Research Publications (Food Safety)

Single-stranded DNA aptamers that specifically bind to sulfaquinoxaline (SQX) were selected by a graphene oxide–based SEL EX (GO-SELEX) technique assisted by a non-immobilizing TAMRA-labeled oligonucleotide library. After 8 rounds of selection against SQX, two aptamer candidates (i.e., SBA 1 and SBA 2) were obtained. Furthermore, the two full-length aptamers were truncated to obtain the aptamers (i.e. SBA 1-1, SBA 2-1, and SBA 2-2).

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an active enzyme present in the raw milk. Due to its unique heat-sensitive properties, it is employed as an indicator to evaluate efficiency of the pasteurization treatment. In the present study, a method comprising of HPLC with fluorescence detector was developed for the quantification of ALP enzyme activity in the pasteurized milk.

Nowadays, the overuse of antibiotics in cow breeding is a common issue worldwide. Real-time monitoring is critical for antibiotic control of dairy products. Herein, we report a rapid detection method for the duplex detection of two beta-lactam antibiotics (cephalexin and ampicillin) in milk powder using lateral flow (LF) combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

A novel quantitative photothermal-sensing immunochromatographic assay (PT-ICA) with high sensitivity was developed for the detection of bisphenol A (BPA). Gold acid chloride trihydrate (HAuCl4·3H2O) was first reduced by citric acid trisodium salt (C6H5Na3O7) to form Au nanoparticles and adsorbed on the surface of black phosphorus nanosheets to form a black phosphorus-Au (BP-Au) complex.

The use of antimicrobial agents in livestock breeding is inevitable for prophylactic and treatment purposes, in order to maintain health and improve production of food products. However, this practice resulted in development of community resistance to antimicrobials due to residues found in livestock products. Milk is a key nutritional product that’s widely consumed for its high nutritional value.

Snack samples like potato crisp, fried potato, popcorn, and Cheetos have been known as carbohydrate- and protein-rich food. These tasty foods have high potential to contain acrylamide. Genotoxic and carcinogenic effect of acrylamide on human health cause to specific focus for measuring of acrylamide in food samples (Esposito et al. Food Chem Toxicol 108:249–256, 2017).

A double signal enhanced surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor system was developed, which involved graphene-based magnetic dispersion solid-phase extraction (MDSPE) and carboxylated graphene oxide (GO-COOH) materials as amplifying elements in order to achieve real-time determinations of estradiol (E2), diethylstilboestrol (DES), and bisphenol A (BPA) via an indirect competition method.

In the food supply chain, quality control has a very important role in maintaining customer confidence. In the EU, food safety aspects are strictly regulated; however, composition requirements and standard control methods are generally undefined. The rapidly increasing wild boar population has a growing market share in venison or game meat production.

A dispersive liquid–liquid micro-extraction method was combined with high-performance liquid chromatography to rapidly and efficiently separate and detect organophosphorus pesticide residues in coarse cereals. In order to select the best conditions, the extraction conditions, including the type and volume of the extraction agent, the type and volume of the dispersant, extraction time, pH, and the amount of NaCl, were optimized.

Yeast extract (YE) is tremendously used as a flavor enhancer in foods because of its composition. However, different types of YE have different aromatic profiles. This study focuses on the thermal treatment of glutathione-enriched yeast extract (GSH-YE) at different temperatures with the addition of Maillard precursors to investigate any change in its volatile organic profile. Headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) was utilized for the instrumental analysis.

Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is administered to cattle, fish, poultry, and honeybees among other animals. Consumption of food from such sources leads to non-regenerative anaemia, aplastic anaemia, and bone marrow suppression in humans. It is therefore a pressing necessity to detect chloramphenicol in food items through a convenient, accurate, and rapid method.

The novelty of this research work lies in a simple, fast, and plausible analysis of acrylamide in food samples accomplished using an iOS gadgets–based digital imaging colorimeter (iOS gadgets–based DIC).

