Contamination Of Products Research Articles

Underexplored food safety hazards of beekeeping products: Key knowledge gaps and suggestions for future research.

These days, a growing consumer demand and scientific interest can be observed for nutraceuticals of natural origin, including apiculture products. Due to the growing emphasis on environmental protection, extensive research has been conducted on the pesticide and heavy metal contamination of bee products; however, less attention is devoted on other food safety aspects. In our review, scientific information on the less-researched food safety hazards of honey, bee bread, royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax are summarized. Bee products originating from certain plants may inherently contain phytotoxins, like pyrrolizidine alkaloids, tropane alkaloids, matrine alkaloids, grayanotoxins, gelsemium alkaloids, or tutin. Several case studies evidence that bee products can induce allergic responses to sensitive individuals, varying from mild to severe symptoms, including the potentially lethal anaphylaxis. Exposure to high temperature or long storage may lead to the formation of the potentially toxic 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. Persistent organic pollutants, radionuclides, and microplastics can potentially be transferred to bee products from contaminated environmental sources. And lastly, inappropriate beekeeping practices can lead to the contamination of beekeeping products with harmful microorganisms and mycotoxins. Our review demonstrates the necessity of applying good beekeeping practices in order to protect honeybees and consumers of their products. An important aim of our work is to identify key knowledge gaps regarding the food safety of apiculture products.

Semaglutide, Testosterone and Sildenafil advertising on social media: The Normalisation of lifestyle enhancement drugs

Recently, there has been a sharp increase in advertising for the ‘prescription-only’ medicines semaglutide and testosterone on social media platforms in the UK, along with the ‘pharmacy medicine’ sexual enhancer Sildenafil. These promoted adverts appear to come from both legitimate clinics in the case of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) and Sildenafil, and illicitly operating suppliers with the attempted appearance of legitimacy in the case of semaglutide. This commentary explores the extent to which the prevalent advertising of these lifestyle medicines on social media is normalising their use, and the potential harms associated with each.For testosterone / TRT, we consider the over-medicalisation of men's general wellbeing concerns and potential harms relating to dependency if use is promoted and encouraged beyond medical need, paralleling prior observations for the sexual enhancer sildenafil. This is followed by an exploration of harms relating to black market semaglutide supply on social media to individuals who are often unaware they are not accessing legitimate pharmaceutical product, including the dangers of product contamination and substitution, as well as uninformed use linked to a lack of information on safe dosages provided by suppliers. Following these discussions, this commentary examines the potential harm reduction impacts that direct to consumer (DTC) supply of prescription medicines could have, and considers how policy could encourage these beneficial effects without further normalising or encouraging drug use in otherwise healthy individuals. However, we also note the importance of tackling prevailing cultural pressures towards lifestyle drug use and the need to address these through education and similar policies.

Prevalence and Impact of Emerging Chemical Contaminants in the Life Style Products on Human Health

In recent times, the increasing prevalence of harmful pollutants in our environment, originating from chemicals of various lifestyle products, has emerged as significant challenge for mankind. The purpose of this article was to explore the past literature concerning the consequences of various emerging contaminants in the everyday lifestyle products on human health. The chemical compounds, derived from various human activities, have become an integral part of our global ecosystem and are essential for the functioning of modern society. Chemical compounds are discharged into the environment from different origins, including rural, urban, and industrial areas. These compounds can come from everyday products such as cosmetics, personal care items, household cleaners, and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, consumer products like soaps, shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and perfumes are used on a daily basis worldwide. These products contain a variety of chemicals that can contribute to environmental pollution. Various substances such as paraben, triclosan, phthalate, fragrances, antimicrobial agents, UV filters, and heavy metals are commonly found in these products. Scientists have determined that these ingredients can have detrimental effects on both humans and other organisms. The impacts of these chemical contaminants vary from changes in reproductive health and various types of cancer in humans. Additionally, aquatic organisms are also impacted by these substances. The significance of this matter is heightened by the rising global demand for beauty products, which commonly utilize a diverse array of chemical compounds in their production.

