Food Products In Iran Research Articles

Investigation of Virulence and Antibiotic-Resistance of Bacillus cereus Isolated from Various Spices.

Spices and herbs are potential vectors for virulent and pathogenic micro-organisms, which cause illness in consumers, contribute to spoilage, and reduce the durability of foodstuffs. The present study aims to provide relevant data about virulence and antibiotic resistance of Bacillus cereus isolated from various spices. A total of 200 samples of 8 types of spices (black pepper, chilli, white pepper, cumin, cinnamon, turmeric, curry powder, and sumac) were collected from various markets, retail shops, and sucuk production premises located in the Isfahan province of Iran. Presumptive B. cereus strains were obtained using Bacara Agar plates after enrichment in saline peptone water and final colonies were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Enterotoxin (HBL) and nonhaemolytic enterotoxin (NHE) production were assessed using the Duopath® Cereus Enterotoxins Test kit. The Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was applied as antibiotics susceptibility test. PCR was used to detect Emetic toxin gene (CES and CER) and enterotoxigenic toxin gene (cytK, nheA, hblC, and entFM). Results show a significant prevalence of B. cereus (42%) in spices. However, the spices meet food safety recommendations (<104 cfu/g). Antibiotics susceptibility test show alarming rate of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics specially ampicillin (83.33%) and penicillin (82.14%). Concerning the toxin producing capacity more than half of the isolates (51.19%) produce NHE toxin and 27.38% produce HBL toxin. The most abundant gene were nheA, nheB, and nheC and a combination of 4 genes (entFM, nheA, hblC, and cytK) was detected in many isolates. In conclusion, the presence of multidrug resistant B. cereus strains carrying diarrhoeal toxin-encoding genes in spices intended for human consumption represents a serious health hazard. These results indicate the need for regular surveillance of the occurrence of B. cereus strains in spices and food products in Iran.

Investigation of Halal Certification of Imported Agricultural and Food Products in Iran, and Exploration of the Possibility of Expanding Market

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate Iran’s import system and Korea’s sales channels abroad to figure out how to distribute Iran’s imported agricultural and food products. Design/Methodology/Approach This study included a comprehensive review of prior domestic and foreign literature as well as consultations with experts in the agrifood industry and relevant agencies. Findings Considering that 99% of the Iran people are Muslims, halal food certification is essential. Our agricultural and food industry also needs new food product development. To broaden Agrifood’s export networks within Muslim regions, our government and agricultural and food industries need to lay the foundation for halal food markets through a country-by-country and item-by-item research on halal certification. Research Implications 0ur government should make an effort to register the KMF (The Korean Muslim Federation) as one of official halal certification institutes by supporting to develop component analysis and its verifications accordingly and to train halal-related professionals. it is necessary not only to expand its global halal market share by expanding its direct investment in Indonesia, where certification is easy to obtain, entering the Muslim market such as Iran, but also to promote entry into the Middle East with Korean distribution channels.

Investigation of Halal Certification of Imported Agricultural and Food Products in Iran, and Exploration of the Possibility of Expanding Market

Investigation of Halal Certification of Imported Agricultural and Food Products in Iran, and Exploration of the Possibility of Expanding Market

The Effects of the Re-imposition of US Sanctions on Food Security in Iran.

Background: Following the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran in 2018, unprecedented inflation has occurred in Iran’s food market that will undoubtedly affect the food security of the Iranian people. The present study aims to determine the effects of the sanctions on food prices and food security of Iranian households. Methods: Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was applied to assess the effects of sanctions on the average retail price of food products in Iran. Household food security was estimated by calculating the share of household food expenditure. Costs of following a healthy diet based on the food pyramid were estimated. Results: The import dependency ratio of Iran’s food market was about 25%. After sanctions due to the limitations in international financial exchanges a significant increase in the prices of all food groups occurred in 2018, the year after the re-imposition of sanctions. The highest inflation rate was observed in vegetable, meat, and fruit groups. The percentage of urban and rural households in Iran that were prone to food insecurity increased from 8.84% and 25.17% to 11.2% and 29.2%, respectively, from 2017 to 2019. The annual average cost of a healthy diet for a sample Iranian family of 3.3, based on the current prices, is 341 866 008 IRR (US$2849) which is 3.6 times greater than the average amount Iranian families spent on food last year (94 505 000 IRR or US$788). Conclusion: After the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran, food insecurity as a result of economic vulnerability, has increased and due to the current status of food prices and incomes, following a healthy diet has become more difficult for most Iranians. This makes the Iranian population more prone to chronic diseases in the near future and if this trend persists, it places the country in danger of food crisis and political instability.

Pollution Status of Pesticide Residues in Food Products in Iran: A Mini-review within 2008-2018

Pollution Status of Pesticide Residues in Food Products in Iran: A Mini-review within 2008-2018

Investigating the histopathological effects of saffron petal (Crocus Sativus L.) hydroalcoholic extract on kidney and liver functional parameters in rats

