Emergence of Salmonella Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid from eggs in egg grading and packing plants in Korea.

The plasmid of emerging S. Infantis (pESI) or pESI-like plasmid in Salmonella enterica Infantis are consistently reported in poultry and humans worldwide. However, there has been limited research on these plasmids of S. Infantis isolated from eggs. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of S. Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid from eggs in egg grading and packing plants. In this study, the pESI-like plasmid was only detected in 18 (78.3%) of 23 S. Infantis isolates, and it was absent in the other 9 Salmonella serovars. In particular, S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid showed the significantly higher resistance to ß-lactams, phenicols, cephams, aminoglycosides, quinolones, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines than Salmonella isolates without the pESI-like plasmid (p < 0.05). Moreover, all S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid were identified as extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producer, harboring the blaCTX-M-65 and blaTEM-1 genes, and carried non-ß-lactamase resistance genes (ant(3'')-Ia, aph(4)-Ia, aac(3)-IVa, aph(3')-Ic, sul1, tetA, dfrA14, and floR) against five antimicrobial classes. However, all isolates without the pESI-like plasmid only carried the blaTEM-1 gene among the ß-lactamase genes, and either had no non-ß-lactamase resistance genes or harbored non-ß-lactamase resistance genes against one or two antimicrobial classes. Furthermore, all S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid carried class 1 and 2 integrons and the aadA1 gene cassette, but none of the other isolates without the pESI-like plasmid harbored integrons. In particular, D87Y substitution in the gyrA gene and IncP replicon type were observed in all the S. Infantis isolates carrying the pESI-like plasmid but not in the S. Infantis isolates without the pESI-like plasmid. The distribution of pulsotypes between pESI-positive and pESI-negative S. Infantis isolates was clearly distinguished, but all S. Infantis isolates were classified as sequence type 32, regardless of whether they carried the pESI-like plasmid. This study is the first to report the characteristics of S. Infantis carrying the pESI-like plasmid isolated from eggs and can provide valuable information for formulating strategies to control the spread of Salmonella in the egg industry worldwide.

An innovative protocol to increase egg production of chicken layers.

This study investigated the effects of different doses of limestone, light durations, light intensities, and vitamins on both the productive performance and egg quality. The study utilized two rearing houses (control and treatment), each accommodating 75000 Lohmann Brown Classic chicks reared in open-sided rearing cages from one day old until they reached 89 weeks of age. Throughout the laying period, the hens were subjected to a specific light regimen (light = 14 h; dark = 10 h a day). At the end of experiment, the treatment group displayed significant (p<0.05) differences compared to the control group across various parameters. Notably, the treatment group exhibited lower daily feed intake (treatment: 112 g/bird vs control: 115 g/bird), 9.6% higher egg production (treatment: 78.5% vs control: 68.9%), lower body weight (treatment: 2057 g vs control: 2073 g), lower feed conversion ratio (FCR)/egg (treatment: 1.44 vs control: 1.69), higher egg weight (treatment: 69.4 g vs control: 68.5 g), greater egg mass (treatment: 56.14 vs control: 48.76), greater shell thickness (treatment: 3.52 mm vs control: 3.44 mm), and greater shell weight (treatment: 9.3 g vs control: 8.79 g). However, the albumin weight, yolk weight, yolk diameter, shape index, and Haugh units (HU) were not significantly (p˃0.05) affected after 75 weeks of treatment when compared with those of the control group. Therefore, this study is the first of its kind to demonstrate that different ratios of limestone, different durations and intensities of light, and different vitamin supplementation doses in the treatment group (subjected to the novel rearing recommendations described in this study) may yield a profit of 180,541 USD, exceeding the baseline profit of the control group (subjected to conventional rearing methods).

Development of plant-based whole egg analogs using emulsion technology.