The Prevalence of Brucella Spp. in Dairy Products in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Brucellosis, a significant zoonotic disease, threatens food safety substantially, particularly in developing nations such as the Middle East. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian milk and dairy products through a systematic review and meta-analysis. A thorough search of international and domestic databases from January 2008 to October 2023 identified 38 relevant studies encompassing 11,130 samples for meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian dairy products was 22% (95% CI: 16-28%). The highest and lowest overall prevalence of Brucella spp. in milk were found in raw goat milk 27% (95% CI: 11-42%) and raw camel milk 15% (95% CI: -0.42 to 72%), respectively. The overall prevalence of traditional cheese, ice cream, and cream is estimated to be 9% (95% CI: -16 to 35%), 2% (95% CI: -2.78 to 2.82%), and 9% (95% CI: -0.94 to 1.12%). Geographical disparities were evident, with Zanjan province reporting the highest contamination rate, 53%, while Razavi Khorasan province had the lowest, 1%. However, the prevalence of Brucella spp. in Iranian dairy products has fluctuated over time, with a significant association between the study year and sample size. Comprehensive planning, robust policy implementation, and rigorous monitoring are imperative to mitigate and ultimately eliminate Brucella contamination in dairy products effectively. Further research is essential to refine prevalence estimates and develop targeted prevention strategies to safeguard public health.

Concentration and health risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in cosmetic and personal care products

Per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are toxicologically concerning because of their potential to bioaccumulate and their persistence in the environment and the human body. We determined PFAS levels in cosmetic and personal care products and assessed their health risks. We investigated the trends in concentrations and types of PFAS contaminants in cosmetic and personal care products before and after perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) were added to the list of persistent organic pollutants. The total PFAS concentration ranged from 1.98 to 706.75 ng g−1. The hazard quotients (HQs) for PFOA, PFOS and perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) were lower than 1, indicating no appreciable risk to consumers. Assuming the simultaneous use of all product types and the worst-case scenario for calculations, perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and perfluoroalkane sulfonic acids (PFSAs) also had hazard indices lower than 1. We found that adverse effects are unlikely to occur when each type of cosmetic is used separately, or even when all product types are used together. Nevertheless, the persistence and bioaccumulation characteristics of additional PFAS present in cosmetics continue to be a cause for concern. Further research is necessary to investigate the long-term impacts of using such cosmetics and the associated risks to human health.

Reimagining secondhand consumption: Can reseller identity (de)Motivate sustainable consumption?

Peer-to-peer sharing of unutilized assets, such as clothing, could greatly reduce new production and its subsequent environmental harm. However, this mode of the sharing economy may be difficult for consumers to adopt. A relatively novel form of organizing in the sharing economy embraces apparel firms as secondhand resellers of their own products, facilitating collaborative consumption. Across four studies, this research provides novel insights into whether and why a reseller's identity and their stated goals may (de)motivate consumers from engaging in secondhand consumption. Study 1 (N = 314) demonstrates that when a manufacturing brand resells its used garments, it is perceived as more authentic, and its product as more appealing, subsequently leading to higher purchase likelihood in comparison to when the same used product is sold by another consumer. Study 2 (N = 608) conceptually replicates Study 1 findings, additionally revealing that brand reselling may reduce product contamination perceptions. Next, Studies 3a (N = 336) and 3b (N = 349) explore whether and how brand appeals (de)motivate consumers from secondhand consumption. We find that consumers with weak pro-environmental identity may become demotivated to purchase secondhand garments from a brand when the brand communicates a pro-environmental reselling goal. Additionally, brands communicating pro-environmental goals may be considered as less caring about product affordability, which is associated with reduced purchase likelihood. We conclude that accepting apparel brands as new actors in the sharing economy may both reduce existing barriers to secondhand consumption and promote non-tangible brand benefits, while shedding light on the nuance and complexity of this novel form of collaborative consumption.

