Contamination Of Raw Materials Research Articles

Reducing the danger of phytopathogen toxins by using an organomineral composition

Relevance. Contamination by toxins of phytopathogens or mycotoxins of food and feed raw materials of plant origin poses a serious threat to the production of high-quality and safe agricultural products. Reducing the risks of contamination of plant raw materials with mycotoxins depends on the effective use of biological products to reduce the toxicity of mycotoxins.Methods. Experiments were carried out on primary rat liver cells. Primary liver cells were cultured in DMEM medium in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum at 37OC and 5% CO2. Zearalenone and T-2 toxin were dissolved in a mixture of DMSO and 96% alcohol in a ratio 1:1. Zearalenone T-2 toxin and protective compositions were mixed and aged together for 6 hours and after exposure added to a medium with a cellular monolayer. The concentration of bacterial-based compositions KMBI-3 and KMCI-3 was used for research in three variants: 0.4 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml. After 24 hours of cultivation, the cell layer was evaluated using an inverted microscope according to the following parameters: percentage of surface coverage, cell shape, number of cell aggregates, number of floating cells.Results. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability was revealed when exposed to zearalenone and T-2 toxin, the most toxic effect was observed at doses from 0.5 х 10-4 and 8.6 х 10-8 M and 2.14 х 10-7 M, respectively. When using the protective composition KMBI-3 at a dose of 4 mg/ml, the least negative effect of zearalenone and T-2 toxin on cell culture was observed. The use of compositions of organomineral origin KMBI-3 helps to increase cell viability when exposed to the toxins zearalenone and T-2 toxin, which indicates the activation of proliferative processes in comparison with the group without the use of drugs. The use of the biopreparation KMBI-3 reduces the pathogenic effect of zearalenone and T-2 toxin on cell culture, increases the resistance of liver cells to the effects of phytopathogen toxins.

Modern biological methods of processing plant raw materials used to increase its storage capacity

Foodborne illnesses, mainly infectious, are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pathogenic bacteria are present at virtually every stage of the food production chain, compromising company food safety programs and causing out-breaks of foodborne illnesses in various regions of the world. Finding new solutions that provide adequate microbiological stability to minimally processed foods is key to controlling bacterial pathogens that cause foodborne illnesses. The use of chemical and physical methods of food preservation often leads to a deterioration in their nutritional value, physical and organoleptic properties. Minimally processed foods produced without any radical preservation methods may be at particular risk of developing microorganisms, including pathogens. Low-temperature production processes and refrigerated storage promote the development of psychrophilic microorganisms; another threat is posed by high microbiological contamination of raw materials. To preserve the quality of food products, the most commonly used physicochemical methods include modified atmosphere packaging, membrane methods or ultrasound. Alternatively, biological methods can be used: bacteriophages and phage cocktails, bacteriocins, inactivation of plant tissue degradation enzymes, phytochemicals, edible coatings. Moreover, they can be used either individually to limit the growth of bacteria in the food environment, or in combination with other methods in order to achieve maximum effect. This article discusses the main biological methods of combating pathogenic bacteria most commonly found in the food environment. The purpose of this review was to consider existing biological methods for processing plant objects, as well as to identify the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

The Effect of Knife Wear and Sharpening Mode on Chipper Productivity and Delays

The production of wood chips can be achieved using different types of wood chippers whose productivity can be influenced by many factors including proper knife management. Research was conducted to determine the productivity of the new Diamant chipper in chipping air-dried tops stacked at a roadside landing and to compare the efficiency of dry sharpening and wet sharpening in restoring chipper productivity, the time required by dry sharpening with that of knife replacement, and the cost of dry sharpening to knife change in real-life conditions. To clearly define the influence of knife management, a model of the effect of knife wear on chipper productivity was produced. Analysis of variance was used to check the significance of any differences in chipping and total time consumption per cycle. Multiple regression was used to express the relationship between chipping time consumption per cycle and the cumulated mass processed by a set of knives—the latter taken as an indicator of knife wear. The study lasted 10 full workdays, included a total of 136 truckloads or 3560 t of fresh wood chips (or green tons = gt), and resulted in the average productivity of 59.0 gt per productive chipping hour (excluding all delays) or 39.4 gt per machine scheduled hour (including all delays). Delays represented 37% of total worksite time. Knife management (dry sharpening or change) accounted for 30% of the total delay time due to raw material contamination. Dry sharpening took 30% less time than a full knife change. As wear accumulated and knives lost their edge, the chipping time per cycle increased from 25 in the first cycle (full truck load) to 38 min in the third cycle. The presented study offers robust productivity figures, together with a reliable estimate of the productivity losses caused by knife wear, and could help improve knife management in order to increase chipper productivity as well as reduce unnecessary delays.

