Objective To determine the content of 8 kinds of heavy metals, copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and chromium (Cr) in Astragalus membranaceus and soil samples, and conduct the risk assessment. Methods Thirty-five batches of samples were collected in 5 provinces, namely Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Gansu, Ningxia and Shaanxi, for the determination of 8 kinds of heavy metals in the soils of Astragalus and Astragalus origin using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The health risks of Astragalus membranaceus in different intake groups were evaluated by calculating 3 kinds of different risk assessment models, namely, the estimated daily intake, the carcinogenic risk, and the target hazard quotient. Results The recoveries were in the range of 99.1%-108.8% with the relative standard deviations in the range of 0.445%-5.720%, which indicated that the accuracy and precision of the method were good. The average heavy metal content of the 35 batches of Astragalus membranaceus was Zn>Cu>Cr>Ni>Pb>As>Cd and Hg, and no exceedance of heavy metals complied with the limit standards for heavy metals in Chinese herbal medicines in the 2020 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China. The results of the 3 kinds of risk assessments showed that the health risk of heavy metal content of Astragalus membranaceus for different groups of people was within the acceptable range. Conclusion The contamination of heavy metals in Astragalus membranaceus is widespread, and the development of the Astragalus membranaceus industry is still potentially risky. In order to ensure the medicinal safety of Astragalus membranaceus, the prevention and control of heavy metals in Astragalus membranaceus shall be carried out in the future from the planting source of Astragalus membranaceus, the processing method, and other aspects of Astragalus membranaceus.

Objective To understand the overall situation of biogenic amine content in various types of seafoods in Hainan Province, and conduct dietary risk assessment on the detected histamine. Methods A total of 387 batches of seafoods from supermarkets and farmers’ markets in 19 cities and counties of Hainan Province in 2022 were detected for 14 kinds of biogenic amines by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Based on the detection results, the dietary exposure risk of the detected histamine was assessed by the hazard quotient (HQ). Results The average content of biogenic amine detected in 387 batches of seafoods were 0.101-55.248 mg/kg, and the maximum value were 2.248-10819.835 mg/kg. The higher levels of several biogenic amines were spermine, spermidine, histamine, putrescine, cadaverine and so on. And two samples detected histamine levels over 200 mg/kg. The dietary risk assessment showed that the estimated daily of histamine in different populations in Hainan Province were 0.00000-0.06690 mg·kg^-1·bw^-1·d^-1, with HQ of 0.00000-0.00134 (HQ<1). Conclusion Biogenic amines are detected in all kinds of seafoods in Hainan Province to varying degrees, but the risk of histamine exposure is low, posing a small threat to human health.

Objective To analyze the status of foodborne pathogenic bacteria contamination in meat and meat products in Yantai City, Shandong Province from 2020 to 2023, and understand the safety of related food in the city. Methods According to national food safety standard Food microbiological examination GB 4789 series standards and the requirements of Shandong food pollutants and harmful factors risk monitoring manual, 6 kinds of foodborne pathogens were detected from meat and meat products, including Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Yersinia enterocolitica, Campylobacter, Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Results The 5 kinds of foodborne pathogens and 46 positive strains were detected in 363 samples, with the total detection rate of 12.67%. The highest detection rate was Salmonella (10.48%), followed by Campylobacter (1.97%) and Staphylococcus aureus (1.33%), and no Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli was detected. Among the 4 types of samples, the highest detection rate was in raw poultry meat (26.67%) and the lowest was in cooked meat products (2.35%). The detection rate of Salmonella in prepared meat products reached 20.00%. The detection rates of pathogenic bacteria in the samples collected by farmers’ markets and online stores were relatively high (19.53%, 22.22%). Salmonella had the highest probability of causing illness in the third quarter. Conclusion Meat and meat products in Yantai City are contaminated by foodborne pathogens to various degrees, so it is necessary to focus on raw poultry meat and bulk prepared meat products, especially those originating from farmers’ markets and online stores, and it is important to strengthen the relevant circulation supervision, enhance food safety awareness and take measures to reduce the risk of cross-contamination during the sale of bulk meat products, so as to ensure food safety for consumers.

