European Commission Regulation Research Articles

Detection of Ochratoxin A in Maize and Its Potential Impact on Avian Pathology in Romanian Farms

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin that commonly contaminates maize, posing significant health risks to both poultry and humans. In this study, a rapid and sensitive method utilizing ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (UPLC-FLD) was developed for the quantification of OTA levels in maize. The method utilizes immunoaffinity column purification for improved specificity. Accuracy and precision were validated in line with European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL-MP) guidelines, meeting regulatory standards for linearity, trueness, detection and quantification limits, precision, and uncertainty, as per European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006 and its amendments. The method demonstrated an average recovery rate of 116.78% for maize, with RSDwR values (within-laboratory reproducibility) of 12.72%. Furthermore, OTA occurrence and its possible effects were investigated in several farms in South Romania, where necropsy and histopathological analyses of poultry revealed severe kidney damage, including renal tubular degeneration.

An overview of technological challenges in implementing the digital product passport in the textile and clothing industry

Abstract The textile and clothing industry is undergoing a shift towards a circular business model, driven by new European Commission regulations, which mandates that by 2030, textile products available on the European Union (EU) market must be recyclable and sustainable. To facilitate data collection, storage, and sharing throughout the entire product lifecycle and ensure product traceability and sustainability, the use of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) will be required. This article presents an analysis of the most commonly known digital data technologies from the perspective of their use in digital garment labelling, describing their advantages and limitations. The analysis is complemented by practical insights gathered from semi-structured interviews with garment producers in the Baltic Sea region. The survey revealed that producers prioritise sustainability and are prepared to digitise product information but are awaiting EU’s clear guidance. Despite the challenges posed by DPP implementation from the global, producer, and customer perspectives, upcoming regulations are seen as providing new competitive opportunities for products and services. Both the technology analysis and the expert survey indicate that QR (quick response)-based smart tags are potentially the most straightforward solution for the initial phase of DPP implementation.

Unlocking the secrets of Neapolitan pizza: A concise review of wood-fired, electric, and gas pizza ovens.

This review explores the Neapolitan pizza baking process in a traditional wood-fired oven, employing visual color analysis and IR thermal scanning to detail heat exchange mechanisms. During cooking, the oven floor temperature in the pizza area decreased proportionally to the pizza's mass, whereas the free area maintained a constant temperature of 439±3°C. An IR thermal camera indicated that the oven dome temperature reached approximately 480°C with a weak flame and 500°C with a strong flame. The pizza's bottom achieved a maximum temperature of 100±9°C, facilitated by the Pizzaiolo's skill in lifting and rotating the pizza for uniform cooking. Top temperatures varied: up to 180°C for white pizza and 84°C and 67°C for tomato and Margherita pizzas, respectively. IRIS electronic eye analysis revealed more browning and blackening on the pizza's top compared to its bottom, with peaks of about 26% and 8% for white pizza, respectively. Rapid baking is pivotal in Neapolitan pizza-making, necessitating precise heat and mass transfer management to influence sensory attributes. European Commission Regulation No. 97/2010 mandates wood-fired ovens for true Neapolitan pizza, but environmental concerns prompted the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana to certify gas or electric ovens when wood-fired ovens are impractical. Operating costs vary: liquefied petroleum gas ovens are the costliest, with costs ranging from €5.38 to €6.19/h, whereas natural gas and electric ovens have operating costs between €2.70 and €4.10/h. At €0.15/kg, firewood is the most economical, supporting traditionalist views. However, natural gas and electric ovens present competitive costs under stringent antipollution laws, making them viable alternatives.