Biological Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Three Novel Serratia- and Enterobacter-Specific Virulent Phages.

Due to the high microbiological contamination of raw food materials and the increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, new methods of ensuring microbiological food safety are being sought. One solution may be to use bacteriophages (so-called phages) as natural bacterial enemies. Therefore, the aim of this study was the biological and genomic characterization of three newly isolated Serratia- and Enterobacter-specific virulent bacteriophages as potential candidates for food biocontrol. Serratia phage KKP_3708 (vB_Sli-IAFB_3708), Serratia phage KKP_3709 (vB_Sma-IAFB_3709), and Enterobacter phage KKP_3711 (vB_Ecl-IAFB_3711) were isolated from municipal sewage against Serratia liquefaciens strain KKP 3654, Serratia marcescens strain KKP 3687, and Enterobacter cloacae strain KKP 3684, respectively. The effect of phage addition at different multiplicity of infection (MOI) rates on the growth kinetics of the bacterial hosts was determined using a Bioscreen C Pro growth analyzer. The phages retained high activity in a wide temperature range (from -20 °C to 60 °C) and active acidity values (pH from 3 to 12). Based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the isolated bacteriophages belong to the tailed bacteriophages from the Caudoviricetes class. Genomic analysis revealed that the phages have linear double-stranded DNA of size 40,461 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3708), 67,890 bp (Serratia phage KKP_3709), and 113,711 bp (Enterobacter phage KKP_3711). No virulence, toxins, or antibiotic resistance genes were detected in the phage genomes. The lack of lysogenic markers indicates that all three bacteriophages may be potential candidates for food biocontrol.

Assessment of products of anaerobic fermentation of organic raw material from poultry last by microbiological indicators

The product of anaerobic microbiological transformation of bird droppings is a liquid suspended product (digestate), the composition of which is characterized by new chemical features acquired due to the activity of anaerobic microorganisms. This process takes place in biogas plants, and as a result of methane fermentation of bird droppings, biogas and residues of organic raw materials are formed, which are used as fertilizer. The international practice of using digestate as an organic fertilizer or soil improver for the farm’s own needs is similar to classic composts and does not require sanitary and microbiological certification, but there are voluntary certification standards, as well as various industry guidelines on the quality of organic fertilizers. The work analyzes international and national sanitary microbiological standards regarding digestates, products of processing by-products of animal husbandry and organic substances for application to the soil, in particular Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 of the European Parliament and the Council of June 5, 2019 «On establishing rules for placing fertilizers on the market EU», DSTU 7527:2014 «Poultry droppings. Technologies of biological processing. General requirements», DSTU 7938:2015 «Organic fertilizers. Agronomic requirements for the quality of fertilizers for use in organic production». Information from scientific articles, standards of individual countries and guidelines of international voluntary certification bodies regarding the assessment of digestate applied to the soil as an organic fertilizer or soil improver is summarized. It has been established that mandatory sanitary microbiological characteristics for such substances are Salmonella bacteria (Salmonellas spp.) and Escherichia spp. bacteria, as well as the standards of some countries and scientific literature recommend determining Coliform bacteria and Streptococ-cus faecalis bacteria, the presence of which indicates the possible presence of potentially dangerous strains of microorganisms. With the use of laboratory equipment, the granulation conditions of the solid fraction of the digestate were optimized to obtain granulated organic fertilizer from the sludge of the biogas plant. A microbiological analysis of granulated digestate from a biogas plant on bird droppings was carried out in order to establish its compliance with the sanitarybacteriological requirements for organic fertilizers. The presence of pathogens of infectious diseases in poultry droppings and the presence of phytopathogens in grain, which is used for the preparation of premixes, increases their probable migration into the composition of organic fertilizer in case of improper methane fermentation with violation of temperature and exposure conditions. Microbiological analysis of granulated digestate showed the absence of Salmonellas spp. and Escherichia spp. bacteria in the studied samples, but a high number of mold fungi 1.2·104±7.25·102 CFU/g was found, which may be a consequence of storage wet raw materials. In order to prevent microbiological contamination during the storage and transportation of raw materials and organic fertilizers, a necessary condition is compliance with sanitary requirements for all technological processes, starting from the conditions of keeping and feeding animals to the conditions of storage of finished products and application to the soil. The content of harmful microorganisms in the digestate of biogas plants operating on bird droppings or animal manure without litter or the addition of plant residues and chemicals depends mainly on the quality of the droppings and water. The quality of raw materials affects the quality of the digestate and is determined by the sanitary-epidemiological condition of animals and premises, microbiological contamination of feed, pre-treatment of raw materials for loading to the biogas plant. It was established that the granular digestate from bird droppings meets the requirements of Ukrainian standards DSTU 7527:2014 regarding organic fertilizers from poultry droppings and DSTU 7938:2015 regarding organic farming, which allows for further substantiation of optimal application technologies. To control the secondary bacterial contamination of organic raw materials during the storage process, the effectiveness of the use of commercial biological preparations was evaluated. The perspective of using commercial microbial preparations, in particular MycoHelp, to control mold fungi of the genus Penicillum spp. in the technologies of processing by-products of agriculture into organic fertilizers and preventing spoilage of finished products during storage.

