Research Publications (Food Safety)

by Carolyn B. Meyer, Timothy A. Walker, Alex B. Francisco, Emily B. Morrison, Joseph S. Meyer Current estimates of terrestrial bird losses across Europe from ingestion of lead ammunition are based on uncertain or generic assumptions. A method is needed to develop defensible European-specific estimates compatible with available data that does not require long-term field studies. We propose a 2-step method using carcass data and population models.

Cadmium (Cd) is a harmful heavy metal that is risky for plant growth and human health. The zinc-finger transcription factor ZAT10 is highly conserved with ZAT6 and ZAT12, which are involved in Cd tolerance in plants. However, the definite function of ZAT10 in Cd tolerance remains uncertain. Here, we demonstrated that ZAT10 negatively regulated Cd uptake and enhanced Cd detoxification in Arabidopsis. The expression of ZAT10 in plants is induced by Cd treatment.

This study evaluated toxic metal concentration in raw milk and related potential health risks. 100 raw milk samples and 30 water samples consumed by cows were gathered from 10 dairy farms in Behbahan county, and Pb and Cd were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). In raw milk samples, mean Pb and Cd levels were 0.55±0.09 and 0.0031±0.0004 mg/l, respectively.

BackgroundLymphocytes are a group of white blood cells with a variety of roles their integrity is crucial for the body’s immune responses. Cadmium, a heavy metal and environmental pollutant, is known as a toxicant to exert its adverse effects on some sort of cells including blood cells.Research DesignIn this study, human lymphocytes were divided into 3 groups: (1) lymphocytes at 0-h, (2) lymphocytes at 24 h (control), (3) lymphocytes treated with cadmium chloride (15 μM).

Compared with pyrometallurgical recycling, hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lead paste has obvious advantages such as energy saving and emission reduction, however, hydrometallurgical recycling of spent lead paste is also characterized by high levels of impurities (e.g.,Fe, Ba and Cu) in the recovered products. In this study, a green process for the conversion of spent lead paste into high-purity lead carbonate is presented.

Soil contamination with toxic heavy metals [such as lead (Pb)] is becoming a serious global problem due to the rapid development of the social economy. However, accumulation of Pb in plant parts is very toxic for plant growth and decreases crop yield and productivity.

All processes involved in metal homeostasis must be coordinated to provide sufficient, but not toxic, concentrations of important bioelements, and to minimize detrimental effects of toxic metals. Our previous studies dealing with the exposure of O.

The combined contamination of heavy metals and microplastics is widespread in freshwater environments. However, there are few researches on their combined effects on aquatic plants.

The bioleaching process is carried out by aerobic acidophilic iron-oxidizing bacteria that are mainly mesophilic or moderately thermophilic. However, many mining sites are located in areas where the mean temperature is lower than the optimal growth temperature of these microorganisms.

In this work, MIL-100(Fe)-decorated mesoporous carbon powders (MC@MIL-100(Fe)) were prepared by in situ growth of MIL-100(Fe) on the surface of ZIF-8 framework-based mesoporous carbons (MC). The hybrid material was characterized using SEM equipped with EDS mapping for morphology investigation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy for chemical valence analysis, and X-ray diffraction for crystal structure determination.

The commercialization of hybrid rice has greatly contributed to the increase in rice yield, with the improvement of its seed production capacity having played an important role. The stigma exsertion rate (SER) is a key factor for improving the outcrossing of the sterile line and the hybrid rice seed production.

Cadmium (Cd) contamination threatens the safety of rice and seriously endangers human health. In plot and field experiments, the effect of combined silicon (Si) and calcium (Ca) application on Cd toxicity and accumulation by rice was investigated in low and moderately Cd-contaminated paddy soils. Two types of Si fertilizers, limestone, and novel composite soil amendment (Si + Ca) were soil-applied before rice planting.

