Mycotoxin detoxification of food by lactic acid bacteria

Today, a few hundred mycotoxins have been identified and the number is rising. Mycotoxin detoxification of food and feed has been a technically uphill task for the industry. In the twenty-first century, the public demand is healthy food with minimum use of chemicals and preservatives. Among all the fungal inhibition and mycotoxin detoxification methods so far developed for food, biopreservation and biodetoxification have been found safe and reliable. Nowadays, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of great interest as biological additives in food owing to their Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) classification and mycotoxin detoxification capability. The occurrence of fungul growth in the food chain can lead to health problems such as mycotoxicosis and cancer to humans due to producing mycotoxins such as aflatoxins. Biopreservation is among the safest and most reliable methods for inhibition of fungi in food. This review highlights the great potential of LAB as biodetoxificant by summarizing various reported detoxification activities of LAB against fungal mycotoxins released into foods. Mechanisms of mycotoxin detoxification, also the inherent and environmental factors affecting detoxifying properties of LAB are also covered.

Heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment of mechanically milled delicacy called fufu

Contamination of food by heavy metals is a concern as consumption of contaminated food is one of the most likely human exposure routes to metals. Fufu is a delicacy in Ghana consumed mainly by the Akans. Human exposure to some heavy metals (Cr, Fe, Zn, Mn and Ni) through mechanically processed fufu consumption was analysed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and ascertaining consumer awareness of potential exposure by questionnaire administration. A total of 30 milled and un-milled fufu samples (cassava and plantain) were sampled from Bomso, Kotei, Ayeduase, Ayigya and Kentikrono, all within Kumasi. The results showed that Fe and Zn levels after milling were elevated in the range: 2.816–7.297 and 0.753–7.529 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Fe and Zn were below the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) permissible limits except Zn concentration at Bomso. Cr, Mn and Ni were below the detection limit (0.05). Hazard quotients and indices were less than the US Environmental Protection Agency’s permitted level of one, indicating no possible harm to consumers. Findings from the questionnaire administration indicated a complete lack of knowledge on consumer exposure due to the food processing method.

Alternative method’s results for the non targeted determination of xenobiotics in food by means of high resolution and accuracy mass spectrometry

The application of a high resolution and accurate mass spectrometry (HRAMS) approach to detect xenobiotics in different food matrices by means of non targeted determination by UHPLC-Orbitrap followed by data processing analysis was described. Three case studies were reported to demonstrate the possibility to identify unexpected substances in different food commodities overcomes targeted method. This innovative approach could lay the foundation for its applicability to routine analysis in the near future giving the possibility to open new horizons to the research of a wide range of xenobiotics.

Monitoring of Paraquat in soya products intended for animal feed

Even though paraquat is considered to be one of the most toxic herbicides, it is one of the most used ones. Paraquat-based preparations are heavily used across many important agricultural countries and for a lot of types of crops such as soya. As soya is used in large quantities in the feed production, paraquat residues in soya products are a potential threat to livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate whether soya products intended for animal feed contain residues of paraquat. Therefore, an optimized Quick Polar Pesticides (QuPPe) Method was developed. In total, 174 samples were analyzed via LC-MS/MS using zwitterionic hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (ZIC-HILIC). The results showed that paraquat was detected in 66 % of the samples above 0.008 mg/kg. Residues were mainly present in soya bean meals that were imported from Brazil or the USA and cultivated using genetically modified soya. Around 5 % of the samples were not compliant with the European regulation on maximum residue levels of pesticides in or on food and feed. The results of this study support the view that paraquat residues play a significant role in soya products intended for animal feed and, thus, need to be controlled on a regular basis. However, for enforcement actions reliable processing factors for paraquat in soya products or maximum residue levels for processed soya products are urgently required.

Assessment of beef carcass contamination with Salmonella and E. coli O 157 in slaughterhouses in Bishoftu, Ethiopia

Background Salmonella and E. coli O157 are common causes of foodborne diseases. Evisceration and de-hiding steps can lead to carcass contamination during slaughter operation. In Ethiopia, information on the association between the presence of these pathogens in the rectal content and/or on the hide of cattle and their presence on the carcass is lacking. Methods The aim of this study was to assess the sources of beef carcass contamination with Salmonella and E. coli O157 during slaughter. Rectal contents and hide- and carcass-swabs (from three sites: foreleg, brisket and hind leg) were collected from 70 beef cattle at two small scale slaughterhouses. Isolates were genotyped by the Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis method and tested for resistance against 14 microbial drugs. Results Salmonella was detected at equal proportions (7.1%) in rectal content samples and hide swabs. E. coli O157 was detected in 8.6% of the rectal contents and 4.3% of the hide swabs. The proportion of contaminated carcasses was 8.6% for Salmonella and 7.1% for E. coli O157. Genetic linkage between the Salmonella and E. coli O157 isolates from the rectal contents and/or hides and carcasses were observed only in a few cases (2 and 1 carcasses, respectively) indicating the limited direct transfer of the pathogens from the feces and/or hide to the carcass during slaughter. Most carcasses became positive by cross contamination. All the S. Typhimurium isolates (n = 8) were multidrug resistant being resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulfamethoxazole and tetracycline. The two S. Dublin isolates were resistant to colistin. All E. coli O157 isolates were susceptible to the antimicrobials tested. Conclusion The results indicated that cross contamination may be an important source for carcass contamination.

