Assessment of mycotoxin contamination in maize and wheat stored in silos using two sampling processes

Mycotoxin contamination of stored cereals often occurs in a highly heterogeneous manner, necessitating the use of representative sampling to minimise analytical errors. The objective of this study was to compare mycotoxin analysis in stored maize and wheat using two sampling processes. Samples were obtained from four maize silos and two wheat silos. A pneumatic probe was introduced in the centre and at the four central points of each quadrant, from the top to the bottom of the silo (12 m). For sampling process A, this was divided into three samples (upper third, middle third and lower third of the silo height). No sample subdivision took place for sampling process B. LC-MS/MS was used for analysis of aflatoxins (AF), fumonisins (FB), zearalenone (ZEA) and deoxynivalenol (DON) in maize and DON and ZEA in wheat. Sampling procedures were compared with respect to the variability of the collected data. AF, FB, ZEA and DON were detected in 77.5, 100.0, 56.7 and 0.0% of the maize samples, respectively, and the mean concentration differed significantly between silos. In wheat, 100.0 and 97.5% of the samples were contaminated with DON and ZEA, respectively, and there was no significantly difference in mean concentration between silos. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the coefficients of variation (CVs) of AF (54.9 and 58.6%), FB (19.4 and 27.3%) and ZEA (68.9 and 85.5%) between sampling processes A and B in maize silos. The DON CV in sampling process A (10.1%) was lower (P<0.05) than the CV in sampling process B (22.2%) in wheat silos. Overall, the two sampling processes provided analytical results with the same variability in maize and different variability for DON in wheat, where process A yielded results with lower variability.

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Percentile transformation and recalibration functions allow harmonization of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) immunoassay results

Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (CCLM) ◽

10.1515/cclm-2019-1167 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 58 (10) ◽

pp. 1663-1672 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Andrea Padoan ◽

Aldo Clerico ◽

Martina Zaninotto ◽

Tommaso Trenti ◽

Renato Tozzoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Robust Regression ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Validation Dataset ◽

New Approach ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Before And After ◽

Roche Diagnostics ◽

Stimulating Hormone

AbstractBackgroundThe comparability of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) results cannot be easily obtained using SI-traceable reference measurement procedures (RPMs) or reference materials, whilst harmonization is more feasible. The aim of this study was to identify and validate a new approach for the harmonization of TSH results.MethodsPercentile normalization was applied to 125,419 TSH results, obtained from seven laboratories using three immunoassays (Access 3rd IS Thyrotropin, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics; Architect System, Abbott Diagnostics and Elecsys, Roche Diagnostics). Recalibration equations (RCAL) were derived by robust regressions using bootstrapped distribution. Two datasets, the first of 119 EQAs, the second of 610, 638 and 639 results from Access, Architect and Elecsys TSH results, respectively, were used to validate RCAL. A dataset of 142,821 TSH values was used to derive reference intervals (RIs) after applying RCAL.ResultsAccess, Abbott and Elecsys TSH distributions were significantly different (p < 0.001). RCAL intercepts and slopes were −0.003 and 0.984 for Access, 0.032 and 1.041 for Architect, −0.031 and 1.003 for Elecsys, respectively. Validation using EQAs showed that before and after RCAL, the coefficients of variation (CVs) or among-assay results decreased from 10.72% to 8.16%. The second validation dataset was used to test RCALs. The median of between-assay differences ranged from −0.0053 to 0.1955 mIU/L of TSH. Elecsys recalibrated to Access (and vice-versa) showed non-significant difference. TSH RI after RCAL resulted in 0.37–5.11 mIU/L overall, 0.49–4.96 mIU/L for females and 0.40–4.92 mIU/L for males. A significant difference across age classes was identified.ConclusionsPercentile normalization and robust regression are valuable tools for deriving RCALs and harmonizing TSH values.