The influence of different abiotic conditions on the concentrations of free and conjugated deoxynivalenol and zearalenone in stored wheat

Environmental factors influence fungal growth and mycotoxin production in stored grains. However, the concentrations of free mycotoxins and their conjugates and how they are impacted by different interacting environment conditions have not been previously examined. The objectives of this study were to examine the impact of storage conditions (0.93–0.98 aw) and temperature (20–25 °C) on (a) the concentrations of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone and their respective glucosides/conjugates and (b) the concentrations of emerging mycotoxins in both naturally contaminated and irradiated wheat grains inoculated with Fusarium graminearum. Contaminated samples were analysed for multiple mycotoxins using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Method validation was performed according to the acceptable performance criteria set and updated by the European Commission regulations No. 2021/808/EC. As an important conjugate of deoxynivalenol, the concentrations of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside were significantly different from its precursor deoxynivalenol at 0.93 aw (22% moisture content- MC) at 25 °C in the naturally contaminated wheat with a ratio proportion of 56:44% respectively. The high concentrations of deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside could be influenced by the wheat’s variety and/or harvested season/fungal strain type/location. Zeralenone-14-sulfate concentrations were surprisingly three times higher than Zearalenone in the naturally contaminated wheat at 0.98 aw (26% MC) at both temperatures. Emerging mycotoxins such as moniliformin increased with temperature rise with the highest concentrations at 0.95 aw and 25 °C. These findings highlight the influence and importance of storage aw x temperature conditions on the relative presence of free vs conjugated mycotoxins which can have implications for food safety.

Allergens grouping names on packaging: Are the substances similar enough to ensure safety? The worst case scenarios question this.

European Commission Regulation (EU) n°2023/1545 introduced the concept of grouping names in the cosmetics sector in July 2023. These groups bring together allergenic substances with the same level of skin sensitization. Their purpose is to lighten the list of ingredients on cosmetic packaging, by grouping together substances deemed to be similar under the same name. As this classification is based on a single toxic effect - skin sensitization - the present study aims to analyse the relevance of these groupings with regard to other toxic effects of substances in the same group. This study was carried out by consulting an available database, various reports from 5 committees, 2 books and 5 articles in order to complete the toxicological profile of each substance. Then, in order to highlight any discrepancies within the classification, the worst cases were identified. For this purpose, the data for each substance in a group were compared, and in the event of greater criticality for a toxic effect, this was qualified as a worst case. In addition, similar toxic effects between several substances within the same group were also recorded. The aim of this additional research was to validate the definition of the grouping name and the similarities between substances in the same group. From the 17 grouping names, 5 presented worst cases. Two groups had 2 worst cases and the others only one. In total, from the 7 worst cases detected, 3 were due to the toxic effect "skin irritation". In most cases, the substances in the groupings shared the presence or absence of risk. Only the degree of risk criticality varied. Classification by grouping names appears justified regarding the similarities between substances, particularly in terms of skin sensitization. However, the presence of worst cases qualifies it and highlights the importance of being vigilant when assessing the risk of cosmetic products including these grouping names in their list of ingredients.

An innovative functional cracker enriched in α-linolenic acid from Camelina oil (Camelina sativa L.): Nutritional and bioaccessibility assessment

Today growing interest to accomplish the authorities’ nutritional and health claim is oriented towards vegetable-based α-linolenic acid (ALA) enriched foods.The aim of this work was to develop a cracker (CKO) enriched with Camelina seed (Camelina sativa L.) oil (CO), a well-known ALA and linoleic acid (LA) source. A fast HPLC-WVD method was set up and validated to quantify ALA and LA in CO and CKO. CKO was thought as bread alternatives that meets the health claim of European Commission regulation on cardiovascular well-being.Results indicated an ALA content in CO of 27.06 ± 1.65 g/100 g, with an ALA/LA ratio higher than two; differently, ALA content was of 2.10 ± 0.15 g/100 g in CKO, with lower ratio due to LA contribution of other ingredients. Cooking process did not affect PUFAs content in CO, confirming its stability when incorporated in food products. ALA bioaccessibility was lower than 34 % in raw oil, while increased when CO was incorporated in CKO (40.06 ± 0.83 %), thus indicating a protecting activity within the food matrix. These results confirmed that CKO could represent a suitable food to deliver camelina oil essential fatty acids, even if an additional optimization of the formulation is required to further improve ALA bioaccessibility.

Risks and benefits associated with the primary functions of artificial intelligence powered autoinjectors.

