Selenium in plant-based beverages: Total content, estimated bioaccessibility and contribution to daily intake.

BACKGROUND: The search for alternative protein sources has increased the consumption and commercialization of plant-based beverages (PBBs). This study aimed to determine the total Se content, estimate the bioaccessibility of selenium (Se) in commercial PBBs derived from different raw materials, and evaluate their contribution to the reference daily intake (RDI). METHODS: An ultrasound assisted acid digestion method and ICP-MS was used to determine Se, and the INFOGEST method to estimate the bioaccessible percentages. Validation of this method was also performed, and the parameters obtained were: LOD and LOQ were 2.1 and 4.0 µg/kg, respectively. For accuracy, recovery percentages ranged from 99 % and 111 % (certified reference materials), and 95 % and 101 % (spiked experiments for bioaccessible extracts as recoveries). RESULTS: The PBBs presented total Se content between 4 and 226 µg/kg. Bioaccessible percentages ranged from 63.5 % (mix of plant sources) to 95.9 % (produced with organic cashew nuts). Only one cashew nut PBBs supplied the daily demand of Se, representing 64.6 %, 75.3 % and 82.2 % of the RDI; for lactating and pregnant women, children (≥ 4 years) and adults, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The Se determination method through acid digestion assisted by ultrasound and ICP-MS was considered adequate for the PBBs samples. Se content varied according to the raw material used in sample preparation. High percentages (> 60 %) of bioaccessibility were observed and only one PBBs derived from organic cashew nuts supplied the recommended Se demand for different groups of individuals.

Inorganic Contaminants in Plant-Based Yogurts Commercialized in Brazil.

This study aimed to evaluate the content of 11 inorganic elements (Al, Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in commercial plant-based and animal-based yogurts for comparison purposes. The samples were mineralized using a simple and fast ultrasound-assisted acid digestion method at 80 °C for 35 min, and the determination of inorganic elements was performed by ICP-MS. The method was validated according to the INMETRO guide, obtaining recoveries from 80 to 110%, precision from 6 to 15%, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 200 µg/kg (Al) to 4 µg/kg (other elements). The element concentrations in the plant-based yogurts were Al(

Incidence of Parasites on Frozen Alaska Pollock (Gadus chalcogrammus, Pallas, 1814) Fillets

Abstract: The presence of parasites in marine fish is a serious problem for the fishing industry in many countries. Some species of parasites can present a risk to consumers. Human health can be compromised by allergic reactions to parasitic antigens (hypersensitivity). The aim of the present study was to report the occurrence of parasite larvae in samples of frozen Alaskan fish fillets. A total of 108 samples of frozen Alaska pollock fish fillet were purchased from commercial establishments in the state of São Paulo - Brazil, from July 2017 to November 2019. The parasite search was carried out using the method dissection under transmitted light (candling table) according to AOAC (2005), method 985.12. Only 18 samples (17%), from four different brands, did not present any parasitic form, the others (90 samples) had at least one parasitic form, with the presence of cestodes of the order Trypanorhyncha (found in 73 samples) and nematodes of the Anisakidae family prevailing (found in 57 samples). It was also observed that more than half of the studied samples (76 samples) presented up to 5 parasitic forms in the kilogram rate. The results demonstrate the need for more data regarding the incidence of parasites in fish and their impact on human health, in order to alert the population and health authorities about its dangers, so that preventive and corrective measures are taken in the inspection process of these products, aiming to reduce any possibility of the occurrence of illnesses.

Simple and fast ultrasound-assisted method for mineral content and bioaccessibility study in infant formula by ICP OES.