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Occurrence of aflatoxin M1 in bovine milk and associated risk factors among dairy farms of Punjab, India

World Mycotoxin Journal ◽

10.3920/wmj2021.2697 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

H. Thukral ◽

P. Dhaka ◽

J. Singh Bedi ◽

R. Singh Aulakh

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

European Union ◽

Bovine Milk ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Buffalo Milk ◽

Cow Milk ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Mean Concentration

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in milk and milk products may pose a major public health concern. The present cross-sectional study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of AFM1 in bovine milk across all districts of Punjab, India and to identify the associated animal and farm level risk factors. A total of 402 milk samples (266 cow milk and 136 buffalo milk) were analysed using commercial ELISA and representative samples were confirmed using HPLC-FLD. The results revealed that 56.2 and 13.4% of the milk samples exceeded the maximum levels of the European Union, i.e. 0.05 μg/l and Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), i.e. 0.5 μg/l for AFM1 in milk, respectively. On analysis of species variation, buffalo milk (prevalence: 56.6%; mean concentration: 0.42±0.9 μg/l) was found to have higher AFM1 levels than cow milk (prevalence: 56.0%; mean concentration: 0.19±0.3 μg/l), with statistically significant difference between mean concentrations (P<0.01) and non-significant difference between AFM1 prevalence (P=0.91). Furthermore, milk from commercial dairy farms (prevalence: 64.7%; mean concentration: 0.34±0.65 μg/l) was found to be more contaminated than from household dairy establishments (prevalence: 47.8%; mean concentration: 0.19±0.65 μg/l). The risk factors ‘above average milk yield/day’ (odds ratio (OR): 2.4) and ‘poor animal hygiene’ (OR: 1.9) were identified at animal level, and ‘intensive dairy farming’ (OR: 3.1) and ‘animal feed without aflatoxin binder’ (OR: 4.7) as farm level risk factors for AFM1 excretion above maximum levels of European Union in milk. Among cow breeds, the milk from ‘non-descript’ breed (OR: 11.5) was found to be most contaminated with AFM1 and the least from Jersey breed (OR: 1.0). The present study highlighted the presence of AFM1 in milk samples; therefore, regular monitoring of AFM1 in milk is required so that high risk regions and associated risk factors can be addressed appropriately.

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HemoCue against Coulter LH-750 in the estimation of hemoglobin levels of blood donors in mobile collection settings: a comparative study

Medical Journal of Indonesia ◽

10.13181/mji.v27i4.2635 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (4) ◽

pp. 250-5

Author(s):

Sultan A.M. Saghir ◽

Amer A. Almaiman ◽

Aishah K.A. Shatar ◽

Norris Naim ◽

Huda S. Baqir

Keyword(s):

Blood Donors ◽

Reference Method ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Outpatient Setting ◽

Concordance Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

New Device ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Significant Difference

Background: The fast and outpatient setting for a determination of the hemoglobin (Hb) level is a well-recognized prerequisite to detect anemia in blood donors. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the HemoCue methods (HemoCue B-Hb and HemoCue-301) against Coulter LH-750 as a reference method for Hb determination.Methods: This study was an experimental cross-sectional study. It includes 455 blood samples that were collected from volunteer blood donors between January 15, 2010 and February 15, 2011. The performance of the three methods and their comparisons were assessed using the analysis of coefficients of variation (CV), linear regression, and mean difference. Correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman plots were drawn to compare the two HemoCue measurements and the automated cell analyzer against each other and to evaluate their results. The Hb concentrations were compared using the concordance correlation coefficient.Results: The findings exhibited that the CV for the three methods Coulter LH-750, HemoCue B-Hb, and HemoCue-301 were 0.60%, 0.72%, and 0.92%, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the means of the Hb measurements for the three methods (p<0.001). The HemoCue B-Hb and HemoCue-301 methods showed the best agreement, and the Coulter LH-750 method gave a lower Hb value compared with the two HemoCue methods. The results showed a positive correlation of HemoCue Hb results compared with the reference method.Conclusion: All three methods provide a good agreement for Hb determination. The new device HemoCue-301 was found to be more accurate compared with HemoCue B-Hb and Coulter LH-750.