This research aims to present and assess the Primary Functions of autoinjectors introduced in ISO 11608-1:2022. Investigate the risks in current autoinjector technology, identify and assess risks and benefits associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered autoinjectors, and propose a framework for mitigating these risks. ISO 11608-1:2022 is a standard that specifies requirements and test methods for needle-based injection systems intended to deliver drugs, focusing on design and function to ensure patient safety and product effectiveness. 'KZH' is an FDA product code used to classify autoinjectors, for regulatory purposes, ensuring they meet defined safety and efficacy standards before being marketed. A comprehensive analysis of autoinjectors problems is conducted using data from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) database. This database records medical device reporting events, including those related to autoinjectors, reported by various sources. The analysis focuses on events associated with the product code KZH, covering data from January 1, 2008, to September 30, 2023. This research employs statistical frequency analysis and incorporates pertinent the FDA, United Kingdom, European Commission regulations, and ISO standards. 500 medical device reporting events are assessed for autoinjectors under the KZH code. Ultimately, 188 of these events are confirmed to be associated with autoinjectors, all 500 medical devices were seen to lack AI capabilities. An analysis of these events for traditional mechanical autoinjectors revealed a predominant occurrence of malfunctions (72%) and injuries (26%) among event types. Device problems, such as breakage, defects, jams, and others, accounted for 45% of incidents, while 10% are attributed to patient problems, particularly missed and underdoses. Traditional autoinjectors are designed to assist patients in medication administration, underscoring the need for quality control, reliability, and design enhancements. AI autoinjectors, sharing this goal, bring additional cybersecurity and software risks, requiring a comprehensive risk management framework that includes standards, tools, training, and ongoing monitoring. The integration of AI promises to improve functionality, enable real-time monitoring, and facilitate remote clinical trials, timely interventions, and tailored medical treatments.

Use of malted pulses to formulate gluten-free fresh-egg pasta

In spite of the fact that legumes are rich in proteins, dietary fibers, and micronutrients, their average per capita consumption is limited because of their lengthy cooking period, unpleasant flavor, low-digestible proteins, and gastrointestinal problems. This study was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the malting process of three typical pulse seeds of the Italian Latium region (i.e. Gradoli Purgatory beans [GPB]; Onano lentils [OL]; and Solco Dritto chickpeas [SDC]) to minimize their anti-nutrient content and test their use as ingredient in the preparation of gluten-free fresh egg pastas. All these fresh egg pastas were devoid of flatulence-inducing oligosaccharides with low phytate content (0.6–0.80 g/100 g of dry matter, dm), a crude protein content of around 20 g/100 g dm and in vitro glycemic index ranging from 28% to 38%. However, the only fresh egg pasta, including malted GPB flour, exhibited not only a significantly smaller glycemic index (28%±3%) but also a resistant starch–total starch ratio by far greater than the threshold value (14%) specified by the European Commission Regulation 432/2012 to label foods with the health claim indicating improvement in postprandial glucose metabolism.

Evaluation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contents in marine products in South Korea and risk assessment using the total diet study

This study investigated levels of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH8) compounds in both raw and processed marine products in South Korea. Katsuobushi exhibited the highest concentration of benzo[a]pyrene, at 14.22 µg/kg, exceeding the European Commission's regulation level of 5.0 µg/kg. The total PAH8 concentration in katsuobushi was 220.5 µg/kg. Among the product categories, shellfish had the highest detection rate (70%), followed by fish (19%) and crustacea (8%), with chrysene being the most prominent PAH8 congener in all marine products. Grilled fish predominantly contained pyrogenic PAHs from combustion byproducts, while shellfish primarily contained petrogenic ones from the aquatic environment. Grilling, smoking, and drying processes significantly contributed to the formation of PAH8 in these food products. Based on the results of a risk assessment using a margin of exposure approach through a total diet study, exposure to PAH8 from marine products is considered to pose low concern to the South Korean population.

