Edible Products Research Articles

Current Advances in the Functional Genes of Edible and Medicinal Fungi: Research Techniques, Functional Analysis, and Prospects.

Functional genes encode various biological functions required for the life activities of organisms. By analyzing the functional genes of edible and medicinal fungi, varieties of edible and medicinal fungi can be improved to enhance their agronomic traits, growth rates, and ability to withstand adversity, thereby increasing yield and quality and promoting industrial development. With the rapid development of functional gene research technology and the publication of many whole-genome sequences of edible and medicinal fungi, genes related to important biological traits have been mined, located, and functionally analyzed. This paper summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of different functional gene research techniques and application examples for edible and medicinal fungi; systematically reviews the research progress of functional genes of edible and medicinal fungi in biological processes such as mating type, mycelium and fruit growth and development, substrate utilization and nutrient transport, environmental response, and the synthesis and regulation of important active substances; and proposes future research directions for functional gene research for edible and medicinal fungi. The overall aim of this study was to provide a valuable reference for further promoting the molecular breeding of edible and medicinal fungi with high yield and quality and to promote the wide application of edible and medicinal fungi products in food, medicine, and industry.

Effect of foliar fertilization on Urospermum picroides, an indigenous plant of the traditional cretan-mediterranean diet

Urospermum picroides (L.) Scop. ex F. W. Schmidt (Asteraceae) is rich in secondary compounds, with antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, medicinal and health-promoting properties, however, like many other wild edible plants of the Mediterranean, it is still underutilised. This study focused on the pilot cultivation of U. picroides, under minimal irrigation and organic, integrated nutrient management (ΙΝΜ) fertilisation (by foliar application) in Crete, Greece, analysing its response in terms of yield characteristics and nutritional content. The foliar fertilisation treatments consisted of a control treatment (CO), a conventional water-soluble fertiliser (CV), a semi-organic nitrogen fertiliser (TR), a liquid semi-organic fertiliser (TF), and v) a mix of the conventional and semi-organic fertiliser (CF). Physiological characteristics (i.e., SPAD and Fv/Fm) were assessed during cultivation, while yield and leaf nutrient parameters were determined, at harvest. Treatments containing bioactive compounds (TF and CF) almost doubled the fresh and dry weight of U. picroides shoot compared to the control (CO) treatment (172% and 160%, respectively) which can be partially ascribed to the elevated physiological characteristics of the TF and CF fertilisation treatments. Even more, nitrogen rich treatments (CV and TR) improved yield characteristics compared to the control, but the effect was not as pronounced as that achieved by TF and CF semi-organic fertilization treatments. Our results indicate that the application of foliar semi-organic fertilization seems to be an effective alternative practice to increase photosynthetic capacity and concomitantly fresh and dry yield of U. picroides without compromising the nutritional profile of the edible product.

Analysis of Microbial Composition of Edible Insect Products Available for Human Consumption within the United States Using Traditional Microbiological Methods and Whole Genome Sequencing

Edible insects offer a promising protein source for humans, but their food safety risks have not been previously investigated within the United States. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the microbial content of processed edible insect products. A total of eight different types of edible insect products, including diving beetles, silkworms, grasshoppers, Jamaican crickets, mealworms, mole crickets, whole roasted crickets, and 100% pure cricket powder, were purchased from a large online retailer for the analysis. All the products were purchased in August 2022 and examined between August 2022 and November 2022. Traditional microbiological methods were employed to determine microbial counts for each product type using three replicates (total number of samples = 24). This included assessing aerobic bacterial spore, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, total viable counts, and the presence of Salmonella. Additionally, whole genome sequencing was employed to further characterize selected colonies (n = 96). Microbial counts data were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA, while sequence data were taxonomically classified using Sepia.Bacilluscereusgroup isolates underwent additional characterization with Btyper3. Product type significantly influenced total viable counts, bacterial spore counts, and lactic acid bacteria counts (P = 0.00391, P = 0.0065, and P < 0.001, respectively), with counts ranging from < 1.70 to 6.01 Log10 CFU/g, <1.70 to 5.25 Log10 CFU/g, and < 1.70 to 4.86 Log10 CFU/g, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae were only detected in mole crickets (<2.30 Log10 CFU/g) and house cricket powder (<2.15 Log10 CFU/g). All samples were negative for Salmonella. Whole genome sequencing revealed the presence of 12 different bacterial genera among the analyzed isolates, with a majority belonging to the Bacillus genus. Some of the isolates of Bacillus cereus group were identified as biovar Emeticus. Overall, although edible insects offer a promising food alternative, the presence of Bacillus cereus group in some products could raise concerns regarding food safety.