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Melt Crystallization Behavior and Crystalline Morphology of Polylactide/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Blends Compatibilized by Lactide-Caprolactone Copolymer

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym10111181 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1181 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Chunmei Zhang ◽

Qiaofeng Lan ◽

Tianliang Zhai ◽

Shengqiang Nie ◽

Jun Luo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crystallization Behavior ◽

Crystallization Time ◽

Half Time ◽

Melt Crystallization ◽

Crystalline Morphology ◽

Casting Method ◽

Three Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Compatibilization Effect ◽

Kinetics Of

Lactide-Caprolactone copolymer (LACL) was added to a Polylactide/Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PLA/PCL) blend as a compatibilizer through solution mixing and the casting method. The melt crystallization behavior and crystalline morphology of PLA, PLA/PCL, and PLA/PCL/LACL were investigated using differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM), respectively. The temperature of the shortest crystallization time for the samples was observed at 105 °C. The overall isothermal melt crystallization kinetics of the three samples were further studied using the Avrami theory. Neat PLA showed a higher half-time of crystallization than that of the PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL blends, whereas the half-time of crystallization of PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL showed no significant difference. The addition of PCL decreased the spherulite size of crystallized PLA, and the nuclei density in the PLA/PCL/LACL blend was much higher than that of the PLA and PLA/PCL samples, indicating that LACL had a compatibilization effect on the immiscible PLA/PCL blend, thereby promoting the nucleation of PLA. The spherulites in the PLA/PCL and PLA/PCL/LACL blend exhibited a smeared and rough morphology, which can be attributed to the fact that PCL molecules migrated to the PLA spherulitic surface during the crystallization of PLA.

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Efektivitas Metode Seleksi Pedigree dan Modified Bulk pada Tiga Populasi Sorgum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench)

Jurnal Agronomi Indonesia (Indonesian Journal of Agronomy) ◽

10.24831/jai.v47i3.27661 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (3) ◽

pp. 275-282

Author(s):

Dewi Andriani ◽

Desta Wirnas ◽

Dan Trikoesoemaningtyas

Keyword(s):

Plant Height ◽

Agronomic Traits ◽

Test Results ◽

Selection Methods ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pedigree Selection ◽

High Heritability ◽

Augmented Design ◽

Materials Used

Sorghum has a growing popularity for food, feed, biofuel, and therefore needs to be developed. The research aimed to compare the effectiveness of pedigree and modified bulk selection methods for improving yield in three sorghum populations. The genetic materials used were 60 F6 lines from three populations, namely PI 10-90-A x Numbu, PI 150-20-A x Numbu and PI 150-20-A x Kawali which had been selected using pedigree and modified bulk methods. The experiment was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 at the Cikabayan Experimental Station of IPB University, Dramaga, Bogor. The experiment was arranged in an augmented design with six checks, namely Kawali, Numbu, PI 10-90-A, PI 150-20-A, Samurai 1, and Samurai 2 which were replicated four times. Observations were made on agronomic traits and yield. Plant height and grain weight per panicle had high heritability and large genotypic coefficients of variation. The contrast test results showed significant differences between populations in plant height, panicle length, days of harvesting and 100-seed weight. On the other hand, no significant difference was observed among selection methods, indicating that both methods were equally effective for increasing sorghum yield. The pedigree selection and modified bulk selection increased grain yield per panicle by 14.1 g and 18.2 g respectively. Bulk of the best genotypes in early generation could be an alternative of bulk selection method. Keywords: contrast test, differential selection, genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability

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Nationwide survey reveals high diversity of Fusarium species and related mycotoxins in Brazilian rice: 2014 and 2015 harvests

10.31219/osf.io/3ncs8 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Gláucia Mara Moreira ◽

Camila Primieri Nicolli ◽

Larissa Bitencourt Gomes ◽

Claudigo Ogoshi ◽

Klaus K. Scheuermann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fusarium Species ◽

