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This study explores the implementation of the One Sample Strategy (OSS), a co-regulation program aimed at managing mycotoxin risk in Texas maize. Fumonisin-contaminated cereals and oilseeds that contain greater than 5 mg kg -1 of the toxin (B 1 , B 2 , and B 3 ) are a risk for equids and rabbits, and levels greater than 60 mg kg -1 are a risk to ruminants. The OSS, previously successful in managing aflatoxin risk in Texas maize, was evaluated for its effectiveness in handling fumonisin risk in maize, specifically as it relates to ruminants. In 2017, 25 analysts across seven firms qualified to participate in the program. To ensure greater accuracy in testing, working control samples were provided to the participating OSS firms with the requirement that their results fall within +/- 20% of the target concentration. Ninety-four percent of the working controls met this specification. The capability to grind maize to the OSS prescribed particle size was met by 100% of participants. To verify testing accuracy, file samples collected from each OSS firm were analysed by UPLC-MS/MS. The 177 fumonisin verification samples analysed by Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) were correlated ( r  = 0.93) with co-regulation laboratories. Results were plotted in an operating curve to depict type I and type II errors. Error analysis revealed a type I error rate of 13% and type II error rate of 2% for the 5 mg kg -1 guidance level, and 6% and 8%, respectively, for the 60 mg kg -1 guidance level. For 2017, 994 official reports of analysis for fumonisin in whole maize in the Texas High Plains were issued by the seven laboratories that employed 25 OTSC-credentialed analysts. The OSS co-regulation program, supported by a quality systems approach and government regulations, has proven effective in managing fumonisin risk in Texas maize, enhancing both market confidence and livestock safety.

Testing accuracy of a chemical contaminant requires use of a testing platform that conforms to validation criteria outlined in quality literature and standards. This study explores the application of commercial field data measured by qualified analysts using a United States Department of Agriculture - Federal Grain Inspection Service approved kit for measuring fumonisin in maize to augment method validation procedures. Analysts from seven grain testing facilities were qualified in official USDA sampling, sample preparation, and testing methodology using the Charm LF-FUMQ-WETS5. A duplicate sample was tested in the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) laboratory using UPLC-MS-MS. Data were subject to four statistical techniques using continuous and categorical methodology. This approach enabled researchers to explore if a single test or multiple comparisons were best suited to assess a field kit's fitness for purpose across facility, toxin level, and year. The study concluded that a paired t -test and correlation analysis provided a quick and meaningful evaluation of kit performance. The correct placement of samples within the correct bin (violative versus non-violative) aligns well with market forces and regulatory compliance. The results of this study also provide a useful tool to assess all field kits' performance at the beginning of the harvest season and subsequent years. The combination of statistical techniques presented in this research is an important tool in assessing mycotoxin field test kits fitness for purpose and represents a key step in a continuous improvement-quality systems process meant to protect the feed and food supply., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Commercial animal feed in Texas was characterized by determining natural gamma emitters including 40 K, 137 Cs, and Uranium ( 235 U and 238 U) and Thorium ( 232 Th) series to obtain basic radioactivity values. The measured activity concentration of natural radionuclides in animal feed was low enough for safe consumption by animal and largely depended on the type of animal feed. 40 K was the predominant radionuclide showing the highest activity concentration in animal feed. The radioactivity concentration of 214  Bi and 214 Pb in 238 U decay series was 1.39 and 1.33 Bq/kg in corn, respectively, lower than in other animal feed types. On the other hand, the vitamin/mineral mix samples showed higher concentrations of 214  Bi (9.04 Bq/kg) and 214 Pb (10.19 Bq/kg). Beef cattle feed, poultry feed, and vitamin/mineral mix exhibited higher activity concentration of 228 Ac and 212 Pb in 232 Th decay series. Gamma radionuclides appeared to be highly and significantly correlated within each decay series. 235 U was present at low levels in all feed samples while the anthropogenic radionuclide of 137 Cs was not detected irrespective of the type of animal feed. This study highlights an importance of establishing a current baseline of radioactivity concentration in animal feed in Texas in which the largest animal feed consumption in the US exists.

