Contribution of European research to risk analysis

The European Commission's, Quality of Life Research Programme, Key Action 1—Health, Food & Nutrition is mission-oriented and aims, amongst other things, at providing a healthy, safe and high-quality food supply leading to reinforced consumer confidence in the safety of European food. Its objectives also include the enhancing of the competitiveness of the European food supply. Key Action 1 is currently supporting a number of different types of European collaborative projects in the area of risk analysis. The objectives of these projects range from the development and validation of prevention strategies including the reduction of consumers risks; development and validation of new modelling approaches; harmonization of risk assessment principles, methodologies, and terminology; standardization of methods and systems used for the safety evaluation of transgenic food; providing of tools for the evaluation of human viral contamination of shellfish and quality control; new methodologies for assessing the potential of unintended effects of genetically modified (genetically modified) foods; development of a risk assessment model for Cryptosporidium parvum related to the food and water industries; to the development of a communication platform for genetically modified organism, producers, retailers, regulatory authorities and consumer groups to improve safety assessment procedures, risk management strategies and risk communication; development and validation of new methods for safety testing of transgenic food; evaluation of the safety and efficacy of iron supplementation in pregnant women; evaluation of the potential cancer-preventing activity of pro- and pre-biotic ('synbiotic') combinations in human volunteers. An overview of these projects is presented here.     

Occurrence of bisphenol-F-diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) in fish canned in oil

The levels of bisphenol-F-diglycidyl ether (BFDGE) were quantified as part of a European survey on the migration of residues of epoxy resins into oil from canned fish. The contents of BFDGE in cans, lids and fish collected from all 15 Member States of the European Union and Switzerland were analysed in 382 samples. Cans and lids were separately extracted with acetonitrile. The extraction from fish was carried out with hexane followed by re-extraction with acetonitrile. The analysis was performed by reverse phase HPL C with fluorescence detection. BFDGE could be detected in 12% of the fish, 24% of the cans and 18% of the lids. Only 3% of the fish contained BFDGE in concentrations considerably above 1mg/kg. In addition to the presented data, a comparison was made with the levels of BADGE (bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether)analysed in the same products in the context of a previous study.     

Encapsulation of food ingredients

Microencapsulation is a relatively new technology that is used for protection, stabilization, and slow release of food ingredients. The encapsulating or wall materials used generally consist of starch, starch derivatives, proteins, gums, lipids, or any combination of them. Methods of encapsulation of food ingredients include spraydrying, freeze‐drying, fluidized bed‐coating, extrusion, cocrystallization, molecular inclusion, and coacervation. This paper reviews techniques for preparation of microencapsulated food ingredients and choices of coating material. Characterization of microcapsules, mechanisms of controlled release, and efficiency of protection/ stabilization of encapsulated food ingredients are also presented.     

Prediction of worst case migration: presentation of a rigorous methodology

An improvement of the Piringer model, allowing the prediction of a worst case migration from packaging to food is presented here. The authors are proposing other constants for the calculation of the upperbound value of the diffusion coefficient, using experimental data determined by a film to film method. Considering the plasticizing effects of food simulants, a model involving the variation of the diffusion coefficient versus space and time must be used. Future fields of investigation are discussed: the relationship between diffusion coefficients and the volume of the migrant (instead of molar mass), and the variation of diffusion coefficient activation energy with temperature.     