Quantitative measurement of toxic metals and assessment of health risk in agricultural products food from Markazi Province of Iran

The current study aims to investigate the levels of the toxic metal in agricultural products (legumes, wheat, and potato) collected in Markazi province, Iran, and human health risk by using inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The levels of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in all samples were lower than the limit of detection (LOD), while the level of Cd in potato samples was lower than the maximum permisible level (MPL) of the European commission (EC). The non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risk assessment by direct ingestion of agricultural products was calculated using the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) method. The highest mean of toxic metals was observed for lead (Pb) in legume samples (562.17 μg kg− 1). Mercury (Hg) and Pb levels in all samples were higher than LOD, while Pb level in wheat samples were lower than of EC. The rank order of Hg and Pb levels in all samples based on target hazard quotient (THQ) value was wheat> potato>legume. The THQ index of Hg and Pb by the deterministic method in wheat was 1.37 and 0.454; in potato 0.139 and 0.104; in legume 0.092 and 0.41, respectively. The carcinogenic risk index was at an acceptable range. The high hazard index values were estimated and the THQ index for Hg in wheat suggests a non-negligible health risk.

Pesticide traces in local crops of Sancti Spíritus, Cuba: risk assessment study

Background Vegetables and rice produced in Cuba may contain residue of pesticides that exceed the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Pesticide residues on crop samples from Sancti Spíritus province were analyzed. Based on these residue data, a risk assessment of consumer exposure was conducted. Methods Samples collected during the 2017, 2018, and 2019 periods were analyzed using UPLC-MS/MS and GC/ECD chromatography techniques. A deterministic risk assessment was performed, using consumption data collected by the authors. Also, a probabilistic risk assessment was worked out with @RISK for the Monte Carlo simulation. Results A broad range of pesticides were detected in the samples. Most of the detected active ingredients were insecticides and fungicides. A considerable part of the detected pesticide residues exceeded the EU and Cuban MRLs. However, the deterministic risk assessment revealed that the consumer risk of pesticide exposure is low. Only in the maximum exposure scenario children and adults were exposed to methamidophos residues in tomatoes higher than the acceptable daily intake. Conclusions When a more realistic consumption (50th percentile) and higher (95th percentile) consumption pattern for tomatoes was assumed, the deterministic risk assessment found no chronic risk for children and adults being exposed to methamidophos present in the tomato samples. Furthermore, the probabilistic risk assessment concerning methamidophos exposure in tomato for children and adult strata showed no risk. To perform in the future a more accurate risk assessment for Cuban consumers it is important to have more detailed consumption data and an expanded dataset of the residues in different crops.

A glance at one decade of water pollution research in Iranian environmental health journals

Background Due to the importance of water, the negative effects of water pollution on human health and the lack of proper knowledge of the state of research in this regard, the purpose of this study was to analyse scientific publications on water pollution in Iranian journals of environmental health. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted using a scientometric method over a ten-year period (2008–2017) on articles published in five specialised environmental health journals emphasising the issue of water pollution. Data were collected through a researcher-based checklist using the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) and the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME) recommendations. Data processing was done using descriptive statistics and VOSviewer software. Results A review of 1276 articles in specialised environmental health journals revealed that 33.7% of the articles were in the field of water. Physical and chemical factors in water were the main subjects of 21.4% of studies, and temperature and turbidity were the most important physical factors. Microbial agents in groundwater and surface water were the main subjects of 14.1% of the articles. The findings show that 55 of 430 articles related to water were written with contributions from 20 countries (including Iran), with the most contributions from researchers from Asia. Conclusions Good conditions do not exist to investigate the status of articles on water pollution in specialised environmental health journals in Iran over a ten-year period. Health policymakers should therefore provide mechanisms to encourage national researchers, especially environmental health professionals, by setting national research priorities on quality and water pollution to conduct studies in this regard.

Microbial quality of poultry meat in an ISO 22000:2005 certified poultry processing plant of Kathmandu valley

Poultry meat can be contaminated by different types of microorganisms during processing in processing plant. The microbiological quality of chicken carcasses and along with processing steps and environmental condition was analyzed in this study in an ISO 22000:2005 certified poultry processing plant of Kathmandu. Standard plate count method was applied for the enumeration and detection of total mesophilic bacteria, total coliform, total faecal coliform, Staphylococcus load along with selected pathogens like Salmonella spp., S. aureus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens, and Listeria spp. in chicken meat at four processing step (evisceration, final washing, frozen and market). It was observed that the level of microbial load decreased with subsequent processing phases in poultry processing plant where high level of bacteria were reduced during final washing and frozen phase. After processing poultry meat in an ISO 22000:2005 certified meat processing plant, total aerobic mesophilic count, total coliform count, total faecal coliform count, total Staphylococcus count were decreased from 6.92 to 4.45 log CFU/g, 3.49 to 2.19 log CFU/g, 2.41 to nil log CFU/g, and 3..43 to 1.99 log CFU/g respectively. Pathogenic bacteria like Salmonella spp., C. perfringens, and Listeria spp. were absent in chicken meat at the fourth processing step. Prevalence of E. coli was reduced from 37.4% to 10.2%, whereas S. aureus was decreased from 18.57% to 17.1%. It was concluded that the final washing and freezing steps were the Critical Control Point (CCP) to control microbial hazards in poultry processing phase.