Raw Food Research Articles

Enteric Bacterial Infections, Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern, Intestinal Parasites, and Associated Factors Among Food Handlers in Yabelo Town, Borena Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Foodborne illnesses are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in the twenty-first century, and food handlers are the main source of these illnesses. The study aimed to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasites, enteric bacteria, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and associated factors among food handlers working in a food and drinking establishment in Yabelo town, Borena zone, Southern Ethiopia, in 2022. A facility-based cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the food handler's state of health. Data were gathered using semistructured questionnaires and observational checklists, and 396 regular stool samples were collected. Samples were examined with microscopy and bacteriological culture to isolate enteric bacteria. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 26 The factors that had a P-value of <.05 were considered statistically significant. Of the 396 stool samples collected, 164 (41.4%) were tested positive for intestinal parasites, while 40 (10.1%) were positive for enteric bacteria (Salmonella and Shigella). Among intestinal parasites, the most predominant parasite was Ascaris lumbricoides 48 (12.1%). All isolates of Salmonella and Shigella showed resistance to ampicillin. In multivariable analysis, not trimming fingernails regularly (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.97-5.37), not washing hands with soap after the toilet (AOR = 3.02, 95% CI 2.37-5.62), and eating raw food (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI 1.79-6.51) have a significant association with the prevalence of bacteria and parasites. The majority of food handlers had poor hygiene practices, and the prevalence of parasites and bacteria was high in the study setting. Educational status, eating raw vegetables or fruit, hand washing after the toilet, and fingernail trimming have associations with the health status of food handlers.

Developing a Cooking Robot System for Raw Food Processing Based on Instance Segmentation

Developing a Cooking Robot System for Raw Food Processing Based on Instance Segmentation

Solution and gaseous phase sensing of formaldehyde with economical triphenylmethane based sensors: a tool to estimate formaldehyde content in stored fish samples.

The use of formalin to preserve raw food items such as fish, meat, vegetables etc. is very commonly practiced in the present day. Also, formaldehyde (FA), which is the main constituent of formalin solution, is known to cause serious health issues on exposure. Considering the ill effects of formaldehyde, herein we report synthesis of highly sensitive triphenylmethane based formaldehyde (FA) sensors from a single step reaction of inexpensive reagents namely 4-hydroxy benzaldehyde and 2,6-dimethyl phenol. The synthetic method also provides highly pure product in bulk quantity. The analytical activity of the triphenylmethane sensor 1 with a limit of detection (LOD) value of 2.31 × 10-6 M for FA was significantly enhanced through induced deprotonation and thereafter a LOD value of 1.82 × 10-8 M could be achieved. To the best of our knowledge, the LOD value of the deprotonated form (sensor 2) for FA was superior to those of all the FA optical sensors reported so far. The mechanism of sensing was demonstrated by 1H-NMR titration and recording mass spectra before and after addition of FA to a solution of sensor 2. Both sensor 1 and sensor 2 exhibit quenching in emission upon addition of FA. A fluorescence study also demonstrates enhancement in analytical activity of the sensor upon induced deprotonation. Then the sensor was effectively immobilized into a hydrophilic and biocompatible starch-PVA polymer matrix which enabled detection of FA in a 100% aqueous system reversibly. Again, quick and effective sensing of FA in real food samples (stored fish) with the help of a computational application was demonstrated. The sensors have significant practical applicability as they effectively detect FA in real food samples qualitatively and quantitatively.