Original semiologic standardized evaluation of stratum corneum hydration by Diagnoskin stripping sample

In a normal and healthy skin, the regular elimination of the superficial corneocytes, called desquamation, is a fundamental physiologic process intended to protect the barrier function of the skin. This invisible loss of corneocytes, individually or in small groups, is incessantly compensated by the divisions of the proliferative layer and the upward cellular maturation in order to maintain the harmonious renewal of the epidermis and the integrity of the stratum corneum. The harmony of this desquamation process is intimately conditioned by a sufficient hydration of the stratum corneum: (i) an abnormal desquamation leads to a disruption of the water barrier function and consequently to a dehydration tendency of the stratum corneum, and (ii) a cutaneous dryness (whatever the cause) is able to disturb the desquamation process. Protecting the water content of the stratum corneum has always been a major preoccupation of the cosmetic industry scientists. Consequently, the moisturizing properties of a cosmetic product are objectively measured by various explorations directly targeted on the hydration (corneometry) and on the level of the water barrier function (transepidermal water loss (TEWL) measurements), which depends directly on the skin hydration state. This intimate linkage of the desquamation process and the water content of the stratum corneum enable us to suggest an indirect assessment of the hydration from a direct study of the desquamation by examining a skin-stripping sample (D-Squames) by an optical microscope (linked to a computer). We will describe this already known technique and mainly its new and unpublished semiologic exploitation, named Diagnoskin, whose advantages are its simplicity and its reproducibility particularly interesting in the case of sequential appraisal of dermatologic or cosmetic treatments.     

Peptides from milk proteins and their properties

This review has attempted to study the literature pertaining to peptides derived from milk proteins. Hydrolysis of milk proteins to generate peptides has been practiced for a long time and it was recognized early on in this process that the taste of hydrolyzates might hinder use of these products in food formulations. Modification of protein is necessary to form a more acceptable or utilizable product, to form a product that is less susceptible to deteriorative reactions and to form a product that is of higher nutritionall quality. Modifications may be achieved by a number of chemical and enzymatic means. This review has considered only enzymatic modification of dairy proteins. Modified proteins contain peptides and some of these peptides have been purified and their functionalities have been compared with unmodified proteins. This paper has examined the literature pertaining to improvement in functionality of enzyme-modified proteins. Improvements in solubility, emulsification, foaming and gelation were examined. There is limited information available on the sequence of the peptides necessary to improve the functional characteristics of proteins. Knowing the sequences of desirable functional peptides can lead to genetic alteration of proteins to improve functionality. Addition of synthetic peptides to intact proteins may be another way in which the functionality of proteins can be augmented. Some of the peptides in milk proteins are capable of affecting biological functions of an organism. These effects can be antimicrobial and probiotic, i.e., prevent the growth and proliferation of undesirable and pathogenic organisms, or they may promote the growth of desirable bacteria in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Peptides derived from milk protein have been shown to exert digestive and metabolic effects as well. They may also influence the immune system. These biological effects may play an important role in the development of medical foods that treat or mitigate the effects of diseases. Proteins are allergens and therefore it is possible that products derived from modification of proteins may also be allergens. The known literature about the allergenicity of peptides derived from milk proteins has been examined in this article. Last, but not the least, the taste attributes of peptides is also considered. Bitterness of hydrolyzates is a common occurrence and the origins of these bitter peptides and possible ways of mitigating this sensory defect has been discussed. Many of the peptides that enhance functionality and exert biological activity are likely to be bitter. Therefore, the bitter taste of hydrolysis products has to be dealt with in boosting the functional or nutraceutical aspects of foods containing these peptides. Analytical techniques for sequencing peptides have become more accessible and purification of peptides is commercially feasible. Computer based modeling techniques have aided the prediction of structures in these peptides. These advances, coupled with the advances in biotechnology, promise to revolutionize the future of nutraceutical and functional foods.     

Tailoring fatty food simulants made from solvent mixtures (1): comparison of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol behaviour with polystyrene

To investigate the use of solvent mixtures as test media replacing olive oil in migration tests, the interaction of polystyrene with mixtures composed of various amounts of tert.butyl acetate (mimicking the ester functions of oil) and of a low molecular weight alcohol (methanol, ethanol and isopropanol as inert co-solvent) was studied, using FTIR. Isopropanol, which has a lesser tendency to form hydrogen bonds in the plastic, can be used as main component of alternative fatty test media, its aggressiveness to polystyrene being tailored by adjusting the concentration of tert.butyl acetate. Concentrations below 20% seem useful on the basis of the mechanism of displacement of the alcohols.     