Consumption of aflatoxin-contaminated food can cause severe illness when consumed by humans or livestock. Because the mycotoxin frequently occurs in cereal grains and other agricultural crops, it is crucial to develop portable devices that can be used non-destructively and in real-time to identify aflatoxin-contaminated food materials during early stages of harvesting or processing. In this study, an aflatoxin detection method was developed using a compact Raman device that can be used in the field. Data were obtained using maize samples naturally contaminated with aflatoxin, and the data were analyzed using a machine learning method. Of the multiple classification models evaluated, such as linear discriminant analysis (LDA), linear support vector machines (LSVM), quadratic discriminant analysis (QDA), and quadratic support vector machines and spectral preprocessing methods, the best classification accuracy was achieved at 95.7% using LDA in combination with Savitzky-Golay 2nd derivative (SG2) preprocessing. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models demonstrated a close-range accuracy within the scope of standard normal variate (SNV) and multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) preprocessing methods, with determination of coefficient values of R 2 C and R 2 V of 0.9998 and 0.8322 respectively for SNV, and 0.9916 and 0.8387 respectively for MSC. This study demonstrates the potential use of compact and automated Raman spectroscopy, coupled with chemometrics and machine learning methods, as a tool for rapidly screening food and feed for hazardous substances at on-site field processing locations., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Aflatoxins and fumonisins, commonly found in maize and maize-derived products, frequently co-occur and can cause dangerous illness in humans and animals if ingested in large amounts. Efforts are being made to develop suitable analytical methods for screening that can rapidly detect mycotoxins in order to prevent illness through early detection. A method for classifying contaminated maize by applying hyperspectral imaging techniques including reflectance in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions, and fluorescence was investigated. Machine learning classification models in combination with different preprocessing methods were applied to screen ground maize samples for naturally occurring aflatoxin and fumonisin as single contaminants and as co-contaminants. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machine (SVM) with the radial basis function (RBF) kernel were employed as classification models using cut-off values of each mycotoxin. The classification performance of the SVM was better than that of PLS-DA, and the highest classification accuracies for fluorescence, VNIR, and SWIR were 89.1%, 71.7%, and 95.7%, respectively. SWIR imaging with the SVM model resulted in higher classification accuracies compared to the fluorescence and VNIR models, suggesting that as an alternative to conventional wet chemical methods, the hyperspectral SWIR imaging detection model may be the more effective and efficient analytical tool for mycotoxin analysis compared to fluorescence or VNIR imaging models. These methods represent a food safety screening tool capable of rapidly detecting mycotoxins in maize or other food ingredients consumed by animals or humans.