SHIELDING BANGLADESH'S EXPORTABLE BETEL LEAVES: MANAGING E. coli AND Salmonella CONTAMINATION

The study examined the presence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. in soil, water, and mature betel leaf samples at preharvest stages across three upazilas in Kushtia district: Kushtia Sadar, Mirpur, and Daulatpur, although these pathogens do not typically affect betel leaf and other fresh vegetables. Researchers tested the samples before and after sanitization with calcinated calcium (CCa) from May to September 2020. They collected soil, water, and betel leaf samples from 15 farmers' fields, and initially, all samples were contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella spp. After sanitization, E. coli contamination persisted in a few samples: 22.22% in Sadar, 28.89% in Mirpur, and 35.56% in Daulatpur, while Salmonella spp. was eradicated. Potential contamination vectors included dogs (86.67%), birds (77.78%), and cats (59.26%). In Dhaka, betel leaves from the central pack house showed significant contamination differences post-washing. Before washing, 51.67% of leaves had E. coli and 41.50% had Salmonella spp. After three washes with CCa, contamination was completely eliminated for both pathogens. The study highlights the effectiveness of CCa in reducing microbial contamination but also points out the need for better contamination control strategies and training for farmers to mitigate vector-related contamination. This comprehensive study highlights the effectiveness of CCa in reducing microbial contamination in betel leaf production and underscores the need for ongoing management to mitigate recontamination risks from environmental vectors.

Detection Limits of Insect Fragments in Spiked Whole Wheat Flour Using Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)

The need for a sensitive molecular method to detect specific species of insect contaminants in food products remains a significant challenge in the food industry. This study evaluated the detection limit of a multiplex end-point PCR assay for detecting insects in food. The assay amplifies two fragments of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene (COI-Fa and COI-Fb) and one fragment of the protein-coding wingless (wg) gene found in insects. Five insect species, comprising three vectors of foodborne pathogens (the housefly, Musca domestica, the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, and the pharaoh ant, Monomorium pharaonis) and two storage insect pests (the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum and the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella), were spiked separately and in combination at levels of 1, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001% in whole wheat flour. At spike levels greater than 0.01%, amplicon bands of expected sizes were seen in 100% of samples containing fragments from distinct insect species. At least 25% of spiked samples at the lowest spike level had amplicon bands, except for samples spiked with M. domestica. Results showed an 18.9% probability (with 11.3% and 30% lower and upper confidence limits, respectively) of detecting insect fragments at the lowest spike level (0.001%, corresponding to 3–22 fragments), which is far below the FDA’s regulatory level of less than 75 fragments per 50 g of wheat flour. The intensity of amplicon bands in the gel images was higher at higher spike levels. However, this method is not quantitative enough to extrapolate the intensity of the amplicon bands to the number of insect fragments present in a sample. This multiplex assay was also evaluated in a variety of market food samples derived from plants and animals, showing its potential use in various food types. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of this molecular approach suggest that it could be used in the future as a screening tool for detecting insect contaminants in food.

Genomic diversity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium isolated from chicken processing facilities in New South Wales, Australia.

Contamination of poultry products by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) is a major cause of foodborne infections and outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) carriage of STm in three chicken processing plants using genomic sequencing. It also aimed to investigate whether any particular strain types were associated with cases of human illness. Multilevel genome typing (MGT) was used to analyze 379 STm isolates from processed chicken carcasses. The diversity of chicken STm sequence types (STs) increased from MGT1 (2 STs) to MGT9 (257 STs). STs at MGT5 to MGT9 levels that were unique to one processing plant and shared among the processing plants were identified, likely reflecting the diversity of STm at their farm source. Fifteen medium resolution MGT5 STs matched those from human infections in Australia and globally. However, no STs matched between the chicken and human isolates at high resolution levels (MGT8 or MGT9), indicating the two STm populations were phylogenetically related but were unlikely to be directly epidemiologically linked. AMR genes were rare, with only a bla TEM-1 gene carried by a 95 kb IncI1 Alpha plasmid being identified in 20 isolates. In conclusion, subpopulations that were widespread in processing plants and had caused human infections were described using MGT5 STs. In this STM population, AMR was rare with only sporadic resistance to a single drug class observed. The genomic analysis of STm from chicken processing plants in this study provided insights into STm that contaminate meat chickens early in the food production chain.

Immobilization of aldo-keto reductase on dopamine/polyethyleneimine functionalized magnetic cellulose nanocrystals to enhance the detoxification of patulin in fresh pear juice

Patulin (PAT) is a highly toxic mycotoxin, which can contaminate fruits and their products and cause harm to human health. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were functionalized by magnetite nanoparticles, dopamine (DA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) to form a multifunctional nanocarrier (DA/PEI@Fe3O4/CNCs) for immobilizing aldo-keto reductase (MgAKR) to degrade PAT. The MgAKR-DA/PEI@Fe3O4/CNCs were reusable and environmentally friendly due to its surface area, high magnetization value, and oxygen/amine function. The immobilization method significantly improved reusability, resistance to proteolysis, temperature stability and storage stability of MgAKR-DA/PEI@Fe3O4/CNCs. With NADPH as a coenzyme, the detoxification rate of MgAKR-DA/PEI@Fe3O4/CNCs on PAT reached 100 % in phosphate buffer and 98 % in fresh pear juice. The quality of fresh pear juice was unaffected by MgAKR-DA/PEI@Fe3O4/CNCs and could be quickly separated by magnet after detoxification, which was convenient for recycling. It has broad application prospects in the control of PAT contamination in beverage products containing fruit and vegetable ingredients.

