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At present, due to rapid urbanization and increasing anthropogenic activities, the occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in riverine fishes is becoming an emerging area of food safety concern worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the abundance of MPs in three riverine fish species (Amblypharyngodon mola, Puntius ticto, and Mystustengara) collected from six major rivers of Chhattisgarh, India. The Nile Red staining method was used for the identification and quantification of MPs in fish samples. Out of 140 fish samples examined, 87.9% of the fishes had ingested MPs. The abundance of MPs per gram of fish and per fish was 3.25 ± 2.58 and 14.9 ± 8.12, respectively. Most of the MPs identified were of fragment type and with their size ranging between 20and 300 μm. The demersal fishes had higher levels of MP contamination as compared to surface feeder fishes. Fish samples collected from Mahanadi River in Janjgir-Champa district showed the highest abundance of MPs both in terms of MPs per gram (5.93 ± 3.29) and per fish (22.7 ± 6.59), and this could be attributed to the high level of human activity with municipal waste dumping in the area. The results further suggest the possibility of human ingestion of MPs through the consumption of riverine fishes in this region. This study shows the abundance of MPs in riverine fishes which raises health concerns for the fish consumers and further research is required to assess the overall extent of the impact of MPs on the environment and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are one of the major environmental contaminants in animal feed and pose a potential threat to human health due to their secretion in the milk of lactating animals. The present study was conducted with the objectives to determine the occurrence of aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in dairy animal concentrate feed and to evaluate the effect of season, spatial variation, and dairy farm size on the levels of aflatoxins contamination. A total of 189 dairy animal concentrate feed samples were tested for aflatoxins with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as screening and high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) as confirmatory techniques. Of the total, 59% feed samples were found positive for aflatoxins, while 44% samples were detected with total aflatoxins levels higher than the tolerance limit established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and 58% samples were found with aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) levels above the European Commission (EC) legal limit. AFB1 levels in dairy animal concentrate feed were found significantly higher during rainy (41.6 μg kg−1) and winter (35.9 μg kg−1) seasons as compared to the summer season (25.5 μg kg−1). The theoretical extrapolation of the AFB1 carry-over from animal feed to milk (aflatoxins M1) in different seasons may lead to 50–100% contamination of milk at levels above the EC tolerance limit. The incidence and levels of aflatoxins especially AFB1 in animal feed, not only pose a direct effect on animals but may also pose a concern for food safety in relation to the occurrence of aflatoxins M1 in milk. Therefore, continuous surveillance of aflatoxins in dairy animal feeds is required to reduce animal and consequently human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was carried out with the objectives to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw milk and identification of associated risk factors from three different types of animal farming systems. A total of 189 pooled raw milk samples were tested for AFM1 with enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) as screening and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) as confirmatory techniques. AFM1 was found positive in 58% pooled milk samples with the mean level of 0.917 µg/L, while 50.8% and 36.5% samples were found above the legal limits set by European Commission (EC) and Food safety and standard authority of India (FSSAI), respectively for AFM1 in milk. Among all investigated risk factors, feeding of readymade concentrate feed and leftover household cereals, longer feed storage duration and feed storage quality were found significantly associated with presence of AFM1 in farm milk. High prevalence as well as levels of AFM1 in farm milk poses a health risk to the consumers especially children. Therefore, efforts are urgently required to create awareness among dairy farmers about aflatoxins contamination of feed and milk, to improve farm management practices and to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic and carcinogenic metabolite secreted in milk of dairy animals which have consumed the aflatoxin B1 contaminated feedstuff. In this study, 230 different types of milk samples comprising raw, pasteurized and ultra-high temperature treated milk were collected from three different geographical sites of Punjab during different seasons and analysed for the presence of AFM1 by using ELISA as screening, and HPLC with fluorescence detection as confirmatory method. Of total, 51% samples were detected positive for AFM1, while 45% and 38% samples were found with AFM1 levels higher than the tolerance limits established by the European commission and Food safety and standard authority of India respectively. Results of study indicated a high incidence and levels of AFM1 in different types of milk during all seasons. Owing to this, there is a potential risk of liver cancer in people of Punjab, India especially children due to milk consumption. Therefore, strict regulatory actions are urgently required to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal standard limits. There is need to initiate routine examination of dairy animal feeds for aflatoxins to reduce animal and consequently