Aflatoxins are toxic fungal metabolites that occur naturally in the field among cereals, oilseeds, and nuts that may increase during storage. Texas grown maize, commonly referred as corn, has some of the highest aflatoxin levels in the US. In 2011, the Office of the Texas State Chemist (OTSC) collaborated with the Risk Management Agency (RMA) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas grain industry to implement the state's first co-regulation governance option to manage aflatoxin risk. Co-regulation is a form of risk management that relies upon a government-private partnership in regulation; utilizing government-backed codes of practice that result in a more connected and transparent marketplace. To measure the economic benefit of co-regulation to manage aflatoxin risk, interviews were conducted among twenty-seven participants in the OTSC aflatoxin co-regulation program who represented 31% of the grain companies that handled maize contaminated by aflatoxin according to Texas Commercial Feed Rules. A comparative approach was used by gathering evidence from 2010 to 2018, in order to evaluate the results before and after the OTSC implemented its co-regulation strategy. The results were evaluated by using the data gathered from the interviews to measure the specific costs and benefits incurred by producers and grain handlers. The findings were modeled in the form of an income statement. From the income statement, the total economic benefit of the One Sample Strategy in 2018 was $14,572,180. This study provides a more realistic characterization of cost drivers associated with aflatoxin risk management and counters exaggerated economic losses associated with aflatoxin in maize from prior studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Timothy Herrman, Kelsey Postma, and Mary Sasser are employed, or have been employed, by the Office of the Texas State Chemist, which oversaw the implementation and administration of the Feed and Fertilizer Control Service’s One Sample Strategy, the primary subject of this paper. As authors, we are reporting on our work regulating aflatoxin contamination. This statement serves as a disclosure of any possible conflicts of interests resulting from such employment., (© 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The surface-enhanced activities of size- and shape-controlled gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with superior chemical stability were investigated to explore a possible development of a simple and non-destructive spectroscopic method to help the regulatory agency's analytical services for rapid detection and characterization of selected antimicrobials in animal feeds. Feed samples spiked at different concentration ranges of antimicrobials were evaluated using AuNPs as a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) agent. The collected SERS spectra were mathematically preprocessed for further analysis. The classification models obtained 100% predictive accuracy with zero or little misclassification. The first two canonical variables (p = 0.001) could explain >95% of the variability in preprocessed spectral data. Most chemometric models for predicting MON, DEC, and LAS concentrations showed a high predictive accuracy (r 2  > 0.90), lower predictive error (<20 mg/kg), and satisfactory regression quality (slope close to 1.0). The statistical results showed no statistically significant difference between the reference and SERS predicted values (p > 0.05). The findings and implications from the study indicate that SERS would be a powerful and efficient technique possessing a great potential serving as an excellent monitoring and screening tool for antimicrobial contaminated samples in the on-site analysis., (Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

We developed a novel substrate for the collection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from either living or dried plant material to be analyzed by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). We demonstrated that this substrate can be utilized to differentiate emissions from blends of three teas, and to differentiate emissions from healthy cotton plants versus caterpillar-infested cotton plants. The substrate we developed can adsorb VOCs in static headspace sampling environments, and VOCs naturally evaporated from three standards were successfully identified by our SERS substrate, showing its ability to differentiate three VOCs and to detect quantitative differences according to collection times. In addition, volatile profiles from plant materials that were either qualitatively different among three teas or quantitatively different in abundance between healthy and infested cotton plants were confirmed by collections on Super-Q resin for dynamic headspace and solid-phase microextraction for static headspace sampling, respectively, followed by gas chromatography to mass spectrometry. Our results indicate that both qualitative and quantitative differences can also be detected by our SERS substrate although we find that the detection of quantitative differences could be improved., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

Texas A&M AgriLife Research (hereafter AgriLife) introduced a quality systems approach to accurately measure and manage aflatoxin that resulted in improved food safety for approximately 10 million Kenyans. A quality systems approach contains elements that ensure laboratory testing competence. In this study, quality system elements included analyst training and qualification, proficiency testing, use of reference material to support analytical traceability and define analytical uncertainty, development and implementation of a food safety plan by commercial maize ( Zea mays ) millers, and verification of testing accuracy at the AgriLife laboratory accredited by the Kenya Accreditation Service under the International Organization for Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission 17025:2005 standard. In 2014 and 2015, five proficiency rounds were performed, ranging in aflatoxin concentrations of 5 to 40 μg/kg. Five laboratories had a z -score of >3, and all of these were for the fifth proficiency round with an aflatoxin content of 5 μg/kg. In 2015, 31 analysts qualified to participate in the program at 15 maize mills. The analysts' qualification for seven test samples, which ranged from 3.1 to 28 μg/kg total aflatoxin, resulted in an average relative standard deviation of 19.2% across all participants and test methods. Independent testing of participating mill verification results before and after analyst implementation of the quality systems approach revealed an improvement in measure accuracy.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been widely investigated in many applications. However, only little work has been done on using SERS for the detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), primarily due to the challenges associated with fabricating SERS substrates with sufficient hotspots for signal enhancement and with the surface interfacially compatible for the VOCs. This study investigated the phase transfer of Ag-nanospheres (AgNSs) from the aqueous phase to the non-aqueous phase by electrostatic interaction induced by cationic surfactants, and the feasibility of the transferred AgNSs as SERS substrates for the determination of methyl salicylate VOC. Results indicated that one of three cationic surfactants, tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) dissolved in organic solvent showed successful phase transfer of the AgNSs confirmed by several characterization analyses. The complex formed by hydrophobic interaction between the transferred AgNSs and Tenax-TA adsorbent polymer was able to be utilized as a SERS substrate, and the volatile of methyl salicylate could be easily determined from SERS measurements at 4 h static volatile collection. Therefore, the proposed new techniques can be effectively employed to areas where many VOCs relevant to food and agriculture need to be analyzed.

