Food Quality and Safety

Malnutrition of varying degrees has been associated with feeding infants with unwholesome and poor quality complementary foods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to produce complementary foods from quality protein maize (QPM) using the processes of malting and fermentation. The resulting flour was blended with processed soy bean flour at a ratio of 70:30 (maize: soybean). The nutritional qualities of the complementary foods were assessed biologically using animal feeding experiment to determine the growth rate, feed intake, protein quality parameters, haematological properties and rehabilitation potentials. The results showed that the protein efficiency ratio (PER) and food efficiency ratio of the malted QPM fortified with soybean were 2.44 and 0.24, respectively, which was the highest among the formulated diets and compared favourably with casein (2.5) and commercial diet (2.3). The QPM-based diets had a better biological value (<60%) and true dig stibility (<60%) than the...

In Côte d’Ivoire, maize plays an essential role as subsistence, commercial and socio-cultural culture. To consume good quality corn, it is necessary to preserve the sanitary quality through a good storage method. The aim of study was to evaluate sanitary quality of stored maize in triple bags containing plants biopesticides. Maize grains were collected in March 2016 in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. The fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens were collected and dried in sunlight for 7 days in the center of Côte d'Ivoire. Triple bags were bought in Abidjan market. All this material was sent to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, to perform the experiment. A central composite design was used for sample constitution. Ten treatments were obtained for the experimentation. The first treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a polypropylene bag. The second treatment was conservation of 50 kg of mai...

The aim of study was to evaluate merchantability quality of stored maize in triple bagging with biopesticides. Maize grains were collected in March 2016 in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. The fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens were collected and dried in sunlight for 7 days in the center of Cote d'Ivoire. Triple bags were bought in Abidjan market. All this material was sent to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, to perform the experiment. Ten treatments were obtained for the experimentation. The first treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a polypropylene bag. The second treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a PICS bag. The other eight treatments were carried out with PICS bags each containing 50 kg of maize grain and different proportions of chopped leaves Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens. A central composite design was used for sample constitution. Thus, a con...

The purpose of the research was to determine the physicochemical properties of sunflower oils extracted from hybrids cultivated under environmental conditions in the Republic of North Macedonia. During 2016 and 2017, twelve sunflower hybrids were used as an experimental material in order to analyse some physicochemical properties of sunflower oils, such as free fatty acid, peroxide value, density, iodine measurement, saponification value and oxidative stability. The results were evaluated by LSD test, principal component analysis, linear correlation and cluster analysis. The free fatty acid values of the tested sunflower oils varied between 0.17% and 0.36%. The average value for peroxide measurement for all analysed oils was 0.93 O /kg. Fortimi and Neoma had the 2

The aim of the paper is to identify and compare how Generation Y consumers from the Czech Republic, Slovak Republic and Poland perceive the product origin and its labelling in the context of food quality and safety. First, the theoretical background of food quality and safety, product origin, and food origin labels is discussed. The next section is devoted to the methodology of research followed by a discussion of research results. Data were collected via the online survey with 530 respondents of Generation Y. Chi-square test, Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine whether consumer attitudes differ based on their country. A statistically significant difference between the attention given to food products origin in the purchase decision and the respondents' country was confirmed, the product origin is the most important for Poles. In comparison with Czechs and Slovaks, Poles have also a stronger preference for domestic food products, believing them to be of a higher quality than the foreign ones. In each respective country, the awareness of food origin labels is low and their benefits are not sufficiently perceived. Statistically significant relations exist between the attitudes of Czechs and Poles as well as Slovaks and Poles, whereas there are no differences between the attitudes of Czechs and Slovaks.

Nano fertilizers are one of the recent advancement tools in agriculture that are developed with an aim to increase nutrient use efficiency, reduce wastage of fertilizers and indirectly the cost of cultivation. Besides this they improve the growth and yield of crop and the quality parameters. Nano-fertilizers are very effective for precise nutrient management in precision agriculture with matching the crop growth stage for nutrient and may provide nutrient throughout the crop growth period. However, it has also been speculated that nano-fertilizers can increase the crop growth up to certain optimum concentrations, further increase in concentration may cause nutrient toxicity thereby inhibiting the crop growth. It is also necessary to assess the effect of slow release nano-fertilizer on the soil enzyme activity and soil microbial population. The introduction of nano-fertilizers into the natural environment may pose threat to beneficial microbial communities. The impact of nano-fertili...

PROTEIN l-ISOASPARTYL O-METHYLTRANSFERASE (PIMT) is a protein-repairing enzyme involved in seed vigor and longevity. However, the regulation of PIMT isoforms during seed development and the mechanism of PIMT-mediated improvement of seed vigor and longevity are largely unknown. In this study in rice (Oryza sativa), we demonstrate the dynamics and correlation of isoaspartyl (isoAsp)-repairing demands and PIMT activity, and their implications, during seed development, germination and aging, through biochemical, molecular and genetic studies. Molecular and biochemical analyses revealed that rice possesses various biochemically active and inactive PIMT isoforms. Transcript and western blot analyses clearly showed the seed development stage and tissue-specific accumulation of active isoforms. Immunolocalization studies revealed distinct isoform expression in embryo and aleurone layers. Further analyses of transgenic lines for each OsPIMT isoform revealed a clear role in the restriction of...

