Quality of Tenebrio molitor Powders: Effects of Four Processes on Microbiological Quality and Physicochemical Factors.

Tenebrio molitor, the first edible insect approved as a novel food in the EU, is a promising candidate for alternative protein sources, implementing circular and sustainable production systems. This study aims to determine the microbiological quality and physicochemical properties of mealworm powders obtained by four different processing pathways. Contents of dry matter, protein, fat, ash, water activity (aw) and a range of microbial counts were measured and analyzed by one-way ANOVA with Tukey's test. Results showed small differences in the proximate composition of the powder samples (protein 55.62-57.90% and fat 23.63-28.21% of dry matter, DM), except for the one that underwent a defatting step (protein 70.04% and fat 16.84%), p < 0.05. A level of water activity of less than 0.2 was reached for all pathways. Fresh mealworm samples had high total aerobic counts (8.4 log CFU/g) but were free of foodborne pathogens. Heat treatments applied during transformation were sufficient to kill vegetative cells (reduction of 2.8-5.1 log CFU/g) rather than bacterial endospores (reduction of 0.3-1.8 log CFU/g). Results were confirmed by predictive microbiology. This study validated the efficacy of a boiling step as critical control points (CCPs) of insect powder processing, providing primary data for the implementation of HACCP plans.

[Endocrine disruptors and metabolic diseases: a major public health challenge]. / Perturbateurs endocriniens et maladies métaboliques: un défi majeur en santépublique.

The purpose of this research note is to summarize the current state of knowledge on the impact of environmental exposures on the development of obesity and diabetes. In France, the incidence of diabetes almost doubled between 2000 and 2008 (+ 93%), affecting 1.8 million people. The prevalence of obesity has almost doubled in 10 years. Since the 1980s, the focus of the fight against obesity and diabetes has been on hygienic and dietary measures. However, it is now clear that these measures have failed to reverse the trend. Chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes have resulted in a dramatic increase in public health spending. A growing body of data has highlighted the important role of chemical pollution in the epidemic of metabolic diseases, particularly substances classified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). By altering the endocrine function of organs such as adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, and skeletal muscle, EDCs disrupt the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids, leading in turn to insulin resistance and diabetes and obesity, which both increase the risk of cardiovascular complications. The traditional toxicological principle that "the dose makes the poison" does not reflect the complexity of the deleterious effect of EDCs either alone or in combination. EDC-induced patho-physiological alterations can be programmed during the fetal period, before appearing later in life. A new paradigm evaluating the toxicological properties of EDCs is needed to support new recommendations in terms of prevention policy, at both national and European levels.

[Training and information for freelance nurses, all life long]. / Infirmières libérales, se former et s'informer tout au long de la vie.

Nursing practice demands ever greater levels of skill, including from those providing home nursing care. A study was carried out, in 2008, within the French national institute for health and medical research (INSERM), in the context of a research master, to assess the differences in freelance nurses' approach to training and information research according to the type of practice (up to 2 nurses versus more than 2 nurses). The study shows that the method of practice influences the amount of work. The dynamics of formation is, in turn, lower for all nurses, mainly due to lack of time.