RuBisCO is a plant protein that can be derived from abundant and sustainable natural resources (such as duckweed), which can be used as both an emulsifying and gelling agent. Consequently, it has the potential to formulate emulsion gels that can be used for the development of plant-based replacements of whole eggs. In this study, we investigated the ability of RuBisCO-based emulsion gels to mimic the desirable properties of whole eggs. The emulsion gels contained 12.5 wt% RuBisCO and 10 wt% corn oil to mimic the macronutrient composition of real whole eggs. Initially, an oil-in-water emulsion was formed, which was then heated to convert it into an emulsion gel. The impact of oil droplet diameter (∼15, 1, and 0.2 µm) on the physicochemical properties of the emulsion gels was investigated. The lightness and hardness of the emulsion gels increased as the droplet size decreased, which meant that their appearance and texture could be modified by controlling droplet size. Different concentrations of curcumin (3, 6, and 9 mg/g oil) were incorporated into the emulsions using a pH-driven approach. The curcumin was used as a natural dual functional ingredient (colorant and nutraceutical). The yellow-orange color of curcumin allowed us to match the appearance of raw and cooked whole eggs. This study shows that whole egg analogs can be formulated using plant-based emulsion gels containing natural pigments.

Enhancing Endothelial Function with Nutrient-Enriched Table Hen Eggs: A Randomized Study in Patients Recovering from Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of consumption of table eggs enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), lutein, vitamin E and selenium on microvascular function, oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in patients after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients and Methods: In a prospective, randomized, interventional, double-blind clinical trial, ACS patients were assigned to either the Nutri4 (N=15, mean age: 57.2 ± 9.2 years), or the Control group (N=13; mean age 56.8 ± 9.6 years). The Nutri4 group consumed three enriched hen eggs daily for three weeks, providing approximately 1.785 mg of vitamin E, 0.330 mg of lutein, 0.054 mg of selenium and 438 mg of n-3 PUFAs. Biochemical parameters, including serum lipids, liver enzymes, nutrient concentrations, serum antioxidant enzyme activity (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD)), and markers of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and ferric reducing ability (FRAP)), were assessed before and after the dietary interventions. Additionally, arterial blood pressure, heart rate, body composition, fluid status, anthropometric measurements, and skin microvascular blood flow responses to various stimuli (postocclusive reactive hyperemia (PORH), acetylcholine- (Ach ID), and sodium nitroprusside- (SNP ID)) were measured using laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) throughout the study. Results: The intake of Nutri4 eggs led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels, while the levels of total cholesterol remained within the established reference values. Consuming Nutri4 eggs resulted in a 12.7% increase in serum vitamin E levels, an 8.6% increase in selenium levels, and demonstrated a favorable impact on microvascular reactivity, as evidenced by markedly improved PORH and ACh ID. Nutri4 eggs exerted a significant influence on the activity of GPx and SOD, with no observed changes in TBARS or FRAP values. Conclusion: The consumption of Nutri4 eggs positively influenced microvascular function in individuals with ACS, without eliciting adverse effects on oxidative stress.

Molecular diagnosis of hen eggs microbiota.

The study was conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from 2020 and 2022. The identification, characterization, and evaluation of microbes found in hen eggs was done and it was found very important to prevent contamination caused by various harmful pathogenic microbes. It was found that contaminated eggs harbor various harmful microbes which affect health due to multiple infectious diseases. Hen eggs contain a wide variety of microbes, and several distinct approaches were utilized as well as available for achieving detailed pathogenic information. The information obtained is highly essential for people who consume eggs as a food product.  It is of the utmost importance to protect people from getting sick due to the consumption of contaminated eggs or eggs from chickens that have been infected by various harmful pathogens.  During the experiment, we found that eggs were contaminated directly or the chicken that laid the egg was contaminated. Using molecular genetic analysis, it is possible to detect pathogenic and non-pathogenic contaminations in eggs.  During present studies, the cutting-edge molecular techniques of 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology were used to carry out the objective of performing a molecular identification of the microbial communities infecting eggs. The present research is aimed at determining whether the microbial communities in hen eggs are harmful to humans. The results further indicated most bacteria have the potential to cause illness in humans including Escherichia fergusonii, Salmonella enterica, Pseudocitrobacter faecalis, Yakenella regensburgei, and Erwinia pyrifoliae. Further, research suggested that eggs need to be properly cooked and thoroughly washed to eliminate the possibility of consuming infected eggs.

[Simultaneous determination of 31 banned veterinary drugs during egg-laying period in poultry eggs by ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry].

