Research Publications (Food Safety)

Rapid, accurate, sensitive, and real-time detection of streptomycin (STR) residues in dairy products is very important. In this work, for the first time, the gold nanoflower/polyethyleneimine-functionalized metal organic framework (AuNF-PEI-MIL-101(Cr)) nanocomposites were synthesized via hydrothermal method and characterized using various techniques (SEM, TEM, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS).

A multicolor electrochemiluminescence (ECL) apparatus based on a closed bipolar electrode (BPE) system was proposed for the visual testing of Ochratoxin A (OTA). Since the oxidation potentials of the accompanying luminophores ([Ru(bpy)3]2+ and [Ir(ppy)3]) are different, a bidirectional color change from dark orange to yellow to forest green can be discovered at the anode of BPE by adjusting the current of the BPE.

Foodborne diseases attributable to foodborne pathogens directly impact food safety and public health. This study aimed to establish a nucleic acid detection platform for sensitive detection of foodborne pathogens. Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC® 29213™) as a model pathogen was used to evaluate the detection performances of the developed method.

Foodborne illnesses are being reported everyday; thus, there is an obvious need for faster and sensitive methodologies to detect foodborne pathogens in order to assure the safeness of foods. In the present study, the detection of L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and E. coli O157 was performed combining a multiplex short enrichment of 7 h in Tryptic Soy Broth, with a colorimetric LAMP-based naked-eye detection.

Cadmium (Cd) is a potential carcinogen and can easily trigger human renal and hepatic dysfunction. Ingestion of Cd-contaminated food is considered the principal way of human exposure to Cd. Bioavailability evaluation has been utilized to assess human health risk, while the correlation of the in cellulo and in vivo Cd bioavailability in foods is not clear.

Seaweeds are known for their nutritional benefits; however, they contain one of the highest levels of arsenic content. Arsenic species are found in various oxidation states in the environment, where inorganic arsenic is more toxic than organic ones.

Aflatoxins (AF) are the most potent group of mycotoxins that are produced by certain ascomycete fungi. These toxins can contaminate a large board of food commodities, thus causing a severe toxicity in animals and humans. The detection of fungal contamination of food is still challenging. This work determines whether an accurate relationship between the contamination of nut samples with AF and their contamination with fungal genomic DNA could be established.

Cysteine (Cys) can rapidly and sensitively react with 12 polycytosine-templated silver nanoclusters (polyC12-AgNCs) via the formation of Ag–S bond and enhance the fluorescence of polyC12-AgNCs. Herein, a smart and enzyme-free biosensing platform for ultrasensitive detection of Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) has been constructed by the ingenious coupling of Y-shaped G-quadruplex DNAzyme (GQH DNAzyme) with polyC12-AgNCs.

In this study, an optimized QuEChERS method with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) was developed and validated for the determination of mesosulfuron-methyl and diflufenican in wheat grain and straw. At the spiking levels of 0.01, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg, the average recoveries of five repetitions were 74–98% with RSDs of 1–11%. The LOQs of the two herbicides were both 0.01 mg/kg for wheat grain and wheat straw.

Aldrin and Mirex are organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) considered toxic to human and animal health. Although their use has been banned for decades, these compounds persist in several environmental and food samples, including honey.

Bacterial spores were isolated and purified from three powder spices: garlic powder, onion powder, and five-spice powder. The rapid identification of different bacteriophages was achieved by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) combined with chemometrics. Five bacilli were isolated in the powdered spices: Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, and Paenibacillus pabuli.

The objective of this study was to develop and validate a quick and easy method for the quantification of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), tin (Sn), and zinc (Zn) by high definition X-ray fluorescence (HDXRF) spectrometry in scallops. The optimal moisture content (less than 7.5%), particle size (0.180 mm), sample weight (0.70 g), and measurement time (600 s) of scallops using HDXRF were determined.

