Maximum Residue Limits Research Articles

Blueberry Pruning Wastes: From an Undervalued Agricultural Residue to a Safe and Valuable Source of Antioxidant Compounds for the Food Industry.

Blueberry fruits have been widely explored for their rich composition of bioactive compounds with recognized health benefits. In contrast, blueberry pruning waste (BPW), generated during the pruning stages of blueberries, has been typically overlooked, even though it can represent a potential source of natural antioxidants. This study aims to characterize the value-added compounds extracted from BPW using green techniques, namely microwave-assisted and subcritical water extraction. The total phenolic content ranged from 157 ± 5 to 335 ± 12 mg GAE/g dw, while the radical scavenging activity determined by a DPPH assay varied from 223 ± 21 to 453 ± 21 mg Trolox equivalents/g dw. Additionally, to ensure the safe application of BPW and its extracts, a screening of pesticides and several environmental contaminants was conducted. Chlorpyrifos-methyl was quantified at a concentration of 4.27 µg/kg in a Bluecrop variety collected in 2019; however, none of the studied compounds were found in the extracts. Despite the presence of a pesticide, this level was below the maximum residue limits for blueberry crops. The results of this study demonstrated the potential of this agro-industrial residue as a natural source of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant activity for food industry applications.

Monitoring of Animal Feed Contamination by Mycotoxins: Results of Five Years of Official Control by an Accredited Italian Laboratory.

Mycotoxin contamination of animal feed is a complex issue in both animal wellness and food safety. The most diffused mycotoxins subject to the official control of animal feed are Aflatoxin B1 (AF), Zearalenone (ZEA), Deoxynivalenol (DON), Ochratoxin A (OCRA), Fumonisins (FUMO), and T-2/HT-2 toxins. This work describes the results of five years of monitoring focused on the evaluation of mycotoxin contamination of animal feed. Analytical determinations were carried out by means of accredited ELISA. The obtained results showed a non-alarming scenario, with several samples resulting as "non-compliant" according to the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) set in European Regulation No. 574/2011. Out of 722 analyzed samples coming from 2 Italian regions, Apulia and Basilicata, 14 samples were characterized by mycotoxin concentrations higher than related MRL; in particular, 5, 4, and 5 non-compliant samples for DON, AF, and ZEA, respectively. This study also evaluated the possible correlations between mycotoxin type and feed use with a special focus on animal sensitivity to mycotoxins.

Residue estimation and dietary risk assessment of fenvalerate, novaluron, and profenofos in bell pepper grown under protected and open field conditions.

Residue studies were conducted in bell pepper crops (green and yellow bell pepper) to ensure the safe use of fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron (under open field and protected conditions) in randomized block design (RBD) following three applications at a 10-day interval over two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. A robust analytical method was developed using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the determination of pesticide residues in bell pepper samples. The half-lives for fenvalerate were 2.47-2.87 and 2.50-3.03days on bell pepper under open field conditions, whereas the corresponding values for bell pepper under protected conditions were 3.84-4.58 and 4.17-4.71days, during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Profenofos displayed half-lives of 2.03-2.65 and 2.15-2.77days in open field conditions and 3.05-3.89 and 3.16-3.78days in protected conditions during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Similarly, novaluron had half-lives of 2.87-3.49 and 3.24-3.75days under protected conditions in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) were calculated to be 0.6mg/kg for fenvalerate, while for profenofos it was 0.7mg/kg on bell pepper under open field conditions at double doses, at the proposed pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 3days. Likewise, for bell peppers grown under protected conditions, MRLs at the PHI of 3days were determined to be 0.8mg/kg for fenvalerate, 0.3mg/kg for novaluron, and 1.5mg/kg for profenofos. A dietary risk assessment study indicated that the percentage of acute hazard index (% aHI) was significantly lower than 100, and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1, signifying no acute or chronic risk to consumers. These findings underscore the safety of consuming bell peppers treated with fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron under the protected and open field conditions.

Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Antidiabetic Herbal Preparations: A Safety Screening.

The present study evaluates the human health risk of metals in locally consumed herbal preparations used to treat diabetes. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) was used after microwave-assisted digestion to mineralize the samples. Toxic metal assessment was done by adopting mathematical modeling for carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic risks in the exposed population and comparing the raw results with maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by regulatory authorities. Hazard quotient (HQ) values for Fe, Hg, Cu, Pb, and Zn were recorded above 1. Noncarcinogenic health risks remain in 29% of samples for Fe, 67% of samples for Hg, 17% of samples for Cu, 33% of samples for Pb, and 4% of samples for Zn. Hazard index (HI) values in 33% of samples were above 1. Carcinogenic risks for Pb, Cr, Cd, and Ni were higher than the acceptable limit (1 × 10-6). Carcinogenic health risks exist in 54% of samples for Pb, 58% of samples for Cr, 46% of samples for Cd, and 58% of samples for Ni. MRLs for metals were crossed in samples in varying degrees. This is a harrowing account and may put public health safety at risk. Considering these facts, there should be more investigation into toxic metals in other frequently marketed herbal drugs in the antidiabetic and other therapeutic classes. Pre- and postmarket monitoring strategies for the preparations should also be in place to ensure safe consumption.

Silver-nanoparticle-coated Fe3O4/chitosan core–shell microspheres for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of thiram using surface magnetic solid-phase extraction–surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SMSPE-SERS)

We report a surface magnetic solid-phase extraction–surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SMSPE-SERS) method based on silver-nanoparticle-coated Fe3O4/chitosan (Fe3O4/CS@Ag) microspheres as the substrate, and this method integrates all steps from sample pretreatment to detection. Fe3O4/CS was synthesized by a one-step solvothermal method in which chitosan (CS) was used as a surface modifier and adsorbent. Fe3O4/CS@Ag microspheres exhibit both adsorption ability and SERS activity. Therefore, we used the SMSPE-SERS method to detect pesticide residues on fruit peel. The procedures of capturing, separating and enriching pesticides, as well as detection, are all integrated. In addition, the SERS substrate allows label-free detection of thiram pesticide in both fruit peel and apple juice. Owing to the uniform distribution of Ag NPs and the adsorption ability of CS, the thiram-detection sensitivity was sufficiently high to detect the lowest concentration of 1.2 ng/cm2, which was significantly lower than the maximum thiram residue limit (7 μg/cm2) in fruits. The method was comparable to high-performance liquid chromatography with recovery ranging from 86.60 to 109.69 %.

Method Validation and Measurement Uncertainty Estimation for Determination of Multiclass Pesticide Residues in Tomato by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Method validation is an essential technique for ensuring the reliability and accuracy of an analytical method. This study aimed to optimize and validate a fast, reliable, and accurate method for quantitatively determining pesticide residues of diverse chemical classes in the tomato matrix. Various method performance characteristics were tested and compared with predefined criteria. Twenty-six different pesticides of diverse chemical classes were selected based on their use in tomato cultivation and the availability of reference materials. The pesticide residues in tomato samples were extracted with the QuEChERS technique with some modifications, followed by injection into an LC-MS/MS system operating in an optimized method. The validated method demonstrated reasonable specificity, as there were no interferences from matrix components at the retention times of pesticides. The calibration curves for all pesticides exhibited excellent linearities, with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.99. No significant matrix effect was observed for all pesticides in tomatoes, as the values fell within the range of ±20%. All pesticides were quantified successfully at a concentration of 5 μg/kg except for carbaryl, with an average recovery of more than 70% and a relative standard deviation of less than 20%. Similarly, measurement uncertainties were also estimated based on the validation data, and the values were found below the default limit of 50%. Subsequently, the validated method was applied to analyze 52 locally collected tomato samples. Study findings revealed that only four of the studied pesticides were detected in these samples, and their concentrations were below the maximum residue limits (500 µg/kg each for carbendazim, imidacloprid, and metalaxyl) established for tomatoes by the Government of Nepal and the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

IPM Strategy to Control EFB in Apis mellifera: Oxytetracycline Treatment Combined with Partial Shook Swarm and Queen Caging.