Introduction: The safety of fresh beef meat in Beni represents a major public health concern, primarily due to precarious slaughtering, transportation, and marketing conditions. The lack of a cold chain, non-aseptic handling, and prolonged exposure to ambient temperatures promote significant microbial contamination, thereby exposing consumers to the risk of foodborne diseases. Objective: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of fresh beef sold in Beni by comparing contamination levels in samples collected at the slaughterhouse and from local butcheries. This was achieved through the

The safety of baby food remains a critical public health challenge as shown by recent findings of heavy metal contamination and historical gaps in regulation. This review examines how artificial intelligence (AI) can enhance detection of contaminants (e.g., lead) and allergens while improving supply chain transparency by using techniques such as, machine learning, hyperspectral imaging, and AI-powered blockchain. This review analyses AI's role in modern baby food production, highlighting real-world applications like Gerber's AI Food Planner and Tiny Human Food AI. However, adoption faces barriers such as, cybersecurity risks in AI-driven systems and regulatory lag. While AI offers transformative potential, this review argue that its success depends on collaborative oversight among manufacturers, policymakers, and parents. The study has analysed 60+ sources to discuss ethical AI applications in baby food production whilst urging stricter standards to align innovation with child health priorities.

Background: Heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) widely present in meat when it undergoes thermal processing. It has been reported that HAAs exist mainly in free and bound forms. Protein-bound HAAs can be enzymatically converted to free forms during digestion, potentially enhancing human exposure to these harmful compounds. However, the current study mainly focuses on free HAAs, and there are few reports on the formation of proteinbound HAAs and their transformation during digestion. Scope and approach: This review summarizes the possible reaction mechanisms during the formation of proteinbound HAAs, generalizes the transformation of protein-bound HAAs in the digestive process, and further elaborates the effects of dietary components such as chili peppers, onions, Angelica dahurica (AD), apples on the formation of protein-bound HAAs and their transformation in the digestive process. Key findings and conclusions: There are three main pathways for the formation of protein-bound HAAs: (1) Proteins directly react with other precursors of HAAs; (2) Free HAAs react with proteins to form stable amide bonds; (3) Free HAAs selectively adsorb onto the surface of protein polymers. Most protein-bound HAAs are enzymatically released during intestinal digestion. In addition, polyphenols and amide compounds in dietary components promote the release of protein-bound HAAs during digestion, while AD polysaccharides have an inhibitory effect on the conversion of protein-bound HAAs. This review provides new ideas for finding new strategies to inhibit the formation of protein-bound HAAs during food processing, as well as theoretical basis for controlling the release of protein-bound HAAs during digestion.

This study aims to examine the food safety practices of street food vendors and assess the microbial count in street food samples in Kalibo, Aklan. Street food vending is popular due to its affordability and its ability to delight consumers' taste buds, especially in urban areas. However, its safety is not always ensured due to the inobservance of food safety practices. The study was conducted with 10 purposively selected street vendors across Kalibo, Aklan. Food safety practices were assessed through questionnaires and structured interviews. The selected vendors were also observed during their street food vending operations. Food samples were collected and analyzed for microbial count, including common pathogens such as Aerobic plate count, Escherichia coli count, Staphylococcus aureus count, and mold and yeast. The results indicated a significant difference between the levels of food safety practices: preparation and cooking, selling and the training attended. Microbial analysis revealed that a substantial percentage of food samples were safe for human consumption, but some food samples contained borderline and not acceptable levels of mold and yeast, 3,000 cfu/g sample in the street food "baga". The findings of the study emphasize the importance of food safety training and regulation of street food vendors, ultimately reducing health risks to consumers. Recommendations for future research and public health policies and education conclude this paper.

Food adulteration is a practice that involves intentionally diminishing the quality of foods by substituting high-quality ingredients with cheaper alternatives for maximizing profits. There is increased awareness of adulteration of tallow using vegetable oils, whose detection requires precise analytical methods. In this study, we utilized proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy and Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with Trapped Ion Mobility Spectrometry–Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry )UHPLC–timsTOF–MS( approaches to establish standardized spectra of pure tallow and pure samples of common adulterants such as coconut oil, palm oil, and lard, as well as tallow containing varied percentages of these adulterants. Through this, we identified unique fingerprint regions and lipid compounds in both pure and adulterated products. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) of the NMR data was applied to reveal similarities and differences among the studied samples. The results demonstrate that 1H NMR and UHPLC–timsTOF–MS can effectively detect food adulteration in tallow by identifying specific biochemical signatures and lipid compound variations. Overall, this method provides a reliable analytical approach to ensure tallow authenticity and contributes to protecting consumers and maintaining integrity in the food industry.