Exposure And Health Risk Assessment Of Aflatoxins In Hot Red Pepper Marketed In North Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites mainly produced by Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus and their contamination of red peppers can cause hepatocellular carcinoma, growth retardation in children, immune suppression, and death. In addition, their presence in the red peppers can affect international trade and cause significant economic burdens. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the level of AFs contamination in packed powder (from supermarkets) and raw red pepper samples commercially available in the towns of Fiche and Mukaturi. Furthermore, this study aimed to determine the potential health and cancer risks associated with the consumption of red pepper contaminated with AFs. Red pepper samples (raw and packed powder) were collected randomly from the Fiche and Mukaturi open markets. Then AFs in the samples were extracted using methanol: water (80:20, v/v). These extract samples were then cleaned up using an immunoaffinity column (IAC) and determined with a high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD). The finding showed that the amount of AFB1, AFB2, and AFG1 in raw red pepper was found to be 3.19 ± 0.01, 0.19 ± 0.001, and 4.07 ± 0.01 μg kg-1, respectively. The raw red pepper samples had a total of 7.66 ± 0.01 μg kg-1 of AFs. On the other hand, the amount of AFB1, AFB2, and AFG1 in Afiya-packed red pepper was found to be 7.04 ± 0.03, 2.15 ± 0.06, and 0.50 ± 0.01 μg kg-1, while Mudayi packed red pepper contained 31.60 ± 0.22, 24.40 ± 0.17, 3.37 ± 0.02 and 2.48 ± 0.004 μg kg-1 of aflatoxins, respectively. Afiya and Mudayi packed powder peppers had a total AFs content of 10.4 ± 0.07 and 61.90 ± 0.28 μg kg-1, respectively. The total AFs concentrations in packed pepper powder samples were higher than maximum toleratable limits (MTLs) set by the European Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915 (5.00 μg kg-1 for AFB1 and 10 μg kg-1 for total AFs). AFB1 (31.60 ± 0.22 μg kg-1) had the highest level of contamination, followed by AFB2 (24.40 ± 0.17 μg kg-1) in packed pepper powder. In the adult population, the estimated daily intake (EDI) of AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2 ranged from 0.80 to 7.90, 0.04 to 6.10, 0.02 to 1.02, and 0.05 to 0.62 g kg-1 body weight (bw) per day, respectively. However, the Margins of Exposure (MOE) values and combined Margin of Exposure (MoET) for these chemicals were significantly lower than the safe margin (<10 000). Therefore, this study highlights the potential health risks associated with consuming AFs-contaminated red peppers and the need for stricter regulations and monitoring to ensure food safety.

Ancient Grain Flours with Different Degrees of Sifting: Advances in Knowledge of Nutritional, Technological, and Microbiological Aspects.

Ancient grains have gained considerable attention in recent years, as some research suggests they may be healthier than modern wheat. The present study aims to evaluate the chemical, rheological, and microbiological features of three Southern Italian cultivated ancient wheat varieties: Risciola, Carosella, and Saragolla. ATR-FTIR analyses were performed on the finely ground grain samples of the three varieties. The selected grains were ground with a stone mill, and different sifting degrees (whole-100%, type 1-80%, and type 0-72%) were evaluated. The flours showed a good nutritional profile, a higher amylose/amylopectin ratio, and a lower glycemic index than the literature. The gluten index of the samples was in the range 2.6-28.9%, and the flours can be classified as weak, having a value <30%. The farinographic test showed a short development time, low dough stability, a high softening degree, and water absorption, which increased with the degree of sifting. Microbiological analyses performed on flours from ancient grains at different degrees of sifting show their safety, according to their microbiological parameters, which fall within the legal microbiological requirements established by the European Commission Regulation (EC).

Pedestrian Safety in Frontal Tram Collision, Part 1: Historical Overview and Experimental-Data-Based Biomechanical Study of Head Clashing in Frontal and Side Impacts.

