Analysis of industry-generated data. Part 2: Risk-based sampling plan for efficient self-control of aflatoxin M1 contamination in raw milk.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination in 21,969 milk samples taken in Italy during 2005-08 and 2010 provided the basis for designing an early warning self-control plan. Additionally, 4148 AFM1 data points from the mycotoxin crisis (2003-04) represented the worst case. No parametric function provided a good fit for the skewed and scattered AFM1 concentrations. The acceptable reference values, reflecting the combined uncertainty of AFM1 measured in consignments consisting of milk from one to six farms, ranged from 40 to 16.7 ng kg(-1), respectively. Asymmetric control charts with these reference values, 40 and 50 ng kg(-1) warning and action limits are recommended to assess immediately the distribution of AFM1 concentration in incoming consignments. The moving window method, presented as a worked example including 5 days with five samples/day, enabled verification of compliance of production with the legal limit in 98% of the consignments at a 94% probability level. The sampling plan developed assumes consecutive analyses of samples taken from individual farms, which makes early detection of contamination possible and also immediate corrective actions if the AFM1 concentration in a consignment exceeds the reference value. In the latter case different control plans with increased sampling frequency should be applied depending on the level and frequency of contamination. As aflatoxin B1 increases in feed at about the same time, therefore a coordinated sampling programme performed by the milk processing plants operating in a confined geographic area is more effective and economical then the individual ones. The applicability of the sample size calculation based on binomial theorem and the fast response rate resulting from the recommended sampling plan were verified by taking 1000-10,000 random samples with replacement from the experimental databases representing the normal, moderately and highly contaminated periods. The efficiency of the control plan could be substantially enhanced if the dairy farms used feed with a tolerable level of AFB1.

Alimentaciòn viva: manual para una cocina sin cocina

Lejos de ser una moda o algo "New Age", la comida cruda o viva es una herramienta maravillosa para acceder a la plena salud y al máximo potencial del ser humano. Y esto no es materia opinable, sino un simple hecho fisiológico, que cualquiera puede experimentar y constatar sin riesgos, pese a los variados mitos circulantes. Este libro aporta un "condensado" de fundamentaciones, sugerencias y técnicas de elaboración, que pretende servir de ayuda a quienes desean abordar este evolutivo camino de la alimentación viva y no encuentran muchas opciones en lengua española. A lo largo de la obra se tratan, entre otros, estos temas: • Concepto de alimento fisiológico, en función de nuestro diseño biológico evolutivo. Problemática del alimento moderno. Consejos para evitar inconvenientes. • Daños que cotidianamente generamos a nuestros alimentos mediante la cocción. Aspectos energético, químico, enzimático y nutricional. Sus efectos sobre la salud. • Dificultades que condicionan el necesario cambio de actitud respecto al alimento. Consejos para comprender y superar mitos, miedos, adicciones y excusas que nos paralizan. • El sentido de alimentarnos a través de comida viva. Beneficios prácticos, fisiológicos, emocinales y evolutivos. Sugerencias para superar la rigidez mental y los dogmas. • De qué manera ordenar el cambio de hábitos en el marco de una alimentación viva. Cómo manejar la despensa, la cocina, los procesos y la planificación cotidiana. • Cómo organizar una despensa viva en el hogar. Los grupos alimentarios. Consejos para la compra y el procesamiento de alimentos para la comida viva. • Técnicas básicas utilizadas en la alimentación viva. Cómo elaborar, germinar, licuar, condimentar, fermentar y deshidratar. Variadas y gustosas recetas.

Cytotoxic effects of commercial wheatgrass and fiber towards human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL60).