A b s t r a c t he devastating impact of COVID-19 on different T business functions cannot be undermined. This effect was highly disruptive for the food industry where a number of businesses closed down whilst a significant number of businesses had gone bankrupted. Considering this stance, this study explored the impact of COVID--19 on the supply chain of the food industry which was also the objective of this study. The research opted for interpretivism paradigm and qualitative research approach, following which literary analysis of the previous studies conducted within this domain was compared and analyzed. Findings of the study identified that COVID-19 directly hindered the food industry's supply chain in the times of seasonal employment where most of the migrant workers were unavailable due to sickness, lockdown restrictions, or any sort of travel restrictions. Besides that, streamlining and managing the flow of food ensuring that all the stages of the supply chain in the food industry are completed effectively was identified as another key challenge. Likewise, economic shrinkage and reallocation of resources paralyzed the economy of many countries and, hence, hindered governmental institutions' capacity to provide financial incentives to the companies. In addition, logistical efficiency was also affected due to prolonged lockdown, devastating the fine-tuned schedule and causing disruption in the food supply chain. Therefore, many foodproducing companies either closed their operations or had to reduce their production or operational capacity, which further resulted in increased demand, less supply, and less sales or profitability of the food businesses. it is recommended for the food businesses to consider restructuring their business models specifically related to progressive investment in the domain of supply chain. Companies need to foster collaboration among different actors or stakeholders of supply chain including an integration of raw material supply, manufacturing of food products and a streamlined chain of their supply in the market.

This book is designed as a practical guide for students, researchers, and young professionals entering the laboratory world. Covering essential topics such as lab safety, preparation of solutions, handling of glassware, indicators, dyes, and basic QC testing, it bridges the gap between theory and practice. Written in clear language, it serves as both a reference manual and a step-by-step training companion for pharmaceutical, chemical, and academic labs.

Food safety and food security are critical aspects of ensuring the health and well-being of populations worldwide. While they are interconnected, they address different aspects of the food supply chain. Food safety refers to handling, preparing, and storing food in ways that prevent foodborne illness and contamination. This encompasses a wide range of practices aimed at ensuring that food remains safe at all stages of production, processing, distribution, and consumption. Ensuring food safety is a fundamental component of food security. Unsafe food can lead to health issues that compromise an individual's ability to utilize food effectively. This paper is an attempt to throw light on food security crises often and food safety issues.

Precision fermentation, a novel technology that combines synthetic biology, data analytics, and fermentation processes, is poised to revolutionize the food industry. This article provides an overview of precision fermentation, highlighting its potential benefits and applications. Furthermore, we present empirical data on the impact of precision fermentation on various aspects of the food industry, including product development, sustainability, and nutrition. We also discuss potential challenges and future directions for this transformative technology.

Effluent and sediment samples were collected from 30 point source discharge sites within tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay, and analyzed for the presence of toxic organic compounds. The facilities selected included: municipal treatment plants, oil refining and storage operations, shipyards, military bases, paper companies, electrical power generators and various other manufacturing enterprises. In addition to sediment, shellfish were collected from the receiving streams. Unfortunately, environmental conditions in the vicinity of many of the facilities were unsatisfactory for the long-term survival of shellfish. As a consequence their availability was limited. ...

The antioxidant capacity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum depends on the plant's maturity and genotype. • Ceylon cinnamon preserves its antioxidant properties when stored at 4°C for up to six months. • Seed-propagated Ceylon cinnamon exhibits higher radical scavenging activity (RSA) than vegetatively propagated varieties. • Cinnamon leaf extracts show the strongest inhibitory activity against Gram-negative bacteria. • Cinnamon extracts exhibit greater cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 cancer cells than MCF-7 cells.

kesehatan lingkungan yang cukup serius di seluruh dunia, khususnya anak-anak fakir yang hidup di negara berkembang (Meyer et al 2003). Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO) belum menetapkan sebuah nilai tunjuk untuk timbal di dalam darah, tapi Fewtrell et al (2004) memperkirakan untuk WHO pada tahun 2004 "bahwa 20% dari semua anak-anak memiliki kandungan timbal dalam darah diatas 10 ug/dL dan kebanyakan dari mereka tinggal di negara berkembang" (Clark et al 2009).

This study examined the food safety and hygienic practices among street food vendors in Ife East Local Government Area of Osun State. The study adopted a descriptive survey design with specific objectives. The objectives evaluated the knowledge of food safety regulations among streets food vendors, assessed the hygienic practices and conditions of street food vending sites in ife east local government: investigated the challenges faced by street food vendors in implementing food safety and hygiene practices among the population and suggested strategies to improve food safety practices among food vendors in ife East. Four (4) research questions were formulated for the study. The population of the study consisted of all street food vendors in ife East LGA of Osun State. One hundred respondents were selected for this study. Simple random sampling technique was used and structured questionnaire was used for data collection. The results of the analysis revealed that food vendors do not wear protective clothing such as apron and gloves and they do not wash hands regularly during food preparation and generally they do not practice good hygiene. It also reveals that they do not have access to quality water supply. This work recommended that efforts should be made to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities for street food vendors, Regular inspections of street food vending sites should be conducted to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and there should be programs that covers basic food safety principles, including proper food handling, storage, and hygiene practices.