Experimental Protocol to Toxoplasma gondii Detection in Fresh Goat Milk.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite with global distribution capable of infecting homeothermic animals. Transmission of protozoan to humans includes ingestion of water and raw food contaminated with sporulated oocysts, ingestion of raw or undercooked meat with tissue cysts, and tachyzoites' transplacental transmission. Fresh goat milk intake has already been linked to human toxoplasmosis outbreaks, but little is known about the infectious potential of this biological sample. Accordingly, the aim of the present study is to assess the survival and infectivity of T. gondii tachyzoites in fresh goat milk samples through an experimental protocol to detect this parasite via bioassay carried out with a murine model, DNA amplification, and serology. Swiss Webster mice were inoculated with fresh goat milk samples contaminated with different T. gondii RH strain tachyzoite concentrations per milliliter and stored for different refrigeration times. Animals showing clinical signs compatible to toxoplasmosis were euthanized. Milk samples contaminated with high parasitic loads and kept for a shorter refrigeration time were the most lethal ones. No significant differences were observed between mean death rates recorded for different goat milk contamination concentrations (p = 0.1888), and for the refrigeration time, contaminated milk samples were kept under (p = 0.9440). T. gondii DNA was amplified in all contaminated milk samples, but only one of the surviving mice was serologically positive. Results of the present study have shown T. gondii survival and infectivity in fresh goat milk samples, and it highlights its significant risk for public health. Therefore, molecular methods must be the tests of choice when milk samples are used to assess infection caused by protozoan in goats' dairy products.

Establishment and clinical application of a droplet digital PCR method for the detection of Edwardsiella tarda.

Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) can infect humans and a variety of animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. However, a more highly sensitive, specific, and repeatable test for its detection is lacking. The objective of this study was to develop a highly sensitive, specific, and repeatable droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR)-based method for the quantitative detection of E. tarda. The gyrB gene was selected as the target gene, and primers and probe were designed and synthesized. Using E. tarda genomic DNA as templates, the reaction method was optimized to establish a linear relationship with real-time PCR detection methods. The sensitivity, specificity, and repeatability of the method were analyzed, and clinical samples were tested. When the primer and probe concentrations were 900 and 300 nM, respectively, and the annealing temperature was 57°C, the efficiency of the ddPCR amplification reaction was highest and the boundary between positive and negative droplet distribution was clearest. The sensitivity was high, with detection limit being as low as 0.56 copies·μL-1; additionally, and a good linear relationship (R 2 = 0.9962) between ddPCR and real-time PCR detection, within the range of 1-25,000 copies·μL-1, was evident. The repeatability was good, with a detection coefficient of variation of 2.74%. There was no cross-reactivity with 15 other common pathogenic microorganisms in aquatic animals (Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus iniae, Streptococcus suis type 2, Nocardia seriolae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Aeromonas sobria, red sea bream iridovirus, decapod iridescent virus 1, enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, carp edema virus, Koi herpesvirus, goldfish hematopoietic necrosis virus, tilapia lake virus, viral nervous necrosis virus, or grass carp reovirus) in positive samples. Among the 48 clinical samples, including Bahaba taipingensis and its live food fish, pond water samples, and routine monitoring samples (Koi), 21 were positive for E. tarda, consistent with the bacterial isolation and identification results. The E. tarda ddPCR detection method has high specificity, sensitivity, and repeatability, can more accurately quantify E. tarda, and provides a useful reference for research related to this bacterium.

ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY OF GODAVARI RIVER AT MUDGAL DAM, PATHARI DIST. PARBHANI (M.S.), INDIA

Aquatic ecosystem has a vast diversity of micro-eukaryotes (rotifers, crustaceans and protists), and such diverse taxonomic groups play important roles in ecosystem functioning and services. Farming organisms such as fish receive nutrients other than minerals by taking food. In nature, most organisms survive by consuming live food such as plankton from the environment. Zooplankton are of great importance and basically essential in fish culture. The present work is carried out for the assessment of plankton diversity of Godavari river water in Mudgal dam area for a period of one year starting from March, 2019 to February, 2020. The zooplankton serves as a food for other higher organisms. During the exploration, authors recorded four groups of zooplankton namely Rotifera with 7 species, Cladocera with 5 species, Copepoda 3 species and Ostracoda 2 species.

