Editorial

4 pages, 170 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants: Challenges and Prospects

by Song Yu

Foods 2024, 13(4), 617; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13040617 - 19 Feb 2024

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Food safety issues arising from food contaminants are one of the major challenges to global public health [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

Research

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26 pages, 9135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Oil and Processing Conditions on Formation of Heterocyclic Amines and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Pork Fiber

by Yu-Wen Lai, Baskaran Stephen Inbaraj and Bing-Huei Chen

Foods 2023, 12(18), 3504; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12183504 - 20 Sep 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1170

Abstract

Toxic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be produced during food processing, especially meat products. This study aims to monitor the formation of HAs and PAHs in fried pork fiber, a common meat product in Taiwan, at [...] Read more.

Toxic compounds such as heterocyclic amines (HAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can be produced during food processing, especially meat products. This study aims to monitor the formation of HAs and PAHs in fried pork fiber, a common meat product in Taiwan, at different processing conditions. A total of six experimental groups, including raw pork tenderloin, dried pork filaments, sesame oil-stir-fried pork at 160 °C for 15 min, sesame oil-stir-fried pork at 200 °C for 6 min, lard-stir-fried pork at 160 °C for 15 min, and lard-stir-fried pork at 200 °C for 6 min, were prepared and analyzed for formation of HAs via UPLC-MS/MS and PAHs via GC-MS/MS in triplicate. Frying in sesame oil or lard showed a greater content of total HAs in fried pork fiber processed at 160 °C for 15 min than at 200 °C for 6 min. However, in the same heating conditions, pork fiber fried in sesame oil produced a higher level of total HAs than that fried in lard. Of the various HAs in fried pork fiber, both Harman and Norharman were generated in the highest amount. The precursors, including reducing sugar, amino acid, and creatine/creatinine, played a vital role in HAs formation in fried pork fiber. For total PAHs, the highest level was shown for pork fiber fried in lard at 200 °C/6 min, followed by frying in sesame oil at 200 °C/6 min and 160 °C/15 min, and in lard at 160 °C/15 min. Like HAs, at the same heating condition, a greater content of total PAHs was produced in pork fiber fried in sesame oil than in lard. Notably, the highly toxic benzo[a]pyrene was undetected in fried pork fiber. The PAH precursor benzaldehyde was shown to generate at a much higher level than 2-cyclohexene-1-one and trans,trans-2,4-decadienal in fried pork fiber, and it should play a more important role in PAH formation. Principal component analysis (PCA) also revealed that the formation mechanism of HAs and PAHs in fried pork fiber was different. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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10 pages, 2864 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Arsenic Contents, Speciation and Toxicity in Germinated Rice Alleviated by Selenium

by Xin Zheng, Jing Hong, Jingyi Zhang, Yulong Gao, Peng Li, Jian Yuan, Guanglei Li and Changrui Xing

Foods 2023, 12(14), 2712; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12142712 - 15 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1056

Abstract

Rice can accumulate more organic and inorganic arsenic (iAs) than other crop plants. In this study, the localization of As in rice grains was investigated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) based on 26 rice varieties collected from two [...] Read more.

Rice can accumulate more organic and inorganic arsenic (iAs) than other crop plants. In this study, the localization of As in rice grains was investigated using High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) based on 26 rice varieties collected from two provinces. In all the samples, the total As contents in polished rice were 0.03–0.37 mg/kg, with average values of 0.28 and 0.21 mg/kg for two sample sets. The results of the determination of arsenic speciation in different components of rice grain showed that in the polished and brown rice the mean value of arsenite (As(III)) was nearly twice than that of arsenate (As(V)). The regional difference was observed in both total As contents and As speciation. The reason may be that As(III) is more mobile than As(V) in a dissociated form and because of soil properties, rice varieties, and the growing environment. The proportion of iAs and the total As in rice bran was higher than that in polished rice, and this is because As tends accumulate between the husk and the endosperm. In our study, selenium could alleviate the risk of arsenic toxicity at the primary stage of rice growth. Co-exposure to As and Se in germinated rice indicated that the reduction in As accumulation in polished rice reached 73.8%, 76.8%, and 78.3% for total As, As(III), and As(V) when compared with rice treated with As alone. The addition of Se (0.3 mg/kg) along with As significantly reduced the As amount in different parts of germinated rice. Our results indicated that Se biofortification could alleviate the As accumulation and toxicity in rice crops. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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10 pages, 1749 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual and Combined Cytotoxic Effects of Co-Occurring Fumonisin Family Mycotoxins on Porcine Intestinal Epithelial Cell

by Song Yu, Lianpeng Zou, Jiawei Zhao and Yiping Zhu

Foods 2023, 12(13), 2555; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12132555 - 30 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 719

Abstract

Human health is seriously threatened by mycotoxin contamination, yet health risk assessments are typically based on just one mycotoxin, potentially excluding the additive or competitive interactions between co-occurring mycotoxins. In this investigation, we evaluated the individual or combined toxicological effects of three fumonisin-family [...] Read more.

