Mycotoxin patulin contamination in various fruits and estimating its dietary impact on the consumers: From orchard to table.

The present research examined patulin's presence across the whole supply chain of selected fruits. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on 442 samples of fruits (oranges, apples, apricots, lemons, and guava) to determine the presence of patulin contamination. This analysis used Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with a UV detector. The findings indicate that 17, 23, and 28 % of selected fruit samples tested positive for patulin levels in farm, transportation, and market samples. However, the sample collected during the transportation step showed that 56 % (percentage of positive samples) of fruits have patulin levels greater than 50 µg/kg, and 41 % (percentage of positive samples) have greater levels than 50 µg/kg in market samples. The findings of the one-way analysis of variance indicated that no statistically significant variation existed between the amounts of patulin across the various stages of the food supply chain system (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, the analysis of the correlation study, namely Kendall's tau_b and Spearman's rho, denote a robust association between the levels of patulin and the food supply system. The apple samples exhibited the most significant average dietary intake of patulin, with an average value of 0.11 µg/kg bw/day. The maximum mean hazard quotient (HQ) of 0.28 was also recorded. The prevalence and incidence of patulin in specific fruits were found to be relatively high, and it was observed that market samples had elevated levels of patulin in the selected fruits.

Remediation of pesticides using TiO2 based photocatalytic strategies: A review.

Nowadays, pesticides are regarded as the most dangerous of the various organic pollutants, posing substantial environmental and human threats worldwide. Pesticide contamination has become one of the most crucial environmental issues due to its bio-persistence and bioaccumulation. Different conventional methods are being utilized for pesticide removal, yet pesticides are thought to be significantly present in the environment. The development and application of sophisticated wastewater treatment methods are being pursued to remove contaminants effectively, particularly pesticides. In the past several decades, nanoscience and nanotechnology have emerged as essential tools for the identification, removal, and mineralization of persistent pesticides by employing advanced nanomaterials such as pristine titanium dioxide (TiO2), doped TiO2, nanocomposites (NCs) TiO2, and ternary nanocomposites (TNCs) TiO2 by advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Advancement in the characteristics of TiO2 by doping, co-doping, construction of NCs and TNCs has contributed to the dramatic efficiency up-gradation by reducing band gap, solar active photocatalyst, enhancing PCA, high photostability, chemically inertness and multiple time reusability. Based on previous literature, utilizing La-TiO2 NCs photocatalyst, the mineralization of pesticide (imidacloprid) attained up to 98.17% that is almost 40-53% greater than pristine TiO2. The present review attempt to discuss the recent research performed on TiO2 based nanoparticles (NPs) and NCs for photocatalytic mineralization of various pesticides. The basic mechanism of TiO2 photocatalysis, types of reactors used for photocatalysis, and optimized experimental conditions of TiO2 for pesticides mineralization are discussed.

Solution behaviour and sweetness response of D-Mannitol at different temperatures.

The solution properties of d-Mannitol (DM) were studied to explore sweetness response and molecular interactions in aqueous solutions at different temperatures. The density (ρ) and ultrasonic velocity (µ) were measured at 20-45°C using density sound velocity metre (DSA 5000M). The results obtained were used to compute apparent and partial molar volume, apparent specific volumes, partial molar expansibility, apparent molar isentropic compressibility and compressibility hydration number. The partial molar volume (ΦV°) indicates hydrophilic interactions dominating in aqueous solution of DM. The quality of taste has been determined from apparent specific volumes (ASV) data at 20-45°C and 0.04-0.89 mol kg(-1).The apparent molar isentropic compressibility (ΦK(s)) and hydration number (nH) conferred pre-dominance of solute-solvent interactions, whereas partial molar expansibility (ΦE°) and related standards predicted structure making behaviour of DM. This study may provide new insights in elucidation of mechanistic differences between sweeteners and their mode of interactions.

An investigation into gamma-ray treatment of shellfish using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

BACKGROUND: Gamma irradiation is a safe method for the decontamination of shellfish, and its technical feasibility and safety have been endorsed (FAO/IAEA/WHO). In order to implement proper food-processing regulations, the identification of radiation treatment is required. In this study, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was employed to identify the irradiation of seven different types of commonly consumed shellfish. RESULTS: Characteristics (g factor and signal intensity) of the EPR spectra of control and irradiated samples were recorded in order to clarify the gamma-ray treatment of shellfish. Radiation-specific signals around g = 2.0038 ± 0.0006 (g1) and g = 1.9996 ± 0.0002 (g2 and g3) were observed for all shellfish samples irradiated with absorbed doses of 3 and 6 kGy. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra of some shellfish samples were recorded to investigate their mineral profiles. CONCLUSION: The EPR spectroscopic results indicated that carbonate minerals were the source of the paramagnetic species that were produced upon irradiation, entrapped in the shellfish and showed radiation-specific asymmetric signals whose intensities increased quantitatively with the absorbed radiation dose. The XRD analysis revealed that aragonite and calcite minerals were present in the shells of shellfish.

