Consumer Risk Research Articles

Consumer Risk Perception of Food Contamination as an Influencer to Purchase Irradiated Ground Beef, Chicken, and Leafy Greens - United States, October 2022.

Foodborne illness continues to be a substantial public health concern in the United States with contaminated ground beef, chicken, and leafy greens identified as important sources of illnesses and outbreaks. These foods also have been identified by consumers as foods that are likely to carry germs that can make people sick. Food irradiation is a promising tool to enhance food safety. Despite this, there has been limited application of food irradiation in the U.S. During October 7-9, 2022, we licensed data from a Porter Novelli Public Services survey (N=1,008) to examine consumer risk perception of contamination of ground beef, chicken, and leafy greens with pathogens, and the potential influence risk perception has on purchasing irradiated versions of these foods. Among respondents familiar with food irradiation, a higher proportion of those who believed ground beef and leafy greens were likely contaminated also indicated they were likely to consider purchasing irradiated ground beef (55.6% vs 35.4%; p=0.0061) and leafy greens (60.8% vs 36.1%; p=<.0001) compared with those who did not; chicken was not significant (58.6% vs 45.4%; p=0.0727). This survey demonstrated the importance of risk perception as an influencer on a consumer's decision to purchase irradiated foods.

Evaluation of Cadmium, Lead, Chromium, and Nickel Content in Various Types of Nuts: Almonds, Cashews, Hazelnuts, Peanuts, and Walnuts - Health Risk of Polish Consumers.

World production and consumption of nuts continue to rise year on year. Nuts, due to their high nutrient content, are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. A potential health risk may result from the consumption of nuts contaminated with metallic trace elements like cadmium or lead. In this research, we measured the content of Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni in various edible nuts. All elements were detected using the electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry analytical technique (ETAAS). The study material comprised 69 nut samples including almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, and walnuts available on the Polish market. Indicators such as the hazard quotient (HQ) and hazard index (HI) were used to assess the health risk of consumers. The concentrations of elements in all analyzed samples of nuts were as follows: Cd: peanuts > almonds > hazelnuts > walnuts > cashews, Pb: peanuts > almonds > hazelnuts > walnuts > cashews, Ni: cashews > peanuts > walnuts > hazelnuts > almonds, Cr: almonds > cashews & hazelnuts > peanuts > walnuts. Health risk indicators estimated for consumers whose diet is rich in nuts, in which metallic trace elements were recorded, indicate that an unacceptable impact may occur, and the risk of negative health effects (non-cancer) will be moderate to high.

Regulated 1-2 Carbon Disinfection Byproducts do not Correlate with Cytotoxicity with Increasing Disinfectant Contact Time During Chlorination, Chlorination Followed by Chloramination or Granular Activated Carbon Followed by Chlorination.

Regulations typically use four trihalomethanes (THM4) and five haloacetic acids (HAA5) as metrics of consumer exposure to disinfection byproducts (DBPs) and their chronic health risks. Their use as exposure metrics assumes that their concentrations correlate with DBP-associated toxicity. For a chlorine-disinfected surface water, this study demonstrates that increasing chlorine contact time from 1 to 7 days was associated with a 62-76% increase in THM4 and HAA5 but a 40-47% decrease in total cytotoxicity. Thus, the use of THM4 and HAA5 may divert regulatory attention away from the low water age sections of distribution systems near treatment facilities that may feature the highest cytotoxicity but lowest THM4/HAA5 concentrations. Among common options to reduce THM4/HAA5, this study also shows that chlorine disinfection followed by chloramines for maintaining a distribution system residual did not substantially reduce cytotoxicity. Granular activated carbon followed by chlorine reduced cytotoxicity by 28-80%, even at the lowest water ages where cytotoxicity was maximized. These findings highlight the need to identify DBPs that better correlate with toxicity than THM4/HAA5 to serve as metrics of exposure. These metrics could help identify distribution system locations exhibiting higher consumer risk and develop modifications to disinfection systems that effectively reduce consumer risk.