Objectives This study evaluates factors responsible for the floating of iron premix in double fortified salt (DFS), which initially affected the large-scale implementation of the salt fortification program in India, and provides solutions to the scale-up of the technology. Materials and Methods To mitigate this time-sensitive scale-up challenge. First, the iron premix samples were obtained from the industrial scale-up pilot studies in India, evaluated for the impact of the amount of coating material (5 per cent, 7.5 per cent, and 10 per cent (in weight)), type of formulation (soy stearin, SEPIFILM and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), amount of titanium dioxide (25-35 per cent (in weight)) used for color masking; Second, we studied the effect of change in the composition of the coating, from 10 per cent (in weight) soy stearin to a double coat with 5 per cent (in weight) hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and 5 per cent soy stearin or 10 per cent soy stearin and 1 per cent (in weight) leci...

In agriculture sector application of precision farming implies to agricultural input based on soil types, climatic condition and crop need to maximize sustainable agriculture production with quality and profitability. Successful implementation of precision farming in agriculture depends on multiple components, including the extent to which conditions within a known field are managed, the acceptability of input recommendation amount and control to the degree of application microbial consortia. Among these, microbial genomics identified and biotechnological tools represent cuttingedge best strategies to sustainably enhance crop yield with soil health. This review explores recent advancing precision farming through microbial genomics, metagenomics, microbial resource management, and microbial-based biotechnological tools innovations for improving crop productivity and soil health. Emphasis is placed on how these innovations can contribute to site-specific management practices, integrates remote sensing technologies such as satellite and drones, to monitor crop conditions and captures early signs of diseases or pests infect. These tools enable people to intervene implement targeted sites treatments, lowering the need for large-scale bio-pesticides and minimizing crop losses, improve soil fertility, mitigate stresses, and promote ecological sustainability. Additionally, precision farming facilitates monitoring (real-time) of weather conditions, permitting farmers to adjust their irrigation schedules or implement protective measures in response to changing climatic conditions.

his study aimed at investigating the impact of precision livestock farming technologies (PLF) on workforce skills and employability in poultry husbandry sector in Oyo metropolis. A sample of twelve (12) farms was selected through simple random sampling techniques from Atiba, Oyo west, Oyo East and Afijio Local Government Areas was used for the study. A questionnaire instrument developed by the researcher was used for data collection on demographic

Response surface methodology was used to investigate the influence of high shear homogenization speed (A: 3000–12 000 r/min) and processing time (B: 30–120 min) on bael fruit pulp quality parameters. The experimental results were best fitted in the suggested quadratic model to delineate and envision the responses in terms of color (values of L*, meaning brightness to blackness, 100–0; a*, meaning green –a* to red +a*; and b*, meaning blue –b* to yellow +b), total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, viscosity, and β-carotene content with the highest coefficients of determination (R2) ranging from 0.80 to 0.99. Significant (P<0.05) change in the L* value, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and β-carotene content was found with change in homogenization speed. The interaction effect of homogenization showed a significant difference in a* value and total soluble solid content of the pulp. The best homogenization conditions were determined via multiple response optimization as 10 682 r/mi...

L’agricoltura, da soggetto visto come inquinatore, in realtà è anche soggetto passivo dell’inquinamento ambientale, subendo le minacce ambientali e territoriali provenienti dagli altri settori della “civiltà industriale”. Dalla sottrazione di suoli fertili agli scarichi industriali e civili. Tutto questo crea altresì danni incalcolabili a quei settori dell’agroalimentare che fanno della loro tipicità e dell’origine territoriale lo strumento di difesa e di approccio vincente sul mercato,
In questo lavoro, dopo la illustrazione delle minacce a carico dell’agricoltura derivanti dal consumo di suolo e dalla dispersione nell’atmosfera degli agenti inquinanti, con particolare riferimento alle diossine e ai PCB, viene analizzato il caso della Mozzarella di bufala campana DOP e le ricadute negative che ha subito in conseguenza degli inquinamenti, a seguito della combustione incontrollata di rifiuti nell’area campana, da diossine che si sono verificati nei primi anni del secolo XXI.

Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum Gaertn.) originates in mountain regions of Western China, and is cultivated in China, Bhutan, Northern India, Nepal, and Central Europe. The content of flavonoids in Tartary buckwheat grain and groats is much higher than in common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), and depends on ecological conditions, such as UV-B radiation. Buckwheat intake has preventative effects in chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, due to its content of bioactive substances. The main bioactive compounds in Tartary buckwheat groats are flavonoids (rutin and quercetin). There are differences in the bioactivities of buckwheat groats obtained using different husking technologies, based on husking raw or pretreated grain. Husking hydrothermally pretreated grain is among the traditional ways of consuming buckwheat in Europe and some parts of China and Japan. During hydrothermal and other processing of Tartary buckwheat grain, a part ...

