Analysis of heavy metals and minerals in edible vegetable oils produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, food safety is regarded as one of the most critical global public health issues. Edible oil, a key ingredient in food processing, is widely used and consumed in every Ethiopian household. However, its safety is often overlooked. Currently, edible oil is produced in Ethiopia from small-scale operations to large industrial levels, as well as imported from other countries. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the levels of heavy metals and essential minerals in edible vegetable oils produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A laboratory-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to July 2021 in Gondar City. Seventeen edible oil samples were collected using simple random sampling techniques. Heavy metal content was determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer with the standard procedures and techniques after microwave digestion. The efficiency and validity of the method used were evaluated by determining the limit of detection (LOD), the limit of quantification (LOQ), accuracy, and precision. The collected data were entered into Microsoft Excel and transported to Stata for analysis. RESULT: A total of seventeen vegetable oil samples were analyzed. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by recovery studies, which ranged from 81 to 115%, and the relative standard deviations were found to be below 15%. The concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Cd, and Pb were in the range of 0.07 to 0.8 mg/l, 0.002 to 0.06 mg/l, 0.01 to 0.8 mg/l, 0.08 to 0.18 mg/l, and 0.003 to 0.27 mg/l, respectively. In general, the lead and cadmium content was higher than other metals in some of the investigated edible vegetable oils. Most values fell within the permissible quality limits for edibility as prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). However, the levels of Pb and Cd exceeded the reference levels in some locally produced vegetable oils. CONCLUSION: To address the exceeded levels of heavy metals, it is imperative to implement more careful handling, processing of raw materials, and filtering practices. Producers and marketers should take the necessary precautions to prevent contamination. Strict regulatory control from responsible bodies and stakeholders is recommended to ensure the safety and metal contents of vegetable oils originating from the study area.

A sterol database: GC/MS data and occurrence of 150 sterols in seventy-four oils.

Comprehensive data on the occurrence of sterols in plant oils is currently hardly available since only a few sterols are obtainable as standard compounds. Accordingly, many peaks are rarely labeled in gas chromatograms due to missing or outdated information. This lack of information hampers the progress in sterol research. For this reason, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode (GC/MS-SIM) was used to create a database that summarizes the occurrence and semi-quantitative levels of 150 sterols with 27-32 carbon atoms and 0-4 double bonds in 66 different vegetable oils and eight other matrices. The highest number of sterols was detected in rice bran and tamanu oil (40 sterols), eggplant (39 sterols), moringa, chili seed, and amaranth oil (37 sterols). Several sterols were detected in >60 of the 74 matrices. This detailed information in the database will serve users working in food authentication and the biosynthesis of sterols.

Bayesian Meta-Analysis: Impacts of Eating Habits and Habitats on Omega-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Composition and Growth in Cultured Fish.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) such as eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n-3, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n-3, DHA) offer protective benefits against various pathological conditions, including atherosclerosis, obesity, inflammation, and autoimmune diseases. Marine fish and seafood are the primary sources of n-3 LC-PUFAs in the human diet. However, the inclusion of fish oil in aquafeeds is declining due to limited availability, fluctuating prices, sustainability concerns, and replacement with vegetable oils. While comprehensive narrative reviews on the impact of substituting fish oil with vegetable oil in aquafeeds exist, quantitative studies are relatively scarce and mainly focused on comparing the source of vegetable oils. Herein, we employed, for the first time, a Bayesian meta-analysis approach, collecting research data from 81 articles to quantitatively analyze the effects of dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels on the n-3 LC-PUFA composition and growth performance in cultured fish. Our findings indicate that with the exception of herbivorous fish, dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels significantly affect the EPA and DHA levels in the livers and muscles of carnivorous, omnivorous, freshwater, and marine fish. Additionally, the growths of freshwater and herbivorous fish were less affected by changes in dietary n-3 LC-PUFA levels compared to that of carnivorous and marine fish.

