Molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of black cumin (Nigella sativa) and its active constituent, thymoquinone: a review.

BACKGROUND: Nigella sativa and its main bioactive ingredient, thymoquinone, exhibit various pharmacological activities, including neuroprotective, nephroprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and anti-cancer effects. Many studies have been conducted trying to elucidate the molecular signaling pathways that mediate these diverse pharmacological properties of N. sativa and thymoquinone. Accordingly, the goal of this review is to show the effects of N. sativa and thymoquinone on different cell signaling pathways. METHODS: The online databases Scopus, PubMed and Web of Science were searched to identify relevant articles using a list of related keywords such as Nigella sativa, black cumin, thymoquinone, black seed, signal transduction, cell signaling, antioxidant, Nrf2, NF-κB, PI3K/AKT, apoptosis, JAK/STAT, AMPK, MAPK, etc. Only articles published in the English language until May 2022 were included in the present review article. RESULTS: Studies indicate that N. sativa and thymoquinone improve antioxidant enzyme activities, effectively scavenges free radicals, and thus protect cells from oxidative stress. They can also regulate responses to oxidative stress and inflammation via Nrf2 and NF-κB pathways. N. sativa and thymoquinone can inhibit cancer cell proliferation through disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway by upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog. Thymoquinone can modulate reactive oxygen species levels in tumor cells, arrest the cell cycle in the G2/M phase as well as affect molecular targets including p53, STAT3 and trigger the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway. Thymoquinone, by adjusting AMPK, can regulate cellular metabolism and energy hemostasis. Finally, N. sativa and thymoquinone can elevate brain GABA content, and thus it may ameliorate epilepsy. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the improvement of antioxidant status and prevention of inflammatory process by modulating the Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling and inhibition of cancer cell proliferation through disruption of the PI3K/AKT pathway appear to be the main mechanisms involved in different pharmacological properties of N. sativa and thymoquinone.

A systematic review of preclinical studies on the efficacy of propolis for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Propolis is a resinous substance produced by bees from plants. There has been some evidence indicating that propolis may be a candidate for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because of its potent antioxidant properties and ability to modulate immune response and gut microbiome. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate the role of propolis in the treatment of IBD, emphasizing possible mechanisms underlying the anti-inflammatory properties of it. Searches were performed in ISI, PubMed/Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases up to March 2020. According to the studies examined in this review, the administration of propolis can be useful in attenuating many aspects of clinical, macroscopic, and histological features of colitis in animal models. The efficacy of propolis in the treatment of IBD might be attributed to its potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities. Propolis may also be involved in the modulation of the gut microbiota and in the improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier function. The major mechanism of action is most likely to be mediated via the prevention of some transcriptional factors and associated proteins. However, future studies are warranted to investigate the clinical utility of propolis as a candidate in the treatment of IBD.

Effect of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress, defined as an imbalance between pro-oxidants and neutralizing antioxidants within the body, is a growing public health concern. Oxidative stress is involved in the progression of nearly all chronic diseases. Melatonin has been suggested to reduce oxidative stress by its potential radical scavenging properties. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of melatonin as a therapy for the improvement of oxidative stress parameters in randomized controlled trials. METHODS: A systematic database search using Scopus, PubMed/Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials and clinicaltrials.gov (https://clinicaltrials.gov) for studies published up to July 2020 was conducted. We included studies which investigated the effect of supplemental melatonin compared to placebo on oxidative stress parameters in unhealthy patients. Quantitative data synthesis was conducted using a random-effects model with standard mean difference (SMD) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Cochrane's Q and I2 values were used to evaluate heterogeneity. RESULTS: A total of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. The meta-analysis indicated an association between melatonin intake and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD: 0.76; 95 % CI: 0.30, 1.21; I2 = 80.1 %), glutathione (GSH) levels (SMD: 0.57; 95 % CI: 0.32, 0.83; I2 = 15.1 %), superoxide dismutase (SOD) (SMD: 1.38; 95 % CI: 0.13, 2.62; I2 = 86.9 %), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (SMD: 1.36; 95 % CI: 0.46, 2.30; I2 = 89.3 %), glutathione reductase (GR) (SMD: 1.21; 95 % CI: 0.65, 1.77; I2 = 00.0 %) activities, and a significant reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (SMD: -0.79; 95 % CI: -1.19, -0.39; I2 = 73.1 %). Melatonin intake was not shown to significantly affect nitric oxide (NO) levels (SMD: -0.24; 95 % CI: -0.61, 0.14; I2 = 00.0 %) or catalase (CAT) activity (SMD: -1.38; 95 % CI: -1.42, 4.18; I2 = 96.6 %). CONCLUSION: Melatonin intake was shown to have a significant impact on improving Oxidative stress parameters. However, future research through large, well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to determine the effect of melatonin on oxidative stress parameters in different age groups and different disease types.