Coregulation as a form of risk management relies upon a government-private partnership in regulation using government-backed codes of practice or action plans. In Texas, implementation of coregulation to manage aflatoxin risk has been practiced since 2011 and operates under the program title One Sample Strategy (OSS). Aflatoxin-contaminated cereals and oilseeds that contain greater than 20 μg/kg of the toxin (B 1 , B 2 , G 1 , and G 2 ) are adulterated as defined by the Texas Commercial Feed Rules and regulated by the Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service of the Office of the Texas State Chemist. The present study was intended to evaluate the implementation and effectiveness of the coregulation program for 3 years based on selected evaluation criteria aiming to improve aflatoxin risk management and thus reduce market and food safety risk in Texas. In 2013, 124 analysts qualified to participate in the program at 23 grain elevators. During the 2013 harvest, use of control samples to ensure testing accuracy revealed that the average relative standard deviation among all participants was 14.5%. In 2014 and 2015, 129 and 151 analysts, respectively, qualified to measure aflatoxin, and the average relative standard deviation values for the working control across the 29 and 30 participating firms were 16.2 and 13.7%, respectively. All firms demonstrated the capability to grind maize to the OSS-prescribed particle size (70% passing through a 20-mesh sieve) in all 3 years. The Texas Feed and Fertilizer Control Service verified testing accuracy of OSS participants analyzing 612, 693, and 482 retained samples in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Results were plotted in an operating curve to depict type I and type II errors. The implementation of the OSS built upon a quality system-based code of practice successfully managed aflatoxin risk in Texas by using coregulation as a governance option.

This article contains the results of the evaluation of distillers grain (DG) coproducts from different ethanol plants around the United States and supplemented in animal diets in Texas, based on samples analyzed from 2008 to 2014. The samples were assessed for concentration, occurrence, and prevalence of selected nutrients and contaminants. Protein and sulfur contents of DG were largely different between maize and sorghum coproducts, as well as wet distillers grain with solubles (WDGS) and dried distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), indicating a significant effect of grain feedstock and dry grind process stream on DG composition and quality. Salmonella was isolated in 4 DDGS samples of a total of 157 DG samples, a percentage (2.5%) that is lower than the percentage of Salmonella -positive samples found in other feed samples analyzed during the same period. A small amount of virginiamycin residue was found in 24 maize DDGS, 1 maize WDGS, and 2 sorghum DDGS samples of 242 samples in total. One sorghum DDGS sample of 168 DG samples was contaminated with animal protein prohibited for use in ruminant feed and was channeled to poultry feed. The concentrations of aflatoxin and fumonisin DG coproducts averaged 3.4 μg/kg and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively. Among contaminated maize DG samples, five DDGS samples for aflatoxin contained a higher concentration than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) minimum action level of 20 μg/kg for use in animal feed, whereas no sample for fumonisin was found above the action level of 5 mg/kg. The study provides the most current results involving DG coproducts and associated hazards that will assist development of food safety plans required by the FDA in their September 2015 rule titled "Current Good Manufacturing Practice Hazard Analysis and Risk Based Preventive Controls for Food for Animals."

