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

PGPR is an emulsifier (E476) widely used in the food industry. In this study, a gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) method was developed for the quantitative characterisation of the polyglycerol composition of PGPR. The method was validated to analyse quantitatively the polyglycerol species in neat PGPR products and in PGPR samples present in a lipid matrix. This method consists of saponification, acidification and petroleum ether extraction to remove interfering fatty acids, neutralisation, silylation and finally GC-FID analysis. Phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside was used as internal standard as sorbitol proved unsuitable due to its susceptibility to interference from Na/K chloride during silylation. The response factors of glycerol and diglycerol towards phenyl β-D-glucopyranoside were determined using pure standards, while response factors of polyglycerols with a degree of polymerisation of at least 3 could be reliably estimated according to an effective carbon number (ECN) approach. The validity of the method applied to PGPR samples was further supported on the basis of a mass balance considering the experimentally determined polyglycerol and fatty acid content. Moreover, recoveries of di-, tri-, tetra- and pentaglycerol were more than 95% for various PGPR samples added to two different lipid matrices at 2 wt% and 5 wt% concentrations. Furthermore, the method proved to be very repeatable (with relative standard deviation values below 2.2%). On the other hand, the inevitable presence of glycerol in the lipid samples caused fouling of the detector and column overloading, requiring frequent cleaning of the detector and trimming off part of the column.

Lomefloxacin (LMF), a third-generation fluoroquinolone antibacterial agent, is often used to treat bacterial and mycoplasma infections. However, due to its prolonged half-life and slow metabolism, it is prone to residues in animal-derived foods, posing a potential food safety risk. Therefore, it is particularly urgent and important to establish a method for detecting lomefloxacin. In this study, direct and indirect competitive fluorescence-linked immunosorbent assay (dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA) based on quantum dots (QDs) was established for the detection of LMF. As for dc-FLISA, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) and limit of detection (LOD) were 0.84 ng/mL, 0.04 ng/mL, respectively, the detection ranges from 0.08 to 9.11 ng/mL. The IC₅₀ and LOD of ic-FLISA were 0.43 ng/mL and 0.03 ng/mL, respectively, meanwhile the detection ranges from 0.05 to 3.49 ng/mL. The recoveries of dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA in animal-derived foods (milk, fish, chicken, and honey), ranged from 95.8% to 105.2% and from 96.3% to 103.4%, respectively, with the coefficients of variation less than 8%. These results suggest that the dc-FLISA and ic-FLISA methods, which are based on QD labelling, are highly sensitive and cost-effective, and can be effectively used to detect LMF in animal-derived foods.

Aleurites moluccanus (candlenut) and Bertholletia excelsa (Brazil nut) are marketed as dietary supplements for weight loss. These dietary supplements have been found to sometimes be adulterated with toxic nuts/seeds from Cascabela thevetia, commonly known as yellow oleander or lucky nut. This study emphasizes the key identification parameters to differentiate the genuine and adulterated nuts. Samples were obtained from authenticated sources of the nuts and from commercial sources of dietary supplements. This study examined 38 samples, including voucher and commercial samples. All eight commercial candlenut dietary supplement samples were adulterated. Additionally, two samples sold as Brazil nuts were also found to be adulterated. Other nuts were screened for the presence of Cardiac Glycosides, but none were found to be positive. The presence of yellow oleander was confirmed in all commercial dietary supplement samples marketed as candlenut as well as in commercial samples of Brazil nut. This study provides simple key identification characters using micro-morphology and histochemical localization of cardiac glycosides in the commercial nuts, HPTLC fingerprints, and LC-DAD-Q-ToF analytical parameters to detect and identify adulteration in commercial products.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) analysis has become crucial due to their presence in the environment, their persistence and potential health risks. These compounds are commonly used in food contact materials (FCM) as a coating to provide water and grease-repellent properties. One of the pathways for PFAS to enter the human body is either through direct consumption of contaminated food or indirectly through migration from FCM into food. The purpose of this study was to investigate where the initial contamination of paper FCM occurs. We analysed paper material consisting of fresh fibre and secondary materials, intended to produce food packaging for the presence of PFAS. The samples were extracted and analysed for 23 different PFAS substances using the targeted approach with LC tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This analytical technique detects specific, easily ionisable PFAS with high sensitivity. However, one drawback of this approach is that it allows the identification of less than 1% of the PFAS known today. For this reason, we used combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to determine the content of extractable organic fluorine compounds (EOF) and compare it to the total fluorine content. The targeted analysis using LC-MS/MS measured an average sum concentration of PFAS of 0.17 ng g^-1 sample. Our research shows that the primary PFAS contamination happens during the recycling process since all of the samples in which the targeted PFAS were measured belonged to the secondary material. The most frequently detected analytes were PFOA and PFOS, detected in 90% and 62% of the samples, respectively, followed by PFBS (in 29% of the samples). CIC showed that measured PFAS via LC-MS/MS amount to an average of 2.7 × 10^-4% of total fluorine content, whereas the EOF was under the LOD in all of the measured samples. This result highlights the complexity of the accurate determination of PFAS compounds, displaying what kind of information the chosen methods provide.