Modification of the existing maximum residue levels for propamocarb in radishes (roots and small leaves)

Abstract In accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, the Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food chain Safety and Environment submitted a request to the competent national authority in Belgium (evaluating Member State, EMS) to modify the existing maximum residue levels (MRLs) for the active substance propamocarb in radishes for the residues occurring in radish roots and in small radish leaves (proposed to be classified under the subgroup of Roman rocket/rucola). The data submitted in support of the request were found to be sufficient to derive MRL proposals for radishes and small radish leaves. Adequate analytical methods for enforcement are available to control the residues of propamocarb on the commodities under consideration at the validated limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.01 mg/kg. Based on the risk assessment results, EFSA concluded that the short‐term and long‐term intake of residues resulting from the use of propamocarb according to the reported agricultural practice is unlikely to present a risk to consumer health. The chronic consumer risk assessment shall be regarded as indicative since affected by uncertainty related to the data gaps identified in the MRL review.

Analysis of the Influence of Consumer Trust, Perceived Benefits, and Usage Risks on QRIS User Satisfaction with Ease of Use as a Mediating Variable: A Case Study of Jatinegara District, East Jakarta

This research aims to analyze the influence of consumer trust, benefits, and risks on user satisfaction with QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) through ease of use. In today’s era, payment or transaction systems are mostly conducted online using QR code scanning. Therefore, this research focuses on understanding the extent to which trust affects consumer satisfaction in using QRIS as a payment tool and explores the benefits of QRIS usage for the community. Additionally, the research assesses the impact of risks associated with using QRIS on user satisfaction. Ease of use serves as a mediating factor contributing to user satisfaction as the final outcome. The research employs stratified sampling as the sampling method. Data collection methods include interviews, observations, and distributing questionnaires. The analysis is conducted using SmartPLS 4 with Path Coefficient testing to measure the direct influence of independent variables on the dependent variable. The final results of this study are expected to provide insights specifically for QRIS service providers and developers.

Quantitative Risk Assessment of Aflatoxin M1 Related to the Consumption of Raw Cow's Milk in Daloa (Côte d’Ivoire)

Cow's milk represents a potential health risk for consumers. The objective of this work is to assess the sanitary quality of raw cow's milk produced and consumed by the populations of Daloa. For this purpose, a total of 30 raw milk samples were collected from 3 raw cow's milk extraction points in the city of Daloa. Mycotoxins were determined using gas chromatography. The results showed that 100% of the analyzed samples were contaminated with aflatoxin M1 (AFLM1). These results indicated that the aflatoxin M1 levels in the analyzed samples exceeded the maximum limit (ML) set by European regulations. To assess the risk of contamination for the population of Daloa, a survey was conducted among consumers of raw cow's milk. A total of 388 individuals were interviewed to gather their opinions. The survey involved a form with questionnaires related to the objectives of the study. This form provided information on identity, marital status, consumption patterns, frequency, quantity, and the socio-economic characteristics of the consumers. The results showed that the risk of liver cancer related to the consumption of raw cow's milk in the city of Daloa is approximately 36.08% to 36.16%; representing 36,080 to 36,150 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Thus, to ensure consumer safety, good hygiene practices in the preservation of feed for cattle and the construction of enclosures for them must be implemented.

Evaluating the Human Risks of Consumption of Foods of Bovine Origin with Ivermectin Residues in Ecuador.

