First page: fyad034 Abstract: AbstractCamellia oil and olive oil with superior economic value are easily adulterated with other, cheaper oils. It is difficult to identify both oils by traditional methods because of their similar fatty acid profiles. In the present study, a novel method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of β-sitosterol using GC/MS and GC/FID was developed to identify camellia oil and olive oil. The method validation of β-sitosterol analysis showed good linearity and satisfactory values for recovery, accuracy, precision, and repeatability. The linear regression coefficient (R2) of the calibration curve was 0.9985. An acceptable limit of detection (0.36 mg/100 g) and limit of quantification (1.20 mg/100 g) were achieved. The spiked recoveries were 95.0% to 100.3%. The relative standard deviation (RSD) of within-day precision was less than 3.26%, and the RSD of retention times and peak areas for repeatability were within 0.03% and 1.08%, respectively. The contents of β-sitosterol in virgin camellia oil and virgin olive oil were in the range of 14.1–30.2 mg/100 g and 94.3–173.2 mg/100 g, respectively, indicating that the β-sitosterol content in the former is seven times that in the latter, and β-sitosterol could be a potential marker for the authentication and adulteration detection of both oils. PubDate: Wed, 23 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad034 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad030 Abstract: AbstractTiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) is an ideal raw material for oil extraction, but starch-rich tiger nut meal, a by-product of oil extraction, has not been fully utilized. For this, starch was isolated from tiger nut meal, and then starch nanoparticles were prepared by gelatinization, ultrasonication and nanoprecipitation under different conditions. The preparation parameters were optimized by measuring the particle size with dynamic light scattering, and the physicochemical properties of native starch and nano starch were evaluated. The results showed that, compared to native starch, starch nanoparticle (nano starch) has a higher amylose content (39.05%), solubility (56.13%), and swelling power (58.01%). Furthermore, native starch and nano starch were esterified with octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA), respectively, conferring amphiphilic properties. The effects of OSA modification on the resistant starch content, thermal properties, and microstructure of starches were characterized. The resistant starch content of tiger nut native starch increased by 10.81% after OSA modification, while the resistant starch content of OSA nano starch increased to 37.76%. Compared to native starch, the gelatinization temperature of OSA nano starch decreased by 2.7 °C and nano starch decreased by 5.68 °C. OSA modified nano starch showed a unique microstructure, such as a slender fiber structure and a regular oblate structure. The hydrophobic OSA groups aggregated to form hydrophobic cavities with a hydrophilic surface in the aqueous phase. The findings presented in this investigation provide a better understanding of the design and development of OSA nano starch and provide valuable guidance to further enhance the added value of tiger nuts and future applications in the food industry. PubDate: Mon, 21 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad030 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad033 Abstract: AbstractCollagen peptides from marine organisms have drawn great attention in food, cosmetics and medicine owing to their multiple functions including antioxidant, anticancer, cardioprotection, skin protection, and wound healing effects. Recent reports have revealed that a large amount of solid waste is discarded from fisheries that could be used for producing high value-added products. This study aims to extract and purify collagens and peptides from sturgeon fish skin, a by-product obtained during the processing of sturgeon fish. A high yield of acid-soluble collagen was obtained by using acetic acid for extraction followed by sonication, while a high yield of pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) was shown by acetic acid and sonication followed by adding acetic acid and pepsin to the residue for extraction and then sonication. Two-stage hydrolysis with pepsin first followed by flavourzyme was necessary to produce high yield of PSC peptide. Sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed the presence of type I collagen and the structural integrity was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Flavourzyme was more effective in hydrolyzing PSC into peptides with low molecular weight (MW) than pepsin, papain, alcalase, and trypsin. Purification of PSC hydrolysate with a Sephadex G-10 column to exclude peptide with MW>700 Da or ultrafiltration with a dialysis membrane with MW cutoff of 500 Da produced PSC peptides with MW<700 Da and MW<728 Da accounting, respectively, accounting for 40% or 52% of all the fragments based on low resolution-matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (LR-MALDI-MS). In conclusion, with sturgeon fish skin as raw material and flavourzyme level of 5%, the highest degree of hydrolysis and yield of PSC peptides with low MW was obtained by controlling the pH at 8, temperature at 50 °C, ratio of PSC to deionized water at 1:40 (mass concentration), hydrolysis time at 4 h, and ultrafiltration with dialyzing membrane MW cutoff of 500 Da. PubDate: Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad033 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad032 Abstract: AbstractFood and water are the main sources of human exposure to arsenic. It is important to determine arsenic species in food because the toxicities of arsenic vary greatly with its chemical speciation. Extensive research has focused on high concentrations of arsenic species in marine organisms. The concentrations of arsenic species in freshwater fish are much lower, and their determination presents analytical challenges. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on arsenic speciation in freshwater fish and discuss challenges and research needs. Fish samples are typically homogenized, and arsenic species are extracted using water/methanol with the assistance of sonication and enzyme treatment. Arsenic species in the extracts are commonly separated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and detected using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry, used in combination with HPLC and ICPMS, provides complementary information for the identification and characterization of arsenic species. The methods and perspectives discussed in this review, covering sample preparation, chromatography separation, and mass spectrometry detection, are directed to arsenic speciation in freshwater fish and applicable to studies of other food items. Despite progress made in arsenic speciation analysis, a large fraction of the total arsenic in freshwater fish remains unidentified. It is challenging to identify and quantify arsenic species present in complex sample matrices at very low concentrations. Further research is needed to improve the extraction efficiency, chromatographic resolution, detection sensitivity, and characterization capability. PubDate: Thu, 27 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad032 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad031 Abstract: AbstractScallop adductor muscle has great popularity for raw consumption in Japan, but conventionally shucking live scallops with high vitality by knife requires skill and is time-consuming. Flash-boil shucking is a convenient shucking method in sushi restaurants for live scallops. However, the effects of this treatment on the quality of its main edible part, the adductor muscle, are not clear. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of flash-boil shucking on the quality of raw-edible scallop adductor muscle, focusing on flavor-enhancing components and ultrastructure. Thermal treatment could contribute to the formation of flavor-enhancing nucleotides in the external layer of the adductor muscle. Adenosine monophosphate content increased with the boiling time, which significantly increased to 1.47±0.42 µmol/g in the 30 s-boiled group compared with 0.38±0.13 µmol/g in the control group (p<0.05). The rapid adenosine monophosphate accumulation after boiling resulted in a faster accumulation of inosine and hypoxanthine during subsequent refrigeration, which could bring bitterness to aquatic products. Flash-boil shucking had no discernible effect on the proportion of free amino acids relevant to the flavor of scallop adductor muscle, despite the possibility of a reduction in total free amino acids. The external layer of the scallop adductor muscle could be hardened after flash-boil shucking. At the ultrastructural level, muscle fibers tend to aggregate transversely and contract longitudinally depending on the heating time. Flash-boil shucking is ideal for consuming the raw-edible scallop adductor muscle promptly. Flash-boil shucking treatment is recommended for households, restaurants, and small factories for treating scallops with high vitality. PubDate: Fri, 21 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad031 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad029 Abstract: AbstractPolygonatum sibiricum, famous for its physiological activities, is a popular Chinese food and a traditional Chinese herb containing many carbohydrates as the main component. However, except for most reported polysaccharides, other detailed compositions of carbohydrates are still not clear. To verify the controversial existence of starch and investigate other components, especially oligosaccharides, we used iodine–potassium iodide colorimetric detection and enzymatic hydrolysis to determine starch. Then, oligosaccharides were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, gel permeation chromatography, high-performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection, and hydrophilic interaction chromatography–electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The results showed that the rhizome of P. sibiricum lacked starch, and fructo-oligosaccharides were the main component, accounting for approximately 28.95%. Oligosaccharides with degrees of polymerization above 10 were the most abundant components. This study clearly illustrated the unknown carbohydrate components of the Polygonatum rhizome, promoting its functional value with new evidence. PubDate: Mon, 03 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad029 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad027 Abstract: AbstractThe practice of utilizing various categories of ingredients for marination has been prevalent in both home cooking and the meat industry for an extended period. Meat and meat products treated with various marination ingredients either alone or in combination with multiple marination processes can enhance color, flavor, and tenderness, while also improving their shelf life by reducing the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and lipid oxidation. This narrative review aims to examine all recent scientific literature on various meat and meat products subjected to marination. Through Google Scholar, PubMed, and Web of Science, the review summarizes all recent marinated and marination research articles, including types of marination ingredients, marination method, marinade mechanism, effect on sensory and nutritional quality, safety, shelf life, and health implications, resulting in a comprehensive overview of all information under marinades and marination for all scientists and food sectors concerned. The highlighted information will indicate future directions for the development of marination ingredients in the meat industry. PubDate: Wed, 07 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad027 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad024 Abstract: AbstractObjectivesThe nutrient rich sea bass is prone to oxidation of lipid and protein during refrigeration.Materials and MethodsThe research was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Melissa officinalis L. essential oil (MOEO) nanoemulsions on myofibrillar protein (MP) and lipid oxidation in sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) during refrigeration at 4 °C.ResultsThe results of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and mitochondrial membrane potential showed that carboxymethyl chitosan/locust bean gum active coating solutions incorporating 2% MOEO nanoemulsions (C/L-2M) was the most effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation that occurred in sea bass under attack by reactive oxygen species. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that C/L-2M maximally slowed the conversion of bound water to free water during storage. The oxidation of lipids and MP disrupted the secondary and tertiary conformations of MP and accelerated protein aggregation and degradation.ConclusionsC/L-2M slowed the oxidation of lipids and proteins by inhibiting the oxidation of reactive oxygen species. C/L-2M is a very promising preservative emulsion for the preservation of sea bass. PubDate: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad024 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad025 Abstract: AbstractObjectivesThe quality of the fruit seriously affects the economic value of the fruit. Fruit quality is related to many ripening parameters, such as soluble solid content (SSC), pH, and firmness (FM), and is a complex process. Traditional methods are inefficient, do not guarantee quality, and do not adapt to the current rhythm of the fruit market. In this paper, a was designed and implemented for quality prediction and maturity level classification of Philippine Cavendish bananas.Materials and MethodsThe