Food Additives and Contaminants Part A-chemistry Analysis Control Exposure & Risk Assessment最新文献

Consuming marine invaders is increasingly recognized as an effective strategy for controlling their populations. Following European legislation (Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 on novel foods), it is crucial to ensure that these invasive species are safe for consumption. This study presents the first screening of potential contaminants in gonad samples of Diadema setosum, an invasive sea urchin species, offering a snapshot of contamination levels. The study analyzed Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Marine biotoxins (MBs), and a broad spectrum of inorganic elements, including heavy metals. The results showed that all analyzed contaminants were significantly below the maximum limits set for regulated fishery products in Europe, though some concerns arose from the levels of cadmium (Cd) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) detected in certain specimens. These preliminary findings underscore the need for more extensive investigations into D. setosum contaminant levels to ensure the safety of potential consumption.

The impairment of productivity and harvest of coffee beans by weeds is more accentuated when the infestation occurs between the flowering and fruiting periods of the coffee plant. However, controlling these plants with herbicides, such as glyphosate, can result in crop contamination and accumulation of the herbicide in coffee beans through the drift during application. In this sense, this work sought to determine the stage of development of the coffee crop at which the application of the herbicide glyphosate does not result in the contamination of coffee beans. Glyphosate was applied in lower doses in 5 different stages of the coffee plant, from bean formation to maturation (cherry beans), with one application per plant for each stage evaluated, in addition to the controls, which did not receive herbicide application. After complete maturation, the grains were harvested, pulped, dried, and analyzed by LC-MS/MS to determine the concentration of glyphosate. Herbicide residues were detected in four of the five selected stages, at concentrations lower than the LOQ (0.5 mg kg^-1), but were not detected in the cherry maturation stage. These results indicate the translocation of the herbicide and accumulation in the grains, compromising the quality of the commercialized grains.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are one of the most toxic mycotoxins that can easily contaminate agricultural products and have adverse effects on both humans and animals. To understand the AF contamination in maize in Gansu Province and the risk of dietary exposure, LC-MS was used to determine the AFs in maize in Gansu Province in accordance with national standards. The results showed that the concentration range of AFs detected in maize was ND ∼15.9 μg/kg, and the detection rates of AFB₁, AFB₂, AFG₁ and AFG₂ were 13.3%, 5%, 6.7% and 4.2%, respectively. The estimated daily intake and margin of exposure (MOE) for infants, children, adolescents, and adults were 0.00575-0.0197 µg/kg bw/d, and 69.56-20.34, respectively. The consumption of maize may have adverse health effects in all age groups studied as all calculated MOEs were less than 10,000.

Antiparasitic drugs have widespread use in livestock to control parasitic infections. Their use can lead to residues in animal-derived food products, which can pose potential health risks to consumers. Therefore, a method has been developed for the semi-quantitative screening of 51 antiparasitic drug residues in avian eggs, using a QuEChERS based extraction method and analysis by UHPLC-MS/MS. This extension to coverage of these analytes also includes an approach to the analysis of the traditionally difficult avermectin class of analytes using source optimisation and post-column infusion. The method was validated according to CIR (EU) 2021/808 and the detection capability (CCβ) was set at 5 µg kg^-1 for all analytes, except fipronil and its metabolites, at 1.25 µg kg^-1. Additionally, a novel standard addition based confirmatory method for 10 analytes with MRL values was implemented, in accordance with EURL guidance.

A high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated to quantify alternariol, alternariol monomethyl ether, tenuazonic acid, altenuene, altertoxin I, and tentoxin, and implemented to better understand the risks associated with Alternaria contamination of tomatoes and fate of the toxins during processing. This method has been developed for routine use, by reducing the cost, duration, and complexity of manipulations. Limits of quantification were below EU recommendations 2022/553, reaching 1.2-3.7 µg kg^-1 for alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether and 9.4-18.4 µg kg^-1 for tenuazonic acid depending on the matrix. Apparent recovery ranged between 85 and 103%, and intraday repeatability was <15%. Different Alternaria strains isolated from tomatoes were assessed for their toxin production profiles, and the impact of processing operations on Alternaria toxins naturally occurring in tomatoes was evaluated on a pilot scale. Tenuazonic acid was the predominant toxin produced by Alternaria strains and contaminating tomatoes. Processing operations did not reduce toxin accumulation, which demonstrates its thermostability. Additionally, tomato skin and seeds residues, which are reused for different applications, was 2.6 times more contaminated than tomato pulp.