Water as a green solvent for sustainable sample preparation: single drop microextraction of N-nitrosamines from losartan tablets.

Water, renowned for its sustainability and minimal toxicity, is an ideal candidate for environmentally friendly solvent-based microextraction. However, its potential as an extractant solvent in miniaturized sample preparation remains largely unexplored. This paper pioneers using water as the extraction solvent in headspace single-drop microextraction (HS-SDME) for N-nitrosamines from losartan tablets. Autonomous HS-SDME is executed by an Arduino-controlled, lab-made Cartesian robot, using water for the online preconcentration of enriched extracts through direct injection into a column-switching system. Critical experimental parameters influencing HS-SDME performance are systematically explored through univariate and multivariate experiments. While most previously reported methods for determining N-nitrosamines in pharmaceutical formulations rely on highly selective mass spectrometry detection techniques to handle the strong matrix effects typical of pharmaceutical samples, the water-based HS-SDME method efficiently eliminates the interfering effects of a large amount of the pharmaceutical active ingredient and tablet excipients, allowing straightforward analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection (HPLC-UV-Vis). Under optimized conditions, the developed method exhibits linear responses from 100 to 2400ngg-1, demonstrating appropriate detectability, precision, and accuracy for the proposed application. Additionally, the environmental sustainability of the method is assessed using the AGREEprep methodology, positioning it as an outstanding green alternative for determining hazardous contaminants in pharmaceutical products.

Assessment of Cadmium and Mercury Contamination of Milk and Dairy Products in Vietnam

Background: Milk and dairy products are nutritious and can play a significant role in a healthy diet. The safety of milk decreases with increase in concentration of Cadmium (Cd) and Mercury (Hg). The aim is to evaluate the status of Cd and Hg contamination regarding milk and dairy products in some provinces and cities of Vietnam. Methods: 367 samples of liquid milk, yogurt, cheese, milk cake and milk powder were collected in six large cities and provinces of Vietnam, then Cd and Hg levels were quantitatively analyzed. Samples were digested before analysis to remove organic compounds, and the heavy metal concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Results: The average concentrations of Cd and Hg in liquid milk were 64.55 and 29.99 ppb; in yogurt, 49.09 and 24.72 ppb; in cheese, 115.81 and 33.75 ppb; in milk cake, 84.44 and 18.08 ppb; and in milk powder, 61.78 and 43.21 ppb, respectively. Conclusion: Hg concentrations in 19.3% of liquid milk, 9.49% of yogurt, 14.29% of cheese, 9.09% of milk cake, and 22% of milk powder were higher than the maximum permitted levels according to national regulations. In contrast, Cd concentrations of all the samples were less than the maximum permitted levels so as not to affect the health of consumers of milk and dairy products produced and processed in Vietnam.

Detection and Distribution of Residues and Additives in Meat and Meat Products in Zenica-Doboj Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Objectives: Many additives are of essential importance for the taste and quality of products, however, many of them pose a danger to human health, and are subject to daily routine quality control of products intended for human consumption. In addition to additives, residues represent a major challenge as possible contaminants of products from the field to the dining table. Methods: Through the research, 85 samples of meat products (salami, sausages, dried meat products) were processed and all were analyzed for the presence of aflatoxin B1 (AFL B1), as well as for chlorides, nitrites and heavy metals (cadmium and lead). Results: The average content of AFL B1 in the meat samples was 0.048 µg/kg (0.019 to 0.105 µg/kg). Chloride content was detected in the range from 0.000 to 9.955 %m/m (average concentration 2.377 %m/m). The average nitrite content was 8.330 mg/kg (min. 0.550 – max. 45.705 mg/kg). Among the 85 processed samples, lead and cadmium were detected in 79 and 29 products (92.94% and 34.11%), with an average of 0.136 and 0.042 mg/kg, respectively. Lead was detected in the range from 0.000 to 3.474 mg/kg, and cadmium from 0.000 to 2.544 mg/kg. Conclusions: The results show the need for continuous monitoring of the amount of additives in meet products on the market, and regular monitoring of residues in products intended for human consumption. It is necessary to stick to proper hygienic practices during the preparation of the product at all stages from the field to the dining table. Keywords: residues, additives, lead, cadmium, public health

