data on key hazards. The protocol facilitated a sector discussion on safety, providing a shared discourse to talk about safety. It must be acknowledged that the farming and processing practices and the location of cultivation strongly influence which hazards are most relevant. The protocol succeeded in bringing focus to data collection, putting effort into the analysis of hazards considered most relevant in a practical setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant diseases pose significant threats to agriculture, impacting both food safety and public health. Traditional plant disease detection systems are typically limited to recognizing disease categories included in the training dataset, rendering them ineffective against new disease types. Although out-of-distribution (OOD) detection methods have been proposed to address this issue, the impact of fine-tuning paradigms on these methods has been overlooked. This paper focuses on studying the impact of fine-tuning paradigms on the performance of detecting unknown plant diseases. Currently, fine-tuning on visual tasks is mainly divided into visual-based models and visual-language-based models. We first discuss the limitations of large-scale visual language models in this task: textual prompts are difficult to design. To avoid the side effects of textual prompts, we futher explore the effectiveness of purely visual pre-trained models for OOD detection in plant disease tasks. Specifically, we employed five publicly accessible datasets to establish benchmarks for open-set recognition, OOD detection, and few-shot learning in plant disease recognition. Additionally, we comprehensively compared various OOD detection methods, fine-tuning paradigms, and factors affecting OOD detection performance, such as sample quantity. The results show that visual prompt tuning outperforms fully fine-tuning and linear probe tuning in out-of-distribution detection performance, especially in the few-shot scenarios. Notably, the max-logit-based on visual prompt tuning achieves an AUROC score of 94.8 % in the 8-shot setting, which is nearly comparable to the method of fully fine-tuning on the full dataset (95.2 % ), which implies that an appropriate fine-tuning paradigm can directly improve OOD detection performance. Finally, we visualized the prediction distributions of different OOD detection methods and discussed the selection of thresholds. Overall, this work lays the foundation for unknown plant disease recognition, providing strong support for the security and reliability of plant disease recognition systems. We will release our code at https://github.com/JiuqingDong/PDOOD to further advance this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review article, the research works covering the analytical determination of bisphenol A (BPA) and its structural analogues published from 2018 to present (February 2024) were examined. The review offers an overview of the concentration levels of these xenoestrogens in food and beverages, and discusses concerns that these may possibly pose to the human health and scrutinises, from an analytical perspective, the main biomonitoring approaches that are applied. This comes as a natural evolution of a previous review that covered the same topic but in earlier years (up to 2017). As compared to the past, while the volume of published literature on this topic has not necessarily decreased, the research studies are now much more homogeneous in terms of their geographical origin, i.e., Southern Europe (mainly Italy and Spain). For this reason, an estimated daily intake of the European population could not be calculated at this time. In terms of the analytical approaches that were applied, 67% of the research groups exploited liquid chromatography (LC), with a detection that was prevalently (71%) afforded by mass spectrometry, with over one-fourth of the research teams using fluorescence (26%) and a minority (3%) detecting the analytes with diode array detection. One-third of the groups used gas chromatography (GC)–mass spectrometry achieving comparatively superior efficiency as compared to LC. Derivatisation was performed in 59% of the GC studies to afford more symmetrical signals and enhanced sensitivity. Although the contamination levels are well below the threshold set by governments, routinely biomonitoring is encouraged because of the possible accumulation of these contaminants in the human body and of their interplay with other xenoestrogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper selenide nanoparticles (CuSeNP) were synthesized using histidine, ethylenediamine, and sodium selenate as precursors by one-step microwave digestion methods. The as-prepared CuSeNPs exhibit excellent catechol oxidase mimic enzyme and catalase (CAT)-like activities. Dopamine (DA) can be oxidized to aminochrome with H2O2 by CuSeNPs, and the intermediate product aminochrome can further react with α-naphthol to yield a highly fluorescent derivative. It was confirmed that Cr(III) could adsorb on the surface of CuSeNPs and inhibit the production of semiquinone radicals in the reaction system, and the catalytic activity of CuSeNPs was inhibited. The detection mechanisms, kinetics, and catalytic properties of CuSeNPs were systematically investigated. As a result, a novel fluorescence method for the assay of Cr(III) was established. The feasibility of CuSeNP nanozyme in detecting speciation Cr(III) in food samples was explored with satisfactory results. It showed the obvious potential for developing effective and dependable fluorescent detection method for protecting food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intelligent colorimetric sensing platform integrated with in situ immunomagnetic separation function was developed for ultrasensitive detection of Escherichia coli O157: H7 (E. coli O157: H7) in food. Captured antibody modified magnetic nanoparticles (cMNPs) and detection antibody/horseradish peroxidase (HRP) co-functionalized AuNPs (dHAuNPs) were firstly synthesized for targeted enrichment and colorimetric assay of E. coli O157: H7, in which remarkable signal amplification was realized by loading large amounts of HRP on the surface of AuNPs. Coupling with the optical collimation attachments and embedded magnetic separation module, a highly integrated optical device was constructed, by which in situ magnetic separation and high-quality imaging of 96-well microplates containing E. coli O157: H7 was achieved with a smartphone. The concentration of E. coli O157: H7 could be achieved in one-step by performing digital image colorimetric analysis of the obtained image with a custom-designed app. This biosensor possesses high sensitivity (1.63 CFU/mL), short detecting time (3 h), and good anti-interference performance even in real-sample testing. Overall, the developed method is expected to be a novel field detection platform for foodborne pathogens in water and food as well as for the diagnosis of infections due to its portability, ease of operation, and high feasibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humans are exposed to a cocktail of food-related and environmental contaminants, potentially contributing to the etiology of chronic diseases. Better characterizing the "exposome" is a challenging task and requires broad human biomonitoring (HBM). Veterinary drugs (VDs)/antibiotics, widely used and regulated in food and animal production, however, are typically not yet included in exposomics workflows. Therefore, in this work, a previously established multianalyte liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method covering >80 diverse xenobiotics was expanded by >40 VDs/antibiotics and pesticides. It was investigated if the generic workflow allowed for the successful integration of a high number of new analytes in a proof-of-principle study. The expanded method was successfully in-house validated and specificity, matrix effects, linearity, intra- and inter-day precision, accuracy, limits of quantification, and detection were evaluated. The optimized method demonstrated satisfactory recovery (81–120%) for most of the added analytes with acceptable RSDs (<20%) at three spiking levels. The majority of VDs/antibiotics and pesticides (69%) showed matrix effects within a range of 50–140%. Moreover, sensitivity was excellent with median LODs and LOQs of 0.10 ng/mL and 0.31 ng/mL, respectively. In total, the expanded method can be used to detect and quantify more than 120 highly diverse analytes in a single analytical run. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this work represents the first targeted biomonitoring method integrating VDs with various other classes of pollutants including plasticizers, PFAS, bisphenols, mycotoxins, and personal care products. It demonstrates the potential to expand targeted multianalyte methods towards additional groups of potentially toxic chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus delbrueckii, a widely used lactic acid bacterium in the food industry, has been studied for its probiotic properties and reservoir of antibiotic-resistant genes, raising safety concerns for probiotic formulations and fermented products. This review consolidates findings from 60 articles published between 2012 and 2023, focusing on the global antibiotic resistance profile and associated genetic factors in L. delbrueckii strains. Resistance to aminoglycosides, particularly streptomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin, as well as resistance to glycopeptides (vancomycin), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin), and tetracyclines was predominant. Notably, although resistance genes have been identified, they have not been linked to mobile genetic elements, reducing the risk of dissemination. However, a significant limitation is the insufficient exploration of responsible genes or mobile elements in 80% of studies, hindering safety assessments. Additionally, most articles originated from Asian and Middle Eastern countries, with strains often isolated from fermented dairy foods. Therefore, these findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive analyses of new strains of L. delbrueckii for potential industrial and biotherapeutic applications and in combating the rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in leafy vegetables poses significant health risks, highlighting the urgent need for stringent monitoring and intervention measures to ensure food safety and mitigate potential adverse effects on public health. This study investigates the levels of heavy metals, including cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), in locally grown and commercially available leafy vegetables, comparing them to the safety limits established by WHO/FAO. The results revealed that levels of Cd, Cr, Ni, and Pb in the vegetables exceeded WHO/FAO limits, while Zn and Cu remained within permissible bounds. Marketed vegetables exhibited higher metal concentrations than those from nearby farms. For Cu (0.114–0.289 mg/kg) and Zn (0.005–0.574 mg/kg), the daily intake of metals (DIM) was below the dietary intake (DI) and upper limit (UL). Cd's DIM (0.031–0.062 mg/kg) remained below the UL but exceeded the DI. Marketed kale and mint surpassed both DI and UL limits for Ni, while local produce only exceeded the DI. All vegetables had DIM below the DI, except for mint and kale. For Pb, every vegetable exceeded DI limits, with market samples contributing significantly. Cr's DIM ranged from 0.028 to 1.335 mg/kg, for which no set maximum daily intake exists. The health risk index (HRI) values for Zn, Cd, Cu, Ni, and Pb suggested potential health risks associated