We tested an integrated pest management (IPM) strategy to control European foulbrood (EFB) in honey bees. Colonies affected by EFB were assigned to two homogenous groups: an oxytetracycline-treated group (1.5 g OTC/hive) that underwent partial shook swarm (PSS) in combination with queen caging (QC) and an untreated group where only two beekeeping techniques, PSS and QC, were applied. The consumption of sucrose solution, the strength of the colonies, side effects of the mentioned techniques, clinical as well as subclinical relapses of EFB, and the amount of OTC residues in the honey were assessed over a 7-month-long monitoring period. Regarding the consumption of the sucrose solution, there was no significant difference between the OTC-treated and untreated groups. The strength of the untreated colonies was consistently but not significantly higher than those treated with OTC. PSS combined with QC resulted in various side effects in both groups: queen loss (52%), absconding (8%), and drone-laying queen (4%). Untreated colonies (16.7%) showed clinical EFB relapses 4 months after the application of PSS along with QC, while 15.4% of the OTC-treated colonies were confirmed EFB-positive by PCR. OTC residues were detected in the honey yielded in the cases of both groups. Two months after the PSS, the amount of OTC residues in the untreated group was 0.6 ± 0.2 µg/kg, while that in the OTC-treated group amounted to 5.8 ± 11.6 µg/kg; both results are below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 100 ppb considered in the EU for cascade use.

MXene/Gold nanoparticles heterostructure as catalase mimic for colorimetric detection of penicillin G

Penicillin G (PenG) is a common antibiotic used to fight bacterial infections in livestock. Its excessive use leads to animal products tainted with antibiotic residues. Consumption of foods contaminated with antibiotics can cause their accumulation in our bodies and pose threats to our health. We developed a colorimetric assay to detect the presence of PenG in real matrices using a hierarchical nanostructure material composed of layered titanium carbide MXene nanosheets (Ti3C2Tx) decorated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The AuNPs were directly grown on the MXene nanosheets via a facile method, which significantly enhanced the catalase-like enzyme activity of MXene. The Ti3C2Tx/AuNPs nanocomposite catalyzed the enzymatic substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to its oxidized form in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, and the reaction products turned the sample solution greenish blue. However, this color-change reaction does not occur when PenG is present in the solution. Our assay performed well with a limit of detection (LOD) of 7.51 nM, which is below the established maximum residue limits for raw milk. We hypothesized and experimentally verified that superoxide anions (O2•-) generated play a critical role in the catalysis of PenG. Our results may help develop a simple and inexpensive colorimetric sensor for the routine detection of PenG in food samples.

Automated, cryogen-free headspace-trap with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol as residual fumigants in foods

Ethylene oxide (EtO), although banned for use, is still being detected in foodstuffs that have been fumigated to eradicate pests during storage and transport. Residual levels over the European Union’s (EU) maximum residue limit (MRL) pose severe health concerns. Recent detection of EtO and its by-product 2-chloroethanol (2-CE) at alarming levels have led to product recalls throughout the EU. Here, a simple, automated headspace (HS)-trap method for the simultaneous determination of EtO and its derivative 2-CE by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) at the required MRL of ≤ 0.05 mg/kg has been implemented. Syringe-based HS combined with backflushed trapping technology provided enrichment of multiple extractions from the same sample vial (known as multi-step enrichment or MSE®) to increase sensitivity for EtO and 2-CE analysis by GC-MS using single-ion-monitoring (SIM) mode. Method detection limits (MDLs) of 0.00059 mg/kg and 0.00219 mg/kg for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, were obtained without the need for manual handling, solvent extraction or derivatization methods. Recoveries were shown to average (n = 5) at 98% and 107% for EtO and 2-CE, respectively, and the reproducibility was <10% for both compounds.