quality changes of bananas in different stages were analyzed. Twelve light intensity reflectance values for each maturity stage were compared to conventionally measured SSC, FM, PH, and color space.ResultsOur device can be compared with traditional forms of quality measurement. The experimental results show that the established predictive model with specific preprocessing and modeling algorithms can effectively determine various banana quality parameters (SSC, pH, FM, L*, a*, and b*). The RPD values of SSC and a* were greater than 3.0, the RPD values of L* and b* were between 2.5 and 3.0, and the pH and FM were between 2.0 and 2.5. In addition, a new banana maturity level classification method (FSC) was proposed, and the results showed that the method could effectively classify the maturity level classes (i.e. four maturity levels) with an accuracy rate of up to 97.5%. Finally, the MLR and FSC models are imported into the MCU to realize the near-range and long-range real-time display of data.ConclusionsThese methods can also be applied more broadly to fruit quality detection, providing a basic framework for future research. PubDate: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad025 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad026 Abstract: AbstractIn order to quickly detect the rancidification of Huangjiu in pottery jars, this study developed a fast detection method based on the principle of electrical conductivity changes caused by microbial contamination. The change in total acid in Huangjiu was positively correlated with the increase of electrical conductivity. This method was applied to an online monitoring system for Huangjiu storage in stainless steel tanks. When the electrical conductivity exceeds the normal fluctuation range (mean+3 standard deviations) of previous data, the monitoring system recognizes microbial contamination. By optimizing the conductivity-temperature compensation coefficient and conductivity statistical method, the standard deviation of the method was reduced and the sensitivity of microbial pollution monitoring was improved. The ranges of conductivity and compensation coefficient of common types of Huangjiu were estimated. Interference in conductivity measurements due to environmental factors was minimised through the synchronous comparison of conductivity data for multiple tanks of Huangjiu. The standard deviation, which indicates the fluctuation range of the system, decreased from 143 to 2 μS/cm. The monitoring system was then applied in Huangjiu storage tanks with capacities of 60 t and 300 t. Through the comparison of conductivity data change, the abnormal signals caused by microbial contamination during the storage of Huangjiu were found over time. Meanwhile, through offline detection of total acid in Huangjiu, the effectiveness of microbial contamination online detection was verified. PubDate: Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad026 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad023 Abstract: AbstractBacillus cereus, a spore-forming bacterium and frequent cause of food poisoning, poses a safety threat to dairy and rice industries due to its high contamination rates and ability to produce toxins such as cereulide. Because of widespread presence and thermal resistance of the spores, B. cereus cannot be eliminated from the environment and may survive in processing plants. Surviving spores can develop into vegetative cells, leading to a heightened risk of cereulide production in the processing environment. Both spores and vegetative cells have the ability to adhere to the surfaces of dairy plants and form biofilms, serving as the site for cereulide production and accumulation. Therefore, it is crucial for the food industry to address potential sources and pathways of B. cereus contamination and their connections to cereulide production in processing lines. In this review, sources of contamination of B. cereus, including spores, vegetative cells, and biofilms and their potential role in cereulide production at each stage of dairy and cooked rice processing were analyzed. In addition, control methods to prevent B. cereus contamination and cereulide production in processing lines were proposed, offering valuable insights for improving microbial risk management in the food industry. PubDate: Wed, 24 May 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad023 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad022 Abstract: AbstractObjectivesThis study presents a method combining a one-class classifier and laser-induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS) to quickly identify healthy Tegillarca granosa (T. granosa). Materials and MethodsThe sum of ranking differences (SRD) was used to fuse multiple anomaly detection metrics to build the one-class classifier, which was only trained with healthy T. granosa. The one-class classifier can identify healthy T. granosa to exclude non-healthy T. granosa. The proposed method calculated multiple anomaly detection metrics and standardized them to obtain a fusion matrix. Based on the fusion matrix, the samples were ranked by SRD and those ranked lowest and below the threshold were considered to be unhealthy.ResultsMultiple anomaly detection metrics were fused by the SRD algorithm and tested on each band, and the final fusion model achieved an accuracy rate of 98.46%, a sensitivity of 100%, and a specificity of 80%. The remaining three single classification models obtained the following results: the SVDD model achieved an accuracy rate of 87.69%, a sensitivity of 90%, and a specificity of 60%; the OCSVM model achieved an accuracy rate of 80%, a sensitivity of 76.67%, and a specificity of 60%; and the DD-SIMCA model achieved an accuracy rate of 95.38%, a sensitivity of 98.33%, and a specificity of 60%.ConclusionsThe experimental results showed that the proposed method achieved better results than the traditional one-class classification methods with a single metric. Therefore, the fusion method effectively improves the performance of traditional one-class classifiers when using LIBS to quickly identify healthy substances (healthy T. granosa). PubDate: Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad022 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyac073 Abstract: AbstractPomegranate peel extract (PPE), rich in phenolic compounds, is an undervalued byproduct derived from processing pomegranates. However, there are very few studies on the inhibitory effect of PPE on harmful substances during meat processing. This study was intended to investigate the influence of different concentrations of PPE (0.50%, 1%, and 1.50%) on the generation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs) and some quality attributes in mutton meatballs. All samples with the addition of PPE (0, 0.50%, 1%, and 1.50%) were fried for different lengths of time (2.5 min and 5 min) at 175±5 °C, and the contents of fourteen