Coconut Waste: Discovering Sustainable Approaches to Advance a Circular Economy

The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) stands as a pivotal resource in tropical regions, playing a crucial role in both subsistence and economic activities across Asia, the Pacific Islands, and South America. While the harvesting of coconut fruit is essential for producing globally utilized edible products, such as coconut oil, by small owners and large producers around the world in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries, concerns have arisen due to the substantial amount of agro-industrial residue generated in this process, posing environmental risks if they are not properly managed. Recognizing the environmental challenges, this paper emphasizes the transformative potential inherent in coconut waste, characterized by its lignocellulosic composition rich in lignin and multifunctional groups. By delving into the historical context of coconut economic exploration and its chemical composition, this review explores the diverse applications of coconut products, focusing on the utilization and processing of residues to generate sustainable products and byproducts. Ultimately, this comprehensive review underscores the significance of repurposing coconut waste, not only to mitigate the environmental impact but also as a valuable contributor to a circular economy, promoting the use of the lignocellulosic biomass in research and bolstering its role as a raw material in the chemical and energy sectors.

Gamma ray‐irradiated fibroin protein from Bombyx mori protects against TNF‐α‐induced oxidative stress and inflammation in human skin keratinocytes through NF‐κB and Nrf2 signaling pathways

AbstractSilk fibroin from Bombyx mori has traditionally been utilized for garment production; however, recently, it has become feasible to manufacture edible and cosmetic products using this material. Gamma‐ray irradiation can improve physiological activity through the modification of the structure of proteins in biological materials. In this study, we examined whether gamma ray‐irradiated fibroin protein (gFP) has a protective effect on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α)‐induced cellular stress through a change in protein structure. First, we confirmed that the structure of FP was changed by gamma‐ray irradiation using electrophoresis, UV spectra and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). We further investigated the cytoprotective potential of 20 kGy‐irradiated fibroin protein (gFP20) in human skin keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) exposed to extracellular stress. gFP20 effectively decreased TNF‐α‐induced matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) overexpression and restored reduced type‐1 procollagen in HaCaT cells. This reduction occurred concomitantly with suppressed nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) nuclear translocation, resulting in a decreased level of inflammatory mediator and pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, gFP20 protected cells from TNF‐α‐induced oxidative stress by attenuating reactive oxygen species (ROS) overexpression and increasing the production of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) through the stimulation of the translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus. Taken together, our findings indicate that low‐dose irradiated fibroin protein (gFP20) could be considered as a functional material for skincare products.

You Code It! Answers: Cannabis Poisoning in a 4-Year-Old

This “You Code It!” challenge asked you to assign codes to a scenario where a 4-year-old presents to an emergency department (ED) physician with altered mental status due to poisoning from ingestion of edible cannabis products. These answers include the codes and rationale.

Effect of different hot air drying process on flavor compounds and Maillard reaction products of Boletus edulis by HS-SPME/GC-MS coupled with multivariate analysis

The heat treatment has significant effect on the sensory and flavor quality of Boletus edulis product. We evaluated the sensory properties and volatile flavor compounds (VFCs) of six dried Boletus edulis products subjected to different heat treatment temperatures, as well as the correlation of VFCs with Maillard reaction products. The color of the dried samples turned brown as the drying temperature increased, and the content of seventeen free amino acids (FAAs) and five monosaccharides decreased simultaneously. When compared to vacuum drying methods, the content of Arg and Glu reduced significantly, reaching its lowest point at 100 °C. Sixty VFCs were identified by HS-SPME/GC-MS, and the contents of aldehydes, ketones, sulfur-containing compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds increased with heat treatments. Furthermore, the content changes of 17 FAAs, 5 monosaccharides and VFCs related to Maillard reaction were further analyzed, which allowed us to speculate on the formation mechanism of VFCs through the Maillard reaction at high drying temperatures. These findings not only provide valuable insights into understanding the sensory and flavor characteristics of Boletus edulis products, but also offer theoretical support for the dehydration of Boletus edulis and other similar heat sensitive edible mushroom products.

