Safe Raw Materials Research Articles

Monitoring of Risky Elements in Zone of Pollution Strážske Area

The work aimed to evaluate the state of agricultural soil contamination what is important for the gaining of information needed for growing of hygienic safe raw materials and foodstuffs. Metallic pollution of soil in Zemplínska polluted area has begins by accumulation of heavy metals in soil, mainly resulting from location in vicinity of chemical and industrial factories, as well as from many others sources. The pH value development indicates gradual trend of soils acidification, except of alkalic ones reaching up to 20% from total arable soils in Slovakia. Acidification is process, where acidity of abiotic compounds has been increased. Soil reaction is a significant agrochemical property markedly affecting growing and developing of plants, and has directly effect on soil fertility, influencing the ecological conditions for plants and soil microorganisms. The site had been localised with GPS and 5 sampling places had been fixed. From these sites the soil samples were taken from 1 depth, A horizon (0–0,2 m) and then processed and managed according to particular ISO norms. The soil reaction and the heavy metals contents in solution of <I>aqua regia</I> and HNO<sub>3</sub> in soil samples were assessed. Afterwards the gained results had been compared with limit values from legislative documents.

Evolution and Regulatory Impact of Fumed Inorganic Materials in Toners

This presentation will describe how two nano-structured inorganic material classes which are produced by flame processes have been crucial to the technical evolution of the toner industry during the past two decades: fumed metal oxides as external additives and carbon black as the essential pigment. Market forces driving this evolution and increasing additive diversity are the demand for high speed office printers and commercial digital presses and the need for low priced laser printers to make small office and home (SOHO) use affordable. Additionally, ecofriendly printers with reduced energy consumption and zero emissions require the development of toner with low fusing temperatures (low Tg) based on environmentally safe raw materials. Novel fumed silicon/titanium mixed oxides offer the positive tribo-charging benefits of titanium dioxide combined with the surface properties of silica. Acting as effective spacers that prevent re-agglomeration of low Tg toner, fumed sub-micron particles based on both silica and titania have distinct advantages over precipitated and sol-gel-derived materials, respectively. These include; low moisture, high purity, and the complete absence of internal porosity. For improved dispersibility and optimized toner surface coverage, de-agglomerated, chemical and mechanical structure-modified fumed metal oxides have been developed and will be discussed. Lastly, the paper will explore the impact of the ongoing EH&S (environmental, health & safety) discussion on external additives, carbon black and development trends toward safe external additives.

Microbiological Quality Of Sweetmeat With Special Reference To Staphylococci

Safe food production in countries like India is based in the use of preventive measures such as the use of safe raw materials, application of good manufacturing practices, and application of Hazard Analysis of Critical Control point (HACCP) procedures. Adequate consumer protection can be achieved by measuring the microbiological data of end product. To improve the microbiological quality of Sandesh and Kalakand precaution against contamination must be taken at different Critical Control Points (Roy et al., 1998). Some strains of Staphylococcus aureus are gaining entry into milk products and caus acute gastroenteritis via the production of heat stable enterotoxins. Millions of people are the victims of food borne illnesses resulting from toxins produced by Staphylococcus aureus ingested with food. Coliforms have probably got more attention than most other groups of bacteria on account of their importance as indicator organism for predicting unhygienic conditions during production and processing. Among the coliforms, Escherichia coli has attracted much attention as suspected to be associated with outbreaks of gastro-enteritis and food poisoning in human beings. Keeping in view the public health importance of sweetmeat consumers it is needless to say that the product should be prepared hygienically reducing the microbial load present in it. Therefore an attempt was made to research the hygienic measures adopted by the food handlers and makers during sweetmeat preparation and their reflection in the microbiological quality of the sweetmeat.