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of plants in response to Cd stress is crucial for improving plants adaptation to Cd stress. Fulvic acid (FA) is an active humic substance that is often used as a 

Conjugation, the process by which conjugative plasmids are transferred between bacteria, is regarded as a major contributor to the spread of antibiotic resistance, in both environmental and clinical settings. Heavy metals are known to co-select for antibiotic resistance, but the impact of the presence of these metals on conjugation itself is not clear.

This research was conducted in Jableh city in the Latakia Governorate during 2019–2020 to study the level of pollution of the soils and plants of some greenhouses in Jableh city with the elements cadmium and nickel. Several greenhouses were randomly distributed in different areas in Jableh city based on the period of their investment (5, 10, 20, and 25 years), as the investment period was considered the variable factor between greenhouses.

Biochar as an environmentally friendly soil amendment, has attracted widespread attention and in combination with other amendments is considered to be more conducive to crop growth, soil fertility, and crop safety production.

The carcinogenic metalloid arsenic (As), owing to its persistent behavior in elevated levels in soils, aggravates environmental and human health concerns. The current strategies used in the As decontamination involve several physical and chemical approaches. However, it involves high cost and even leads to secondary pollution. Therefore, it is quite imperative to explore methods that can eradicate As menace from the environment in an eco-friendly, efficient, and cost-competitive way.

Antibiotic resistance among bacteria is a growing global challenge. A major reason for this is the limited progress in developing new classes of antibiotics active against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we investigate the antibacterial activity of a dicationic bisguanidine-arylfuran, originally developed as an antitrypanosomal agent, and new derivatives thereof.

Effects of vitamin C supplementation on the oral bioaccessibility of lead (Pb) present in contaminated soils were examined using a number of in vitro assays (PBET, SBRC, UBM and IVG). In the presence of vitamin C, an increase in Pb bioaccessibility was observed in the gastric phase by 1.3-fold (30.5%−85.5%) and in the intestinal phase by 3.1-fold (0.9%−58.9%).

SQUAMOSA PROMOTER BINDING PROTEIN-LIKE (SPL) genes encode a large family of plant-specific transcription factors that play important roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, there is little information available on SPL genes in Chenopodiaceae. Here, 23 SPL genes were identified and characterized in the highly nutritious crop Chenopodium quinoa. Chromosome localization analysis indicated that the 23 CqSPL genes were unevenly distributed on 12 of 18 chromosomes.

Increasing evidence supports the role of arsenic in dysregulated immune and inflammation responses, while, safe and effective treatments have not been fully examined. Rosa roxburghii Tratt (RRT), a traditional Chinese edible fruit with potential immunoregulatory activities, was considered as a dietary supplement to explore its protective effects and possible mechanism in arsenic-induced dysregulated inflammation responses.

Soil contamination with cadmium (Cd) is a persistent threat to crop production worldwide. The present study examined the putative roles of nitric oxide (NO) in improving Cd-tolerance in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.). The present study was conducted using four different genotypes of B.

Earlier studies revealed that cadmium (Cd) concentrations in cacao nibs can decrease by a factor up to 1.3 during fermentation. Here, fermentation was mimicked by incubating beans at different temperatures, and acetic acid and ethanol concentrations in the incubation media. Nib Cd concentrations decreased during incubation by mobilisation in the nibs and subsequent outward migration to the testa and the incubation solution.

Gastrointestinal nematodes are a diverse class of pathogens that colonise a quarter of the world’s human population and nearly all grazing livestock. These macroparasites establish, and some migrate, within host gastrointestinal niches during their life cycles and release molecules that condition the host mucosa to enable chronic infections.

Metal hyperaccumulators are plant species that can uptake and store high concentrations of heavy metals in their aboveground tissues, while maintaining high vigor. Hyperaccumulation of metals was suggested to provide defense against natural enemies such as herbivores. However, heavy-metal uptake can incur physiological and ecological costs, suggesting that, like other anti-herbivore defenses, it might be induced by herbivore attack.