Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide and nisin on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) and nisin on Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were evaluated. Changes in morphology, interior structure, and membrane permeability were analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and flow cytometry. Synergetic effects were found, especially in S. aureus. HPCD alone or with nisin led to morphological and intracellular alterations in both bacteria, but nisin alone led to these damages only in S. aureus. A positive correlation between membrane damage and inactivation was found, but ratios of inactivation were higher, probably because of viable but non-culturable state. Mechanisms were proposed for synergism: for E. coli, outer membrane was damaged first by HPCD, and then HPCD and nisin jointly acted on and destroyed the cytoplasmic membrane, leading to further intracellular damage by HPCD; for S. aureus, HPCD and nisin acted on the cytoplasmic membrane together leading to cell death.Industrial RelevanceEscherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus are two common microorganisms, which exist widely in the environment and easily contaminate food such as vegetables and dairy products, respectively. Considering heat treatment may destroy some heat-sensitive quality of the products, this study evaluated synergetic effects of high-pressure carbon dioxide (HPCD) combined with the bacteriocin nisin. The investigations provided evidence for potentially combined application of HPCD and nisin to help keep food safe in the industry.     

Quality assurance in pepper and orange juice blend treated by high pressure processing and high temperature short time

The impact of mixing ratio of pepper juice/orange juice (v/v) at 1:5, 1:2, 1:1, 1:0.5 and 1:0.2 on sensory attributes of pepper and orange juice blend (POJB) was studied, and the ratio of 1:0.5 achieved the highest ratings in mouthfeel and overall acceptability and was chosen for the following study. Effects of high pressure processing (HPP, 550 MPa, 5 min, ambient temperature) and high temperature short time (HTST, 110 °C, 8.6 s) on quality attributes of the POJBs were compared. Reduction of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and molds and yeasts (M&Y) in the POJBs was > 4 log cycles after HPP and HTST, and the two POJBs were microbiologically safe during the whole refrigerated storage. The color, flavor, appearance, mouthfeel and overall acceptability of HPP-treated POJB were closer to untreated POJB than the HTST-treated one. After 25 days, 77.3% and 75.3% of total phenols content, 90.8% and 90.7% of ascorbic acid, and more than 80% of antioxidant capacity in two POJBs were retained, respectively. Particle size distribution (PSD) of HPP-treated POJB was consistent with untreated POJB (1 ~ 76 μm, 3 peaks at 4.2, 17, 52 μm), while HTST changed the PSD (1 to 33 μm, 2 peaks at 2.4 and 17 μm). Higher level of sedimentation in HPP-treated POJB during storage was interpreted by higher residual PME activity (67.0%) and larger and more unstable pulp particles. The POJBs behaved as Newtonian fluids, their viscosity right after processing were ranked as HPP > untreated > HTST, and the values were slightly reduced during storage.Industrial RelevanceThis study was intended to develop yellow sweet pepper and orange juice blend (POJB), which are not available on the market. Further this study was also intended to explore the application of high pressure processing (HPP) and high temperature short time (HTST) on quality assurance of the POJB. This study would provide technical support for commercialization of juice blend products treated by high pressure.     

High pressure CO2 reduces the wet heat resistance of Bacillus subtilis spores by perturbing the inner membrane

Spores of wild-type Bacillus subtilis PS533 were treated by wet heat at 75 °C for 30 min, and high pressure CO₂ (HPCD) at 6.5 MPa and 30 °C or 75 °C for 30 min. The spores were analyzed for wet heat resistance (85 °C, 90 °C, 95 °C) and typical germination events including DPA release and cortex hydrolysis, inner membrane permeability, and germination triggered by nutrient (L-valine and AGFK) or non-nutrient (dodecylamine and high pressure at 150 MPa or 550 MPa) germinants. The results showed that (i) HPCD-treated spores exhibited reduced wet heat resistance compared to the untreated or wet heat-treated spores; (ii) HPCD-treated spores did not undergo typical germination events such as DPA release or cortex hydrolysis compared to normally germinated spores; (iii) HPCD-treated spores released more metal ions and exhibited decreased ability to maintain DPA, indicating that the permeability of inner membrane of HPCD-treated spores was increased; (iv) HPCD-treated spores exhibited reduced germination rate when triggered by L-valine or 150 MPa, but increased germination rate when triggered by dodecylamine or 550 MPa, suggesting that the fluidity of the inner membrane of HPCD-treated spores might be increased. These results indicated that HPCD could reduce the wet heat resistance of spores, and this resistance decrease was probably due to the modification of the inner membrane caused by HPCD.Industrial relevanceThe extremely high wet heat resistance of spores makes them a significant problem in the thermal processing of foods. Thus, it of great interest to develop a process to reduce the wet heat resistance of spores. In this work, we found that HPCD can significantly reduce the wet heat resistance of B. subtilis spores, and this was achieved by perturbing the inner membrane of spores. These results can improve our understanding of the inactivation mechanism of spores by HPCD, and also provide an alternative approach for spore inactivation in foods.     