Nationwide Survey ◽

Morphological Identification ◽

Mycotoxin Contamination ◽

Country Level ◽

Species Complexes ◽

Three Samples ◽

The Status ◽

Concentration Levels ◽

High Diversity

Ninety three samples of rice were obtained from research and commercial plots at eight rice-producing regions of Brazil and analyzed for the presence of Fusarium species and 14 mycotoxins. A total of 352 isolates belonging to Fusarium genus were obtained from 85 % of the samples. These were assigned to four species complexes (SC) based on morphological identification. The most frequent SC detected was F. incarnatum-equiseti (FIESC, 32.4 %) followed by F. fujikuroi (FFSC, 26.1 %), F. graminearum (FGSC, 24.7 %) and F. chlamydosporum (FCSC, 16.8 %). FGSC was limited geographically and dominant in the southern subtropical production regions while the others occurred in all regions, particularly FIESC, the most widespread among them. The samples were individually contaminated with three to eight mycotoxins. The most common mycotoxins detected were zearalenone (ZEA), beauvericin, and acetylated forms of deoxynivalenol (AcDON). Other toxins included enniatins, T-2, HT-2, DON, neosolaniol and moniliformin. The concentration levels were all below the Brazilian promulgated limits established only for DON (< 750 ppb), and ZEA (< 100 ppb) with one exception for the latter. Most toxins were found in both the husk and flour fractions, but AcDON tended to concentrate more in the husk. Our survey extends considerable our knowledge of the Fusarium complexes infecting rice and provides an update on the status of rice mycotoxin contamination at the country level, which can be considered generally safe. However, attention should be paid to the widespread contamination of beauvericin.

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PENGARUH PENAMBAHAN TAPAI SINGKONG TERHADAP SIFAT ORGANOLEPTIK SAMBAL TEMPOYAK

AGRITEPA: Jurnal Ilmu dan Teknologi Pertanian ◽

10.37676/agritepa.v1i1.111 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Mukmin ◽

Lina Widawati ◽

Siska Apriyani

Keyword(s):

Consumer Preference ◽

Processed Foods ◽

Sour Taste ◽

Composition Variation ◽

Three Samples ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Organoleptic Parameters

Tempoyak is a durian processed foods obtained by simple fermentation , the shape of the pulp of durian flesh with a sour taste. Tempoyak made with the addition of as much as 1-5 % salt into the flesh of the fruit pieces which are then brooded for 3-4 days. This study aims to determine the level of consumer preference towards tempoyak sauce with the addition of cassava tapai. The method used in making sauce with the addition of cassava tapai tempoyak, namely by processing cassava into tempoyak with tapai tempoyak sauce. The treatment in this study is the composition variation tapai cassava ( tempoyak 500 grams : 0 grams tapai cassava , tempoyak 450 grams : 50 grams of cassava and tempoyak tapai 400 grams : 100 grams tapai cassava ). The analysis used was the analysis of organoleptic parameters premises color, flavor, and aroma of chili tempoyak tested against the 20 panelists. The results of the analysis conducted stated that based on the parameters of color, showing significant difference between the three samples . Where consumers prefer chili tempoyak with the addition of 0 grams and 50 grams of cassava tapai. Based on the parameters of taste , showed no significant difference among the three samples. Based on the parameters of aroma , showing significant difference between the three samples. Where consumers prefer chili tempoyak with the addition of 50 grams and 100 grams of cassava tapai.Keywords : Tempoyak , tapai cassava , chilli tempoyak

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Mycotoxins in organically versus conventionally produced cereal grains and some other crops in temperate regions

World Mycotoxin Journal ◽

10.3920/wmj2016.2040 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 755-770 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

G. Brodal ◽

I.S. Hofgaard ◽

G.S. Eriksen ◽

A. Bernhoft ◽

L. Sundheim

Keyword(s):

Farming Systems ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Field Trials ◽

Cereal Grains ◽

Organic System ◽

Mycotoxin Contamination ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Apple Products ◽

