Safety Of Food Products Research Articles

Studying the physiological and biochemical properties of lactic bacteria cultures in the creation of sourdough for bread

The article presents the results of screening lactic acid bacteria cultures of the genus Lactobacillus and Pediococcus from the collection of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Processing and Food Industry, previously isolated from wheat grain, flour, rye starter cultures, as well as kumis and shubat. For a comprehensive assessment of probiotic properties of the selected 7 strains of lactic acid bacteria, their physiological and biochemical properties were studied: acid-forming, antagonistic activity, saccharolytic profile, resistance to various concentrations of bile, sodium chloride, growth at different pH values, antibiotic resistance. As a result of strains screening 5 most active cultures of lactic acid bacteria were selected for inclusion in the sourdough for bread: Limosilactobacillus pontis 9K3, Limosilactobacillus fermentum 3Ш1, Lb. paracasei 82, Lb. paracasei 114, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 126.The selection criteria were high enzymatic, acid-forming, proteolytic and antagonistic activity of the strains against opportunistic and pathogenic microflora (B. subtilis ATCC 6633, Escherichia coli-1257, Staphylococcus sp.209-P, Salmonella Typhimurium). We show that this result of the analysis indicates the prospects of using a consortium of these cultures to obtain a probiotic starter culture for bakery products. This, in turn, will increase production efficiency, ensure the quality and safety of food products in the baking industry.

Assessment of the quality and safety of food products in Libreville

In Africa and Gabon particularly, rampant urbanization, the increase in female professional activity, the break-up of the classic family model have induced new eating behaviors and consumption patterns. The development of the cold chain promotes the reduction of food losses, the conformity of products to quality requirements, market safety and the improvement of production. The cold chain is therefore an essential factor in food safety. In Gabon, national consumption needs are more or less covered by local production with regard to plantain, cassava, taro, yam and fish products. The coverage rate is zero for rice, wheat, fruit ballast, quite low for vegetables, meat and poultry. So much so that it is common to hear people say in Libreville: “I am going to buy the embalmed, how are we going to do it again?”. FAO 2008 defines food security as a state where "all human beings have, at all times, physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food, enabling them to satisfy their energy needs and food preferences to carry out a healthy and active life » Our non-stratified sample includes teachers and ATOS staff from the ENS Libreville campus. A total of 100 questionnaires are distributed, only 88 are collected for the study. The survey conducted within the premises of the Superior Normal School of Libreville is not statistically representative of the whole country. The limitations of the study are related to its geographical coverage. The approach is based on the place of purchase and the type of purchase. This study shows that respondents determine the quality of what they buy by the eyes, the color, the smell and the place of purchase. As places of purchase they prefer supermarkets (Mbolo, CKDO). Many of them believe that the authorities do not pay enough attention to the quality of food. The objective of this work is to understand the processes that populations bring into play in the development of food quality.

Development of an Electrochemical Aptasensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of Tetracycline in Eggs

In recent years, in order to prevent the occurrence of various diseases, the fncscrambled misuse of antibiotics is quite serious, and the residues of antibiotics such as tetracycline in eggs can also cause damage to human health. A double-stranded DNA probe modified with ferrocene was immobilized onto a gold nanoparticle modified substrate. Tetracycline was added to form a strong affinity binding between the target and the aptamer. During this process, the complementary strand was detached from the electrode surface. Therefore, the measured electrical signal attenuates with the emergence of the target. The linear response of tetracycline concentration to the signal ranged from 0.0005μM~50μM. The fabricated biosensor showed excellent selectivity. The accurate detection limit can be as low as 0.5 nm. Further, in the determination of tetracycline concentrations in water and egg samples, the fabricated biosensor showed excellent selectivity. Furthermore, the applicability of the developed sensor was demonstrated in the determination of tetracycline concentrations in egg samples. The spiking recoveries ranged from 96.18% to 102.75% which reached acceptable level. This detection sensor is simple, time-saving, selective and efficient, which can provide potential services in food production safety, environmental detection and so on.