HCAs, color, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and carbonyl values of fried mutton meatballs were evaluated. The results showed that samples fried at 2.5 min had a low HCA content, and the HCA content enhanced significantly when the frying time was increased from 2.5 to 5 min (P<0.05). In comparison with the control group, PPE could significantly inhibit the generation of total HCAs in fried mutton meatballs (P<0.05), and the total HCAs content decreased with increasing PPE concentration. PPE significantly reduced carbonyl and TBARS values in fried mutton meatballs (P<0.05). Moreover, PPE resulted in a significant increase in a* and b* values as well as a decrease in L* values in fried mutton meatballs (P<0.05). In conclusion, PPE could inhibit the formation of HCAs and improve the quality of mutton meatballs, and could be considered as a natural inhibitor of HCAs in fried meat products. PubDate: Tue, 18 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyac073 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad020 Abstract: AbstractCultivated strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), a world-famous fruit, is subjected to rapid softening during ripening, resulting in a shorter shelf life and severe economic losses during storage and transportation. However, there is limited understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying differences in fruit firmness during ripening and postharvest among cultivated strawberries. Here, we explored this molecular mechanism by comparing three cultivated strawberries via firmness measurement, transcriptome analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and correlation analysis, and revealed FaEXP7, FaPG2, FaPLA, and Faβ-Gal4 as potential softening activators expressed before harvest to determine fruit with more softened texture and shorter shelf life, and that extremely high expression levels of FaCEL1-1 and FaCEL1-3 during ripening might be accelerators to intensify this situation. Additionally, both the enzyme activities of FaCEL and the expression pattern of FaCEL1-3 showed a significantly negative correlation with fruit firmness after harvest, suggesting that FaCEL1-3 might play a key role in promoting strawberry fruit softening not only during ripening but also postharvest. These results showed that the difference in fruit firmness and shelf life among cultivated strawberries was controlled by the temporal expression pattern of a legion of cell wall-associated genes during ripening and postharvest. PubDate: Sat, 15 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad020 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad021 Abstract: AbstractBackgroundCowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) is an economically important crop. It is nutritious and popular with consumers. However, it has been listed as one of the agricultural products of critical concern about safety in China and cyromazine is the major risk factor.ObjectivesThis study analyzed the dissipation and permeation kinetics of cyromazine residue in cowpea, to offer a scientific basis for the rational use of pesticide and ensure the safety of agricultural products.Materials and methodsThe dissipation and residue level of the systemic insecticide cyromazine on cowpea under field and stored conditions were investigated. Subsequently, the spatial distribution of cyromazine was studied using mass spectrometry imaging to visualize the dynamic processes of permeation and migration in the tissues post pesticide application.ResultsThe dissipation processing of cyromazine in cowpea was shown to follow the first-order kinetics and half-life was 7.76 d in the field. In cowpea, the permeation and migration rate of cyromazine was faster than that in kidney beans and accumulation was mainly in the pulp. It is not safe to apply cyromazine to cowpeas with reference to the application method on kidney beans.ConclusionsThese findings present vital data for the determination of risks linked with cowpea consumption and pesticide intake. PubDate: Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad021 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad019 Abstract: AbstractBackgroundWheat flour maturation affects the aggregation and structural stability of proteins. The number of high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GSs) differs in various wheat varieties. The effects of Dx2 absence on the protein aggregation characteristics and thermal stability of flour were investigated during 120 d of maturation using near-isogenic lines (NILs).ResultsThe absence of Dx2 delayed and decreased the protein aggregation of flours during maturation, i.e. the maturation-induced increases were later and smaller for glutenin, glutenin macropolymer (GMP), glutenin/gliadin ratio, β-sheets, and β-sheet/α-helix ratio in HMW-D1a without Dx2 than in HMW-D1p with Dx2; these differences were ascribed to the weaker interactions between the sulfhydryl (-SH) groups, disulfide bonds (-S-S-), and hydrophobicity in the flours without Dx2. Flour maturation caused the dough microstructures to be more compact and denser, thereby increasing the flour thermal stability as observed by a higher denaturation peak temperature (Tp), enthalpy of thermal transition (ΔH), and degradation temperature (Td), These changes led to better dough properties such as dough development time, dough stability time, and protein weakening, but the optimal stage in HMW-D1a without Dx2 was reached later.ConclusionThese findings deepen the understanding of how HMW-GS Dx2 modifies protein structures during flour maturation. PubDate: Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad019 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad018 Abstract: AbstractIn traditional beekeeping, the two most important methods for extracting honey are centrifugation and honeycomb-pressing. In this study, the physicochemical composition of honey samples extracted using two distinct procedures was compared, as well as the impact of antioxidant capacity and nutritional potency on the lifespan and learning memory of worker bees. Honey samples were collected from ten colonies of Apis cerana: five samples via centrifugation and five via honeycomb-pressing. Our results showed that honey extraction methods influence the nutritional composition and potency of honey. Most parameters were superior in pressed honey, and the amylase activity in centrifuged honey was higher. The effects of antioxidant capacity and nutritional potency on worker bees’ lifespans and learning memory were also superior in pressed honey. Pressed honey had higher nutritional composition and potency. However, whether pressed honey, which is rich in pollen, spoils more easily requires further investigation. PubDate: Wed, 22 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad018 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad017 Abstract: AbstractOsteoporosis is a typical physiological disease, the