Foods Of Plant Origin Research Articles

Effect of Chrysin, a Flavonoid Present in Food, on the Skeletal System in Rats with Experimental Type 1 Diabetes

Background: It seems that some substances of plant origin may exert health-promoting activities in diabetes and its complications, including those concerning bones. Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone), present in honey, some plants, and food of plant origin, has been reported to exert, among others, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of chrysin on the skeletal system of rats with experimental type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: The experiments were carried out on mature male Wistar rats. T1D was induced by a single streptozotocin injection. Administration of chrysin (50 or 100 mg/kg p.o., once daily) began two weeks later and lasted four weeks. Serum bone turnover markers, bone mass, density and mineralization, mechanical properties and histomorphometric parameters of cancellous and compact bone were examined. Results: T1D profoundly affected bone metabolism, leading to worsening of bone strength in comparison with the healthy controls. After administration of chrysin, slight improvement of only some parameters was demonstrated in relation to the diabetic controls. Conclusions: Results of the present study indicate that chrysin may exert some very limited favorable effects on the skeletal system in diabetic conditions.

Prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in tropical seafood from Mumbai, India: Comparative study of isolation media and PCR detection.

Cronobacter species are opportunistic emerging pathogens associated with diverse foods of plant and animal origin. Considering the diversity of the Cronobacter group of bacteria and their co-existence with closely related Enterobacterales in the aquatic environment, their isolation from fish and shellfish is a challenge. This study aimed to investigate the incidence of Cronobacter in finfish, shellfish, and dried fish, and to compare nine combinations of enrichment broth-selective isolation media for efficient isolation of Cronobacter spp. Seventy-five seafood samples collected from five different retail markets were subjected to multiple selective-enrichment methods to isolate Cronobacter, which were presumptively identified by biochemical tests followed by confirmation with genus- and species-specific PCRs. Of 75 seafood samples analyzed, 24 (32%) were positive for Cronobacter spp. The highest incidence was in dried fish (21 samples, 47.72%), followed by 19 (43.18%) fresh finfish and four (9.09%) shellfish samples. Forty-four isolates from these samples were identified as Cronobacter spp. by PCR. Species-specific PCR further categorized these as C. sakazakii (25), C. malonaticus (16) and C. turicensis (1), while two isolates remained unidentified at species level. Enrichment in Cronobacter screening broth or Rappaport Vassiliadis medium, followed by isolation on the chromogenic Cronobacter sakazakii agar was found to be the most effective combination for the isolation of Cronobacter spp. from seafood. Dried fish is an important reservoir of C. sakazakii owing to its desiccation tolerance and absence of competing microbiota in dried fish. Although C. sakazakii is the only known pathogen among Cronobacter spp., improved and specific methods to identify diverse members of this genus are needed.

Development and validation of a gas chromatography method for quantifying metham sodium in diverse plant origin foods

To ensure food safety and public health, it is essential to establish dependable methods for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of pesticide residues in plant origin foods. This study developed and optimized a gas chromatographic method using the QuEChERS approach for detecting metham sodium residues in 22 plant origin foods. The method was refined by adjusting inlet temperature and transformation conditions to effectively convert metham sodium into its primary metabolite, methyl isothiocyanate. Furthermore, parameters such as the extraction solvent type, volume, and purifying agent were systematically optimized. The method achieved a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg/kg, with a linear range from 0.025 to 1.0 mg/L and determination coefficients (R²) from 0.9892 to 0.9999. Recovery rates ranged from 82 % to 102 %, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) between 0.3 % and 6.8 %. Inter-laboratory validation, in accordance with EU SANTE guidelines, confirmed the method's accuracy and reliability. Validation results passed Cochrane's and Grubbs' tests, with repeatability RSDs between 0.70 % and 5.28 % and reproducibility RSDs from 3.62 % to 21.89 %. This method provides a reliable and effective approach for determining metham sodium residues, and addresses a critical gap in current analytical techniques, offering significant contributions to residue monitoring and food safety regulations.

