Production Of Foodstuffs Research Articles

Mycotoxicological tests from the aspect of the HACCP system and legislation

Mycotoxins, as secondary metabolic products of molds, are common contaminants of raw feed materials and compound feeds. Depending on the agro-meteorological and storage conditions, molds can contaminate grains and produce mycotoxins in the field, before and after harvest and during storage. Way of preventing animal mycotoxicoses and transfer of mycotoxins to humans through food chain is regular inspection on mycotoxicological feed safety. This paper presents the results of examination of aflatoxin, ochratoxin and zearalenone in 89 samples tested under laboratory conditions during a one year period. The analyses of types of samples, contamination, and their origin demonstrated the need for preventive control of mycotoxin content, primarily in grains. The results of testing the content of aflatoxin in milk indicate the existence of risks to human health. In order to protect humans and animals from mycotoxicological contamination, we propose the use of the system hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP), which has been proved to be an effective strategy in food safety control. The basic principles of HACCP approach in the production of feed and foodstuffs, as well as the compliance and harmonization of legislations with those in the European Union, in the field of mycotoxicological tests, are the best prevention against mycotoxin effects on health and economy. Implementation of HACCP system currently presents one of the basic preconditions for the export of our products and their placement on the European market.

Significance of the International Year of Chemistry 2011

For the first time in the 100-year history of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), the worldwide chemistry community will be celebrating throughout 2011 the achievements of chemistry and its contributions to the well-being of humankind. At its 44th General Assembly in August 2007 in Torino, Italy, IUPAC unanimously approved a resolution in favor of the proclamation of 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry (IYC 2011: www.chemistry2011.org). In April 2008, the UNESCO Executive Board recommended the adoption of such a resolution, submitted on behalf of IUPAC by Ethiopia. Subsequently, in December 2008, the UN General Assembly declared 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry.

The political ecology of Chilean salmon aquaculture, 1982–2010: A trajectory from economic development to global sustainability

Through the case of the salmon aquaculture sector in Chile, the risks involved in the development of a non-traditional export sector are reviewed, in order to point to failings (lessons not learned) and opportunities (lessons learned, new plans), and the changing scales of stakeholder interactions. In particular the paper highlights the ways in which sustainability considerations have gained ground in terms of evaluating sectoral development and what is expected from this development. These considerations have emerged as a result of the increasing globalisation of the sector, through investment, exports and international ‘attention’ from an increasingly diverse set of stakeholders. These sustainability considerations have generated a range of conflicts linked to these diverse actors. The actors are local, national and global, operating through alliances to bring pressure on others. The conflicts relate to environmental quality, foreign direct investment (FDI), local socio-economic development, regional development, national economic strategies, and new globalised issues relating to the production and consumption of foodstuffs. The contemporary panorama in the sector is significantly different from the early origins in the 1980s under the dictatorship – the period of ‘the socio-ecological silence’ – also different from the 1990s period of economic expansion – ‘the economic imperative’. Over the past twenty-five years, the Chilean aquaculture sector has evolved from experimental production to a major global industry. Regulatory frameworks and civil society awareness and mobilisation have struggled to ‘catch up’ with the dynamism of the sector, however the gap has reduced and the future of the sector within the contemporary context of ‘glocal’ sustainability is now under the microscope: the ‘sustainable globalisation perspective’. The collapse of the sector during the period 2008–2010 as a consequence of the ISA virus is a key moment with production severely diminished. The way out of the crisis, via new legislation and inspection regimes, will create a new structure of aquaculture governance. Nevertheless, the crisis marks a turning point in the industry, revealing the weaknesses built into the former productive system.

