Cereal Baby Foods Research Articles

Antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from some dairy products in Libya as a foodborne pathogen.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most common causes of clinical and asymptomatic mastitis in dairy cattle, as well as in milk and dairy products that affect milk quality. Mastitis caused by K. pneumoniae is even more serious due to its poor response to antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study was to detect and identify the presence of K. pneumoniae in milk and dairy products produced in Libya. A total of 234 samples were randomly collected from various locations in Libya. Samples were examined for the presence of K. pneumoniae using conventional cultural techniques, including cultivation in violet red bile agar plus 4-methylumbelliferyl-ß-D-glucuronide broth and CHROM agar, followed by polymerase chain reaction identification and partial sequencing of 16S rRNA. Of the 234 samples of milk and dairy products collected, 16 (6.8%) isolates revealed mucoid colonies on agar media that were phenotypically suggested to be K. pneumoniae. Identification of isolates was confirmed using molecular techniques (16S rRNA). Among the examined samples, K. pneumoniae was recovered from camel's milk, raw cow's milk, raw fermented milk, Maasora cheese, Ricotta cheese, soft cheese, full cream milk powder, milk powder infant formula, cereal baby food, and growing-up formula. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed on 12 of the 16 K. pneumoniae isolates, and the results showed that K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to more than eight antibiotics; interestingly, two isolates showed metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) production. K. pneumoniae is considered a risk to human health because many of these products do not comply with the microbiological criteria of international and/or Libyan standards. This study emphasized the relationship between K. pneumoniae and raw milk, cheese, milk powder, and infant milk retailed in Libya. There is a need to take the necessary measures to ensure effective hygiene practices during production in dairy factories, handling, and distribution on the market, in particular at a small local production scale.

Comparative Study for the Determination of Fat-Soluble Vitamins in Rice Cereal Baby Foods Using HPLC-DAD and UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS.

Two liquid chromatographic systems, one coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and tandem mass spectrometric methods (UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS) and the other a high-performance liquid chromatographic coupled to diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) were used to develop and validate methods for the simultaneous determination of fat-soluble vitamins A, D3 and E in rice cereal baby foods. The chromatographic separation was performed on C18 columns with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile as mobile phase for all methods. The extraction of fat-soluble vitamins included enzymatic hydrolysis with α-amylase, saponification, extraction with petroleum ether or n-hexane and purification with silica cartridge (only for vitamin D3). Quantification of vitamin D3 and E through UHPLC-APCI-MS/MS was performed by the use of internal standards (IS) D3-d3 and E-d6, respectively, while IS was not used for vitamin A. The methods were optimized and validated in terms of linearity, precision, trueness, limits of detection and quantification. The recoveries were in the range of 85.0–107% for retinol, 92.0–105% for α-tocopherol and 95.2–106% for cholecalciferol and the %RSD (Relative Standard Deviation) values ranged from 6.4% to 15%. The evaluation of the methods was also conducted through the estimation of uncertainties, the application in commercial samples and the participation in a proficiency test

Tunable solvency mixtures of tetrahydrofuran:water for efficient and fast extraction/clean-up of trace contaminants

In this study, we investigated the potential of mixtures of tetrahydrofuran (THF) and water as tunable solvents for the microextraction of contaminants in solid and in liquid matrices. These two miscible solvents have very different dielectric constant and Hildebrand solubility parameters, so that tunable mixtures spanning a wide range of dispersion and hydrogen bonding forces could be easily prepared by simply changing their composition. In this way, rapid and more efficient extraction methods can be developed. A liquid-liquid and a solid-liquid microextraction method for the determination of bisphenol A (BPA) in urine and ochratoxin A (OTA) in cereal baby food were developed as a proof of concept. Both, the chemical composition and the relative solvency of the THF-water mixtures, expressed as Teas solubility parameters, were studied in order to gain some insights into the chemical interactions governing analyte extraction. For urine, the salting-out extraction with THF:water and NaCl was evaluated, a process which is still scarcely investigated for analytical purposes. These methods featured good recoveries (above 95%), satisfactory standard deviation (5–6%) and good sensitivity (detection limits of 0.l μg L−1 for BPA and of 0.l ng g-1 for OTA) with the advantages of simplicity, rapidity and low consumption of reagents. Recoveries for other compounds and matrices (bisphenols ad phosphorus flame retardants in dust and in tap water, dyes in tap water and OTA in powder milk) were also assessed to prove the wide potential of these tunable solvent mixtures.