This study investigated the effects of initial temperature treatments of gluten-free doughs made from Tartary buckwheat flour, and time of methanol extraction from the cooked doughs of neochlorogenic acid, an important polyphenol metabolite. The doughs were hydrothermally treated from 25 °C to 95 °C, cooked at 95 °C for 20 min, and extracted using 80% aqueous methanol at the room temperature for 20 min, 2 h, and 8 h. For the control, nonhydrothermally treated Tartary buckwheat flour samples, the extractable neochlorogenic acid was similar for these extraction times. For the cooked dough samples, the hydrothermal treatments were important in terms of extractability of neochlorogenic acid. The extractable neochlorogenic acid was higher for the control samples in comparison to the hydrothermally treated and cooked dough samples. Among these hydrothermally treated dough samples, the high extractable neochlorogenic acid concentrations were maintained for temperatures of at least 80 °C. T...

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench, CB) and Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn., TB) are used in human nutrition. The idea to screen in the haploid phase for genes affecting low amylose concentration opens the possibility for the effective search of low amylose (waxy) genotypes in CB populations. Self-pollinated homozygous plants of TB might allow us to use a part of endosperm for screening of amylose content. Phenolic substances have a significant inhibitory effect on the digestion of CB and TB proteins, thus metabolites may have impact on protein digestibility. Digestion-resistant peptides are largely responsible for the bile acid elimination. Breeding to diminish polyphenols and anti-nutritional substances might have negative effects on the resistance of plants against pests, diseases and UV-radiation. Bread and pasta are popular CB and TB dishes. During dough making most of CB or TB rutin is degraded to quercetin by rutin-degrading enzymes. The new trace-rutinosidase TB variety makes possible making TB bread with considerable amount of rutin, preserving the initial rutin from flour. Breeding CB and TB for larger embryos would make it possible to increase protein, rutin, and essential minerals concentration in CB and TB grain.

This paper reviews the first results and achievements of the QLIF SP1 "Determining consumer expectations and attitudes towards organic/low input food quality and safety". The paper aims to illustrate the array of methodologies used and to discuss the ongoing research in light of the first results.

This study aimed to measure the food safety knowledge, attitude, and practices among food vendors engaged in Nigeria's ongoing Home-grown School Feeding Program. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in face-to-face interviews with 240 food vendors from 3 states in northeast Nigeria involved in the school feeding program using a structured questionnaire. Multiple linear regression results revealed that increased education and access to information through radio, television, and food inspection institutions increased food safety knowledge. Food safety attitudes score increased with more years of vending experience and accessing food safety information via radio, food inspection institutions, and the Internet. An increase in household size and food safety information from friends and colleagues negatively affected food safety attitude scores. As a result, we emphasize the need for dissemination of improved food safety information via radio, television and food safety inspection institutes. Food vendors in the SFP should be selected after passing a food safety training and gaining food handling experience. Higher education should be a priority criterion in the hiring process. School feeding program • Food safety knowledge • Food safety attitude and practices • Food vendors • Nigeria * Miroslava Bavorova

Phytochemicals are reported to provide various biological functions leading to the promotion of health as well as the reduced risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble plant pigments, carotenoids, are extensively studied micronutrient phytochemicals for their potential health benefits. It is noteworthy that specific carotenoids may be responsible for different protective effects against certain diseases. In addition, each carotenoid can be obtained from different types of plant foods. Considering the fact that the phytochemical content in foods can vary according to, but not limited to, the varieties and culture conditions, it is important to establish a database of phytochemicals in locally produced plant foods. Currently, information on individual carotenoid content in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea is lacking. As the first step to support the production and consumption of sustainable local plant foods, carotenoids and total phenolic contents of plant foods commonly consumed i...

Fue realizada teniendo en cuenta variables físicas con respecto al grano como es el peso, rendimiento a licor, numero de granos almendra de colores claro y numero de granos almendra de color blanco (marfil). En relación a las cualidades organolépticas-sensoriales se consideraron: Amargor, acidez, sabor frutal, sabor a chocolate entre otros sabores, referenciando según su intensidad en una escala hedónica.

Nanoscience is an emerging technology today with great application in different fields. Biocatalysts design, identification of different bacterial strains, monitoring the quality of food by different biosensors, food packaging with smart systems, active, intelligent and nano-encapsulation of bioactive food compounds are examples of some of these applications in the food industry. In this paper, some topics related to the potential of nanotechnology in the food industry are updated. In addition, some concerns about nanotechnology application in this popular industry are also discussed.

methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Enterobacter cloacae. The same effect was observed for the E. coli ATCC 25922 collection strain. The dairy drink with cherry plum showed antibacterial activity against strains of microorganisms: E. coli ATCC 25922, EPEC, S. aureus, MRSA, S. enteritidis, S. dysenteriae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae. The dairy product with blueberries was suppressed by: P. aeruginosa, M. morganii, Listeria monocytogenes, S. enteritidis, S. dysenteriae, S. aureus, E. coli ATCC 25922, EPEC, MRSA, and also comensal strains of E. coli 058 and E. coli Schaedler's. However, it has been noted that a suppressive action was increased with the addition of native extracts (blueberries / cherry plum / dill / pomegranate). Cherry plum and pomegranate had a greater antagonistic effect on Klebsiella pneumonia and K. oxytoca. At the same time, a new generation FFP stimulated growth of representatives of useful microbiota.

