Residue estimation and dietary risk assessment of fenvalerate, novaluron, and profenofos in bell pepper grown under protected and open field conditions.

Residue studies were conducted in bell pepper crops (green and yellow bell pepper) to ensure the safe use of fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron (under open field and protected conditions) in randomized block design (RBD) following three applications at a 10-day interval over two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. A robust analytical method was developed using quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction and gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) for the determination of pesticide residues in bell pepper samples. The half-lives for fenvalerate were 2.47-2.87 and 2.50-3.03 days on bell pepper under open field conditions, whereas the corresponding values for bell pepper under protected conditions were 3.84-4.58 and 4.17-4.71 days, during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Profenofos displayed half-lives of 2.03-2.65 and 2.15-2.77 days in open field conditions and 3.05-3.89 and 3.16-3.78 days in protected conditions during 2021 and 2022, respectively. Similarly, novaluron had half-lives of 2.87-3.49 and 3.24-3.75 days under protected conditions in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The maximum residue limits (MRLs) were calculated to be 0.6 mg/kg for fenvalerate, while for profenofos it was 0.7 mg/kg on bell pepper under open field conditions at double doses, at the proposed pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 3 days. Likewise, for bell peppers grown under protected conditions, MRLs at the PHI of 3 days were determined to be 0.8 mg/kg for fenvalerate, 0.3 mg/kg for novaluron, and 1.5 mg/kg for profenofos. A dietary risk assessment study indicated that the percentage of acute hazard index (% aHI) was significantly lower than 100, and hazard quotient (HQ) values were below 1, signifying no acute or chronic risk to consumers. These findings underscore the safety of consuming bell peppers treated with fenvalerate, profenofos, and novaluron under the protected and open field conditions.

Dissipation kinetics, decontamination, consumer risk assessment and monitoring of flonicamid and imidacloprid residues in capsicum under open field and polyhouse condition.

Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based detection of flonicamid, imidacloprid and 6-chloronicotinic acid residues was validated and analysed in capsicum fruit, processed products and soil. The standard concentrations (0.0025 to 0.25 µg mL-1) of insecticides had a good linear curve (r2>0.99). Limit of detection and limit of quantification values were 0.0025 and 0.01 mg kg-1, respectively. The accuracy (80.53 to 100.33 %) of capsicum matrices and soil (89.41 to 100.52 %) and precision (RSD <10%) were established. Dissipation of imidacloprid (20 and 40 g a.i. ha-1) and flonicamid (75 and 150 g a.i. ha-1) at single (X) and double dose (2X) was studied under open field and polyhouse conditions. Under open field conditions, the flonicamid and imidacloprid residues persisted with half-life of 1.98, 2.90 days (X) and 2.80, 3.14 (2X) days, respectively. While under polyhouse conditions, the flonicamid and imidacloprid residues persisted with a half-life of 2.84, 3.66 (X) and 3.24, 3.97 (2X) days, respectively. The metabolite, 6-CNA, was not detected in any samples under open field and polyhouse condition. Among decontamination treatments, cooking in boiling water for 10 minutes reduced 78 to 81.60 percent of imidacloprid and flonicamid residues in both doses. The estimated dietary risk assessment of imidacloprid and flonicamid residues (RQ <1) indicated that the risk is within the acceptable limit. In farmgate capsicum samples, residues of flonicamid (7 samples) and imidacloprid (11 samples) were detected. Market samples of capsicum products (powder, flakes and sauce) were not detected with residues of selected insecticides.

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan encapsulated zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite and its biological assessment in pepper (Capsicum annuum) as an elicitor for in vitro tissue culture applications.

