Preliminary Investigation towards the Use of Infrared Technology for Raw Milk Treatment.

Infrared (IR) technology offers a promising solution for reducing microbiological loads in various food types while preserving their quality traits, such as flavour. However, research on IR's application in complex matrices is limited. Therefore, our preliminary study aimed to evaluate its effectiveness in sanitizing bovine raw milk. We assessed the bacterial count before and after IR treatment by comparing volatile organic compound profiles via headspace extraction and GC/MS analysis. Our findings showed that higher energy levels led to a greater bacterial reduction. IR85 was the most effective in reducing Coliforms and Enterobacteriaceae in non-homogenised samples, with a reduction ranging from -1.01 to >-2.99 and from -1.66 to -3.09 Log CFU/mL, respectively. IR60 and 70 showed no efficacy, while IR80 had intermediate but still satisfactory effect. IR85 notably affected volatile compounds, particularly increasing hexanal (from 0.08 to 4.21 ng g-1) and dimethyl sulphone (from 10.76 to 26.40 ng g-1), while IR80 better preserved the aroma profile. As a result, only IR80 was tested with homogenised raw milk, demonstrating significant bacterial reduction (from >2.39 to 3.06 Log CFU/mL for Coliforms and from 1.90 to >2.45 Log CFU/mL for Enterobacteriaceae) and maintaining the aroma profile quality.

Incidence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Commercial Eggs and Their Impact on Consumer's Safety.

Eggs play an important role in a balanced diet; however, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes eggs as a major source of poly and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In this study, the presence of PFASs was analysed in eggs produced by hens from Northern Italian regions, a PFASs-contaminated area. Sixty-five samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The greatest presence of PFASs was found in eggs from Veneto and Emilia Romagna, and the most detected PFASs were perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) (mean concentrations 0.30 ± 0.15 and 0.05 ± 0.00 ng g-1). Considering the most recent updates for the sum of the main four PFASs, the highest concentration found in the analysed samples was 0.05 ng g-1, well below the maximum limit set by the European Union. The PFAS intake evaluation confirmed that egg consumption does not represent a risk for Italian consumers.

Incidence of Potentially Toxic Elements and Perfluoroalkyl Substances Present in Canned Anchovies and Their Impact on Food Safety.

Fish plays a key role in a healthy and balanced Italian diet, but it is also subject to the bioaccumulation of different contaminants depending on the geographical or anthropogenic context from which it is derived. In recent years, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has been focusing its attention on consumer toxicological risk, considering emerging contaminants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) and potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Regarding fish, anchovies are among the five small pelagic main commercial species in the European Union and the top five fresh species consumed by households in Italy. Considering the lack of data on PFASs and PTEs in this species, our aim was to investigate the mentioned contaminants in salted and canned anchovies collected over 10 months from different fishing areas, even those far apart, to verify possible variations in bioaccumulation and to consider the risk for the consumer. According to our results, the assessed risk was very reassuring also for large consumers. The only concern, related to Ni acute toxicity, also dependent on the different consumers' sensitivity, was related to only one sample.

Presence of Chlorate and Perchlorate Residues in Raw Bovine Milk from Italian Farms.

Chlorates and perchlorates are endocrine disruptors and emerging environmental contaminants found in various types of foods, including milk and dairy products. The presence of chlorate has been associated with the use of chlorine-based sanitizers to disinfect equipment and water used in food processing. Perchlorate, on the other hand, occurs naturally in the environment but is also released from anthropogenic sources. To protect consumers, the EU set an MRL for chlorate in milk but not for perchlorate. Considering that data on chlorates and perchlorates in this field are limited, the objective of this study was to assess the presence of these two anions in 148 samples of raw bovine milk collected from different farms of Lombardy and grouped in three different geographical zones. Chlorate was detected in 73% of the samples analyzed, at concentrations ranging from

Trends and potential human health risk of trace elements accumulated in transplanted blue mussels during restoration activities of Flekkefjord fjord (Southern Norway).