The effect of various dietary MUFA content and n-6/n-3 ratios on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed on a whole plant protein based diet: growth performance, digestive enzymes activity, intestinal morphometry and fatty acids profile of muscle and liver.

The effect of diets with various dietary MUFA content and n-6/n-3 ratios, diets 1 (55.33, 1.00), 2 (25.30, 1.00), 3 (55.13, 2.05), 4 (24.92, 2.03), 5 (54.94, 8.06) and 6 (24.91, 8.06) and a control diet with fish oil (FO), diet 7 (33.60, 5.97), was studied on growth and digestive physiology of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss. Juveniles, 14.65 g ± 0.17, were fed the experimental diets for eight weeks. Those fish fed diet 1 (55.33, 1.00) had the lowest growth and nutritional indices, while fish fed diet 6 (24.91, 8.06) possessed the highest indices. However, fish fed D7 (33.60, 5.97) was intermediate in this regard. Proximate body composition results revealed no significant differences among various experimental groups (P > 0.05). Fish fed on diet 1 possessed the highest alkaline protease activity, while fish raised on diet 2 showed the lowest enzyme activity (P < 0.05). Fish fed on diets 1, 3 and 4 had the highest lipase activity (P > 0.05). Amylase activity and intestinal parameters did not differ among groups (P > 0.05). MUFA contents of liver and muscle reflected the MUFA contents of the diets; however, liver PUFA contents was not affected by dietary PUFA contents (P < 0.05). However, 18:3n-3 contents of liver decreased as dietary n-6/n-3 ratio increased (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the liver 20:4n-6 contents considerably increased as dietary n-6/n-3 increased to 8.06 (P < 0.05). Muscle 22:6n-3 content of groups 1 to 6 was lower than group 7 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, rainbow trout was considerably capable of de novo synthesis of 22:6n-3. Meanwhile, increasing dietary n-6/n-3 ratio to 8.06 decreased the muscle 22:6n-3 content which requires further considerations regarding fish immune competence and nutritional quality for human consumption.

Alternate solvent for soybean oil extraction based on extractability and membrane solvent recovery.

Ethyl acetate, acetone, 2-propanol, 1-propanol, and ethanol were screened among the class 3 category solvents as an alternative to hexane based on operational and occupational safety and bio-renewability potential. All five solvents exhibited higher extractability (22.3 to 23.2%) than hexane (21.5%) with soybean flour. Additionally, there was no significant difference in the fatty acid and triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of the oils extracted using alternate solvents and hexane, indicating the oil quality was not affected. More importantly, ethyl acetate (2.1%) resulted in a marginally higher yield of TAG, while 2-propanol showed a nearly equal yield to hexane. Further, membrane desolventizing was attempted to mitigate the limitations of higher thermal energy requirements. One of the polydimethylsiloxane membranes exhibited good selectivity (TAG rejection 85.8%) and acceptable flux (59.3 L·m-2·h-1) with an ethyl acetate miscella system. Under plant-simulated recirculation conditions, a two-stage membrane process reduced the oil content in permeate to 2.5%. The study revealed that ethyl acetate could potentially replace hexane, considering its higher TAG extractability and suitability for the membrane-augmented solvent recycling process in the extraction plants.

Enhancing biodegradation of vegetable oil-contaminated soil with soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter in microcosm systems.

Industrial activities contribute to environmental pollution, particularly through unregulated effluent discharges, causing adverse effects on ecosystems. Vegetable oils, as insoluble substances, exacerbate this pollution, forming impermeable films and affecting the oxygen transfer, leading to serious habitat disruption. Organic wastes, such as soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, were assessed for their efficacy in enhancing the degradation of vegetable oil in contaminated soil. For this purpose, contaminated soil was amended with each of the wastes (10% w/w) using microcosm systems, which were monitored physico-chemically, microbiologically and toxicologically. Results indicate that the wastes promoted significant oil degradation, achieving 83.1, 90.7, and 86.2% removal for soybean texturized waste, spent mushroom substrate, and stabilized poultry litter, respectively, within a 90-day period. Additionally, they positively influenced soil microbial activity, as evidenced by increased levels of culturable microorganisms and hydrolytic microbial activity. While bioassays indicated no phytotoxicity in most cases, soybean texturized waste exhibited inhibitory effects on seed germination and root elongation of Lactuca sativa. This study significantly enhances our comprehension of remediation techniques for sites tainted with vegetable oils, highlighting the critical role of organic waste as eco-friendly agents in soil restoration. Emphasizing the practical implications of these findings is imperative to underscore the relevance and urgency of addressing vegetable oil contamination in soil. Moving forward, tailored strategies considering both contaminant characteristics and soil ecosystem traits are vital for ensuring effective and sustainable soil remediation.