with leafy greens, while Cr's HRI was below 1. The study underscores the need for stringent monitoring and intervention measures to mitigate the health risks posed by heavy metal contamination in leafy vegetables. These findings suggest that consuming these leafy greens may put consumers at considerable risk for health problems related to Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical DNA sensor based on a carboxyl functionalized graphene oxide/single-stranded DNA/6-mercapto-1-hexanol/gold electrode (COOH/ssDNA/MCH/Au) was developed for the rapid detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in shrimp samples. The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, with peak current ratios of 8.3 and 4.1 for complementary to non-complementary and one-base mismatched targets, respectively. It also demonstrated a wide linear range from 10 femtomolar to 10 nM, with a low detection limit of 3 femtomolar. The reproducibility of the sensor was good, with a relative standard deviation of 4.8% for five independently fabricated electrodes. When applied to the detection of V. parahaemolyticus in spiked shrimp samples, the sensor showed high accuracy, with recovery rates ranging from 92.5 to 108.3% and relative standard deviation values below 5%. The proposed sensor outperformed most previously reported electrochemical DNA sensors for V. parahaemolyticus detection in terms of sensitivity and linear range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flunixin (usually formulated as flunixin meglumine (FLN)), a common non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) given to cattle, raises human health concerns when it is present in milk. Maximum residue limit (MRL) of 10 µg/kg has been set by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for FLN residues in milk. Attenuated Total Reflectance- Fourier-Transform Mid-Infrared (FT-MIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with multivariate techniques was applied to detect the presence of FLN residues in milk. Samples of FLN, pure milk as well as milk samples spiked with FLN at concentrations (1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 µg/kg) below and above the MRL were analysed. ATR-FTIR measurements were conducted in the 4000 –400 cm− 1 wavenumber range, and the wavenumber regions (2942 − 2838, 1748 − 1734 and 1149 –1012 cm− 1) were selected based on the maximum variability in the intensity of peaks and chemometrics techniques such as Principal Component Regression (PCR), Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR), Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy (SIMCA) were applied. The study concluded that the presence of parent drug- FLN residues in milk even at 1 µg/kg level (below MRL prescribed by regulatory bodies) can be detected using ATR-FT-MIR coupled with chemometrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel immunodetection sensing platform for Salmonella based on a CoFe-MOF-carbon nanotube composite was developed. The CoFe-MOF-CNT composite exhibited excellent electrochemical performance, providing a highly conductive and stable matrix for antibody immobilization and signal amplification. Under optimized conditions, the immunosensor demonstrated a wide linear range of 102 to 107 CFU/mL, with a low detection limit of 37 CFU/mL and a high sensitivity of 6.061 µA/log(CFU/mL). The immunosensor showed excellent specificity towards Salmonella, with a relative response of 100% for Salmonella and less than 10% for non-target bacteria. The immunosensor exhibited good reproducibility (RSD of 4.2%) and stability, retaining 88.7% of its initial response after 30 days of storage at 4 °C. The practical applicability of the immunosensor was demonstrated by analyzing spiked milk samples, with recoveries ranging from 96.7% to 105.2% and RSD less than 6.5%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pesticides possess a pivotal role in the realm of agriculture and food manufacturing, as they effectively manage the proliferation of weeds, insects, plant pathogens, and microbial contaminations. They are valuable in some ways, but if misused, they can cause health issues like cancer, reproductive toxicity, neurological illnesses, and endocrine system disturbances. In this regard, practical methods for reducing pesticide residue in food should be used. For reducing pesticide residue in food processing, some strategies have been suggested. Recent research has been done on detoxification processes, including microorganisms like probiotics and their metabolites. The term "postbiotics" describes soluble substances, such as peptides, enzymes, teichoic acids, muropeptides generated from peptidoglycans, polysaccharides, proteins, and organic acids that are secreted by living bacteria or released after bacterial lysis. Due to their distinct chemical makeup, safe dosage guidelines, lengthy shelf lives, and presence of various signaling molecules that may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesogenic, immunomodulatory, anti-hypertensive, and immunomodulatory effects, these postbiotics have attracted interest. They also can detoxify heavy metals, mycotoxins, and pesticides. Hydrolytic enzymes have been proposed as a potential mechanism for pesticide degradation. Postbiotics can also reduce reactive oxygen species production, enhance gastrointestinal barrier function, reduce inflammation, and modulate host xenobiotic metabolism. This review highlights pesticide residues in food products, definitions and safety aspect of postbiotics, as well as their biological role in detoxification of pesticides and the protective role of these compounds against the adverse effects of pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its physiological benefits from in vitro and in vivo points of view, Akkermansia muciniphila, a common