Preparation and characterization of edible whey protein nanofibrils and efficacy studies on the quality and shelf‐life of chilled food products

AbstractWhey is the by‐product of cheese making which can be manipulated into edible films and coatings, it relies on its high viscosity, high hydrophobicity, and antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. In the present study, titanium‐based whey protein nanoparticles (WPNFs/TNPs) and whey protein isolates (WPI) were prepared and edible coatings and films were developed and characterized. The antimicrobial activity against common foodborne pathogens (S. aureus, E. coli, S. typhi, A. niger, P. expansum, and P. variotii) were conducted followed by their efficacy on six different chilled products analyzed on beef, chicken meat, mutton and fish meat, cheddar cheese and mozeralla cheese were selected for efficacy studies. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (Socaciu, Fogarasi et al.) revealed long and linear fibrils of WPNFs and with the addition of TNPs, the fibrils became denser. Fibril emulsions were expected to be more stable because of their high viscosity. Both the WPNFs/TNPs and WPI were smooth and homogenous surfaces without cracks or pore. The WPNFs/TNPs showed various degrees of antimicrobial activities against all the microbial strains and with the addition of nanoparticles, their interaction increased which further enhanced the quality of the product. Each film and coating had clear zones against all the desired microbes. The inhibition zones of WPI/TNPs were smaller than those of WPNFs/TNPs films. The addition of TNPs into with the nanofibrils enhanced the activity of nanofibrils and also it showed better and larger inhibition zones. The DPPH Radical‐scavenging activity of WPNFs/TNPs‐based samples was greater than that of the WPI/TNPs based samples. The highest was observed against the fish and mutton samples, followed by chicken and beef. The WPNFs/TNPs edible coatings decreased the microbial growth throughout storage for serval weeks. Our results may provide a basic understanding of the use of whey protein as an alternative for food safety of chilled food products.

Inventory of Good Practices of Sustainable and Circular Phosphorus Management in the Visegrad Group (V4)

The most important raw material needed for food production is phosphorus (P), which cannot be replaced by other elements. P is listed as a Critical Raw Material (CRM) for the European Union (EU). It is an element essential for human nutrition and is used for fertiliser production. The key importance of P for human life is evidenced by the fact that if there were not enough P in fertilisers, we would only be able to feed 1/3 of the world’s population. Unfortunately, in Visegrad Group (V4) countries, Poland, Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary, there is a lack of mineral deposits of phosphate rock. Therefore, there is a strong need to cover the demand for the P by importing from countries of varying stability, both economic and political, such as Russia, China, or Morocco. It is risky; if the borders for deliveries of goods are closed, it may be impossible to meet the needs of P. On the other hand, V4 countries have large secondary P resources in P-rich waste, which are lost due to P is not recovered on an industrial scale. The paper presents the importance of P raw materials in V4, the revision of primary and secondary P sources that can be used in agricultural systems, as well as the structure of import and export of P raw materials in these countries. In addition, examples of good phosphorus recovery practices in the V4 countries are presented. They include a list of initiatives dedicated to the sustainable management of P resources, and examples of P recovery projects. Implementation of P recovery for internal P-rich waste in V4 could ensure the safety of food production in this region. Such and similar initiatives may contribute to faster independence of the V4 countries from the import of P raw materials.

Training of the safe and environment-friendly production house at koro benguk tempeh industry in Mertelu Village, Gedangsari District, Gunung Kidul

Food is a basic need for humans need to live and support health. However, foods are needed to be processed safely, so it can fulfill nutritional needs and also maintain human health. Unsafe food processing can endanger humans because of the increased risk of foodborne disease. In Mertelu, Gedangsari, Gunung Kidul there is a small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that produces koro benguk tempeh. Unfortunately, the application of safe production houses and good processing methods have not been fully implemented in this industry. Thus, this program focused on increasing safe production house training which is one of the requirements for obtaining P-IRT certification. The activity was carried out for two days, 6th and 12th February 2020 with activities such as counseling, training, and mentoring in production houses. This activity was attended by Mertelu’s community who was involved in koro benguk tempeh production. After these programs, they was able to increase understanding of the safe management of production houses. However, some physical facilities were still inadequate to fulfill the standard because the resources limitation. Therefore, they are need further programs to improve existing infrastructure to meet the criteria for a safe food production house as a requirement of Household Food Food Industry (P-IRT) certification