main symptoms of which are brittle fracture, bone pain and easily deformed. As an individual ages, the prevalence of osteoporosis increases year by year. In the present study, selenium with antioxidant, immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects was used to prevent osteoporosis induced by retinoic acid. The serum calcium contents in the selenium-treated groups (sodium selenite and selenomethionine) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those in the model group in both the prevention and treatment studies. After prevention, glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase transaminase (GOT), glutamate transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) levels were significantly (P<0.05) decreased. In the treatment study, the serum calcium and phosphorus contents of the rats increased after selenium treatment. There was no significant change (P>0.05) in the activity of GOT and GPT. The content of ALP decreased obviously and the TRACP enzyme activity increased. Overall, these results showed that different forms of selenium compounds have great potential in preventing and treating osteoporosis. PubDate: Thu, 09 Mar 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad017 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad015 Abstract: AbstractObjectivesBased on the information from the random inspection of foods by the China Food and Drug Administration in 2022, the contamination levels of lead ions are high in many edible products. Traditional methods of detecting lead ions cannot meet the requirements of on-site analysis of food due to the need for large equipment. The immunochromatographic assay (ICA) is an effective, rapid, on-site analytical technique for determining lead ions in foods. However, the performance of ICA based on the traditional probe (AuNP-mAb) is limited by ignoring the influence of the antibody orientation.Materials and MethodsIn this study, we developed an efficient technology for constructing a universal probe (AuNP-PrA-mAb) based on the oriented immobilization of antibody. The performance of ICA was largely improved due to specific binding of the Fc region of the antibody with recombinant protein A (PrA) on the surface of a gold nanoparticle (AuNP). The ICA based on a universal probe was applied for the qualitative and quantitative detection of lead ions in Procambarus clarkii within 30 min. Meanwhile, a simple and fast pretreatment method based on dilute acid extraction was developed for pretreating the P. clarkii containing lead ions.ResultsThe visual limit of detection and the scanning limit of quantization of the developed ICA strip for lead ions were 0.5 ng/mL and 0.28 ng/mL, respectively. The sensitivity of ICA based on universal probe was 10-fold higher than that of the ICA using traditional probe. Furthermore, the detection results had no obvious difference between the ICA and ICP-MS with t-test statistical method.ConclusionsThe developed ICA based on a universal probe presented broad application prospects in detecting contaminants in foods. PubDate: Mon, 27 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad015 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad013 Abstract: AbstractObjectivesThe secondary products of lipid oxidation are one of the main factors inducing protein oxidation. The effects of oxidation treatment with malondialdehyde (MDA) on the immunoreactivity of amandin and its digestion were studied. Materials and MethodsThe rabbit IgG binding ability of amandin was analyzed by western blotting, and the changes in amandin oxidation and immunoreactivity during digestion of amandin with different degrees of oxidation were investigated in combination with an almond allergen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Alteration of linear epitopes of amandin by oxidation was investigated by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).ResultsThe results showed that the immunoreactivity of amandin was significantly reduced after 1 mmol/L MDA and 100 mmol/L MDA treatment. However, the 1 mmol/L MDA treatment was owing to cleavage of linear epitope peptide in amandin and oxidation of the active amino acid. The 100 mmol/L MDA treatment was due to aggregation of amandin and significant decrease in its solubility. Oxidation also reduced digestibility of amandin and significantly affected immunoreactivity during digestion. LC-MS/MS also identified four oxidation-prone methionine sites (aa 264–274, 298–308, 220–240, and 275–297) in gamma conglutinin 1.ConclusionsMDA treatment reduced the immunoreactivity of amandin. MDA treatment also led to protein aggregation, which slowed down the digestion of amandin and altered the immunoreactivity of amandin during digestion. PubDate: Thu, 23 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad013 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad016 Abstract: AbstractBacillus species have been widely used as probiotics in a number of food products. However, these are vulnerable to bacteriophage infections, which poses fermentation failure and eventually result in economic losses. Given this, we designed this study in which the bacteriophage of lysogenic Bacillus methylotrophicus, phage BM-P1, was induced successfully, and its biological characteristics and genome information were researched. The obtained results showed that phage BM-P1 belonged to Myoviridae family. The maximum number of infections for this phage was 10, with a burst size of 104.48±2.70 counts expressed per milliliter per infective center. Additionally, this phage was temperature- and pH-sensitive and divalent ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) and chloramphenicol did not have a significant influence on its adsorption capacity. Genomic analysis revealed that the genome size of phage BM-P1 was 153 087 bp with 41.94% GC content, including 258 coding sequences. Furthermore, 52 bacteriophages of Bacillus were classified into two clades by using phylogenetic analysis. Among them, phage BM-P1 with phage VB_BsuM-Goe3 and vB_BveM-Goe7 had the highest average nucleotide identity values, 95.23% and 95.28%, respectively. However, synteny analysis revealed transposition, deletion, and insertion in the genome of BM-P1. Considering this, it could be extrapolated that this phage is a new lysogenic phage. In conclusion, this study furthers the knowledge on the properties of B. methylotrophicus phages and provides seminal insights for designing effective antiphage strategies for fermentation industry. PubDate: Wed, 22 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad016 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad010 Abstract: AbstractAs a famous fruit worldwide, citrus is susceptible to green mold caused by Penicillium digitatum, which causes large economic losses every year. ε-Poly-l-lysine (ε-PL) is a novel preservative with strong inhibitory effects on fungi, and has the capacity to induce disease