Особливості харчування українців в умовах геноциду 1932–1933 рр. (на основі спогадів очевидців Голодомору)

Based on 155 accounts of the Holodomor witnesses (covering the whole USSR territory), the author comprehensively studied the peculiarities of the diet of Ukrainians in the conditions of the crime of genocide committed by the communist totalitarian regime in 1932 and 1933. The traditional diet of Ukrainians was before the 1930s was described. It is known that that since ancient times, Ukrainians were primarily involved in agriculture, as well as cattle breeding and gathering, which determined the traditional diet of the nation, whose daily ration consisted of food of plant and animal origin. From the products of plant origin, they cooked cereal and vegetable dishes (bread, halushky, zatirka, noodles, porridge, kulish, chur, solomakha, mamalyha, lemishka, borsch, yushka, soup, cabbage soup, potatoes, pancakes, hashbrowns, dumplings), and from the products of animal origin, they cooked meat, dairy and fish dishes (sausages, blood sausages, roast, saltyson, kholodets, dushenyna, kruchenyky, sichenyky, khliaka, riazhanka, butter, sour cream, cheese, etc.). The most important dish on the table of Ukrainians was and still is bread. It has been analyzed and proved that during the Holodomor genocide years, the destruction of traditional Ukrainian nutrition, along with customs and traditions related to it took place. The communist totalitarian regime, by taking away all edible supplies, doomed Ukrainians to hungry death. To survive, Ukrainians ate surrogates, plants (leaves, weeds, grass); small animals, insects, birds (hedgehogs, cats, dogs, gophers, sparrows, crows, pigeons, storks, frogs, mollusks, snails, dragonflies); cow’s milk (families that had a cow called it a feeder and a savior); vegetables, fruits, berries; rotten potatoes, beets (dug up in early spring); offal; human flesh (cases of corpse-eating and cannibalism were recorded). Consumption of such products caused the most severe stomach diseases and even fatal poisonings. People suffered from vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, weakness, inflammation, and unbearable pain. Epidemics and various diseases, often fatal ones (smallpox, dysentery, louse-borne typhus and typhoid fever, malaria, pellagra, glanders, dropsy) spread in Ukraine Due to hunger, Ukrainians developed mental disorders, their consciousness was clouded, their thinking, will, and memory were disturbed, and their behavior changed. Keywords: Holodomor, 1932–1933, genocide, non-traditional food, surrogates, moral and psychological effects.

Reducing the danger of phytopathogen toxins by using an organomineral composition

Relevance. Contamination by toxins of phytopathogens or mycotoxins of food and feed raw materials of plant origin poses a serious threat to the production of high-quality and safe agricultural products. Reducing the risks of contamination of plant raw materials with mycotoxins depends on the effective use of biological products to reduce the toxicity of mycotoxins.Methods. Experiments were carried out on primary rat liver cells. Primary liver cells were cultured in DMEM medium in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum at 37OC and 5% CO2. Zearalenone and T-2 toxin were dissolved in a mixture of DMSO and 96% alcohol in a ratio 1:1. Zearalenone T-2 toxin and protective compositions were mixed and aged together for 6 hours and after exposure added to a medium with a cellular monolayer. The concentration of bacterial-based compositions KMBI-3 and KMCI-3 was used for research in three variants: 0.4 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 4 mg/ml. After 24 hours of cultivation, the cell layer was evaluated using an inverted microscope according to the following parameters: percentage of surface coverage, cell shape, number of cell aggregates, number of floating cells.Results. A dose-dependent decrease in cell viability was revealed when exposed to zearalenone and T-2 toxin, the most toxic effect was observed at doses from 0.5 х 10-4 and 8.6 х 10-8 M and 2.14 х 10-7 M, respectively. When using the protective composition KMBI-3 at a dose of 4 mg/ml, the least negative effect of zearalenone and T-2 toxin on cell culture was observed. The use of compositions of organomineral origin KMBI-3 helps to increase cell viability when exposed to the toxins zearalenone and T-2 toxin, which indicates the activation of proliferative processes in comparison with the group without the use of drugs. The use of the biopreparation KMBI-3 reduces the pathogenic effect of zearalenone and T-2 toxin on cell culture, increases the resistance of liver cells to the effects of phytopathogen toxins.

Micro(nano)plastic and Related Chemicals: Emerging Contaminants in Environment, Food and Health Impacts

Microplastic pollution is a problem of increasing concern in food, and while food safety issues around the world are serious, an increasing number of food safety issues related to microplastics have become the focus of people’s attention. The presence of microplastics in food is a worldwide problem, and they are present in all kinds of foods, foods of both animal and plant origin, food additives, drinks, plastic food packaging, and agricultural practices. This can cause problems for both humans and the environment. Microplastics have already been detected in human blood, heart, placenta, and breastmilk, but their effects in humans are not well understood. Studies with mammals and human cells or organoids have given perspective about the potential impact of micro(nano)plastics on human health, which affect the lungs, kidneys, heart, neurological system, and DNA. Additionally, as plastics often contain additives or other substances, the potentially harmful effects of exposure to these substances must also be carefully studied before any conclusions can be drawn. The study of microplastics is very complex as there are many factors to account for, such as differences in particle sizes, constituents, shapes, additives, contaminants, concentrations, etc. This review summarizes the more recent research on the presence of microplastic and other plastic-related chemical pollutants in food and their potential impacts on human health.