식품무역의 린더효과분석

Recently, consumers’ interest in food safety has increased rapidly, and it may affect consumer preference and the food production process. Considering that high-income countries have stricter regulations on food production and greater consumer preferences for safe food products, countries’income level might have an important role in determining the quality of food products. Therefore, higher-income countries have possibly been exporting their food products to similar-income-level countries because of the greater consumer preference for safer food products. In this paper, we examine how income similarity between countries affects the trade flow of food products using a large-panel data set covering 2000 to 2018. We found that income similarity has an important role in the trade of food products and the Linder effect is larger than in the other industries we consider in this study. These results support the Linder hypothesis and imply that we need to consider income similarity an important variable in future research in food trade and when establishing a food exporting strategy.

Вимоги до маркування як один з інструментів нетарифного регулювання імпорту українських продуктів харчування в Китайській народній республіці

The article analyzes the dynamics and structure of international trade in Ukrainian food products with China. The opportunities of Ukrainian food producers to meet the demand of Chinese consumers are considered. The tools of the Chinese non-tariff trade policy regarding the import of food products (licenses, certificates of quality or compliance, certificates of origin, quality standards, requirements for packaging and labeling, legislative acts, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements) and their impact on trade with Ukraine are determined. Chinese regulations and GB state standards, which establish requirements for the safety of food and agricultural products, are considered. The process of accreditation of foreign manufacturers in China is described. Based on the analysis of literary sources, the definition of the concept of labeling is given – it is all words, descriptions, signs for goods and services, brand name, images or symbols related to food products and placed on any package, label (sticker), consumer container, counter-label , collar, label, stopper, leaflet, document, message, other packaging elements accompanying or belonging to this type of food products. The elements of labeling and its functions (informational, identification, motivational, emotional) are described, classification of food product labeling is proposed according to four characteristics (by the stage of production and sales activity at which the labeling is applied, by the content of the information on the labeling, by the breadth of coverage of product groups, by territorial scale of use).The types of product identification are considered according to the information contained in the labeling (consumer identification, assortment identification, quality identification, identification of the product belonging to a specific batch). China’s requirements for food labeling were studied, the main of which is that the labeling must meet the standards and contain complete and reliable information about the product and its manufacturer, which is necessary for the buyer to make a decision about the feasibility of purchasing it.

Determination of Socio-Economic Characteristics, Farming Structures and Problems of Women Farmers Selling Milk and Dairy Products in Periodic Markets: A Case of Isparta Province

Çabuk bozulan niteliğe sahip bir ürün grubu olan süt ve süt ürünlerinde pazarlama oldukça önemlidir. Süt üretiminde küçük aile işletmeciliğinin yaygın olduğu ülkemizde kadın çiftçilerin gıda güvencesi ve güvenliğinin sağlanmasında önemli bir role sahip oldukları bilinmektedir. Semt pazarlarında süt ve işledikleri sütten elde ettikleri süt ürünleri pazarlamasında kadın çiftçiler önemli bir rol üstlenmekte ve aile ekonomisine önemli katkılar sağlamaktadırlar. Bu çalışmada, Isparta ilinde şehir merkezinde kurulan semt pazarlarında süt ve süt ürünleri pazarlayan kadın çiftçilerin sosyo-ekonomik özellikleri, yetiştiricilik yapıları ile yetiştiricilik ve pazarlama sorunlarının belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Bu amaçla; Isparta şehir merkezinde kurulan semt pazarlarında açık süt ve süt ürünleri pazarlayan 74 kadın çiftçi ile yapılan anket çalışmasından elde edilen veriler analiz edilmiştir. Araştırmanın bulgularına göre, ortalama büyükbaş hayvan sayısı 7.36 baş, ortalama sağılan inek sayısı 6.81 baş, süt ürünleri üretmek için çalışılan ortalama saat 2.59 saat/gün ve üretilen ortalama süt miktarı 56.42 kg/işletme olarak saptanmıştır. İşletmelerin %87.80’ninde makine ile sağım yapıldığı, %59.46’sının kapalı ahır tipine sahip olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Üreticilerin %93.20’sinin pazarda çiğ süt sattığı belirlenmiştir. Üreticilerin %50’sinin kazandıkları parayı hayvan yemi alımında kullandıkları tespit edilmiştir. Üreticilerin pazarda karşılaştığı en önemli sorunun yer bulma sorunu olduğu (%18.90) saptanmıştır. Güvenli gıda üretimi sadece üretim aşamasında değil ürünün pazarlama sürecini de kapsamaktadır. Bu nedenle Isparta ilinde geleneksel olarak semt pazarlarında satışı yapılan süt ve süt ürünlerinin gıda güvenliği açısından yeniden gözden geçirilmesi ve kadın çiftçilerin pazarlama koşullarının iyileştirilmesi önemlidir.