Chitosan nanoemulsion incorporated with Carum carvi essential oil as ecofriendly alternative for mitigation of aflatoxin B1 contamination in stored herbal raw materials

The present investigation entails the first report on entrapment of Carum carvi essential oil (CCEO) into chitosan polymer matrix for protection of stored herbal raw materials against fungal inhabitation and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) production. Physico-chemical characterization of nanoencapsulated CCEO was performed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy. The nanoencapsulated CCEO displayed improved antifungal and AFB1 suppressing potentiality along with controlled delivery over unencapsulated CCEO. The encapsulated CCEO nanoemulsion obstructed the ergosterol production and escalated the efflux of cellular ions, thereby suggesting plasma membrane as prime target of antifungal action in Aspergillus flavus cells. The impairment in methyglyoxal production and modeling based carvone interaction with Afl-R protein validated the antiaflatoxigenic mechanism of action. In addition, CCEO displayed augmentation in antioxidant potentiality after encapsulation into chitosan nanomatrix. Moreover, the in-situ study demonstrated the effective protection of Withania somnifera root samples (model herbal raw material) against fungal infestation and AFB1 contamination along with prevention of lipid peroxidation. The acceptable organoleptic qualities of W. somnifera root samples and favorable safety profile in mice (animal model) strengthen the application of nanoencapsulated CCEO emulsion as nano-fungitoxicant for preservation of herbal raw materials against fungi and AFB1 mediated biodeterioration.

Comprehensive analysis of contaminants in Brazilian infant formulas: Application of QuEChERS coupled with UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS and suspect screening-unknown analysis by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS

Infant formulas (IF) can contain harmful chemical substances, such as pesticides and mycotoxins, resulting from the contamination of raw materials and inputs used in the production chain, which can cause adverse effects to infants. Therefore, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) methodology prior ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPL-QqQ-MS/MS) analysis was applied for the determination of 23 contaminants, in 30 samples of Brazilian IF. The method was validated in terms of limit of detection (0.2 to 0.4 μg/kg), limits of quantification (1 and 10 μg/kg), and recovery (64 % to 122 %); precision values, in terms of relative standard deviation (RSD), were ≤ 20 %. Fenitrothion, chlorpyrifos, and bifenthrin were the pesticides detected in the samples, but the values did not exceed the limit set by the European Union (EU), and ANVISA, and they were detected under their limits of quantification. Additionally, suspect screening and unknown analysis were conducted to tentatively identify 32 substances, including some compounds not covered in this study, such as pesticides, hormones, and veterinary drugs. Carbofuran was identified, confirmed and quantified in 10 % of the samples.