Influence of the green microalga, Chlorococcum sp. on the growth of freshwater rotifer, Brachionus calyciflorus Pallas

The success of the aquaculture sector relies on a consistent supply of healthy fish seeds. Rotifer has been identified as superior live food to artificial feed for nurturing fish larvae, the culture development of which largely depends on green microalgae. This study aimed to investigate the suitability of Chlorococcum sp. for enhancing the production of Brachionus calyciflorus. Two experiments were conducted to assess the effects of different food types and concentrations of Chlorococcum sp. on the growth of B. calyciflorus. In the first experiment, three food types were tested: live Chlorococcum sp. (1 x 105 cells/mL; T1), baker’s yeast (0.2 gm/L; T2), and a combination of live Chlorococcum sp. and baker’s yeast (0.5 x 105 cells/mL + 0.1 gm/L; T3). The highest population density and growth rate (r) of rotifers were observed in the T1 diet. In the second experiment, three concentrations of Chlorococcum sp. were tested: 0.5 x 106 cells/mL (T1), 1 x 106 cells/mL (T2), and 3 x 106 cells/mL (T3). Both the population density and growth rate of B. calyciflorus were found highest in the T3 diet. In conclusion, Chlorococcum sp. at a concentration of 3 x 106 cells/mL is suggested as the best food for the successful mass culture of the rotifer B. calyciflorus.

The method of complex biological water treatment in aquaponic recirculation systems

The article discusses the results of experimental research work on the development of technical solutions aimed at creating an integrated innovative biotechnology for recycled water treatment in recirculating aquaculture systems. Schemes and descriptions of experimental units using the multitrophic approach when creating water treatment systems are given. The system is completed according to the principle of integration into a single multitrophic system of spatially delimited biomodules with various types of hydrobionts, where particular types of organisms serve as a food base for subsequent trophic levels. As a result of trophic chains, phytoplankton and zooplankton are cultivated and used as starter live food when rearing juvenile fish. Natural food base contributes to the production of high-quality viable fish stock, which is essential for commercial fish farming. The use of tiered units can significantly reduce the need for production space. Polyculture cultivation of various species of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks together with hydroponic plants allows to diversify production for obtaining additional profit and reducing the risks. Cultivation of high-value fish species (e.g. sturgeon) or crustaceans (Australian red claw) together with less valuable cyprinids, tilapia or African catfish allows to promote products in different market segments.

Skin test (Skin Prick Test) in food allergy

Skin tests, also known as prick tests, in food allergies are restricted to IgE-mediated food allergies, with results that barely indicate sensitization to a certain food and do not necessarily suggest food allergy. The clinical context of the patient is the decisive point before performing any type of food allergy skin test; Contextualizing and relating the patient's clinical picture with the immunological mechanism of IgE-mediated allergies will allow a better selection of the allergy test for each case. Positive tests should be interpreted more carefully, and consider that during early childhood it is common that several patients may have negative specific serum IgE tests in the blood for food allergens compared to those performed on the skin, which are positive. Skin testing can be carried out with standardized strata of foods, but they are not always available for all foods and some are very unstable. Skin tests can even be performed with raw foods, using the prick to prick technique to perform the puncture with fresh foods (especially fruits or vegetables) or other products that are not commercially available. The skin prick test is a test where, after having placed the allergenic extract in drops or with fresh food itself, the puncture must be carried out with a standardized lancet.

Food, nutrition and the dining experience in aged care settings: Findings of a nationwide survey.

Previous research on food, nutrition and dining practices in Australian residential aged care (RAC) homes has been based on a limited sample of single-home or multiple-home providers, but a nationwide study has not been conducted. The aim of this study was to provide a preliminary overview of current food, nutrition and dining practices across Australian RAC facilities using a nationwide survey. A survey was distributed to Australian RAC homes in August-September 2020, as part of the National Congress on Food, Nutrition and the Dining Experience in Aged Care (February 2021). The survey, administered via an online portal, consisted of 38 semistructured questions including yes/no or multiple-choice responses, free text, frequency scales and number entry. Six key topics were explored, including 'food service system and environment', 'catering style', 'menu planning and evaluation', 'nutrition planning and requirements', 'nutrition-related screening and assessment' and 'training and additional information', which were informed by the Australian Government Department of Health and reflected the interests of the Congress. The final sample included 292 respondents (204 individual homes and 88 multiple-home proprietors) representing 1152 homes and 125,393 residents, encompassing approximately 43% of RAC homes (of a possible 2671) and 57% of residents (of a possible 219,965) in Australia. Survey respondents representing RAC homes included service managers, catering managers, Chief Executive Officers, cooks, chefs, dietitians or staff from other roles within homes. A number of potential areas of need were identified, included increasing the autonomy of residents to select the foods they desire, increasing the variety and choice (including timing) of meals, enhancing the dining environments in homes to stimulate food intake and increasing staff training and the number of trained chefs in homes, so that meals are prepared which address diverse nutritional needs of residents. This study provides insight into the food service and mealtime practices of over a third of Australian RAC homes. The findings of this survey may help to identify key targets for intervention to improve the food, nutrition and quality of life of aged care residents.