Nanotechnology paves the way for introducing nanoscale fertilizers, pesticides, and elicitors. This study intends to address the synthesis of chitosan/zinc oxide nanocomposite (CS-ZnONP) and its biological assessment in in-vitro conditions. The zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were successfully coated with the chitosan (CS) polymer through a cost-effective approach. Transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy assessments proved the surface capping of chitosan polymer on ZnONP. The nanocomposite was more capable of improving growth and biomass than the bare ZnONPs. The application of the nanocomposite increased the concentration of chlorophylls (51%), carotenoids (70%), proline (2-fold), and proteins (about 2-fold). The supplementation of culture medium with the nanomaterials upregulated enzymatic antioxidant biomarkers (catalase and peroxidase). The activity of the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase enzyme also displayed a similar significant upward trend in response to the nano-supplements. The CS-ZnONP treatment considerably enhanced the accumulation of alkaloids (60.5%) and soluble phenols (40%), implying stimulation in secondary metabolism. The micropropagation test revealed that the CS-ZnONP treatment improved the organogenesis performance. Overall, the nanocomposite can be considered a highly potent biocompatible elicitor.

Multispectral Assessment of Sweet Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Fruit Quality Affected by Calcite Nanoparticles.

Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world because of the nutritional value of its fruits and its economic importance. Calcium (Ca) improves the quality of sweet pepper fruits, and the application of calcite nanoparticles in agricultural practice has a positive effect on the morphological, physiological, and physicochemical properties of the whole plant. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of commercial calcite nanoparticles on yield, chemical, physical, morphological, and multispectral properties of sweet pepper fruits using a combination of conventional and novel image-based nondestructive methods of fruit quality analysis. In the field trial, two sweet pepper cultivars, i.e., Soroksari and Kurtovska kapija, were treated with commercial calcite nanoparticles (at a concentration of 3% and 5%, calcite-based foliar fertilizer (positive control), and water (negative control) three times during vegetation). Sweet pepper fruits were harvested at the time of technological and physiological maturity. Significant differences were observed between pepper cultivars as well as between harvests times. In general, application of calcite nanoparticles reduced yield and increased fruit firmness. However, different effects of calcite nanoparticles were observed on almost all properties depending on the cultivar. In Soroksari, calcite nanoparticles and calcite-based foliar fertilizers significantly increased N, P, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu at technological maturity, as well as P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and N at physiological maturity. However, in Kurtovska kapija, the treatments increased only Ca at technological maturity and only P at physiological maturity. The effect of treatments on fruit morphological properties was observed only at the second harvest. In Soroksari, calcite nanoparticles (3% and 5%) increased the fruit length, minimal circle area, and minimal circle radius, and it decreased the fruit width and convex hull compared to the positive and negative controls, respectively. In Kurtovska kapija, calcite nanoparticles increased the fruit width and convex hull compared to the controls. At physiological maturity, lower anthocyanin and chlorophyll indices were found in Kurtovska kapija in both treatments with calcite nanoparticles, while in Soroksari, the opposite effects were observed.

Assessment of paprika geographical origin fraud by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) fingerprinting.

Paprika production under the protected designation of origin (PDO) standardized procedures leads to more quality products. However, it is also related to higher retail prices, making them susceptible to adulteration with low-quality paprika or its agricultural origin's mislabeling. Therefore, in this study, high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) fingerprints, strongly related to phenolic acid and polyphenolic compounds, were proposed as chemical markers to assess the classification of paprika from five European regions (three Spanish PDO, Hungary, and the Czech Republic), through a classification decision tree constructed by partial least squares regression-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) models. After external validation, an excellent classification accuracy of 97.9% was achieved. Moreover, the chromatographic fingerprints were also proposed to detect and quantitate two different paprika geographical origin blend scenarios by partial least squares (PLS) regression. Low external validation and prediction errors -with values below 1.6 and 10.7%, respectively- were obtained.

Nanomaterial Lipid-Based Carrier for Non-Invasive Capsaicin Delivery; Manufacturing Scale-Up and Human Irritation Assessment.