Active Agents Incorporated in Polymeric Substrates to Enhance Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties in Food Packaging Applications

Active packaging has played a significant role in consumers’ health and green environment over the years. Synthetic polymers, such as poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polycarbonate (PC), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), etc., and naturally derived ones, such as cellulose, starch, chitosan, etc., are extensively used as packaging materials due to their broad range of desired properties (transparence, processability, gas barrier properties, mechanical strength, etc.). In recent years, the food packaging field has been challenged to deliver food products free from microbes that cause health hazards. However, most of the used polymers lack such properties. Owing to this, active agents such as antimicrobial agents and antioxidants have been broadly used as potential additives in food packaging substrates, to increase the shelf life, the quality and the safety of food products. Both synthetic active agents, such as Ag, Cu, ZnO, TiO2, nanoclays, and natural active agents, such as essential oils, catechin, curcumin, tannin, gallic acid, etc., exhibit a broad spectrum of antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, while restricting the growth of harmful microbes. Various bulk processing techniques have been developed over the years to produce appropriate food packaging products and to add active agents on polymer matrices or on their surface. Among these techniques, extrusion molding is the most used method for mass production of food packaging with incorporated active agents into polymer substrates, while injection molding, thermoforming, blow molding, electrospinning, etc., are used to a lower extent. This review intends to study the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of various active agents incorporated into polymeric substrates and their bulk processing technologies involved in the field of food packaging.

Global perspective on food fraud with special emphasis on the prevalence of food fraud practices and policies in Pakistan

AbstractFood supply chains worldwide are under threat from food adulteration and food fraud during various stages of production and storage, and the incidence of such fraudulent practices has been increasing. Many food regulatory authorities have been established over the years on either side of the globe, contributing to food safety and the creation of awareness regarding food frauds. One of the world's most populous countries, Pakistan is home to a multicultural and multiethnic society, and the people across the country consume a variety of processed and non‐processed foods. In this regard, multiple food safety and food quality control standards are in place, aimed at alleviation of food fraud, and production and provision of safe food in Pakistan. Moreover, many regulatory bodies such as the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority, apart from providing food consultation, testing, and certification services, are working to regulate and enforce quality standards, ensuring safe food production and distribution, and correct labeling. At the provincial level, regulatory bodies are actively working to achieve similar objectives, and their portfolio includes inspections of food establishments throughout their respective jurisdictions and the imposition of penalties for violations.

Effects of application of rice husk biochar and limestone on cadmium accumulation in wheat under glasshouse and field conditions

Cadmium (Cd) has seriously threatened the safe production of food crops. Passivator amendments are commonly used to control the soil Cd availability. Yet, few studies are tested to explore the effect of the combination of various amendments. Here, we investigated the effects of different amendments (2% rice husk biochar, 2% limestone, and 1% rice husk biochar + 1% limestone) on the growth and Cd accumulation of wheat in pot and field experiments. The results showed that under the low soil Cd condition, the maximum increase of soil pH (1.83) was found in the limestone treatment compared to CK in pot experiment. Compared with the CK, the treatment of rice husk biochar decreased soil Cd availability and grain Cd content by about 25% and 31.2%, respectively. In contrast, under high soil Cd condition, the highest soil pH was observed in limestone, while the lowest soil Cd availability and grain Cd concentrations were found in rice husk biochar treatment. In the field experiment, the treatment of 1% rice husk biochar + 1% limestone caused a significant increase of soil pH by about 28.2%, whereas the treatment of 2% rice husk biochar reduced soil Cd availability and grain Cd content by about 38.9% and 38.5% compared to the CK. Therefore, rice husk biochar showed great potential to reduce Cd availability and ensure safe food production.