Furan in commercial baby foods from the Spanish market: estimation of daily intake and risk assessment

ABSTRACTThe occurrence of furan in commercial baby food samples from the Spanish market was evaluated using an automated headspace solid-phase microextraction method coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). A total of 76 baby food samples including infant formula, baby cereals, fruit in cans and/or jars, vegetables, meat, and fish, were surveyed for furan content. The lowest concentration of this compound was found in infant formula (<0.02–0.33 ng ml−1), and cereal-based food (0.15–2.1 ng g−1) while baby food containing fish showed the highest concentrations (19–84 ng g−1). Following recommendation of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the effect on furan content was evaluated of consumer home preparation of foods, heating and handling. Furan concentrations were reduced by up to 35% when samples were heated in a dish using microwave oven and by up to 53% when a hot water bath was used. Finally, we estimated the furan intake from baby food consumption (0.002–1.18 µg kg−1 body weight day−1) and we calculated the margin of exposure (MOE) from samples as purchased and also after home preparation of the food. For infant formula and cereal baby foods, the MOEs (26,278–412,776) indicated no infant health concern or priority, while for meat and fish-based baby foods the values pointed to a potential public health risk, even considering the furan losses during preparation at home.

Occurrence of aflatoxin B1 in baby foods marketed in Iran.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ), a toxic fungal metabolite that is found in baby foods, can lead to serious complications for children's health. In the present study, 48 commercial baby foods available in the Iranian market were investigated for the presence of AFB1 using a high performance liquid chromatography system that was equipped with post-column photochemical derivatization and a fluorescence detector. Thirty-three out of 48 samples (68.7%) were contaminated with AFB1 at median, maximum and mean concentration levels of 0.11, 15.15 and 2.602 ± 4.065 µg kg-1 , respectively. The AFB1 concentration in 39.6% of the samples was higher than the maximum level established in Iran for AFB1 within baby foods containing milk (0.5 µg kg-1 ). The incidence of AFB1 in rice, wheat and multigrain infant cereal samples was 90%, 25% and 100%, respectively, whereas rice-based baby foods contained the highest levels of AFB1 . In the present study, the finding of both high rates and high levels of AFB1 in cereal baby foods indicates the need to reduce AFB1 contamination in these products. Therefore, further monitoring and control of pre- and post-harvest, storage, and manufacturing processes is required. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Perfluoroalkyl substances in Breast milk, infant formula and baby food from Valencian Community (Spain)

Environmental and human exposures to perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are of emerging concern since they are persistent and bioaccumulative. The present study reports PFASs levels in human milk, infant formulas and baby food (dry cereals and pots) from the Valencian Community (Spain) in order to evaluate the infant exposure to these substances through the diet. The results show that perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were in all the samples of the four selected matrices (except PFOA in one sample of dry cereal baby food). Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA) and perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) were also detected in 70% of the breast milk samples. In infant formulas, PFDA and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) were detected in 75% and 69%, respectively. In dry cereals baby food, PFBA was in 100% of the samples while PFOA and PFOS in 92%. In baby food pots, PFDA was also detected in 83% of the samples. Estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of PFOA (maximum 32.2ngkg−1day−1) and PFOS (9.0ngkg−1day−1) are lower than tolerable daily intakes (TDIs) established for PFOA (1500ngkg−1day−1) and PFOS (150ngkg−1day−1).

