Research Publications (Food Safety)

Abstract Background Grape peels, the main by‐products of wine processing, are rich in bioactive ingredients of phenolics, including proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and anthocyanins. Phenolics have the function of regulating intestinal microbiota and promoting intestinal health. From the perspective of the dietary nutrition of grape peel phenolics (GPP), this study was to investigate the influence of GPP on the composition and metabolism of human gut microbiota during in vitro fermentation.

Abstract Background Including seaweed in cattle feed has gained increased interest, but it is important to take into account that the concentration of toxic metals, especially arsenic, is high in seaweed. This study investigated the arsenic species in milk from seaweed‐fed cows.

Abstract BACKGROUND Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), a widely distributed global foodborne pathogen primarily linked with contaminated chicken meat, poses a significant health risk. Lowering this pathogen abundance in poultry meat is challenging but essential. This study assessed the impact of lactobacillus‐fermented rapeseed meal (LFRM) on broilers exposed to C. jejuni contaminated litter, evaluating growth performance, Campylobacter levels, and metagenomic profile.

Abstract BACKGROUND The shortcomings of synthetic pesticides are becoming increasingly evident. In the pursuit of looking for alternative, environmentally friendly pesticides, the potential use of two naturally occurring sesquiterpenes, α‐bisabolol and bisabolol oxide A, as bactericides or acaricides, was investigated against three gram‐positive and three gram‐negative bacteria, and the eggs and larvae of the cattle tick Hyalomma scupense, respectively.

Abstract Background Dietary fibers with varying physicochemical properties have different fermentation characteristics, which may differently impact host health. The purpose of this study was to determine the fermentation characteristics including gas production kinetics, short‐chain fatty acids production, and microbial composition of different fibrous ingredients using in vitro fermentation by fecal microbiota.

Abstract BACKGROUND Bacterial contamination of produce is a concern in indoor farming due to close plant spacing, recycling irrigation, warm temperatures, and high relative humidity during production. Cultivars that inherently resist contamination and photo‐sanitization using ultraviolet (UV) radiation during the production phase can reduce bacterial contamination. However, there is limited information to support their use in indoor farming.

Abstract BACKGROUNDS Pickering emulsion stabilized by multi‐component particles have attracted increasing attention. Researches on characterizing the digestion and health benefit effects of these emulsions in the human gastrointestinal tract are quite limited. This work aimed to reveal the digestive characteristics of media milled purple sweet potato particle‐stabilized Pickering emulsions (PSPP‐Es) during in vitro digestion and colonic fermentation.

Abstract Nanotechnology is a rapidly developing discipline that has the potential to transform the way we approach problems in a variety of fields, including agriculture. The utilization of nanotechnology in sustainable agriculture has gained popularity in recent years.

Abstract Background Processed meat as an important part of the human diet, was recognized as a carcinogen (2A) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Although there were numerous epidemiological reports supporting IARC's view, the relevant evidence of a direct association between processed meat and carcinogenicity was insufficient and the mechanism was still unclear.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND ε‐polylysine hydrochloride (ε‐PLH) is a naturally occurring antimicrobial peptide extensively utilized in the food and medical industries. However, its impact on animal husbandry remains to be further explored. Therefore, this experiment aimed to determine the effect of ε‐PLH on laying hens' health and laying performance. RESULTS Dietary supplementation with ε‐PLH to the diet significantly increased average egg weight (AEW) of the week 1‐8.

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 This study aimed to evaluate the effect of N‐carbamylglutamate (NCG) on the piglets’ growth performance and immune response, and unravel their mechanisms. In a 2 × 2 factorial design including diet (with or without NCG) and immunological challenge (saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)), 24 piglets were randomly distributed to four groups. After being fed a basic diet or a NCG‐supplemented diet for 21 days, piglets were administered LPS or saline intraperitoneally.

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 Laboratory scale experiments have shown that treatment with selective lignin degrading white rot fungi improves the nutritional value and ruminal degradability of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). However, the lack of effective field‐applicable pasteurization methods has long been recognized as a major obstacle for scaling up the technique for fungal treatment of large quantities of LCB for animal feeding.

Abstract Background Paralytic shellfish poisoning caused by human consumption of shellfish fed on toxic algae is a public health hazard. It is imperative to implement shellfish monitoring programs to minimize the possibility of shellfish contaminated by paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) reaching the marketplace. Results A rapid detection method for PST in mussels using near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology has been proposed.

Abstract BACKGROUND Alternaria can infest pears to produce metabolites, which can contaminate pears and their processed products. Pear paste, one of the most important pear‐based products, is popular among Chinese consumers especially for its cough relieving and phlegm removal properties. Although people are concerned about the risk of Alternaria toxins in many agro‐foods and their products, little is known about the toxins in pear paste.

Abstract BACKGROUND Mycotoxin monitoring in cereal grains has great importance in the food and feed industries. This study evaluated mycotoxin contamination in corns with different endosperm textures in 2 years of cultivation. Samples of dent, semi‐dent, flint and semi‐flint corns from field experiments were analyzed by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC‐MS/MS).

Abstract BACKGROUND Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are among the most important mycotoxins with common presence in bread and bakery products. Biological detoxification of mould food spoilage and mycotoxin contamination by lactic acid bacteria (LABs) exhibits high potential on a cost‐effective and large scale.

Abstract Background As indigestible carbohydrates, milk oligosaccharides exert various benefits for newborns mainly through intestinal microbiota, among which 2’‐fucosyllactose (2’‐FL) is the most predominant milk oligosaccharide. However, knowledge about the fermentative characteristics of 2’‐FL in the gut remains limited, especially in the small intestine.

Abstract Background Myoglobin (MB), a pigmentation protein, can adversely affect the antibacterial activity of carvacrol (CAR) and weaken its bacteriostasis effect. This study aimed to clarify the influence of MB on the antibacterial activity of CAR and ascertain the mechanism involved in the observed influence, especially the interaction between the two compounds.

Abstract BACKGROUND Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has been used widely in preparing silage. However, forage legumes are prone to contamination by spoilage bacteria during fermentation. Nisin has broad‐spectrum antibacterial properties and has been applied as an inhibitor of rumen methane emissions. However, little research has been carried out on the application of nisin in silage.

Abstract BACKGROUND The widespread incidence of “false smut” disease in rice has caused extensive ustiloxin contamination around the world. Until now there has been a lack of knowledge regarding the natural occurrence of ustiloxins in paddy. The development of efficient removal methods is also still a challenge that remains unexplored.

Abstract Background Mycoplasma hyorhinis is a prevalent respiratory pathogen in swine, causing significant economic loss to pig producers. There is growing evidence that respiratory pathogen infections have a large impact on intestinal microecology. To study the effect of M. hyorhinis infection on gut microbial composition and metabolome profile, pigs were infected with M. hyorhinis.

Abstract BACKGROUND Food safety risks (FSRs) are increasingly characterized by geographical complexity along with rapid urbanization, changing dietary pattern, and the modernization of the food industry. These factors pose challenges for food risk control in developing economies, more so during the global COVID‐19 pandemic. The accurate assessment of risk source and transfer path is a crucial step toward enhancing cross‐regional food safety management.

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.