Research on the Potential of China’s Export of Edible Fungus Products to ASEAN

With the rapid development of China’s agriculture, edible fungus products have been highlighted in the trade as it occupies an important position owing to their diverse advantages. The “Belt and Road” initiative and the construction of the “China-ASEAN Free Trade Area” promote the bilateral trade between China and ASEAN, which requires studying the potential of exporting Chinese edible fungus products to ASEAN. Therefore, the current situation and existing problems of the export of fungus products were explored in three dimensions: trade scale, product type, and country structure. The panel data from 9 countries (China and ASEAN countries) from 2003 to 2022 was analyzed using the Stochastic Frontier Gravity Model to investigate factors affecting the export volume and potential of edible fungus products. The spatial value of trade potential was estimated and suggestions were made for Chinese edible fungus products exported to ASEAN.

Correlation between microbial communities and volatile flavor compounds in the fermentation of Semen Sojae Praeparatum

SSP (Sojae Semen Praeparatum, SSP), a traditional medicinal and edible product, undergoes natural fermentation resulting in a unique flavor. However, the complexity of the natural fermentation system results in inconsistent quality. This study utilized E-nose, headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with full two-dimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and high-throughput sequencing techniques to reveal the correlation between key volatile flavor compounds and dominant microbial communities during SSP fermentation. The results showed that total organic acids increased from 50.61 mg/g to 72.29 mg/g during SSP fermentation, and levels of umami and sweet amino acids significantly increased. Alcohols, esters, and acids were the main flavor compounds during SSP fermentation, with 52 being identified as key volatile flavor compounds. In the microbial community, bacterial communities dominated by Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Firmicutes exhibited dynamic solid changes, while fungal communities dominated by Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, unclassified_Fungi, and Mortierellomycota showed relatively stable abundance. Spearman correlation analysis showed that 9 dominant microbial genera were significantly correlated with 27 key volatile flavor compounds, among which Cladosporium, Leuconostoc, Weissella, and Lactiplantibacillus may be the core functional microbial community for SSP characteristic flavors. This study provided theoretical references for the targeted control of SSP quality and the screening of starter fermentation cultures.

Up-gradation of the dielectric, physical & chemical properties of cottonseed-based, non-edible green nanofluids as sustainable alternatives for high-voltage equipment's insulation fluids

The use of natural ester oils as electrically insulating fluids has gained significant attention from industries and electrical utilities as they aim to replace traditional mineral oils. However, most natural ester oils are derived from edible products, which has the potential to contribute to the food crisis. Therefore, nonedible green nanofluids made from cottonseed oil (CSO) have been targeted as a keen solution to this issue. However, Al2O3, TiO2, Fe2O3, SiO2, and graphene nanoparticles at (0.025, 0.05, and 0.075 wt/vol%) were used as additives, along with surfactant Olic Ac-id and Ethanol (1:5) due to their promising impact on the dielectric and thermal properties of the nanofluid. The nanofluid synthesis process was practically conducted in HV & Chemical Laboratories using one-step and two-step methods, and their breakdown voltage results and chemical properties (e.g., fire point, flash point, cloud point, pour point, viscosity, acidity, moisture content, resistivity, and dissipation factor) were compared. The physical mechanisms underlying these properties were also analyzed and tested. For the validation of the proposed vegetable oil the results have been compared with traditional mineral oil for high-voltage equipment's. The findings suggest that the proposed nonedible green nanofluids-based cottonseed oil (CSO) has a high potential to be used as electrically insulating fluids, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional mineral oils. Overall, this study provides insights into the use of non-edible green nanofluids as a solution to the potential contribution of natural ester oils to the food crisis. The findings highlight the importance of sustainable solutions in the energy industry and the need for further research in this area.