Fishy forensics: FT-NIR and machine learning based authentication of Mediterranean anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus)

Seafood authentication and traceability is a challenging issue owing to its complex supply chain and fishing in international waters. NIR spectroscopy has been successfully used to authenticate food of animal and plant origin. In this study, FT-NIR was used to discriminate between Mediterranean anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus) fished from Adriatic, Balearic, and Tyrrhenian Sea. The spectra were prepared using the standard normal variate (SNV) and the Savitzky-Golay 1st derivative, 2nd order (SG), as well as both together. The model was built, after outlier removal, with linear-support vector machine (L-SVM), polynomial-SVM (P-SVM), k-nearest neighbor (k-NN) and Random Forest (RF). Spectral preprocessing improved model classification accuracy for all algorithms. The data could not be put into groups by linear algorithms like L-SVM and k-NN because the NIR spectra were not linear and had many columns. Non-linear algorithms, P-SVM and RF when coupled with SG+SNV, successfully produced models with maximum robustness. P-SVM and RF models had 100 % accuracy in training set and 95.7 % and 95.5 % accuracy in testing set, respectively and 95.2 and 95.1 accuracy in cross-validation set.

Seasonal Feeding Activity and Ontogenetic Dietary Shifts of the Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) in Lake Arekit, a Small, Eutrophic Lake in Ethiopia

ABSTRACTSeasonal feeding activity and ontogenetic dietary shifts of Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758) were examined using 209 fish samples from Lake Arekit, Ethiopia. Among the 209 specimens, 174 (83.3%) displayed a range of dietary items in their stomachs. The species’ feeding patterns were determined through numerical indexes (frequency of occurrence and volumetric contribution) and composite indexes (index of preponderance [IOP] and Geometric Index of Importance [GIIi]). Detritus emerged as the primary food source for C. carpio, followed by macrophytes, insects and zooplankton. A lesser amount of phytoplankton, nematodes and ostracods were also consumed. On the basis of the findings, C. carpio can be classified as a detri‐omnivore, as it consumes benthic species like nematodes, ostracods and insect larvae. Seasonal fluctuations in food item consumption were noted (p < 0.05), with higher intake during the rainy season and reduced consumption in the dry season. There was a distinct ontogenetic shift in the relative importance of food items and showed significant variations in food preferences among size groups (p < 0.05). The contributions of animal‐origin food categories (ostracods, zooplankton and insects) were important in the diet of the smaller size class, whereas food of plant origin (macrophytes) and detritus were more important in the diet of adults. Understanding the seasonal feeding patterns and ontogenetic dietary shifts of C. carpio in Lake Arekit provides crucial insights into their ecological role within the lake's ecosystem and highlights their adaptability to eutrophic conditions.

Vegan Diet: A Novel Trend in Healthy Living

Abstract: An entirely animal-free diet that prioritizes natural plant-origin foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, pulses, and lentils is known as a vegan diet. Lowering persistent diseases like type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and many others offers numerous positive health effects. Different aspects of how a vegan diet affects health are studied, and the dietary pattern is analyzed. Along with the trend of a vegan diet, many people have become aware of the importance of following a vegan diet, and many do this for health reasons or due to religious beliefs. A vegan diet has also been seen to positively affect aging. As vegan diet choices are growing, there are now more options for meat and non-dairy alternatives. Optimization for developing an alternative vegan food product is necessary to produce the most favorable product quality and achieve the best. This paper indicates the vegan diet as a whole and how the vegan diet can help treat chronic diseases. It also reviews vegan products for alternative use and their stance in the food industry.