Cytotoxicity, the possible selective activity upon HL60 as well as the anti-proliferation effect of local health supplement wheatgrass and mixture of fibers were investigated in vitro using various cancerous cell line and normal blood cell culture. The IC(50) of wheatgrass-treated HL60 (17.5 ± 1.1, 12.5 ± 0.3, and 16 ± 0.5 microgram/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively) and fibers-treated HL60 (86.0 ± 5.5, 35.0 ± 2.5, and 52.5 ± 4.5 microgram/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively) showed that both extracts possessed optimum effect after 48 hours of treatment. No significant cytotoxic effect was observed on other type of cells. For trypan blue dye exclusion method, wheatgrass reduced the number of viable cells by 13.5% (±1.5), 47.1% (±3.6), and 64.9% (±2.7) after 24, 48 and 72 h exposure, respectively. Mixture of fibers reduced the number of viable cells by 36.4% (±2.3), 57.1% (±3.1), and 89.0% (±3.4) after 24, 48 and 72 h exposure, respectively, indicated that necrosis is also an alternative to the apoptotic mechanism of cell death. Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining revealed that both extracts induced apoptosis where early apoptosis had been detected concurrently with the reduction of percentage of cell viability. Cell cycle analysis revealed that in HL60, the percentage of apoptosis increased with time (wheatgrass: 16.0% ± 2.4, 45.3% ± 3.4 and 39.6% ± 4.1; mixture of fibers: 14.6% ± 1.8, 45.4% ± 2.3 and 45.9% ± 1.2) after exposure for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively at the concentration of 100 microgram/ml and showed optimum effect at 48 hours. Thus, these health products can be a potential alternative supplement for leukaemia patients.

Genotoxicity studies of organically grown broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and its interactions with urethane, methyl methanesulfonate and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide genotoxicity in the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster.

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) has been defined as a cancer preventive food. Nevertheless, broccoli contains potentially genotoxic compounds as well. We performed the wing spot test of Drosophila melanogaster in treatments with organically grown broccoli (OGB) and co-treatments with the promutagen urethane (URE), the direct alkylating agent methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and the carcinogen 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4-NQO) in the standard (ST) and high bioactivation (HB) crosses with inducible and high levels of cytochrome P450s (CYPs), respectively. Larvae of both crosses were chronically fed with OGB or fresh market broccoli (FMB) as a non-organically grown control, added with solvents or mutagens solutions. In both crosses, the OGB added with Tween-ethanol yielded the expected reduction in the genotoxicity spontaneous rate. OGB co-treatments did not affect the URE effect, MMS showed synergy and 4-NQO damage was modulated in both crosses. In contrast, FMB controls produced damage increase; co-treatments modulated URE genotoxicity, diminished MMS damage, and did not change the 4-NQO damage. The high dietary consumption of both types of broccoli and its protective effects in D. melanogaster are discussed.

Non-essential and essential trace element concentrations in meat from cattle reared under organic, intensive or conventional production systems.

We evaluated if differences in non-essential and essential trace element accumulation in beef-cattle reared under different systems (including organic, conventional and intensive management) were reflected in the meat derived from these animals. Diaphragm muscle from 166 calves from nine farms were analysed. Muscle cadmium concentrations were low (<10 microg/kg wet weight) and muscle arsenic, mercury and lead levels were below the limits of detection (<12, 2 and 3 microg/kg, respectively) in most (77-97%) samples; there were no significant differences between farms. Essential trace element concentrations in muscle were generally within adequate physiological ranges and, although they varied significantly between farms, this was not apparently related to management practices. There were no significant correlations in element concentrations between muscle and liver or kidney (organ concentrations that better reflect exposure), except for cobalt (positive association) and zinc (negative association). Non-essential and essential trace element concentrations in muscle in the studied animals did not generally reflect differences in exposure. This is particularly relevant for animals reared in systems (such as organic farms) where cattle are exposed to higher levels of non-essential elements (probably due to soil ingestion when grazing) but also can suffer from mineral deficiencies.

Superfine saengshik improves liver protecting effect compared with fine saengshik in an animal model.