Application of sensor analysis methodology in fish snacks technology for express bars with regulated histamine content

The object of research is the technology of fish snacks for express bars with a regulated histamine content for the rational correction of certain diets of the population. One of the most problematic places in the technology of fish fermented products is the accumulation of biogenic amines with toxic properties. An increased intake of histamine can cause the so-called «histamine» migraine (Horton's syndrome), headache (Harris' neuralgia, characterized by pain in the eyes, forehead, temporal part of the head, lacrimation, inflammation of the nasal mucosa) and other symptoms, including the gastrointestinal tract, sweat, increased secretion of gastric juice, increased heart rate, and decreased diastolic (lower) blood pressure. In addition, the appearance, namely the shape and color of snacks, reduces the attractiveness of snack products. In the course of the study, methods of sensory analysis, standard methods for studying physical and chemical quality indicators were used. The chosen methodology makes it possible to timely correct technological processes for the production of fish snacks to obtain high-quality, safe food products with a harmonic sensory profile, as well as to control the accumulation of biogenic amines. The obtained results of the research conducted allow to state that the proposed technological methods and the developed ingredient composition of the mince mixture in the production of snacks contribute to the expansion of the range of snack products for a healthy diet with high consumer properties that provide an attractive appearance, safety, and biological value. This is due to the fact that the consumer preferences for shape, color, usefulness and safety taken into account made it possible, based on the methodology of sensory analysis, to scientifically substantiate the choice of raw materials, form requirements for the appearance of finished products and containers used for packaging snacks. The main raw material for the production of snacks is fish from inland waters of Ukraine with a low-active enzymatic system and, accordingly, a small amount of low-molecular volatile substances involved in the formation of odor. The production process ensures a high sanitary level and the use of consumer packaging of small capacity, which meets the modern requirements of visitors to express bars. In addition, natural biopolymers of plant origin have been introduced into the recipe composition of the minced mixture, which allow to control the process of accumulation of biogenic amines.

De Novo transcriptome combined with physiological analyses revealed key genes for cadmium accumulation in Zhe-Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus).

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that severely threatens safe food production. Zhe-Maidong, a well-known Chinese traditional herbal medicine, is susceptible to Cd stress. However, the characteristics of Cd transformation and migration, as well as the regulatory system for genes conferring Cd accumulation of Zhe-Maidong, remains an essential issue to be addressed. Zhe-Maidong seedling growth in Cd-contaminated and uncontaminated soil was conducted for 90 days. The Cd concentration was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, and the Cd2+ fluorescence probe detected Cd distributions. The root transcriptome of Zhe-Maidong was then evaluated using various Cd stress hydroponic treatments designated Cd-0, Cd-M, and Cd-H. The enrichment factor (EF) value in the root was four times that of the leaves, indicating that the root has a high ability to absorb and accumulate Cd. The Cd2+ were mainly distributed in the root hair and the epidermis in both roots and leaves, revealing that the epidermal cells of roots may collect Cd2+ and also have an outstanding role in Cd2+ uptake. A total of 50 DEGs involved in Cd translocation and accumulation were identified. Among these DEGs, ANN, ABCC2/4, HMA1- 5, and CCX gene expression were positively correlated with EF-root, EF-leaf, EF-total, Cd-leaf, Cd-root, and Cd-plant, indicating their role in Cd transport and accumulation under Cd-stress. These data could be helpful in uncovering the Cd accumulation characteristics in Zhe-Maidong, as well as provide a bioinformatic foundation for investigations on finding gene functions and the screening of candidate genes related to Cd accumulation.

Technological evolution and food allergies: issues of threats or contributions to the consumer?