Hemp, Cannabis sativa L., is approved for production in the United States. Research has demonstrated that hemp leaves are viable as feed for ruminant livestock. However, cannabinoids restrict the integration of hemp leaves into livestock systems as these compounds accumulate in edible tissues of animals and are transferred to the humans consuming animal source products. The objective of this study was to analyze the presence of cannabinoids within rumen fluid, blood plasma, adipose tissue, and feces of beef steers consuming hemp. The trial included two 14-d periods followed by a 45-d monitoring period. In period 1, five ruminally cannulated steers were fed ad libitum hay. In period 2, steers continued to consume hay and were also supplemented hemp leaves at 3.9 mg/kg body weight (BW) cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) mixed with alfalfa cubes. Cannabinoid accumulation, including cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ⁹-THC), was measured in tissues at various timepoints. Hemp consumption resulted in prolonged accumulation of cannabinoids in beef cattle tissues - at least 96 h in blood and 6 weeks in adipose tissue. Future research should determine a safe level of accumulation for and/or appropriate withdrawal time of cannabinoids in animals fed hemp before it may be utilized as a feed.

Co-formulants are substances that are used in plant-protection products (PPPs) to give the product the necessary functions for field application. However, there is a data gap in terms of residues of co-formulants in food while assessment studies of consumer exposure to co-formulant residues in food are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study is to identify co-formulants used in PPPs and assess the presence of co-formulant residues in tomato samples that have been sprayed with these PPPs in the field. The analysis of PPPs and field-treated tomato samples was conducted using liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-Q-Orbitrap-MS) and a non-targeted analytical workflow. Eight products contained N,N-dimethyldecylamine N-oxide, while bis(2-ethylhexyl)amine was detected in six of the testedPPPs. Residues of bis(2-ethylhexyl)adipate and 16-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid were detected in tomatoes. The findings of this study demonstrate the possible presence of potentially hazardous co-formulant residues in food.

Lupin is a pulse crop valued for its protein content and potential as functional ingredient, e.g. in gluten-free foods. The presence of quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) and phomopsins (PHO) has raised concerns, yet information regarding their occurrence remains limited. A two-year screening of QAs and PHO A in lupin-containing foods available on the Belgian market was conducted, based on a market study and risk-based sampling plan (n = 339). A UHPLC-MS/MS method was validated for the simultaneous quantification of seven QAs (i.e. sparteine, lupanine, lupinine, 13α-OH-lupanine, angustifoline, multiflorine and albine) and phomopsin A in relevant matrices. PHO A was not detected in any of the samples (n = 17), 'Lupin-based protein powder' (234 ± 135 mg/kg, n = 6), 'Lupin-based egg alternatives' (177 ± 195 mg/kg, n = 17) and 'Lupin-based coffee surrogates' (428 ± 368 mg/kg, n = 6). Given lupin's potential in plant-based diets, attention to QA presence is crucial, and a safe-by-design approach is recommended. A risk assessment, that considers the consumption of lupins, should indicate whether risk management measures are warranted.

Grain storage is vital in today's world, however the annual grain losses due to mycotoxin contamination reach 250 million tons all over the world. During harvesting, processing and storage (damping and compression), mechanical damage to kernels inevitably creates fracture/breakage and thereafter mildew in the grain silo. One issue that the effect of breakage type and position on mildew under one dimensional (1D) loading was not fully understood up to date. In this paper, the effects of different fracture types and spatial positions on mold proliferation under compressive storage conditions were investigated. First, this study simulates the storage of grain piles under 1D load conditions using in total nine tests in three studies. The effect of breakage type and spatial position on mildew under different compression load were researched. The dry matter loss, grain temperature along with colony count were compared among different breakage type and positions of broken kernels. The results proved that as the moisture content increased, the compression of the pile was larger and the porosity was correspondingly lower, which in turn caused an increase in the temperature and the number of broken kernels. These factors were the main causes of mould in the pile. It is imperative that kernels exposed to the endosperm should be prioritized by screening if necessary, and attention should be paid to the center of the silo during ventilation, which can effectively reduce the mould in the pile. In conclusion, this study aims to understand the fungal contamination under varied kernel fractures and further help to reduce economic losses and improve the food safety after proper management.

A titanium dioxide/graphitic carbon nitride composite (TiO₂/g-C₃N₄; TOCN) was utilized for the degradation of patulin (PAT). The introduction of carbon nitride into TOCN narrowed the band gap of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), thereby enhancing the utilization of the composite with visible light. Patulin at a concentration of 250 μg/kg in aqueous solution and apple juice was degraded respectively by 100% and 85.4% under visible light. The superoxide ion (·O^2-) and hydroxyl radical (·OH) play significant roles in the photocatalytic degradation of PAT, and a new degradation product was identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole orbitrap mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS). In addition, photocatalytic degradation has a minor impact on the quality and nutrition of apple juice. The results of Ames and zebrafish experiments demonstrated that the toxicities of the degradation products were significantly reduced. These results indicate the TOCN photocatalyst can effectively eliminate patulin from aqueous solutions and apple juice, offering a new strategy for removing patulin from food samples.