The aim of this paper is to develop and validate a method, using GC–MS and QuEChERS, for the determination of fungicide residues in bananas produced and commercialized in the Cariri Region — Ceará/Brazil. The extraction procedure, by the QuEChERS-citrate method, allowed obtaining the matrix extract free of pesticides, used for the analytical curves (matrix-matched calibration).

This study assessed a reliable and accessible method based on QuEChERS (quicky, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) and HPLC–PDA to determine simultaneously deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), 3-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (3-ADON), and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol (15-ADON) to be applied to monitor the contamination indifferent oat products. These mycotoxins can affect the functionality of oat products that are used in the feed of different human groups.

In this work, a magnetic covalent organic framework (COF) named Fe3O4@TpPa-NO2 was designed and synthesized by a solvothermal method employing 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol (Tp) and 2-nitro-p-phenylenediamine (Pa-NO2) as the organic units. Fe3O4@TpPa-NO2 was explored as an adsorbent for magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) of four pyrethroid insecticides. Fe3O4@TpPa-NO2 displayed excellent adsorption capacity in the adsorption test of pyrethroid insecticides.

Foodborne pathogens pose serious risks to human health and food safety. More than one pathogen exists in seafood. It is difficult for conventional culture methods to detect some foodborne pathogens simultaneously. Probe-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification is a feasible tool for achieving multi-objective detection of bacterial pathogens in a short time.

The detection method for flurtamone enantiomers in soil and five farm products (wheat, maize, sorghum, soybeans and pea) was established using modified QuEChERS method combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). The Box-Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology was used to optimize the enantioseparation parameters of flurtamone on Chiralpak IG-3 column.

Singlet oxygen (1O2), an initiator for photooxidation, is responsible for vegetable oil degradation. However, few details about the formation of 1O2 in vegetable oil are known due to the lack of a reliable method for its determination. In this study, a simple, reliable, and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for indirect quantification of 1O2 generated in vegetable oil was developed. Furfuryl alcohol (FFA) was selected as a real-time “trap” for 1O2.

The dual-mode sensing strategy not only has the inherent characteristics of each response mode but also can mutually verify the detection results obtained by different modes, which will effectively improve the accuracy and reliability of detection. The electrochemical-photothermal dual mode not only has two mode signals, but also has the advantages of fast response, high sensitivity, good selectivity, low cost, and simple operation.

India has achieved its food security through the green revolution and technological revolution, although food safety is still not realized. Subsequently, agricultural runoffs, industrial wastes and domestic sewages continuously contaminate the water and the associated livelihood through several contaminants. Pesticides and their residues, which function as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), influence the food web through water resources, among other things.

Salmonella is one of the most common food-borne pathogens, and the food safety problem caused by Salmonella has raised concern globally. In this work, a novel electrochemical biosensor based on single primer isothermal amplification (SPIA) was established for the specific and sensitive detection of Salmonella.

Macrocyclic lactones (MLs) are widely used as antiparasitic agents in the livestock, monensin (ionophore antibiotics) is recommended in cattle feed as growth-promoting additives, and fipronil is a drug prescripted in animal production to control ectoparasitic infestations. However, the use of these drugs in food-producing animals may lead to the appearance of their residues in meat and offals.

Fungicides are applied from plant development to grape production, transport, and storage. Even after fruit processing, residues of these compounds can be present in grape by-products such as wine and juice.

In this study, we developed an efficient method based on magnetic Fe3O4-modified graphene oxide (MNPs@GO) along with aptamer-functionalized upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for Staphylococcus aureus detection. MNPs@GO are prepared using aptamer-functionalized MNPs and GO by means of π-π stacking interaction. In the absence of Staphylococcus aureus, MNPs@GO are formed and are magnetically separated.

Zearalenone (ZEN), which is usually generated by Fusarium species, is common contamination of corn. ZEN induces estrogen effects and disrupts the reproductive system of humans and animals. Herein, we established a method of quantum dots (QDs) immunochromatographic test strips for the detection of ZEN. In this method, QDs (Q2605, G2701A) and anti-ZEN monoclonal antibodies were conjugated by carbodiimide.