Development of a QuEChERS-HPLC-FLD Procedure for the Simultaneous Detection of Residues of Florfenicol, Its Metabolite Florfenicol Amine, and Three Fluoroquinolones in Eggs.

A method utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) has been developed and refined for the simultaneous detection of florfenicol (FF) and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFA) along with three fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENR), and sarafloxacin (SAR)) residues in different parts of eggs (whole egg, egg yolk, and egg albumen). The QuEChERS ("Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe") procedure utilized 0.1 M disodium EDTA solution, water, and acetonitrile as extractants; sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, and trisodium citrate as dehydrating salts; and N-propylethylenediamine and C18 as adsorbents. A dual-channel FLD method was utilized to analyze the target compounds using an XBridge BEH C18 chromatographic column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm). The mobile phase was employed isocratically using a solution of 0.01 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.005 M sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 0.1% triethylamine (pH 4.8) in combination with acetonitrile at a ratio of 65:35 (V/V). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the analytes ranged from 0.03 to 1.5 µg/kg and from 0.1 to 5.0 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of the analytes in the blank egg samples ranged from 71.9% to 94.8% when reference standard concentrations of the LOQ, half of the maximum residual limit (MRL), MRL, and twice the MRL were added. The parameters of the presented protocol were validated and subsequently applied to the analysis of real samples, demonstrating the applicability and reliability of the method.

Trace metals in commercial seafood products (canned, pickled and smoked): Comparison, exposure and health risk assessment

This study used inductively coupled plasma and mass spectrometry, followed by microwave digestion, to assess the concentration of six trace metals (Cr, Ni, As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in three canned products (tuna in oil [TIO], sardine in oil [SIO], and mackerel in oil [MIO]), two pickled products (prawn pickle [PP] and fish pickle [FP]), and one smoked product (masmin) collected from Tuticorin market, southern India. Trace metal (TM) levels in canned, pickled, and smoked fish varied from 0.01 to 1.48, 0.009 to 0.94, and 0.08 to 4.13 mg/kg, respectively. The concentration of TMs in the seafood was observed in the following order: As > Cr > Pb > Ni > Cd > Hg. Regarding their accumulation in the seafood products, masmin showed the highest levels followed by SIO, MIO, TIO, FP, and PP. The results revealed that smoked products showed higher TM concentrations, followed by canned and pickled products. The level of TMs in seafood products was below the maximum residue limit set by the European Commission (EC/1881/2006) and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). Risk assessment for consumer health implied that the evaluated target hazard quotient (THQ < 1), hazard index (HI < 1), and target cancer risk (TCR < 1.E−04) values did not exceed their guideline values and did not cause non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health impacts through seafood product consumption. The pollution index (Pi) values of TMs in seafood products ranged from 0.01 to 0.7, with As and Cd showing the lowest and highest values, which were below 0.7, indicating their safety for consumption. The metal pollution index (MPI) for TMs in seafood ranged from 9.E−05 to 0.007, with the lowest and highest values associated with PP and TIO products. The MPI value for seafood products was below 1, signifying low TMs accumulation, suggesting the safety of seafood for consumption. The maximum seafood meal consumption limit (CRmm) was calculated, showing that adults can safely consume > 16 meals/month without chronic or acute toxicity. The results of this study suggest that the accumulation of TMs in the analyzed seafood product was below the health guidelines and pollution index values, making it suitable for smooth domestic and international export as well as safe consumption.

