Journal of Food Safety最新文献

Human activity has led to microplastic contamination throughout the marine environment. As a result of widespread contamination, microplastics are ingested by many species of wildlife, including fish, cephalopods, and shellfish. Taiwan is surrounded by oceans that offer a rich range of seafood. Taiwanese residents can easily acquire seafood as a source of dietary protein. A recent research project by Greenpeace shows that the Taiwanese eat 16,000 microplastic particles per year. There is concern regarding microplastic physical and chemical toxicity, which poses potential health risks to the local community via food chains. Thus, monitoring microplastic contamination in seafood is imperative to provide helpful information for the government and local communities. Efforts should be taken to reduce microplastic pollution at the source to minimize potential effects on ecological and health safety. This review article emphasizes the urgent need for further research on microplastic pollution in Taiwan, highlights the potential challenges to mitigate this emerging environmental threat, and analyzes food safety hazards as well as microplastic contamination in seafood.

Cleaning up biocontamination from surfaces is a critical aspect of maintaining a hygienic environment. Traditional cleaning methods often fall short when it comes to eliminating persistent biofilms and resilient bacteria. In recent years, alternative approaches utilizing antibiofilm enzymes, bacteriophages, essential oils (EOs), antibacterial peptides, and biosurfactants have emerged as promising strategies to combat biocontamination. This article explores the efficiency of these agents in targeting and eradicating biofilms, highlighting their mechanisms of action and potential applications. By leveraging the unique properties of these materials, we can enhance cleaning practices and improve public health outcomes by effectively eliminating biocontamination from various surfaces.

We assessed the antimicrobial activity of extracts prepared with four solvents (hexane, acetone, ethanol, water) from 45 medicinal plants used in Bangladesh. Food pathogenic bacteria (Gram-positive: Bacillus cereus, Listeria innocua, Streptococcus faecalis, and Gram-negative: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, and Shigella sonnei) were tested using a broth microdilution method. The extraction yield was highest (26%) for the water extract of Carica papaya and lowest (0.4%) for the acetone extract of Cynodon dactylon. In general, acetone extracts exhibited much more antibacterial activity than those obtained with the other three solvents (hexane, ethanol, and water). Gram-positive bacteria were more sensitive than Gram-negatives. Streptococcus faecalis was the most susceptible to inhibition by examined extracts, whereas E. coli and P. aeruginosa were the most resistant. Most inhibitory concentration-50 (IC₅₀) values ranged between 101 and 500 μg/mL (64 extracts, 35.5%), followed by the range of 501–1000 μg/mL (40 extracts, 22.2%). Based on IC₅₀, the most effective plants were three species of Piper (Piper nigrum, Piper betle, and Piper chaba), followed by Nigella sativa, Psidium guajava, Syzygium cumini, C. dactylon, and Phyllanthus emblica. In addition, the toxicity of chosen extracts against normal and malignant cell lines was tested; the most effective extracts were toxic against the human lung carcinoma cell line A549, but less toxic against the human Caucasian foetal lung cell line WI26VA4. These findings suggest that some plant extracts could be employed to treat food-borne bacterial infections, or as herbal preservatives in the food sector.

Resveratrol butyrate esters (RBEs) are novel resveratrol (RSV) derivatives synthesized by esterification with butyric acid. In addition, ED2 (3,4′-di-O-butanoylresveratrol) and ED4 (3-O-butanoylresveratrol) in different structural monomers of RBEs have been shown as abundant cellular antioxidants. Therefore, this study was performed to apply RSV and its esterified derivatives in the manufacturing and preservation of Chinese sausage, investigated these ingredients' impact on the sausage's physicochemical properties and changes during storage, and evaluated the feasibility of minimizing sodium nitrite's use in sausage production. This study showed that a high dose (500 ppm) of ED2 and ED4 (with the added 25 mg/kg of sodium nitrite) were effective in maintaining the color of sausages and extending the shelf-life for at least 30 days in refrigerated storage, which was consistent with 150 mg/kg sodium nitrite. Altogether, ED2 or ED4 can potentially reduce sodium nitrite usage by 83% while preventing lipid oxidation and antimicrobial effects, thereby effectively maintaining sausage product stability. Hence, RBEs facilitate the development of natural functional food additives that provide antioxidant benefits products for all ages of people, namely widely used in any processed food that requires antioxidant functionality or as dietary supplements.