Capsaicin is an active compound in chili peppers (Capsicum chinense) that has been approved for chronic pain treatment. The topical application of high-strength capsaicin has been proven to reduce pain; however, skin irritation is a major drawback. The aim of this study was to investigate an appropriate and scalable technique for preparing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) containing 0.25% capsaicin from capsicum oleoresin (NLC_C) and to evaluate the irritation of human skin by chili-extract-loaded NLCs incorporated in a gel formulation (Gel NLC_C). High-shear homogenization with high intensity (10,000 rpm) was selected to create uniform nanoparticles with a size range from 106 to 156 nm. Both the NLC_C and Gel NLC_C formulations expressed greater physical and chemical stabilities than the free chili formulation. Release and porcine biopsy studies revealed the sustained drug release and significant permeation of the NLCs through the outer skin layer, distributing in the dermis better than the free compounds. Finally, the alleviation of irritation and the decrease in uncomfortable feelings following the application of the Gel NLC_C formulation were compared to the effects from a chili gel and a commercial product in thirty healthy volunteers. The chili-extract-loaded NLCs were shown to be applicable for the transdermal delivery of capsaicin whilst minimizing skin irritation, the major noncompliance cause of patients.

Combination of stearic acid coated magnetic nanoparticle based sonication assisted dispersive solid phase extraction and slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry for the accurate and sensitive determination of lead in red pepper samples and assessment of green profile.

This study describes the determination of lead at trace levels by slotted quartz tube flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (SQT-FAAS) after preconcentration by the help of stearic acid coated magnetic nanoparticle (SAC-MNPs) based sonication assisted dispersive solid phase extraction (SA-DSPE). SAC-MNPs were used due to their easy separation advantages by the application of external magnetic field. All extraction parameters were optimized by response surface methodology based experimental design. The experimented data was evaluated by the analysis of variance. Under the optimum conditions, about 31 folds enhancement in detection power was obtained over the conventional FAAS. The recovery results obtained for samples spiked at 60 and 120 ng mL-1 were 106.6 and 102.6%, respectively, validating the method as accurate and applicable to the red pepper matrix. The percent relative standard deviations of the results were under 5.0% even at low concentrations that established high precision for replicate extractions and instrumental readings.

Assessment of Capsaicinoid and Capsinoid Accumulation Patterns during Fruit Development in Three Chili Pepper Genotypes (Capsicum spp.) Carrying Pun1 and pAMT Alleles Related to Pungency.

Quantification, using an accurate analytical approach, of capsinoids and capsaicinoids was performed on three chili pepper (Capsicum spp.) genotypes: "Chiltepín", "Tampiqueño 74", and "Bhut Jolokia" at various stages of fruit development. The accumulation of capsinoids, in all these peppers started between 10 to 20 days post-anthesis (dpa), increased and reached the highest capsinoid amount at 40 dpa, and then decreased until 60 dpa. Conversely, capsaicinoids could already be determined at 10 dpa in "Bhut Jolokia" and their accumulation pattern was different from that of the capsinoids in this genotype. The capsiate/dihydrocapsiate ratio presented a higher variation between genotypes and developmental stages than the capsaicin/dihydrocapsaicin ratio. Capsinoid ratios (4-24%) and Pun1/pAMT genotyping were determined. These results provide information on the progress of the accumulation of capsinoids in the aforementioned pungent and superhot cultivars and could support future breeding studies toward the understanding of the factors affecting their accumulation.

Synthesis of chitosan based molecularly imprinted polymer for pipette-tip solid phase extraction of Rhodamine B from chili powder samples.

The purpose work is devoted to design of a simple, one-pot and green approach for the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymer to construct a selective sorbent for pipette-tip solid phase extraction of Rhodamine B from chili powder samples and its subsequence separation and quantification by high performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet/visible detection. The prepared molecularly imprinted polymer was synthesized using chitosan as versatile natural multi-functional bio-monomer and Rhodamine B as template in aqueous media. The effects of influential parameters (sorbent dosage, flow rate and eluent solvent volume) and their influences on Rhodamine B extraction recovery were examined and optimized by central composite design based response surface methodology as a powerful multivariate optimization tool. Under the optimized conditions, the linear range and limit of detection and quantification of proposed method were achieved to be 0.005-15 mg kg-1, 0.0015 mg kg-1 and 0.00488 mg kg-1, respectively, with satisfactory recoveries (>85.0%) and excellent repeatability (relative standard deviation < 6.1%). The easy synthesis conditions as well as satisfactory figures of merit are good indication of applicability of suggested method for extraction and determination of Rhodamine B from chili powder samples in terms of simplicity, cost effectiveness, selectivity and accurate analysis.