Objective To evaluate the degradation dynamics of the combined use of bifenazate and etoxazole on Vigna unguiculata and assess the dietary exposure risks for different population groups. Methods Bifenazate (sum of bifenazate and bifenazate-diazene) in samples of Vigna unguiculata collected from eight regions of China were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Dietary exposure risk assessment was conducted based on the test results, dietary consumption data and body weight data of different population groups in China. Results The dissipation behaviors of bifenazate in Vigna unguiculata from Shandong, Anhui, Hunan and Guangxi all did not follow first-order kinetics. The dissipation behaviors of etoxazole in Vigna unguiculata from Shandong, Anhui, Hunan, and Guangxi followed first-order kinetics, and their half-lives were 1.93-2.54 d. Using a suspension concentrate containing 45% bifenazate and etoxazole with 8 mL formulation per mu (Chinese acre) to control red mites on Vigna unguiculata, spraying once, at the harvest interval of 10 d, terminal concentrations of bifenazate and etoxazole in Vigna unguiculata were <0.0100 mg/kg and <0.0020-0.0042 mg/kg, respectively. The contribution rate of the long-term dietary exposure risk of these 2 kinds of pesticides were all lower than 100% for different population groups, indicating that there was no unacceptable risk. Conclusion 45% bifenazate·etoxazole suspension concentrate is applied at a dosage of 8 mL per mu for controlling spider mites on Vigna unguiculata, with one spray application and a recommended pre-harvest interval of 10 days.

Objective To investigate and analyze the contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAHs) in 4 kinds of medicinal and edible substances, Aucklandiae radix, Citrus reticulatae pericarpium, Polygonati rhizoma, Fritillaria cirrhose bulbus in Chongqing, and assess human exposure risk from PAHs residues through ingestion of 4 kinds of substances. Methods A total of 160 samples were collected from 10 districts/counties in Chongqing. The residues of 16 kinds of PAHs were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The contamination levels were evaluated based on the maximum residue limits of benzo[a]pyrene and PAH4 (sum of benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, and benzo[a]pyrene) set by the European Commission for “food supplements containing botanicals and their preparations” and “dried herbs”. The pollution characteristics of PAHs in the 4 kinds of substances were analyzed, and the sources were identified using isomer ratio analysis. Health risk assessment was conducted using the increased lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) model recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Results PAHs were detected in all Aucklandiae radix, Citrus reticulatae pericarpium, Polygonati rhizoma, Fritillaria cirrhose bulbus. The detection rate of the highly carcinogenic benzo[a]pyrene was 24%, with an exceedance rate of 1.25%, while the exceedance rate for PAH4 was 1.9%. Citrus reticulata peel exhibited the highest benzo[a]pyrene detection rate (83%), and its maximum PAH4 content reached 151.66 μg/kg, exceeding the MRL by more than threefold. PAHs in all 4 kinds of substances were predominantly low-molecular-weight 2-3 ring compounds. The ILCR values of cancer risk caused by taking 4 kinds of substances in different populations were 1.46×10^-7-7.26×10^-7, 1.21×10^-6-6.04×10^-6, 1.89×10^-7-9.38×10^-7, 6.96×10^-8-3.46×10^-7, respectively. Conclusion The 4 kinds of dual-purpose substances are contaminated with PAHs at varying levels, primarily due to biomass or coal combustion. The health risks from oral intake of Aucklandiae radix, Polygonati rhizoma, Fritillaria cirrhose bulbu are low and within acceptable limits. However, Citrus reticulatae pericarpium poses a potential health risk due to PAHs exposure, warranting further attention.

Animal derived foods are one of the important sources of nutrients for humans. During the breeding process, the rational use of steroid hormones can achieve the goals of promoting growth, weight gain and anti-inflammatory effects, but excessive abuse can lead to serious threats to food safety and consumer health. At present, the detection methods for steroid hormones mainly rely on liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and their combined techniques with mass spectrometry. They also heavily rely on large precision instruments and complex preprocessing, requiring professional laboratories and technical personnel. In recent years, with the rapid development of analytical science and technology, rapid detection technologies for various steroid hormone residues have emerged, providing solid technical support for food safety. This paper presented a comprehensive review of current rapid detection methods for steroid hormones, including electrochemistry, colorimetric methods, fluorescence/phosphorescence methods, Raman spectroscopy and lateral flow immunoassay. It analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of these methods, discussed the challenges they face, and explored their future development directions. This review served as a reference for the design of rapid detection methods for steroid hormone residues in food and provided insights and inspiration for relevant researchers.