Xerophiles and other fungi associated with cereal baby foods locally produced in Uganda

Fifty samples from five baby food products mainly made of cereal flour(s) were analyzed. The moisture contents of these products were between 11.14% and 11.9%, a level below 14.0%, the recommended level for safe storage of cereal grains and their products. The mycological analysis was carried out using the dilution plate method and two isolation media (DG18 for isolation of xerophilic fungi and DRBC for fungi in general). A total of 80 species related to 37 genera in addition to some unidentified fungal and yeast species were recorded on both media from the five products. The products were contaminated abundantly by xerophilic fungi which were occurring in 88% of food samples and accounting for 18.1% of the total CFU as recorded on DG18. The highest contamination level by xerophiles was registered in Mwebaza rice porridge (a component of rice flour) and the lowest in Mukuza (a product of maize, soyabean and sorghum flours). 11 xerophilic species were recorded of which &lt;em&gt;Aspergillus&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Eurotium&lt;/em&gt; (4 species each) were the predominant giving rise to 9.1% and 8.9% of the total CFU, with &lt;em&gt;A. wentii, A. candidus, E. cristatum&lt;/em&gt; and E. repens were the most contaminating species. Of the fungi recorded other than xerophiles, species of Aspergillus (particularly &lt;em&gt;A. flavus&lt;/em&gt; followed by &lt;em&gt;A. niger&lt;/em&gt;), &lt;em&gt;Penicillium (P. citrinum, P. oxalicum), Fusarium (F. solani, F. tricinctum), Cladosporium (C. sphaerospermum)&lt;/em&gt; and yeasts were the most predominant. Contamination of such foods is a matter of health hazard as these foods are for babies. So, the use of fresh, well-dried and uncontaminated flours for production of such foods is recommended.

Multi-mycotoxin determination in baby foods andin vitro combined cytotoxic effects of aflatoxin M1 and ochratoxin A

The co-occurrence of mycotoxins in baby foods, including aflatoxin M1(AFM1) and ochratoxin A (OTA), has been reported in previous studies, but data on their potential combined toxic effects are still missing. The present work aimed at (1) validating an in-house multi-mycotoxin high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) method for AFM1, total aflatoxins (aflatoxin B1(AFB1), aflatoxin B2(AFB2), aflatoxin G1(AFG1), aflatoxin G2(AFG2)) and OTA in infant formulae (milk powders) and cereal baby foods (flours), and (2) assessing the combined cytotoxic effects of AFM1and OTA in an intestine-derived cell line. The HPLC-FLD method, which included a chloroform extraction, liquid-liquid extraction, immunoaffinity column clean-up and fluorescence detection after post-column derivatisation with electrochemically generated bromine, was adequate for the analysis of baby foods and met the requirements of validation and quality control for the studied working ranges. The limits of quantification for AFM1, AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2and OTA were 0.069, 0.032, 0.020, 0.047, 0.020 and 0.244 μg/kg, respectively. The mean recovery values were 96, 114, 112, 107, 101 and 87%, respectively. A dose-dependent cytotoxicity was observed for individual and combined AFM1and OTA using the Caco-2 cell line, which represents a site of contact of both mycotoxins in the body, after oral exposure. Interactions between both mycotoxins were disclosed by application of the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models, revealing the predominance of an antagonistic pattern. In conclusion, this study proposes a HPLC-FLD method for multi-mycotoxin monitoring in baby foods and provides evidence for the interaction between AFM1and OTA, and for the applicability of CA/IA models to predict the effect of mycotoxins mixtures, further contributing to the prevention of mycotoxins-associated adverse health effects.

Infant exposure of perfluorinated compounds: Levels in breast milk and commercial baby food

In this study, an analytical method to determine six perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) based on alkaline digestion and solid phase extraction (SPE) followed by liquid chromatography-quadrupole-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-QqLIT-MS) was validated for the analysis of human breast milk, milk infant formulas and cereals baby food. The average recoveries of the different matrices were in general higher than 70% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) lower than 21% and method limits of detection (MLOD) ranging from 1.2 to 362 ng/L for the different compounds and matrices. The method was applied to investigate the occurrence of PFCs in 20 samples of human breast milk, and 5 samples of infant formulas and cereal baby food (3 brands of commercial milk infant formulas and 2 brands of cereals baby food). Breast milk samples were collected in 2008 from donors living in Barcelona city (Spain) on the 40 days postpartum. Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) and perfluoro-7-methyloctanoic acid (i,p-PFNA) were predominant being present in the 95% of breast milk samples. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was quantified in 8 of the 20 breast milk samples at concentrations in the range of 21–907 ng/L. Commercial formulas and food were purchased also in 2009 from a retail store. The six PFCs were detected in all brands of milk infant formulas and cereals baby food analyzed, being perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), PFOS, PFOA and i,p-PFNA the compounds detected in higher concentrations (up to 1289 ng/kg). PFCs presence can be associated to possible migration from packaging and containers during production processes. Finally, based on estimated body weight and newborn intake, PFOS and PFOA daily intakes and risk indexes (RI) were estimated for the firsts 6 month of life. We found that ingestion rates of PFOS and PFOA, with exception of one breast milk sample did not exceed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) recommended by the EFSA. However, more research is needed in order to assess possible risk associated to PFCs contamination during early stages of life.