resistance in fruit, but the mechanism has been reported rarely, especially in citrus. In the present study, 800 μg/mL ε-PL and P. digitatum spores were inoculated in two different wounds on the citrus pericarp at an interval of 24 h. The results revealed that ε-PL inhibited that the development of green mold without direct contact with P. digitatum, indicating that the disease resistance of citrus was activated. Transcriptome analysis revealed that ε-PL activated amino acid metabolism and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis. Besides, the accumulation of glutamic acid, proline, arginine, serine, lysine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine were changed during storage. In phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ε-PL increased phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H), and 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) activities and total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Importantly, among these phenolic compounds, ε-PL promoted the accumulation of individual phenolic compounds including ferulic acid, chlorogenic acid, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid, catechins, epicatechin, and narirutin. In conclusion, ε-PL enhanced the resistance of citrus through amino acid metabolism and accumulation of phenolic compounds. These results improved the knowledge of the mechanism of ε-PL–induced disease resistance and provided a fresh theoretical basis for the use of ε-PL in postharvest citrus preservation. PubDate: Wed, 08 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad010 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad014 Abstract: AbstractBovine mastitis is the most complex and costly disease in the dairy industry worldwide. Somatic cell count (SCC) is accepted as an international standard for diagnosing mastitis in cows, but most instruments used to detect SCC are expensive, or the detection speed is very low. To develop a rapid method for identifying mastitis degree, the dielectric spectra of 301 raw milk samples at three mastitis grades, i.e., negative, weakly positive, and positive grades based on SCC, were obtained in the frequency range of 20–4500 MHz using coaxial probe technology. Variable importance in the projection method was used to select characteristic variables, and principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) were used to reduce data dimension. Linear discriminant analysis, support vector classification (SVC), and feed-forward neural network models were established to predict the mastitis degrees of cows based on 22 principal components and 24 latent variables obtained by PCA and PLS, respectively. The results showed that the SVC model with PCA had the best classification performance with an accuracy rate of 95.8% for the prediction set. The research indicates that dielectric spectroscopy technology has great potential in developing a rapid detector to diagnose mastitis in cows in situ or online. PubDate: Tue, 07 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad014 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad012 Abstract: AbstractMaize straw, an abundant agricultural residue, has potential as an eco-friendly resource. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure and effect on Bifidobacterium longum of exopolysaccharide produced by Weissella cibaria using maize straw as a carbon source. In this work, an exopolysaccharide-producing strain was isolated from vegetable juice, which was identified as W. cibaria. Our results demonstrated that exopolysaccharide produced by W. cibaria is a linear glucan containing an α-1,6 glycosidic bond with a molecular weight of 9462 Da. In addition, scanning electron microscopy of exopolysaccharide from W. cibaria revealed the flake structures. In vitro assays showed that the exopolysaccharide from W. cibaria has the ability to stimulate the proliferation of B. longum strain and its metabolism to produce acetic acid. This work provides a scientific reference for the potential application of maize straw and a new insight into an eco-friendly carbon source to produce exopolysaccharide. PubDate: Thu, 02 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad012 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad011 Abstract: AbstractRefrigeration is considered a prime technology for preserving meat products. Temperature alterations are commonly ignored by industry during refrigeration, which have impacts on product quality. Thus, we conducted research on pork loin and salmon fillets that were preserved for 0, 5, 9, 12, and 15 d, where different temperature fluctuations and shocks were established on 4 °C. Data revealed that several meat parameters such as total volatile basic nitrogen, total viable count, and lipid oxidation were significantly changed in the ±2 °C fluctuations group compared with the constant temperature group. Additionally, both the temperature fluctuations and shocks groups had accelerated myofibril protein degradation, while desmin expression and species richness/diversity of bacteria were significantly reduced in the ±2 °C fluctuations group compared with the constant temperature group. Briefly, temperature fluctuations and shocks accelerated the destruction of muscle structural integrity. Furthermore, both conditions accelerated meat spoilage by progressively expanding the water-loss channels, which can reduce meat edibility. This study provides a new theoretical basis for the proper use of refrigerated temperatures for storing meat products. PubDate: Tue, 31 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad011 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad009 Abstract: AbstractIn this paper, the effect of different concentrations of sucrose stress on color formation of the Staphylococcus xylosus was investigated. The results showed that the highest a* value and the best coloring effect similar to those of nitrite were observed after the addition of 0.05 g/mL sucrose to stress the S. xylosus. UV-Vis and electron spin resonance spectra analysis showed that production of coloring product Mb-NO was significantly enhanced after 0.05 g/mL sucrose stress. The growth curve, reactive oxygen content, cell cycle, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, zeta potential, cell size, and protein composition of S. xylosus were investigated to reveal the mechanism of sucrose stress to enhance the coloring effect of the strain. The result showed that sucrose inhibited the growth of S. xylosus, which changed the physiological state by activating the oxidative stress response. The stress altered the rate of intracellular metabolism of S. xylosus by delaying the cell cycle and increasing cell surface zeta potential and cell particle size. These changes altered the protein composition of the cells and significantly enhanced the activity of intracellular NOS, which could improve the chromogenic ability of S. xylosus. This study will provide theoretical support for sucrose stress on S. xylosus to enhance its coloring effect, and sucrose stress for S. xylosus might be a promising biological alternative to nitrite in meat products. PubDate: Sat, 28 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad009 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad008 Abstract: AbstractThe quality changes of shelled Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were examined in relation to the effects of superchilling storage at −1 °C for 28 d by measuring changes in biochemical properties (microbial analysis, adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-related compounds, pH, free amino acids) and sensory evaluations in this study. The results indicated that microorganism growth was significantly inhibited during superchilling storage. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP) accumulated while ATP rapidly decreased in the adductor muscle. ATP and ADP were the primary components in the other 3 tissues including mantle, gill, and body trunk of oysters, and they remained relatively stable over time. The pH and adenylate energy charge in the adductor muscle could be utilized as freshness indicators for shelled oysters. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) among the free amino acids during whole storage. According to the sensory evaluations, oysters could be alive and tolerated up to 21 d at −1 °C storage. The study demonstrated that superchilling storage at −1 °C could better maintain the eating quality of shelled oysters and the shelf life was extended to 21 d. PubDate: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad008 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad005 Abstract: AbstractSeed-borne bacterial pathogens cause severe yield loss and biotoxin contamination in rice, leading to increasing concern on the global food supply and environmental safety. Plant native microbes play an important role in defending against diseases, but their actions are often influenced by the chemical fungicides applied in the field. Here, Bacillus licheniformis mmj was isolated from rice spikelet, which uniquely showed not only fungicide-responsiveness but also broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against major rice bacterial pathogens including Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, Burkholderia plantarii and Burkholderia glumae. To understand the hallmark underlying the environmental adaptation and antimicrobial activity of B. licheniformis mmj, the genome sequence was determined by SMRT and subjected to bioinformatics analysis. Genome sequence analysis enabled the identification of a set of antimicrobial-resistance and antibacterial activity genes together with an array of harsh environment-adaptive genes. Moreover, B. licheniformis mmj metabolites were analyzed with gas chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry, and the volatile components that were linked with the antimicrobial activity were preliminarily profiled. Collectively, the present findings reveal the genomic and metabolic landscapes underlying fungicide-responsive B. licheniformis, which offers a new opportunity to design harsh environment-adaptive biopesticides to cope with prevalent bacterial phytopathogens. PubDate: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad005 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyac076 Abstract: AbstractLow-salt meat (salt content <2%) is gaining popularity for its lower health risks, while the food industry faces technical challenges in improving its quality. Twenty-one studies involving meat quality improvement measures in low-salt meat products were included in this meta-analysis. The outcomes of these studies were assessed to derive conclusions about their effects on meat hardness and cooking losses. The results demonstrated that higher power ultrasound treatments (300–1500 W) significantly increased the hardness of low-salt meat, while a similar outcome was also achieved by low-strength (50–200 MPa) high-pressure processing (HPP) treatment, which was beneficial for alleviating the undesirable too-soft texture of the low-salt meat products. Furthermore, when salt reduction was greater than 50%, the application of ultrasonic treatment and HPP of 50–200 MPa significantly reduced the cooking losses, and the addition of hydrocolloids also increased the cooking yield of the salt-reduced meat products. Among all the interventions, HPP exhibited the most significant effects in low-salt meat quality improvement, which warrants future studies on the combination of this method with salt reduction strategies in the reduction of salt content in processed meat products. PubDate: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyac076 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad006 Abstract: AbstractProteins are important ingredients in the food industry for their excellent nutritional, functional and biological properties, while the application is limited by their sensitivity to environmental stresses such as high temperature, pH changes and ionic strength. The Maillard reaction and transglutaminase-catalyzed glycosylation are the two main effective glycosylation ways to improve the stability and biological properties of proteins by mainly attaching monosaccharides or disaccharides to proteins, while protein–polysaccharide conjugates with superior functional properties are rarely discussed. Therefore, the present study reviews current state of the synthesis, biological activities and applications in the food system of protein–polysaccharide conjugates formed via the Maillard reaction and transglutaminase-catalyzed glycosylation. The biological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities of proteins are improved after glycosylation, and the formed protein–polysaccharide conjugates can be applied to stabilize emulsions or deliver bioactive compounds in foods. The bioactivities produced under precisely controlled glycosylation conditions would make protein–polysaccharide conjugates a promising application in foods with healthy properties. PubDate: Thu, 12 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad006 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad007 Abstract: AbstractNinety percent of the world’s fishers are directly involved in small-scale fisheries (SSFs), and many food safety and quality issues along the food value chains may be both irreversible and cumulative. Ensuring safe, high-quality aquatic products are key to sustaining life, promoting good health, and avoiding adverse health effects.ObjectiveThis paper aimed to highlight factors preventing the implementation of safety and quality assurance systems in SSFs by analysing the results from surveys on the implementation of Article 11 of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries (2017, 2019, and 2022).Materials and methodsThe analysis considered responses to 15 closed-ended