Infant formula (IF) constitutes the sole source of mineral intake for infants who are only fed IF. The assurance of the amount of minerals declared on the label and the mineral levels and their chemical forms present a major concern related to providing a good amount of nutrients for absorption by these children. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (i) to evaluate several sample preparation methods for minerals in IF; (ii) to validate an analytical method using an ultrasonic bath for simultaneous determination of the Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P and Zn contents in IF by ICP OES and (ii) to establish the optimum analytical conditions of the in vitro method to study the dialyzability of these minerals from IF. The ultrasound-assisted method was shown to conform to 'green chemistry principles', being simple, fast and low cost compared with reference methods. The results were similar to those obtained with reference methods (microwave-assisted acid digestion and dry ashing) with regard to selectivity, sensitivity and linearity (r2 > 0.999). The accuracy and the precision were verified using certified reference materials, with recoveries and coefficients of variation ranging from 91 to 105% and from 1.1 to 5.2%, respectively. For in vitro dialyzability, the conditions established in this study allowed including an overnight step between the gastric and gastrointestinal stages (accuracy and precision ranging from 81 to 108% and 0.4 to 6.3%, respectively), contributing to establishing an in vitro digestion method suitable for infant gastrointestinal conditions.

Microscopic and molecular identification of foreign matter in food: detection of fraudulent practices Identification of foreign matter: food fraud / Identificação microscópica e molecular de matérias estranhas em alimentos: detecção de práticas fraudulentas

Introduction: The most frequent demands on microscopic food analysis are allegations of consumers finding macroscopic foreign matter or suspecting the presence of undeclared ingredients on products labels. The byproducts and foreign matters detection are fundamental practice for indirectly verifying the conditions of food production. Objective: This study reports the processes of microscopic and molecular identification (PCR) of a foreign matter found in a meat pie after a consumer complaint, occurred in the city of Itapira, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Method: Two distinct procedures were used to identify foreign matter: macroscopic examination, following FDA standards, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to identify DNA extracted from foreign materials. Results: The macroscopic analysis identified animal taste buds composing the pie fillings, and the PCR test confirmed that they were of bovine origin. Conclusions: Macroscopic analysis and the PCR test allowed the identification of the type of foreign matters and confirmed its bovine origin, what was enough to characterize it as a fraud by the improper use of inferior tissues in the preparation of ready-to-eat pastry.

Introdução: Uma das mais frequentes demandas de análise microscópica de alimentos são denúncias de consumidores que encontram matéria estranha macroscópica ou suspeitam da presença de ingredientes não declarados no rótulo do produto. A detecção de subprodutos e matérias estranhas é uma prática fundamental para verificar indiretamente a condição de produção de alimentos. Objetivo: Este estudo relata o processo de identificação microscópica e molecular (PCR) de uma matéria estranha encontrada em um pastel de carne após queixa de um consumidor no município de Itapira, estado de SP, Brasil. Método: Dois procedimentos distintos foram empregados para a identificação da matéria estranha: exame macroscópico seguindo padrões estabelecidos pelo FDA e técnica de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) para identificação do DNA extraído da matéria estranha. Resultados: A análise macroscópica identificou a matéria estranha como sendo papilas gustativas de origem animal, e o teste da PCR confirmou que as mesmas eram de origem bovina. Conclusões: A análise macroscópica e o teste da PCR permitiram a identificação do tipo de matéria estranha e confirmação de sua origem bovina, caracterizando a fraude pelo uso indevido de tecidos inferiores na preparação de pastéis prontos para consumo.

Monitoring the extraneous matters in pulps of tomato, guava, mango and strawberry marketed during the seasons of the year

Fruit-derived products sold in Brazil and for exportation are required to comply with the quality and safety standards. These products and, among them, the fruit pulps may contain extraneous materials due to the inappropriate conditions or practices during their production, storage and distribution, including filth, decomposed material and miscellaneous materials. This study aimed at evaluating the sanitary conditions(regarding to extraneous materials) of fruit pulps sold in the Great São Paulo, during the four seasons of 2010. This investigation analyzed 115 tomato pulp, 93 guava pulp, 99 strawberry pulp and 89 mango pulp by means of the techniques described in the AOAC, 18th, 2005, Chapter 16 - Extraneous Materials: Isolation. Insect fragments were the most frequent filth category detected in the pulps (in 93 % of guava and strawberry, 77 % of tomato and 48 % of mango samples), followed by the rodent hair (in 24 % of tomato, in 3 % of guava, in 1 % of strawberry and in 0.5 % of mango samples). The occurrence of miteswas mostly frequent in strawberry samples (33 %). This study indicated that the majority of the analyzed pulps showed satisfactory sanitary conditions, evidencing that the Good Manufacturing Practices was adopted by the productive sector...