The objective of this study was to characterize 365 nontyphoidal Salmonella enterica isolates from animal feed. Among the 365 isolates, 78 serovars were identified. Twenty-four isolates (7.0%) were recovered from three of six medicated feed types. Three of these isolates derived from the medicated feed, Salmonella Newport, Salmonella Typhimurium var. O 5- (Copenhagen), and Salmonella Lexington var. 15+ (Manila), displayed antimicrobial resistance. Susceptibility testing revealed that only 3.0% (12) of the 365 isolates displayed resistance to any of the antimicrobial agents. These 12 isolates were recovered from unmedicated dry beef feed (n = 3), medicated dry beef feed (n = 3), cabbage culls (n = 2), animal protein products (n = 2), dry dairy cattle feed (n = 1), and fish meal (n = 1). Only Salmonella Newport and Salmonella Typhimurium var. O 5- (Copenhagen) were multidrug resistant. Both isolates possessed the IncA/C replicon and the blaCMY-2 gene associated with cephalosporin resistance. Plasmid replicons were amplified from 4 of 12 resistant isolates. Plasmids (40 kb) were Salmonella Montevideo and Salmonella Kentucky. Conjugation experiments were done using 7 of the 12 resistant isolates as donors. Only Salmonella Montevideo, possessing a plasmid and amplifying IncN, produced transconjugants. Transconjugants displayed the same antimicrobial resistance profile as did the donor isolate. Three isolates that amplified replicons corresponding to IncA/C or IncHI2 did not produce transconjugants at 30 or 37°C. The results of this study suggest that the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella contaminating animal feed is low in Texas. However, Salmonella was more prevalent in feed by-products; fish meal had the highest prevalence (84%) followed by animal protein products (48%). Ten of the 35 feed types had no Salmonella contamination. Further investigation is needed to understand the possible role of specific feed types in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

This study evaluated distillers grain (DG) by-products produced in different ethanol plants and supplemented in animal diets in Texas, based on samples analyzed from 2008 to 2014. The samples were assessed for concentration, occurrence, and prevalence of selected nutrients and contaminants. Protein and sulfur contents of DG were largely different between corn and sorghum by-products as well as wet distillers grain with solubles and dry distillers grain with solubles (DDGS), indicating a significant effect of grain feedstock and dry-grind process stream on DG composition and quality. Salmonella was isolated in 4 DDGS samples out of a total of 157 DG samples, a percentage (2.5%) that is much lower than the percentage of Salmonella-positive samples found in other feed samples analyzed during the same period. A small amount of virginiamycin residue was found in 24 corn DDGS, 1 corn wet distillers grain with solubles, and 2 sorghum DDGS samples out of 242 samples in total. One sorghum DDGS sample out of 168 DG samples was contaminated with bovine spongiform encephalopathy, but the transmission route of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy agent could not be clearly defined. The concentrations of aflatoxin and fumonisin DG by-products averaged 3.4 μg/kg and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively. Among contaminated corn DG samples, five DDGS samples for aflatoxin contained a higher concentration than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level for use in animal feed, whereas no sample for fumonisin was found above the action level. The study results raised some important issues associated with the quality and use of DG by-products, suggesting several approaches and strategies for their effective and safe use as a feed ingredient to promote animal and human health and welfare.

