scholarly journals Validation of immunoenzymatic tests for the detection of aflatoxin present in food

Author(s):  
Irena Kirilov ◽  
Gordana Djokic ◽  
Sasa Popov

The significance of this study is reflected in proving the reliability of the ELISA test for the detection of aflatoxin in food and feed. Verification tests were based on the use of reference materials with known concentrations of aflatoxins, contamination of samples by adding known concentrations of analyte and participation in inter-laboratory studies, by different perpetrators and different laboratories. By measuring the known con?centrations of analytes it was proved that aflatoxins, in the selected samples, were determined in accordance with the requirements defined for a given method, and it was demonstrated that it is possible to determine the level / concentration of mycotoxins in relation to the MRL defined by the Regulation on amendments to the Ordinance on the maximum allowable residue levels of pesticides in food and feed and feed and feed for which maximum allowed quantities of residues of plant protection products (Sluzbeni Glasnik RS broj 28/2011 clan 2. prilog 5. tacka 2).

2009 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 290-296 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gnanadhas Preetha ◽  
Johnson Stanley ◽  
Thiagarajan Chandrasekaran ◽  
Sasthakutty Kuttalam

Toxicity of Imidacloprid and Diafenthiuron toChrysoperla Carnea(Stephens) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) in the Laboratory ConditionsInsecticides are unavoidable in pest management programs especially when the pest crosses Econimic Threshold Level (ETL). Nevertheless, often the plant protection products kill the natural enemy population making the pest to resurge and thus demanding more sprays. Therefore, insecticides used in IPM programs should be selective enough to spare the beneficials. Laboratory studies were conducted to find out the toxicity of imidacloprid and diafenthiuron to the eggs, larvae and adults ofChrysoperla carnea.Imidacloprid at the recommended dose of 0.28 ml/l caused 15.38% egg mortality, 26.67 and 33.33% larval mortality by ingestion and contact, respectively and 50.00% adult mortality. The egg mortality was about 15.38% and larval mortality of 23.33% and adult mortality of 26.67% was caused by diafenthiuron. Based on the classification given by IOBC/WPRS working group on Pesticides and non-target invertebrates, both the insecticides were classified as harmless toC. carnea, since the recommended dose caused less than 50% mortality in the laboratory conditions.


Foods ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2289
Author(s):  
Maria Śmiechowska ◽  
Joanna Newerli-Guz ◽  
Magdalena Skotnicka

Spices are an important group of food products of great importance in nutrition and food technology. They are mainly used to shape the sensory properties of food in gastronomy, in home cooking, and in industry. Ensuring quality and safety is one of the basic tasks of spice producers. The aim of this review is to present the threats to the consumer related to the presence of spices and seasoning mixes in the diet. Therefore, special attention was paid to such risks as excess sodium chloride (and sodium) in spice mixtures, the use of additives influencing the sensory experience, and irregularities in the labeling of spices and seasoning mixes for the presence of additives and allergens. The threats regarding microbiological safety and the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, plant protection products, as well as synthetic fertilizers and undeclared additives are also presented and the issue of adulteration and lack of authenticity of spices and spice mixtures is discussed. Using data from IJHARS planned inspections and notifications registered in the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) for 2015–2019, as well as the results of own research, an analysis of the risks caused by herbs and spices was carried out. Strategic activities of companies producing spices focus, among others, on improving production and expanding the commercial offer with new, attractive products. The article reviews product and process innovations in spice mixes and the methods of ensuring safety in this group of food products.


2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożena Łozowicka ◽  
Ewa Rutkowska ◽  
Magdalena Jankowska ◽  
Piotr Kaczyński ◽  
Izabela Hrynko