In Côte d’Ivoire, maize plays an essential role as subsistence, commercial and socio-cultural culture. To consume good quality corn, it is necessary to preserve the sanitary quality through a good storage method. The aim of study was to evaluate sanitary quality of stored maize in triple bags containing plants biopesticides. Maize grains were collected in March 2016 in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. The fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens were collected and dried in sunlight for 7 days in the center of Côte d'Ivoire. Triple bags were bought in Abidjan market. All this material was sent to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, to perform the experiment. A central composite design was used for sample constitution. Ten treatments were obtained for the experimentation. The first treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a polypropylene bag. The second treatment was conservation of 50 kg of mai...

The aim of study was to evaluate merchantability quality of stored maize in triple bagging with biopesticides. Maize grains were collected in March 2016 in the north of Côte d’Ivoire. The fresh leaves of Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens were collected and dried in sunlight for 7 days in the center of Cote d'Ivoire. Triple bags were bought in Abidjan market. All this material was sent to the Laboratory of Biochemistry and Food Sciences, Félix Houphouët-Boigny University, Côte d’Ivoire, to perform the experiment. Ten treatments were obtained for the experimentation. The first treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a polypropylene bag. The second treatment was conservation of 50 kg of maize grain in a PICS bag. The other eight treatments were carried out with PICS bags each containing 50 kg of maize grain and different proportions of chopped leaves Lippia multiflora and Hyptis suaveolens. A central composite design was used for sample constitution. Thus, a con...

The growing need to develop and use sustainable agricultural practices has increased the importance of the development and usage of controlled-release fertilizers, so-called polymer-coated fertilizers. This paper examines the effect of polymer coated fertilizer on yield quality, functional properties, and maize growth in addition to assessing its life cycle performance on the environment. An experiment was carried out in the field of uncoated conventional fertilizer and some polymer coated fertilizers treatments. The principal quality factors of maize harvested, such as protein content, state of moisture, starch profile, and the wholeness of the kernels were identified and statistically analyzed. Their functional parameters including water absorption index, gelatinization behavior and thermal stability were also ascertained to know whether there is a possibility of using the maize in the food processing and production industries. The life cycle analysis took into account the whole production process the pathway starting with fertilizers to end with the product after the harvest, with respect to greenhouse gases emission, consumption of energy, water footprint, and ecotoxicity. The findings further indicated that nutrient use efficiency of polymer-coated fertilizer significantly enhanced and held the nutrient loss by means of leaching, which enhanced the quality of maize and its useful properties. Also, the LCA indicated that even though the initial energy is used in excess in production of polymer-coated fertilizers owing to coating methods, the total environmental cost becomes lower owing to less frequent application and better crop yield. The combined evaluation gives an idea about the agronomic and environmental benefit of polymer-coated fertilizer use in maize production. The results confirm the opportunity of such fertilizers to increase food quality and reduce the ecological consequences supporting a more sustainable and effective agriculture system.

The different duration of a strawberry phenolic fraction intake and different post-intake time were experimental factors affecting the concentrations of ellagitannin metabolites in the urine and blood serum of rats. For four days, the animals were gavaged once a day as follows: group C (water, days 1-4), group F1-4 (fraction, days 1-4), group F1-3 (fraction, days 1-3; water, day 4), group F1-2 (fraction, days 1, 2; water, days 3, 4), group F3-4 (water, days 1, 2; fraction, days 3, 4), and group F4 (water, days 1-3; and fraction, day 4). The daily dosage of the fraction gavaged to one rat was 20 mg/kg of body weight. The fraction contained monomers and dimers of ellagitannins as well as proanthocyanidins. The caecal, urinal, and blood serum ellagitannin metabolites were analysed 12 h after the last treatment. Ellagic acid, urolithin A, and nasutin A were detected in the caecal digesta. In turn, urolithin A, nasutin A, and their glucuronide conjugates were detected in the urine, while urolithin A glucuronide, nasutin A glucuronide, and ellagic acid dimethyl ether glucuronide were found in the serum. The highest caecal and urinal concentrations of ellagitannin metabolites followed the F1-4 treatment. In the serum, the highest concentrations of the metabolites were determined in the rats administered the phenolic fraction during days 1-4 and 3-4. No metabolites were found in the rats following the C and F1-2 treatments. The results suggest that the presence of ellagitannin metabolites in the rat's urine and serum largely refl ects the concentrations of caecal metabolites and the number of subsequent days of strawberry phenolic fraction administration.