Objective: To verify through a review of scientific literature, whether industrial and technological developments are directly related to the increase and prevalence of food allergies or whether it has contributed to the quality of life of allergic consumers. Methods: Searches were carried out in the Scielo (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Google Scholar, Lilacs (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature) and PubMed (National Library of Medicine) databases. Results: The results obtained in the scientific literature identified that the significant increase in food allergies has accompanied the technological process, due to the greater consumption of food additives in ultra-processed products, but environmental influences such as dietary factors and lifestyle are also involved in the higher incidence of allergies. On the other hand, technological advances have collaborated with alternative food products for this specific population group by offering foods with reduction or exemption of allergenic compounds produced by different processing techniques or supported by biotechnology and other sciences. Final considerations: As claims for products free from allergenic compounds become mandatory, the food industry must make investments aimed at studies and production of safe alternative foods for allergic consumers.

Impact of Climate Change Process on Sustainable and Safe Food Production

Dünyanın doğal döngüsü, sanayi devriminden sonra başlayan ve artarak devam eden insan aktivitelerinden etkilenmektedir. İlk olarak fosil yakıtların tüketimi ile kendini göstermeye başlayan insani etkiler, küreselleşmeye bağlı mobilite, beslenme faaliyetleri ve sanayileşme ile yüksek seviyelere ulaşmıştır. Bu etkiler atmosfer bileşiminin dengesini bozarak iklimde değişiklikler meydana getirmektedir. Değişen iklimin ise neden olduğu birçok olumsuz sonuç bulunmakta, bunlar arasında en önemlilerinden biri gıda üretimindeki değişimler olarak görülmektedir. İklim değişikliği, gıda üretiminde sürdürülebilirliği etkileyen başlıca faktördür. Sürdürülebilirliğin sağlanması, ilk etapta üretim teknolojilerinin değişmesi ve yerel ürünlerin yerine değişen iklime uygun türlerin yetiştirilmesi ile mümkün görünmektedir. Yanı sıra, gıda üretiminin sekteye uğramadan toplumların ihtiyacının karşılayabilmesi için farklı uygulamalar da yapılmaktadır. Bu uygulamalar arasında ise daha çok korunma ve büyümeyi destekleme amaçlı kimyasal kullanımı ile tohumlarda genetik modifikasyon tekniğinin kullanımı, ön plana çıkmaktadır. Ancak üretimde kullanılan bu uygulamaların niteliği, kapsamı ve büyüklüğü hakkında tüketicide önemli düzeyde bilgi eksikliği ve şüpheler bulunmaktadır. İklimde yaşanan olumsuzluklara rağmen, üretimde yeni uygulamaların kullanımı bugün ve gelecekte gıda üretimlerini mümkün kılacaktır. Ancak bu durum, güvenli gıda konusunda bilinçlenen tüketicide negatif algı oluşturmakta, kaygılar gün geçtikçe artmaktadır. Yapılan bu çalışmada, değişen iklim koşullarına ayak uydurmak amacıyla kullanılan uygulamaların, bitkisel ve hayvansal üretimde sürdürülebilirliğe etkisi irdelenecek ve gıda güvenliği konusu açısından etkileri değerlendirilecektir.

Вплив забруднення повітря приміщень мікроскопічними грибами на здоров’я населення

The significant expansion of international trade in food additives (FA) made it necessary to solve the problem of the expediency of using FA in the production, packaging, storage, transportation and sale of food products (FP). In Ukraine, the use of FA is regulated by the «Sanitary Rules for the Use of Food Additives », which fully meet international requirements. To improve the international trade of FP containing FA, the Council of the EU developed and tested a rational system of digital codification of FA with the letter «E» and a three- or fourdigit number (code) assigned to a specific FA. It is included in Codex Alimentarius, EC Directives, FAO/WHO as an international digital codification system. The FA code confirms that this compound has been tested for safety, established purity criteria and hygienic standards for FP. In accordance with the Law of Ukraine «On the Safety and Quality of Food Products», the sale and use of domestic and imported food products without labeling in the national language about the composition of the food product with a list of the names of FA that were used in the process of its manufacture is prohibited. The majority of FA do not affect the body of consumers, are inert in used quantities, but some of them are capable of causing an adverse effect on the human body when ingested in significant quantities, therefore their hygienic regulation is extremely necessary.