The consumption of poultry eggs has increased in recent years owing to the abundance of production and improvements in living standards. Thus, the safety requirements of poultry eggs have gradually increased. At present, few reports on analytical methods to determine banned veterinary drugs during egg-laying period in poultry eggs have been published. Therefore, establishing high-throughput and efficient screening methods to monitor banned veterinary drugs during egg-laying period is imperative. In this study, an analytical method based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) combined with QuEChERS-based techniques was developed for the simultaneous determination of 31 banned veterinary drugs encompassing nine drug classes (macrolides, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, sulfonamides, antibacterial synergists, anticoccidials, antinematodes, quinolones, tetracyclines, amphenicols) in different types of poultry eggs. The main factors affecting the response, recovery, and sensitivity of the method, such as the extraction solvent, purification adsorbent, LC separation conditions, and MS/MS parameters, were optimized during sample pretreatment and instrumental analysis. The 31 veterinary drug residues in 2.00 g eggs were extracted with 2 mL of 0.1 mol/L ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid disodium solution and 8 mL 3% acetic acid acetonitrile solution, and salted out with 2 g of sodium chloride. After centrifugation, 5 mL of the supernatant was cleaned-up using the QuEChERS method with 100 mg of octadecylsilane-bonded silica gel (C18), 50 mg of N-propylethylenediamine (PSA), and 50 mg of NH2-based sorbents. After nitrogen blowing and redissolution, the 31 target analytes were separated on a Waters CORTECS UPLC C18 analytical chromatographic column (150 mm×2.1 mm, 1.8 µm) at a flow rate, column temperature, and injection volume of 0.4 mL/min, 30 ℃, and 5 µL, respectively. Among these analytes, 26 analytes were acquired in dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode under positive electrospray ionization (ESI+) conditions using (A) 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate (pH 4.5) and (B) acetonitrile as mobile phases. The gradient elution program was as follows: 0-2.0 min, 12%B-30%B; 2.0-7.5 min, 30%B-50%B; 7.5-10.0 min, 50%B; 10.0-10.1 min, 50%B-100%B; 10.1-12.0 min, 100%B; 12.0-12.1 min, 100%B-12%B; The five other target analytes were acquired in MRM mode under negative electrospray ionization (ESI-) conditions using (A) H2O and (B) acetonitrile as mobile phases. The gradient elution program was as follows: 0-2.0 min, 12%B-40%B; 2.0-6.0 min, 40%B-80%B; 6.0-6.1 min, 80%B-100%B; 6.1-8.0 min, 100%B; 8.0-8.1 min, 100%B-12%B. Matrix-matched external standard calibration was used for quantification. The results showed that all the compounds had good linear relationships within their respective ranges, with correlation coefficients of >0.99. The limits of detection (LODs) and quantitation (LOQs) were 0.3-3.0 µg/kg and 1.0-10.0 µg/kg, respectively. The average recoveries of the 31 banned veterinary drugs spiked at three levels (LOQ, maximum residue limit (MRL), and 2MRL) in poultry eggs ranged from 61.2% to 105.7%, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) ranged from 1.8% to 17.6%. The developed method was used to detect and analyze banned veterinary drugs in 30 commercial poultry egg samples, including 20 eggs, 5 duck eggs, and 5 goose eggs. Enrofloxacin was detected in one egg with a content of 12.3 µg/kg. The proposed method is simple, economical, practical, and capable of the simultaneous determination of multiple classes of banned veterinary drugs in poultry eggs.

Meat-Egg-Dairy Consumption and Frailty among Chinese Older Adults: Exploring Rural/Urban and Gender Differences.

The dietary patterns of older adults, particularly in relation to meat, egg, and dairy (MED) consumption, significantly impact frailty, a state of heightened vulnerability to adverse health outcomes. This paper investigates the association between MED consumption and frailty among older Chinese adults, considering rural/urban disparities and gender differences. Analyzing data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) spanning from 2008 to 2018, this study explores how MED consumption influences frailty levels over time. The results show that moderate MED consumption is associated with slower frailty progression, suggesting a protective effect against frailty among older adults. However, excessive MED consumption, particularly among rural residents and females, is linked to accelerated frailty progression. Urban residents and males report higher MED consumption levels, possibly due to their greater access to diverse food options and traditional dietary preferences. The findings underscore the complex interplay between dietary habits, demographic factors, and frailty outcomes. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing targeted interventions to mitigate frailty risk factors and promote healthy aging among Chinese older adults.

