Latest ArticlesTo construct a delivery system loaded with quercetin (QT), enhance QT’s solubility and stability.
This study used soy protein isolates (SPI) and fucoidan (Fuc) as raw materials, and constructed composite nanoparticles using the pH-driven method to encapsulate QT. The different quality ratios of SPI-QT-Fuc composite nanoparticles (SQF NPs) were evaluated based on particle size, potential, loading rate, embedding rate, freeze-drying reconstitution properties and microscopic morphology. The physicochemical properties of SQF NPs were analyzed using fluorescence spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The stability changes of SQF NPs under different environmental conditions (temperature, light, salt concentration, pH and storage time) were investigated to simulate gastrointestinal digestion and evaluate the gastrointestinal stability and bioavailability of SQF NPs.
The particle size of composite nanoparticles was (130.60±1.03) nm, the potential was(–33.14±2.35) mV, and the encapsulation rate reached 80.05% when the SPI/Fuc/QT mass ratio was 10:2:1. The binding forces of composite nanoparticles with uniform size distribution were the interplay of hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic forces. Compared to free QT, composite nanoparticles significantly enhanced the solubility, photothermal stability and gastrointestinal utilization of QT.
The composite nanoparticles, built upon SPI and Fuc, significantly improves the solubility, stability of QT, and will provide a promising avenue for the efficient application of QT in the food industry.
In recent years, the demand for livestock and poultry meat and their products has been increasing year by year. However, biogenic amines poisoning incidents keep occurring, so the food safety problems caused by biogenic amines of livestock and poultry meat products have attracted social attention. Therefore, the method for determining the content of biogenic amines is particularly important. Biogenic amines are a class of anti-nutritional nitrogen compounds produced by the action of microbial decarboxylases on free amino acids. They are very common in meat and meat products. At present, the state has not yet set limits on the content of biogenic amines in livestock and poultry meat and their products. This review described the sample pretreatment techniques and instrumental methods of biogenic amines in livestock and poultry meat products and discussed the advantages and disadvantages of various sample pretreatment techniques compared with the relevant methods in national and industry standards, compiled the commonly used instrumental methods for detecting biogenic amines at present, with the aim of providing new technical support for the determination of biogenic amines in livestock and poultry meat products. It provides a theoretical basis for controlling the excessive biogenic amines in livestock and poultry products.
To analyze the lead pollution situation in edible vegetable oils sold in a certain province in Northwestern China, and evaluate the risk of dietary exposure to lead.
A total of 335 edible vegetable oil samples were collected in a certain province in Northwest China from 2023 to 2024. The samples were tested using the inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry method specified in GB 5009.268—2016 National food safety standard-Determination of neotame in foods, with a pollution index method applied to evaluate lead contamination levels. The risk of dietary lead exposure among residents was assessed using the margin of exposure(MOE) method based on adult consumption patterns.
In the 335 batches of edible vegetable oil samples, the overall detection rate of lead was 7.2%, the exceeding standard rate was 0%, and the average content was 0.014 mg/kg. All 6 kinds of edible plant samples showed single-factor pollution indices was all less than 1, and comprehensive pollution indices was all less than 0.7, indicating clean contamination levels and safe exposure grades. The average daily dietary exposure to edible oil and high-lead food exposure (95th percentile P95) for adult residents in a certain province in Northwest China (18–44 years, 45–60 years, over 60 years) were 0.008, 0.010 and 0.010 μg/(kg·d) and 0.035, 0.041, 0.041 μg/(kg·d) respectively. The mean value and P95 value of MOE for adult residents of all age groups were greater than 1, which indicated that the dietary exposure risk of lead from edible vegetable oils in this province was relatively low.
From 2023 to 2024, lead contamination in commercially available edible vegetable oils across a certain northwestern province is generally mild with high safety levels. Both the average dietary exposure and high-exposure risks for adults of all age groups remain within acceptable ranges. However, continuous monitoring and attention to food safety risks associated with edible vegetable oils are still required. Further measures should be taken to prevent and reduce lead exposure risks through improved food safety practices.
To establish a method for identifying adulteration of Puerariae lobatae starch by analysis of microscopic morphological characteristics.
The microscopic morphology of self-prepared authentic Puerariae lobatae starch, corn starch, cassava starch, sweet potato starch and potato starch were observed by using scanning electron microscopy. Through characteristic analysis, the main typical morphologies of various starch microparticles were summarized and described. Then microscopic morphology analyses were conducted respectively on the simulated Puerariae lobatae starch adulterated with corn starch, cassava starch, sweet potato starch and potato starch, summarized the morphological differences and identification points to verify the reliability of the method and carry out the analysis of actual samples.