Low Levels ◽

The Difference

This paper presents peer-reviewed studies comparing the content of deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2+T-2 toxins, zearalenone (ZEA), nivalenol (NIV), ochratoxin A (OTA) and fumonisins in cereal grains, and patulin (PAT) in apple and apple-based products, produced in organically and conventionally grown crops in temperate regions. Some of the studies are based on data from controlled field trials, however, most are farm surveys and some are food basket surveys. Almost half of the studies focused on DON in cereals. The majority of these studies found no significant difference in DON content in grain from the two farming systems, but several studies showed lower DON content in organically than in conventionally produced cereals. A number of the investigations reported low DON levels in grain, far below the EU limits for food. Many authors suggested that weather conditions, years, locations, tillage practice and crop rotation are more important for the development of DON than the type of farming. Organically produced oats contained mainly lower levels of HT-2+T-2 toxins than conventionally produced oats. Most studies on ZEA reported no differences between farming systems, or lower concentrations in organically produced grain. For the other mycotoxins in cereals, mainly low levels and no differences between the two farming systems were reported. Some studies showed higher PAT contamination in organically than in conventionally produced apple and apple products. The difference may be due to more efficient disease control in conventional orchards. It cannot be concluded that any of the two farming systems increases the risk of mycotoxin contamination. Despite no use of fungicides, an organic system appears generally able to maintain mycotoxin contamination at low levels. More systematic comparisons from scientifically controlled field trials and surveys are needed to clarify if there are differences in the risk of mycotoxin contamination between organically and conventionally produced crops.

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Pyridine Extraction Method for Determination of Bacitracin in Feeds: Collaborative Evaluation

Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL ◽

10.1093/jaoac/62.3.662 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 62 (3) ◽

pp. 662-670

Author(s):

Hussein S Ragheb

Keyword(s):

High Temperature ◽

Extraction Method ◽

Main Difficulty ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Difference ◽

Zinc Bacitracin ◽

Collaborative Evaluation

Abstract Seventeen laboratories evaluated the pyridine extraction method and neomycin-sensitized agar for the determination of zinc and MD bacitracin in swine and broiler rations at 10 and 100 g/ton. The method was also applied to the analysis of 2 premixes labeled 50 g/lb (MD bacitracin) and 40 g/lb (zinc bacitracin). Bacitracin activity was determined on each of 2 days with 2 dilutions on each day. No significant difference was found between dilutions within a day or between days for each sample. The type of bacitracin or type of feed did not significantly affect results. The difference in results between MD and zinc bacitracin in premixes approached significance. The large coefficients of variation for premixes (ca 13%) and complete feeds (ca 15–30%) indicate operational problems. The main difficulty was evaporation of pyridine. Some laboratories were not able to evaporate it completely, whereas others lost bacitracin activity, probably due to high temperature of drying. The pyridine extraction method as in 42.200 and 42.204 should be discontinued.

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Evaluation of Tumor Measurements in Oncology: Use of Film-Based and Electronic Techniques

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2000.18.10.2179 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 2179-2184 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Lawrence H. Schwartz ◽

Michelle S. Ginsberg ◽

Douglas DeCorato ◽

Lawrence N. Rothenberg ◽

Steven Einstein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coefficient Of Variation ◽

Interobserver Variability ◽

Tumor Therapy ◽

Measurement Techniques ◽

Cross Product ◽

Ct Images ◽

Coefficients Of Variation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Cross ◽

Tumor Measurements

PURPOSE: To evaluate the variability in bidimensional computed tomography (CT) measurements obtained of actual tumors and of tumor phantoms by use of three measurement techniques: hand-held calipers on film, electronic calipers on a workstation, and an autocontour technique on a workstation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three radiologists measured 45 actual tumors (in the lung, liver, and lymph nodes) on CT images, using each of the three techniques. Bidimensional measurements were recorded, and their cross-products calculated. The coefficient of variation was calculated to assess interobserver variability. CT images of 48 phantoms were measured by three radiologists with each of the techniques. In addition to the coefficient of variation, the differences between the cross-product measurements of tumor phantoms themselves and the measurements obtained with each of the techniques were calculated. RESULTS: The differences between the coefficients of variation were statistically significantly different for the autocontour technique, compared with the other techniques, both for actual tumors and for tumor phantoms. There was no statistically significant difference in the coefficient of variation between measurements obtained with hand-held calipers and electronic calipers. The cross-products for tumor phantoms were 12% less than the actual cross-product when calipers on film were used, 11% less using electronic calipers, and 1% greater using the autocontour technique. CONCLUSION: Tumor size is obtained more accurately and consistently between readers using an automated autocontour technique than between those using hand-held or electronic calipers. This finding has substantial implications for monitoring tumor therapy in an individual patient, as well as for evaluating the effectiveness of new therapies under development.

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