Human health is seriously threatened by mycotoxin contamination, yet health risk assessments are typically based on just one mycotoxin, potentially excluding the additive or competitive interactions between co-occurring mycotoxins. In this investigation, we evaluated the individual or combined toxicological effects of three fumonisin-family B mycotoxins: fumonisin B1 (FB1), fumonisin B2 (FB2), and fumonisin B3 (FB3), by using porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC). IPEC cells were exposed to various concentrations (2.5–40 μM) for 48 h, and a cell counting kit (CCK8) was used to determine cell vitality. Firstly, we discovered that they might inhibit cell viability. Additionally, the cytotoxicity of FB1 was significantly greater than that of FB2 and FB3. The results also indicated that the combinations of FB1-FB2, FB2-FB3, and FB1-FB2-FB3 showed synergistically toxicological effects at the ID10-ID50 levels and antagonistic effects at the ID75-ID90 levels. In addition, the FB1-FB3 exposure was also synergistic at the ID10-ID25 level. We also found that myriocin and resveratrol alleviated the cytotoxicity induced by fumonisin in IPEC cells. In all, this study may contribute to the determination of legal limits, the optimization of risk assessment for fumonisins in food and feed, and the development of new methods to alleviate fumonisin toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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8 pages, 2274 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Screening of Acrylamide Content in Commercial Plant-Based Protein Ingredients from Different Technologies

by Giacomo Squeo, Davide De Angelis, Antonio Francesco Caputi, Antonella Pasqualone, Carmine Summo and Francesco Caponio

Foods 2023, 12(6), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12061331 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2398

Abstract

The demand of plant-based protein ingredients (PBPIs) in the food sector has strongly increased over recent years. These ingredients are produced under a wide range of technological processes that impact their final characteristics. This work aimed to evaluate acrylamide contamination in a range [...] Read more.

The demand of plant-based protein ingredients (PBPIs) in the food sector has strongly increased over recent years. These ingredients are produced under a wide range of technological processes that impact their final characteristics. This work aimed to evaluate acrylamide contamination in a range of PBPIs produced with different technologies and classified into four categories i.e., flours, dry-fractionated proteins, wet-extracted proteins, and texturized vegetable proteins. The results highlighted a remarkable variability in the acrylamide contamination in all the classes under investigation, with the flours showing the lowest mean acrylamide content (280 µg kg⁻¹) compared with the wet-extracted proteins that showed the highest (451 µg kg⁻¹). These differences could likely be associated with the different processing technologies used to obtain the protein ingredients. These findings suggest the need to monitor acrylamide formation during the processing of PBPIs and, consequently, to study mitigation strategies when necessary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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9 pages, 1496 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Rapid Immunochromatographic Method Based on Gold Nanoparticles for the Determination of Imidacloprid on Fruits and Vegetables

by Steven Suryoprabowo, Aihong Wu, Liqiang Liu, Hua Kuang, Chuanlai Xu and Lingling Guo

Foods 2023, 12(3), 512; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12030512 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1499

Abstract

Imidacloprid (IMP) is toxic and a potential carcinogen that is most widely used as an insecticide for pest control and seed treatment. It is important to produce a rapid and sensitive assay for on-site monitoring. We have developed a novel lateral flow assay [...] Read more.

Imidacloprid (IMP) is toxic and a potential carcinogen that is most widely used as an insecticide for pest control and seed treatment. It is important to produce a rapid and sensitive assay for on-site monitoring. We have developed a novel lateral flow assay (LFA) using a sensitive monoclonal antibody (mAb) for monitoring IMP residues on fruits and vegetables. The 50% inhibition concentration result that was found when using the ELISA method was 0.247 ng mL⁻¹, with the cut-off limits using the LFA method the result was 10 ng mL⁻¹ (0.01 M PBS), and in the samples it was 20 ng mL⁻¹ (with a recovery rate of 96–104.7% for Chinese cabbage, cowpea, apple, and pear samples, respectively). All of the results can be determined within seven minutes. The proposed LFA method is a valid, quick, and stable assay for the on-site detection of IMP in large numbers of samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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16 pages, 8026 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Outstanding Approach to Enhance the Safety of Ready-to-Eat Rice and Extend the Refrigerated Preservation

by Najla A. Albaridi, Ahmed Noah Badr, Hatem Salama Ali and Mohamed Gamal Shehata

Foods 2022, 11(13), 1928; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11131928 - 28 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2837

Abstract

Rice is a broad-spectrum meal consumed annually in large amounts. Ready-to-eat rice is a member of dishes with a high risk of contamination. The present study aimed to increase the safety and shelflife of ready-to-eat rice during temporary storage. To prepare a mixture [...] Read more.