Stabilization of soybean oil during accelerated storage by essential oil of ferulago angulata boiss.

This study has been considered effect of Ferulago angulata essential oil on stabilizing soybean oil during accelerated storage. The essential oil was extracted by Clevenger-type apparatus. For analysis of the essential oil, GC/MS was used. Main components of the essential oil were monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. The essential oil of F. angulata at four concentrations, i.e. 125 (SBO-125), 250 (SBO-250), 500 (SBO-500) and SBO-Mixture (60 ppm TBHQ +60 ppm essential oil) were added to preheated refined soybean oil. TBHQ was used at 120 ppm as standard besides the control. Antioxidant activity index (AAI), free fatty acid (FFA) content, peroxide value (PV) and p-anisidine value (p-AnV) were served for appreciation of efficacy of F. angulata in stabilization of soybean oil. Results from different tests showed that SBO-mixture had highest effect and followed by SBO-TBHQ, SBO-250, SBO-125, SBO-500 and Ctrl. These results reveal F. angulata is a strong antioxidant and can be used instead of synthetic antioxidant.

A fabricated electro-spun sensor based on Lake Red C pigments doped into PAN (polyacrylonitrile) nano-fibers for electrochemical detection of Aflatoxin B1 in poultry feed and serum samples.

The aim of this work was to fabricate a novel nano-fiber modified electrode, involving Lake Red C (LRC) pigments doped into electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibrous films. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques were used for electrochemical and morphological characterization of the composite fibers. This sensor responds to Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) over the concentration range of 40-120 nM with high accuracy and precision in analysis. The modified electrode exhibited an excellent electrocatalytic ability (α = 0.42, log K(s) = 4.21 s(-1), and Γ = 1.49 × 10(-5) mmol cm(-2)) for reduction of AFB1 at the optimum pH of 6 and working potential of -0.75 V (vs. SCE). The common substances accompanying AFB1 had no serious interferences on the response of the modified electrode to AFB1. The modified electrode indicated reproducible behavior and a high level stability during the experiments, making it particularly suitable for the analytical determination of AFB1 in poultry feed and serum samples.

Fabrication of a sensitive electrochemical sensor based on hybrid polyamide/chromotropic acid nanofibers electrospun on glassy carbon electrode for Hg2+ sensing in drinking water and canned fish samples.

In this study, a new electrochemical sensor was designed based on a hybrid of polyamide (PA) and chromotropic acid (CA) nanofibers electrospun on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) configured as PANFs-CANFs/GCE. The electrochemical response of this sensor showed an excellent electrochemical activity for the detection of Hg2+ ions using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods. The proposed sensor exhibited the prominent electrocatalytic value of (α = 0.60, Log Ks = 3.45 s-1 and Γ = 3.30 × 10 -9 mmol/cm2) as a result of PANFs-CANFs/GCE response to Hg2+ ions. The recommended sensor also demonstrated a linear portion in the calibration curve over the concentration range of 30 to 450 nM with the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 9.98 nM and 29.97 nM, respectively. The fabricated sensor revealed reproducible and repeatable responses with a high level of stability. Therefore, we highly recommend this new electro-spun based sensor for quantifying Hg2+ in drinking water and canned fish samples with the accurate and precise results and no side interferences.

A comprehensive image of environmental toxic heavy metals in red meat: A global systematic review and meta-analysis and risk assessment study.