questions on food safety and quality obtained from 143 FAO Members and the European Union, and 87 open-ended replies addressing challenges in SSFs.ResultsThe major factors preventing the implementation of the Code’s food safety and quality provisions were lack of sanitation and monitoring programmes, lack of infrastructure (particularly refrigeration facilities) lack of technical capacities and limited management of food safety risks along the value chains. Safety and quality assurance efforts were focused on international markets, resulting in less attention being paid to domestic markets where a high degree of informality was reported.ConclusionsImproved implementation of safety and quality assurance systems will lead to safer food with higher nutritional quality, extended shelf-life and reduced post-harvest loss. Increased awareness of food safety issues in SSFs is a prerequisite for achieving several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. PubDate: Wed, 11 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad007 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad003 Abstract: AbstractUsing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to ferment Huyou peel and pomace could provide a reference for making full use of Huyou resources and provide valuable suggestions for the industrial production of functional foods. The effects of LAB fermentation on the bioactive composition, volatile compounds and antioxidant activity of Huyou peel and pomace were studied. Results showed that both Huyou peel and pomace were good substrates for LAB growth. LAB had remarkable influence on bioconversion of organic acids, among which ascorbic acid content was increased significantly. In addition, LAB could produce flavonoids with enhanced bioactivity and absorption. In particular, the contents of rhoifolin, quercitrin and quercetin were increased by over 100%. Besides, the volatile compounds contents and aroma complexity were improved. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity was enhanced. Thus, our study provides high-value applications of Huyou, and fermented products with improved nutritional value and flavor are potentially beneficial to human health. PubDate: Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad003 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad002 Abstract: AbstractThe temperature difference of fruit itself will affect its near infrared spectrum and the accuracy of its soluble solids content (SSC) prediction model. To eliminate the influence of apple temperature difference on the SSC model, a diffuse transmission dynamic online detection device was used to collect the spectral data of apples at different temperatures, and four methods were used to establish partial least squares correction models: global correction, orthogonal signal processing, generalized least squares weighting and external parameter orthogonal (EPO). The results show that the temperature has a strong influence on the diffuse transmission spectrum of apples. The 20 ºC model can get a satisfactory prediction result when the temperature is constant, and there will be great errors when detecting samples at other temperatures. The effect of temperature must be corrected to establish a more general model. These methods all improve the accuracy of the model, with the EPO method giving the best results; the prediction set correlation coefficient is 0.947, the root mean square error of prediction is 0.489%, and the prediction bias is 0.009%. The research results are of great significance to the practical application of SSC prediction of fruits in sorting workshops or orchards. PubDate: Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad002 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad001 Abstract: AbstractPenicillium italicum is the causal agent of citrus blue mold, which is a major threat to the global citrus fruit industry. Antofine, a natural phenanthroindolizidine alkaloid, is water-soluble and exhibits a broad range of biological activities. However, whether it can inhibit P. italicum growth and the potential inhibitory mechanism remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal mechanism of antofine against P. italicum using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), propidium iodide staining, and tandem mass tag-labeled quantitative proteomic analysis. Antofine was found to exhibit its preeminent antifungal activity against P. italicum with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.56 mg/L and a minimum fungicidal concentration of 6.25 mg/L. The challenge test revealed that antofine inhibited the development of citrus blue mold during a 6-d P. italicum-infected period. Antofine acted on its potential multitargets to inhibit P. italicum growth by synergistically activating oxidative stress through accumulating excess reactive oxygen species, impairing membrane integrity, inducing membrane lipid peroxidation, and disrupting mitochondrial function, thereby disrupting the membrane system and reducing cell viability. Moreover, antofine treatment downregulated most differentially expressed proteins involved in carbon metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) in P. italicum mycelia, which may explain the mitochondrial decomposition observed by TEM and the declines in ATP levels as well as the activities of TCA-related enzymes. These results indicate that antofine treatment inhibited P. italicum growth by targeting the cell membrane and mitochondria. PubDate: Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad001 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
First page: fyad004 Abstract: AbstractBackground and objectivesCurrent technology of X-ray imaging can recognize hard foreign materials (FMs) such as metal and high-density plastic. However, low-density foreign bodies are still a challenge for food quality and safety assessment.Materials and methodsAn electromagnetic vibration feeder aided by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and imaging was investigated for non-destructively detecting tea stalk and insect FMs mixed with tea leaves.ResultsTHz time-domain signals were employed directly to develop the K-nearest neighbor model with a precision of 100%, accuracy of 95.6% and recall of 98.7% in predicting the unknown samples. High contrast THz-TDS images were obtained by the separation method for the samples using electromagnetic vibration feeder. The characteristic parameters of the ratio of maximum length (L) to maximum width (W) and hue extracted from THz-TDS images indicated significant difference between tea leaves and FMs.ConclusionsThe results suggested that electromagnetic vibration feeder combination with THz-TDS was feasible for detecting FMs in finishing tea products. PubDate: Wed, 04 Jan 2023 00:00:00 GMT DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyad004 Issue No:Vol. 7 (2023)
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