EXAMINATION OF THE DYNAMICS OF ANALYZES PERFORMED FOR THE PRESENCE OF RADIONUCLEIDE RESIDUES IN FOOD IN THE PERIOD 2019-2023 IN THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA

The main focus of this research is to determine the extent of analyzes performed for the presence of radionuclides in food, their dynamics, which radionuclides are present in food, and how much their radioactivity was in the period 2019-2023. The research covers the period from January 01, 2019. until December 31, 2023. The data we used to conduct this research were obtained from the Public Health Institute of R. N. Macedonia. The tests were carried out with accredited methods and by the Regulation on the maximum allowed amounts of radionuclides in food, water, air, land, products, and raw materials of animal and plant origin and objects for general use. Relative numbers and trends are used as statistical methods of work. According to the results, in the period 2019-2023, radionuclides were analyzed in 6065 samples (2711 samples from imports, and 3354 samples from domestic production). The largest amount of radioactivity analyzes were performed in the group of mushrooms (51%) and the group of grain and flour (44%). The scope of analyzes performed for the presence of radionuclide residues in food in R.N. Macedonia shows a downward trend. In the analyzed products, no radioactivity above the limit values was detected (except in 2020 when only in 1 product from the mushroom group - dry morel) detected a value for Cs-137 = 662.8 Bq/kg, and the maximum allowed value is 600 Bq/kg ). It can be concluded from the study that food is safe in terms of the presence of radionuclide residues, but work should be done to increase the volume of analyzes performed for the presence of radionuclides in food, as well as to increase the coverage of different groups of products (fruit, vegetables, coffee, tea, etc.) in which such analyzes would be performed.

Optimized sizing of a pumping system using the Scilab software

Climate change represents, today, one of the greatest challenges regarding the availability of water resources for the cultivation of food and raw materials of plant origin that the world's population so badly needs. Sugarcane, due to its high added value to produce several products and whose accumulation of sucrose is mainly due to a perfect dosage of water, brought to light the need to obtain new irrigation strategies, thus aiming at a more sustainable, efficient and economical management of water consumption in this sector. As an alternative to this challenge, drip irrigation stood out, which allowed not only a more precise control of water dosage, but also essential nutrients for the development of sugarcane. Taking advantage of this, a sugar and alcohol plant in the interior of the state of São Paulo, whose identity will be preserved, made several investments to implement this system on its farms and one of these projects will be discussed in detail about the dimensioning of the entire piping network. which involves the pumping system, from water collection to discharge into a storage tank, responsible for supplying the dripping, using a pre-dimensioned pump and respecting the specifications defined by the client for this work. In addition, the free software Scilab was used to implement the piping and pumping sizing procedure, as an extra tool, in addition to development in Excel.

Dietary strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention

The present review aims to provide specific dietary guidelines based on scientific evidence to prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In general, a high daily consumption of foods of plant origin (whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts) is recommended compared to foods of animal origin, especially red and processed meats, moderate use of extra virgin olive oil as a culinary fat compared to other types of fats and oils, and low salt intake, especially from processed foods. Despite the scientific evidence and the nutritional education carried out in primary care, CVD continues to be the leading cause of death worldwide, which highlights the need to develop attractive and motivating approaches that enable the population to adhere definitively to healthy habits.

Importance of an Ongoing Nutritional Counselling Intervention on Eating Habits of Newly Diagnosed Children with Celiac Disease.

A strict lifelong gluten-free diet (GFD) is the current treatment for the management of celiac disease (CD). Several studies have demonstrated that without proper dietary assessment, this diet leads to nutritional deficiencies and/or imbalances. The present study aimed to improve the dietary habits of newly diagnosed children with CD through ongoing and face-to-face dietary counseling. Forty-three participants were followed during the first year after CD diagnosis. Dietary data were collected at diagnosis (Vt0), after 3 months on a GFD (Vt3), and after 1 year following a GFD (Vt12). Participants completed a 3-day 24-h food recall, a food frequency questionnaire, and the KIDMED index. After each data collection, participants received dietary assessment and nutritional education. Participants consumed more plant-origin foods after the intervention, with most of them reaching the daily recommendations. Fresh food intake increased and that of ultra-processed foods decreased. Compliance with the Mediterranean diet also improved. Personalized dietary assessment and ongoing follow-up improved the dietary patterns of children recently diagnosed with CD, highlighting the importance of dietitian involvement in the management of CD.

