Selenium Biofortification Modulates Plant Growth, Microelement and Heavy Metal Concentrations, Selenium Uptake, and Accumulation in Black-Grained Wheat

In Se-deficient populations, Selenium- (Se-) enriched wheat is a source of Se supplementation, and Se content can be improved by agronomic biofortification. Thus, black-grained wheat (BGW) and white-grained wheat (WGW) (as the control) were grown in Se naturally contained soils at different concentrations (11.02, 2.21, 2.02, and 0.20 mg·kg−1). Then, a field experiment was conducted to assess agronomic performance, the concentration of microelements and heavy metals, and the uptake and distribution of Se in the BGW under the application of Se ore powder. The results showed that the grain yield and grain Se concentration of wheat respectively show a significant increase and decrease from high Se to low Se areas. Higher grain yield and crude protein content were observed in Se-rich areas. The soil application of Se ore powder increased wheat grain yield and its components (biomass, harvest index, grain number, and 1,000 kernels weight). The concentrations of Zn, Fe, Mn, total Se, and organic Se in the grains of wheat were also increased, but Cu concentration was decreased. The concentrations of Pb, As, Hg, and Cr in wheat grains were below the China food regulation limits following the soil application of Se ore powder. Compared with the control, Se ore powder treatment increased the uptake of Se in various parts of wheat plants. More Se accumulation was observed in roots following Se ore powder application, with a smaller amount in grains. In addition, compared with the control, BGW had significantly higher concentrations of Zn, Fe, and Mn and accumulated more Se in grains and shoots and less Se in roots. The results indicate that wheat grown in Se-rich areas increases its grain yield and crude protein content. The soil application of Se ore powder promotes wheat growth and grain yield. Compared with WGW, BGW accumulated more Se in grains and had a higher concentration of organic Se in grains. In conclusion, the application of Se ore powder from Ziyang as Se-enriched fertilizer could be a promising strategy for Se biofortification in the case of wheat, and BGW is the most Se-rich potential genotype.

Evaluation of Milk Production and Milk Composition at Different Stages of Saanen Dairy Goats

Milk is an important elements due to its high nutritious and balanced in human diet. In Asian, goat milk is the most consumed because of the unique taste, more nutritious than cow milk. However, milk production and composition values differ at every stage of lactation in goats. Thus, determining the highest milk production and producing the best quality goat milk is essential to satisfy the local market demands. The objective of the present study is to determine the milk yield and milk composition at different lactation stages and to evaluate the lactation curves in Saanen goats. The lactation stages can be categorized into three, early (less than 80 days), mid (80 – 140 days) and late (over 140 days) days in milk (DIM). In total, 90 milk samples were collected from 15 goats representing early (n=5), mid (n=5), and late (n=5) stages of lactation. The Saanen goats were raised under the same conditions, and milking was done early in the morning (9.00am).The milk yield from Saanen goats were collected and measured weekly at each stage of lactation. Milk samples were analyzed for fat, protein, solid non-fat, and lactose. Current result illustrated, there were significant different (p ˂ 0.05) among three stages of lactation in milk yield, solid non-fat, fat, protein and lactose. In terms of food regulation, the Saanen goats almost fully met the standard requirements for milk production and composition. In addition, this study also observes the lactation curves in Saanen goats and analyse the curve shapes and patterns. The average milk yields from three different stages develops a concave downward curve. The results indicated that mid yield increased from early to mid- lactation and decreased thereafter until the end of lactation.

Analysis of aflatoxin M1 contamination in milk and cheese produced in Mexico: a review