Background and Aim: Antibiotics are used to improve growth, reduce disease, and decrease mortality in animals grown for food. The government regulates and prohibits the use of antibiotics, in particular, the use of antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in livestock; however, it is not yet known whether the use of antibiotics is in accordance with regulations so that there are no antibiotic residues in food of animal origin. To ensure food safety of animal origin and to raise awareness of food safety, it is necessary to detect antibiotic residues in fish, eggs, and chicken meat from Yogyakarta Special Province through monitoring and monitoring. To ensure food safety and regulatory compliance in food samples, antibiotic residue screening techniques are essential. A number of methods, such as time-consuming and costly chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, have been developed for the detection of antibiotic residues in food samples; however, not all laboratories have these facilities. Therefore, a rapid diagnosis of food of animal origin is required. The purpose of this study was to rapidly test antibiotic residues by using Premi ® test kits (R-Biopharm AG, Germany) to increase awareness of food safety of animal origin. We tested 345 animal-based food samples from traditional markets, supermarkets, and central markets in five districts of Yogyakarta Special Province for antibiotic residues using rapid test kits and observation questionnaires to identify risk factors. The presence of antibiotic residues in food-animal origin samples from the Yogyakarta region had an antibiotic residue level of 9.28% (32/345), consisting of fish samples 11.3% (18/97), eggs 15.65% (1/114), and chicken meat samples 0.87% (13/102). The highest percentage of samples positive for residual antibiotics was 21.9% (7/32) from supermarket meat samples. The highest amounts of antibiotic residues were found in fish samples collected from Sleman Regency, up to 25% (8/32), whereas in supermarket fish samples, there were as high as 18.8% (6/32). Antibiotic residues in animal-based food can be attributed to various factors, including product source, transportation conditions, and environmental conditions. The widespread distribution of antibiotic residues in fish comes from environmental conditions during maintenance, distribution, and retailing. Monitoring antibiotic residue prevalence in food-animal origins, particularly chicken meat, eggs, and fish, is crucial for improving animal food quality and safety.

A hot air drying system equipped with real-time computer vision system was used to investigate the effects of drying variables on apple slices color changes. Drying experiments were conducted at drying air temperatures of 50-70 • C, drying air velocities of 1-2 m/s, and samples thicknesses of 2-6 mm. A multilayer perceptron (MLP) artificial neural network (ANN) was also used to correlate color parameters and moisture content of apple slices with drying variables and drying time. The effects of drying air temperature and sample thickness on color changes were dominated over the effect of drying air velocity. However, non-linear and somewhat complex trends were obtained for all color parameters as function of moisture content. The MLP ANN satisfactorily approximated the color and moisture variations of apple slices with correlation coefficient higher than 0.92. Therefore, the computer vision system supplemented with ANN can be used as a non-invasive, low cost, and easy method for fast and in-line assessing and controlling of foodstuffs color and moisture changes during drying.

Il tè Pu-erh è uno dei tè di qualità più elevata in Cina. Questa pubblicazione
soddisferà l'esigenza del lettore di informazioni di base sulla storia, la cultura, le tecnologie di produzione e le tradizioni del consumo del tè Pu-erh. Le informazioni sul tè Pu-erh sono fornite nel contesto della storia generale e della cultura del tè. Il lettore potrà acquisire le conoscenze di base necessarie sull'argomento, imparare come scegliere correttamente il tè, conservarlo e trasportarlo, nonché degustarlo correttamente e consumarlo per ottenere i massimi benefici per la salute. Il libro contiene solo informazioni verificate e consente di evitare errori stereotipati e miti. Sarà un regalo eccellente per tutti gli appassionati della cultura del tè cinese, per i commercianti di tè cinesi, per gli acquirenti di tè in Cina, nonché per i sinologi, gli studiosi della cultura e gli storici.

Pesticides have long been necessary to modern agriculture and food systems, enabling the achievement of high crop yields and ensuring food security. However, their widespread use raises concerns about the health effects of pesticide residues in food, especially for vulnerable groups like children and pregnant women. This review examines the dual role of pesticides in boosting agricultural productivity and their potential health risks. It discusses the benefits of pesticide use, including increased crop yields and public health benefits, while critically analyzing evidence that links long-term exposure to pesticide residues with health issues such as cancer, reproductive problems, neurotoxicity, and genetic damage. A specific focus is given to the increased vulnerability of developing fetuses and children because of their physiological and developmental sensitivity. The article also examines consumer perceptions of risk, highlighting
gaps in public understanding and the impact of misinformation on food choices. Finally, this article reviews international and national regulations, including the roles of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Codex Alimentarius, in regulations aimed at protecting public health. Despite progress, challenges remain in harmonizing regulations, enforcing compliance, and effectively communicating risks. The review suggests strategies to close knowledge gaps through targeted education, transparent labeling, and better monitoring systems. It promotes
integrated approaches that combine strong regulatory oversight, public engagement, and industry innovations like Integrated Pest Management to reduce dependence on pesticides. These efforts are crucial for aligning consumer perceptions with scientific evidence, thereby ensuring safe, sustainable, and equitable access to food worldwide.

The study is undertaken as a quality assurance exercise, to investigate the quality of milling plates available on the market by evaluating the metals released from them into food products in contact with them during comminution. Two locally manufactured and one imported milling plates were used in both dry and wet milling of maize samples collected from different geographical locations in the country (N = 12). Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analyser techniques were used to detect and quantify the metals present as contaminant in the flour samples over a seven-week period. While Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mg, Ca and Al were detected, As, Cd, Cu, Co, Pb and Ni were either absent or below detection limits. The concentrations of the metals were observed to decline with continuous use of milling plates, with Mg recording the highest of concentrations in each week and Mn, the vice versa. The results showed that the quality of the milling plates contributed to the levels of metals seen in the samples. In terms of the extent of contamination, the imported plate was deemed best of the three milling plates used whiles the two locally manufactured plates were comparable. Wet milling process was touted as better than dry milling in contributing to metal contamination of milled food products. Also, the maize samples collected from different places were shown to exhibit varying metal concentrations. The sample from Ejura-Sekyere Dumase was showed to be more contaminated than from other sources. When the flours were used to produce consumable foods, porridge and kenkey, the metal concentrations in them were comparable. The outcomes of the study show that education on sources of food contamination should be organized for stakeholders in the maize cultivation and processing industry and regulatory systems should also be strengthened to safeguard consumers' health.

