Latest ArticlesShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is one of the most significant foodborne pathogens worldwide, capable of causing serious diseases such as diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome, posing a continuous threat to public health and the food industry. With the globalization of food supply chains and the increasing consumption of fresh and ready-to-eat foods, the concealment and complexity of STEC contamination have been further exacerbated, raising higher demands on the sensitivity, specificity and timeliness of detection technologies. This review systematically summarized research progress in STEC detection technologies and standard systems in foods both domestically and internationally, with a focus on the application status, advantages and limitations of conventional culture-based methods, immunological assays, molecular biological techniques, as well as emerging approaches such as bacteriophage-based methods and biosensors. The results indicated that STEC detection was evolving from traditional culture-based confirmation toward integrated strategies combining rapid molecular screening with viable bacterial isolation. While advanced methods demonstrated clear advantages in detection speed, target coverage and risk identification, they still faced challenges including high equipment dependence, operational complexity and limited efficiency in isolating viable bacteria from positive samples. This study further evaluated these technologies in terms of advancement, practicality and reliability, aiming to provide references for the optimization, standardization and practical application of STEC detection methods in food safety management.
To clarify the changes in the content and bioavailability of 4 kinds of sugars and 4 kinds vitamins in postharvest Cucumis melo L. flesh.
The study examined the flesh of 2 Cucumis melo L.varieties at 7 different post-harvest stages. Using in vitro simulated digestion experiments and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), this study analyzed the changes in the content and bioavailability of reducing sugars, fructose, glucose, sucrose, vitamin B1 (VB1), vitamin B2 (VB2), niacin and nicotinamide in the Cucumis melo L. flesh. One-way analysis of variance and membership function analysis were employed to comprehensively evaluate the post-harvest nutritional components of the Cucumis melo L. flesh.
The bioavailability of the 8 kinds of nutrients in the Cucumis melo L. flesh of both varieties followed the order: Glucose>reducing sugars>fructose>sucrose; VB2>VB1>niacin>nicotinamide. Over time, the bioavailability of glucose, reducing sugars, fructose, and nicotinamide in Nasmi Cucumis melo L. flesh showed a fluctuating upward trend, while the bioavailability of VB1 and niacin in the flesh increased initially and then decreased later, and VB2 showed a fluctuating decline; the bioavailability of the 4 kinds of sugars and 4 kinds of vitamins in the flesh of Xizhoumi No.25 exhibited fluctuating trends, with significant differences observed among the varieties. Using the membership function analysis method, the bioavailability of sugars and vitamins in the flesh of Nasmi and Xizhoumi No.25 Cucumis melo L. was comprehensively evaluated post-harvest. The results showed that the overall bioavailability of nutritional components in the Cucumis melo L. flesh was highest on the 9th day post-harvest, with values of 0.61 and 0.72, respectively.
The content and bioavailability of the 4 kinds of sugars and 4 kinds of vitamins in the flesh of the 2 Cucumis melo L. varieties exhibit different trends after harvest. It is recommended to develop regulatory technologies based on these characteristics to improve the bioavailability of the nutritional quality of Cucumis melo L. flesh and provide dietary guidance to consumers.
To discuss the feasibility of analyzing bisacodyl, desacetyl bisacodyl and bisacodyl dicycloproyl carboxylate in health foods by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).
After ultrasonic extraction with acetonitrile, the sample was analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS.
GC-MS could be used for preliminary qualitative analysis of bisacodyl and its analogues, while LC-MS/MS was suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of bisacodyl and its analogues. The 3 kinds of target analytes showed good linear relationships between 0.1–20.0 ng/mL by LC-MS/MS, with correlation coefficients (r) better than 0.998. The limits of detection were between 0.003–0.006 ng/mL and the limits of quantitation were all lower than 0.020 ng/mL. At the 3 kinds of spiked levels, the recoveries ranged from 83.35%–116.90% and the relative standard deviations were 0.48%–8.22% (n=6), respectively. GC-MS analysis was applied in 10 suspected samples, while bisacodyl structural analogues were detected in 3 samples. LC-MS/MS analysis showed that bisacodyl and desacetyl bisacodyl were present in the 3 suspected samples, with content in the ranges of 0.12%–1.92%.
The developed method is accurate, simple and rapid, which can satisfy the requirements of related identification work and provide a reference for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of substances with similar structures.
To address the bottlenecks of waste and low added value of leaves, flowers and other by-products in the Dendrobium officinale industry, consider strategic demands of the “Great Food View” and “Healthy China 2030”, this paper conducted a systematic review on the resource characteristics, physiological activities and high-value processing technologies of Dendrobium officinale leaves and flowers by-products. The results showed that Dendrobium officinale leaves and flowers were rich in active components. These components included flavonoids, polysaccharides and polyphenols, with functions of antioxidant, immunomodulatory and hypoglycemic activities, complementing the components in the stems. A diversified technical system including solvent extraction, enzyme-assisted extraction and vacuum freeze-drying was established. Products were extended to the fields of food, health products, and daily chemicals. However, problems existed such as high technical costs, lack of standards and insufficient industrialization transformation. Relevant studies in Guangxi were particularly weak. It provides the scientific and technological support for constructing a whole-chain value-added model for the Dendrobium officinale industry in Guangxi. It facilitates the green transformation of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials industry and rural revitalization, offering references for the high-value utilization of medicine and food homology by-products.