The monitoring of contaminants represents a priority to preserve the integrity of marine ecosystems, as well as to plan and to manage restoration activities in order to protect environmental and human health. In the present study, a 6-months active biomonitoring was performed to explore the levels of eighteen trace and toxic elements, including heavy metals (TEs; i.e. Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Sr, Ti, and Zn), accumulated in soft tissues of blue mussel (Mytilus edulis Linnaeus, 1758) individuals transplanted at different depths (5- and 15-m depth) in five locations within the Flekkefjord fjord (Southern Norway). As this area suffered a long-lasting contamination due to both organic and inorganic contaminants, a series of restoration activities were activated to tackle and to prevent potential risks for ecosystem and local population. Our results demonstrated that the levels of TEs accumulated in edible tissues of transplanted mussels in the Flekkefjord fjord were generally low before the beginning of the restoration activities. However, location- and time-specific differences in the accumulation of TEs were noted after the implementation of such activities. Interestingly, the levels of Fe and Mn significantly increased after the beginning of the restoration activities, likely because the release of these TEs from the slag used in such operations and/or resuspension of contaminated sediments. However, assuming that native mussels can accumulate the same TEs at levels measured in transplanted individuals, our results suggest a substantial safety for human consumption of native mussels from the Flekkefjord fjord, regardless of restoration activities.

Lipidomics profile of irradiated ground meat to support food safety.

Meat irradiation is considered as an effective treatment that expose the advantageous effects on meat preservation. This research, based on untargeted LC-HR orbitrap MS-based lipidomics strategy was meant to estimate the alterations in lipid profile of irradiated chicken, turkey and mixed (chicken, turkey and pork) ground meat in order to evaluate if exists any food safety issue concerning the lipidome alteration. Special attention was paid on oxidation triggered by irradiation. All three matrices exhibited a characteristic lipidome profile which was affected differently by five levels of irradiation intensity. Overall, 345 lipids categorized into 14 subclasses were identified. Remarkably, the oxidized glycerophosphoethanolamines and oxidized glycerophosphoserines were identified in irradiated turkey meat, while for all three categories a characteristic diacylglycerols profile was recognised. Our analytical approach highlighted that the estimation of qualitative variations in lipid portion might be valuable in food inspection purposes, especially when the samples from animal origin are suspected on irradiation treatment.

Undeclared (Poly)phosphates Detection in Food of Animal Origin as a Potential Tool toward Fraud Prevention.

(Poly)phosphates are approved as water-preserving and emulsifying agents that improve the appearance and consistency of many food products. The labelling of added (poly)phosphates is essential for protecting vulnerable population groups and to prevent unfair trade practices resulting in economic fraud. The problems with (poly)phosphates' utilisation concerns both analytical and legislative issues, such as: (1) their straightforward detection; (2) excessive addition altering freshness perception and misleading consumers; (3) uncontrolled usage increasing foodstuff weight; (4) application in products where they are not permitted; and (5) no indication on the label. Bearing all these issues in mind, the main purpose of this study was the quantification and screening of the (poly)phosphates profile in meat, marine and dairy products (160 samples), of which 43 were without declared (poly)phosphate treatment. Analysis was completed by high-performance ion-exchange chromatography either with conductometric detection or coupled to Q-Exactive Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Although the (poly)phosphates profiles varied greatly according to species and processing type, the following criteria for detection of illicit treatment were established: high orthophosphate level, quantified short-chain (poly)phosphate anions and the presence of long-chain forms. In conclusion, the instrumental platforms used in this study can be recommended to inspection bodies as reliable methods for the detection of food adulteration with (poly)phosphates.

Effect of High-Pressure Processing on Physico-Chemical, Microbiological and Sensory Traits in Fresh Fish Fillets (Salmo salar and Pleuronectes platessa).

High-pressure (HP) treatment could lead to several advantages when applied to fish and seafood since it would affect the extension of the shelf life of this highly perishable food. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-pressure treatment (500 MPa for 2 min at a temperature of 4 °C) on changes in quality on two different kinds of fresh fish fillets (Salmo salar and Pleuronectes platessa). Specifically, physico-chemical (VOCs, untargeted metabolomics spectra, pH and color), microbiological (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria) and sensory traits were evaluated at different days of refrigerated storage. From the results obtained, it is possible to state that the high pressure significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced microbial growth for each investigated microorganism. Regarding the colorimetric coordinates, no remarkable effects on a* and b* indices were found, while a significant effect (p = 0.01) was observed on the colorimetric index L*, making the HP-treated samples lighter than their respective controls. The sensory analysis showed that for the odor attribute, the HP treatment seems to have had a stabilizing action during shelf-life. Moreover, the treated samples obtained a better score than the respective controls (p ≤ 0.05). With regards to texture and appearance attributes, the treatment seems to have had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect, making the treated samples more compact and opaque than controls, therefore resulting in the loss of the characteristics of raw fish for the treated samples. Moreover, from a chemical point of view, HP treatment prevents the development of volatile sulfides and delays the formation of histamine (p ≤ 0.05). Very interestingly, the metabolomic approach revealed novel dipeptide markers for the HP procedure.