Pediatric Lead Exposure From Imported Indian Spices and Cultural Powders

Significant lead poisoning has been associated with imported nonpaint products. To describe cases of pediatric lead intoxication from imported Indian spices and cultural powders, determine lead concentrations in these products, and predict effects of ingestion on pediatric blood lead levels (BLLs). Cases and case-study information were obtained from patients followed by the Pediatric Environmental Health Center (Children's Hospital Boston). Imported spices (n = 86) and cultural powders (n = 71) were analyzed for lead by using x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. The simple bioaccessibility extraction test was used to estimate oral bioavailability. The integrated exposure uptake biokinetic model for lead in children was used to predict population-wide geometric mean BLLs and the probability of elevated BLLs (>10 microg/dL). Four cases of pediatric lead poisoning from Indian spices or cultural powders are described. Twenty-two of 86 spices and foodstuff products contained >1 microg/g lead (for these 22 samples, mean: 2.6 microg/g [95% confidence interval: 1.9-3.3]; maximum: 7.6 microg/g). Forty-six of 71 cultural products contained >1 microg/g lead (for 43 of these samples, mean: 8.0 microg/g [95% confidence interval: 5.2-10.8]; maximum: 41.4 microg/g). Three sindoor products contained >47% lead. With a fixed ingestion of 5 microg/day and 50% bioavailability, predicted geometric mean BLLs for children aged 0 to 4 years increased from 3.2 to 4.1 microg/dL, and predicted prevalence of children with a BLL of >10 microg/dL increased more than threefold (0.8%-2.8%). Chronic exposure to spices and cultural powders may cause elevated BLLs. A majority of cultural products contained >1 microg/g lead, and some sindoor contained extremely high bioaccessible lead levels. Clinicians should routinely screen for exposure to these products.

CONSTRAINTS TO INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTIVITY IN RURAL AREAS: AN EXAMPLE FROM AFON DISTRICT, ILORIN, NIGERIA.

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Determination of atrazine residues in red wine samples. A conductimetric solution

The potential of a conductimetric immunosensor to detect residual amounts of atrazine in a complex matrix, such as red wine, is evaluated. The immunosensor presented is based on interdigitated μ-electrodes (IDμEs), immunoreagents specifically developed to detect atrazine, and antibodies labelled with gold nanoparticles. Due to the amplification of the conductive signal, produced by the presence of the gold particles, atrazine can be detected using simple and inexpensive direct current (DC) measurements. Then, sensors response is related to the atrazine concentration in the sample. Likewise, the presence of gold particles generates an increase in the intensity of the electric field between the electrodes. The time for assay completion, for 48 samples, was 5 h. Nevertheless, during the first hour (devoted to the incubation assays), the number of samples could be increased without prejudice the assay duration. Sensor responses obtained using red wine samples are compared with results obtained using buffer solutions. As a consequence, the strong matrix effect related to red wine samples has been identified as a non-specific increase of the current intensity through the device. The limits of detection (LODs) obtained are far below the Maximum Residue Level (50 μg kg −1 ) established by EU for residues of atrazine as herbicide in the wine grapes and other foodstuff products. This opens the door to commercial sensors of simple manipulation, transportable and economics.

Food and beverage: Filtration in the food and beverage industries

In the second of his series of articles on the smaller end-use equipment application sectors, Ken Sutherland reviews the equipment marketplace for the processing and production of human and animal foodstuffs, and in the production of beverages, both soft and alcoholic.

Constraint modelling of food processing systems

The aim in the production of foodstuffs is to process the product as efficiently as possible without compromising quality. In general, these goals are in conflict and a compromise is sought. This paper presents a constraint modelling technique that can be employed to manage these issues. This method has the advantage that it allows the production process to be modelled together with the food properties. Optimization techniques have been implemented to help to resolve conflicts and to identify improvements to the overall process. Applications are given from the area of machine-product interaction and machinery optimization.

Dynamic law of virtual water equilibrium for foodstuff production and consumption in China

In order to optimize spatial allocation of water resources,spatial distribution dynamics of virtual water for foodstuff production,consumption and their equilibrium in China for 1998～2007 were analyzed.The analysis shows that North China outputs increasing virtual water for foodstuff production from 3 019.1×10 8 m 3 in 1998 to 3 197.5×10 8 m 3 in 2007.On the other hand,South China shows the opposite trend where virtual water for foodstuff production declines from 3 207.5×10 8 m 3 in 1998 to 2 801.4×10 8 m 3 in 2007.There is 4.43% growth of virtual water consumption for foodstuff from 1998 to 2006 in China.The north has 7.70% growth of virtual water consumption for foodstuff while the south has only 1.84% growth.Virtual water equilibrium for foodstuff production and consumption is negative in China.However,the south and the north have different trends.The south has an increasing negative equilibrium trend whereas the opposite is the case for the north.The North-South Water Diversion of virtual water in China has an increasing significant implication for foodstuff production and consumption.The northeast is a typical virtual water output region whereas Huang-Huai-Hai,North China,Southeast and South China are typical virtual water input regions.From the perspective of water resources,the study shows that foodstuff production and consumption pattern in China has some problems that requires proper adjustment.