Ivermectin is a widely used antiparasitic in livestock, but its use can result in residues in bovine products and excretions. The objective of the present study was to determine the presence of ivermectin residues in cattle meat, liver, milk, faeces, and urine and assess consumer risk from chronic exposure through contaminated bovine products using a deterministic approach. To determine the presence of ivermectin residues, 124 samples were analysed by liquid chromatography. Residues were found in 68% of faeces samples and small percentages (3%) in liver, milk, and urine, with no residues detected in meat. The mean ivermectin residue in the liver (16.46 µg/kg) remained below the maximum residue limit (MRL); however, in milk (12.46 µg/kg), the residues exceeded the permitted MRL. The results obtained from chronic dietary exposure show that the consumption of ivermectin residues was low, and the risk was assessed as being rare to very rare. Additionally, this study reveals concerning levels of ivermectin residues in milk that may far exceed established safety limits. This situation emphasises the urgent need for stricter regulations and monitoring in milk production, particularly from small farms, to protect vulnerable populations. However, from a one health perspective, the presence of residues in faeces poses potential environmental hazards, warranting further research. Moreover, the detection of residues in milk, despite the ban on ivermectin use in dairy cattle, underscores the importance of compliance with food safety regulations and the need for continued vigilance in this area.

Evaluation of Label Compliance to Allergens in Imported Asian Food Sold in Northern Italy

Abstract Background The import of Asian food is strongly increasing in the EU. In Italy, the Asian market has expanded over the last 3 decades. Unfortunately, the labelling of these products often implies errors, mainly due to linguistic differences. Consequently, it can become a consistent problem regarding food safety, in particular for allergens declaration. According to EU Reg. 1169/2011 (Annex II), allergens must be labelled in bold and translated in the current language of the Member State. Asian food non-compliant labelling could enhance the probability of allergic consumers to get adverse events; accordingly, it is important to increase controls on the imported products. The present work investigates the label compliance to allergens on Asiatic products imported in Northern Italy. Methods Totally, 39 foodstuffs were tested for gluten, 93 for white egg proteins and 118 for milk proteins by commercial ELISA kits according to manufacturers’ instructions. Samples were considered non-compliant when the results were above 20 mg/Kg, the law limit for gluten, or above the milk LOD (10 µg/Kg) and the egg LOD (0.4 mg/Kg). Results Data showed 18% (CI 95% 0.09-0.32) of non-compliant samples for gluten: 6 samples &amp;gt; 80 mg/Kg (snacks and ready to eat meal) and 1 sample containing 48 mg/Kg (snack). In addition, 19.4 % (CI 95% 0.13-0.28) showed presence of egg proteins (noodles, snacks, patties and pasty). Finally, 13.6% (CI 95% 0.08-0.21) samples were irregular for undeclared milk (noodles and snacks). Conclusions Products label report their content and represent an important element for food trading and tracing. The results obtained confirm a high percentage of non-compliant labels, underlining how the consumption of imported products can represent a health risk for allergic consumers. The present work highlights the importance of imported food monitoring to guarantee the consumers health, and of the implementation of standardized/international regulated labelling rules. Key messages • Many non-compliant labels about allergens was observed on Asiatic products. • Correct labelling of allergens in imported food should be monitored to avoid adverse events.

Residue dissipation and dietary risk of cyprodinil and fludioxonil residues in green onions: ensuring safe consumption in Egypt

ABSTRACT As a vegetable commodity, onions are of considerable economic significance. They are a significant source of foreign exchange revenues in the fruit and vegetables sector, in addition to being essential for domestic consumption. However, green onions are frequently treated with multiple fungicides. As a result, there is currently a significant focus on the potential health hazards of consuming green onions, due to dietary risks and the presence of various fungicide residues. The pre-mixture fungicide cyprodinil and fludioxonil are widely used to control fungal disease in green onions. To assure consumer safety, residues in the final product must be investigated. Following Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), field studies were carried out to investigate cyprodinil and fludioxonil dissipation and terminal residues on green onions. The concentrations of cyprodinil and fludioxonil in green onions decreased with time by a first-order kinetic model, with considerable degradation of 95.6% and 83.5%, respectively, after 14 days of single treatment at the recommended rate. According to the terminal results, it is advisable to wait for 7 days after applying the recommended dose of Switch fungicide before harvesting. The findings indicated that the presence of cyprodinil and fludioxonil residues in green onions did not pose a significant dietary risk for consumers. This study is intended to ensure the safe and proper use of cyprodinil and fludioxonil in green onions in Egypt.