Water–disaccharides interactions in saturated solution and the crystallisation conditions

This paper reports solubility data and measurements of viscosity of the saturated aqueous solutions of sucrose, maltitol, and trehalose. Likewise, the metastable zone width and velocity of nucleation of the three disaccharides are compared. The narrowest metastable zone is observed for maltitol and the largest for trehalose. Such behaviour is due to a higher affinity of trehalose for water. Moreover, the crystallisation of anhydrous disaccharides in aqueous solution necessitates that hydration water be removed and evacuated from crystal integration surface to the bulk of solution to allow the growth of crystals. This step of disassociation and diffusion of hydration water proves to be the controlling step of the crystallisation process. Structural features at the origin of the differences between the three sugars are studied by FTIR spectroscopy. Modifications of frequencies and intensities of the vibrations around the glycosidic bond are interpreted in terms of conformational flexibility. Arguments like H-bond strength or conformational flexibility of the two monomers around the glycosidic oxygen were evoked as possible explanations of the behaviour of disaccharides. Likewise stability of hydration of the disaccharides is derived from the interpretation of FTIR spectra. These structural features help in interpreting the differences in crystallisation conditions and to hypothesize about the cryoprotective ability of the studied molecules.     

古贝春酒中的呈香呈味物质GC-MS分析研究

利用闻香,结合气相色谱-质谱仪分析方法对古贝春白酒中的各种香味成分进行定性和定量分析。结果表明,定性、定量出70多种风味化合物,包括25种酯类、13种酸类、10种醇类、5种醛类、1种酮类、10种芳香族及酚类、5种呋喃类、2种吡嗪类、2种缩醛类物质和1种硫化物。(晓文)     

Honey melanoidins: Analysis of the compositions of the high molecular weight melanoidins exhibiting radical-scavenging activity

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) and activity-guided fractionation of honeys allowed the isolation of high molecular weight brown compounds, ranging in size from 66 to 235 kDa that exhibited peroxyl radical-scavenging activity. Their concentrations, antioxidant activity and degree of browning increased after heat-treatment of honeys, suggesting that they represent melanoidins. Chemical analysis of melanoidins demonstrated the presence of proteins, polyphenols and oligosaccharides. Heat-treatment caused an increased incorporation of phenolics into high molecular weight melanoidins and drastically decreased the protein content in these fractions with a concomitant appearance of high molecular weight protein–polyphenol complexes of reduced solubility. LC–ESI–MS demonstrated the presence of oligosaccharide moieties, supporting the postulated origin of melanoidins. The changes in the phenolic content of melanoidins from heated honeys were strongly correlated with their oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values (R = 0.75, p < 0.0001), indicating that polyphenols contribute to the antioxidant activity of melanoidins. In summary, honey melanoidins are multi-component polymers consisting of protein–polyphenol–oligosaccharide complexes. A direct interaction between polyphenols and melanoidins resulted in a loss or gain of function for melanoidin antioxidant activity.     

Plasticizers in total diet samples, baby food and infant formulae

The plasticizers di-n-butylphthalate (DBP), butylbenzylphthalate (BBP), di-2-(ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and di-2-(ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA) were analysed in 29 total diet samples, in 11 samples of baby food and in 11 samples of infant formulae. In all of the total diet samples the presence of one or more of the plasticizers was demonstrated. Maximum and minimum mean concentrations in the total diet samples were: 0.09-0.19mg DBP/kg, 0.017-0.019mg BBP/kg, 0.11-0.18mg DEHP/kg and 0.13-0.14mg DEHA/kg. One or more of the phthalates was also found in about 50% of the samples of baby food as well as in infant formulae. The calculated mean maximum intakes of the individual compounds from the total diet samples were below 10% of the restrictions proposed by the EU Scientific Committee for Food (SCF), and the spread in individual intakes was considerable. DEHP was the plasticizer determined most frequently and contributed the highest fraction of its tolerable daily intake (TDI). Hence, the maximum calculated intake of DEHP from single samples of the foodstuffs analysed could be up to one-third of the TDI. The calculated mean intake of DEHA was about 1% of the TDI with a maximum value of 13% of the TDI. Violations of the restrictions proposed by the EU Scientific Committee for Food (SCF) in the form of TDI values or specific migration limits were not found in this investigation.     