To establish a method for determining tryptophan in special medical purpose formula milk powder by enzymatic hydrolysis based on amino acid analyzer.
Based on single-factor experiments, the Box-Behnken response surface methodology was employed, with enzyme addition amount, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature and enzymatic hydrolysis time as influencing factors, and tryptophan recovery rate as the response value. The optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were determined, and the effects of different purification methods on the results were also compared.
The optimal enzymatic hydrolysis conditions were: Enzyme addition amount 0.74 mL, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 45.2 ℃ and enzymatic hydrolysis time 12 h. Through experimental comparison, 12% trichloroacetic acid was identified as the optimal precipitant. Under the optimized conditions: Methodological validation showed a tryptophan recovery rate of 95.5%–101.0%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs, n=7) ranging from 0.9% to 1.6%, and limit of detection (LOD) andlimit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.3 mg/100 g and 1.0 mg/100 g, respectively.
This method offers ease of operation, high accuracy and excellent precision, making it suitable for the quantitative determination of tryptophan in special medical purpose formula milk powder.
To establish a method for the detection of 4 kinds of quinolone drugs illegally added to anti-inflammatory health foods by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.
The sample was dissolved in acetonitrile, extracted by sonication, purified using a modified QuEChERS method with low-temperature centrifugation, separated using a C18 chromatographic column, and then analyzed using multiple reaction monitoring in positive ion mode with an electrospray ionization source.
This method showed good linearity for 4 kinds of quinolone drugs, with a correlation coefficient (r) greater than 0.997. The limits of detection were 0.01–0.02 mg/kg, the limits of quantitation were 0.02–0.05 mg/kg, the recoveries rates were 70.16%–109.26% and the precisions were 1.27%–4.56%.
This method is accurate, simple and easy to implement, enabling accurate detection of quinolone drugs illegally added to anti-inflammatory health foods, and providing technical support for risk monitoring of illegally added quinolone drugs in health foods.
To investigate the migration levels of 3-chloro-1,2-propanediol (3-MCPD) in food-contact paper products sold in Shanghai and assess their potential health risks to the population.
A total of 119 samples including paper cups, paper plates, paper dishes and paper bowls were collected. According to the 2019 manual China national food contamination and harmful factors risk monitoring (volume II), 4 kinds of food simulants (10% ethanol, 4% acetic acid, olive oil and isooctane) were selected for migration tests. The extreme assumption method for food contact materials specified by the European Union and the consumption factor evaluation method adopted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) were respectively applied, and a comprehensive evaluation was further conducted in combination with the partition coefficients of different migrants.
Statistically significant differences were observed in the detection rate, exceeding standard rate and migration amount of 3-MCPD in food-contact paper products among different food simulants (χ2=113.24, χ2=119.58, χ2=115.21, P<0.001). The detection rates in aqueous (10% ethanol) and acidic (4% acetic acid) simulants reached 71.43% and 73.95%, respectively, with exceeding standard rates of 68.91% and 70.59%, and average migration amounts of 57.79 μg/kg and 42.30 μg/kg. The detection rates and migration amounts in oily simulants (olive oil and isooctane) were relatively lower. No statistically significant differences were found in the detection rate, exceeding standard rate or migration amount of 3-MCPD among paper products for different purposes (P>0.05), except for the detection rate in isooctane simulant (χ2=6.03, P=0.049). There was no statistically significant difference in 3-MCPD migration of paper products among different sales channels (farmers’ markets, shopping malls and online stores) (P>0.05). Dietary exposure assessment showed that the general-exposure population (mean and median) exposure levels from 3-MCPD migration in 10% ethanol and 4% acetic acid simulants, as well as the high-exposure population(P95) exposure levels from 10% ethanol, 4% acetic acid and isooctane simulants, exceeded 10% of the tolerable daily intake (TDI). The comprehensive dietary exposure calculated using the FDA partition coefficient also exceeded 10% of the TDI, which was likely to pose potential health risks.
Before the implementation of GB 4806.8—2022 National food safety standard-Food contact paper and board materials and their products, the residue of 3-MCPD in commercially available food-contact paper products is relatively serious, presenting certain health risks to the population. As an emerging high-concern contaminant in the field of food-contact paper products, the risks of such residues cannot be ignored. It is urgent to further strengthen relevant risk assessments and implement control measures for wet strength agents that may be the source. This study provides support for clarifying the migration characteristics and risks of 3-MCPD in food-contact paper, as well as for industrial pollution control and health protection.