The Pharmacokinetics of Subcutaneous Eprinomectin in Plasma and Milk in Dry Dairy Cattle.

Parasitic infections in dairy cattle reduce herd immunity, milk production, and conception rates. This leads to higher production costs, compromised animal welfare, and increased interest in extralabel drug use. The extralabel use of anthelmintics poses food safety risks for consumers since appropriate withdrawal intervals in milk have yet to be established. Although topical eprinomectin has no milk withdrawal time, more research is needed to determine the residues present in milk after subcutaneous administration. This study aimed to characterize the pharmacokinetics of injectable eprinomectin in dry dairy cows. We hypothesized that, when given at the labeled dose, eprinomectin residues in dry dairy cattle would be below the FDA milk tolerance at the onset of lactation. Plasma was collected daily from 13 mature dairy cattle for 7 days postadministration, followed by periodic samples for 90 days. After calving, milk was collected daily until 90 days. Eprinomectin concentrations were measured using HPLC-fluorescence detection. The maximum eprinomectin concentration in plasma and milk was approximately 36 ng/mL 43 h after administration and 3 ng/mL at the onset of lactation, respectively. The low eprinomectin levels in milk collected from these lactating dairy cattle suggest that administering eprinomectin at dry-off is unlikely to result in violative residues. However, subcutaneous eprinomectin in lactating dairy cattle would be hard to justify unless there is evidence that the approved topical formulation is clinically ineffective.

Consumer Risk in the Purchasing Process in the Organic Food Market

Risk is an inherent part of our lives and every action we take. It accompanies us in various areas of our lives. Each of us encounters risk in everyday life by undertaking and performing specific activities or actions. Risk is not always perceived by us; there are situations when we do not notice it in our actions. The main objective of this article is to identify and assess the factors influencing the level of risk in consumer purchasing decisions in the organic products market. Additionally, it aims to indicate the desired directions of actions taken by producers and suppliers of organic food to reduce the risk associated with the purchasing process perceived by consumers. The research process took into account existing scientific achievements and the survey method, chosen due to the subject and nature of the research. The survey was addressed to consumers from the Lubuskie Voivodeship and was anonymous. The conducted research shows that the greatest risk perceived by consumers is in the case of online purchases, and the way to reduce this risk is through buyer loyalty to the place of purchase. The empirical research also provides grounds to assume that there is a relationship between individual types of risk. The research shows that respondents are most afraid of safety and social risk, and the least afraid of the risk of losing too much time. Consumers who want to reduce the risk use their own experiences or positive opinions about the product. The results provide valuable information for producers and suppliers of organic food who want to build lasting relationships with consumers based on trust and loyalty. The higher the trust, the greater the customer loyalty, and the lower the perceived risk.

Amputated life-testing based on extended Dagum percentiles for type of group inspection plans: optimal sample sizes, termination time ratios analysis

This paper introduces a novel approach to life-testing using Extended Dagum (EXD) percentiles within the framework of group inspection plans. The methodology focuses on optimizing sample sizes and analyzing termination time ratios to enhance the reliability of quality control procedures. By leveraging the flexibility of the EXD distribution, the proposed approach accurately models complex survival data, accommodating heavy-tailed characteristics often encountered in practice. The study presents a detailed analysis of optimal sample sizes and the critical termination time ratios that balance producer and consumer risks. Through comprehensive simulations and real applications, the paper demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in ensuring robust and efficient life-testing strategies, offering valuable insights for practitioners in industries such as manufacturing, engineering, and reliability analysis.