ABSTRACT The first aim of this paper was to evaluate pesticide residue levels of berry fruit samples. The second aim was to analyze health risks associated with pesticide levels. The monitoring was conducted on samples from producers in north-eastern Poland, during the time period 2005-2010. In total, 241 samples of berry fruit were analyzed using validated and accredited multi residue methods. The studies included 7 commodities (125 strawberry, 59 black currant, 25 raspberry, 23 chokeberry, 7 red currant samples and one sample of elderberry and wild strawberry), and the analysis of 128 pesticides. Residues, mainly insecticides, were found in 47.7% of samples while 40.7% of samples contained pesticide residues below MRLs and 7% above MRLs. The pesticides were found most often in red currant (100%) and black currant (63%) samples. The most frequently detected pesticides were fenazaquin and fenitrothion. Pesticide residues at levels exceeding legally binding MRLs occurred mostly in black currant samples (12 samples). Violations of the maximum residue limits (MRLs) (15 notifications) and use of a forbidden plant protection product (8 notifications) were found in twenty-three berry samples during the six-year study. For these cases, the RASFF system (rapid alert system for food and feed) procedures were initiated. The highest number of notifications was recorded in 2008 (11 notifications). Only one of the notifications was prepared for berry fruit from an integrated production system − black currant, the remaining were for conventional fruit. Among the RASFF notifications, 17 (74%) were for black currant samples.The estimated exposure to pesticide residues detected in the analyzed berry fruit samples was shown to be very low for the general population (adults) and for the critical population of small children. Acute and chronic exposure based on residue levels did not adversely affect consumer health.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 370
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz Artyszak ◽  
Dariusz Gozdowski ◽  
Alicja Siuda

Water shortage and drought are a growing problem in Europe. Therefore, effective methods for limiting its effects are necessary. At the same time, the “field to fork” strategy adopted by the European Commission aims to achieve a significant reduction in the use of plant protection products and fertilizers in the European Union. In an experiment conducted in 2018–2020, the effect of the method of foliar fertilization containing silicon and potassium on the yield and technological quality of sugar beet roots was assessed. The fertilizer was used in seven combinations, differing in the number and time of application. The best results were obtained by treating plants during drought stress. The better soil moisture for the plants, the smaller the pure sugar yield increase was observed. It is difficult to clearly state which combination of silicon and potassium foliar application is optimal, as their effects do not differ greatly.


Author(s):  
Gavin Lewis ◽  
Axel Dinter ◽  
Charlotte Elston ◽  
Michael Thomas Marx ◽  
Christoph Julian Mayer ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian J. Kuster ◽  
Nicola J. Hewitt ◽  
Clare Butler Ellis ◽  
Christian Timmermann ◽  
Thomas Anft

Author(s):  
Marco Grella ◽  
Fabrizio Gioelli ◽  
Paolo Marucco ◽  
Ingrid Zwertvaegher ◽  
Eric Mozzanini ◽  
...  

AbstractThe pulse width modulation (PWM) spray system is the most advanced technology to obtain variable rate spray application without varying the operative sprayer parameters (e.g. spray pressure, nozzle size). According to the precision agriculture principles, PWM is the prime technology that allows to spray the required amount where needed without varying the droplet size spectra which benefits both the uniformity of spray quality and the spray drift reduction. However, some concerns related to the effect of on–off solenoid valves and the alternating on/off action of adjacent nozzles on final uneven spray coverage (SC) have arisen. Further evaluations of PWM systems used for spraying 3D crops under field conditions are welcomed. A tower-shaped airblast sprayer equipped with a PWM was tested in a vineyard. Twelve configurations, combining duty cycles (DC: 30, 50, 70, 100%) and forward speeds (FS: 4, 6, 8 km h−1), were tested. Two methodologies, namely field-standardized and real field conditions, were adopted to evaluate the effect of DC and FS on (1) SC variability (CV%) along both the sprayer travel direction and the vertical spray profile using long water sensitive papers (WSP), and (2) SC uniformity (IU, index value) within the canopy at different depths and heights, respectively. Furthermore, the SC (%) and deposit density (Nst, no stains cm−2), determined using short WSP, were used to evaluate the spray application performances taking into account the spray volumes applied. Under field-controlled conditions, the pulsing of the PWM system affects both the SC variability measured along the sprayer travel direction and along the vertical spray profile. In contrast, under real field conditions, the PWM system does not affect the uniformity of SC measured within the canopy. The relationship between SC and Nst allowed identification of the ranges of 200–250 and 300–370 l ha−1 as the most suitable spray volumes to be applied for insecticide and fungicide plant protection products, respectively.


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