Three commercially available vibrational spectroscopic techniques, including Raman, Fourier transform near infrared reflectance (FT-NIR), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) were evaluated to help users determine the spectroscopic method best suitable for aflatoxin analysis in maize (Zea mays L.) grain based on their relative efficiency and predictive ability. Spectral differences of Raman and FTIR spectra were more marked and pronounced among aflatoxin contamination groups than those of FT-NIR spectra. From the observations and findings in our current and previous studies, Raman and FTIR spectroscopic methods are superior to FT-NIR method in terms of predictive power and model performance for aflatoxin analysis and they are equally effective and accurate in predicting aflatoxin concentration in maize. The present study is considered as the first attempt to assess how spectroscopic techniques with different physical processes can influence and improve accuracy and reliability for rapid screening of aflatoxin contaminated maize samples., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Rapid and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) for aflatoxin detection was employed for development of the models to classify and quantify aflatoxin levels in maize at concentrations of 0 to 1,206 μg/kg. Highly effective SERS substrate (Ag nanosphere) was prepared and mixed with a sample extract for SERS measurement. Strong Raman bands associated with aflatoxins and changes in maize kernels induced by aflatoxin contamination were observed in different SERS spectroscopic regions. The k-nearest neighbors (KNN) classification model yielded high classification accuracy and lower prediction error with no misclassification of contaminated samples as aflatoxin negative. The multiple linear regression (MLR) models showed a higher predictive accuracy with stronger correlation coefficients (r = 0.939-0.967) and a higher sensitivity with lower limits of detection (13-36 μg/kg) and quantitation (44-121 μg/kg) over other quantification models. Paired sample t test exhibited no statistically significant difference between the reference values and the predicted values of SERS in most chemometric models. The proposed SERS method would be a more effective and efficient analytical tool with a higher accuracy and lower constraints for aflatoxin analysis in maize compared to other existing spectroscopic methods and conventional Raman spectroscopy.

Quantitative analysis of elements in agricultural products like animal feed and fertilizers by a new instrument using microwave plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (MP-AES) technology was demonstrated in this work. Hot plate and microwave digestion were used to digest the sample matrices and the consequent digests were subject to atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA), inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and MP-AES analysis. The detection limit, accuracy and dynamic range for each instrument, were compared and matrix effects were evaluated with respect to the fertilizer and feed materials. The new MP-AES platform can offer comparable or better performance compared to AA and/or ICP-OES with respect to routine analysis for a regulatory program., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A sensitive gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method was developed and validated for quantification and pharmacokinetics of camphor, a major monoterpene of juniper plant, in goat serum. Camphor and internal standard (terpinolene) eluates from solid phase extraction (SPE) with ethyl acetate yielded well resolved peaks and were clearly identified in total and selected ion chromatograms. The elution and injection volumes were optimized for improved detection and quantification of camphor based on peak shape, signal to noise ratio, recoveries, and repeatability. The matrix calibration curve with the good linearity (R(2)=0.998) and response in the range of 0.005-10.0 μg/mL was used to determine camphor concentration in goat serum. The GC-MS method offered sufficiently low limits of detection (1 ng/mL) and quantitation (3 ng/mL) for camphor concentration in goat serum for the pharmacokinetic study. The proposed method showed good intra- and inter-day variation with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.2-7.7% and produced good recovery (96.0-111.6%) and reproducibility (1.6-6.1%) at all spiked levels. Using this method on serum samples obtained from two goats orally dosed with camphor confirmed that the method is suitable for camphor studies in animals., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The objective of the present study is to develop a simple, fast method for detection of aflatoxins in animal feeds. Simultaneous quantitation of four aflatoxins (AFB(1), AFB(2), AFG(1) and AFG(2)) in animal feeds was achieved in a single liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) run. The solid-phase extraction cleanup step is eliminated with the stable isotope dilution method. Matrix effects were observed and overcome by isotope dilution. The method was tested in a variety of animal feed matrices and proved to be accurate and reliable. Method ruggedness tests resulted in recoveries of 78% to 122% with an intra-day assay precision of 2% to 15% and an inter-day assay precision of 3% to 17%. These results indicate that this method is suitable for quantitation of aflatoxins in animal feeds., (Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Tracing grain from the farm to its final processing destination as it moves through multiple grain-handling systems, storage bins, and bulk carriers presents numerous challenges to existing record-keeping systems. This study examines the suitability of coded caplets to trace grain, in particular, to evaluate methodology to test tracers' ability to withstand the rigors of a commercial grain handling and storage systems as defined by physical properties using measurement technology commonly applied to assess grain hardness and end-use properties. Three types of tracers to dispense into bulk grains for tracing the grain back to its field of origin were developed using three food-grade substances [processed sugar, pregelatinized starch, and silicified microcrystalline cellulose (SMCC)] as a major component in formulations. Due to a different functionality of formulations, the manufacturing process conditions varied for each tracer type, resulting in unique variations in surface roughness, weight, dimensions, and physical and spectroscopic properties before and after coating. The applied two types of coating [pregelatinized starch and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)] using an aqueous coating system containing appropriate plasticizers showed uniform coverage and clear coating. Coating appeared to act as a barrier against moisture penetration, to protect against mechanical damage of the surface of the tracers, and to improve the mechanical strength of tracers. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests showed the type of tracer, coating material, conditioning time, and a theoretical weight gain significantly influenced the morphological and physical properties of tracers. Optimization of these factors needs to be pursued to produce desirable tracers with consistent quality and performance when they flow with bulk grains throughout the grain marketing channels.