초등학생 대상 지구시민교육의 효과 평가

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Earth Citizenship Education by a non-profit corporation on sixth-grade students in elementary school. To this end, from April to July 2023, education and campaigns were conducted, targeting one class of sixth graders at N Elementary School in Seoul, selected for the Global Citizenship Education Program encompassing food education, environmental education, and social education. First, Food education covered three topics and a campaign promoting the right food practices. These include ‘nutrition balance and taste education,’ ‘food labeling education’, and ‘animal welfare education’. Similarly, environmental education covered three themes and school clean-up campaigns: ‘proper cleaning class,’ ‘blue ocean class’, and ‘virus and earth environment class’. Finally, social education focused on two topics: ‘cognitive domain and media literacy’, and ‘project design,’ emphasizing empathy education for fostering coexistence. Over ten weeks, professional instructors visited the school for 80 to 90 minutes each week to deliver experiential face-to-face lectures and organize practical missions. To assess the effect of Earth Citizenship Education, students' knowledge, attitudes, and behavioral aspects related to each topic were surveyed before and after the education. The first survey, aimed at capturing immediate effects, was conducted one week after the education, while the second survey was administered a month later to confirm the continuity of behavioral changes. The collected data underwent statistical analysis using SPSS 21.0. Results reveal that elementary school students’ scores across knowledge, attitude, and behavioral areas improved by 13.2, 23.0, and 10.0 points, respectively, post 1st and 45.1 post 2nd. The average scores stood at 86.4, 77.4, and 59.4 points post 1st and 94.5 points post 2nd. Environmental education recorded improvements of 9.6, 13.3, and 5.9 points post 1st, and 37.6 points post 2nd, with average scores of 76.2, 79.2, and 64.4 points post 1st, and 96.1 points post 2nd. In addition, social education showed improvements of 9.0, 2.7, and 6.1 points post 1st and 40.0 points post 2nd, with average scores of 84.0, 75.5, and 47.8 points post 1st and 81.7 points post 2nd. Elementary school students expressed high satisfaction with Earth Citizenship Education, especially the student-centered learning consisting of direct activities and experiences, with average scores of 84.9 and 75.2 points for food education, 83.0 and 75.6 points for environmental education, and 80.0 and 75.0 points for social education. However, there remains room for improvement in the recommendation scores. In conclusion, the study confirms that Earth Citizenship Education provided by the local community effectively changed elementary school students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. In addition, it was confirmed that the sustained effect on behavioral change could be attributed to teacher intervention aligned with the school curriculum, such as subject-related campaigns, providing review materials, and activities in Practical Arts subjects. Consequently, continuous post-education intervention can effectively bring about changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors through proper food, environment, and social practices in daily life. Furthermore, this study can potentially contribute to developing a customized educational model in Practical Arts subjects through collaborations between local communities and schools.