Biosafety assessment of graphene nanosheets on leaf ultrastructure, physiological and yield traits of Capsicum annuum L. and Solanum melongena L.

Due to limited knowledge of graphene nanosheets (GNS) on phyto-biological studies, GNS was sprayed to pepper and eggplants during the seasons 2016 and 2017 at doses 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 GNS g L-1 to assess their biosafety on leaf ultrastructure and agro-physiological traits. GNS was localized on plastids, cell walls and intercellular spaces of both plants. GNS-sprayed peppers characterized by giant chloroplasts with large starch granules and increment of mitochondrial number adjacent to chloroplasts. Whilst, chloroplast ultrastructure of GNS-treated eggplants appeared to be ellipsoidal-shaped with few normal sized-starch granules compared to control. The localization of GNS inside chloroplast may be activated photosynthetic pigments; thereby stimulation of fructose, sucrose and starch was displayed. The rising of hydrogen peroxide of GNS-treated leaves had beneficial role on triggering the activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase. Furthermore, the reduction of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion reflected the involvement of GNS in induction of antioxidant molecules and superoxide dismutase for modulating cell oxidative status. Thus, the lipid peroxidation and electrolyte leakage of GNS-treated plants were kept below the baseline of water-sprayed plants. Moreover, the promotions of health-promoting secondary metabolites via GNS aerosol were in close association to exacerbation of phenylalanine ammonialyase actvity. This study conclusively demonstrated that GNS did not have cytotoxic properties in pepper and eggplant cells rather healthy growth and promoted yield in the terms of number of branches plant-1, number of fruits plant-1 and fruit yield (ton hectare-1) were the net result of GNS-induced metabolic regulation of the leaves physiological status.

Rapid, simultaneous, and in situ authentication and quality assessment of intact bell peppers using near-infrared spectroscopy technology.

BACKGROUND: The ability of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to authenticate individual bell peppers as a function of the growing system (outdoor or greenhouse) was tested using partial least squares discriminant analysis. Bell peppers grown outdoors (130 samples) or in a greenhouse (264 samples) during the 2015 and 2016 seasons were selected for this purpose and analysed using a portable, handheld, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) instrument MicroPhazir (spectral range 1600-2400 nm), working in reflectance. Subsequently, the potential of NIR spectroscopy as a non-destructive sensor for in situ quality (dry matter and soluble solid content) measurements, was investigated. RESULTS: The models correctly classified 89.73% and 88.00% of the samples by growing system, when trained with unbalanced and balanced sets respectively, mainly due to the differences in physical-chemical attributes between bell peppers cultivated in the two growing systems. Separate classification models for bell peppers grouped by ripeness (judged by the colour), allowed the classification of 88.28-91.37% of the samples correctly. The standard error of cross-validation values for the quantitative models were 0.66% fresh weight and 0.75 °Brix for dry matter and soluble solid content, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that NIR spectroscopy can be used successfully for predicting the growing systems used in bell pepper production, which is of particular value to guarantee the authentication of outdoor-grown peppers. Additionally, the results showed that NIR spectroscopy can be used simultaneously as a rapid preliminary screening technique to measure quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Health risk assessment of selected pesticide residues in green pepper and cucumber.