Analysis of Food Safety Import Notifications and Relevant Standards and Regulations for Aquaculture Products With a Focus on Antimicrobial Residues and Use

The use of antimicrobials is essential for the aquaculture sector; however, their misuse is cause for concern because it could adversely affect the environment and human health. Irresponsible use of antimicrobials can lead to antimicrobial resistance and result in the presence of unwanted residues in aquaculture products. The establishment of maximum residue limits (MRLs) for antimicrobials is of great importance for monitoring their correct use, but the lack of harmonized standards as well as the regulatory gaps for the aquatic products create a challenging situation, as it is reflected in import notifications related to food safety. This paper collects information about current MRLs for antimicrobials in aquatic commodities in the main importing and exporting countries of aquatic products and compares them with each other and with MRLs set by Codex Alimentarius. This analysis highlighted the need for Codex Alimentarius guidance regarding MRLs for nine antimicrobials in aquaculture products (chlortetracycline, doxycycline, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, florfenicol, sulfadimethoxine + ormetoprim, sulfamerazine, tetracycline, and trimethoprim). This paper shows that there is still work to do to implement exhaustive science‐based international standards for residues permitted in aquatic commodities and promote harmonization.

SURVEY OF TETRACYCLINES RESIDUES IN BRAZILIAN SWINE MUSCLE

The use of antibiotics is still intensive in animal production. Among the most used veterinary products in pig farming, tetracyclines can be highlighted. When used in excess, these substances can leave residues in food, which depending on the concentration pose a risk on consumers. Brazil, as one of the world’s largest producer and exporter of animal protein, must be attentive to the laws and ensure that their meat products are safe for human health. So, the concentration of veterinary residues eventually detected must be below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) stipulated by the regulatory agencies. To contribute with subsidies for decision making in pork safety to the annual monitoring program, performed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, this study aimed to evaluate the residues of tetracyclines in swine muscle from the federal inspection system, by validated and officially accepted analytical methodology (HPLC-UV). Any suspect results obtained from the HPLC-UV analysis can be confirmed immediately by injecting the samples onto a LC-MS/MS system. The results showed that all evaluated samples had concentrations of tetracycline residues below the MRL, and therefore, can be considered safe for human consumption.

Basic Principles for Setting MRLs for Pesticides in Food Commodities in Japan.

The Committee on Pesticides and Veterinary Drugs of the Food Sanitation Council under the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council set the maximum residue limits (MRLs) for residual pesticides, veterinary drugs, and feed additives in food commodities according to the basic principles for establishing MRLs for pesticides in food commodities in Japan. The basic principles consist of the following seven concepts: 1. Outline of setting Japanese MRLs for pesticide residue in food commodities; 2. Preparation of draft MRLs for pesticides in livestock commodities; 3. Preparation of draft MRLs for pesticides in fish and shellfish; 4. Technical guideline for setting MRLs for pesticides, etc., in honey; 5. Methods of setting standards for chemical substances used as pesticides in the past that are now detected as contaminants; 6. Concept of setting MRLs for pesticides at an extremely low level; and 7. Commodity groups and representative commodities regarding MRLs based on international harmonization. The present paper introduces and explains the basic principles for establishing MRLs for pesticides, veterinary drugs, and feed additives in food commodities.

Effect of Mulching Manures and Use of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora on Strawberry Fruit Yield Temnorhynchus baal and Meloidogyne javanica Under Field Conditions