Bioelectrochemical synthesis of rhamnolipids and energy production and its correlation with nitrogen in air-cathode microbial fuel cells.

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been recently proven to synthesise biosurfactants from waste products. In classic bioreactors, the efficiency of biosynthesis process can be controlled by the concentration of nitrogen content in the electrolyte. However, it was not known whether a similar control mechanism could be applied in current-generating conditions. In this work, the effect of nitrogen concentration on biosurfactant production from waste cooking oil was investigated. The concentration of NH4Cl in the electrolyte ranged from 0 to 1 g L-1. The maximum power density equal to 17.5 W m-3 was achieved at a concentration of 0.5 g L-1 (C/N = 2.32) and was accompanied by the highest surface tension decrease (to 54.6 mN m-1) and an emulsification activity index of 95.4%. Characterisation of the biosurfactants produced by the LC-MS/MS method showed the presence of eleven compounds belonging to the mono- and di-rhamnolipids group, most likely produced by P. aeruginosa, which was the most abundant (19.6%) in the community. Importantly, we have found a strong correlation (R = -0.96) of power and biosurfactant activity in response to C/N ratio. This study shows that nitrogen plays an important role in the current-generating metabolism of waste cooking oil. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study where the nitrogen optimisation was investigated to improve the synthesis of biosurfactants and power generation in a bioelectrochemical system.

Biodegradable Hydrogenated Dimer Acid-Based Plasticizers for PLA with Excellent Plasticization, Thermal Stability and Gas Resistance.

The use of vegetable oil-dervied plasticizers to enhance the flexibility of polylactic acid (PLA) has received much attention due to their renewability, inexpensiveness and biodegradation. However, the double bonds in vegetable oil-based plasticizers limit their compatibility with PLA, resulting in PLA-derived products with reduced flexibility. Herein, we examined soybean oil-derived hydrogenated dimer acid-based polyethylene glycol methyl ether esters (HDA-2n, 2n = 2, 4, 6 or 8, referring to the ethoxy units) developed via the direct esterification of saturated hydrogenated dimer acid and polyethylene glycol monomethyl ethers. The resulting HDA-2n was first used as a plasticizer for PLA, and the effects of the ethoxy units in HDA-2n on the overall performance of the plasticized PLA were systematically investigated. The results showed that, compared with PLA blended with dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), the PLA plasticized by HDA-8 with the maximum number of ethoxy units (PLA/HDA-8) exhibited better low-temperature resistance (40.1 °C vs. 15.3 °C), thermal stability (246.8 °C vs. 327.6 °C) and gas barrier properties. Additionally, the biodegradation results showed that HDA-8 could be biodegraded by directly burying it in soil. All results suggest that HDA-8 could be used as green alternative to the traditional petroleum-based plasticizer DOTP, which is applied in the PLA industry.

Impact of deodorisation time and temperature on the removal of different MOAH structures: a lab-scale study on spiked coconut oil.