Due to the carcinogenic character of aflatoxins when present in foods, these compounds are considered a risk to human health. This systematic review aimed at compiling the available research data on detection and quantification of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk and common types of cheese produced in Mexico in the past two decades. A limited number of studies were found that matched the purpose of our review. Only ten research works focused on the evaluation of AFM1 content in milk while three studies analysed the occurrence of this mycotoxin in oaxaca and panela cheeses. HPLC-FD and ELISA were the methods of choice utilised to detect AFM1. Concentrations higher than 0.5 μg AFM1/kg, a maximum limit set in current food regulation in Mexico, were found in major dairy brands consumed in Mexico. Analysis of raw milk produced during the rainy season in the states of Jalisco (2007) and Chiapas (2013) showed mycotoxin levels within the regulation limits while milk samples obtained during the dry season in the Mexico City and the State of Mexico (2008) exceeded that threshold. For cheeses, 33% of the artisanal produced oaxaca type samples from Veracruz (2016) and 55% of those acquired in Mexico City (2019) were found above the limit set for milk. In contrast, the panela cheese samples obtained in Baja California and Guanajuato (2009) complied with the AFM1 regulation. Additionally, the presence of AFB1 and its hydroxylated metabolites other than AFM1 were determined in the major milk brands at concentrations that could be of high risk for human health. Similar results were reported for both artisan and industrially produced oaxaca cheese. Finally, mycotoxins enter human food chain through animals fed with contaminated fodder. Our systematic review demonstrated the urgent need to amend the existing food regulation in Mexico to include mycotoxins as potent contaminants in cheese.

Eating Competence in First-Generation Students at a Northeastern, Public University

Objectives To assess differences in eating competence (EC) between first-generation students (FG) and students with 1 + parents who graduated from college (non-FG), in students 18–24 years old, at a large, northeastern, public university. Methods Data were collected between 2015–2020 from the College Health and Nutrition Assessment Survey, an ongoing, cross-sectional study at a northeastern university. Participants (n = 1974) completed the Eating Competence Satter Inventory (ecSI 2.0TM) and self-reported education status of both parents through an online survey (Qualtrics) during the 3rd or 4th week of classes. ecSI scores range from 0–48; eating competence was defined as ≥32. Subgroups within the ecSI include Eating Attitudes, Food Acceptance, Food Regulation and Contextual Skills. FG was defined if both parents did not obtain a college degree. ANCOVA evaluated differences between mean ecSI scores of FG vs. non-FG (n = 1478); age, gender, race, Pell Grant status, dining hall usage, athlete status, and available kitchen served as covariates. Results In this sample, 64.9% of participants were female students, 25.2% were FG, and had a mean age of 19.0 ± 0.02 years. FG students (n = 496) had modestly lower mean ecSI scores than non-FG students (32.9 ± 0.4 vs. 34.0 ± 0.3, P = 0.03. Subscale scores for Food Acceptance (0–9), Food Regulation (0–9) and Contextual Skills (0–12) were lower in FG students compared to non-FG students (5.1 ± 0.1 vs. 5.4 ± 0.7, P = 0.03, 6.4 ± 0.1 vs. 6.6 ± 0.1, P = 0.05, and 10.4 ± 0.1 vs. 10.9 ± 0.1, P = 0.003 respectively). Conclusions Results suggest FG students have lower EC scores than their non-FG counterparts; subscales suggest where FG students may need more support to achieve more favorable weight and health outcomes. More research in diverse communities of college students will help address the needs of FG students and strengthen outcomes for campus communities. Funding Sources New Hampshire Agriculture Experiment Stations and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Hatch Project.

Estimation of Effect of Radiation Dose Reduction for Internal Exposure by Food Regulations under the Current Criteria for Radionuclides in Foodstuff in Japan Using Monitoring Results

This study examined the effect of food regulations under the current criteria (e.g., 100 Bq/kg for general foods) established approximately a year after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. Foods are monitored to ensure that foods exceeding the standard limit are not distributed; ~300,000 examinations per year have been performed especially since FY2014. This study comprehensively estimated the internal exposure dose resulting from the ingestion of foods containing radioactive cesium using the accumulated monitoring results. Committed effective dose was conservatively calculated as the product of the radioactive concentration randomly sampled from test results, food intake, and dose coefficient. The median, 95th, and 99th percentile of the dose were 0.0479, 0.207, and 10.6 mSv/y, respectively, in the estimation with all test results (without regulation), and 0.0430, 0.0790, and 0.233 mSv/y, respectively, in the estimation with results within the standard limits (with regulation) in FY2012. In FY2016, the dose with and without regulation were similar, except for high percentile, and those doses were significantly smaller than 1 mSv/y, which was adopted as the basis for the current criteria. The food regulation measures implemented in Japan after the FDNPP accident have been beneficial, and food safety against radionuclides has been ensured.