Determination of Carbohydrates in Lactose-Free Dairy Products to Support Food Labelling.

Milk and its derivatives are the basis of human nutrition since childhood. Given their importance within a balanced diet, the determination of carbohydrates in milk and its derivatives is fundamental for two reasons: one of alimentary origin related to intolerances and the other one of technological origin, especially for PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) products. The dietetic approach, including lactose-free products, has a crucial role in the management of lactose intolerance, but labelling and compositional rules indicating the absence or reduced presence of lactose in food are currently not harmonised at Union level. Considering the above-mentioned issues and the absence of official methods for the determination of low sugar concentrations, we propose a new and simple IC-HRMS method to detect carbohydrates in milk and different lactose-free derivatives, which can allow the definition of concentration limits useful to characterise products suitable for specific dietary regimes.

Antibiotics and Non-Targeted Metabolite Residues Detection as a Comprehensive Approach toward Food Safety in Raw Milk.

Antibiotic residues in milk are a serious health and technological problem in dairy processes. This study aims to verify the absence of administered antimicrobials after therapeutic treatments, taking into consideration the withdrawal period, and to evaluate the reliability of screening tests under field conditions after confirmatory HPLC-HRMS (High Performance Liquid Chromatography-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry) Orbitrap analysis. Moreover, the presence of expected or non-targeted metabolites was investigated using the new Compound Discoverer approach. The presence of antimicrobial drugs was shown in 29% of the samples, and also sometimes their metabolites (for enrofloxacin and lincomycin), despite the fact that samples were collected at the seventh milking. Moreover, in 9% of the samples, undeclared treatments were revealed due to the presence of both parent drugs and metabolites. Lastly, the putative identification of two new enrofloxacin metabolites, ENRO-N-methylacetamide and ENRO-ornithine, was proposed. In the light of this evidence, it must be borne in mind that metabolites, some of which are pharmacologically active, may also pose a risk to consumers and for the entire processing of milk in the cheese industries.

Histamine Control in Raw and Processed Tuna: A Rapid Tool Based on NIR Spectroscopy.

The present study was designed to investigate whether near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy with minimal sample processing could be a suitable technique to rapidly measure histamine levels in raw and processed tuna fish. Calibration models based on orthogonal partial least square regression (OPLSR) were built to predict histamine in the range 10-1000 mg kg-1 using the 1000-2500 nm NIR spectra of artificially-contaminated fish. The two models were then validated using a new set of naturally contaminated samples in which histamine content was determined by conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. As for calibration results, coefficient of determination (r2) > 0.98, root mean square of estimation (RMSEE) ≤ 5 mg kg-1 and root mean square of cross-validation (RMSECV) ≤ 6 mg kg-1 were achieved. Both models were optimal also in the validation stage, showing r2 values > 0.97, root mean square errors of prediction (RMSEP) ≤ 10 mg kg-1 and relative range error (RER) ≥ 25, with better results showed by the model for processed fish. The promising results achieved suggest NIR spectroscopy as an implemental analytical solution in fish industries and markets to effectively determine histamine amounts.

Rapid safety and quality control during fish shelf-life by using a portable device.

BACKGROUND: Fish consumption is increasing nowadays both because of its positive role for health due to the abundant presence of unsaturated fatty acids and for its use in many new food preparations (e.g. raw fillet used for uncooked sushi and sashimi dishes). The growing food industry and increased demand for the long-term storage and preservation of food have created the need to develop methods that can easily track and preserve food freshness and safety throughout shelf-life (production, storage, shipment, and consumption). While E-nose technologies have already been used and tested for these purposes, scarce information is available in the literature on the feasibility of using other food devices to detect changes in perishable food like fish during shelf-life in order to predict and correctly manage all food storage phases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential of Food Sniffer® portable devices to define the quality and safety of salmon fillet and burger (Salmo salar) packaged in modified atmosphere at two refrigerated conditions (4 and 8 °C). RESULTS: An increase in biogenic amines and volatile compounds especially ketones and alcohols were observed, with large amounts at final storage times of 8 °C temperature. CONCLUSION: The Food Sniffer® application was able to anticipate unacceptability conditions of salmon samples also correlated with chemical and microbiological parameters. This could represent a valid support for food industry and retail to manage perishable food commodities preventing possible food risk as well. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.