This article represents the first paper in a two-part series dealing with safety during tram-pedestrian collisions. This research is dedicated to the safety of trams for pedestrians during collisions and is motivated by the increased number of lethal cases. The first part of this paper includes an overview of tram face development from the earliest designs to the current ones in use and, at the same time, provides a synopsis and explanation of the technical context, including a link to current and forthcoming legislation. The historical design development can be characterised by three steps, from an almost vertical front face, to leaned and pointed shapes, to the current inclined low-edged windshield without a protruding coupler. However, since most major manufacturers now export their products worldwide and customisation is only of a technically insignificant nature, our conclusions are generalisable (supported by the example of Berlin). The most advantageous shape of the tram's front, minimising the effects on pedestrians in all collision phases, has evolved rather spontaneously and was unprompted, and it is now being built into the European Commission regulations. The goal of the second part of this paper is to conduct a series of tram-pedestrian collisions with a focus on the frontal and side impacts using a crash test dummy (anthropomorphic test device-ATD). Four tram types approaching the collision at four different impact speeds (5 km/h, 10 km/h, 15 km/h, and 20 km/h) were used. The primary outcome variable was the resultant head acceleration. The risk and severity of possible head injuries were assessed using the head injury criterion (HIC15) and its linkage to the injury level on the Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS). The results showed increasing head impacts with an increasing speed for all tram types and collision scenarios. Higher values of head acceleration were reached during the frontal impact (17-124 g) compared to the side one (2-84 g). The HIC15 values did not exceed the value of 300 for any experimental setting, and the probability of AIS4+ injuries did not exceed 10%. The outcomes of tram-pedestrian collisions can be influenced by the ATD's position and orientation, the impact speed and front-end design of trams, and the site of initial contact.

Multi-Mycotoxin Analysis in Italian Grains Using Ultra-High-Performance Chromatography Coupled to Quadrupole Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry.

Mycotoxins are a major source of contamination in cereals, posing risks to human health and causing significant economic losses to the industry. A comprehensive strategy for the analysis of 21 mycotoxins in Italian cereal grain samples (n = 200) was developed using a simple and quick sample preparation method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC Q-Orbitrap HRMS). The proposed method showed some advantages, such as multi-mycotoxin analyses with simple sample preparation, fast determination, and high sensitivity. The analysis of the sample revealed the presence of 11 mycotoxins, with α-zearalenol being the most frequently detected, while deoxynivalenol exhibited the highest contamination level. Furthermore, co-occurrence was identified in 15.5% of the samples under analysis. Among these, 13% of the samples reported the simultaneous presence of two mycotoxins, while 2.5% showed the co-occurrence of three mycotoxins. Currently, there has been a renewed interest in guaranteeing the quality and safety of products intended for human consumption. This study holds significant value due to its ability to simultaneously detect multiple mycotoxins within a complex matrix. Furthermore, it provides findings regarding the occurrence and co-occurrence of emerging mycotoxins that currently lack regulation under the existing European Commission Regulation.

Water Reuse—Analysis of the Possibility of Using Reclaimed Water Depending on the Quality Class in the European Countries

In 2020, the European Commission (EC) defined a legal requirement for water reuse for agricultural purposes in the European Union (EU). EU Regulation (2020/741) on minimum requirements for water reuse should mobilize member states to implement solutions for the use of reclaimed water. This paper aims to examine the state of implementation of the provisions of this Regulation at the time of its entry into force. Based on desk research, the legal status of water reuse in EU countries, with particular emphasis on the issues of reclaimed water quality and its applications, was analyzed. The state of implementation of solutions regulating water reuse varies significantly across the EU’s countries. Central and Eastern European (e.g., Poland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) countries are in no rush to regulate water reuse in agriculture; some will take advantage of the derogation to gain more time to consider it. Southern countries (e.g., Greece, Italy, France, Spain) are the most advanced and have experience in practical implementations gained before the Regulation was introduced. However, they use different quality control parameters. For now, France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain have fully implemented EC Regulation (2020/741); Belgium, Hungary, and Italy have partially implemented it; Malta has implemented it practically but not formally; and Cyprus has implemented it in distributed regulations. It should be pointed out that the potential for water reuse in the EU is significant, and this process is needed due to climate change consequences for Europe’s water resources. Therefore, further initiatives are expected, including the implementation by other countries of the provisions of Regulation (2020/741) in the coming decades.