The Influence of Consumer Product Knowledge, Trust, and Risk Perception on Purchase Intention Among Shopee Consumers: The Role of Reviews as a Moderating Variable

The development of e-commerce has changed consumer behavior. With the presence of e-commerce, many habits have changed, starting from previous shopping habits in offline stores, now switching to shopping at online stores using shopping sites and applications such as Shopee, because it makes it easier for consumers to make buying and selling transactions online. However, Shopee, which is a consumer favorite, has several problems, including some consumers who buy products at Shopee feeling disappointed because the goods purchased do not match expectations, thus affecting consumer buying intentions. Several previous studies have shown that there is a relationship between consumer trust and purchasing decisions. This study uses descriptive quantitative research using multiple linear regression analysis. The subjects of this research are Shopee consumers. The variables used in this study are consumer product knowledge, trust, risk perception and reviews as moderating variables. The results of the research show that consumer product knowledge has a positive but not significant effect on Shopee consumers’ purchasing decisions. Meanwhile, the variables of trust, risk perception and reviews have a significant positive effect on Shopee consumers’ purchase intentions. Then the review variable is not able to moderate the relationship between consumer product knowledge and purchase intention. However, reviews are able to moderate the relationship between trust, risk perception and purchase intention.

ЕНЕРГЕТИЧНИЙ РИНОК УКРАЇНИ : СТВОРЕННЯ УМОВ ДЛЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОГО ЕНЕРГОЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ

The article analyzes the theoretical foundations of the formation of energy security on the energy market of Ukraine in the context of European integration processes, and states that energy security is a component of the state's national security. The main advantages of long-term contracts for all energy market participants are indicated. Features of the functioning of consumer companies in the competitive market are highlighted. The main risks for large consumers when working on the day-ahead market are presented. Factors of the expediency of functioning on the balancing segment are given. Current trends in the development of world energy and their impact on energy security are analyzed. The necessity of diversification of energy supply sources for Ukraine is substantiated. The influence of the European integration processes on the reform of the energy sector of Ukraine is studied. The current state of the energy market was analyzed, and the analysis of factors affecting development trends and ensuring protection in the energy market was carried out. The influence of the European integration processes on the reform of the energy sector of Ukraine is studied. The conjuncture of the energy market of Ukraine is determined, in which it is necessary to analyze not only the peculiarities of the domestic sphere, but also the influence of international relations, international trade and the world market. The PEST analysis of the energy industry of Ukraine is presented, which allowed to identify the level of influence and the neighborhood of the group of influencing factors on the formation of the strategic potential of the energy market of Ukraine. Directions for increasing the level of energy security through modernization of the energy infrastructure, development of renewable energy sources, and integration into the European energy space are proposed. It is noted that the creation of conditions for the effective use of internal resources and the development of appropriate technologies are of strategic importance. The country's government is working on integration into the European energy community, which requires compliance with European standards and the implementation of effective management models of the energy market of Ukraine. According to the results of the strategic potential of the energy industry of Ukraine, economic factors exert the greatest influence - 1.147, which just emphasizes the important role of the energy industry in the country's economy. In second place in terms of influence are political factors - 0.847. The analysis of the market just showed the rather important role of the political component in the functioning of the energy market of Ukraine, namely in the aspect of its joining the European energy market and the transformation of Ukraine into the European Union with the rights of an equal state. In third place are technological factors - 0.553, which confirm Ukraine's determination to decarbonize the energy market. And the fourth place is occupied by socio-cultural factors - 0.537, which are only marginally inferior to technological factors. This indicates a strong influence of consumer preferences when choosing interaction models in the market.

Combining capillary electrophoresis and chemometric tools for the straightforward determination of imidazolinone herbicides in plant-based milks.