Exposure to Trace Elements Through <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria</i> and <i>Argemone Mexicana,</i> Two Medicinal Plants at Hahotoé-Kpogamé, a Polluted Area in Southern Togo

Background: Herbal drugs and mineral elements are well established for their therapeutic benefits against diseases and nutritional importance in human health. Medicinal plants contain toxic metabolites which, once consumed, become a formidable source of disease. Accumulation of toxic industrial effluents in soil, air and water is continuously increasing due to fast urbanization and intensive environmental pollution. Elements like lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), uranium (U), arsenic (As) which are not used by the plants directly but accumulate in the plants are detrimental to human health when consumed. This study aims to investigate the level of trace elements through the use of two medicinal plants in a polluted area in southern Togo. The trace elements analysis in the powder of the <i>Rauwolfia vomitoria</i> and <i>Argemone Mexicana</i> leaves, was carried out by the method and protocol described by Acme Laboratory using PerkinElmer ELAN 9000 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP- MS). The result of trace elements concentrations (ppm) ranges revealed, as follows: Cadmium (0.8-1.5), Antimony (0.17-0.9), Arsenic (10.85-15.25), Lead (11.31-13.33), Iron (21.02-25.13), Manganese (84.5-140), Calcium (22.39-31.81), Zinc (73.1-82.6), Uranium (0.01-0.04) and Thorium (0.15-1.05) are significantly higher than the World Health Organization maximum permissible limit. These results suggested that the leaves of the two medicinal plants have contaminated by the trace elements. More toxicological activities need to be conduct in the area to find out the toxicity level of contaminants in herbal raw materials in the area.

The Implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points in the Amplang Production Process at UMKM X, Balikpapan

Background: Amplang is a snack made primarily from fish and is usually given as souvenirs to tourists, especially in Balikpapan. The process of making amplang involves a fairly long process, that might lead to bacterial growth if not handled correctly. Therefore, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point is one of the methods that can be used to prevent food contamination. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to assess the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point implementation in the production process of amplang by Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of X in Balikpapan. Method: This research is qualitative in nature with a case study approach. The informants in this study were the owners and employees of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of X who are responsible for the amplang production process from fish meat storage to packaging. Results and Discussion: The formulation of the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point stages indicates that the critical point is in the fish meat grinding process. Based on the bacterial testing results at each stage of amplang production in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of X, it meets the requirements of SNI 7763:2013. Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of X has implemented the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point system effectively. To maintain and improve the existing conditions, it is recommended that the owner chooses suppliers of fresh fish raw materials who also implement food safety and personal hygiene systems. The production facility layout should be organized according to the 5R/5S principles to prevent contamination of raw materials and ensure the safety of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises of X workers.

ОЦЕНКА РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ОСТАТОЧНЫХ КОЛИЧЕСТВ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННОГО ПРЕПАРАТА ПЕНИЦИЛЛИНА-G В МОЛОКЕ И МОЛОЧНЫХ ПРОДУКТАХ

The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of contamination of dairy raw materials with residual amounts of the drug penicillin-G on food quality indicators, as well as to monitor it using the Extenso multifunctional device and the arbitration method of high-performance liquid chromatography. The study took place at the All-Russian Research Institute of the Dairy Industry (Moscow). The objects of the study were scientific papers by Russian and foreign scientists published from 2017 to 2022, devoted to the study of the distribution of antibiotics in milk and its processed products, as well as control systems for veterinary drugs and medicinal substances in them. The search was carried out in the databases Pub Med, Scopus, Science Direct and Webof Science, as well as in the electronic scientific library eLibrary.ru using keywords: residues of veterinary drugs, distribution of antibiotics, milk, dairy raw materials, determination methods. Analysis of sources showed that the distribution of antibiotics among milk fractions depends on their lipophilic or hydrophilic properties. If the processing regimes (normalization, pasteurization and homogenization) of the starting raw materials are observed, antibiotics are stored in dairy products, binding to the structural components of milk (proteins and fats). Contamination of dairy raw materials with penicillin has a negative impact on the biological safety of products and leads to serious problems for both human health and the production process. However, this problem has received insufficient attention. It is necessary to expand control systems for veterinary drugs and medicinal substances in raw milk to ensure the toxicological safety of products and technological stages of production. One of the modern methods for studying beta-lactam antibiotics is the multifunctional Extenso system, which allows you to monitor veterinary residual drugs in a fast and cost-effective way.