Oral allergy syndrome (OAS)

The pollen-food allergy syndrome, also known as oral allergy syndrome, is characterized by local reactions in the mouth and throat after consuming certain raw plant foods in individuals sensitized to pollen from grass, weeds, and trees. Birch-apple is the prototype of this syndrome, with apple, pear, and plum being the most commonly associated foods. Symptoms are usually limited to the oral cavity but can include systemic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Sensitization to pollen allergens, such as lipid transfer proteins, profilin, and PR-10 proteins, triggers this syndrome. Its prevalence varies by geographic region and the predominant pollen type, affecting between 30% and 60% of food allergies. Diagnosis involves a clinical history, skin tests, and, in ambiguous cases, double-blind, placebo-controlled oral food challenges. Treatment primarily involves avoiding trigger foods.

Nutrient Intake and Nitrogen Balance of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Raw Cashew Nut Shell Diets

A study was conducted using twenty (20) growing West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks with an average weight of 6.74 ± 0.33 kg to determine the nutrient intake and nitrogen balance. The goats were allotted to four dietary treatments with five goats replicates per treatment in a completely randomized design. The raw cashew nut shell was sun-dried and crushed to a particle size of less than 1 cm. The cashew nut shell was incorporated in the diets at the rate of 0% (diet A), 5% (diet B), 10% (diet C) and 15% (diet D) respectively. The experimental period lasted for 63days excluding 2weeks of adaptation. The chemical and mineral compositions of the diets were determined. Result showed that chemical composition were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) influenced by the raw cashew nut shell. The crude protein ranged from 7.16 to 7.89% while the crude fiber varied from 22.45 to 24.01%. Calcium and Phosphorus content increased with increased level of raw cashew nut shell. Sodium ranged from 17.47 to 23.00% while magnesium varied from 9.34 to 12.94%. Goats fed diets A had the highest nitrogen balance (8.57 g/day) and highest percentage of nitrogen retention (86.58%) which is statistically similar to the values obtained in goats fed diet B; (8.34 g/day nitrogen balance and 84.58% percentage nitrogen retention). However, dry matter intake recorded in this study were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) influenced by the inclusion levels of raw sundried cashew nut shell in the diet. Goats fed diets A had the highest dry matter intake (456.37 g/day) while goats fed diet D had the least (207.69 g/day). Crude protein intake and crude fiber intake increased as the levels of raw cashew nut shell increased in diets. In conclusion, feeding of raw sundried cashew nut shell at 5% could provide good quality replacement ingredient to ruminants especially during the dry season for improved performance and productivity.

Food for Life: Galen’s "On Health" ("De sanitate tuenda")

In Galen’s view, health was a natural state and disease unnatural. If a body became unwell, balance was best restored by adjustments to daily life, in particular to the environment, food and drink, exercise, sleep, physiological balance and mental health. If none of these worked, only then should drugs or more drastic treatments be considered. Galen sets out in On Health how the natural state is best preserved, starting from birth, through childhood, to adulthood and old age. There are several features to be noted, not least the relentlessly male focus (with childbirth the major area of consideration for women specifically) and the use of the idealised young man as the canon against which to measure all bodies. This latter feature has led commentators to suppose that Galen only has the leisured rich class in mind, wrongly I believe. Two recent translations in the Loeb series (Johnston) and in the CUP Galen series (Singer forthcoming) have made the text readily available to all, and further discussion is timely. In my paper I will focus on Galen’s use of diet and massage to keep the body healthy. I shall also consider the unhealthy body which takes up the last three of the six books, as the life span nears later age and greater fragility. Even here, Galen prefers food and gentle remedies to bloodletting and drugs (which are in effect often stronger versions of food plants). Galen claims that this regime has kept him healthy for 50 years, despite his less than perfect constitution and lifestyle. He is thus a doctor who experiments on himself to promote a lifestyle which, he claims, should, after an initial assessment, maintain the patient without need of a doctor for life.

IMF Financing, Pakistan's Economic Growth, and Islam

The International Monetary Fund acts as the ultimate source of financial assistance for all nations. Since 1958, Pakistan has regularly availed of IMF loans. However, its economic status has not advanced sufficiently enough to be classified as one of the industrialised nations. The study seeks to analyse the influence of an IMF loan on Pakistan's economic progress. The study intends to investigate the influence of IMF loans on the improvement of socio-economic dynamics in Pakistan. The study seeks to ascertain if IMF interest-based funding enhances or impedes the development of Pakistan's economy. Qualitative research methodology is used subjectively to develop a conceptual framework using an inductive paradigm. IMF loans to Pakistan are thought to have impeded economic progress and worsened the plight of economically disadvantaged individuals by undermining their rights to health, food, and quality of life. The loans are interest-based, which goes against Islamic Shariah rules and the country's Islamic identity. Pakistan faces particular costs in obtaining IMF loan funding with interest.