This report describes levels of 170 pesticide residues in green pepper and cucumber marketed in Turkey. The report also comprises the outcome of the consumer risk assessment of selected pesticides. In total, 725 samples of vegetables were analysed for residues of 170 distinct pesticides by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The in-house validation data fulfilled the requirements of the European SANTE/11945/2015 Guideline. The limit of quantifications (LOQs) varied from 0.003 to 0.016 mg kg-1. Recoveries ranged between 80.5 and 118.2%, with inter-day precisions of 0.7-19% relative standard deviation (RSD). The expanded measurement uncertainty for individual pesticides ranged from 10.4 to 42.4%. Overall, 12.9% of green peppers and 13.5% of cucumbers contained at least one detectable residue, but the levels were below the EU legal limits. For adults, the Hazard Quotients (HQs) for identified pesticides in green peppers and cucumbers ranged from 0.0003 to 0.0143%, and from 0.0001 to 0.0103%, respectively. Propamocarb and chlorpyrifos were the major contributors to hazard index (HI) for green pepper and cucumber, respectively. The results showed that there is no reason to be concerned about cumulative exposure to residues from green pepper and cucumbers for Turkish population.

Acute administration of capsaicin increases resting energy expenditure in young obese subjects without affecting energy intake, appetite, and circulating levels of orexigenic/anorexigenic peptides.

Although capsaicin has been reported to reduce energy intake and increase energy expenditure in an adult (normal weight or overweight) population, thus resulting in a net negative energy balance and weight loss, these beneficial effects have not been investigated in young obese subjects. We hypothesize that capsaicin acutely administered in young obese subjects exerts the same effects on energy balance and that these effects are mediated by changes in gastrointestinal peptides regulating appetite. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the acute effects of capsaicin (2 mg) or placebo on energy intake, hunger, and satiety in obese adolescents and young adults (female-male ratio: 4:6, age: 21.0 ± 5.8 years; body mass index: 41.5 ± 4.3 kg/m2) provided an ad libitum dinner. Furthermore, circulating levels of some orexigenic (ghrelin) and anorexigenic (glucagon-like peptide 1 and peptide YY) peptides were measured after a meal completely consumed (lunch), together with the evaluation of hunger and satiety and assessment of resting energy expenditure (REE) through indirect computerized calorimetry. When compared to placebo, capsaicin did not significantly change either energy intake or hunger/satiety 6 hours after its administration (dinner). No differences in circulating levels of ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and peptide YY and in hunger/satiety were found in the 3 hours immediately after food ingestion among obese subjects treated with capsaicin or placebo (lunch). By contrast, the meal significantly increased REE in the capsaicin- but not placebo-treated group (capsaicin: from 1957.2 ± 455.1 kcal/d up to 2342.3 ± 562.1 kcal/d, P < .05; placebo: from 2060.1 ± 483.4 kcal/d up to 2296.0 ± 484.5 kcal/d). The pre-post meal difference in REE after capsaicin administration was significantly higher than that observed after placebo (385.1 ± 164.4 kcal/d vs 235.9 ± 166.1 kcal/d, P < .05). In conclusion, although capsaicin does not exert hypophagic effects, these preliminary data demonstrate its ability as a metabolic activator in young obese subjects.

Capsinoids activate brown adipose tissue (BAT) with increased energy expenditure associated with subthreshold 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in BAT-positive humans confirmed by positron emission tomography scan.

Background: Capsinoids are reported to increase energy expenditure (EE) via brown adipose tissue (BAT) stimulation. However, imaging of BAT activation by capsinoids remains limited. Because BAT activation is a potential therapeutic strategy for obesity and related metabolic disorders, we sought to prove that capsinoid-induced BAT activation can be visualized by 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET). Objective: We compared capsinoids and cold exposure on BAT activation and whole-body EE. Design: Twenty healthy participants (8 men, 12 women) with a mean age of 26 y (range: 21-35 y) and a body mass index (kg/m2) of 21.7 (range: 18.5-26.0) underwent 18F-FDG PET and whole-body calorimetry after ingestion of 12 mg capsinoids or ≤2 h of cold exposure (∼14.5°C) in a crossover design. Mean standardized uptake values (SUVs) of the region of interest and BAT volumes were calculated. Blood metabolites were measured before and 2 h after each treatment. Results: All of the participants showed negligible 18F-FDG uptake post-capsinoid ingestion. Upon cold exposure, 12 participants showed avid 18F-FDG uptake into supraclavicular and lateral neck adipose tissues (BAT-positive group), whereas the remaining 8 participants (BAT-negative group) showed undetectable uptake. Capsinoids and cold exposure increased EE, although cold induced a 2-fold increase in whole-body EE and higher fat oxidation, insulin sensitivity, and HDL cholesterol compared with capsinoids. Conclusions: Capsinoids only increased EE in BAT-positive participants, which suggests that BAT mediates EE evoked by capsinoids. This implies that capsinoids stimulate BAT to a lesser degree than cold exposure as evidenced by 18F-FDG uptake below the presently accepted SUV thresholds defining BAT activation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02964442.