The differences of microscopic morphological characteristics could distinguish Puerariae lobatae starch from corn starch, cassava starch, sweet potato starch and potato starch when the adulteration was present.
The analysis method of microscopic morphological characteristics can be used to identify the adulteration of Puerariae lobatae starch. The method is simple and does not require sample pretreatment, it can be provide an intuitive and convenient technical for the Puerariae lobatae starch adulteration identification.
Turtles and soft-shelled turtles, as important aquatic animals with both edible and medicinal value, are closely associated with consumer health and the sustainable development of the industry in terms of product safety.This article reviewed the quality and safety risks of turtle and soft-shelled turtle products and the corresponding detection technologies, with a focus on chemical risks, including microplastics, heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, pesticide and veterinary drug residues and biotoxins, as well as biological risks such as Salmonella, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, parasites and viruses. Studies had shown that turtles and soft-shelled turtles possess a strong capacity to accumulate environmental pollutants, and the levels of heavy metals and organic contaminants in some wild individuals might exceed food safety limits. At the same time, turtles and soft-shelled turtles could also serve as important carriers of various zoonotic pathogens, such as Salmonella and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, thereby posing potential risks to public health. Future efforts should focus on establishing a whole-chain monitoring system, together with standardized farming practices and green processing technologies, in order to ensure the safety of turtle and soft-shelled turtle products and promote the sustainable development of the industry.
To analyze the pollution situation of benzo(a)pyrene in edible vegetable oils sold in a certain province in Northwest China and assess the dietary exposure risk.
A total of 338 edible vegetable oil samples were collected in a certain province in Northwest China from 2023 to 2024. The samples were tested using high performance liquid chromatography as specified in GB 5009.27—2016 National food safety standard-Determination of benzo(a)pyrene in foods, and the contamination index method was applied to analyze benzo(a)pyrene contamination levels. Based on adult dietary consumption patterns, the exposure margin ratio(MOE) method was used to evaluate residents’ dietary exposure risk.
Among the 338 edible oil samples, the overall detection rate of benzo(a)pyrene was 51.2%, with no samples exceeding the standard and an average content of 0.8 μg/kg. The single-factor pollution index of benzo(a)pyrene in 6 kinds of edible vegetable oils was all less than 1, and the comprehensive pollution index was all less than 0.7, which indicated a clean pollution level and a safe contamination grade. For adult residents in a certain province in Northwest China (aged 18–44, 45–60 and over 60), the average daily dietary exposure to edible oils and the exposure to foods with high benzo(a)pyrene content (95th percentile, P95) were 0.44, 0.53, 0.53 ng/(kg·d) and 1.73, 2.05, 2.06 ng/(kg·d)respectively. The MOE and P95 for all age groups exceeded 10000, indicating a low dietary exposure risk of benzo(a)pyrene from edible vegetable oils in this province.
The contamination of benzo(a)pyrene in various kings of commercially available edible vegetable oils in a certain province in Northwest China is generally mild, with a high level of safety in 2023—2024. The average dietary exposure and high-exposure dietary risks of adult residents of all age groups are relatively low, all within the acceptable range. However, it is still necessary to continuously pay attention to and monitor the food safety risks of edible vegetable oils, and take measures to further prevent and reduce the dietary exposure risk of benzo(a)pyrene in edible vegetable oils.
To establish an analytical method for detecting of de-N-ethyl derivative of vardenafil drug in foods by high-resolution mass spectrometry “diagnostic ion” coupled with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
The samples to be tested were dissolved in methanol/H2O, extracted by ultrasound and injected into high-resolution mass spectrometry to analyze and determine the nafil-type of the unknown compound. After extraction, enrichment, purification and concentration of the targeted analyte in the positive sample, it was identified through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis. A quantitative method for detecting of vardenafil derivative in foodstuffs was developed by ultra performance liquid chromatography-coupled triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS).
The unknown compound was characterized as de-N-ethyl derivative of vardenafil drug. UPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that the mass spectrometric response of de-N-ethyl derivative of vardenafil drug in 4 kinds of food matrix were well linear in the mass concentration range of 2–100 ng/mL. The spiking average recovery rate in 4 kinds of food matrix were ranged from 74.07%–110.05% with relative standard deviations of 0.36%–5.09% in 4 different concentrations. The limits of detection (S/N=3) and limits of quantitation (S/N=10) was 0.05 mg/kg and 0.10 mg/kg, respectively. This method was developed and employed to screen 50 batches of samples and de-N-ethyl derivative of vardenafil drug was detected in 5 batches of samples along with a content between 722 mg/kg to 1548 mg/kg.