Heavy metals are defined by their long biological half-life and non-biodegradability in the environment and the human body. Thus, they can accumulate in considerable amounts within soil-plant-food chains, presenting a potential health risk to humans. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence and mean levels of heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, and Pb) in red meat globally. Studies describing the heavy metal contamination of meat were retrieved by searching international general and specific databases between 2000 and 2021. According to the findings, there is a low level of contamination of meat with arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). In contrast, the lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels exceed the Codex permissible levels. There was also a highly severe heterogeneity in the results, and no subgroup analysis revealed the cause of this heterogeneity. However, different continent subgroups, types of meat, and fat content of meat are universally defined as the primary sources of high toxic heavy metal (THM) concentrations. Also, the results of the subgroup analysis showed the Asia continent 1020.15 µg/kg (95 % CI = 605.13-1435.18), followed by Africa 965.73 µg/kg (95 % CI = 840.64-1094.42), have the highest level of Pb contamination. Similarly, Asia 232.12 µg/kg (95 % CI = 206.45-257.79) and Africa 84.68 µg/kg (95 % CI = 74.69-94.66) have reported high levels of Cd that exceeded the limit of the standards. The risk assessment results also revealed that red meat consumption carries health risks due to excessive heavy metals content particularily for heavy consumers. As a result, it is necessary to implement strict control measures to prevent heavy metal contamination in these critical food products for all consumers worldwide, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Effects of dietary administration of Echinacea purpurea on growth indices and biochemical and hematological indices in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fingerlings.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Echinacea purpurea (EP) on growth and some hematological and blood biochemical indices of rainbow trout fingerlings. A basal diet was supplemented with 0 (control), 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 g EP kg⁻¹ to formulate five experimental diets. Each diet was randomly allocated to triplicate groups of fish with an initial average weight of approximately 8 g. After 8 weeks of feeding trial, fish fed diets with 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg⁻¹ showed highest final weight and SGR and fish fed with the control diet indicated the lowest final weight and SGR. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in FCR between the control group and the groups fed with diets of 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg⁻¹. Biochemical parameters such as serum total protein content, albumin content, globulin content, and albumin/globulin ratio in the fish were evaluated. There were significant differences between hematological parameters including RBC, WBC, HB, lymphocyte, and neutrophil percentage in fish fed with dietary nucleotide compared with control treatment (P < 0.05). The results suggest that EP administration at 0.25 and 0.5 g EP kg⁻¹ exerted positive effects on growth and biochemical and hematological indices in rainbow trout.

Fate of aflatoxins M1 and B1 within the period of production and storage of Tarkhineh: A traditional Persian fermented food.

The objective of the study was to assess the amount of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) and aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) during fermentation, drying, and storage of Tarkhineh-a traditional Persian fermented food-over four months. Tarkhineh samples were produced based on a traditional method. Various concentrations of AFB1 (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 µg/kg) and AFM1, stood at 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1 µg/kg, were added to Iranian yogurt drink, called doogh, samples. Tarkhineh samples were evaluated for AFB1 and AFM1 on days 0, 2, 6, and 8 and also after drying and four months of storage. In cases of repeatability, recovery, and reproducibility, the high-performance liquid chromatography through fluorescence detector (HPLC-FD) method was successfully done to demonstrate aflatoxins (AFs) in Tarkhineh samples. The fermentation process had a considerable consequence on the reduction in AFM1 and AFB1 as compared to the control group, evidenced by 65.10%-81.20% and 55.80%-74.10%, respectively, after eight days of fermentation (p < .05). The highest reduction in AFB1 existed in samples containing 2.5 µg/kg toxin, followed by 5, 7.5, and 10 µg/kg, respectively. A similar trend was found for AFM1, as the highest concentration was found in samples containing 0.25 µg/kg toxin, followed by 0.5, 0.75, and 1 µg/kg, respectively.

Listeria monocytogenes in Dairy Products of the Middle East Region: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression Study.