Abd-Elgawad, M.M.M., L.W. Duncan, M.M.A. Hammam, F. El-Borai and I.E. Shehata. 2024. Effect of Mulching Manures and Use of Heterorhabditis Bacteriophora on Strawberry Fruit Yield Temnorhynchus baal and Meloidogyne javanica Under Field Conditions. Arab Journal of Plant Protection, 42(3): 306-317. https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001262 The importance of safe methods to manage strawberry pests has become more evident with increasing strawberry production and export in Egypt. Root damage by white grubs (Temnorhynchus baal larvae) and root-knot nematode (RKN), Meloidogyne javanica cause severe losses to strawberry fruit yield. Growers often rely on a few selective chemical pesticides to control these pests and to minimize pesticide residues in order to comply with maximum residue limits allowed for fruit export. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) that invade and kill grubs and reduce RKN population levels in the soil may be as effective as these insecticides in some cases. We evaluated the profitability of mulching strawberry with commonly used cow and/or chicken manure, with and without application of commercial Heterorhabditis bacteriophora in two farms for four consecutive years. All plots received chemical fertilizers. The designed drip irrigation system for EPN delivery in the farms insured efficient and even (P &lt; 0.05) application of EPN in all treatments. Timing of EPN application varied due to import regulatory guidelines. All manure mulch treatments increased strawberry yield each year at a farm in Al-Qalyubia governorate, whereas yield remarkably increased in the fourth season at the farm in El-Beheira governorate. Compared to EPN-treated plots, 70% more (P = 0.06) insects were recovered in soil beneath dead plants in plots that did not receive EPNs. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora boosted fruit yield (P &lt; 0.05) in the second and fourth years at El-Beheira and in all years at Al-Qalyubia. It reduced (P &lt; 0.05) numbers of Meloidogyne javanica galls/egg masses on strawberry roots and juveniles in the soil in both farms. Mulches had no measurable effect on EPN performance, but suppressed pests and boosted plant productivity. The greatest yield enhancement by EPN occurred in the second year at El-Beheira farm when EPNs were applied shortly after planting (October), enabling early season control of the pests, but in the third year at Al-Qalyubia farm where the weather was generally warmer than that at El-Beheira, and therefore more suitable for EPN activity. Keywords: Strawberry yield, entomopathogenic nematodes, Meloidogyne, mulching, Egypt.

Application of the QuEChERS method combined with UHPLC-QqQ-MS/MS for the determination of isoprocarb and carbaryl pesticides in Indonesian coffee.

The performance of the QuEChERS method in this study, as indicated by a high percentage (>90%) of recovery observations falling within the range of 60-140% and a sample replicate deviation (% RSD) of <20%, for the routine analysis of isoprocarb and carbaryl pesticides, has been evaluated over a 14-month period for the export of Indonesian coffee. Following a seven-day observation of the stability of these pesticides in coffee extract, it was found that the added standard calibration solution remained stable and useable for seven days when stored at 4 °C and -20 °C. This validated method, with high sensitivity (a LOQ of 0.001 mg kg-1 for isoprocarb and carbaryl), has been employed to monitor residues in Indonesian coffee exports to comply with maximum residue limits (MRLs). The samples with higher contamination levels were predominantly from robusta coffee (57.76%), followed by arabica coffee (6.17%). The detection rates for residues decreased by more than 90% in the last two months of the method's application. In the observation of coffee processing, it was found that isoprocarb residues in contaminated samples could be transferred to the processed coffee (roasted and its infusion) to a limited extent, while residues from the carcinogenic carbaryl were not detected due to evaporation. Additionally, chronic dietary risk assessment showed that contaminated samples of robusta and arabica coffees should not be considered a significant public health concern (hazard index HI < 1). However, continuous monitoring of pesticide residues in Indonesian coffee is still recommended, not only to conform to the MRLs of importing countries but also to ensure food trade.

Investigating drug residues in Mongolian milk using a newly developed method with high performance liquid chromatography and a photo diode array.

Despite the beneficial impacts of using drugs in animal husbandry, the risks of drug residues in animal products are a concern worldwide. Therefore, most countries have developed systems and methods to detect and monitor drug residues in animal products using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with mass spectrometry (MS). However, MS detectors are not available in all universities; thus, we developed a new method suitable for ultraviolet detection. We first validated a new method targeting tetracycline and albendazole in milk and evaluated these drug residues in 50 samples collected from farms and supermarkets in Mongolia. The practical limit of quantification (PQL) calculated in our newly developed method was suitable to detect the maximum residual limits defined in Codex Alimentarius, and the accuracy and precision of a new method were comparable to previous studies. In particular, inter-day analysis showed great precision, with albendazole showing a 99% recovery rate with ± 3.3 of relative standard deviation (RSD). In addition, we evaluated our drugs contamination, but targeted drugs residues were not detected in the current sample set. However, this may reflect the decreased use of tetracycline in the veterinary field and seasonal use of albendazole in Mongolia. Therefore, these drugs must be continuously monitored. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about drug residues in milk published in an international journal by a Mongolian domestic institution. Further investigations of drug residue in Mongolia are urgently needed.