Vegetable fats and oils are prone to contamination by mineral oil hydrocarbons due to the lipophilic and ubiquitous character of the latter. As the aromatic fraction of these hydrocarbons, MOAH, is associated with carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and detrimental effects on foetal development, finding strategies to limit or reduce their contamination is highly relevant. Deodorisation (i.e. a refining step) has shown the ability to remove MOAH < C25 in vegetable fats and oils, but there is little information about the structures removed. Therefore, the present study investigated the impact of deodorisation conditions on the removal of different structures of MOAH in spiked coconut oil. An inscribed central composite design was built with time and temperature as variables (0.5-4h, 150-240 °C), while pressure (3 mbar) and steam flow (1 g water/g oil per hour) were kept constant. The analysis of MOAH in the oil was performed using a fully automated liquid chromatography coupled with two parallel comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography systems with flame ionisation and time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection. Response surfaces plotting the MOAH loss according to time and temperature were built for different MOAH fractions. The latter were defined based on the number of aromatic rings (>3 or ≤3) and the number of carbon atoms present (C16-C20, C20-C24, C24-C35, C35-C40). It was found that at 200 °C, compounds < C24, including weakly alkylated triaromatics, could be reduced to below the limit of quantification, while at 230 °C, it was possible to remove >60% of the C24-C35 fraction, including pentaromatics of low alkylation.

Review on Cutting Fluids: Formulation, Chemistry and Deformulation.

This comprehensive review offers a chemical analysis of cutting fluids, delving into both their formulation and deformulation processes. The study covers a wide spectrum of cutting fluid formulations, ranging from simple compositions predominantly comprising oils, whether mineral or vegetable, to emulsions. The latter involves the integration of surfactants, encompassing both nonionic and anionic types, along with a diverse array of additives. Concerning oils, the current trend leans towards the use of vegetable oils instead of mineral oils for environmental reasons. As vegetable oils are more prone to oxidation, chemical alterations, the addition of antioxidant may be necessary. The chemical aspects of the different compounds are scrutinized, in order to understand the role of each component and its impact on the fluid's lubricating, cooling, anti-wear, and anti-corrosion properties. Furthermore, the review explores the deformulation methodologies employed to dissect cutting fluids. This process involves a two-step approach: separating the aqueous and organic phases of the emulsions by physical or chemical treatments, and subsequently conducting a detailed analysis of each to identify the compounds. Several analytical techniques, including spectrometric or chromatographic, can be employed simultaneously to reveal the chemical structures of samples. This review aims to contribute to the improvement of waste treatment stemming from cutting fluids. By gathering extensive information about the formulation, deformulation, and chemistry of the ingredients, there is a potential to enhance the waste management and disposal effectively.

Optimization of QuEChERS cleanup for quantification of γ-oryzanol in vegetable oils by UHPLC-MS/MS.

This study was based on QuEChERS cleanup coupled with UHPLC-MS/MS for the determination of γ-oryzanol compounds in vegetable oils. Several parameters of QuEChERS and UHPLC-MS/MS were studied for purification and detection of γ-oryzanol compounds in oil samples. Under the optimized conditions, the whole pretreatment procedure could be accomplished within 10 min without tedious procedure, larger volume of organic solvent and complicated apparatus. The limit of detections and the limit of quantifications for γ-oryzanol compounds were ranging from 0.1-0.3 µg kg-1 and 0.4-1.0 µg kg-1, respectively. Satisfactory recoveries of all analyts were ranging from 72.2 % to 101.3 %, and the intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 10.6 %. The validation indicated that rice band oil and corn oil were rich in 24-mCAF, CAF, ß-SIF, CMF and STF. The QuEChERS-UHPLC-MS/MS simultaneously quantified five γ-oryzanol compounds in lipid matrices and assessed the nutritional and functional substances of vegetable oils.