Background: The contamination of food products by Listeria monocytogenes as a pathogen bacterium, threatening public health and raised a global concern for a long time. Dairy and meat products and ready-to-eat foods are recognized as the most common carriers for L. monocytogenes. Methods: The related reports of the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in dairy products in Middle East countries from 2009 to 2020 were screened through some of the international databases such as Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. While a random effect model was applied to estimate pooled or overall prevalence, 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were used. Results: Results showed severe heterogeneity (84.2%) in studies and estimated the overall prevalence of L. monocytogenes dairy food products from the Middle East region of 3.5% (CI: 2.2-5). The highest and lowest prevalence was associated with Jordan (17.6% CI: 9.8-26.9) and Iraq (1.6% CI: 0.3-3.7), respectively. Based on the type of product, the highest and lowest prevalence of L. monocytogenes was recognized for raw cow milk (5.8% CI: 2.7-9.7) and pasteurized cow milk (1.1% CI: 0-8), respectively. Conclusion: There is no justification for severe heterogeneity (I2) of subgroups as prevalence is heterogenic innately, but Jordan and row cow milk subgroups were found to have a considerable effect on overall pooled prevalence. Thus, they were the reason for prevalence changes.

Simulation Approach for Hydrophobicity Replication via Injection Molding.

Nanopattern replication of complex structures by plastic injection is a challenge that requires simulations to define the right processing parameters. Previous work managed to simulate replication for single cavities in 2D and 3D, showing high performance requirements of CPU to simulate periodic trenches in 2D. This paper presents two ways to approach the simulation of replication of complex 3D hydrophobic surfaces. The first approach is based on previous CFD Ansys Fluent and compared to FE based CFD Polyflow software for the analysis of laminar flows typical in polymer processing and glass forming as well as other applications. The results showed that Polyflow was able to reduce computing time from 72 h to only 5 min as desired in the project. Furthermore, simulations carried out with Polyflow showed that higher injection and mold temperature lead to better replication of hydrophobicity in agreement with the experiments. Polyflow simulations are proved to be a good tool to define process parameters such as temperature and cycle times for nanopattern replication.

The effect of ß-glucan and inulin on the reduction of aflatoxin B1 level and assessment of textural and sensory properties in chicken sausages.

In recent years, people have a tendency to consume ready-made foods such as sausages. Therefore, the use of quality raw materials in these products is very important because these compounds may be contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Various biological and natural methods have been introduced to reduce aflatoxins in food products. The aim of the present study was to reduce AFB1 levels. So, ß-glucan (ßG) and Inulin (IN) were used in different ratios (1: 2%, 2: 1%, 1.5: 1.5%, 0: 3, 3: 0%) in chicken sausages. AFB1 levels were measured by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) in a period of 1-45 days. Then, texture and sensory properties were examined. After 45 days, AFB1 levels were decreased in all samples, and the highest level of reduction (73.7%) was observed in samples with 5 µg/kg AFB1 and 3% ßG. Texture analysis showed that all the evaluated features complied with the standard. The hardness of chicken sausage with addition of IN (3%) (3.162N) was close to that of the control (2.99N). None of the products were significantly different from the control sample in terms of sensory properties. Therefore, ßG and IN are effective in reducing AFB1, and the produced sausages can be acceptable for marketing and be offered for consumption.

Electrochemical determination of T2 toxin by graphite/polyacrylonitrile nanofiber electrode.

Fabricating graphite electrode corrected with nanofiber by electrospinning as a considerable procedure for utilization in the fluid materials, milk, and syrup for detection of T2 mycotoxin is a significant technique. The modern biosensor was fabricated at normal degrees of room and utilized via buffer Britton-Robinson (B-R) in pH = 5 to refine the chemico-mechanical specifications. The electrochemical manner of the modified surface was surveyed using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SQWV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The corrected electrode displayed a linear reply to T2 toxin in two distinct concentration ranges of 30-100 nM with correlation coefficients of 0.99. The greatest signals in the square wave spectrums for the B-R buffer created on the uttermost signals of the obtained streams were pH = 5 and 0.5 M of KNO3 for T2 toxin. The modified electrode has a big signal, broad dynamic concentration and high sensitivity and selectivity.

Resveratrol supplementation and acute pancreatitis: A comprehensive review.

Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic ingredient extracted from herbs, suppresses oxidative stress and inflammation. We performed a comprehensive review to find any evidence about the effects of Resveratrol on acute pancreatitis (AP). Resveratrol has been found to directly impact cytokine generation. As these factors play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of AP, resveratrol might attenuate AP and its complications. Mechanistically, resveratrol exerts its pharmacological effects through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms via interaction with different signaling molecules and transcription factors. Indeed, resveratrol might prove to be an effective therapeutic component for AP treatment in the future. In this review, we shed light on potential most recent pathways through which resveratrol might impact the management and control of AP.

Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Commercial Cereal-based Baby Foods in Iran: A Probabilistic Risk Assessment to Health.

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Aflatoxins (AFs) including B1, B2, G1 and G2 in commercial cereal-based baby foods by HPLC-FLD method in Iran and related risk assessment in three baby age groups (6-12, 12-18, and 18-24 months) using Monte Carlo simulation approach. Results showed an occurrence ranging from 20% to 60% for B1, B2, and G2 aflatoxins, while AFG1 was not detected in any assessed samples. Exposure and risk assessment was estimated to be two groups (aflatoxin B1 and total aflatoxins). The highest estimated dietary exposure to both AFB1 and total AFs was estimated for 6-12 months aged babies, representing 5.81 ng/kg BW/day and 8.55 ng/kg BW/day, respectively. Overall, the margin of exposures to AFB1 and total AFs were lower than 10,000 in all age groups, indicating a health concern about AFB1 and total AFs exposure through cereal-based baby food consumption. High cancer risk for high consumers (P95) of baby food was also estimated in all age groups, calling for immediate intervention due to serious claims that AFB1, is a highly carcinogenic component, causes hepatocellular carcinoma. Risk ranking results indicated the presence of AFB1 is classified as high risk for babies who consume cereal-based foods, which demands the attention of risk managers to reduce or eliminate this risk for the most vulnerable sector of society, whose aged <24 months.

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation on oxidative stress parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

A wide variety of antioxidant properties are attributed to ginger (Zingiber officinale) and several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have investigated the effect of ginger intake on major oxidative stress (OS) parameters. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of using ginger to improve OS levels. Medline, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were systematically searched up until March 2020 to gather RCTs that evaluated the impact of ginger intake on the levels and activity of OS parameters in adult subjects. Means and standard deviations for relevant OS variables were extracted and evaluated to assess the quality of the trials based on the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials. The gathered data were pooled and expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI). Twelve trials were included in this review. Ginger intake was shown to significantly increase glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity (SMD: 1.64; 95% CI: 0.43, 2.85; I2  = 86.8%) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.06, 0.73; I2  = 42.8%) and significantly decrease malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (SMD: -0.69; 95% CI: -1.26, -0.12; I2  = 85.8%) compared to control groups. Ginger supplementation also non-significantly associated with an increase in CAT activity (SMD: 1.09; 95% CI: -0.07, 2.25; I2  = 87.6%). This systematic review and meta-analysis presents convincing evidence supporting the efficacy of ginger supplementation on improving OS levels. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: In health sciences, OS, due to its pivotal role in the pathophysiology of several chronic diseases, is a subject with a long history. Recent research strives for a safe, ideal, and effective antioxidant. Ginger is herbal medicine, which has been widely used in traditional and complementary medicine. Proving the antioxidant effect and potential benefit of ginger has positive clinical implications for the application of this practical herb.

Effect of propolis supplementation on athletic performance, body composition, inflammation, and oxidative stress following intense exercise: A triple-blind randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence indicates that propolis as a novel potential antioxidant has unique benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of propolis on oxidative stress, inflammation, body composition, and athletic performance in healthy active subjects. METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted on 54 male military cadets. Eligible subjects were randomly allocated to receive a single dose of 450 mg propolis twice daily for four weeks or a matching placebo containing microcrystalline cellulose. Cooper 12-min run test and running-based anaerobic sprint test were performed to measure aerobic and anaerobic performance. Blood samples were obtained immediately after Cooper's test to evaluate oxidative stress and inflammation status. Fat mass and fat-free mass were analyzed using bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Mean changes in fat mass, fat-free mass, anaerobic powers, fatigue index, and VO2 max did not differ significantly between the two groups after the adjustment for baseline values (P-value>0.05). A significant change was observed in plasma levels of IL-6 (-1.43 ± 0.11pg/mL), total oxidant status (-3.9 ± 0.2µmol/L), total antioxidant capacity (164 ± 12 µmol/L), malondialdehyde (-0.52 ± 0.03µmol/L), oxidative stress index (-0.45 ± 0.04), and glutathione (48.72±2µmol/L) in the propolis group compared with the placebo group after the adjustment for baseline values and weight changes (P-value<0.05). Although IL-10 concentrations had no significant changes in both groups, the ratio of IL-6/IL-10 significantly reduced in the propolis group compared with the placebo group (-0.174 ± 0.015 versus. 0.051 ± 0.014; P-value: 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that propolis might have beneficial effects on oxidative stress and inflammation following intense activities in healthy male subjects.