Raw Meat Consumption and Food Safety Challenges: A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Consumers in Lebanon.

A key contributor to foodborne illnesses is consuming contaminated ready-to-eat foods, including raw meats. The latter is a common practice in Lebanon, a country that suffers from widespread pollution and food safety challenges. However, studies on the safety of raw meat consumption in Lebanon are limited. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) of the Lebanese population toward the potential risk associated with the consumption of raw meats, and to identify factors that affect KAP levels. An online survey (n = 577) was administered to Lebanese adults aged 18 years and above to assess their KAPs. The results showed that 74.5% of the participants consumed raw meat, 44% had good food safety knowledge, and 30.7% exhibited good practices. However, more than half of the participants (61.9%) showed a positive attitude toward food safety. There was a significant association between knowledge and attitude (p < 0.001), attitude and practices (p < 0.001), and knowledge and practices (p < 0.001), thereby indicating that an increase in food safety education could translate into better practices in this population. Accordingly, efforts to enhance education on food safety are warranted to reduce the potential risk of food poisoning associated with raw meat consumption in Lebanon.

IMPROVING THE NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF WATER HYACINTH LEAVES (WHL) AND ADDING IT TO PROILER DIETS DURING DIFFERENT PERIODS AGE AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE

This study was conducted at the poultry farm, the Department of Animal Production, Shatrah Technical Institute , Southern Technical University for the period from 19/2/2021 to 1/4/2021 for (42 days), according to the results Prevous part of the study the best treatment for (WHL) powder was chosen and the replacement was level 6% instead for Wheat, and the best treatment for (WHL) powder treated with yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) at level 12% instead of wheat, and the best treatment for (WHL) powder treated with Iraqi probiotics at level 12% instead of wheat. In two periods of 1-21 days and 22-42 days, the chicks were fed on a starter diets for 1-21 days of age and a finisher diets for 22-42 days of age for the purpose of determining the best rearing period and its impact on the productive performance for broilers. Seven treatments were used with Three replicates per treatment (10 bird’s for replicate) in a floor hen house divided into enclosures of 1.25 x 1 m dimensions. The treatments were as follows: T1:Control without any replacement, T2: replacement (WHL) powder at a level 6% instead of wheat and for the period from 1-21 Day, T3 : replacement (WHL) powder treated with (Sc) yeast at a level 12% instead of wheat for a period of 1-21 days, T4: replacement (WHL) powder treated with Iraqi probiotics at a level 12% instead of wheat and for a period of 1-21 days, T5: replacement (WHL) powder at a level 6% instead of wheat and for the period from 22-42 days, T6: replacement (WHL) powder treated with (Sc) yeast at a level 12% instead of wheat and for the period from 22-42 days and T7: replacement (WHL) powder treated with Iraqi probiotics at a level 12% instead of wheat and for the period of 22-42 days. The results showed an improvement in live body weight, weight gain, feed consumption and food conversion ratio for all addition treatments compared with control also treatments T5,T6 and T7 recorded the best results in productive characteristics.

