Research Publications (Food Safety)

Solid‐state fermentation by Aspergillus niger and Lactobacillus plantarum improved the content of bioactive compounds and physicochemical properties of wheat bran. Whole wheat bread supplemented with the fermented bran displayed enhanced textual and sensory profiles with upgraded quality. Summary Solid‐state fermentation (SSF) is an economically viable processing technique to improve the bioactive content from agricultural by‐products.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) contamination is a food safety issue threatening human health globally. Biodegradation is an effective method for overcoming this problem, and many microorganisms have been identified as AFB1-degrading strains. However, the response mechanisms of these microbes to AFB1 remain unclear. More degrading enzymes, especially of new types, need to be discovered. In this study, a novel AFB1-degrading strain, DDC-4, was isolated using coumarin as the sole carbon source.

Abstract Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a type of mycotoxin commonly found in raw and processed foods. It is essential to be aware of this toxin, as it can harm your health if consumed in high quantities. OTA can induce toxic effects in various cell models. However, a more comprehensive understanding of the harmful effects of OTA on human astrocytes is required.

Mycotoxins are potent fungal toxins that frequently contaminate agricultural crops and foods. Mycotoxin exposure is frequently reported in humans, and children are known to be particularly at risk of exceeding safe levels of exposure. Urinary biomonitoring is used to assess overall dietary exposure to multiple mycotoxins. This study aims to quantify multi-mycotoxin exposure in UK children and to identify major food groups contributing to exposure.

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a prevalent mycotoxin found in grains and grain-derived products, inducing adverse health effects in both animals and humans. The in-field application of microorganisms to degrade and detoxify ZEN is a promising strategy to enhance the safety of food and feed. In this study, we investigated the potential of three actinobacterial strains to degrade and detoxify ZEN in vitro and in planta on wheat ears.

Almonds play a significant role in Iran’s economy, and factors that threaten their market, such as aflatoxins, need careful consideration. Plasma‐activated water (PAW) is a new method that has antioxidant activity and can eliminate toxins and microbial agents, making it a suitable solution for removing aflatoxins from almonds.

This study investigated the effects of varying doses of dietary aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the growth, intestinal health, and muscle quality of hybrid grouper. Four diets with varying AFB1 concentrations (0, 30, 445, and 2,230 μg kg−1) were used. Elevating AFB1 concentrations led to a decline in growth indexes, specifically the weight gain rate and the specific growth rate, although the survival rate remained unchanged. Morphological indicators showed a dose‐dependent decline with AFB1 exposure.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on cholestasis in duck liver and its nutritional regulation. Three hundred sixty 1-day-old ducks were randomly divided into six groups and fed for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a basic diet, while the experimental group diet contained 90 μg/kg of AFB1. Cholestyramine, atorvastatin calcium, taurine, and emodin were added to the diets of four experimental groups.

Patulin, a toxic mycotoxin, can contaminate apple-derived products. The FDA has established an action level of 50 ppb (ng/g) for patulin in apple juice and apple juice products. To effectively monitor this mycotoxin, there is a need for adequate analytical methods that can reliably and efficiently determine patulin levels.

Abstract Pear residue, a byproduct of pear juice extraction, is rich in soluble sugar, vitamins, minerals, and cellulose. This study utilized Monascus anka in liquid fermentation to extract dietary fiber (DF) from pear residue, and the structural and functional characteristics of the DF were analyzed. Soluble DF (SDF) content was increased from 7.9/100 g to 12.6 g/100 g, with a reduction of average particle size from 532.4 to 383.0 nm by fermenting with M. anka.

Doubled haploid lines from the cross Thatcher‐Lr34 × Thatcher‐Lr13 inoculated with Fusarium graminearum were assessed for Fusarium head blight (FHB) and deoxynivalenol (DON) accumulation. Both Lr34 and Lr67 significantly reduced FHB symptoms and DON. Abstract The resistance gene Lr34 conditions durable disease resistance to many biotrophic wheat pathogens and has been incorporated into many wheat cultivars throughout the world.

Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), a frequent contaminant in silage, is a significant producer of aflatoxins, notably the potent carcinogen aflatoxin B1. This contaminant poses a potential risk during the initial aerobic phase of ensiling. The present work studied the impact of temperature on A. flavus growth and aflatoxin B1 production in laboratory-scale sorghum silos during the initial aerobic phase. Growth curves of A.

Pre‐ and post‐harvest management practices to mitigate patulin. Abstract Patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite produced by certain molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys), poses a significant health risk when present in apple juice products above permissible levels. Its presence is a major concern for both consumers and regulatory bodies due to its potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.

Abstract BACKGROUND Fresh ginseng is typically accompanied by soil after harvest, leading to contamination with harmful fungi during storage and distribution. In this study, we investigated the incidence of fungal contamination in fresh ginseng (5–6 years old) purchased from 22 different stores in Geumsan, Korea. RESULTS The incidence of fungal contamination in the samples was 67.4–111.5%.

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is an important and devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) caused by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum and related pathogens. Using two distinct susceptible cultivars, we investigated the isolation frequencies of F. pseudograminearum and quantified its biomass accumulation and the levels of the associated toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and DON-3-glucoside (D3G) in inoculated field-grown wheat plants. We detected F.

Barley resistance ratings to Fusarium head blight reflect Fusarium success during malting, while strains of Fusarium graminearum differ only mildly in their impacts on barley. Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in barley, causing significant losses for the malting and brewing industries. We hypothesized that the variation observed in Fusarium‐related issues during malting may be partially attributable to differences among Fusarium graminearum strains.

The fungal infestation of crops can cause major economic losses. Toxins produced by the causative fungi (mycotoxins) represent a potential safety hazard to people and livestock consuming them. One such mycotoxin is deoxynivalenol (DON, also known as vomitoxin), a trichothecene associated with Fusarium Head Blight of wheat. DON is commonly found in cereal crops worldwide.

The graphical abstract presents a detailed analysis of data from the RASFF concerning herbs and spices. On the left, various herbs and spices are depicted, representing the subjects of the notifications. Below this, a pie chart categorizes the types of RASFF notifications, with border rejections constituting the majority. On the right, the graphic lists the top 10 notifying countries, countries of origin, and notified products, with chili being the most frequently reported product.