Exposure assessment of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from the consumption of processed cowhide (Wele), a West African delicacy

This study describes the occurrence and profile of eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in fresh and cooked processed cowhide (wele) singed with different fuels. It also assessed the health risks associated with the consumption of this popular delicacy. The 8PAHs were all detected in the wele samples singed with scrap tires, whereas 5 and 3 carcinogenic PAHs were detected in the firewood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) singed wele, respectively. For each of the specific PAH detected, the contents in the wele samples were generally ranked as scrap tires > firewood > LPG. The average concentrations of benzo[a]pyrene for cooked wele samples were 2.75 ng g−1(firewood) and 22.85 ng g−1(scrap tires); exceeding the 2.0 ng g−1 European Commission regulation maximum levels (MLs) for smoked products. For the carcinogenic risk exposure assessment, the dietary intake based on benzo[a]pyrene equivalents was estimated as 777.06 ng g−1 day (scrap tires), 101.52 ng g−1 day (firewood) and 9.45 ng g−1 day (LPG). The probable cancer risk estimated considering the consumption frequency and quantity of wele for an average adult consumer was highest in the population exposed to wele singed with scrap tires (3.11×10−5).

VinylPlus® welcomes the publication of the European Commission Regulation restricting lead in PVC

On May 4, 2023, VinylPlus®, the European PVC industry's commitment to sustainable development, welcomed the publication of the European Commission Regulation restricting lead in PVC under the EU's REACH regulation.

Heavy metals content in fresh tuna and swordfish caught from Hindian and Pacific Oceans: Health risk assessment of dietary exposure.

Yellowfin tuna and swordfish are seafood commodities commonly caught from deep oceans worldwide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the levels of three heavy metals, namely, cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) in yellowfin tuna and swordfish. The results are expected to provide consumers with information on the safety of consuming or exporting these fishes caught in the Hindian and Pacific Oceans. Fresh yellowfin and swordfish were obtained from fishermen's catches in FAO Fishing Zone 57 (Indian Ocean) and 71 (Pacific Ocean) and then collected at Benoa Harbor, Bali Province. The comparative method was to evaluate the levels of heavy metals in each fish. Furthermore, heavy metal concentrations, including Pb, Cd, and Hg, were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy analysis. These results were then used to assess the safety of these fishes by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI) and target hazard quotients-total target hazard quotients (THQs-TTHQs). The analysis showed that none of the samples exceeded the threshold levels for the three heavy metals, which was specified by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) and European Commission Regulation (CR) No. 1881/2006. The EDI and provisional tolerable weekly index (PTWI) obtained in this study were still in the safe range. However, the PTWI values for Pb in yellowfin tuna product from the Indian Ocean were higher (0.0038 mg/kg) compared to the recommended standard for the adult population. The THQ-TTHQ values of fish caught from these oceans were also within the acceptable range specified by the two agencies, indicating that they are safe for consumption by people with various age groups and for export purposes. The average levels of three heavy metals (Cd, Pb, and Hg) in muscle samples of yellowfin tuna and swordfish caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were within the acceptable range as specified by the SNI and CR No. 1881/2006. Furthermore, the EDI and THQs values indicated that fishes caught from the Pacific and Hindian Oceans were safe for consumption. This research is still limited to assessing two capture fisheries commodities. Further research is needed on the assessment of heavy metal levels in other capture fisheries commodities in this capture zone.

Use of instant controlled pressure drop technology for the preservation of edible insects' (yellow mealworm) quality: assessment of microbial inactivation.

The world population is expanding, and with it, so is the need for proteins for the food and feed sectors. Conventional livestock production is correlated with negative environmental repercussions such as global warming, land degradation, and biodiversity loss. The nutritional content of edible insects is comparable to that of conventional meat, and insect farming offers various environmental advantages over livestock production, making it a favorable sustainable protein resource. However, to be placed on the market, insects should be processed, and their microbial load should be within the accepted range of the European Commission regulation (EU) 2021/882. The purpose of this research is to investigate the use of instant controlled pressure drop (DIC) technology for the microbial inactivation of yellow mealworm larvae. This innovative decontamination treatment was compared to blanching in hot water, the conventional processing method. We also investigated the impacts on enzymatic browning. Results showed that the application of rapid (20s) DIC treatment at 0.3MPa allowed reducing the total aerobic count and the total yeast and mold count of larvae below the thresholds authorized by the commission regulation. Pressure, temperature, and number of cycle factors were found to have significant effects on the decontamination, while the treatment time had no effect for most treatments. In regard to blanching, we were able to get the authorized load at 90°C for 360s. Decimal reduction times for DIC and blanching treatments were found to be 3.8s and 67.8s for total aerobic count, and 3s and 57s for total yeast and mold count, respectively. Furthermore, DIC-treated larvae showed a significant increase in juice color brightness, which could be traced back to the oxidative enzymatic inactivation of larvae, whereas there was a slight difference between blanched and untreated larvae juice colors.