Air quality assessment of poultry and swine houses in Chonburi Province

ABSTRACT The increased consumption of animal products has led to a proliferation of animal husbandry operations, particularly in agricultural countries. Animal husbandry facilities or livestock farming directly impact the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the environment, giving rise to various issues such as odors, contamination of water and air sources with pathogens, and potential contamination of meat products originating from these facilities. This research aims to assess the impacts on the physical (temperature, relative humidity and air velocity), chemical (carbon dioxide, total volatile organic compounds and particulate matter), and biological air quality assessment (amount and type of bioaerosols) aspects resulting from pig and poultry farming. The findings will serve as valuable data for managing and addressing these aforementioned issues. It was found that both in poultry and swine houses generated total suspended particles (TSP) and PM10 (Particulate Matter with a diameter of 10 µm or less). Analysis of poultry house exhaust revealed elevated concentrations of TSP and PM10 exceeding established health benchmarks. Chickens tend to produce a higher concentration of VOCs (2.07 ± 0.57 ppm) compared to swine (0.82 ± 0.53 ppm). Staphylococcus epidermidis was predominant bacteria in both swine and poultry houses while Cladosporium sp was the most prevalent fungi in poultry houses. These results in this study are very useful for developing targeted mitigation strategies, products, devices to address specific pollutants produced by each type of livestock, reducing overall environmental impact and improving air quality within and around animal husbandry facilities. Implications: This research highlights how the growing demand for meat is affecting the environment, especially in farming areas. By studying the effects of pig and poultry farming on things like air and water quality, the study shows the challenges these farms pose, like bad smells and pollution. They found that both types of farms release a lot of tiny particles and smelly chemicals into the air, but there are differences between them. Understanding these findings can help us develop ways to reduce the pollution from these farms and make the air cleaner for everyone.

Volatile Organic Compounds as a Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Microbial Contamination in Fresh Agricultural Products: Mechanism of Action and Analytical Techniques

Volatile Organic Compounds as a Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Microbial Contamination in Fresh Agricultural Products: Mechanism of Action and Analytical Techniques

Evaluation of environmental contamination in beeswax products

Beeswaxes are used as a coating agent or as a wrapping material for food products making them potentially ingested by consumers. There is no regulation yet in Europe giving maximum levels of contaminants in this type of product. Nevertheless, being a natural product, they are exposed to environmental pollution, thus it appears necessary to establish their contamination rate in order to evaluate potential human exposure. In this study, a method of extraction of different environmental contaminants including pesticides, phthalates, PAHs and phenols was developed. Based on a hot Soxhlet extraction, followed by cleaning steps, the method was validated for the quantitation of the cited contaminants by LC-MS/MS and GC-(MS)/MS.Three different types of waxes were analyzed including typical white waxes (Cera Alba) and yellow waxes (Cera Flava). It was shown that all waxes had the presence of at least one contaminant and that phthalates, in particular DEHP, was present in all beeswax samples. Insecticides were found in majority among all the classes of pesticides screened. The yellow waxes were found to be contaminated with the highest rates of PAHs (60%), pesticides (75%) and phenols (40%). The detection frequency of PAHs, in contrast to phthalates, was the lowest for all the types of waxes combined.