Secondary Bioactive Metabolites from Foods of Plant Origin as Theravention Agents against Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) such as Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's (PD) are on the rise, robbing people of their memories and independence. While risk factors such as age and genetics play an important role, exciting studies suggest that a diet rich in foods from plant origin may offer a line of defense. These kinds of foods, namely fruits and vegetables, are packed with a plethora of powerful bioactive secondary metabolites (SBMs), including terpenoids, polyphenols, glucosinolates, phytosterols and capsaicinoids, which exhibit a wide range of biological activities including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-Alzheimer's, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties, associated with preventive effects in the development of chronic diseases mediated by oxidative stress such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, respiratory diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and NDDs. This review explores the potential of SBMs as theravention agents (metabolites with therapeutic and preventive action) against NDDs. By understanding the science behind plant-based prevention, we may be able to develop new strategies to promote brain health and prevent the rise in NDDs. The proposed review stands out by emphasizing the integration of multiple SBMs in plant-based foods and their potential in preventing NDDs. Previous research has often focused on individual compounds or specific foods, but this review aims to present a comprehensive fingerprint of how a diet rich in various SBMs can synergistically contribute to brain health. The risk factors related to NDD development and the diagnostic process, in addition to some examples of food-related products and medicinal plants that significantly reduce the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), are highlighted.

Pesticide residues in food of plant origin commercialized in Brazil from 2010 to 2020 – An update from the two national monitoring programs

The objective of this study was to investigate the results of the two Brazilian national pesticide residue monitoring programs obtained from January 2010 to December 2020. A total of 35,321samples of 44 different food crops were analyzed, of which 55.3% tested positive for at least one compound, with pear, peach, strawberry and sweet pepper having over 90% of the analyzed samples containing residues. Approximately one-third of the positive samples had at least one irregularity, of which 86.7% due to the presence of non-authorized pesticides for the crop, 26.3% exceeding the maximum residue level, and 13.1% showing both irregularities. A total of 191 different compounds were detected, primarily organophosphorus (OP) (37.4% of positive samples, of which over 60% of cereal/flour, potatoes, and peanuts). Chlorpyrifos, acephate, pirimiphos-methyl, and methamidophos were the main OPs detected. Triazoles were present in 27.2% of the positive samples, mainly rice, and pyrethroids in 22.4% of the positive samples, mainly in popcorn. Dithiocarbamates were present in 19.7% of the positive samples, predominantly in apples, and 5.0% of the positive samples contained N-methyl carbamates, mainly in sweet peppers. Carbendazim was the most detected pesticide (30% of positive samples), mainly in papaya (18.2% of samples containing this pesticide). About 60% of positive samples contained multiple residues, primarily in sweet pepper, pear, strawberry, and orange (over 80% of positive samples). Compared to the previous decade (2001–2010), these results indicated increased percentages of positive, irregular and of samples containing multiple residues. Dithiocarbamates were no longer the most detected pesticide group, while carbendazim remained the most detected pesticide in both periods.

Analysis of highly polar anionic pesticides in food of plant and animal origin by ion chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry with emphasis on addressing adverse effects caused by matrix co-extractives

Residues of various highly polar pesticides and their metabolites are commonly found in numerous food products. Some of these compounds, such as glyphosate, are not only used in large amounts in agriculture, but are also controversially discussed in public. Here, we present a method, employing ion chromatography (IC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (IC-MS/MS), for the analyses of glyphosate, aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA), N-acetyl-glyphosate (NAGly), fosetyl, and 10 further highly polar pesticides and metabolites in various plant and animal matrices following a minimal sample preparation by means of the QuPPe method. Thorough investigations showed that an AS19 column enabled the analysis of all 14 compounds within 30 min. The best sensitivity could be obtained with the make-up solvent acetonitrile being admixed to the mobile phase at a 1:2 flow rate ratio. Matrix effects were thoroughly studied in terms of ion suppression and retention time shifts. Conductivity detection was used to monitor elution profiles of matrix co-extractives in comparison with matrix effect profiles obtained by continuous post-column infusion of a mix with 13 highly polar pesticides and metabolites. These tests indicated that a fivefold dilution of QuPPe extracts was suitable for the routine analysis of samples for MRL-conformity, as it considerably reduced matrix effects maintaining sufficient sensitivity and high recovery rates in eight different commodities. The suitability of the final method for its application in routine analysis was verified by the analysis of >130 samples containing incurred residues where the results were compared with two existing LC-MS/MS methods.Graphical

A comprehensive approach to the monitoring of steroidal glycoalkaloids in foods of plant origin

Steroidal glycoalkaloids (GAs) are toxins produced by solanaceous plants. As there are no fully standardized methods for their extraction and determination in food, the research aimed to: (1) develop and critically compare methods based on gas (GC) and liquid (LC) chromatography, including their coupling with mass spectrometry, and (2) to develop and optimize a universal GA extraction method. Hyphenated techniques proved to be the most useful in GA analysis: LC-MS was the most sensitive one, while GC–MS offered the highest chromatographic resolution. It was proven that quantitative results obtained using different analytical techniques cannot be directly compared. New extraction method that is more efficient than the AOAC method (997.13) was then designed and optimized. It was characterized by higher absolute recovery (99% and 34%, respectively) and allowed to extract much more GAs from the same material (e.g. 21.2 ± 1.4 and 11.82 ± 0.97 mg g−1 of potato tubers, respectively).