Association of cooking oil and incident of frailty in older adults: a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Studies examining the potential association between cooking oil and frailty risk in older adults have produced conflicting outcomes. Therefore, our objective was to explore the relationship between cooking oil (vegetable and animal fat oils), changes in oil usage, and the risk of frailty in older adults. METHODS: We included 4,838 participants aged ≥ 65 years without frailty (frailty index < 0.25) from the 2011 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Follow-up occurred in the 2014 and 2018 waves. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine the association between cooking oil and frailty. Additionally, we evaluated the effect of switching cooking oil on frailty during the follow-up period. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 (2.8-6.9) years, 1,348 individuals (27.9%) developed frailty. Compared to those using vegetable oil, users of animal fat oil had a lower risk of frailty (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61-0.85). Participants who switched from vegetable oil to animal fat oil, as well as those consistently using animal fat oil, had lower risks of frailty with HRs of 0.70 (0.52-0.95) and 0.63 (0.51-0.77) respectively, compared to those who consistently used vegetable oil. Conversely, individuals who switched from animal fat oil to vegetable oil experienced an increased risk of frailty (HR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.01-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of animal fat oil in cooking exhibited a reduced frailty risk among older adults. Conversely, transitioning from animal fat oil to vegetable oil may elevate the risk. These findings propose that substituting vegetable oil with animal fat oil in the diet may safeguard against frailty.

Quality of oil extracted by cold press from Nigella sativa seeds conditioned and pre-treated by microwave.

Black cumin (Nigella sativa) seed (BS) oil has received much interest in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its valuable nutritional properties, but this oil has low oxidative stability. The effect of microwave pre-treatment at 0 to 2.5 min and conditioning with different buffers at pH 3 to 9 of BS, before oil extraction by cold press, were investigated. The oil extraction yield was higher; acid value (AV) and peroxide value (PV) were lower in the oil extracted from seeds, which were first microwaved and then moisturized and vice versa. BS with pH 3, microwave time of 1.25 min, and moisturizing level of 5%, which gave oil extraction yield of 27.2%, AV of (2.9 mg NaOH/g oil), and PV of (8.3 meq O2/kg oil), was selected as an optimum sample and its quality changes were investigated during storage compared with the oil extracted from the control sample (without any pre-treatment). In conclusion, the oil extracted from the pre-treated BS had higher bioactive components and lower AV and PV during the storage; therefore, microwave radiation and pH adjustment before oil extraction from BS by cold press are recommended.

Safety assessment of the substance amines, di-C14-C20-alkyl, oxidised, from hydrogenated vegetable oil, for use in food contact materials.

The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of amines, di-C14-C18-alkyl, oxidised, renamed by the Panel as amines, di-C14-C20-alkyl, oxidised, from hydrogenated vegetable oil. The substance amines, bis(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) oxidised, consisting of the same components, but originating from tallow, is currently authorised as FCM substance No 768. The vegetable-sourced substance is intended to be used at up to 0.1% w/w as antioxidant and/or stabiliser in the manufacture of polyolefin food contact materials (FCM) and articles intended for contact with dry, aqueous and acidic foods. The substance is a mixture consisting of linear N,N-dialkyl hydroxylamines and their corresponding amine, nitrone and oxime derivatives, as well as further components: tert-N-oxides, secondary amides and carboxylic acids. Specific migration was tested from polyethylene samples in 10% ethanol and 3% acetic acid for 2 h at 100°C followed by 10 days at 60°C. None of the non-authorised components were detected to migrate at detection limits (LoD) in the range 0.003-0.029 mg/kg. The LoD of authorised carboxylic acids was 0.35 mg/kg. The Panel reassessed the genotoxicity studies carried out on FCM No 768 and evaluated two new bacterial reverse mutation tests on the nitrone and oxime derivatives as well as new (qualitative/quantitative) structure-activity relationship (Q)SAR analyses on other components. The Panel concluded that the substance did not raise a concern for genotoxicity. The Panel concluded that the substance is not of safety concern for the consumers if it is used as an additive at 0.1% w/w in the manufacture of polyolefin FCM intended to be in contact with foods simulated by food simulants A, B, C and E, except for infant formula and human milk, for storage above 6 months at room temperature and below, including hot-fill conditions and heating up to 100°C for 2 h.