A simple, fast, and robust method was developed for the determination of fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), and fumonisin B3 (FB3) in corn-based human food and animal feed (cornmeal). The method involves a single extraction step followed by centrifugation and filtration before analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatographylelectrospray ionization (UPLC/ESI)-MS/MS. The LC/MS/MS method developed here represents the fastest and simplest procedure (<30 min) among both conventional HPLC methods and other LC/MS methods using SPE cleanup. The potential for high throughput analysis makes the method particularly beneficial for regulatory agencies and analytical laboratories with a high sample volume. A single-laboratory validation was conducted by testing three different spiking levels (200, 500, and 1000 ng/g for FB1 and FB2; 100, 250, and 500 ng/g for FB3) for accuracy and precision. Recoveries of FB1 ranged from 93 to 98% with RSD values of 3-8%. Recoveries of FB2 ranged from 104 to 108%, with RSD values of 2-6%. Recoveries of FB3 ranged from 94 to 108%, with RSD values of 2-5%.

Monensin is an anticoccidial drug that has been used as an additive in medicated feed. The United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) has included monensin in the national surveillance schemes for residues in foodstuff. In this study, two simple, selective and rapid methods were developed to determine monensin content in animal feed and milk. The methods enabled the detection of monensin residues as low as 1 ppb. Moreover, the two methods were used as models to compare two common liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) platforms; an LC linear ion trap (LC/LIT) and an LC triple quadrupole (LC/QqQ). The two instrument platforms were evaluated for their matrix effect dependence, precision and accuracy. The LC/QqQ presented a lower limit of detection and limit of quantitation (LOD and LOQ) and showed less matrix dependence as compared to the LC/LIT. The LC/QqQ instrument also demonstrated a better intermediate precision. For example, the intermediate precision standard deviation calculated for 27 analyses across three days was 4% and 11% for LC/QqQ and LC/LIT, respectively. Overall, the LC/QqQ represents a better choice for analysis of monensin with respect to LOD, LOQ, matrix interference and precision., (Copyright 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

A multi-state outbreak investigation of Salmonella Typhimurim cases associated with pet snakes and the frozen vacuum-packed rodents used to feed them identified a Texas frozen feeder rodent facility (Supplier A) as the source of the Salmonella-infected frozen rodents. Texas authorities collected samples directly from Supplier A. Seven Salmonella-positive samples out of 49 environmental swabs were found and one adult mouse out of 88 frozen feeder rodents was Salmonella-positive by culture. No Salmonella strains were isolated from rodent feeds. The pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) subtype patterns of S. Typhimurium isolates from feeder rodent and environment samples were indistinguishable from the outbreak strain isolated from humans. A follow-up investigation was performed on all additional feeder rodent facilities identified in Texas. Salmonella was isolated at one of four facilities; seven of 100 rodent samples were positive for Salmonella at this facility. The serotype S. I 4,[5],12:i:- was isolated from seven feeder rodent samples, and PFGE patterns of the seven isolates were indistinguishable. As observed in the initial outbreak investigation, no Salmonella were cultured from rodent feeds at any of the facilities. The feeder rodent industry is an insufficiently recognized industry in the United States. Outbreak investigation and testing of additional feeder rodent facilities in Texas indicate that further evaluation of feeder rodent facilities as a source of Salmonella for pet snakes and humans is warranted.