Rice is a broad-spectrum meal consumed annually in large amounts. Ready-to-eat rice is a member of dishes with a high risk of contamination. The present study aimed to increase the safety and shelflife of ready-to-eat rice during temporary storage. To prepare a mixture for extraction, three spices were chosen ginger: thyme:coriander (1:2:1). Two types of extract were prepared, aromatic and water extracts. The bioactive aromatic extract was preserved by encapsulation using chitosan nanoparticle preparation, while water extracts were prepared by warm diffusion. The aromatic extract possessed volatiles with antimicrobial features, including α-pinene, cymene, camphor, 1, 8 cineol, and limonene. The results expressed the extracts’ better antifungal and antibacterial effect, with a distinguishing aromatic one. Water extract was recorded as being rich in phenolic and flavonoids, like Salysilic, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic, Luteolin 7 glucoside, and quercitin. These molecules play functionality for microbial inhibition in the simulated media. Ready-to-eat rice shelflife was extended by applying the aromatic extract of the encapsulated mixture at the late stage of cooking and before packaging. It can preserve the samples for up to five days at room temperature and up to eight days of refrigerator storage (8 °C). However, water extract had lower activity as antibacterial and antifungal than the aromatic one. Again, water extract activity reduces fungal citrinin secretion by low efficiency more than the aromatic extract. These results recommended the addition of aromatic extract to the ready-to-eat rice meals as a final additive just before packaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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21 pages, 917 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Water, NaCl and Citric Acid Soaking Pre-Treatments on Acrylamide Content in French Fries Prepared in Domestic Conditions

by Mioara Negoiță, Adriana Laura Mihai and Gabriela Andreea Horneț

Foods 2022, 11(9), 1204; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11091204 - 21 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2829

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of some pre-treatment applications toward acrylamide mitigation in potatoes fried in domestic conditions modeled after those found in Romania, by using a pan and a fryer. Before being fried in a pan, potato [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of some pre-treatment applications toward acrylamide mitigation in potatoes fried in domestic conditions modeled after those found in Romania, by using a pan and a fryer. Before being fried in a pan, potato strips were treated in one of the following ways: soaked in cold water for 15, 60, and 120 min (a); soaked in hot water at different combinations of temperatures and durations (60, 70, 80 °C for 5, 10, 15 min) (b); soaked in a NaCl solution (c), and; in a citric acid solution (d) both solutions of 0.05% and 1% concentration for 30 min. For potatoes fried in a fryer, the (a) pre-treatment and soaking in water at 80 °C for 5, 10, and 15 min were applied. Untreated samples were used as a control. French fries were analyzed in terms of moisture and acrylamide content, color, and texture parameters. The pre-treatments applied reduced the acrylamide content in French fries by 4–97% when fried in the pan and by 25–47% when fried in the fryer. Acrylamide content of French fries was negatively correlated with L* parameter and moisture content and positively correlated with a* parameter. The pre-treatments applied can be used successfully by consumers to reduce acrylamide content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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Review

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28 pages, 717 KiB

Open AccessReview

Pyrrolizidine Alkaloid Extraction and Analysis: Recent Updates

by Sarah F. Al-Subaie, Abdullah M. Alowaifeer and Maged E. Mohamed

Foods 2022, 11(23), 3873; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11233873 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2965

Abstract

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural secondary metabolites that are mainly produced in plants, bacteria, and fungi as a part of an organism’s defense machinery. These compounds constitute the largest class of alkaloids and are produced in nearly 3% of flowering plants, most of which [...] Read more.

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are natural secondary metabolites that are mainly produced in plants, bacteria, and fungi as a part of an organism’s defense machinery. These compounds constitute the largest class of alkaloids and are produced in nearly 3% of flowering plants, most of which belong to the Asteraceae and Boraginaceae families. Chemically, pyrrolizidine alkaloids are esters of the amino alcohol necine (which consists of two fused five-membered rings including a nitrogen atom) and one or more units of necic acids. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are toxic to humans and mammals; thus, the ability to detect these alkaloids in food and nutrients is a matter of food security. The latest advances in the extraction and analysis of this class of alkaloids are summarized in this review, with special emphasis on chromatographic-based analysis and determinations in food. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation, Occurrence and Mitigation Strategies of Food Contaminants and Natural Toxicants)

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