КОЗЬЕ МОЛОКО КАК ПЕРСПЕКТИВНОЕ СЫРЬЕ В ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕ СГУЩЕННЫХ ПРОДУКТОВ НА ПРИМЕРЕ ЗААНЕНСКОЙ ПОРОДЫ МИНИ-ФЕРМЫ «ДАНИРИНЫ КОЗЫ» ЯРОСЛАВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The aim of research is to study the main chemical and biological indicators of goat milk as a new raw material for the production of condensed products with increased biological value, produced at the Daniriny Kozy mini-farm in the Yaroslavl Region. Objectives: to conduct a comparative chemical analysis of cow and goat milk as a raw material base for the production of condensed products; to determine the main physical properties of goat milk: heat stability and acidity; to identify the best indicators of fat and moisture content in the milk of goats at different lactation periods. The object of research is goat milk obtained from a herd of Saanen goats (aged 2–5 years) at the Daniriny Kozy enterprise in the Yaroslavl Region. The method of daily milk (milk yield) recording was used. Control milkings were carried out from 01.06.2023 to 31.08.2023. The unit of measurement is liters, due to the small volumes of milk and livestock. The daily milk yield, total for 3 milkings (morning, afternoon and evening), was taken into account. The amount of milk was recorded in a measuring container for each goat separately. Samples were collected and prepared according to GOST 26809-86. Determination of heat resistance, acidity, microbiological contamination of raw materials was carried out on the basis of the chemical-analytical laboratory of the livestock technology department of the Yaroslavl Research Institute of Animal Husbandry and Forage Production. Milk was tested for fat, protein and dry nonfat milk residue content using the Laktan 1-4 device. During the experiment, the chemical composition of cow's and goat's milk was determined, a comparative analysis of the organoleptic properties, fat and moisture content in the milk of goats of different lactation periods was carried out. Goat's milk obtained from goats of the 1st and 2nd year of lactation is character¬rized by higher fat content and lower moisture content. Such indicators not only improve the quality of the finished product, but also reduce its cost due to the energy efficiency of the industrial production process of the condensed product. The product obtained from goat milk was called Condensed goat milk.

Effects of particle size and O-contamination of LiF on the phase purity and microwave dielectric properties of BaLiF3 ceramic

Recently, fluoride ceramics have gained much interest because of their low permittivities and high Q×f values at microwave frequencies, coupled with relatively low sintering temperatures. In this paper, we have explored the effects of the particle-size and O contamination of LiF raw material, sintering/annealing atmosphere on the mechanosynthesis, structural stability, and microwave dielectric properties of BaLiF3 ceramic. Using a fine LiF raw material would facilitate the mechanical synthesis of BaLiF3, being densified at lower temperatures than the coarse one. A high concentration of oxygen contamination in LiF raw material and partial pressure of O2 in the sintering atmosphere would lead to the formation of BaF2 due to the instability of the fluoride perovskite with an increase in the concentration of F-vacancies caused by the partial oxidization during the sintering at high temperature (850 °C/2h). The oxidization of fluoride perovskite preferably occurs at the surface and grain boundaries via O diffusion, which reduces the Q×f value from 83175 to 70228 GHz with little change in εr (∼11) and τf values (∼-71ppm/oC).

Substantiation of ways to reduce contamination by bacteria of the genus Cronobacter of dry specialized products for baby food during their production

Prevention of morbidity in the child population from septic foodborne infections caused by the new bacterial pathogen Enterobacter sakazakii (according to the new classification - Cronobacter spp.) is becoming increasingly relevant due to an expanding contingent of susceptible individuals and the proven ability of low doses of the pathogen to quickly increase a population in dry specialized products for formula feeding after rehydration. In this regard, it is important to assess the risk of accumulation of thermoresistant coliform enterobacteria, including Cronobacter spp., in residual microflora of such products during their production in order to determine ways to minimize it. To identify a hazardous factor in specialized infant formula of domestic production, we summarized and analyzed expert data on contamination of 245 samples of infant formula and 182 cereals with the entire spectrum of coliform enterobacteria, which were previously identified as Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.). Cronobacter spp. was detected in 4 samples of instant formula (1.6 %) in amounts ranging from 0.04 to 0.5 CFU/g, which is above the hazardous level (≥ 0.003 CFU/g) for susceptible children. No pathogen was isolated from dry mixtures for cooking and instant porridges produced by dry mixing but the content of heat-resistant Enterobacter spp. was 10 times higher than those produced during the full cycle. Using a risk process model and assuming the content of coliforms in raw milk at the level of the regulated microbial number, probability of pathogen survival in dry mixtures was assessed under standard parameters of spray drying technology. The calculation results showed that under this scenario of raw material contamination, 0.3–0.5 CFU of heat-resistant E.sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) can be retained in 1 g of a finished product. This substantiates the necessity to introduce the strongest possible requirements for the microbiological quality of raw milk.