A Novel Method of Fruit Raw Material Reprocessing

We introduced a method of deep resources-economy reprocessing of fruit raw material. Based on the raw material fractionation at decreased temperatures the method results in the production of bioactive food stuffs, which are dry juice and refuse and natural water. The method includes the production of directly extracted juice and pulp refuse, juice evaporation in vacuum with the production of concentrate and natural water, and air drying the concentrate and the refuse. The method is realized for garden strawberry and cucurbit pulp. The mass concentration of solid in the fractions of cucurbit pulp is defined and the specific weight of the fractions are defined. It is shown that the solid of the cucurbit pulp is uniformly allocated between the fractions and amounts 34% for the dry juice, 31% for the dry refuse, and 35% for the natural water. Food and biological values of the cucurbit pulp fractions are determined. It is determined that the cucurbit includes silicium, nickel, and chromium. Silicium is contained only in dry fractions; nickel is present everywhere; chromium is discovered only in the natural water. Food and biological values of the cucurbit pulp are defined and their allocation between the fractions is determined. Separate components concentrations of the solid considerably differ between the fractions. Thus, two thirds of pulp protein is concentrated in the dry juice and a third is concentrated in the refuse. The natural water contains up to 90% of fat and sugar, from a half to two thirds of B-group vitamins, and the bulk of the mineral substances (K, Na, Ca, Mg, S, Co, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Zn), which concentration composes from 73% for potassium up to 100% for chromium.

Ranking Sectors Changes of the Malaysian Economy: Input-Output Approach

This study attempts to re-investigate the production structure change for Malaysia economy through the ranking sectors changes over the period 1983-2000. We used four input-output tables had published so far by Department Statistics of Malaysia (DSOM) for the period under study. The study employed the Leontief model for demand side (Input inverse (I-A) -1 ) for forward linkages indices, while supply side (Output Inverse, (I-O) -1 ) for backward linkages indices to examine the ranking sectors structure changes. New evidence is found in this study: first, the integration degree between demand and supply side for the Malaysian economy still remain weak. Second, the rank correlation coefficients between forward and backward indices are not significant and very weak. Third, the linkages between the commodities sectors and the rest of the economy still remain weak. Fourth, there is still a high dependency on the primary sectors, such us Oil palm, Rubber primary products and Wood sectors. Finally, fifth, the main results of the development policies were to transform Malaysia from an exporter to an importer foodstuff and other agriculture products.

REGIONAL DIVERSIFICATION OF TRITICALE PRODUCTION IN POLAND

The sources for regional diversifi cation analysis of the triticale production were statistical GUS data from 2006-2007, accessed according to the voivodeship. The cluster analysis method was used to isolate fi ve groups of voivodeships, which differed in triticale production (fi g. 1) Triticale cultivation is concentrated mainly in Wielkopolska and Kujawy and in central and eastern parts of the country. The amount of triticale cultivation in regions was associated with the foodstuff production for pig and poultry populations. It was witnessed in the eastern part of the country, where the considerable share of the triticale was stated in the structure of cropland.

Fabrication of flexible interdigitated μ-electrodes (FIDμEs) for the development of a conductimetric immunosensor for atrazine detection based on antibodies labelled with gold nanoparticles

The present paper describes a simple and low-cost method for the fabrication of mechanically flexible interdigitated @m-electrodes ([email protected]) and its application as immunosensor. [email protected] consist of two coplanar non-passivated interdigitated metallic @m-electrodes supported on a flexible transparent substrate, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN). Bioreagents deposition on PEN substrates becomes possible by depositing SiO2 on the electrodes surface (fingers and inter-digits space). These [email protected] were successfully applied for the development of a selective conductimetric immunosensor for the quantification of atrazine residues. The immunosensor has been demonstrated for detection of small amounts of atrazine, thanks to the use of immunoreagents specifically developed to detect this pesticide. The detection method applied is based on the use of antibodies labelled with gold nanoparticles. The presence of these particles amplifies the conductive signal; hence the immunosensor response was quantified using simple and inexpensive DC measurements. Immunochemical detection of the concentrations of atrazine is achieved by a competitive reaction which occurs before the inclusion of the labelled antibodies. The immunosensor shows limits of detection in the order of [email protected]^-^1, far below the maximum residue level ([email protected]^-^1) established by EU for residues of atrazine as herbicide in the wine grapes and other foodstuff products.