Recent Advances in Antibiotic-Free Markers; Novel Technologies to Enhance Safe Human Food Production in the World.

Crops that have been genetically modified (GM) include additional beneficial traits that present fresh approaches to boosting yield productivity and sustainable agriculture. Transformation and regeneration are the two main steps in the production of GM crops. Antibiotic resistance marker genes (ARMGs) must be used for selection because crops have very little ability to transform. Significant global concerns about the security of both human health and the environment have been raised by the use of ARMGs in the production of GM foods or for therapeutic purposes. A rise in antimicrobial resistance is the biggest danger, according to recent research. Due to a lack of information on alternate methods, ARMGs are still employed in the production of GM crops today. The creation of GM crops without ARMGs using alternative methods is crucial to addressing the safety issue. This review discusses current methods for producing GM crops free of ARMGs, or "clean-gene" technology. These methods' benefits and drawbacks are also discussed. One of them, positive selection by phosphomannose isomerase (PMI) system of different plants, has been optimized and subjected to full risk assessment and is more productive than conventional protocols that employ ARMGs. This information will be useful for enhancing breeding programs, producing safe human food, and increasing support for GM crops among the general public.

Forecast and Factor Analysis on Willingness of Moderate Scale Land Transfer-In

The research on land transfer has essential theoretical and practical significance in ensuring food security and curbing the land de-graining. Based on the characteristics of large-scale and mechanized land in the H region of China, we constructed a prediction index for the willingness to transfer land in. The random forest (RF) algorithm was used to evaluate the importance of the factors affecting the land transfer-in willingness and the main factors were analyzed. The results show that: (1) The overall prediction accuracy of the RF model was 86.98% and the out-of-bag prediction error was 13.02%. (2) The factors that had an essential impact on the willingness to transfer to land were land area, the proportion of agricultural income, and crop type. The less influential factors were the size of the labor force, identity, and gender. (3) We found that 68% of the interviewed farmers wanted to increase land to expand the scale of production; this proportion was much higher than that in other parts of the country. The farmers were more willing to increase land to plant economic crops, which has a negative impact on the stability of food production. (4) Alleviating the negative impact of the Russian–Ukrainian conflict and stabilizing the production of economic crops, ensuring the safety of food production, and promoting the balanced development of food production and economic crops are topics that need to be continuously explored. This study can provide a useful reference for the development of the moderate-scale management of agriculture in China.

Determination of Soil Cadmium Safety Thresholds for Food Production in a Rice-Crayfish Coculture System.

Previous studies have mainly focused on cadmium (Cd) contamination in conventional rice monocultures, and no research on rice-crayfish coculture has been reported. In this study, a Cd-contaminated (0-30 mg kg-1) rice-crayfish co-culture system was established by adding exogenous Cd. The results showed that the Cd concentration in each tissue of rice and each organ of crayfish increased with increasing soil Cd concentration. Specifically, the Cd concentration in each rice tissue was as follows: root > stem > leaf ≈ panicle > grain > brown rice, and the jointing and heading stages were critical periods for the rapid enrichment of Cd in the aboveground tissues of rice. The Cd concentration in each organ of crayfish was as follows: hepatopancreas > gut > gill ≈ exoskeleton > abdominal muscle. Cd was gradually enriched in the abdominal muscle after 30 days of coculture between crayfish and rice. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that the soil's total Cd concentration, available Cd concentration, and water Cd concentration were positively correlated with Cd content in various tissues of rice and various organs of crayfish, whereas EC and TDS in water were markedly related to rice stems, leaves, stalks, and small crayfish. According to the maximum limit of Cd in grain (0.2 mg kg-1) and crustacean aquatic products (0.5 mg kg-1) in China, the safe threshold of soil Cd for rice and crayfish under the rice-crayfish coculture system is 3.67 and 14.62 mg kg-1, respectively. Therefore, when the soil Cd concentration in the rice-crayfish coculture system exceeds 3.67 mg kg-1, the safety risk to humans through the consumption of food from this coculture system will increase. This study provides a theoretical basis for safe food production in a rice-crayfish coculture system using the established Cd pollution model.