Discrimination between Fresh and Frozen-Thawed Fish Involved in Food Safety and Fraud Protection.

This study aims to discriminate fresh fish from frozen/thawed by identification of the key metabolites that are altered during the freezing/thawing processing. Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and bullet tuna (Auxis rochei) were selected as they are representative of broad consumption, and susceptible to pathogen contamination. Atlantic salmon samples were subjected to the following regimes: -20 °C (24h) and -35 °C (15 h) freezing, then thawed respectively in the blast chiller and in the cold room and analyzed immediately or after 10 days; (2) bullet tuna samples were frozen at -18 °C and thawed after 15, 30 and 90 days. High resolution mass spectrometry based on untargeted metabolomic analyses and statistical data treatment confirmed significant variations in the quantity of certain metabolites: the amount of l-phenylalanine in salmon increased immediately after thawing while that of anserine decreased. The concentration of l-arginine and its metabolites was altered at the 10th day after thawing rendering them promising markers of salmon freezing/thawing. As regards bullet tuna, compounds resulting from lipid degradation (l-α-Glyceryl-phosphoryl-choline and N-methyl-ethanolamine phosphate) increased notably during the storage period. This approach could be used to reveal common fraudulent incidents such as deliberate replacement of fresh fish with frozen/thawed, with food safety risks as the primary implication.

Legacy and Emerging Contaminants in Demersal Fish Species from Southern Norway and Implications for Food Safety.

The present study aimed at measuring the levels of legacy and emerging contaminants in fillet samples from four demersal fish caught in two fishing sites from Southern Norway, in order to assess possible implications for food safety. Levels of organochlorine compounds (OCs), organophosphate pesticides (OPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybromodiphenyl ethers (PBDE), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were measured in fillet from Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa), lemon sole (Microstomus kitt), and European flounder (Platichthys flesus) specimens. A negligible contamination by all the investigated chemicals was noted in both the fishing sites, as very low levels of OCs, PCBs, and PFASs were noted in a limited number of individuals for each species. Considering the levels of contaminants measured in fillets of the four demersal fish species, negligible risk for human health for Norwegian consumers can be supposed.

Determination of Fatty Acids Profile in Original Brown Cows Dairy Products and Relationship with Alpine Pasture Farming System.

This study aimed to evaluate the relationships between fatty acids and the pattern that most contributes to discriminate between two farming systems, in which the main difference was the practice, or not, of alpine summer-grazing. Milk and cheese were sampled every month in two farms of Original Brown cows identical under geographical location and management during no grazing season point of view in the 2018 season. Fatty acids concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. The principal component analysis extracted three components (PCs). Mammary gland de novo synthetized fatty acids (C14:0, C14:1 n9, and C16:0) and saturated and monosaturated C18 fatty acids (C18:0, C18:1 n9c) were inversely associated in the PC1; PC2 included polyunsaturated C18 fatty acids (C18:2 n6c, C18:3 n3) and C15:0 while conjugated linoleic acid (CLA n9c, n11t) and fatty acids containing 20 or more carbon atoms (C21:0, C20:5 n3) were associated in the PC3. The processes of rumen fermentation and de novo synthesis in mammary gland that are, in turn, influenced by diet, could explain the relationships between fatty acids within each PC. The discriminant analyses showed that the PC2 included the fatty acids profile that best discriminated between the two farming systems, followed by PC3 and, lastly, PC1. This model, if validated, could be an important tool to the dairy industry.

Detection of polyphosphates in seafood and its relevance toward food safety.

Polyphosphates are permitted as food additives (Regulation EC No 1129/2011) but their undeclared utilisation is considered fraudulent. They improve water holding capacity of the seafood, preventing biochemical/physical changes during commercialization. The key objective of this study was the detection of polyphosphate in various seafood categories, by means of high-performance ion-exchange chromatography with suppressed conductometry (HPIEC-SCD) coupled to Q-Exactive Orbitrap high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS-Orbitrap). Ten frozen cuttlefish samples did not reveal any treatment, while in ten frigate tunas, high concentration of orthophospate was found. Unambiguous hexametaphosphate presence was demonstrated in four prawn samples, while triphosphate was quantified (11.2 ± 4 ug/g) in another four prawn samples that contained orthophosphate (10225 ± 1102 ug/g), as well. Other samples sporadically encompassed polyphosphates profiles that varied according species and processing type. This analytical approach provided sustenance in better understanding regarding utilization of polyphosphates through HRMS fingerprinting of anionic species that would be specific in food safety control.