human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues in chicken meat pose health risks to consumers and affect the economics of the poultry industry due to an export ban. The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine the occurrence of antibiotic residues in marketed chicken meat collected under different agro-climatic conditions in Chhattisgarh, India, and assess human health risks by Monte Carlo Simulation. Analyses of 336 chicken meat samples by validated high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that 147 (43.7%) were found positive for antibiotic residues and 60 (17.8%) exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the mean levels of antibiotic residue detected among different agro-climatic zones. Antibiotic residues were more frequently detected in chicken meat samples from the Northern hills (50.8%), followed by the Chhattisgarh plain (42.8%), and the Bastar plateau (37.5%). The mean probabilistic estimated daily intake (EDI: μg/kg body weight/day) of antibiotic residues among the consumers due to consumption of chicken meat was between 0.066 and 0.166. Among the different age groups of consumers, the quantities of antibiotic residues consumed per day through chicken meat were higher in "age group 1'. The Hazard quotient (HQ) value of individual antibiotics followed the order of enrofloxacin > ciprofloxacin > tetracycline > sulfamethazine > oxytetracycline. Higher HQ values were noted for age group 1 and enrofloxacin showed the highest HQ among all the antibiotics. The HQ values of individual antibiotics were reported to be negligible in toxicological health risk for adults and children. However, values for children are on the higher side. Hence, current findings highlight the importance of vigilant antibiotic monitoring, as well as farmer education programmes to encourage good poultry farming practices and adherence to withdrawal periods for antibiotics, in order to meet food safety standards and protect human health. • HPLC-PDA for the detection of antibiotic residues in chicken meat. • HAC and PCA used to determine the predominant antibiotic residues. • Deterministic and probabilistic models were used for health risk assessment. • Toxicological health risks to children were calculated on the higher side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:The study was carried out to investigate the microbiological quality of packaged drinking water marketed in Jaipur city. Material and Methods: In the present study 'twenty' drinking water samples (15 water bottles and 5 sachets) of different brands purchased randomly, were evaluated to access the water quality on the basis of different bacteriological parameters. Result: Out of twenty, 50% samples were found unsatisfactory in standard plate count. Psychrophillic, coliforms, E. coli and staphylococcal counts revealed that 25%, 45%, 20%, and 5% samples respectively were found unfit for human consumption as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) of drinking water. On the basis of results of overall microbiological assessment 55% of samples proved to be unfit for consumption. All brands of water sachet (100%) had high coliforms count which indicates faecal contamination. Amongst those sachets two brands (40%) had presence of E. coli and all the sachet water brands fell below drinking water standards while out of fifteen brands of bottled water 6 samples contained higher microbiological value hence unfit for human consumption. Conclusion: Local brands of packaged drinking water were found unfit for human condumption. So it is suggested that government should intensify the efforts in the monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding industry with a view to supply potable and wholesome water to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concerns regarding food safety and 'One Health' are increasing globally. Aflatoxin M 1 (AFM 1 ), a human carcinogenic toxin, is excreted by lactating animals in their milk after consumption of feed contaminated with aflatoxin B 1 . The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine the occurrence of AFM 1 in cattle and buffalo milk produced in rural and peri-urban areas under different agro-climatic conditions of Chhattisgarh, India, and assesses human health risks. Analyses of 545 milk samples by validated high-performance liquid chromatography revealed high level of AFM 1 contamination in 224 (41.1%) samples with mean concentration of 0.137 ± 0.029 μg/L. Statistically significant differences (p< 0.05) were observed in the levels and frequency of AFM 1 occurrence among different agro-climatic zones. AFM 1 was more frequently detected in milk samples from Northern hills (64%) followed by Bastar plateau (40.7%) and Chhattisgarh plain (27.3%), with mean concentration levels of 0.396 ± 0.099 μg/L, 0.081 ± 0.025 μg/L and 0.013 ± 0.002 μg/L, respectively. Species wise no significant difference was observed in the detection frequency and concentration of AFM 1 in milk from cattle and buffalo. AFM 1 contamination above maximum permissible limits established by European commission and Food Safety and Standard Authority of India was detected in 21.3% and 4.4% of samples, respectively. The estimated daily intakes for AFM 1 were found to be higher than tolerable daily intakes for both adults and children, especially of Northern hills implying a potentially high risk to consumer's health. This study provides valuable information on the contamination status of milk in one of the fastest developing state of India. It also highlights the importance and need for continuous farmers' awareness on good animal husbandry practices, routine surveillance of mycotoxins in animal feeds and food commodities to safeguard human health., (© 2021. Society for Mycotoxin (Research Gesellschaft für Mykotoxinforschung e.V.) and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)