Garri is a granular, starchy food prepared by the fermentation of mashed cassava. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and mycotoxins are contaminants in certain foods at different points along the food value chain. The incidence and contamination levels of HCN and multi-mycotoxins in garri from five agroecological zones of Nigeria were determined using a spectrophotometric method and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS/MS), respectively. The health risk associated with the consumption of contaminated garri was assessed. The health risk assessment model was used to calculate the dietary exposure of humans to the mycotoxins in garri. This was done by estimating the daily intake (EDI), the percentage tolerable daily intake (%TDI), the annual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cases attributable to exposure to aflatoxins (AFs) in garri, as well as the HCC risk. The average intake of garri was estimated at 0.303 kg/day for a Nigerian adult. The incidence of HCN was 98.3% (0.056-2.463 mg/kg), and fermentation reduced the HCN level in garri more than other processing steps. The twenty-one mycotoxins identified and quantified were all within maximum levels, as applicable to those that are regulated by the EU. The %TDI for the other mycotoxins, with the exception of AFs, showed no alarming health risk with garri consumption. Annual HCC cases resulting from AF in garri were estimated at 10-60 cases for HBsAg + ve individuals and 4-23 cases for HBsAg - ve individuals based on 8.1% hepatitis B virus (HBV) incidence. Results further revealed no interdependence between HCN levels and mycotoxin content. This work suggests an unlikely chance of acute toxicity from HCN and major mycotoxins from a garri-based diet in Nigeria. Hence, it is recommended that concerned regulatory bodies maintain the existing permissible limits for HCN in Garri.

Glycidyl esters (GEs) and 3-monochloropropanediol esters (3-MCPDEs) are process contaminants commonly found in refined edible oils which are often added to infant formulas. The Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) launched regulations for GEs in infant formulas that went into effect on 1 July 2021. To investigate levels of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in infant formula powder, 45 products were sampled and analysed during 2020-2021. The contents of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in formulas of different brands significantly varied, but their concentrations in all of the formulas complied with European Union (EU) regulations. Infant formulas containing palm oil had significantly higher 3-MCPDE levels in both extracted oils and milk powder than those without palm oil. Concentrations of GEs and 3-MCPDEs in infant formula powder and extracted oils were significantly lower in products from Europe than those from Australia and New Zealand. Infants aged 0-1 years in Taiwan who consumed only infant formula showed a margin of exposure (MoE) exceeding 25,000. Mean consumer exposures to 3-MCPDEs stayed below the tolerable daily intake (TDI), while high exposures at the 95th percentile (P95) exceeded the TDI by 1.7-fold. Herein, we present the changing trends in the risk assessment results of infant formula across various countries in the decade. Implementation of regulations and mitigation strategy effectively reduced the risk of infants being exposed to GEs and 3-MCPDEs through infant formula.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin contaminating agricultural products produced by fungi, associated with important toxic effects. Thus, the development of fast, sensitive, and economical approaches for OTA detection is crucial. In this study, a barcode-style lateral flow assay for the semi-quantitative detection of OTA in coffee samples was developed. To achieve this goal, a BSA-OTA complex was immobilized in three test zones to compete with OTA molecules in the sample for binding with anti-OTA antibodies labeled with gold nanoparticles. Different concentrations of OTA in the sample produced distinct colour patterns, allowing semi-quantification of the analyte. The assay exhibited high sensitivity, with a limit of detection of 2.5 µg.L^-1, and high reproducibility, with variation coefficient values between 2% and 13%. Moreover, the colour patterns obtained in the analysis with coffee samples were similar to the results obtained with standard OTA solutions, demonstrating a reliable applicability in real samples.