Depth of concussion in cattle shot by penetrating captive bolt

The prevalence of shallow depth of concussion following captive bolt shooting was assessed in 1608 cattle at an abattoir. Depth of concussion was determined in each animal from physical collapse, presence or absence of corneal reflex, normal rhythmic breathing, eyeball rotation, and whether the animal was re-shot. The presence of nystagmus and the absence of tongue protrusion were also monitored as potential indicators of a shallow depth of concussion, and simultaneous noise measurements assessed whether loudness of gun discharge was linked to concussion depth. The prevalence of a shallow depth of concussion was 8% for all cattle and 15% for young bulls. Nystagmus was associated with other indicators of a shallow depth of concussion. Absence of tongue protrusion was not associated with depth of concussion, but could serve as a useful indicator of jaw relaxation and insensibility following exsanguination. Soft-sounding shots (111 dB) when using 4.5 gr cartridges were associated with shallow depth of concussion.     

Brewing and brewing research: past,present and future

Whilst remaining largely traditional in approach, malting and brewing have become highly efficient processes through a substantial understanding of their underpinning science. Technological change in the industry is driven by four criteria: cost reduction, quality enhancement, maintenance of safety and wholesomeness and opportunity for enhanced sales. Whilst there are some opportunities for cost reductions by savings on raw materials, the major cost components in brewing involve production and packaging. Hence the focus is on energy reduction, maximising vessel utilisation and use of automated control strategies. There is scope in the future for production of beer by novel approaches, involving downstream establishment of quality parameters, though this is likely to be resisted. Quality of beer embraces both package and product. The shift towards enhanced use of non‐returnable green or clear glass has focused attention on eliminating undesirable lightstruck characters from the product as well as the use of oxygen‐scavenging crown corks to minimise the development of stale characters due to carbonyl‐containing substances. There is an increased understanding of how to control the various species that primarily determine the flavour of fresh beer, including sulphur‐containing substances, esters, higher alcohols, vicinal diketones and the bitter resin and oil fractions from hops. The achievement of stable foam on beer is dependent on the presence of foam‐stabilising components, principally amphipathic polypeptides, but is determined by the physical behaviour of bubbles, notably the phenomenon of disproportionation. Malt and beer are at risk over a range of safety issues, but all can be avoided through attention to raw material selection and processing conditions. Moderate consumption of beer is now considered to be potentially beneficial. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

39—THE FLOW OF LIQUID FROM A JET THROUGH A COMPRESSIBLE POROUS LAYER. PART III: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LIQUID FLOW THROUGH A COMPRESSIBLE LAYER OF LOOSE WOOL

The effects on the conditions of flow of the surface and configurational properties of the fibres in a compressible porous layer are discussed. The characteristics of a layer of wool are evaluated, and its compressibility is determined. It is shown that, when a liquid of initial uniform pressure flows through a compressible porous medium, the pressure gradient within the medium increases with the distance of flow. The resulting pressure drop is found to depend on a function of the ratio of the downstream to the upstream porosity of the compressible medium. Experimental results are reported for permeable flow through various layers of loose wool; these indicate that, when the flow is disturbed turbulent, the pressure drop through the layers is proportional to the square of the filter velocity. This result is not readily apparent from the graphs of pressure drop against filter velocity because of the compressibility of the fibres.     