Objective To investigate the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance characteristics of Salmonella isolated from retail poultry and pork meat in Shanghai. Methods The 109 Salmonella strains isolates from retail chicken meat and pork meat in Shanghai in 2021—2022 were collected, and serotyped by serum agglutination method. The antibiotic susceptibility of 7 classes of 14 kinds of antibacterial drugs was determined by microbroth dilution method, and the antibiotic resistance genes were analyzed by whole genome sequencing. Results A total of 22 serotypes were identified in the 109 Salmonella strains, with the Corvallis serotype being the predominant one in retail poultry chicken meat and the London serotype being the predominant one in pork meat. The 96.3% of the isolates strains were resistant to antibiotics, with the highest resistance rates to tetracycline, ampicillin, chloromycetin, and cotrimoxazole. Multi-drug resistant isolates accounted for 61.4% of all isolates, with the highest resistance to 7 classes of 12 antibiotics. All isolates were found to harbor resistance genes, with a total of 68 resistance genes identified. Conclusion The serotype of Salmonella isolated from retail poultry and pork meat in Shanghai in 2021—2022 is complex, with a high overall level of resistance and severe multi-resistance. The isolates carry multiple resistance genes, and the drug resistance is correlated with the resistance genes they carried. Continuous monitoring of foodborne Salmonella and in-depth research on important resistance mechanisms and transmission mechanisms are of great significance for ensuring food safety and guiding clinical drug use in China.

Objective To establish an analytical method for the rapid determination of 5 kinds of peptide toxins in samples from wild mushroom poisoning incidents by high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Methods The remaining mushrooms and patient urine samples were extracted by methanol, purified by 250 mg N-propyl ethylenediamine (PSA), and separated by Waters CORTECS C₁₈⁺ liquid chromatography column. The mobile phase consisted of methanol and 2 mmol/L ammonium acetate (containing 0.1% formic acid) under gradient elution. They were determined by HPLC-MS/MS. Results The 5 kinds of peptide toxins had a good linear relationship (r>0.997) at the concentration 10.0-500.0 µg/L. The limits of detection (LODs) of 5 kinds of peptide toxins in the mushroom samples were 2.0-3.0 µg/kg, the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 5.0-10.0 µg/kg. In the urine samples, the LODs of 5 kinds of peptide toxins were 0.8-1.2 µg/L, the LOQs were 2.0-4.0 µg/L. The recoveries of method were 60.1%-94.9%, and the relative standard deviations were 2.0%-17.7% (n=6). Conclusion This method is accurate and rapid, and suitable for determination of peptide toxins in residual mushroom and patient urine samples from wild mushroom poisoning incidents.

Objective To rapidly screen the elemental content and migration of heavy metals in commercially available stainless steel electric kettles using efficient detection technologies. Methods In this study, 20 batches of stainless steel electric kettle samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the migration levels of 13 kinds of heavy metal elements, along with label compliance checks. A handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer was employed to rapidly detect the elemental content of key components and analyze their material composition. Results Multi-element migration experiments revealed heavy metal migration in some samples, particularly manganese (Mn) and aluminum (Al). XRF analysis identified the use of non-food-grade stainless steel in certain products. Additionally, non-compliant product labeling and discrepancies between labeled and actual material compositions were observed in some samples. Conclusion The combined ICP-MS and XRF results demonstrat that stainless steel material quality is a critical factor influencing heavy metal migration. This study provides theory basis for enhancing industry quality regulation, ensuring consumer health and safety, and promoting technological advancements in product manufacturing.

As one of the famous teas in China, Pu’er tea has a high reputation at home and abroad. As one of the main active components in tea, tea polyphenols have the effects of lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, regulating intestinal microflora, anti-oxidation, anti-cancer, inhibiting viral infection, and anti-bacteria. It has broad application prospects in many fields such as food and medical treatment. With the in-depth development of research and the continuous discovery of new functions of tea polyphenols, it has firmly occupied an important position in contemporary human life in the 21 st century and has attracted the attention of many researchers. In this paper, systematically reviewed the content determination method of tea polyphenols in Pu’er tea and the related research on biological activity in disease prevention and improvement by consulting the relevant literatures published at home and abroad in recent years. The purpose of this review is to provide a scientific basis for the targeted research of tea polyphenols in Pu’er tea, which is conducive to the better use of tea polyphenols in Pu’er tea, so as to provide a positive reference for the innovation and development of Pu’er tea related industries in China.