This study was performed to compare the effect of liver protection of fine saengshik (FS) and superfine saengshik (SS) and uncooked and powdered grains and vegetables, produced by the different mill technique on the acute hepatotoxicity induced by CCl(4) in mouse. As the result of particle size distribution in number, particles included under 0.955 microm dia were 7.02% and 68.92% respectively. Hematological and serological examination showed that AST (P < 0.05) and ALT (P < 0.05) of SS + CCl(4) group decreased significantly compared with those of FS + CCl(4) group. On the examination of antioxidant effect, water extract of SS showed a higher superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity on the condition of the HX/XOD system than that of FS (P < 0.001). Also, the glutathione peroxidase (P < 0.01) and glutathione reductase (P < 0.05) activities in liver showed a significant difference between FS + CCl(4) and SS + CCl(4) groups. On the histological observation of liver, SS + CCl(4) group showed a mild reversible hepatocytic change and infiltration of inflammatory cells around the central veins, whereas FS + CCl(4) group showed severe agglutination necrosis by CCl(4) toxicity. These results suggest that superfine saengshik significantly improves liver protection effect compared with fine saengshik; its major mechanism is supposed to be the improved antioxidant effect of saengshik by reduced size of particles.

Pesticide residues in conventionally grown and organic New Zealand produce.

A study was carried out to determine the prevalence and concentrations of pesticide residues in conventionally grown and organic produce (bananas, broccoli, grapes, lettuce, potatoes, tomatoes, wine). Sampling was stratified, with organic produce being over-sampled, when available. All food samples were analysed, as received, by a multi-residue pesticide residue screen. Residues were found in 130 of 307 conventionally grown food samples (42%) and in nine of 41 organic food samples (22%), including six of eleven (55%) organic tomato samples. Only four organic samples (9.8%) contained multiple residues, while 24% of conventionally grown food samples contained multiple residues. Nine conventionally grown food samples (2.6%) contained pesticide residues that exceeded the maximum residue limit (MRL). Where direct comparisons were possible between conventionally grown and organic produce, the mean concentration of residues was usually lower in the organic produce, but was generally higher than would be expected from spray drift or other adventitious sources. While the presence of these residues does not represent a significant risk to human health, their presence is inconsistent with consumer expectations for organic produce.

Ergot alkaloids in some rye-based UK cereal products.

UK rye-based cereal products were analysed for six major ergot alkaloids using an in-house-validated liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method that distinguished -ine and -inine epimers (isomers). Ergot alkaloids were detected in 25 of 28 samples subject to quantification limits of 1-3 µg kg(-1), including all of eleven rye crispbreads that had up to 340 µg kg(-1). Continental-style rye breads contained up to 121 µg kg(-1). Loaf breads, bread-mix flours, and crackers contained only low levels of alkaloids. Ergotamine, ergocristine, and ergosine were the predominant ergot alkaloids in terms of level and frequency of occurrence. There were no apparent differences in the ergot levels between the organic and non-organic products, although the numbers tested were low. Most rye breads had a ratio of -ines to -inines of about 1.5, and rye crispbreads had lower and more variable -ine to -inine ratios.

Mitochondrial toxicity detected in a health product with a boar spermatozoan bioassay.

Seaweed and organic alfalfa capsules sold as "health promoting" products had repeatedly caused emesis in a consumer. Using the boar spermatozoan bioassay, the capsule contents were found to contain a toxic substance that inhibited boar sperm motility and depolarised mitochondria at low exposure concentrations of 10 microg/ml. The capsule also contained high amounts (10(5)-10(7) cfu/g), of endospore-forming bacteria and Streptomyces-like bacteria. Bacteria from the capsule produced toxic substances when cultured in the laboratory. Three different toxic responses were provoked in the spermatozoa exposed to extracts from the Streptomyces-like isolates: a) hyperpolarisation of the plasma membrane and depolarisation of the mitochondria; b) depolarisation of mitochondria similar to that caused by the capsule content extract; and c) motility inhibition, with no observed change of any cytosolic transmembrane potential. Membrane potential changes in the sperm cells exposed to the bacterial extracts were similar to those provoked by exposure to valinomycin and bafilomycin A1, to nigericin, and to oligomycin and ionomycin, respectively. Extracts prepared from Bacillus isolated from the capsule non-specifically depolarised all the cellular transmembrane potentials. The results demonstrate the potential value of a cell toxicity assay with boar spermatozoa for detecting hazardous substances in products intended for human consumption, without whole-animal exposure or using fetal calf serum for cell cultures.