Dietary determinants of urinary molybdenum levels in Mexican women: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: This study determined the main dietary sources of urinary molybdenum (Mo) concentrations in a sample of 124 pregnant women in Mexico. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dietary data was collected during pregnancy, through a semi-qualitative food frequency questionnaire, with information of 84 foods. Urine Mo levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, for at least two trimesters of pregnancy. The associations with Mo levels were estimated by generalized mixed effect regression models. RESULTS: Between 5.8 to 12.7% of the samples were above the 95th percentile of urinary Mo distribution reported by National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 for women (151 µg/L and 148 µg/g creatinine). After bootstrap resampling was conducted, women with high-consumption of hot peppers (ß=1.34µg/g; 95% CI: 1.00-1.80; p= 0.05) had marginally higher urinary Mo concentration levels, creatinine adjusted, compared to women with low-consumption. CONCLUSION.: Hot chili pepper consumption may contribute to body burden Mo levels in this population.

Dietary determinants of urinary molybdenum levels in Mexican women: a pilot study / Determinantes dietéticos de molibdeno urinario en mujeres mexicanas: un estudio piloto

Abstract: Objective: This study determined the main dietary sources of urinary molybdenum (Mo) concentrations in a sample of 124 pregnant women in Mexico. Materials and methods: Dietary data was collected during pregnancy, through a semi-qualitative food frequency questionnaire, with information of 84 foods. Urine Mo levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrometry, for at least two trimesters of pregnancy. The associations with Mo levels were estimated by generalized mixed effect regression models. Results: Between 5.8 to 12.7% of the samples were above the 95th percentile of urinary Mo distribution reported by National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 for women (151 μg/L and 148 μg/g creatinine). After bootstrap resampling was conducted, women with high-consumption of hot peppers (β=1.34μg/g; 95% CI: 1.00-1.80; p= 0.05) had marginally higher urinary Mo concentration levels, creatinine adjusted, compared to women with low-consumption. Conclusion. Hot chili pepper consumption may contribute to body burden Mo levels in this population.

Resumen: Objetivo: Determinar las fuentes dietéticas de molibdeno (Mo) urinario en 124 mujeres embarazadas residentes en el estado de Morelos, México. Material y métodos: Mediante un cuestionario de frecuencia de consumo de 84 alimentos, se obtuvo información dietética durante el embarazo. Las concentraciones urinarias de Mo se determinaron por espectrometría de absorción atómica, en al menos dos trimestres del embarazo. La asociación se estimó mediante modelos de efectos mixtos generalizados. Resultados: Entre 5.8 y 12.7% de las muestras superaron el P95 (151 µg/L y 148 µg/g creatinina) de la distribución de Mo urinario reportado para mujeres por la Encuesta Nacional de Nutrición y Salud de Estados Unidos (NHANES) 2009-2010. El mayor consumo de chile (β=1.34μg/g; IC95%: 1.00-1.80; p=0.05) se asoció con concentraciones marginalmente mayores de Mo. Conclusión: Probablemente debido a los fertilizantes o el sistema de riego utilizado en su cultivo, el consumo de chile es una posible fuente de exposición a Mo, en esta población.

Correlation between different markers for the assessment of red chilli pepper powders stability during shelf-life.