Implications of food ultra-processing on cardiovascular risk considering plant origin foods: an analysis of the UK Biobank cohort

Comprehensive research evidence is lacking on the role of ultra-processed foods (UPF) in the relationship between the consumption of plant-sourced foods and their impact on cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes. This study aims to assess CVD risk associated with the dietary contribution of food groups that consider both plant or animal origin and food processing categories, within a large cohort of British adults. Data from the UK Biobank participants (40-69y) who completed at least two 24-h dietary recalls between 2009 and 2012 (n=126,842; median follow-up: 9y), with subsequent data linkage to hospital and mortality records, were used. Food groups were classified as either plant-sourced or non-plant/animal-sourced foods. These groups were further divided into non-UPF and UPF, and expressed as a percentage of total energy intake. Every 10 percentage points increase in plant-sourced non-UPF consumption was associated with a 7% lower risk of CVD (95% CI 0.91-0.95) and a 13% lower risk of CVD mortality (0.80-0.94). Conversely, plant-sourced UPF consumption was associated with a 5% increased risk (1.03-1.07) and a 12% higher mortality (1.05-1.20). The contribution of all UPF was linked to higher CVD risk and mortality, and no evidence for an association between contribution of all plant-sourced foods and CVD incidence and mortality was observed. The dietary contribution of plant-sourced non-UPF inversely linked to CVD risk, while plant-sourced UPF contribution showed a positive association. Recognizing the role of food processing is crucial for favourable CVD outcomes, even in plant-sourced diets. World Cancer Research Fund.

A sensitive method for the determination of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in food and food contact material using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

Dietary intake is the major pathway of human exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Due to their generally very low concentrations in food, especially for foods of plant origin, and their toxicological relevance, demand is growing for improved selective and sensitive analytical methods for the determination of PFAS in the lower ng/kg range. The relevance is pointed out due to the fact that the European Commission has published limits of quantification (LOQs) in the lower ng/kg range for different food matrices in Recommendation (EU) 2022/1431 on the monitoring of perfluoroalkyl substances in food. For example, LOQs of 2 ng/kg for perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 1 ng/kg for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), 1 ng/kg for perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and 4 ng/kg for perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) in fruit, vegetables and baby foods are required. A new, very sensitive method is presented here for the determination of 22 PFAS in food and food contact materials. The method is based on liquid-solid extraction and automated clean-up using two solid phase extraction techniques. The analytes are separated and detected by HPLC-MS/MS. A limit of detection (LOD) of 0.33 ng/kg and an LOQ of 1.0 ng/kg are attained for plant foods such as fruits and vegetables as well as for milk and baby food. For foods of animal origin such as egg, meat, fish and paper-based food contact materials an LOD of 1.6 ng/kg as well as an LOQ of 5.0 ng/kg are attained. PFOS and PFOA were the most abundant compounds in the food samples with concentration as high as 1,051 ng/kg of PFOA in sea weed samples and 772 ng/kg of PFOS in eggs samples. In food contact material samples, higher levels were found with a maximum of 310,000 ng/kg PFHxA. In sum the presented method firstly allows determination of PFAS in a wide variety of foodstuffs and paper-based food contact materials at EU-required concentration ranges.

Food literacy in Venezuelan adolescents: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Food literacy reflects personal behaviours around healthy eating and is an important skill for individuals to make healthy dietary choices. The present cross-sectional study investigated food literacy and the ability to identify n = 43 foods of plant origin in n = 1322 Venezuelan adolescents aged 15–17 years in the city of Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. With only n = 14 correctly identified plant food items (median; IQR: 12), the performance in this sample was alarmingly poor, suggesting that food literacy in Venezuelan adolescents warrants urgent public health attention. Substantial and significant sex-specific differences were found, with an even worse performance in male adolescents. The lacking ability to correctly identify foods of plant origin has national public health implications, and constitutes an important obstacle for national strategies and dietary guidelines, which aim at improving nutrient intake in this particularly vulnerable population group.