Рівні накопичення важких металів та активності радіонуклідів у вузькопалих річкових раках (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) Кам’янського та Запорізького (Дніпровського) водосховищ

Purpose. To determine the content of heavy metals as well as natural and artificial radionuclides in muscle tissue and carapaces of narrow-clawed crayfish Astacus leptodactylus of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. Methodology. The material for the study were narrow-clawed crayfish collected in the spring period (March-April) 2021 in the coastal zone of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. The collection of material was carried out with standard open-type crayfish traps with a mesh size No. 20, manual collection in the littoral zone as well as with the help of special baited traps. Carapaces and muscle tissue of crayfish were used to determine the content of heavy metals and radionuclides. Preparation of samples for measuring the content of heavy metals and radionuclides was carried out by separating crayfish tissues with subsequent homogenization and concentration (drying and incineration) of the collected material. The samples were dried at a temperature of +105°С to a constant weight, and then incinerated at a temperature of +450°С to obtain white ash. The content of radionuclides was determined on a gamma-beta spectrometer SE-BG-01 “AKP”. The content of heavy metals was determined on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer C115-M1 with a flame analyzer. Findings. Zn, Fe, and Cu were actively accumulated in the muscle tissue of crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs. This fact is explained by the intensive accumulation of elements in crayfish body that actively occurred in the course of physiological processes. Heavy metals such as Mn, Pb, Co were the most accumulated in crayfish carapace. The minimum content of heavy metals was found for Сd. It was found that Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd contents exceed the MACs in muscles of crayfish of the Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoir by 8, 6, 6.2 and 1.65 times, respectively. The norms for the content of heavy metals in the muscle tissue of river crayfish have not been established in Ukraine today, however, a comparison of the data we obtained with the norms for live fish shows a significant excess for almost all heavy metals examined. It was found that the level of radionuclide activity of in the muscle tissue of decapods of both investigated reservoirs was due to 40K, in the carapaces - 226Ra; 90Sr activity was minimal in muscles, and 226Ra activity in carapaces. Accumulation of studied radionuclides in crayfish did not exceed the MACs for crayfish as a food product. Originality. For the first time, the levels of accumulation of heavy metals and the activity of radionuclides in the muscle tissue and carapace of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs were determined. The content of toxic elements that are subject to control in food raw materials and food products according to the MACs in crayfish of the Kamianske and Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) reservoirs was determined. Practical value. The results of the work can be used during monitoring of the ecotoxicological and radioecological conditions of the aquatic environment. Also, the obtained results can be applied in the study of narrow-clawed crayfish of the Dnieper River basin. Keywords: heavy metals, radionuclides, accumulation coefficient, MAC, crayfish, Zaporizhzhia (Dnipro) Reservoir, Kamianske Reservoir.

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.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 among diarrheic patients and their cattle in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (STEC O157:H7) is a zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic uremic syndrome worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility, and associated risk factors of STEC O157:H7 among diarrheic patients and their cattle. A cross-sectional study was conducted among diarrheic patients and their cattle in Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia from December- 2020 to June- 2022. A total of 1,149 diarrheic patients and 229 cattle were included in the study. STEC O157:H7 detection was done using culture, latex agglutination test, and polymerase chain reaction on diarrheic stool samples and recto-anal mucosal swabs of cattle. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed using disk diffusion techniques. Risk factors association were identified using binary and multivariable logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of STEC O157:H7 in diarrheic patients and their cattle was 11.1% (128/1149) and 14.4% (33/229) respectively. High percentage of the study subjects were found in under-five children (34.5%). Age less than 5 (AOR: 4.02, 95%CI:1.608-10.058,P = 0.003), and greater than 64 years old (AOR:3.36, 95% CI:1.254-8.986, P = 0.016), presence of diarrheic patient in the house (AOR:2.11, 95%CI:1.309-3.390, P = 0.002), availability of cattle in the house (AOR:2.52, 95%CI:1.261-5.049, P = 0.009), and habit of consuming raw foods (AOR:4.35, 95%CI:2.645-7.148, P = 0.000) were risk factors. Antibiotic resistance was shown in 109(85.2%), and 31(93.9%) isolates from diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. The highest levels of antibiotic resistance were found to tetracycline (54.7%, 69.7%) in diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. Multiple drug resistance was also observed among 56(43.8%) and 11(33.3%) isolates in diarrheic patients and their cattle respectively. Our study showed high prevalence of STEC O157:H7 in diarrheic patients and their cattle. Therefore, health education should be given to the community on how to care for animals, proper sanitation, and the impact of raw food consumption.