Обоснование путей снижения контаминации бактериями рода Cronobacter сухих специализированных продуктов для детского питания на этапе их производства

Prevention of morbidity in the child population from septic foodborne infections caused by the new bacterial pathogen Enterobacter sakazakii (according to the new classification - Cronobacter spp.) is becoming increasingly relevant due to an expanding contingent of susceptible individuals and the proven ability of low doses of the pathogen to quickly increase a population in dry specialized products for formula feeding after rehydration. In this regard, it is important to assess the risk of accumulation of thermoresistant coliform enterobacteria, including Cronobacter spp., in residual microflora of such products during their production in order to determine ways to minimize it. To identify a hazardous factor in specialized infant formula of domestic production, we summarized and analyzed expert data on contamination of 245 samples of infant formula and 182 cereals with the entire spectrum of coliform enterobacteria, which were previously identified as Enterobacter sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.). Cronobacter spp. was detected in 4 samples of instant formula (1.6 %) in amounts ranging from 0.04 to 0.5 CFU/g, which is above the hazardous level (≥ 0.003 CFU/g) for susceptible children. No pathogen was isolated from dry mixtures for cooking and instant porridges produced by dry mixing but the content of heat-resistant Enterobacter spp. was 10 times higher than those produced during the full cycle. Using a risk process model and assuming the content of coliforms in raw milk at the level of the regulated microbial number, probability of pathogen survival in dry mixtures was assessed under standard parameters of spray drying technology. The calculation results showed that under this scenario of raw material contamination, 0.3–0.5 CFU of heat-resistant E.sakazakii (Cronobacter spp.) can be retained in 1 g of a finished product. This substantiates the necessity to introduce the strongest possible requirements for the microbiological quality of raw milk.

Human health risk assessment framework for new water resource recovery-based bio-composite materials.

A new type of bio-composite material is being produced from water-recovered resources such as cellulose fibres from wastewater, calcite from the drinking water softening process, and grass and reed from waterboard sites. These raw materials may be contaminated with pathogens and chemicals such as Escherichia coli, heavy metals, and resin compounds. A novel risk assessment framework is proposed here, addressing human health risks during the production of new bio-composite materials. The developed framework consists of a combination of existing risk assessment methods and is based on three main steps: hazard identification, qualitative risk mapping, and quantitative risk assessment. The HAZOP and Event Tree Analysis methodologies were used for hazard identification and risk mapping stages. Then, human health risks were quantitatively assessed using quantitative chemical risk assessment, evaluating cancer and non-cancer risk, and quantitative microbial risk assessment. The deterministic and the stochastic approaches were performed for this purpose. The contamination of raw materials may pose human health concerns, resulting in cancer risk above the threshold. Microbial risk is also above the safety threshold. Additional analysis would be significant as future research to better assess the microbial risk in biocomposite production. The framework has been effectively used for chemical and microbial risk assessment.

Effects of bifenthrin pesticide on fermented cultures and metabolite profiles of kombucha tea

Pesticide residue contamination in raw materials influences the quality of fermented products. This study investigated the effects of bifenthrin (1, 3, 5, and 30 mg/L) in tea broth on the composition and metabolite profiles of kombucha tea. Bifenthrin at 30 mg/L (B30) showed an adverse effect on kombucha composition, with reduced 0.63–1 log CFU/mL of each microbial group (acetic acid bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and yeast), while lower concentrations of bifenthrin gave decreased 0.30–0.84 log CFU/mL of each fermented culture. The presence of bifenthrin altered the kombucha metabolites and instigated intervening microbial metabolisms, such as arginine biosynthesis and pyrimidine metabolism, which resulted in reduced production of amino acids, amino derivatives, organic acids, and other beneficial compounds. B30 addition also reduced flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of kombucha tea by 16% (0.143–0.223 mg quercetin/mL) and 5% (0.239–0.278 mg Trolox/mL), respectively. Findings demonstrated that the presence of bifenthrin decreased kombucha tea quality in terms of chemical composition and reduced beneficial microbial populations by disrupting their biological pathways.