A facile and intelligent detection method for diclazuril based on a stable dual emissive Eu3+-dopped metal-organic framework.

Diclazuril (DIC) is a broad-spectrum anti-coccidiosis drug of the triazine class, widely used in poultry farming. The overuse of DIC may lead to its accumulation in animal bodies, which may enter the food chain and threaten human health. In this work, we fabricated a stable Eu3+-doped UiO-66 fluorescence sensor (EuUHIPA-30) for the sensitive detection of DIC. Among 20 veterinary drugs, the fluorescence of EuUHIPA-30 selectively responds to DIC, with a low detection limit (0.19 µM) and fast response (10 s). EuUHIPA-30 is recyclable and can detect DIC in chicken and eggs with good recoveries. Moreover, a smartphone-integrated paper-based sensor enables the instrument-free, rapid, visual, and intelligent detection of DIC in chickens and eggs. This work provides a promising candidate for practical fluorescent DIC sensing in animal-derived food to promote food safety.

Molecularly imprinted resin modified with ionic liquid for dispersive filter extraction and determination of perfluoroalkyl acids in eggs.

Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are emerging pollutants that endangers food safety. Developing methods for the selective determination of trace PFAAs in complex samples remains challenging. Herein, an ionic liquid modified porous imprinted phenolic resin-dispersive filter extraction-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (IL-PIPR-DFE-LC-MS/MS) method was developed for the determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in eggs. The new IL-PIPR adsorbent was prepared at room temperature, which avoids the disorder and instability of the template at high temperatures. The imprinting factor of IL-PIPR for PFOA and PFOS exceeded 7.3. DFE, combined with IL-PIPR (15 mg), was used to extract PFOA and PFOS from eggs within 15 min. The established method exhibits low limits of detection (0.01-0.02 ng/g) and high recoveries (84.7%-104.7%), which surpass those of previously reported methods. This work offers a new approach to explore advanced imprinted adsorbents for PFAAs, efficient sample pretreatment technique, and analytical method for pollutants in foods.

Supplemental effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 probiotic on the laying characteristics and calcium and phosphorus metabolism in laying hens.

The close link between intestinal microbiota and bone health ('gut-bone' axis) has recently been revealed: the modulation of the amount and nature of bacteria present in the intestinal tract has an impact on bone health and calcium (Ca) metabolism. Probiotics are known to favorably impact the intestinal microbiota. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-4622 (PA) on laying performance, egg/eggshell quality, Ca metabolism and bone mineralization and resistance in relatively old layers (50 wks old at the beginning of the experiment) during 14 weeks. 480 Hy Line brown layers were divided into 2 groups (CON and PA: 3 layers/rep, 80 rep/group) and fed with a diet formulated to be suboptimal in calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) (- 10% of the requirements). The total egg weight was improved by 1.1% overall with PA, related to an improvement of the weight of marketable eggs (+ 0.9%). PA induced a decreased % of downgraded eggs, mainly broken eggs (- 0.4 pts) and FCR improvement (- 0.8% for all eggs, - 0.9% for marketable eggs). PA also led to higher Haugh units (HU: + 7.4%). PA tended to decrease crypt depth after the 14 weeks of supplementation period in the jejunum (- 25.2%) and ileum (- 17.6%). As a consequence, the VH/CD ratio appeared increased by PA at the end of the trial in the jejunum (+ 63.0%) and ileum (+ 48.0%). Ca and P retention were increased by 4 pts following PA supplementation, translating into increased bone hardness (+ 19%), bone cohesiveness (+ 43%) and bone Ca & P (+ 1 pt) for PA-supplemented layers. Blood Ca and P were respectively improved by 5% and 12% with PA. In addition, blood calcitriol and osteocalcin concentrations were respectively improved by + 83% and + 3% in PA group at the end of the trial, compared to CON group. There was no difference between the 2 groups for ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and PTH (parathyroid hormone). PA significantly decreased the expression of the following genes: occludin in the small intestine, calbindin 1 in the ovarian tissue and actin B in the bone. PA therefore improved zootechnical performance of these relatively old layers, and egg quality. The parallel increase in Ca and P in the blood and in the bone following PA supplementation suggests an improvement of the mineral supply for eggshell formation without impacting bone integrity, and even increasing bone resistance.

Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium isolated from hen eggs and quail eggs in Karaj, Iran.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Different Salmonella serotypes are considered one of the most important food pathogens in the world. Poultry meat and eggs are the primary carriers of Salmonella in human populations. This study aimed to estimate the Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium contamination rates of retail hen and quail eggs in Karaj, Iran. Moreover, the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the strains were evaluated, and the efficiency of the standard culture method and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (m-PCR) were compared. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study over 1 year (Jan-Dec 2022), 150 commercial and 150 backyard hen eggs and 300 commercial quail eggs, without cracks and fractures, were collected randomly from best selling groceries in Karaj city. All samples were examined for Salmonella contamination independently by standard culture and m-PCR approaches. A standard disc diffusion method was employed to assess the antimicrobial susceptibility of the strains against 18 antimicrobial agents. RESULTS: Out of 300 examined eggs, 2 S. enteritidis strains were isolated from the shell of backyard hen eggs. The same serotype was also detected in the contents of one of these two eggs. One S. typhimurium was isolated from the shell of a commercial hen egg. Overall, the Salmonella contamination of the shell and contents was 1% and 0.3%, respectively. Salmonella was not isolated from the eggshells or the contents of the quail eggs. There was complete agreement between the results of m-PCR and the standard culture methods. Among the 18 tested antibiotics, the highest resistance was recorded for colistin (100%), followed by nalidixic acid (75%). CONCLUSION: As most Salmonella spp. are associated with human food poisoning, continuous surveillance is required to effectively reduce the risk posed by contaminated poultry eggs. Furthermore, mandatory monitoring of antimicrobial use on Iranian poultry farms is recommended.

Transfer and risk assessment of fipronil in laying hen tissues and eggs.

Fipronil is a persistent insecticide known to transfer into hen eggs from exposure from animal drinking water and feed, but some questions remain regarding its transfer behavior and distribution characteristics. Therefore, the dynamic metabolism, residue distribution and transfer factor (TF) of fipronil were investigated in 11 edible tissues of laying hens and eggs over 21 days. After a continuous low-dose drinking water exposure scenario, the sum of fipronil and all its metabolites (defined as fipronilT) quickly transferred to each edible tissue and gradually increased with exposure time. FipronilT residue in eggs first appeared at 3 days and then gradually increased. After a single high-dose feed exposure scenario, fipronilT residue in edible tissues first appeared after 2 h, quickly peaked at 1 day, and then gradually decreased. In eggs, fipronilT residue first appeared at 2 days, peaked 6-7 days and then gradually decreased. The TF values followed the order of the skin (0.30-0.73) > egg yolk (0.30-0.71) > bottom (0.21-0.59) after drinking water exposure, and the order of the skin (1.01-1.59) > bottom (0.75-1.1) > egg yolk (0.58-1.10) for feed exposure. Fipronil sulfone, a more toxic compound, was the predominant metabolite with higher levels distributed in the skin and bottom for both exposure pathways. FipronilT was distributed in egg yolks rather than in albumen owing to its lipophilicity, and the ratio of egg yolk to albumen may potentially reflect the time of exposure. The distinction is that the residues after feed exposure were much higher than that after drinking water exposure in edible tissues and eggs. The study highlights the residual characteristics of two exposure pathways, which would contribute to the tracing of contamination sources and risk assessment.

Role of serum-specific immunoglobulin E in egg allergy: a comprehensive study of Portuguese pediatric patients.