Occurrence of perchlorate, chlorate and polar herbicides in different baby food commodities.

The incidence of endocrine disruptors, both possible (glyphosate and glufosinate), and demonstrated (perchlorate and chlorate), was estimated in baby food commodities (meat, fish, cheese, vegetable and fruit). Ion-chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry analysis of the 105 samples did not show traces of glyphosate, glufosinate or their metabolites, while in 10.5% of the samples a quantifiable amount of perchlorate was found. Some samples based on fruit and vegetables revealed a substantial amount of chlorate, especially the preparations that contained carrots and potatoes: five samples were in a concentration range of 40-120 µg kg-1, while one homogenized pear sample reached 372.2 µg kg-1. The pure meat samples revealed occasional chlorate appearance, with less than 10 µg kg-1. This is the first report of chlorate evaluated in various types of baby food and may serve as symptomatic data regarding its occurrence in infant/toddler diets. Therefore, effective monitoring programs and subsequent strict regulations are strongly required.

Occurrence of antibiotic residues in Apulian honey: potential risk of environmental pollution by antibiotics.

The presence of antibiotic residues in honey is widely documented and is attributed almost exclusively to improper beekeeping practices, due to the frequent use of drugs for the treatment of beehive diseases. Therefore, the aim of our research was to evaluate the presence of antibiotics in honeycomb using the Anti-Microbial Array II (AM II) and IV (AM IV) method and to assess the relationship between environmental context and antibiotic residues in honey. The results show the presence of antibiotic residues in 26/50 honey from brood nests samples, confirming the impact of environmental contamination on the health quality of this food product. In addition, subsequent analyses conducted on positive samples reveal the instability over time of antimicrobial molecules in honey. These results highlight the need for further studies in order to understand all likely sources of contamination and to implement a comprehensive safety management plan for honey.

An Italian survey of undeclared allergens in food over the years 2014-2018.

Large population studies estimated that the frequency of food allergies is increasing worldwide. In the last two decades, a 'second wave' of the allergy epidemic has emerged as a growing public health problem. EU regulation strengthened information to consumers about allergens in pre-packed food, since December 2014 it has been extended to non-prepacked foods by the Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Commission. The present work aims to present a five-year survey on the presence of nine types of allergen in several foods, including food of animal origin and baby food. The concentration found for each irregular allergen is generally low, but some samples with no gluten indication contained a concentration above 10 mg kg-1 with the highest value of 138.5 mg kg-1 in a dietetic food, during the screening in 2017. These data underline the importance and the necessity of a complete food labelling to protect the majority of allergic individuals.

Incidence of persistent contaminants through blue mussels biomonitoring from Flekkefjord fjord and their relevance to food safety.

Dredging activities can lead to the re-suspension of contaminated sediments, resulting in a potential hazard for the whole ecosystem and also for human health. Six-month active biomonitoring was performed in order to monitor the trends of different classes of both legacy (organochlorine - OCPs - and organophosphate (OPs) compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls - PCBs) and emerging (polybromodiphenyl ethers - PBDE - and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - PFASs) organohalogen compounds, as well as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), in blue mussel (Mytilus edulis spp.) specimens transplanted at different depths in the Flekkefjord fjord. Such biomonitoring was performed to evaluate the efficacy of sediment restoration activities and to check for the potential environmental risk for the biota and food safety for human seafood. Negligible contamination by OCPs, OPs, PBDEs and PFASs was noted in mussels over the 6-month biomonitoring, while a notable increase in the concentrations of PCBs and PAHs occurred in mussels transplanted at 15 m depth in three sampling sites within the fjord, as a consequence of an undersea landslide which occurred during restoration activities. Levels of PCBs and PAHs suggested a potential risk for mussel predators and also for the human health, as they exceeded the limit set by the European Commission for the consumption of bivalve molluscs. These results confirm the reliability of active biomonitoring to flank dredging activities aimed at ecosystem restoration in order to monitor the trend of contaminants and to estimate the potential risk for the aquatic communities and human health.