Preparation of Astragalus membranaceus–cranberry biscuits and the evaluation of physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity

SummaryAstragalus membranaceus, as a medicinal and edible product, contains a variety of active ingredients. The cranberry powder is rich in polyphenol, dietary fibre, vitamins and mineral. In this study, biscuits were prepared by enrichment with Astragalus membranaceus and cranberry powder. The basic nutrients, physicochemical indexes, odour characteristics, antioxidant properties and shelf life prediction of the Astragalus membranaceus–cranberry biscuits (AMCB) were evaluated and compared with commercial biscuits. Overall, the biscuits with the addition of Astragalus membranaceus and cranberry had low water content and high protein content of 8.3 g/100 g. The antioxidant properties of AMCB were analysed by DPPH radical scavenging activity and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, and the results demonstrated that AMCB possessed higher antioxidant activity than cranberry biscuits (CRB) and control biscuits (CB). The water content and peroxide value index were used to predict the shelf life by accelerated test. According to the Arrhenius method, the shelf life of AMCB was about 112 days. The results showed that the addition of 23% Astragalus membranaceus and cranberry powder led to improved nutritional value, antioxidant properties and sensory characteristics of the biscuits.

Chrysanthemum as a remarkable edible flower resource with anti‐glycation effects: Representative variety differences, phenolic compositions, and the interaction mechanism

AbstractVarious edible chrysanthemum flowers possess different anti‐glycation effects due to various compositions; however, the interaction mechanism is unclear. Our study aimed to compare the anti‐glycation effects of different edible chrysanthemum flowers and investigate the effect of phenolic compounds among them. The bovine serum albumin (BSA)‐glucose model was used for evaluating anti‐glycation effects of various chrysanthemums flowers, and C. HBJ, C. TJ, and C. JSHJ showed better anti‐glycation effects compare to aminoguanidine. Seventeen phenolic compounds were detected, and characteristic compounds were identified via omics analysis. The interactions between BSA and different phenolic acids were analyzed by molecular docking, and the anti‐glycation model was used for further verification. In this way, apigetrin, chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, quercetin‐3β‐d‐glucoside, and afzelin were identified. They were proved to affect the secondary structure of proteins due to excellent hydrophobic interactions. Our results identified the chrysanthemum species with the most promising anti‐glycation effect as well as their representative phenolic compounds. The binding of phenolic compounds and BSA due to hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds might contribute to their anti‐glycation activities. Overall, our research is helpful for designing edible flower products with anti‐glycation functions and providing a better understanding of the structure–function relationship.

Cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy: a case study

BackgroundThe United States (US) continues to experience unprecedented rates of overdose mortality and there is increased need to identify effective harm reduction practices. Research from Canada describes cannabis donation through harm reduction agencies as an adjunctive strategy to mitigate the negative consequences of more harmful drugs. This case study describes the operational logistics, feasibility, and potential benefits of a cannabis donation program that was operated through a harm reduction program in rural Michigan.Case presentationWe applied a community driven research approach to gather information from harm reduction program staff about the implementation and evolution of cannabis donation efforts in Michigan. We also examined 20-months (September 2021 through May 2023) of administrative data from a cannabis company to compare the sale and donation of cannabis products. Ten cannabis-experienced harm reduction clients received cannabis donations, with clinical staff determining client interest and appropriateness, and providing weekly pick-up or delivery. To expand product availability and sustainability, we examined administrative data from a commercialcannabis company that volunteered to provide donations. This administrative data suggests that while flower products constitute most of the adult and medical sales, edible, oil, and topical products predominated donations. Further, cost analysis suggests that donations represent only 1% of total gross sales and account for much less than the expected yearly donation amount.ConclusionsResearch suggests there is potential to reduce alcohol and drug use related harms of more dangerous substances through substitution with cannabis. This case study is the first to document cannabis donation as a harm reduction practice in the US and suggests potential for sustainability dependent on state laws. Findings from this case study provide a starting point for inquiry into cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy in the US; future research is needed to fully understand the individual-level outcomes, public health impacts, necessary legal regulations, and best practices for cannabis donation programs through harm reduction organizations.

Consumer perception and acceptance of edible packaging for various food products.