Detection of toxic cypermethrin pesticides in drinking water by simple graphitic electrode modified with Kraft lignin@Ni@g-C3N4 nano-composite.

The detrimental effects of widespread pesticide application on the health of living organisms highlight the urgent need for technological advancements in monitoring pesticide residues at trace levels. This study involves the synthesis of a distinctive sensing material, KL@Ni@g-C3N4, which comprises nanocomposites of graphitic carbon nitride with Kraft lignin and nickel. The prepared samples were characterized using FT-IR, PXRD, TEM, SEM, and EDX techniques. The KL@Ni@g-C3N4 nanocomposite was drop-cast on a graphite electrode. Subsequently, this fabricated electrode was used to detect cypermethrin (CYP) residues in drinking water. The redox properties of the fabricated sensors were evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The limit of detection (LOD) of the fabricated sensor was determined to be 0.026 μg mL-1, which is below the maximum residual limits of CYP in the environment (0.5 μg mL-1) and within the acceptable range for food products (∼0.05 to 0.2 μg mL-1). Therefore, this study proposes a promising alternative to conventional methods for detecting pesticides in drinking water.

Simultaneous determination of 78 pesticide residues and 16 mycotoxins in tsampa by an improved QuEChERS method coupled with ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Tsampa may contain pesticide residues and mycotoxins, which may pose a risk to human health. Currently, pesticide detection and mycotoxin detection are two independent experiments. To improve the efficiency of the analysis, a method based on QuEChERS combined with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of 78 pesticides and 16 mycotoxins in tsampa was developed. All the target compounds showed good linear correlation with correlation coefficients (R2) greater than 0.9990. The limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.10-3.00 μg kg-1 and 0.40-10.00 μg kg-1, respectively. The average recoveries of the pesticides and mycotoxins spiked at the 1, 2, and 10-fold LOQ were in the range of 73.0-115.2%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) were lower than 11.7%. This method was applied to 19 batches of real samples in which 32% of samples exceeded the maximum residue limits of the European Union involving aflatoxin G2, ochratoxin A, and hexaconazole. It proved to be excellent, efficient, greatly simplified, and highly applicable, which could reduce the workload and time significantly for the daily monitoring of the pesticides and mycotoxins in tsampa.

Investigation of Oxytetracycline and Enrofloxacin Residue in Beef Collected from Hatay Province

Aim to study: This study purposed to investigate the residues of oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin in beef samples collected from different districts of Hatay province. &#x0D; Material and methods: Fifty beef samples, each weighing 100 grams, were randomly acquired from butchers and markets. High-performance liquid chromatography was utilized for sample analysis.&#x0D; Results: The maximum residue limits for red meat in the European Union and the Turkish Food Codex is 100 μg/kg for enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and oxytetracycline, while according to the Food and Agriculture Organization it is 200 μg/kg. Residues of oxytetracycline, enrofloxacin, and its metabolite ciprofloxacin were found below the maximum residue limits determined by the Turkish Food Codex and Food and Agriculture Organization in 5 (10%) out of 50 beef samples. In 90% of the samples, no residues of enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and ciprofloxacin were detected. However, enrofloxacin residues were found in 2 muscle samples (4%) at concentration of 47 and 57 µg/kg, and ciprofloxacin residues of 60 µg/kg. Additionally, oxytetracycline residues were detected in 2 samples (4%) at concentrations of 88 and 95 μg/kg.&#x0D; Conclusion: It was observed that oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin are used in fattening in Hatay province and pre-slaughter waiting periods are adhered to.