Almond fixed oil from Syagrus coronata (Mart.) Becc. has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory potential, without showing oral toxicity in mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Syagrus coronata, a palm tree found in northeastern Brazil, popularly known as licuri, has socioeconomic importance for the production of vegetable oil rich in fatty acids with nutritional and pharmacological effects. Licuri oil is used in traditional medicine to treat inflammation, wound healing, mycosis, back discomfort, eye irritation, and other conditions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The study aimed to evaluate the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects of treatment with Syagrus coronata fixed oil (ScFO), as well as to determine the safety of use in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, the chemical characterization was performed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Acute single-dose oral toxicity was evaluated in mice at a dose of 2000 mg/kg. Antinociceptive activity was evaluated through abdominal writhing, formalin, and tail dipping tests, and the anti-inflammatory potential was evaluated through the model of acute inflammation of ear edema, peritonitis, and fever at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg from ScFO. RESULTS: In the chemical analysis of ScFO, lauric (43.64%), caprylic (11.7%), and capric (7.2%) acids were detected as major. No mortality or behavioral abnormalities in the mice were evidenced over the 14 days of observation in the acute toxicity test. ScFO treatment decreased abdominal writhing by 27.07, 28.23, and 51.78% at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg. ScFO demonstrated central and peripheral action in the formalin test, possibly via opioidergic and muscarinic systems. In the tail dipping test, ScFO showed action from the first hour after treatment at all concentrations. ScFO (100 mg/kg) reduced ear edema by 63.76% and leukocyte and neutrophil migration and IL-1ß and TNF-α production in the peritonitis test. CONCLUSION: Mice treated with ScFO had a reduction in fever after 60 min at all concentrations regardless of dose. Therefore, the fixed oil of S. coronata has the potential for the development of new pharmaceutical formulations for the treatment of pain, inflammation, and fever.

Comparison of carrier gases for the separation and quantification of mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) fractions using online coupled high performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection.

On-line coupled high performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (HPLC-GC-FID) was used to compare the effect of hydrogen, helium and nitrogen as carrier gases on the chromatographic characteristics for the quantification of mineral oil hydrocarbon (MOH) traces in food related matrices. After optimisation of chromatographic parameters nitrogen carrier gas exhibited characteristics equivalent to hydrogen and helium regarding requirements set by current guidelines and standardisation such as linear range, quantification limit and carry over. Though nitrogen expectedly led to greater peak widths, all required separations of standard compounds were sufficient and humps of saturated mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOSH) and aromatic mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOAH) were appropriate to enable quantitation similar to situations where hydrogen or helium had been used. Slightly increased peak widths of individual hump components did not affect shapes and widths of the MOSH and MOAH humps were not significantly affected by the use of nitrogen as carrier gas. Notably, nitrogen carrier gas led to less solvent peak tailing and smaller baseline offset. Overall, nitrogen may be regarded as viable alternative to hydrogen or helium and may even extend the range of quantifiable compounds to highly volatile hydrocarbon eluting directly after the solvent peak.

Microbiological quality of edible vegetable oils produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia.

Edible oils are imported and produced in Ethiopia, notably in Gondar, and their production has expanded considerably in recent years. The expansion of locally produced edible vegetable oils with severe quality control, substandard edible oil production, and quality deterioration may contribute to the contamination of microbes, which may cause public health problems. This study determines the microbiological quality of edible vegetable oils being produced and marketed in Gondar City, Northwest Ethiopia, in 2021. A laboratory-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from May to July 2021 in Gondar City. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect 17 edible vegetable oil samples. Aseptically collected samples were analyzed in the microbiology lab room. The microbiological quality of vegetable oil was assessed using standard microbiological procedures and techniques. The collected data were entered into a Microsoft Excel 2016 spreadsheet and Stata Version 14. A non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess significant variation. Seventeen edible vegetable oil samples were examined and found to contain a varying number of bacteria, yeast, and molds. Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella Pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the identified bacteria, whereas Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, and Aspergillus fumigatus were the identified fungi. Total coliform and fecal coliform isolates were also identified in the oil samples. A level of microbial contamination that has public health importance was observed in some of the oil samples analyzed, and the isolated microorganisms indicate unhygienic handling, processing, and storage practices in the oil production and market sites. The introduction of strict rules, regulations, and updated manufacturing technologies and processes to ensure food safety and quality is needed.