INTRODUCTION: Food allergies represent a growing public health concern, particularly among children. This study aims to examine egg allergy in pediatric patients and analyze the value of serum-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) levels as predictive biomarkers for oral food challenge (OFC) outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective study, involving pediatric patients with suspected IgE-mediated egg allergy, conducted at a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: Data from 176 pediatric patients were analyzed, revealing a higher male prevalence (59.1%). Most cases (40.3%) presented symptoms in the first year of life, predominantly mucocutaneous symptoms (46%). OFC results varied across various forms of egg presentation, with cooked egg being the most frequently tested food. Positive OFCs were observed in 14.6% (n = 36) of cases. The study identified specific egg protein biomarkers for positive OFC, with ovalbumin for raw egg (sIgE > 1.28 KUA/L; area under the curve [AUC] = 0.917; sensitivity [S] 100%; and specificity [Sp] 92%), ovomucoid for cooked egg (sIgE > 0.99 KUA/L; AUC = 0.788, 95%; S: 79%; and Sp: 74%), and ovomucoid for baked egg (sIgE> 4.63 KUA/L; AUC = 0.870; S: 80%; and Sp: 85%) showing predictive capacities. CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the importance of considering various forms of egg presentation in the diagnosis and management of egg allergy. The findings highlight the valuable discriminatory capacity and provided reliable biomarkers, such as ovalbumin for raw egg and ovomucoid for cooked and baked egg in risk assessment, aiding in predicting OFC outcomes and helping clinicians to make informed decisions in diagnosing and managing egg allergies, thus improving patient care and quality of life.

Development of a monoclonal antibody-based time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic assay strip for sensitively detecting florfenicol residues in milk and eggs: Theoretical chemical insights into unexpected high specificity.

Florfenicol (FF), with its broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, is frequently abused in the livestock and poultry industries and has aroused the growing public concern. Owing to structural similarities and varying maximum residue limits between florfenicol and other chloramphenicol (CAP)-type antibiotics, including thiamphenicol (TAP) and chloramphenicol (CAP), there is an urgent need for a rapid and effective immunoassay method to distinguish them, in order to minimize the risk of false positives. Fortunately, a highly specific monoclonal antibody (mAb), named as SF11, has been developed using hybridoma technology. Molecular simulations have revealed that the mAb SF11's specificity in recognizing florfenicol stems from the π-π stacking interaction between florfenicol and the mAb SF11 binding pocket. Using this highly specific mAb, a sensitive time-resolved fluorescence immunochromatographic assay (TRFICA) strip for rapid florfenicol detection has been developed. Under optimal conditions, this TRFICA demonstrated good analytical performance for the detection of florfenicol in milk and eggs samples, with the half-maximal inhibition concentration (IC50) values of 1.89 and 2.86 ng mL-1, the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.23 and 0.48 ng mL-1, the cut-off values of 62.50 and 31.25 ng mL-1, and the testing time of approximately thirteen minutes. Spiked recoveries in the milk and eggs samples ranged from 104.7 % to 112.3 % and 95.3 % to 116.4 %, respectively, with no obvious cross-reactions with the other analogues observed. The TRFICA results correlated well with those of high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) for real samples, indicating that the developed TRFICA method was sensitive, accurate and adapted for the rapid determination of florfenicol in milk and egg samples.

Plant- and Animal-Derived Dietary Sources of Phosphatidylcholine Have Differential Effects on Immune Function in The Context of A High-Fat Diet in Male Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: Phosphatidylcholine (PC) derived from eggs has been shown to beneficially modulate T cell response and intestinal permeability under the context of a high-fat diet. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine whether there is a differential effect of plant and animal-derived sources of PC on immune function. METHODS: Four-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to consume 1 of 4 diets (n = 10/group) for 12 wk, all containing 1.5 g of total choline/kg of diet but differing in choline forms: 1-Control Low-Fat [CLF, 20% fat, 100% free choline (FC)]; 2-Control High-Fat (CHF, 50% fat, 100% FC); 3-High-Fat Egg-derived PC (EPC, 50% fat, 100% Egg-PC); 4-High-Fat Soy-derived PC (SPC, 50% fat, 100% Soy-PC). Immune cell functions and phenotypes were measured in splenocytes by ex vivo cytokine production after mitogen stimulation and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: The SPC diet increased splenocyte IL-2 production after PMA+I stimulation compared with the CHF diet. However, the SPC group had a lower proportion of splenocytes expressing the IL-2 receptor (CD25+, P < 0.05). After PMA+I stimulation, feeding EPC normalized splenocyte production of IL-10 relative to the CLF diet, whereas SPC did not (P < 0.05). In mesenteric lymph node lymphocytes, the SPC diet group produced more IL-2 and TNF-α after PMA+I stimulation than the CHF diet, whereas the EPC diet group did not. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that both egg- and soy-derived PC may attenuate high-fat diet-induced T cell dysfunction. However, egg-PC enhances, to a greater extent, IL-10, a cytokine involved in promoting the resolution phase of inflammation, whereas soy-PC appears to elicit a greater effect on gut-associated immune responses.