In this study, mAb-5A7 and mAb-1D7, two highly specific monoclonal antibodies against tylosin (TYL), were prepared by using hapten TYL-carboxymethoxylamine hemihydrochloride (TYL-CMO), and they showed IC50 values of 13.84 ng/mL and 13.01 ng/mL and LODs of 1.21 and 0.98 ng/mL, respectively, in indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Ochratoxins are possible human carcinogens. The aim of this study is to develop a rapid and sensitive competitive immunofluorescent analysis for determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) on the base of immobilized polyclonal antibody against ochratoxin and immobilized F(ab′)2 fragment on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). F(ab′)2 fragment of anti-OTA antibody was obtained by pepsin hydrolysis of polyclonal antibody against OTA.

Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDK) contain a wide spectrum of mycotoxins, affecting the quality and safety of wheat used as food and feed. At present, traditional methods to detect FDK are time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, we propose herein a new spectral classification index (NSCI) method that can provide simple and low-cost FDK detection by analysing spectra in the wavelength range 350–2500 nm.

Pentachlorophenol (PCP), commonly used as a wood preservative, pesticide, and fungicide, is the most toxic of all chlorophenols and can accumulate in living organisms. It is of great significance to construct a sensitive method for the detection of PCP in real samples. In this study, a simple, novel, and sensitive electrochemical sensor for pentachlorophenol (PCP) was constructed by modifying glassy carbon electrode (GCE) with silver-reduced graphene oxide (AgNPs-rGO) nanocomposites.

Whey protein-based supplements are one of the most consumed products to improve performance, and they are, generally, recognized as being safe. However, recent studies indicated different types of adulterations in these products, including the presence of diuretics and stimulants, allowing the possibility of contamination by other substances with pharmacological activities, such as anabolic agents.

Bentonite-coated activated carbon (BCAC) as an effective adsorbent can absorb soluble impurities in food to improve the detection sensitivity of Rti-LAMP assay. In the present study, BCAC was optimally prepared and characterized by SEM-EDS, FTIR, Raman spectrum, and pHPZC. The adsorptive kinetics and capacities of BCAC for four representatives, including indigo carmine (IC), tryptophan, thiamine, and tannic acid, were also determined.

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA/RNA analogs in which sugar-phosphate backbone is replaced by N-2-aminoethylglycine repeating units. Since PNA contains a neutral skeleton, there is no electrostatic repulsion, resulting in significant stability of its hybrid structure with complementary oligonucleotides. At present, PNA has taken the place of DNA probe in many studies.

Recently, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has attracted extensive concern of domestic and international researchers owing to the enormous signal amplification and unparalleled detection capability. However, developing the multifunctional SERS substrate materials through one facile way still remains a great challenge today.

Unexpected contaminations of unauthorized genetically modified microorganisms (GMM) harbouring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in food and feed enzymes, additives and flavourings commercialized on the European market have recently alerted the competent authorities regarding the food and feed safety. At the control level, we have therefore proposed a PCR-based strategy as first line screening targeting GMM carrying AMR genes in order to help enforcement laboratories.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) is one of the most common and widely distributed food-borne bacteria. Thus, it is necessary to establish a rapid, specific, and sensitive detection approach for V. parahaemolyticus. The strategy of combining immunomagnetic separation method (IMS) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) measure was established successfully for V.

QuEChERS combined with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed to analyze multi-class mycotoxins including aflatoxins, ochratoxins, and Alternaria toxins in apples and tomatoes. Using apples and tomatoes as the research models, the method performance had been evaluated, showing great convenience, high sensitivity, and good reliability. The limit of detections was of 0.05–20 μg/L.

In this study, a combination of modified quick easy cheap effective rugged and safe extraction (QuEChERS) and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DLLME) has been proposed for the extraction and preconcentration of multiclass pesticide residues from yogurt samples prior to their determination by fast gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Factors influencing DLLME efficiency, including type and volume of extractive solvent, mixing type, salt addition, and extraction time were evaluated.

In this work an HPLC/hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) system for intact glucosinolates was optimized using a weak anion exchange resin to remove carboxylic phenolics that absorbed at the same wavelength (229 nm) as glucosinolates, by selectively protonating contaminating phenolics with pKas from 2.98 to 4 while leaving the second OH of the sulfate of the thioglycosidic linkage (pKa = 1.92) ionized.