Detection of synthetic components in food matrices using piezoelectric resonators

The adsorption of a mixture of volatile components from the vapor phase of synthetic flavoring agents on thin adsorbent films was studied using piezoelectric quartz microweighing. Conventional gas-chromatographic adsorbents and specific films of different nature were used as adsorbents. It was shown that synthetic flavoring agents, including those used in the production of foodstuffs, can be identified and their quality can be assessed. The use of an array of piezoelectric quartz microbalances with various films allowed the slightest changes in the composition of the equilibrium vapor phase of synthetic flavoring agents to be recorded. An algorithm using a universal database on piezoelectric quartz microweighing of flavoring agent vapors was proposed for detecting them in food products and revealing adulterations.

SYBR®GreenER™ Real-Time PCR to detect almond in traces in processed food

Abstract Because food ingredients are sometimes considered as causative factors in IgE mediated food allergies, DNA-based tests may prove to be very useful to establish whether allergenic species have been used in foodstuffs production. The development of two SYBR ® GreenER™ Real-Time PCR assays, targeting Pru 1 and rbcL genes, based on melting curve analysis, to detect allergen species in food has been presented. Applicability of these methods was assessed with several commercial products containing processed almond.

Landscape Archaeology in Central Europe

Estimations of population density, which consider regional variability, are an important key variable in archaeology as they have consequences not only for the environmental but also for the economical and social domains. In this paper, a ten-step procedure of a consistent group of methods is described which deals with the data required for estimations of population density at different scale levels (from excavation to large-scale distribution maps). For distribution maps, a method is presented by which densities of sites are displayed using optimal isolines. These demarcate so called ‘settlement areas’ at scales of between 1:25,000 and 1:2.5 million. Our knowledge of the density of households from key areas with the most complete archaeological records is upscaled for the regions within these isolines. The results of this procedure are estimations of population density for the early Neolithic (Bandkeramik, 51st century BC) and the Roman period (2nd century AD) for regions with some 10,000 km2.A simple statistical/graphical method is developed to analyse the relationship between settlement areas, soils, and precipitation. Taking into account the aspects of preservation of sites and the intensity of archaeological observations, an analysis of patterns of land use shows that in prehistory not all areas suitable for use were in fact incorporated into settlement areas. For prehistory, the idea of a most optimised use of land up to its carrying capacity (as it has been proposed for at least 50 years) can be falsified for specific areas. A large number of empty regions with good ecological conditions but lacking in settlement activity can be discussed as resulting from culture historical processes. As an example, the separation of areas inhabited by groups of different identities is discussed. The amount of used space (in terms of ‘settlement area’) however, increases from the early Neolithic to the 4th century BC from 5% to more than 40%. The increase between the Neolithic and the Iron Age is understood in terms of technological developments in farming systems. The percentage of areas with suitable conditions actually utilised between the Bandkeramik and Iron Age increases from 31.1% to 67.5% in the area covered by the Geschichtlicher Atlas der Rheinlande, and is much higher still in the Roman period (84.3%). State societies seem to use the land more efficiently compared to non-state systems. This is becoming even clearer on consideration of the intensity of human impact.Large-scale distribution maps dividing the Neolithic in five periods were analysed. In each of the periods large settlement areas seem to be characterised either by the development of specific cultural innovations or by exchange of a specific raw material. In the course of time, the size of settlement areas in a specific region fluctuates markedly. It is most plausible to assume that this is due to a remarkable mobility of seemingly sedentary populations. Individual families recombine to new socio-cultural units every few hundred years.The relationship between size of settlement areas and the number of households can be used to develop ideas relating to the flow of exchange goods. An example for the Bandkeramik considering the Rijckholt-Flint is presented. The combination of the number of households and the percentage of this raw material in the specific settlement areas visualises the amount needed and the amount transferred to other settlement areas in the neighbourhood. A future economical archaeology could use this information to develop ideas relating to the importance of the economic sector, ie, ‘procurement of flint’ in relation to the ‘production of foodstuffs’ according to the time required for each group of activities.In the last section, the relationship between settlement areas and human impact is discussed. For the periods of subsistence economy, it is argued that the size of the population and its farming system are the two most important factors. For example, in Bandkeramik settlement areas, approximately 2% of the forest covering the landscape was cut down; in Roman times, and depending on the intensity of farming, this reaches magnitudes of between 20% and 50%. Although some of the methods and arguments used in this paper may be exchanged for better ones in the future, it is already apparent that a consistent system of methods is essential to transfer results of analyses on a lower scale level as input on a higher level and vice versa.