The chemical composition of some kinds of local soybean Glycine max and its utilization in manufacturing supporting cereal baby foods

This study was conducted on five kinds of local soybean seeds (Ibaa, Hawija, Taqa.2, Lee74 and Hassan). The chemical analysis results showed that Hawija soybean has the highest percent of protein which was 38-08%, The amino acid percent was also higher than the other kinds(lysine, Thereonine and Tryptopham), and being 389,250,81 mg/gm nitrogen respectively Both amino acids were important for child nutrition. Hawija was selected, being the best for proteins and basic amino acids, and was utilized in preparation of the adjunct baby food formula. Eighteen formulas had been prepared by using soybean flour kind(Hawija), wheat flour kind (Abu gharib) and full fat powder milk (NIDO). Each formula contained 20% protein as recommended by F.A.O, W.H.O and Iraqi standard. The chemical analysis results showed that formulas had low moisture content(3.18-3.60%) and high carbohydrate content (59.10-60.12%), The protein and fat content was 19.23-20.81 and 14-4.35% respectively. The content of ash of the formulas were(2.50-3.23%),the calorie value was 430.17-432.42 K.cal /100 gm sample.the sensory evaluation showed that, the formulas with high contain in whole cream powder of milk or wheat flour, obtained higher sensory evaluation grades.

The chemical composition of some kinds of local soybean Glycine max and its utilization in manufacturing supporting cereal baby foods

This study was conducted on five kinds of local soybean seeds (Ibaa, Hawija, Taqa.2, Lee74 and Hassan). The chemical analysis results showed that Hawija soybean has the highest percent of protein which was 38-08%, The amino acid percent was also higher than the other kinds(lysine, Thereonine and Tryptopham), and being 389,250,81 mg/gm nitrogen respectively Both amino acids were important for child nutrition. Hawija was selected, being the best for proteins and basic amino acids, and was utilized in preparation of the adjunct baby food formula. Eighteen formulas had been prepared by using soybean flour kind(Hawija), wheat flour kind (Abu gharib) and full fat powder milk (NIDO). Each formula contained 20% protein as recommended by F.A.O, W.H.O and Iraqi standard. The chemical analysis results showed that formulas had low moisture content(3.18-3.60%) and high carbohydrate content (59.10-60.12%), The protein and fat content was 19.23-20.81 and 14-4.35% respectively. The content of ash of the formulas were(2.50-3.23%),the calorie value was 430.17-432.42 K.cal /100 gm sample.the sensory evaluation showed that, the formulas with high contain in whole cream powder of milk or wheat flour, obtained higher sensory evaluation grades.

Fumonisins in Brazilian corn-based foods for infant consumption

A survey of 196 samples of corn-based infant foods from 13 cities of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, was carried out to investigate the fumonisin contamination in the products. Based on their ingredients, the products were divided into seven groups: infant cereal designated as types A–D, corn meal, corn starch and instant cereal baby food. Although certain infant food samples were free of fumonisin contamination (<20 μg kg−1; corn starch and infant cereals of type A, B and D), contamination levels in the other products (corn meal, instant corn-based baby food and cereal type C) were of concern, particularly those in corn meal. All samples in these categories contained fumonisins. The mean level for total fumonisins (FB1 + FB2 + FB3) in corn meal was 2242 μg kg−1 (maximum 8039 μg kg−1), in instant corn-based baby food was 437 (maximum 1096) μg kg−1 and in infant cereal type C was 664 (maximum 1753) μg kg−1.