Plasma Sphingomyelins and Carnitine Esters of Infants Consuming Whole Goat or Cow Milk-Based Infant Formulas or Human Milk.

BACKGROUND: Infant formulas are typically manufactured using skimmed milk, whey proteins, and vegetable oils, which excludes milk fat globule membranes (MFGM). MFGM contains polar lipids, including sphingomyelin (SM). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was comparison of infant plasma SM and acylcarnitine species between infants who are breastfed or receiving infant formulas with different fat sources. METHODS: In this explorative study, we focused on SM and acylcarnitine species concentrations measured in plasma samples from the TIGGA study (ACTRN12608000047392), where infants were randomly assigned to receive either a cow milk-based infant formula (CIF) with vegetable oils only or a goat milk-based infant formula (GIF) with a goat milk fat (including MFGM) and vegetable oil mixture to the age ≥4 mo. Breastfed infants were followed as a reference group. Using tandem mass spectrometry, SM species in the study formulas and SM and acylcarnitine species in plasma samples collected at the age of 4 mo were analyzed. RESULTS: Total SM concentrations (∼42 µmol/L) and patterns of SM species were similar in both formulas. The total plasma SM concentrations were not different between the formula groups but were 15 % (CIF) and 21% (GIF) lower in the formula groups than in the breastfed group. Between the formula groups, differences in SM species were statistically significant but small. Total carnitine and major (acyl) carnitine species were not different between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The higher total SM concentration in breastfed than in formula-fed infants might be related to a higher SM content in human milk, differences in cholesterol metabolism, dietary fatty acid intake, or other factors not yet identified. SM and acylcarnitine species composition in plasma is not closely related to the formula fatty acid composition. This trial was registered at Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry as ACTRN12608000047392.

Detection of lard adulteration in 3 kinds of vegetable oils by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with porous graphite carbon column.

Liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry employing porous graphite carbon columns and an n-octane-isopropanol mobile phase was utilized for the separation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in various edible oils, aiming to identify lard adulteration in soybean, corn, and sunflower seed oils. Experiments were conducted using a Hypercarb column (2.1 mm × 100 mm, 5 µm) and an n-octane-isopropanol (70:30, V/V) mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.25 mL· min-1 and a column temperature of 60 °C. Detection was achieved through atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry. Analysis of diverse edible oil samples revealed that oils of the same type shared similar TAG compositions, while different types exhibited distinct TAG profiles. Distinct variations in triglyceride composition were observed across different edible oils. Based on liquid chromatography‒mass spectrometry analysis, the characteristic component 1-stearic acid-2-palmitic acid-3-oleic acid glyceride (SPO), which may also include PSO, was identified in lard through principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. This component served as a marker for detecting as low as 0.1% lard adulteration in soybean, corn, and sunflower seed oils. The technique offers a precise and effective approach for the identification of lard adulteration in these edible oils.

Consumer Preferences and Willingness to Pay for High-Quality Vegetable Oils: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Chinese Residents.

The consumption of edible vegetable oil is an important source of essential fatty acids and vitamin E for the human body. Guiding residents to consume scientifically and reasonably control the intake of edible oils is an important part of promoting the construction of a healthy China. Currently, Chinese residents have an insufficient understanding of the scientific consumption of edible oils, leading to an intake exceeding the dietary recommendations, resulting in excessive fat intake and increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this study analyzed the cognitive preferences and willingness to pay a premium for edible vegetable oils among urban consumers in China. The survey included 1098 Chinese urban consumers of vegetable oils. The research found that attitudes, health value, monetary value, and environmental endowment of urban residents are the main predicting factors of the intention to purchase high-quality vegetable oils. This study confirms the applicability of the Theory of Planned Behavior in the consumption of high-quality vegetable oils and provides theoretical contributions and insights for Chinese enterprises and policymakers in formulating marketing strategies for vegetable oils.