The established detection method does not require complex sample pretreatment, and has high sensitivity and good accuracy, which can meet the requirements for detecting de-N-ethyl derivative of vardenafil drug in food in routine laboratory tests after being re-examined by 6 inspection and testing institutions.
To investigate the pesticide residue levels in main leafy vegetables in Sichuan Province, assess the dietary exposure risks to residents.
A total of 769 samples of 5 kinds of leafy vegetables (celery, Chinese cabbage, bok choy, romaine lettuce and spinach) were collected in 2024 from 52 counties across 16 cities/prefectures of Sichuan Province. The 60 kinds of pesticides from 8 categories, including fipronil, were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(GC-MS/MS). Dietary exposure risks were comprehensively evaluated using the hazard risk coefficient (R), index of food safety (IFS) and acute dietary intake risk [expressed as the percentage of the acute reference dose (ARfD, denoted as %ARfD)].
The overall detection rate of pesticide residues was 69.96%, with an exceedance rate of 5.85% and a compliance rate of 94.15%. Chlorpyrifos exhibited relatively high R values in celery, bok choy and spinach, at 6.75, 2.57 and 8.79, respectively. The 14 kinds of pesticides, including propiconazole and difenoconazole, showed unacceptable IFS values (1.02–6.90). The 16 kinds of pesticides, such as cyhalothrin, demonstrated acceptable acute dietary risks (%ARfD<100%).
Leafy vegetables in Sichuan Province still show issues of excessive or off-label use of pesticides such as propiconazole, as well as the illegal use of banned or restricted pesticides like chlorpyrifos, posing potential dietary exposure risks. Strengthened regulation and enforcement regarding these pesticides are needed to support the sustainable development of Sichuan’s vegetable industry and to safeguard public health.
To establish a method for screening illegally added sedative-hypnotic compounds in functional foods by high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
Samples were extracted with acetonitrile or 1% ammonia-acetonitrile (by volume fraction), purified with 50 mg N-propylethylenediamine and 150 mg anhydrous magnesium sulfate, and separated using a Waters BEH C18 column (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm). The mass spectrometry analysis was performed in positive and negative ion switching scan mode, combined with full-scan primary mass spectrometry and data-dependent tandem mass spectrometry acquisition. Based on the established multilevel database of sedative-hypnotic compounds, high-throughput qualitative screenings and analysis of the target compounds were achieved.
All sedative-hypnotic compounds showed good linear relationships in the concentration range of 10–600 µg/kg, with correlation coefficients all greater than 0.99, and the limits of quantitation ranged from 20 to 50 µg/kg. In compressed candies, liquid beverages and mixed milk powders, the average spiked recoveries (mass fraction) were 51.03%–119.92%, 53.36%–115.46% and 51.89%–116.79%, respectively; the relative standard deviations were 1.19%–9.75%, 1.27%–9.93% and 1.24%–9.52%, respectively. In the screening of actual samples, the detection rate of melatonin was 22%.
The proposed method is simple to operate, highly sensitive, and it is applicable for determining illegally added sedative-hypnotic compounds in diverse food matrices, providing robust technical support for food safety supervision.
To optimize the fermentation conditions for Aspergillus niger strains with high-yield α-glucosidase.
Using Aspergillus niger as the fermentation strain and α-glucosidase activity as the evaluation index, single-factor optimization was employed to investigate fermentation conditions including temperature, rotation speed and inoculum size. Orthogonal experiment was applied to optimize the components of the fermentation medium.
The optimal fermentation conditions for α-glucosidase production by Aspergillus niger were as follows: Malt extract powder 4%, yeast peptone 3%, Tween X-100 0.10%, K2HPO4·3H2O 0.5%, MgSO4·7H2O 0.05%, initial fermentation pH 5.9 and inoculum size 2%. Under these conditions, the α-glucosidase activity reached 0.530 U/mL, which was 28% higher than that before optimization.
The optimized fermentation conditions and medium components for α-glucosidase production by Aspergillus niger in this study significantly enhance the α-glucosidase activity compared with the unoptimized ones(P<0.05). The optimized strategy is simple and feasible, which lays a theoretical foundation for the further industrial application and commercial development of α-glucosidase.
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