Highly polar herbicides, such as imidazolinones, are used for weed control to increase agricultural productivity and crop quality. However, their misapplication can lead to residues in ready-to-eat food with a potential health risk for consumers. Hence, the fast determination of these herbicides is necessary for timely action. In this work, an eco-friendly method based on capillary zone electrophoresis combined with chemometrics was used for the determination of imazapyr and imazamox in vegetable-based beverages such as soy and quinoa milk. The analytical strategy consisted of only three steps: (i) protein precipitation prior to sample injection (ii) data pre-processing to reduce the background and make corrections on electrophoretic times shift, and (iii) resolution of fully overlapped capillary electrophoresis (CE) peaks by the well-known partial least square (PLS) algorithm, which extracts quantitative information attributed to the analytes. The method was successfully applied in the concentration range between 1.00 and 100 μg L-1 with coefficient of determination of the calibration (R2 cal) and prediction (R2 pred) > 0.90, residual prediction deviation of calibration (RPDcal) and of prediction (RPDpred) > 3, and relative error of prediction (REP) > 11 in the analyzed sample matrices, in the three built methods (quinoa samples, soy samples, and joint quinoa and soy samples). The proposed methodology offers a simple and quick alternative for determining imidazolinones at trace concentrations in vegetable beverages, such as quinoa and soy milk, without complex sample preparation. The results were consistent with those obtained using more complex techniques, confirming the applicability of this method. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Legacy and emergent contaminants in glaucous-winged gull eggs from Canada's Pacific coast: Spatial distribution, temporal trends, and risks for human consumers

Using glaucous-winged gull (Larus glaucescens) eggs from Canada's Pacific coast, we investigated spatial and temporal trends (2008–2022) of a suite of legacy and emergent contaminants, including 16 perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), 15 polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), 7 alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs), total mercury (THg), as well as stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) to control for diet. Legacy organochlorines (OCs) were also measured in eggs in 2020 for a preliminary human health risk assessment (HHRA). Between 2008 and 2022, glaucous-winged gull eggs from more urban-influenced colonies (Mandarte Island) were up to ∼2x more contaminated with PFAS, PBDEs, AHFRs, and THg than eggs from the offshore colony (Cleland Island), suggesting different source regions and dietary exposures. Concentrations of Σ15PBDEs declined linearly among colonies (p < 0.001), consistent with several North American phase-outs and regulatory restrictions dating back to the early/mid 2000s. Conversely, temporal trends for PFOS, Σ12PFCAs, Σ7AHFRs, and THg were characterized by a combination of second-order declines and non-linear increases in recent years. After correcting THg for dietary shifts using δ15N, THg concentrations followed a U-shaped trend at Mandarte and Cleland Islands, while those at Mitlenatch Island remained relatively constant over time. Increasing trends for some contaminants coincided with both an increase in δ13C and δ15N. For the HHRA, all gull eggs collected in 2020 had hazard quotients (HQs) < 0.2, indicating no foreseeable risk or harm for First Nations consumers for certain contaminants. Our findings indicate that spatio-temporal trends of persistent organic contaminants and THg in Pacific glaucous-winged gull eggs are influenced by a combination of factors, including the impact of regulations on anthropogenic emissions, accompanied by changes in foraging behaviour and food-web structure.

Simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins in Radix Dipsaci and estimation of exposure risk for consumers