The process hygiene criterion is a microbiological criterion that applies to the process of food production and processing and indicates the proper functioning of the production process by representing the value of the contamination above which corrective measures are taken to maintain the process hygiene. Pasteurized milk is a product obtained by heat treatment of raw milk at a temperature of 63° C for 30 minutes or 72° C for 15 seconds. Pasteurization has two purposes, the first one is to elimination of all pathogenic microorganisms, and the second is to reduce the number of saprophytic microorganisms, which prolongs the shelf life without changing the nutritional and biological value of the milk. The aim of the study is to examine the safety of pasteurized milk and the conditions of hygiene in the production process based on the results of the examination of pasteurized milk on the criteria of hygiene in the production process, as well as to develop a proposal for the recommended microorganisms to be tested in the process of the production of pasteurized milk. Samples of pasteurized milk come from a pasteurizing plant that purchases milk from the territory of Republika Srpska, and were sampled in the six-month period (January-June), within self-control and official control. For microbiological testing of raw milk, standard BAS ISO methods were used. The results of pasteurized milk testing in relation to the hygiene criteria in the production process are satisfactory in relation to the Rulebook on Microbiological Criteria for Food. The results of selfcontrol on the recommended microbiological criteria in the process of obtaining pasteurized milk, which are given in the Guideline on the Application of Microbiological Criteria for Food, are satisfactory in relation to the finding of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and coagulase positive staphylococci, and unsatisfactory for a number of microorganisms. The results of official controls in the production process of pasteurized milk are unsatisfactory due to the increased number of microorganisms in 12.50% of the samples. 22.20% of pasteurized milk samples had the number of microorganisms larger than 10 5 CFU/ml within self-control and official controls. Examination of pasteurized milk in the self-control of the production process should be performed on enterobacteria and the total count of microorganisms, and in the interpretation of the results the recommended limit values from the Guideline on the application of microbiological criteria for food should be used.

Despite their nutritional value and increasing supply of oils from unconventional plants to the oil industry, edible niche oils do not have high sales. The market for niche oils is geared toward an ever-growing volume of conscious consumers distinguished by their sensitivity to product quality, packaging type, price, sourcing technology, and variety of product use. In the literature, there is a lack of research on consumer preferences and expectations of niche oils. This article continues a series of studies on niche oils aimed at determining the proper technological parameters for production, discussing the economic aspects of niche oil production, and researching consumer behavior concerning these products. It aims to determine Polish consumers' awareness and expectations of edible niche oils, select the oils of most significant interest to consumers, and determine the factors influencing consumers' propensity to try edible niche oils. The survey, in the form of a questionnaire, was conducted using the CAWI method on a representative sample of 1000 Polish consumers. Consumers were divided into four segments: those who regularly consume niche oils, consumers who have experience with niche oils, consumers who are familiar with them but have not tried them, and consumers who do not know niche oils. Data were analyzed collectively and separately for each segment using one-way ANOVA. Grape seed oils and edible castor oil are the most interesting to consumers. Consumers' purchasing decisions are influenced by price, nutrient content, and sustainable production free of GMO products and harmful chemicals. Therefore, manufacturers should increase the availability of certain oils (e.g., peanut oil). Sensory qualities, place of production, and brand recognition are secondary selection criteria. Future research should focus on the organoleptic evaluation of products available on the market. Research results may be used to create production and marketing strategies to make niche oils more attractive to consumers.

Buckwheat is one of the most important traditional pseudocereals and a multipurpose crop, belonging to genus Fagopyrum of the family Polygonaceae. Even though it is an underutilized crop, it remains important for food security in the temperate and hilly regions of countries in East Asia, East Europe and the Himalayan region. Excellent grain quality with high nutritive substances (63% carbohydrate, 11.7% protein, 2.4% fat, 9.9% fiber, 11% water and 2% minerals),well balanced amino acid composition, abundant vitamin P high in rutin, which reduces cholesterol content in the blood makes buckwheat an almost perfect food. The crop is not a cereal, but the seeds (strictly achenes) are usually classified among the cereal grains because of their similar usage. The seed is used in several culinary preparations during fast and religious festivals. Its starchy flour mixed with wheat, rice or maize flour is used to prepare biscuits, noodles, pancakes and for gluten free diets. The biological value of protein is superior to other food plants and is nearly equal to that of eggs. The flowers of buckwheat are rich source of dark coloured and strong flavoured honey. Besides food production, it is extremely useful as a cover crop in maintaining agro-ecosystem by storage of water and preventing soil erosion and also for livestock feed, fodder and green manure.