IDENTIFIKASI BAKTERI PADA PRODUK DARAH THROMBOCYTE CONCENTRATE

TThe Thrombocte Concentrate component is the blood component that is most easily contaminated with bacteria due to its processing and storage at room temperature. Blood or blood products that are ready to be transfused must be safe and free from the risk of infection by infectious diseases and contamination by microorganisms. Sources of bacterial contamination can come from donor skin that is less than aseptic, donor bacteremia and processing of blood products. This type of research is Pre-Experiment. The design of this research is One-Shot Case Study. In One-Shot Case Study design. The sample in this study used 1 Thrombocyte Concentrate blood product. Then it was replicated into 10 samples for Nutrient Agar media and 10 samples for Mac conkey Agar media. From the results of research conducted on 10 samples of Nutrient Agar (NA) media, it was found that there was bacterial growth in all petri dishes on Nutrient Agar (NA) media. ), while in petri dish number 10 it was found that 10% of gram-positive bacteria were in the form of bacilli (rods). From the results of research conducted on 10 samples of Mac Conkey Agar (MCA) media, no bacterial growth was found in all of the MCA media petri dishes. There was contamination of Gram-Positive bacteria in the form of Cocci (Rounds) and Bacillus (Sticks) in Thrombocyte Concentrate blood products using NA media in 10 samples out of the total samples examined were 10 samples of NA media. There was no Gram-Negative bacterial contamination in Thrombocyte Concentrate blood products using MCA media in 10 samples from the 10 samples examined.

Tenuazonic acid-induced mycotoxicosis in an immunosuppressed mouse model and its prophylaxis with cinnamaldehyde

Patients with impaired immune systems are particularly vulnerable to infections. With the increasing number of immunocompromised patients, it becomes necessary to design studies that evaluate the effects of toxic contaminants that are a part of our daily lives. Simultaneously, the management of these toxic components also becomes essential. Therefore, the present study evaluated the possible protective role of cinnamaldehyde (Cin) against tenuazonic acid-induced mycotoxicosis in the immunosuppressed murine model. Tenuazonic acid (TeA), a toxin usually produced by Alternaria species, is a common contaminant in tomato and tomato-based products. Evaluating the potential toxicity of a hazardous chemical necessitates the use of in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods. Here, the immunomodulatory effect of TeA was assessed in vitro using mouse splenocytes. In silico docking was carried out for the tumour markers of eight organs and TeA. The haematological, histopathological, and biochemical aspects were analysed in vivo. The sub-chronic intoxication of mice with TeA showed elevated malondialdehyde, reduced catalase, and superoxide dismutase production, along with abnormal levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase. The treatment with Cin prevented TeA-induced alterations of antioxidant defense enzyme activities and significantly forbade TeA-induced organ damage, showing therapeutic effects and toxicity reduction in TeA-induced mycotoxicosis.

Analysis of the microbial contamination in available cosmetic products from Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the level of microbial contamination of cosmetic goods found in Samaru Market, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Ten samples of two distinct cosmetics: face powder (labeled as FP) and kohl (labeled as K); were obtained from merchants at Samaru Market. The samples were cultivated on nutrient agar and mannitol salt for the purposes of viable cell count, isolation, and microscopic identification. To further characterize the isolates from the agar, gram staining technique and biochemical tests (catalase, urease, indole, Voges-Proskauer, citrate utilization, and methyl red test) were employed. With the exception of samples K1 and FP2, every sample had total viable bacteria. The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards of less than 103 cfu/ml of bacteria load for non-eye areas were exceeded by all samples except K2 and FP1. Sample FP5 had the highest count of 3.6 x 104cfu/ml, while sample K2 had the lowest count of 1.2 x102 cfu/ml. Microscopy, revealed the isolates on mannitol salt agar as rounded, elevated, flat, small, yellowish and pinkish with short rods. The nutrient agar colonies appeared to be short rod-like, mucoid, uneven, rough, and whitish in color. The biochemical characterization of the isolates was positive for catalase, citrate, Voges Proskauer, and motility test. In conclusion, some of the face powder and kohl samples in the study are dangerous to use since Bacillus spp. were isolated with a bacterial count that was greater than the acceptable limit.

Leveraging Blockchain for Ethical Business Operations

This article explores the application of blockchain technology to enhance ethical operations in the food industry. Blockchain is viewed as a potential solution for improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the food supply chain. This technology enables the recording of transactions that are immutable and publicly verifiable, reducing the likelihood of fraud and product contamination. Additionally, blockchain can support compliance with ethical and sustainability standards, helping companies build trust with consumers. The study suggests that further research is needed to explore various aspects of blockchain application in the food industry, such as sustainable finance, digital forensics, and supply chain management. However, the article is limited by its focus on bibliometric analysis and lacks empirical data on blockchain implementation in the food industry. Future research should combine theoretical and practical approaches to provide a comprehensive view of blockchain's use in ethical and sustainable business operations.