21—THE ACETYLATION OF COTTON

An account is given of a study of the effect of the amount of activating agent, the temperature, the catalyst, and the diluents used in the acetylation of cotton with perchloric acid as catalyst. Sulphuric acid was compared with perchloric acid as a catalyst. The effects of traces of water, the amount of acetyl chloride, and the rate of acetylation were studied in the acetylation of cotton with acetyl chloride and pyridine. The conditions in all cases were such that the acetylated cotton retained its fibrous form.     

Headspace solid‐phase microextraction analysis of artificial flavors

Using a non‐equilibrated solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique, differentiation between a wide variety of types and examples of artificial flavors has been demonstrated. Addition of an internal standard to the samples, as received, allowed for the calculation of yields on a µg g^?1 basis for the majority of headspace volatiles. The relative standard deviation values expressed as percentages were between 3 and 5%. The precise nature of the approach coupled with the compound identification capacity of the mass spectrometer afforded the capability to easily differentiate between multiple sources of artificial flavors. With a total analysis time of approximately 30 min and the absence of solvent, this approach has the capability of detecting and quantifying the presence of the low‐molecular‐weight solvents often used in the preparation of artificial flavors. Such a capability represents a distinct advantage over more conventional methods of solvent dilution. Results from conventional gas chromatography/mass selective detector analyses are contrasted and compared with the results obtained from the headspace SPME approach. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Dietary compounds as modulators of metals and metalloids toxicity

A large part of the population is exposed to metals and metalloids through the diet. Most of the in vivo studies on its toxicokinetics and toxicity are conducted by means of exposure through drinking water or by intragastric or intraperitoneal administration of aqueous standards, and therefore they do not consider the effect of the food matrix on the exposure. Numerous studies show that some components of the diet can modulate the toxicity of these food contaminants, reducing their effect on a systemic level. Part of this protective role may be due to a reduction of intestinal absorption and subsequent tissue accumulation of the toxic element, although it may also be a consequence of their ability to counteract the toxicity directly by their antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory activity, among other factors. The present review provides a compilation of existing information about the effect that certain components of the diet have on the toxicokinetics and toxicity of the metals and metalloids of greatest toxicological importance that are present in food (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury), and of their most toxic chemical species.     

SOME RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE PROTEIN NITROGEN OF BARLEY AND THE PRODUCTION OF AMYLOLYTIC ENZYMES DURING MALTING

Barleys studied (Chariot and Delibes) contained different levels of extractable β-amylase enzymes. The potential levels of β-amylase enzymes of the two varieties studied were similar at 1.4 to 1.7% total nitrogen. Higher values of potential β-amylase enzyme were observed in the Delibes barley of higher total nitrogen of 1.9%. The higher level of β-amylase found in the barleys with the highest total nitrogen was not reflected in the protein banding patterns as revealed by SDS-PAGE protein fractionation. Extraction of barley proteins was largely influenced by the different extractants used. The alcohol soluble proteins, M_r 97 kDa (D-hordeins), were only extracted when mercaptoethanol was included in the extracting solution. Although barleys with the highest nitrogen (1.9%) had the highest apparent potential to develop β-amylase enzymes, the better modified low nitrogen barleys produced higher levels of β-amylase and α-amylase when malted. Dehusking revealed that the high nitrogen barleys contained more steely grains. In contrast, the low nitrogen barleys contained more mealy grains. Steely grains contained more nitrogen than mealy grains and had the greater potential to develop β-amylase. Notwithstanding, the results of this study suggested that the proteins of the lower nitrogen barleys (1.4–1.7%) were capable of producing higher levels of β-amylase and α-amylase than the higher nitrogen barleys (1.9%) over comparable periods of malting. The high apparent β-amylase potential of the barley was linked to high nitrogen levels and associated high levels of steeliness, whilst the corresponding high β-amylase levels of malt were linked to the efficiency of endosperm modification of the malted grain.