Studies on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentration on smoke dried African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) Using Difernet Localized Smoke Drying Equipment

The study of the Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) concentration of smoke dried Clarias gariepinus, using different smoking methods (Smoking Drum, Chorkor and Smoking kiln), with hardwood as source of energy, to determine which traditional method produced the best and safest smoke dried fish in terms of lowest PAH concentration for human consumption. The PAH components were determined using Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) analysis. The results obtained were statistically analysed using SPSS (version 20.0) windows software. The PAH mean concentration and standard error mean (S.E.M), were calculated for each method and results were subjected to one way ANOVA at 0.05% significant level. There were significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in the PAHs mean concentration values of (Pyrene, Benzo(g-h)perylene, 1-2 Benzanthracene, Benzo(a)Pyrene, Dibenzyl(a-h)anthracene, Fluorene, Benzo(k)Fluoranthene, Phenanthrene (0.57±0.66, 0.44±0.15, 0.41±0.28, 0.37±0.28, 0.27±0.03, 0.18±0.20, 0.13±0.26, 0.13±0.16) respectively, in fish smoked dried with smoking kiln, and those smoked with chorkor and drum fo PAH mean concentration of (0.25±0.50, 0.30±0.14, o.23±0.27, 0.25±0.20, 0.21±0.29, o.13±0.21, 0.09±0.18, 0.07±0.15 and (0.38±0.52, 0.23±0.19, 0.20±0.33, 0.33±0.12, 0.14±0.17. 0.09±0.18, 0.02±0.03) respectively. There was no significant difference in (p&gt;0.05) in the PAH mean concentration values of Acenaphthylene and Naphthalene of fish samples smoked dried with chorkor and drum with (0.13±0.15, 0.16±0.20) and (0.12±0.13, 0.16±0.20) respectively, while Anthracene and kylene were absent in the fish samples smoked dried using all the methods. The PAH content of all the fish samples, were within the permissible limits of 2ppb set by the European Commission Regulation and are safe for human consumption. Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)as a marker, did not exceed the maximum permissible limit and therefore safe for human consumption. It is recommended that fish processors should be sensitized on the genetoxic and carcinogenic effects of PAHs on the health of consumers of smoked dried fish.

Determination of Mycotoxins in Wheat Grain by LC-MS/MS using Modified QuEChERS Sample Preparation

The procedure of the mycotoxins determination in wheat grain was developed by LC-MS/MS using modified QuEChERS sample preparation. The method of simultaneous determination of six mycotoxins (aflatoxin B1, aflatoxin B2, aflatoxin G1, aflatoxin G2, T-2 toxin and zearalenone) in wheat grain was validated according to the following criteria: specificity, linearity, limits of detection (LOD), limits of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision. The chromatographic and mass spectrometric conditions for separation and determination of the mycotoxins were optimized during the study. It was established that the most optimal mobile phase for the separation of six mycotoxins is 5 mМ ammonium formate solution in methanol : water : formic acid (5 : 94.9 : 0.1 by volume, eluent A and 95:4.9:0.1 by volume, eluent B). It was found that the correlation coefficients for six mycotoxins range from 0.9990 to 0.9998 (R2 &gt; 0.995). Limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) of the mycotoxins are below the maximum permitted levels set by the European Union (EU). Percent recovery in the range from 88 to 103 % indicates the acceptability of the mycotoxin extraction procedure. The relative standard deviation (RSD, %) of the measurement results under conditions of repeatability ranged from 1.94 to 8.76 %. The obtained data suitability evaluation of method (validation) corresponds to criteria European Commission Regulation (EC) No. 401/2006. The validation results showed that LC-MS/MS method with using of modified QuEChERS sample preparation is effective and suitable for the simultaneous quantitation of mycotoxins in wheat grain.