The increasing demands for safe and quality packaged food have diverted all the intentions toward the enhancement of hazard detection and quantification techniques. The integration of smart functions with the novel biomaterials-based packaging provides an effective approach to deal with the uplifting concerns of food safety and environmental pollution. In the current study, firstly the cellulose was extracted from coconut waste, then it was subjected to prepare biodegradable films and lastly the films were incorporated with curcumin or quercetin dihydrate. The films were characterized for their mechanical, barrier and smart properties. The incorporation of curcumin or quercetin dihydrate improved the physicochemical properties of the cellulose films, including strength, elongation at break (EAB), water vapor permeability (WVP), biodegradability, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. However, the moisture content and water solubility decreased. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images depicted the rough surface of curcumin incorporated smart films which represents successful application of curcumin, while cracks and pits were observed for the films with the higher concentration of quercetin dihydrate. All the smart films showed effective responses against pH ranging from 2 to 14.

The essential oils from Thymus vulgaris, Salvia officinalis, and Ocimum basilicum were extracted by hydrodistillation, characterized by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and quantified by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector. The principal constituents were thymol, ρ-cymene and carvacrol (T. vulgaris); camphor, β-pinene, and 1,8-cineole (S. officinalis); and (E)-anethole, linalool, and 1,8-cineole (O. basilicum). The essential oil from T. vulgaris was the most effective, forming inhibition halos of 46.16 ± 0.16 and 26.38 ± 0.33 mm, respectively, for Salmonella choleraesuis and Listeria monocytogenes. This essential oil was also more effective against S. choleraesuis, with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 8.85 mg mL⁻¹, and a minimum inhibitory concentration of 17.71 mg mL⁻¹ for L. monocytogenes. No bactericidal activity against S. choleraesuis and L. monocytogenes was observed for the essential oils from S. officinalis, and O. basilicum. Scanning electron micrographs showed that the addition of essential oils left the bacterial cells damaged and deformed. Significant 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging capacity and lipid substrate protection were observed in the β-carotene bleaching assay for the essential oil from T. vulgaris, with IC₅₀ of 231.13 ± 0.53 and 15.25 ± 0.38 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. A dose-dependent relationship between antioxidant activity and concentrations was observed in the tests. Toxicities of LC₅₀ = 1.24, 3.51 and 1.19 mg mL⁻¹ against Drosophila suzukii flies, respectively, were observed for the essential oils from T. vulgaris, S. officinalis, and O. basilicum. Results suggest that essential oils can be promising antioxidant agents, insecticides, and inhibitors of pathogenic bacteria.

Patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite produced by certain molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys), poses a significant health risk when present in apple juice products above permissible levels. Its presence is a major concern for both consumers and regulatory bodies due to its potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. Minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products requires a multifaceted approach involving various stages of apple fruit production, from orchard management to processing and storage. This review explores the pre- and postharvest strategies associated with minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products. It examines the role of good agricultural practices in reducing mold contamination in orchards and discusses the importance of proper postharvest handling, including fruit sorting and washing to remove contaminated apples before processing. During processing, factors such as temperature, pH, and processing time play crucial roles in minimizing patulin levels. Innovative processing technologies, such as pulsed electric fields (PEF), ultraviolet (UV) radiation, high-pressure processing, enzymatic, and chemical degradation have shown promise in reducing patulin concentration while preserving the sensory and nutritional quality of the juice. Furthermore, effective storage practices, such as maintaining proper temperature and humidity levels, are essential for preventing patulin formation during storage. Continuous monitoring and analytical testing for patulin content throughout the production chain are necessary to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to guarantee the safety of apple juice products. Despite advancements in technology and production practices, challenges remain in effectively minimizing patulin concentration. These include the need for further research to develop more efficient detection methods, the adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly practices in orchard management, and the dissemination of knowledge and best practices to stakeholders across the apple juice supply chain. In conclusion, minimizing patulin concentration in apple juice products requires a holistic approach that integrates preventive measures, innovative processing technologies, and stringent quality control measures. By addressing these challenges, the apple juice industry can ensure the production of safe and high-quality products that meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations.

