Research Publications (Food Safety)

Abstract Background Understanding the role of adjuvants in pesticide persistence is crucial to develop effective pesticide formulations and manage pesticide residues in fresh produce.

Abstract BACKGROUND Fresh‐cut fruit are convenient ready‐to‐eat products increasingly demanded by consumers, but highly susceptible to oxidation. To increase the shelf life of these products, this industry is currently facing the challenge of finding sustainable natural preservatives capable of maintaining fresh‐cut fruit quality while meeting consumers’ expectations regarding health and environmental concerns.

Abstract BACKGROUND Non‐fried shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) crisps fabricated by explosion puffing drying (EPD) are receiving worldwide attention due to its crispness, convenience, nutrition and health functions. The quality of mushroom crisps varies with storage time of fresh L. edodes. Therefore, the effect of postharvest storage time (ranging 0 – 14 d) of fresh L. edodes on quality characteristics of EPD processed mushroom crisps were evaluated.

Abstract Background In an environment where the adoption of improved varieties resulting from plant breeding programs is limited, it is essential to identify end‐user preferences beforehand. A participatory survey was conducted in eight localities in Korhogo and Bouake regions, (central and northern Cote d'Ivoire, respectively) to identify producers' preferences and increase the adoption of improved varieties.

BACKGROUND The greatest hurdle to commercial marketing of fresh‐cut fruits and vegetables is limited shelf‐life due to microbial hazards and quality deterioration. Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) is an emerging non‐thermal technology with significant potential to improve the safety and storability of fresh products.

BACKGROUND α‐lactalbumin (α‐La) was of great interest to the industry due to its excellent functional properties and nutritional value. Aqueous two‐phase flotation (ATPF) of thermo‐sensitive polymer poly (ethylene glycol‐ran‐propylene glycol) monobutyl ether (UCON) and KH2PO4 was applied to directly separate and purify α‐La from milk whey, which was purposed to simplify the production process and reduced cost of production.

ABSTRACT Background Fruit and vegetable consumption has increased among masses due to their tremendous health benefits. However, recent studies have shown that contaminated products may serve as a vehicle for foodborne pathogens and harmful chemicals. Therefore, fresh vegetables must be decontaminated before consumption to ensure food safety.

BACKGROUND In maritime growing environments, blueberry yield often exhibits excessive season‐to‐season variation, associated with poorly adapted photosynthetic responses to low light conditions.1 It is therefore necessary to develop methods that stabilise yield whilst maintaining or improving fruit quality.

BACKGROUD To extend the storage time of postharvest cherry tomato, boscalid are often used. Pesticide residue has become an issue of food safety. This study was to investigate the spatial distribution of boscalid residue in cherry tomato fruits and to determine the effect of 24‐epibrassinolide (EBR) in promoting boscalid degradation. RESULTS Boscalid could quickly penetrate into cherry tomatoes, but mainly remained in the peel.

BACKGROUND During the production of fresh‐cut products, crops are exposed to wounding stress, and as a stress response, phenolic antioxidants are synthesized. This stress response is elicited by extracellular adenosine triphosphate, released from wounded cells and recognized by receptors of unwounded cells. The phenolic antioxidants produced as a stress response are beneficial for human health.

BACKGROUND Seasonal persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) crops have steadily increased in Spain; this has been linked to a significant increase in the postharvest production waste. Therefore, development of valorized products is of great interest. In this study, a hot air‐drying technique was used to obtain persimmon snacks.

Background Pyraclostrobin and picoxystrobin are two representative pesticides of strobilurins used to treat cucumber downy mildew, which have raised issues of food safety and human health. A new formulation containing these two compounds is being prepared for marketing in China.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND Cyromazine and acetamiprid are widely applied as pesticides in agriculture, causing increasing concerns about their residues in crops. In this study, cyromazine, acetamiprid and their mixture were applied to cowpea to investigate their degradation dynamics and perform a dietary risk assessment.

BACKGROUND Increased awareness of consumers on food safety promotes the development of rapid and sensitive detection techniques for pesticide residues. In this study, a new type of rapid detection card for organophosphorus (OPs) and carbamates (CMs) pesticide residues was developed by electrospinning.