To comprehensively understand the regulatory standards for the management of primary aromatic amines (PAAs) and analyze their potential sources and migration patterns in food flexible packaging, this paper systematically reviewed the application characteristics, toxicological hazards, relevant domestic and international regulations and standards and detection technologies of PAAs. It further explored their sources and migration mechanisms in such packaging and proposed systematic control strategies from the perspective of the entire food contact material supply chain. The study found that PAAs, as key raw materials in substances such as azo dyes and polyurethane resins, were internationally recognized as high-risk substances in food contact materials due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic toxicity. Currently, regions such as China and the European Union adopted a “total control and individual limit” management model to regulate their food safety risks. In flexible food packaging, PAAs primarily originate from intentional or unintentional additives in raw materials, and the migration levels were influenced by multiple factors such as material properties, production processes, usage temperatures and contact media, made their migration risks a matter of significant concern. Therefore, enterprises could reduce PAAs migration risks through measures such as raw material substitution, packaging structure optimization, process control and standardized usage, and conduct migration testing based on the intended use of the final product to ensure compliance. Furthermore, this paper outlined 3 key research directions: The development of PAAs migration prediction models, the innovation of new barrier materials and the advancement of detection technologies, providing technical support for the compliance management and food safety assurance of PAAs in the flexible food packaging industry.
To objectively compare the quality characteristics of Apostichopus japonicus cultivated under the “North-to-South cultivation” model (geographical translocation) versus those from the native Dalian habitat, and conduct a comprehensive quality evaluation.
Using the 2 kinds of dominant market forms—ready-to-eat and dried Apostichopus japonicus—from Dalian (native) and Fujian (“North-to-South cultivation”) as research subjects, comprehensive physicochemical profiling, sensory evaluation and nutritional composition analysis were conducted. Multivariate statistical analysis was employed to systematically elucidate the quality differentiation and its material basis between Apostichopus japonicus from different origins.
The geographical environment significantly reshaped the nutritional profiles of the 2 groups. Dalian Apostichopus japonicus exhibited superior lipid quality and amino acid composition, characterized by significantly higher content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and essential amino acids/total amino acids(EAA/TAA), accompanied by a lower atherogenicity index (AI) compared to Fujian Apostichopus japonicus. Conversely, Fujian “North-to-South cultivation” Apostichopus japonicus were distinguished by the accumulation of functional bioactive components, showing relatively higher levels of Apostichopus japonicus polysaccharides, saponins and total sugars. Correlation analysis revealed that the enrichment of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids contributed to the distinctive fresh “grassy” aroma of Dalian samples, while the accumulation of saponins and sugars formed the mellow “fatty” aroma of Fujian samples. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), based on 10 screened core physicochemical indicators, accurately classified all samples into 4 distinct clusters, effectively identifying characteristic differences driven by origin and processing methods. A principal component analysis (PCA)-based comprehensive evaluation model further confirmed significant “origin-specific” differences in nutritional composition between the 2 groups.
This study elucidates the patterns of quality differentiation caused by the “North-to-South cultivation” model from the perspective of chemical material basis. It reveals distinct origin-based characteristics: Dalian Apostichopus japonicus are defined by high-quality lipids and proteins, whereas Fujian Apostichopus japonicus are characterized by the enrichment of bioactive substances such as polysaccharides and saponins. These findings provide a vital theoretical basis for scientific quality evaluation, product differentiation and deep processing strategies in the Apostichopus japonicus industry.
To evaluate the degradation effects of Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora A1 on Saccharina japonica and systematically analyze the polysaccharide characteristics of the degradation products.
A strain of Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora A1 capable of degrading Saccharina japonica was obtained through screening. The fermentation broth acquired after Saccharina japonica fermentation was analyzed. The content determination, monosaccharide composition analysis and molecular weight analysis were performed on the fermentation broth and its fractional ethanol precipitation components, and the Saccharina japonica residues were observed by scanning electron microscopy.
This strain could significantly damage the cell wall of Saccharina japonica. The degradation products contained polysaccharides and oligosaccharides with a wide molecular weight range, while the supernatant mainly enriched oligosaccharides of 1.4–1.7 kDa. Further analysis of the precipitated components revealed that the content of fucose was relatively high, with 70% alcohol precipitation reaching 4.08%; the monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that the precipitation was rich in fucose, galactose and mannose, and the characteristic units of alginate were detected, confirming that the products contained sulfated fucopolysaccharides and alginate.
Pseudoalteromonas carrageenovora A1 has the function of decomposing Saccharina japonica, destroying the cell wall and releasing the carbohydrate compounds. Polysaccharides and oligosaccharides with different molecular weights from Saccharina japonica can be effectively obtained by alcohol precipitation, providing a method to develop kelp polysaccharides and oligosaccharides through fermentation technology and obtain bioactive materials for the food industry.
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