Malachite green (MG), a triphenylmethane dye is often used as a fungicide and preservative in fisheries due to its effectiveness against water molds in fish and fish eggs. However, excessive inhalation can be hazardous to human health. To quantify the MG concentration, we created and evaluated a 96-well plate-based chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA). This method used provided readings in <30 min, with an optimal incubation time of 15 min and a limit of detection of 0.20 ng·ml⁻¹. The strong correlation (R² >0.99) between the measured values of real fish samples examined using the method and the high-performance liquid chromatography results confirmed the accurate quantitative detection of MG. In this study, CLIA was also used in conjunction with point-of-care testing (POCT) to greatly improve the efficiency of the experiments. Thus, a quantitative detection method based on MG plate chemiluminescence was established herein, with performance indexes that meet the requirements of on-site detection. This approach is also applicable to the detection of small molecule compounds such as chloramphenicol and sulfadiazine pyrimethamine, providing a new direction in the field of food safety detection.

The study investigates the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains (Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus casei) in combating Escherichia coli biofilms by determining antibacterial, anti-biofilm activity, auto-aggregation, and co-aggregation assay. The study included 115 E. coli isolates from milk (n = 36), chicken meat (n = 33), and chicken eggs (n = 46). Among 115 E. coli isolates, 22.61% were strong biofilm formers. The LAB strain, L. rhamnosus exhibited a 28.47 mm mean antibacterial inhibition zone, an average reduction of 51.22% in biofilm growth, 55.46% auto-aggregation, and 41.57% co-aggregation with E. coli. Similarly, L. casei demonstrated a 21.55 mm mean antibacterial inhibition zone, an average reduction of 36.74% in biofilm growth, 45.23% auto-aggregation, and 38.74% co-aggregation with E. coli isolates. Both strains individually and in combination demonstrate substantial reductions in biofilm growth, with L. rhamnosus observed to be more effective than L. casei. Scanning electron microscopy provides valuable insights into the structural aspects of the probiotic impact on diminishing E. coli biofilm. Probiotics' ability to auto-aggregate and co-aggregate with pathogenic strains serves as an initial screening method for identifying suitable probiotic bacteria. In conclusion, the results underscore the efficacy of specific LAB strains in combating E. coli biofilm formation. This study provides a basis for future investigations into LAB's capacity to mitigate biofilm-related hurdles and strengthen microbial management protocols within food processing settings or relevant food substrates.

In this study, hyperspectral imaging technology combined with a novel convolution neural network was utilized to detect wheat kernels adulteration. Two groups of wheat kernels were used as samples in this study. Sound wheat kernels from various varieties were in one group, while unsound wheat kernels of the same variety were in another. Hyperspectral images collected from these two groups of wheat kernels were preprocessed using a series of commonly used methods. Following the collection of hyperspectral data, a method of separating and recombining individual wheat kernels from entire hyperspectral images was applied to create training sets and validation sets. Subsequently, a series of tests were carried out to verify whether the proposed model Following that, a number of experiments were conducted to confirm if the suggested model was effective in simultaneously detecting adulterated wheat kernels, and the results gave a positive conclusion. Finally, accuracy, precision, recall and F1-scores were used as indicators to evaluate the performance of the proposed models on the test set. As the results demonstrated, satisfactory performance in detecting adulteration of the two groups of wheat kernels was obtained by the proposed model. According to the results, the proposed model combined with HSI technology has a good prospect of being used as an efficient method for detecting wheat kernels adulteration.