Background: Saffron is one of the main food products in Iran, and its countless medicinal properties have been used widely in traditional medicine. Many studies conducted and reported in the literature have shown that plant-based medicines, such as chemical drugs, may also have unexpected side effects. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the histopathological effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of the saffron petal (HAESP) on the liver and kidney, particularly on their functional parameters in rats.&#x0D; Methods: The first group (control) received ordinary daily dietary regime. In addition, Groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed an ordinary dietary regimen along with HAESP (at 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg/day). The treatment was continued on a daily basis for four weeks, and upon the termination of the treatment, blood samples were collected from all the rats. Then, tissue samples were prepared from the animals’ kidney and liver for histological studies.&#x0D; Results: The histological results are indicators of notable changes in the glomerulus, tubules, and interstitial tissue of the kidney cross-sections for the groups receiving HAESP. In the central vein region and the port space of the liver cross-sections, dose-dependent changes were found in the groups that had received HAESP. The study results also suggest a considerable statistical increase in the mean levels of renal enzymes and hepatic enzymes in different groups receiving HAESP.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of the present study reflect the idea that the saffron petal hydroalcoholic extract can be effective even on renal and hepatic cells, and even in non-poisonous dosages. Therefore, care should be exercised in using the extract for its potentially therapeutic effects.&#x0D;

Characteristics of enterotoxin-producing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from meat in Tehran, Iran

In this study, we investigated the clonality, antibiotic susceptibility and presence of different enterotoxin genes among 49 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated from 131 fresh raw meat samples in Tehran, Iran during 2016. 47% of beef, 30% of chicken and 27% of turkey samples were MRSA positive. PhenePlate (PhP typing) revealed the presence of 12 PhP types consisting of five common types and seven single types, and 86% of the strains harbored staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type III and type 3 cassette chromosome recombinases (ccr). Moreover, SCCmec type IVa was positive in all isolates with SGA prophage types. High level resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, tobramycin and kanamycin was also observed. The rate of resistance to most of the antibiotics tested was higher in chicken samples compared to other meat samples. Out of eleven different enterotoxin genes found, sea, sek and seq were the dominant genes in all strains. Our results illustrate the presence and persistence of highly resistant clonal groups of enterotoxin-producing MRSA in meat samples. These isolates had PhP and SCCmec types and prophage patterns which were similar to the clinical isolates previously reported in Iran, supporting the notion of dissemination of the MRSA in the hospital, community, as well food products in Iran.

Ochratoxin a in food products in Iran: A systematic review of the evidence

Aims: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a toxic metabolite, which is produced by Penicillium spp. and Aspergillus spp. This mold growth increases in abuse adequate moisture and temperature in food storage time and produces mycotoxins. The aim of this study was the evaluation of OTA in various foods with reviews of other studies in Iran from 2000 to 2016. Instrument and Methods: The literature was evaluated by searching the electronic databases of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, PubMed, SID, Science Direct, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Google scholar. Results: Based on obtained results, the breakfast cereal, hazelnut, pistachio, walnut, almond, white grape juice, white pepper, dried sour cherry, dried peach, and dried pineapple samples were not contaminated with OTA. In the conducted studies, the highest rate of the contamination with OTA was in grape juice, raisin, black and red pepper, fig, dried quince, and coconut samples. Conclusion: The results showed that the most contaminated samples had OTA levels lower than the Iranian national standards and European Union regulations. Nevertheless, it seems necessary to focus on the reduction of mold contamination and OTA in various foods in Iran.

Nutritional Traffic Light Labeling and Taxation on Unhealthy Food Products in Iran: Health Policies to Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases

Nutritional Traffic Light Labeling and Taxation on Unhealthy Food Products in Iran: Health Policies to Prevent Non-Communicable Diseases

Aflatoxins in Food Products in Iran: a Review of the Literature.

ContextMycotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by certain toxigenic fungi and the most of them are aflatoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, ochratoxin A, patulin, and zearalenone.Evidence AcquisitionIn consideration of the consumption of certain farm products for animal feed and the prevalence of toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins in food, the present study was performed to evaluate this situation in Iran with a review of the literature using search engines. All published articles were selected using Iran Medex, Magiran, PubMed NCBI, and Google Scholar.ResultsAflatoxins have been found in many food products in Iran.ConclusionsIt is necessary to detect aflatoxins in foods and food products as early as possible, before they enter human or animal bodies. There is a high consumption of milk and dairy products in Iran, and the proper management of animal foods can help to decrease the aflatoxins in milk.

Benzoic and sorbic acid in soft drink, milk, ketchup sauce and bread by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction coupled with HPLC

Benzoic acid and sorbic acid are widely used for food preservation. These preservatives are generally recognised as safe. The aim of this study was to determine the level of benzoic and sorbic acid in food samples that are usually consumed in Iran. Therefore, 54 samples, including 15 soft drinks, 15 ultra-high-temperature milk, 15 ketchup sauces and 9 bread samples, were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Benzoic acid was detected in 50 (92.5%) of the samples ranging from 3.5 to 1520 µg mL−1, while sorbic acid was detected in 29 (50.3%) samples in a range of 0.8 and 2305 µg mL−1. Limits of detection and limits of quantification for benzoate were found to be 0.1 and 0.5 µg mL−1, respectively, and for sorbate 0.08 and 0.3 µg mL−1, respectively. The results showed that benzoic acid and sorbic acid widely occur in food products in Iran.

Channel Conflicts with a Focus on the Internet Case Study: Food Products in Iran

491  Abstract—The aim of this study is to present the manner by which a distributer companys managers can recognize channel conflict and the measures to reduce the bad effects of channel conflict. To obtain the main method of data collection in this research, descriptive and qualitative approaches were selected on the basis of interviews (the conducted interviews were face-to-face and in-depth). A case study was also carried out in addition. The two companies under observation in this research are: a) 'Chika Company' and b) 'Etka Chain Stores'. The study clearly indicated that the managers of these companies are quite aware of the channel conflict issue. Numerous conflicts by the Internet were also discovered. In each company well-functioning strategies were used for the prevention and decrease of the bad effects of channel conflict. These strategies varied due to companies' conditions variation.