Excessive use of single-use plastic packaging presents an imminent threat to the environment. One of the emerging solutions is using edible food packaging. However, there is lack of consumer information toward edible packaging. This study evaluated consumer attitude, acceptability, and purchase intent of three types of edible food packaging: muffin liner, cranberry pomace fruit leather wrap, and powdered drink sachet. One hundred consumers who frequently consumed muffins, strawberry fruit leather, and powdered lemonade were selected from metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon to participate in the study. The panelists were presented with the edible films and the food products with the edible packaging, information card highlighting the environmental-friendly edible package, and were prompted with describing the sensory attributes, purchase intent, and qualities regarding the edible packaging with and without food. Overall, panelists liked the three foods with the edible packaging giving overall liking scores of 7.48, 8.06, and 7.48 for the muffin liners, edible fruit leather wraps, and powdered drink sachets, respectively, based on a 9-point hedonic scale where 1=dislike extremely and 9=like extremely. When asked about hypothetical purchase intent, 64%-68% of panelists positively reacted to purchase intent and would buy all three types of edible packaging products. Based on the positive reaction from panelists, edible packaging maybe a possible solution to reducing single-use plastic packaging in the food industry. This study can be the catalyst for further investigation of the efficacy of different applications of edible food packaging as well as consumer perceptions of eating their packaging. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Edible food packaging is an emerging solution for reducing single-use plastic waste. This study investigated consumer attitude, acceptability, and purchase intent of edible food packaging for three food packaging applications, including edible muffin liner, fruit leather wrap, and powdered drink sachet. This study demonstrated that consumers strongly agree that edible packaging would serve as an environmentally sustainable solution to single-use plastics, and are willing to spend more to purchase these sustainable alternatives. This study provides new information toward the future development of edible packaging and consumer perceptions of eating their packaging.

Potato starch/naringenin complexes for high-stability Pickering emulsions: Structure, properties, and emulsion stabilization mechanism

In this study, potato starch (PS)/naringenin (NAR) complex was prepared, and its properties and emulsification behavior were evaluated. The experimental results demonstrated that NAR successfully formed a complex with PS molecules through hydrogen bonds and other non-covalent interactions. The emulsifying capacity (ROV) of PS/NAR complex with 16 % composite ratio was 0.9999, which was higher than PS (ROV = 0.3329) (p < 0.05). Based on particle property analysis and molecular dynamics simulation, the mechanism of improving the emulsification performance might be the action of the benzene ring of NAR and intermolecular hydrogen bonding. In addition, the stability of the Pickering emulsions with PS/NAR complexes as emulgators was significantly improved. The emulsifying and rheological behavior of starch-based Pickering emulsions could be adjusted by changing the proportion of the complexes. Results demonstrated that the PS/NAR complexes might be a prospective stabilizer of Pickering emulsions based on starch material and might expand the use of PS in edible products.

Individual differences in legal and illicit cannabis purchasing behaviour in British Columbia, Canada: Findings from a 2021 cross-sectional survey

BackgroundDespite thousands of licensed cannabis retail stores operating across Canada, there remains a significant illicit cannabis market. Some cannabis users continue to buy cannabis from dealers, illicit stores, and/or illicit online retailers. MethodsData are from the 2021 British Columbia Cannabis Use Survey. Respondents (n = 8473) were 19 years or older, lived in British Columbia at the time of the survey, and reported using cannabis in the past 12 months. ResultsBuying cannabis from all types of illicit sources was more common among younger cannabis users, those who use cannabis more frequently and started using cannabis before the age of 17 (vs. 19 or older), and among those who co-use cannabis with other drugs. Specifically, buying cannabis from a dealer was more common among men, those with lower educational attainment, and those who seek the lowest prices when buying cannabis. In contrast, those using cannabis for medical (vs. non-medical) purposes were more likely to report getting cannabis from illicit retail stores, while buying cannabis from illicit websites was more common among people who use edible cannabis products. ConclusionConsistent with other studies, younger and more frequent cannabis users were more likely to report buying cannabis from illicit sources. However, these findings suggest there is significant heterogeneity among those who buy cannabis from different types of illicit sources, which should be carefully considered when developing policies and strategies aimed at encouraging consumers to transition to legal sources.

Analysing Influence of Product Attributes And Customer Characteristics Towards Customer’s Purchase Intention on Edible Cutlery

Plastic waste has become a significant threat and problem to the world, causing many environmental and ecosystem issues. Plastic pollution causes a disturbance towards habitats and interferes with natural processes, reducing the environment's ability to adapt to climate change. Indonesia consumes more than 93 million plastic straws every day, making the country the fourth largest plastic straw-consuming country in the world. Many actions have been taken to solve this problem, one of them being the introduction of edible cutleries, including edible straws. Although the market value for edible straws shows a great opportunity, predicted to reach USD 446.96 in the year 2029, a growth of 113% from 2020, several edible cutlery provider businesses have not been receiving the expected response from the market. Departing from this problem, this research was conducted to identify factors influencing a customer's purchase intention on edible cutlery products. Seventy-eight respondents who have ever consumed any edible cutlery product residing in DKI Jakarta or Kota Bandung were involved in this study. The data was gathered using an online survey in the form of a questionnaire, using Bahasa Indonesia as the survey language. The data was then analyzed by implementing multiple linear analysis methods. The result of the study indicates that psychological factors significantly and positively affect a customer's purchase intention on edible cutleries. On the other hand, product quality, product features, product style and design, cultural factors, social factors, and personal factors do not significantly affect the purchase intention of edible cutlery products of a customer. Moreover, each independent variable for this research simultaneously affects a customer's dependent variable on edible cutlery products.