colonizer in the human gut mucous layer, has consistently been identified as an option for the next-generation probiotic. A. muciniphila is a significant bacterium that promotes host physiology. However, it also has a great deal of potential to become a probiotic due to its physiological advantages in a variety of therapeutic circumstances. Therefore, it can be established that the abundance of A. muciniphila in the gut environment, which is controlled by many genetic and dietary variables, is related to the biological behaviors of the intestinal microbiota and gut dysbiosis/eubiosis circumstances. Before A. muciniphila is widely utilized as a next-generation probiotic, regulatory obstacles, the necessity for significant clinical trials, and the sustainability of manufacturing must be eliminated. In this review, the outcomes of recent experimental and clinical reports are comprehensively reviewed, and common colonization patterns, main factors involved in the colonization of A. muciniphila in the gut milieu, their functional mechanisms in establishing homeostasis in the metabolic and energy pathways, the promising delivery role of microencapsulation, potential genetic engineering strategies, and eventually safety issues of A. muciniphila have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to prevent the growth of pathogens in food, bacteriocins produced by various probiotic lactic acid bacteria have been recognized as potential substitutes of chemical preservatives. In this study, enterocin LD3 was purified from the cell-free supernatant of a food isolate, Enterococcus hirae LD3 using multistep chromatography. In the fruit juice, lethal concentration (LC50) of enterocin LD3 was found to be 260 µg/mL against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311. The cells treated with enterocin LD3 were red colour indicating dead cells after propidium iodide staining, while untreated cells were found blue after staining with 4', 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole. The mechanism of cell killing was analyzed using infrared spectrum of cells treated with enterocin LD3 which was found altered in the range of 1,094.30 and 1,451.82 cm−1 corresponding to nucleic acids and phospholipids, respectively. The morphology of target cells were severely ruptured and lysed as observed under electron microscopy. Thus, the present study suggested that enterocin LD3 showed bactericidal activity against Salm. enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 13311 and may be applied as a bio-preservative for the safety of fruit juices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is about the critical role played by intermediate institutions, coined "meso-institutions," in the implementation of regulation. Building on recent theoretical contributions, it proposes a model that emphasizes the functions and tasks fulfilled by meso-institutions in bridging the gap between the macro-institutional layer at which general rules and norms are established and the micro-institutional layer within which transactions are organized. A comparative approach to the institutional settings designed to secure the safety of raw cow milk in Brazil, Canada and Italy substantiates the analysis. Beyond the variety of institutional "configurations" characterizing these cases, the investigation shows how crucial the implementation by meso-institutions is of otherwise similar norms and rules in determining their effectiveness. Meeting food safety regulations depends on the capacity of meso-institutions to fulfil specific functions, the accomplishment of which can be assessed only through related tasks. Lessons are drawn with respect to efficiency, the trade-off between centralized and decentralized solutions, the impact on the organization of supply chains, and the necessity for public policies to pay special attention to meso-institutions in the design and implementation of food safety regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the modern, ever-shifting global agri-food environment, the topmost concern revolves around securing the safety, quality, and authenticity of agri-food products. Blockchain technology is being seen as a revolutionary solution for dealing with these issues, providing a decentralized and transparent ledger for the tracking of agri-food products. By incorporating global positioning system and navigation systems within blockchain-based traceability solutions amplifies the capabilities for real-time monitoring, security, and trust. This paper proposes a layered architecture for an efficient agri-food traceability system. The data layer, manages interactions between various entities in the supply chain management and generates agri-food product-related data. The blockchain layer manages data via transactions and smart contracts, using the interplanetary file system for secure, decentralized storage. The navigation layer, combines navigation with Indian constellation and global positioning system to offer precise real-time positioning and timing services, enhancing product tracking. This integrated approach not only improves food safety but also supports sustainability efforts by reducing food waste and bolstering consumer trust in the agri-food industry. We implement the proposed system using Remix IDE, MetaMask wallet, and the Sepolia test network, summarizing the deployment analysis. Performance evaluation is conducted using the JMeter simulation toolkit.The proposed framework achieves an average throughput of 329.26 transactions per second, latency of 49.3 ms, and response time of 87.9 ms. We conduct a comparative evaluation of the proposed system with related studies. From this comparative analysis, we observed that our proposed framework has better features than other related works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]