A corroborative study was conducted on the maize quality properties of test weight, pycnometer density, tangential abrasive dehulling device (TADD), time-to-grind on the Stenvert hardness tester (SHT), 100-kernel weight, kernel size distribution, and proximate composition as well as maize dry- and wet-millability by six participating laboratories. Suggested operating procedures were given to compare their measurements and provide the variance structure within and between laboratories and hybrids. Partial correlation coefficient among maize quality properties varied among laboratories. The repeatability and reproducibility precision values were acceptably low for the physical quality tests, except for TADD and SHT time-to-grind measurements. The yields of dry- and wet-milled products and their correlation with maize quality properties were dependent on the collaborating laboratory. This paper highlights the importance of laboratory variation when considering which maize hybrids are best suited for dry-milling and wet-milling.

Differences in protein content and composition between vitreous and floury endosperm were investigated using a number of different techniques. Differences in protein cross-linking between vitreous and floury endosperm were investigated using differential solubility, size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and analysis of sulfhydryl content and composition. Vitreous endosperm was found to have higher levels of total protein and kafirins, but floury endosperm had a higher proportion of gamma-kafirins than the vitreous. Floury endosperm was found to have higher levels of SDS-soluble proteins than SDS-insoluble proteins extracted using sonication than vitreous endosperm. Conversely, vitreous endosperm had a greater proportion of the insoluble proteins. SEC analysis of the polymeric proteins revealed that the insoluble proteins had more polymeric proteins than did the soluble proteins, indicating greater cross-linking and a larger Mw distribution. Vitreous endosperm was also found to have a greater percentage (i.e., a higher ratio of disulfide to total sulfhydryls) of disulfide bonds than floury endosperm. These results show that the proteins in vitreous endosperm have a higher degree of cross-linking and a greater Mw distribution than those found in floury endosperm.

The commitment to consumer food safety, global trade, and proposed new regulations by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine has led to increased adoption of hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) by the U.S. feed industry. A project supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Integrated Food Safety Initiate titled "Development and Implementation of a Voluntary HACCP Program for the US Feed Industry" enabled faculty from three land grant universities to assist individuals from 14 feed companies that collectively manufacture 15 million metric tons of feed in 100 facilities to develop HACCP plans. The process flow in these plans averaged 20 steps, and the most detailed plan included 60 process steps. Chemical hazards were more commonly identified in HACCP plans (average of four hazards per plan) than were biological hazards (average of one per plan). The most prevalent chemical hazards were cross-contamination of type A medicated articles and type B medicated feeds, aflatoxin, and wrong ingredient inclusion in feed. The most common biological hazard was mammalian protein contamination of feed ingredients and finished feed for cattle. An assessment of time and costs associated with developing HACCP plans revealed that approximately 29% of the companies needed additional personnel or additional equipment to implement a HACCP plan, and on average 268 additional person hours were needed to develop and implement a HACCP plan. Plan design, compliance monitoring, and record keeping were the three most time-consuming activities needed for developing and implementing a HACCP plan. The average cost of additional equipment needed to implement a HACCP plan was $250.

Protein and starch determinants of maize kernel hardness and extruded products were characterized to better define the role of endosperm texture during extrusion. Maize physical properties were correlated with total proteins and zein subclasses (p < 0.01). The extrusion process significantly altered protein solubility and increased protein fragmentation as measured by RP-HPLC and size exclusion chromatography. Harder grits and extrudates demonstrated higher amylose content, lower degree of starch damage, and fragmentation at different screw speeds than softer grits and extrudates. Differences in extrudate expansion ratio, water absorption index, water solubility index, oil absorption capacity, and breaking stress between harder and softer hybrids were related to protein aggregation and fragmentation as well as starch damage and fragmentation.