Foraging animal origin food samples as passive indicators of dioxin-like POPs contamination in industry sites: Method development, characterisation and risk assessment.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is an important industrial chemical, and studies suggest its major production route - the chloride process could lead to the generation of unintentional dl-POPs. However, no relevant studies assessed the occurrence of dl-POPs associated with TiO2 production in the industrial zones, which is mostly due to the ultra-trace level distribution of these compounds in environmental compartments. The present study explored the novel possibility of utilising foraging animal-origin foods as sensitive indicators for addressing this challenge and generated a globally beneficial dataset by assessing the background levels of dl-POPs in the vicinity of a TiO2 production house in Southern India. Systematic sampling of foraging cow's milk and free-ranging hen's eggs was carried out from the study site, and the dl-POPs assessments were conducted utilising an in-house developed cost-effective GC-MS/MS-based analytical methodology. The median dl-POPs levels in milk and egg samples were about 3 times higher than the control samples collected from farm-fed animals and retail markets. The contaminant loads in the foraging animal-origin food samples were further traced to their presence in environmental compartments of soil and sediment and admissible degree of correlations were observed in congener fingerprints. Elevated health risks were inferred for the population in the industrial zones with weekly intakes weighing about 0.15-17 times the European Food Safety Authority-assigned levels. The consumption of foraging cow's milk was observed to have a higher contribution towards the hazard indices and cancer risk estimates and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) for children. The study also presents a critical validation of the GC-MS/MS-based method for the purpose of regulatory monitoring of dl-POPs, which could be of practical significance in economies in transition.

Colorimetry/fluorescence dual-mode detection of Salmonella typhimurium based on a "three-in-one" nanohybrid with high oxidase-like activity for AIEgen.

A colorimetry/fluorescence dual-mode assay based on the aptamer-functionalized magnetic covalent organic framework-supported CuO and Au NPs (MCOF-CuO/Au@apt) was developed for Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) biosensing. The nanohybrid combined three functions in one: good magnetic separation characteristic, excellent oxidase-mimic activity for tetrap-aminophenylethylene (TPE-4A), and target recognition capability. The attachment of MCOF-CuO/Au@apt onto the surface of S. typhimurium resulted in a significant reduction in the oxidase-mimicking activity of the nanohybrid, which could generate dual-signal of colorimetry and fluorescence through the catalytic oxidation of TPE-4A. Based on this, S. typhimurium could be specifically detected in the linear ranges of 102- 106 CFU·mL-1 and 101- 106 CFU·mL-1, with LODs of 7.6 and 2.1 CFU·mL-1, respectively in colorimetry/fluorescence modes. Moreover, the smartphone and linear discrimination analysis-based system could be used for on-site and portable testing. In addition, this platform showed applicability in detecting S. typhimurium in milk, egg liquid and chicken samples.

Effects of the dose of administration, co-antioxidants, food matrix, and digestion-related factors on the in vitro bioaccessibility of rosmarinic acid - A model study.

This study aimed to determine the effect of the administration dose, combinations with co-antioxidants (vitamin C, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, catechin, rutin), and different food matrices (cooked and lyophilized hen eggs, chicken breast, soybean seeds, potatoes) on the potential bioaccessibility of rosmarinic acid (RA) in simulated digestion conditions, depending on the digestion stage (gastric and intestinal) and the contribution of physicochemical and biochemical digestion factors. The in vitro bioaccessibility of RA depended on the digestion stage and conditions. The physicochemical factors were mainly responsible for the bioaccessibility of RA applied alone. The higher RA doses improved its bioaccessibility, especially at the intestinal stage of digestion. Furthermore, the addition of vitamin C and protein-rich food matrices resulted in enhanced intestinal bioaccessibility of RA. In the future, the knowledge of factors influencing the bioaccessibility of RA can help enhance its favorable biological effects and therapeutic potential.