REVIEW OF THE COLLECTIVE MONOGRAPH "ANALYSIS OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA"

The collective monograph "Analysis of the risks associated with food in the Republic of Moldova" was carried out within the project 20.80009.5107.09 "Improving the quality and safety of food through biotechnology and food engineering" within the State Program (2020-2023), Strategic Priority II "Agriculture sustainable, food security and food safety". The work includes the analysis of the risks associated with improper nutrition, the behavioral characteristics of consumers in relation to the consumption of salt, sugar, sweeteners, trans fats. The risks of contamination of raw materials and food products along the food chain with technogenic pollutants are analyzed in detail: food contamination caused by the environment, contamination caused by animal breeding and care, food contamination during processing, food contamination during transportation and contamination in the result of contact with food packaging.

Methods for the Determination of Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Medicinal Plant Raw Materials (Review)

Introduction. Aflatoxins and ochratoxin A are secondary metabolites of microscopic mold fungi. They seriously threaten human and animal health. These toxins are carcinogenic, teratogenic, hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic substances. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified them as class IA and IIB carcinogens. The maximum permissible concentrations of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in the Russian Federation are currently regulated only in food products according to the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union 021 "On Food Safety". The content of aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in medicinal plant raw materials is not regulated in any way. Harmful environmental and biological conditions such as temperature, humidity, air quality, insects and others during post-harvest handling can lead to contamination of medicinal raw materials with aflatoxins and ochratoxin A. Therefore, the detection of these toxins is one of the problems of raw materials quality control.Text. The present review summarizes the following methods of sample purification, used at the sample preparation stage: solid-phase extraction, immunoaffin column and QuEChERS. This review also summarizes the following modern analysis methods for the identification of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A in medicinal plant raw materials: thin-layer chromatography, liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and screening methods.Conclusion. The QuEChERS method has been identified as the most popular method for preparing samples for analysis. It is based on solid phase extraction technology. This method combines the variability of approaches to sample purification and allows people to study a wider range of toxins. The high-performance liquid chromatography method has been identified as the most popular method for qualitative and quantitative analysis. It has high selectivity, multicomponent analysis and low detection limits.

Prospects for the use of layer-by-layer technology for the development of an enzyme biosensor used for milk quality control

This article presents the results of scientific research on the development of a biosensor system for the determination of salts of heavy metals (cadmium and lead) in milk. When developing a biosensor system, much attention is paid to the selection of biological material and the method of their stabilization using physical and chemical forces, namely, immobilization. In this regard, studies were carried out on the selection of the enzyme and the method of its immobilization in the development of a biosensor for the detection of salts of heavy metals in milk. The development of a biosensor for the determination of toxic elements in food products is of scientific and practical importance. In world practice, special attention is paid to the contamination of raw materials and food products with toxic chemicals, mainly of anthropogenic origin, which are persistent organic pollutants. Therefore, quality control of raw materials, food products is important for consumers, and, accordingly, for the food industry. Experimental studies are based on the methods of Filippova A. M., Vorobieva O. V. to determine the specific activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Determination of the activity of the catalase enzyme was carried out in accordance with the gasometric method according to the method of Warburg. As a result of experimental studies, the catalase enzyme as a biological material was chosen as a sensitive element. As a carrier for the immobilization of enzymes, a 5-bilayer combination of "chitosan-sodium alginate" was selected. The layer-by-layer technology was used to immobilize the enzyme on the substrate surface when creating an enzyme biosensor. The results of the research are recommended to be applied in the study of food safety issues and in the assessment of safety indicators of raw materials and food products by the express method.

Microbiological factors for ensuring the safety of confectionery products of a foamy structure

Marshmallows are a popular confectionery among consumers. There is a high interest in the need to develop and change production technologies. One of the ways to expand the range of marshmallows is the use of glaze, which gives the products a special taste and aroma, protects the products from harmful effects that cause damage to the product. During storage, products coated with glaze made using lauric-type cocoa butter substitutes are prone to lipolytic spoilage with the appearance of an unpleasant soapy taste. The conducted studies have confirmed that the layer at the phase boundary between the glaze and the marshmallow mass is a source of contamination by mold fungi due to favorable conditions for the growth of microorganisms. It is shown that as the temperature increases, the amount of CMAFAnM in glazed marshmallows decreases from 2.1 × 102 CFU/g to 80 CFU/g, and the amount of mold increases from 130 to 170 CFU/g. Therefore, in order to ensure the safety of glazed whipped products, it is necessary to increase the requirements for the initial microbiological contamination of raw materials, storage conditions, and transportation. In addition, it is necessary to consider the possibility of introducing moisture-retaining components into the formulation to reduce the growth rate of microbiota in products.