A field study to understand dissipation rates and effect of various washing treatments on the residues of seven different insecticides, i.e. tetraniliprole 200 SC, emamectin benzoate 5 SG, lufenuron 5.4 EC, indoxacarb 14.5 SC, thiodicarb 75 WP, profenofos 50 EC and cypermethrin 25 EC in/on cauliflower curd has been conducted. The results showed that initial deposits (just after the last insecticide application, i.e. 0 d) of tetraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, lufenuron, indoxacarb, thiodicarb, profenofos and cypermethrin were 0.43, 0.03, 0.25, 0.28, 0.38, 6.70 and 0.68 mg kg^-1, respectively. The dissipation pattern of all the tested insecticides followed monophasic, first order kinetics with the half-lives of 6.25, 8.85, 3.27, 7.71, 4.36, 2.98 and 3.76 d, respectively. Proposed pre-harvest intervals for these insecticides are 6, 9, 3, 8, 4, 3 and 4 d, respectively. All the decontamination techniques showed reductions in residue levels. However, treatment by soaking in 5% sodium bicarbonate aqueous solution showed 54%, 42%, 53%, 48%, 22%, 54% and 77% maximum reductions in residues of tetraniliprole, emamectin benzoate, lufenuron, indoxacarb, profenofos and cypermethrin, respectively, in cauliflower curds. The next best treatment was soaking cauliflower curds in water at 45-50 °C for 10 min, which reduced the residues of cypermethrin, profenofos, tetraniliprole, thiodicarb, emamectin benzoate and lufenuron.

Brazil plays an important role in ensuring its position on the international market by assuring high food safety standards for its products, and all products should meet the requirements for residues from veterinary drugs and contaminants in animal products. Statutory monitoring provides insights into the compliance of the Brazilian industry regarding these legal requirements. The objective of this study was to provide insight into the safety of Brazilian animal products by reporting the occurrence of residues from veterinary drugs and contaminants according to an analysis of an 11-year report published by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA). Between 2010 and 2021, 166,647 samples from animal-derived products were analyzed in Brazil, and 624 of those samples were non-compliant (0.37%) exceeding maximum residue limits (>MRLs) or showed the presence of prohibited substances. The most common types of substances found in the non-compliant samples were heavy metals, parasiticides, and antimicrobials, accounting for 82% of all documents from the MAPA. Among Brazilian products, the challenge related to occurrence of substances varied across the food supply chain, with highest incidence rates observed in the fish chain, followed by eggs, milk, equids, sheep/goat, honey, bovine, swine, and broilers chains in decreasing order. Considering the type of substance, heavy metals were found to be more prevalent in fish products, mainly arsenic in wild fish. The prevalence of contaminants and heavy metals decreased, while that of veterinary drugs increased in Brazilian products from 2010 to 2021. From these results, it can be concluded that the number of accidental incidents including those associated with environmental contaminants decreased over the last decade, opposed to those involving human adversaries and deliberate illegal actions, such as the abuse of veterinary drugs, increased. Future monitoring plans need to take this paradigm shift into account.

This review explores the repercussions of mycotoxin contamination in food and feed, emphasising potential threats to agriculture, animal husbandry and public health. The primary objective is to make a comprehensive assessment of the neurotoxic consequences of mycotoxin exposure, an aspect less explored in current literature. Emphasis is placed on prominent mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, zearalenone (ZEA) and ochratoxins, known for inducing acute and chronic diseases such as liver damage, genetic mutation and cancer. To elucidate the effects, animal studies were conducted, revealing an association between mycotoxin exposure and neurological damage. This encompasses impairments in learning and memory, motor alterations, anxiety and depression. The underlying mechanisms involve oxidative stress, disrupting the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacity. This oxidative stress is linked to neuronal damage, brain inflammation, neurochemical imbalance, and subsequent behavioural changes. The review underscores the need for preventive measures against mycotoxin exposure. While complete avoidance is ideal, exploration into the potential use of antioxidants as a viable solution is discussed, given the widespread contamination of many food products. Specifically, the protective role of natural compounds, such as polyphenols, is highlighted, showcasing their efficacy in mitigating mycotoxicosis in the central nervous system (CNS), as evidenced by findings in various animal models. In summary, countering mycotoxin-induced neurotoxicity requires a multifaceted approach. The identified natural compounds show promise, but their practical use hinges on factors like bioavailability, toxicity and understanding their mechanisms of action. Extensive research is crucial, considering the diverse responses to different mycotoxins and neurological conditions. Successful implementation relies on factors such as the specific mycotoxin(s) involved and achievable effective concentrations. Further research and clinical trials are imperative to establish the safety and efficacy of these compounds in practical applications.