Research Publications (Food Safety)

In Ecuador, more than 50% of the milk produced was informally marketed, consequently, the mean of this study was to assess the quality of this milk specifically within the province of Pichincha, the largest milk producer. A total of 650 samples were gathered from the eight cantons within the province.

Salmonella is a major cause of food poisoning, and its infection and antimicrobial resistance vary regionally due to different sanitary standards and the use of antimicrobials. The aim of this study is to evaluate the microbiological contamination and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella in Shanghai, providing references for supervision over food safety and clinical treatment.

A decoction is the most common form of Chinese herbal medicine dosing. An Angelica sinensis decoction was qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed for 15 highly toxic pesticide residues by thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (TD-ESI/MS) with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer in multiple reaction monitoring mode without pretreatment.

Okadaic acid (OA) and the analogs of dinophysistoxin (DTX) are important members of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins. In this study, five OA-specific mAbs (monoclonal antibodies) were developed from five stable cells of hybridoma.

A bispecific monoclonal antibody (BsMAb) that can simultaneously recognize aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and amantadine (AMD) was prepared. Quantum dot nanobead immunochromatographic assay (QB-ICA) based on the BsMAb was developed for the simultaneous detection of AFB1 and AMD in four feed samples (suckling pig feed, piglet feed, sow feed, and compound feed for laying ducks).

Okadaic acid (OA), one of marine biotoxins produced by several species of dinoflagellates, can accumulate in marine animals. The consumption of OA-contaminated seafood can cause diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning. Many countries have established regulatory restriction to limit the level of OA in seafood. In the present study, we report a highly sensitive monoclonal antibody (mAb) against OA produced by a new immunogen.

Arsenic (As), an environmental pollutant, is a highly poisonous metalloid. Accumulated evidence has shown the association between As exposure and elevated risk of the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Calycosin, a beneficial flavonoid, has demonstrated cardioprotective activities, including those against CHD, in preclinical studies. The anti-As-related CHD activity and mechanism of calycosin have not yet been elucidated.

This study evaluated the presence of aflatoxin B1 in five different animal feeds collected from manufacturers, suppliers and consumers and its possible reduction by heating at 100°C for 180 min. A total of 160 animal feed samples were collected and analyzed by using lateral flow immunoassay method.

Naturally fermented filed water-dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) extracts by steeping with oligosaccharides (FDE) show a hepatoprotective activity against the liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and ethanol. However, the role of FDE in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) has not yet been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effect of FDE on NASH using a mouse model with a methionine/choline-deficient diet (MCD).

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, as a vibriosis, causes huge losses to the aquaculture industry, food poisoning in humans and activates macrophages to induce pro-inflammatory cytokines. Chloroquine (CQ), as an anti-inflammatory property, this study aimed to investigate the effect of CQ on inflammatory response to V. parahaemolyticus in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The result showed that V.

Amphenicol antibiotics including chloramphenicol (CAP), florfenicol (FF) and thiamphenicol (TAP) have been widely used in aquaculture and veterinary to treat various infections. Because of their high toxicity, it is important to detect these amphenicol antibiotics simultaneously.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of Lactobacillus reuteri B1/1 on the local intestinal immune response in the cecum of chickens experimentally infected by C. jejuni CCM6189. Day-old chicken were divided into four groups: control (C), L. reuteri B1/1 (LR), C. jejuni CCM6189 (CJ), and combined L. reuteri B1/1 + C. jejuni CCM6189 (LRCJ). Cecal samples were collected during necropsy 12, 24, 48 hours after infection by C.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in milk is a problem of great concern. Current methods of detection require large instruments and need specific test sites. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a fast, convenient, and accurate detection method for AFM1. We established a system based on fluorescent microspheres containing a Eu3+ chelate named AFM1-POCT. These components comprised the AFM1-POCT kits.

Lead (Pb) is a toxic metal that can accumulate in the body and negatively impact human health. In this study, we prepared a highly sensitive and specific monoclonal antibody, 2C3, that can recognize Pb(II) with an IC50 and linear range of 0.5 ng/mL and 0.08–1.86 ng/mL, respectively. Additionally, based on this antibody we developed a fluorescent test strip, which can be used for both qualitative and quantitative detection of Pb(II) in brown rice with a detection range of 4.67–47.8 ng/mL.

Maximum permissible levels of mycotoxins in baby food may be 1% of those in ordinary food. Therefore, highly sensitive methods of mycotoxin control are in demand. To detect such low amounts, expensive instrumental methods are commonly used. Advantages of immunochromatographic analyses are their low cost and simple sample preparation; however, their sensitivity needs to be increased to contend with instrumental methods.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a highly toxic potential contaminant of most agricultural products, and OTA is difficult to remove in general food production processes. In this study, we immobilized polyvinyl pyrrolidone-coated carboxypeptidase A (CPA) into zeolitic imidazolate framework material to improve the ability for OTA degradation.

In this study, a high sensitivity and specificity monoclonal antibody (mAb) was developed based on the hydroxy and carboxy-termini of ochratoxin A (OTA). A fluorescent microsphere immunochromatographic test strip (FM-ICTS) was assembled for the rapid detection the OTA in rice flour. Some relevant parameters were optimized including the best concentration of coating antigen and optimal diluent buffer composition.

The establishment of nucleic acid amplification technology and functional nucleic acid aptamers promote the development of detection techniques. In particular, the detection displayed promise for broader application, as well as improved specificity ad higher sensitivity when combined with immunoassays (IA).

In this study, we produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2F7 against cadmium (Cd) with IC50 of 0.20 ng/mL. The cross-reactivity of mAb 2F7 with other eight metals was < 1%. A fluorescent immunoassay strip was developed for the determination of Cd in rice. The cut-off value by visual inspection of the test strip was 50 μg/kg, and the quantitative detection range determined by the strip reader was 3.86–48.92 μg/kg.

Food contamination with antibiotic residues has become a worldwide problem due to the heavy and improper use of antibiotics. The development of fast, high-throughput, easy, and economical screening methods for the detection of antibiotic residues is an important requirement as an alternative to the traditional assays. Immunoassays are widespread promising methods that can achieve the conditions of an analytical method in the evaluation of food and environmental protection.

A rapid, ultra-sensitive and simple fluorescence immunoassay (FLISA) on CdSe/ZnS Quantum dots (QDs) for recognition pesticide triazophos have been established. In this assay, the immunoassay uses (CdSe/ZnS) Quantum dots (QDs) as a probe that carries monoclonal antibody (mAb). The free triazophos and OVA-haptens were competed for binding the mAb on the surface of the QDs. Therefore, the concentration of TRIAZ can get by calculation of the detection of fluorescence value.

The hapten 1 which was formed by the reaction of 2-chloro-4,6-diamine-1,3,5-triazine (CAAT) with 6-aminocaproic acid, conjugated with keyhole limpet haemocyanin to prepare the immunogen. And coating antigen was prepared by the coupling of ovalbumin and hapten 2 which was synthesized by the reaction of CAAT and 3-mercapto propionic acid. Based on immunological and cell fusion technology, the anti-melamine monoclonal antibody was prepared and characterized.

In this study, we used 2-(diethexyphosphoryl)acetic acid as a common template molecule and Fe3O4@SiO2 as support material to prepare a superparamagnetic core/shell molecular imprinting polymer (MIP), Fe3O4@SiO2@MIP, which has multiple recognition sites and increased adsorption capacity.