Release behavior of metals from tin-lined copper cookware into food simulants during cooking and cold storage.

The copper pots with an inner coating layer of tin have been remarkably used in many countries for a long time. In this study, leaching of some metals from tin-lined copper pots into food simulators at different pHs (4, 5.5, 7, and 8.5) during boiling processing (95 °C for 1, 2, and 3 h) or refrigerated storage (4 °C for 1, 2, and 3 days) was investigated. Citric acid and sodium hydroxide were used to adjust the pH of food simulators. The leaching concentrations of metals were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometers (ICP-OES). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to indicate the surface morphological properties of cookware. Based on the preliminary experiments, metals including Al, Sn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Ca, Na, Cr, Mg, and Zn were selected to analyze in acidic treatments. Furthermore, Al, Cu, Sn, Na, and Ca were analyzed for neutral and alkaline ones. Results showed that the boiling temperature for 3 h resulted in a much higher migration of metals compared with cold storage for 3 days. Mn and Cr showed the lowest metal concentration during cooking and cold storage, respectively. The concentration of Sn in acidic simulators was remarkably higher than the other metals during both cooking and refrigerated storage. However, Ca during cold storage, as well as Na during both cooking and cold storage, showed the most migration in alkaline solutions, among the other pHs. An acidic simulator with pH 4 showed the most considerable release of metals from copper pots. SEM results indicated more intense surface corrosion by acidic solution (pH 4) than alkaline one. In general, longer cooking and cold storage durations led to increasing metals release. The migration of the studied metals demonstrates the impurities of the tin layer of these cookwares that may lead to acute and/or chronic diseases.

Fates of aflatoxin B1 from wheat flour to Iranian traditional cookies: Managing procedures to aflatoxin B1 reduction during traditional processing.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) incidence in cereal, especially in wheat products, is a serious worldwide challenge for human health. The objective of the current study was to survey the effect of various factors, including fermentation times, yeast levels, ingredients, and time/temperature combinations of the baking process on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) reduction in order to modify parameters of the traditional cookie-making process. AFB1 levels were analyzed by an HPLC-fluorescence detector. The results revealed AFB1 levels significantly decreased during fermentation (%23.7), depending on an increase in the yeast level (2%) and fermentation time (90 min). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between pH reduction and AFB1 decomposition. However, the formulation of the recipe did not show a significant effect on the detoxification of AFB1. The baking temperature increase in an admissible technological range (280°C for 15 min) more effectively reduced AFB1 content (%53.9). As a result, the exact control of the traditional process was able to significantly decreased AFB1 content as a serious health-threatening toxin in the final product (%75.9). However, AFB1 toxicity reduction should be considered seriously in the raw materials and such products.

Physico-mechanical and structural properties of eggshell membrane gelatin- chitosan blend edible films.

This study investigated the physico-mechanical and structural properties of composite edible films based on eggshell membrane gelatin (G) and chitosan (Ch) (75G:25Ch, 50G:50Ch, 25G:75Ch). The results demonstrated that the addition of Ch increased elongation at break significantly (p<0.05), but resulted in no significant change in tensile strength (TS) using 75G:25Ch, 50G:50Ch mixtures in comparison with gelatin-based film. The water solubility and water vapor permeability of the 50G:50Ch film decreased significantly compared to plain films (100G:0Ch and 0G:100Ch) and other composite films (p<0.05). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy evaluation of structural properties showed that both polymers are totally miscible. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology of the composite films; it revealed a homogenous and compact structure in 75G:25Ch and 50G:50 Ch. Also, the chemical interactions introduced by the addition of chitosan to eggshell membrane gelatin as new resources could improve the films' functional properties.