Comparing aflatoxin contamination in chilies from Punjab, Pakistan produced in summer and winter.

A comparison was made of total aflatoxins (AFs) in 43 samples of chilies collected during winter and 42 in summer to determine the effect of season on contamination. The samples were analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection. The limits of detection and quantification for AFB1 and AFG1 were 0.05 µg/kg and 0.50 µg/kg, whilst for AFG2 and AFB2 they were 0.10 µg/kg and 0.60 µg/kg. In the winter samples, AFs were detected in 18 (72%) whole and 14 (60%) ground chilies, with concentration ranges 0.00-52.30 µg/kg and 0.00-74.60 µg/kg respectively. In the summer samples, 17 (64%) whole and 12 (76%) ground chilies were contaminated with AFs at concentrations 0.00-61.50 µg/kg and 0.00-95.90 µg/kg respectively. The percentage of samples greater than the European Union statutory limit for AFB1 and total AF for whole chilies were 48 and 36%, compared with ground chili values of 50 and 45%, respectively, in the winter season. In the summer season, the samples greater than the European Union limit for AFB1 and total AF in whole chilies were 52 and 38%, compared with values of 54 and 49% in ground chilies respectively. AF contamination was found to be higher in summer chili samples and hence winter chilies may provide a better quality product with respect to AF contamination. The ability to undertake this analysis in Pakistan will enhance greatly the ability to improve chili production in that country, as described herein.

Comparison of radiation-induced hydrocarbons for the identification of irradiated perilla and sesame seeds of different origins.

BACKGROUND: Perilla and sesame seeds, a rich source of energy, are commonly utilized in different forms in many countries. During the post-harvest period, they are contaminated with insects as well as microbes that may have importance for keeping quality and quarantine, and thus they can be treated with ionizing radiation for insect disinfestation and microbial decontamination. Reliable and routine methods to identify whether or not a food has been irradiated are needed to help consumers' understanding of irradiated food and promote international trade. In the present study, fat-derived hydrocarbons from irradiated perilla seeds and sesame seeds of Korean and Chinese origin were analyzed in order to identify irradiation treatment by comparing their properties during the post-irradiation period. RESULTS: Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis showed that several saturated hydrocarbons, such as tetradecane, pentadecane, hexadecane and heptadecane, were found in the non-irradiated control samples, while four radiation-induced unsaturated hydrocarbons (R(2) = 0.647-0.997), such as 1,7,10-hexadecatriene (C(16:3)), 1,7-hexadecadiene (C(16:2)), 6,9-heptadecadiene (C(17:2)) and 8-heptadecene (C(17:1)), were detected in all irradiated samples at 0.5 kGy or higher, with variations according to sample and origin. Concentrations of all hydrocarbons were reduced during storage and could not be detected in 0.5 kGy irradiated Chinese sample of either seed after 8 months. CONCLUSION: Radiation-induced hydrocarbons (C(16:3, 16:2, 17:2, 17:1)) could be used as markers to identify irradiated perilla and sesame seeds of both Korean and Chinese origin at 1 kGy or higher for 8 months' storage at room temperature.

Aflatoxin B1 in chilies from the Punjab region, Pakistan.

The occurrence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in chilies from Pakistan was determined by using HPLC in work undertaken in Pakistan. Whole (n = 22) and powdered (n = 22) chilies were analyzed. Sixteen (73.0%) and 19 (86.4%) samples of whole and ground chilies, respectively, were contaminated. The mean concentration in powdered chilies (32.20 µg/kg) was higher statistically than in whole chilies (24.69 µg/kg). Concentrations ranged from 0.00 to 89.56 µg/kg for powdered chilies, compared with 0.00-96.3 µg/kg for whole chilies. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.05 µg/kg and 0.53 µg/kg, respectively. The concentrations were high in general and greater than the statutory limit set by the European Union. There is considerable scope for improvements in chili production in Pakistan.