A novel fluorescent “Off-On” probe based on phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole conjugated polymers (PIPF) for Cr3+ detection with high selectivity and sensitivity

Trivalent chromium (Cr3+) causes serious environmental pollution, degradation of the quality of edible agricultural products and human diseases. A novel phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazole-derived conjugated polymers (PIPF) was obtained from 4-(5,10-dibromo-1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol and diethyl 4,4′-(2,7-bis(4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaborolan-2-yl)-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)dibutyrate by Suzuki polymerization reaction, which was reasonably demonstrated by 1H NMR spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. The PIPF exhibits a “turn-on” fluorescence response to Cr3+ in DMSO/H2O (98:2, v/v) with naked-eye detection. The limit of detection for Cr3+ was calculated to be 0.073 μM with a linear range of 3–9 μM. The possible mechanism of the PIPF-based Cr3+ fluorescence “turn-on” sensor is due to the inhibition of the PET process by the coordination of Cr3+ to the hexaalkyl ester carbon chain of PIPF (RCOO-). The high sensitivity, good selectivity, and utility of this sensor indicated that PIPF-based “turn-on” fluorescence sensor is a potential fluorescence application for measuring Cr3+ in environmental samples.

Research and development expenditures, technology spillovers, and green productivity in agriculture: an empirical analysis

ABSTRACT We study the relationship between technology spillovers from trade, domestic research and development (R&D) spending, and the growth in green total factor productivity within the agricultural sector. An empirical illustration is provided using a sample of 48 countries involved in China’s Belt and Road Initiative from 2000 to 2019. Our findings highlight the important role of agricultural imports as a positive driving force behind green productivity growth, while the impact of domestic R&D expenditures on agricultural productivity lacks statistical significance in our sample. Furthermore, we find that trade-related technological spillovers drive environmentally sustainable agricultural growth in economically developed nations, but this effect is weaker in developing countries. Conversely, greater domestic investment in agricultural research and development programs helps promote green productivity growth in relatively rich countries, but its influence diminishes in middle-income and developing countries. Lastly, a positive impact of importing vegetable and edible oil products on productivity is observed.

Hábitos de consumo de vísceras de pollos de engorde y sus niveles de residuos de antibióticos, en el nordeste de Argelia

Antibiotic use has promoted poultry production intensification. However, irrational use of these drugs results in an accumulation of toxic and harmful residues in the edible products of the treated birds. These residues eventually affect the consumer’s health by transferring antibiotic–resistant bacteria and causing allergies and other pathologies. This study aims to describe the consumption habits of broiler offal in two Algerian Provinces: Batna and Sétif (North–East of Algeria). In addition, a qualitative study was conducted to screen antibiotic residues in broiler offal commercialized in these regions. A total of 250 consumers were randomly surveyed using a questionnaire including questions regarding their socio–demographics, their consumption habits of offal, and their knowledge of the risks associated with the presence of antibiotic residues in poultry products. The study was conducted from 5th February to 25th March 2019. Antibiotic residues were investigated in 66 broiler samples (36 livers and 30 gizzards) using an agar diffusion test inspired by the conventional microbiological method of the four plates. The survey revealed high consumption rates of offal: 83.3% in Batna and 92.0% in Sétif. The liver was the most preferred offal in both regions due to its palatability (86.5%) and nutritional value (67.3%). Most respondents (68% in Batna and 52% in Sétif) are aware of the risks of antibiotic residues in offal. The results of the antibiotic residue investigation showed an overall contamination rate of 33.3%. Livers were more contaminated than gizzards. In both regions, the widespread consumption of broiler offal and its contamination by antibiotic residues constitute a potential health hazard for consumers.