Like many traditional Chinese herbal medicines, preparations from Radix Dipsaci are at risk of contamination by harmful mycotoxins; however, there have been no reports of actual contamination. In this study, we developed an analytical method to simultaneously detect eight mycotoxins in Radix Dipsaci and estimate the exposure risk for consumers. We have developed an analytical method utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry to accurately determine the levels of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, OTA, ZEN, T-2 and ST mycotoxins in 45 batches of Radix Dipsaci sourced from major medicinal herb markets across five regions in China. We also analyzed migration of mycotoxins from the raw herbs into water decoction. Based on these results and data on human consumption of the herbal medicine, we estimated risk of exposure and acceptable exposure limits to mycotoxins in the Radix Dipsaci using the “margin of exposure (MOE)” method. Of the 45 batches of Radix Dipsaci, 48.89% contained at least one of the eight mycotoxins, 24.44% contained one, 17.78% contained two and 6.67% contained three. The most frequent mycotoxins were aflatoxin B1, present in 35.56% of batches (at 0.25–34.84 μg/kg); aflatoxin G1, 15.56% (1.99–44.05 μg/kg); and ochratoxin A, 22.22% (16.11–143.38 μg/kg). These three mycotoxins transferred from the raw herb into water decoction at respective rates of 20.20%, 29.14%, and 24.80%. The 95th percentile values of the MOE risk factors for health effects of AFB1 were below 10,000 at high doses but above 10,000 at low doses of Radix Dipsaci long-term treatment. With the reduction in duration of exposure years, the MOE values of AFB1 and AFG1 gradually reverted to within the acceptable range. The mean, 50th, and 95th percentile values of the MOE risk factors for health effects of OTA exceeded 10,000 regardless of whether consumers received a low or high dose of Radix Dipsaci treatment for durations ranging from 1 to lifetime. Based on this exposure and a typical human diet, we have estimated the respective 20-year exposure limits for Radix Dipsaci to be 5.821 μg/kg, 4.035 μg/kg, and 56.073 μg/kg for the three mycotoxins under consideration. Contamination with multiple mycotoxins is frequently observed in Radix Dipsaci, and the three most prevalent contaminants have been found to leach into water decoctions, thereby posing a potential health hazard for individuals consuming this herbal preparation. This work highlights the need to monitor herbal medicines for mycotoxin contamination in order to protect consumers.

A Study on the Consumer Risk Perceptions for FinTech Platforms in India

A Study on the Consumer Risk Perceptions for FinTech Platforms in India

Monitoring of 260 pesticides in extra virgin olive oil and risk assessment for consumers within the framework of the European multiannual control program

The aim of the present research was to develop and validate a robust analytical method for the monitoring of 260 pesticide residues in Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) expanding the 185 molecules requested by the multiannual control program. The analytical procedure included an ultrasound-assisted liquid-liquid microextraction followed by low-pressure gas chromatography (LP-GC) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), both coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. Matrix-matched calibration curves showed good linearity with coefficients of determination greater than 0.999. Accuracy values ranged from 65.5 % to 122.3 % and from 61.1 % to 133.3 % for LP-GC and UHPLC, respectively. The recoveries ranged from 14.0 % to 177.9 %.Fifty commercial EVOO, from Italian and EU production, were analyzed to assess pesticide contamination during the 2021–2023 harvesting seasons. The research focused on evaluating consumer risk by assessing both chronic and acute dietary exposure, using the Pesticide Residue Intake Model developed by the EFSA.

Salivary cysteine levels as a potential biochemical indicator of oral cancer risk in tobacco consumers.

Aim: Oral cancer is the leading cause of mortality, with a survival rate of less than 5 years, and is predominantly influenced by tobacco mutagens. Invasive diagnostic methods hinder early detection of oral cancer biomarkers. The present study performed salivary biochemical analysis for early oral cancer screening in tobacco consumers.Materials & methods: Three study groups included healthy controls (n=25), tobacco users (n=25) and oral cancer patients (n=25). Salivary total protein, amylase, TNF-α and amino acid levels were evaluated using enzymatic tests, Enzyme linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).Results: Compared with healthy controls, salivary total protein and TNF-αlevels were significantly (p=0.04) higher in oral cancer patients. Salivary amylase levels were significantly lower in tobacco smokers (p=0.02) and higher in oral cancer patients (p=0.01). Interestingly, the amino acid cysteine concentration was significantly higher (p=0.02) in tobacco consumers (62.5±10) than in healthy controls (116.1±28).Conclusion: In high-risk populations, such as tobacco users, salivary biochemical analysis can serve as a promising noninvasive diagnostic method for early oral cancer screening. As a salivary biomarker, the amino acid cysteine exhibits potential as a means of detecting the progression of oral cancer in individuals who consume tobacco.