Pungency and red colour of Capsicum powders deteriorate during processing and storage, resulting in a decrease in market value. Two varieties of pepper with different pungencies were monitored for capsaicinoids, colour and furosine. Aliquots were stored at room and at low temperature during one year. At low temperature all indicators were stable in both varieties, while at room temperature, redness and capsacinoids decreased significantly, while furosine increased. High correlation was found between those markers. The more pungent variety exhibited higher stability in terms of all parameters. Differences observed suggest a potential protective effect exerted by capsaicinoids on powder stability. The decrease in capsaicinoids and redness accompanied by furosine increase showed a linkage between those markers never reported before. Considering that capsaicinoids and furosine occurrence have strong impact on the nutritional profile, the findings of this work show relevant changes in the nutritional value of chilli pepper powder after storage.

Pilot-scale radio frequency pasteurisation of chili powder: heating uniformity and heating model.

BACKGROUND: Microbial contamination is a vital obstacle needed to overcome for food safety of condiments. Radio frequency (RF) pasteurisation is a new technology to solve this obstacle. Temperature distribution and heating uniformity of sample, which are influenced by different factors, are the most important things affecting the nutritional ingredients and microbial safety of sample in the process of RF pasteurisation. This study demonstrated the location of cold spot in chili powder by analysing temperature distribution in horizontal and vertical direction. The related models were established and the accuracy was verified. RESULTS: Cold spot located on the centre of sample surface in the process of RF pasteurisation. The averaged temperature of sample increased linearly. The uniformity index decreased as the averaged temperature increased. Both the correlation coefficient of two equations were greater than 0.91. The error value of heating rate and heating uniformity index was 0.54% and 0.75% between the measured value and predicted value. CONCLUSION: Electric field was not uniformly distributed between RF parallel-plate electrodes in the RF pasteurisation of chili powder. The heating models were reliable to predict experiment results with high precision and accuracy. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessment of metal contents in spices and herbs from Saudi Arabia.

In the recent years, there has been a growing interest in monitoring heavy metal contamination of spices/herbs. Spices and herbs are sources of many bioactive compounds that can improve the tastes of food as well as influence digestion and metabolism processes. In the present study, the levels of some essential and toxic elements such as iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd), present in common spices/herbs that were purchased from the local market in Saudi Arabia, were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy after digestion with nitric acid/hydrogen peroxide mixture. Samples from the following spices/herbs were used: turmeric, cloves, black pepper, red pepper, cumin, legume, cinnamon, abazir, white pepper, ginger, and coriander. The concentration ranges for the studied elements were found as 48.8-231, 4.7-19.4, 2.5-10.5, below detection level (BDL)-1.0, 8.8-490, 1.0-2.6, and BDL-3.7 µg g(-1) for Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb, respectively, while Cd and Co levels were below the detection limit. Consumers of these spices/herbs would not be exposed to any risk associated with the daily intake of 10 g of spices per day as far as metals Fe, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ni, and Pb are concerned.

Dissipation pattern and risk assessment studies of triazophos residues on capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) using GLC-FPD and GC-MS.

The present study was carried out to observe the dissipation pattern of triazophos on capsicum and risk assessment of its residues on human beings and to suggest a waiting period for the safety of consumers. Following two applications of triazophos (Truzo 40 EC) at 500 and 1000 g a.i. ha(-1), the average initial deposits were found to be 3.61 and 6.26 mg kg(-1), respectively. These residues dissipated below the limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 mg kg(-1) in 10 and 15 days at the recommended and double the recommended dosages, respectively. The calculated values of half-life were 2.31 and 2.14 days at recommended and double the recommended dosages, respectively. Theoretical maximum residue contribution (TMRC) values were found to be 28.8 and 41.6 µg person(-1) day(-1) at 500 and 1000 g a.i. ha(-1), respectively, and found to be below the maximum permissible intake on capsicum fruit on the 7th day. Therefore, a waiting period of 7 days is suggested for consumption of capsicum sprayed with triazophos at the recommended dosages.