A Design Pattern for Model Based Software Development for Automatic Machinery

The paper presents the results of the application of object-oriented modeling techniques to the control software design of complex manufacturing systems, with particular focus on automatic machineries for production and packaging of food stuff, as milk, snacks, etc. In this application fields there are some peculiar problems to tackle in order to develop effective software control solutions, as for example the exception handling caused by product or packaging material jam, the Human Machine Interface, the recipe production management etc. The goal of this paper is to introduce design patterns developed in the framework of UML applied to the development of automatic machineries software, aiming to define a set of predefined modeling solutions to some class of recurrent design problems.

Method Validation for Determination of Cadmium and Lead in Offal by Means of Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Offal includes viscera and internal organs that have been removed from butchered animals, that may be either directly eaten or processed for the production of other foodstuff. Such organs are able to accumulate high concentrations of potentially toxic heavy metals posing a risk for human health when ingested. Because high levels of Cd and Pb may produce damages to humans, Commission Regulation no. 1881/2006 and its amendment established maximum levels for those two elements in edible bovine, porcine, and ovine offal. In the present study, a method based on microwave acid-assisted digestion and quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric quantification of Cd and Pb in offal was validated according to the EU common standards. The main parameters evaluated in the validation process were: the detection and the quantification limits (LoD, LoQ), the recovery, the repeatability, the within-laboratory reproducibility, the linearity range, and the standard measurement uncertainty. The results obtained for LoD and LoQ in microg kg(-1) were, respectively, Cd, 1.8 and 5.4; Pb, 5.1 and 15.5; meanwhile, the mean recovery was about 98% for Cd and 103% for Pb. Repeatability was around 5% for Cd and 4% for Pb. The expanded standard measurement uncertainty, expressed as percentage and with a coverage factor of 2, was estimated as follows: Cd, 4.9%; Pb, 8.7%. For both elements, the main contribution was due to the within-laboratory reproducibility of the measurements.

20 Years Life Technologies at the University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais

The Faculty and Institute of Life Technologies of the HES-SO Valais offer attractive educational and R&amp;D programmes in three areas: analytical chemistry, biotechnology and food technology. The Faculty offers a three-year Bachelor degree programme with three specializations as well as follow-on Masters programmes. The strategic research priorities of the Institute are quite diverse: the search for analytical solutions for chemical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and food applications; isolation and characterisation of active substances extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants; development and optimisation of biotechnological processes for the production of therapeutic biomolecules; development and production of novel foodstuffs; food quality and food safety. The Faculty and the Institute employ a highly qualified staff of over 50 people to carry out these tasks. A large range of facilities is available to cover the needs of education, research and other activities.

Applications of Infrared Spectroscopy to Biochemical, Food, and Agricultural Processes

Integrated investigations on infrared spectroscopic characteristics of metabolites and on applications of infrared spectroscopy to foodstuff production, food processing, and tasting are described. As the important metabolites, saccharides, which play very important roles in various functions, located in the central position of the metabolic pathways, were selected, and the spectral features of the saccharides and related materials are discussed. Additionally, the applications of spectral analysis to the monitoring of the enzyme reaction and the sugar metabolic processes, which are the main materials in food processing, are described. Furthermore, the studies on the spectroscopic measurements during the cultivation of agricultural products as foodstuffs and in the tasting as the final quality evaluation of foods are represented. These results suggest that infrared spectroscopy could be very effective for evaluating foodstuff production and the tasting of the processed foods and that the applied topics should provide fundamental information about the spectral behavior of the metabolites and bioproducts.