A computer-based trigger system for a laser induced plasma spectrometer

A computer-based trigger system making use of the IBM PC/AT printer port is devised for a laser induced plasma spectrometer. This system synchronizes the generation of photon pulses from an excimer laser and the data capture of emission spectra by a spectrometer. The LIP spectrometer thus devised has been applied successfully to detect weak emission signals from the iodine atom of selected chemicals.     

蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留的膳食暴露与 风险评估

目的为明确蔬菜中植物生长调节剂(plant growth regulator,PGR)残留的风险,对蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留量实行监测并进行风险评估。方法整合3年的市场监测数据,利用农药残留专家联席会议(JMPR)农药急性膳食风险摄入量计算方法和@risk定量风险评估专用软件,对我国各类人群蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留膳食摄入风险进行评估。结果蔬菜中植物生长调节剂的残留量较低,为0.0109~0.182 mg/kg,辣椒中主要检出矮壮素和甲哌啶残留,番茄中主要检出2,4-滴残留,马铃薯中主要检出甲哌啶和矮壮素残留;短期膳食摄入结果显示,辣椒、番茄和马铃薯3个蔬菜品种消费带来的有检出PGR残留短期膳食摄入量在0.0957~11.0?g/(kg bw·d),仅占其急性参考剂量的0.0319%~22.0%,急性风险较低。结论蔬菜中植物生长调节剂残留膳食摄入风险虽在不同蔬菜品种、不同风险因子和不同人群之间有差异,但整体风险水平不高,均在可接受范围内。     

Determination of Cd in food using an electrothermal vaporization capacitively coupled plasma microtorch optical emission microspectrometer: Compliance with European legislation and comparison with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A precise, accurate and sensitive method based on electrothermal vaporization capacitively coupled plasma microtorch optical emission spectrometry for Cd determination in various dietary products was developed. The instrumentation is inexpensive as it includes a low power (15 W) and low argon consumption (150 ml min⁻¹) microplasma connected to a small-sized Rh electrothermal vaporization device and a low resolution microspectrometer. The sample was subjected to microwave assisted digestion in HNO₃ – H₂O₂ mixture and Cd was determined in 10 μl sample without preconcentration. The standard addition method was used to compensate for the non-spectral matrix effects. The new method was in-house validated by analyzing certified reference materials and test dietary samples for which the Cd maximum level was established in Commission Regulation 488/2014/EU. The figures of merit of the proposed method and the experimental results were compared to those obtained in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry as standardized method and discussed in relation with the requirements in the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC and Commission Regulations 2011/836/EU and 2007/333/EC. The limit of detection in fresh sample (0.001–0.009 mg kg⁻¹), limit of quantification (0.002–0.018 mg kg⁻¹), recovery (103 ± 15%), trueness (−3.0)–(+7.3)% and precision (0.8–14.0%) were similar to those found in the reference method and comply with the minimal criteria imposed to a method to be used in official laboratories for Cd determination in food. Precision for Cd determination close to maximum admitted levels or higher was of 0.8–6.0%, while for lower concentration in the range 4.0–14.0%. The Bland and Altman statistical test allowed successful evaluation of the new method as an alternative to the well established graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The proposed method has analytical potential and is easy to run, while the full miniaturized instrumentation could be considered as a useful tool for the future as an alternative to the traditional instrumentation.     

蔬菜中多效唑残留的膳食暴露与风险评估

多效唑是蔬菜种植中常用的延缓类生长调节剂。为明确蔬菜中多效唑残留的膳食摄入风险,开展了马铃薯、番茄和茄子3个蔬菜品种的规范残留试验和市场抽样监测,并基于以上数据对蔬菜中多效唑残留进行了膳食摄入慢性风险和急性风险评估,提出了蔬菜中多效唑的推荐MRL值。结果表明,蔬菜中多效唑的国家估计每日摄入量为0.040~0.21μg/(kg bw·d),仅占ADI的0.04%~0.21%,国家估计短期摄入量为0.070~0.95μg/(kg bw·d),仅占ARf D的0.07%~0.95%,基于规范残留试验和市场监测得到的评估结果相一致,蔬菜中多效唑残留对我国各类人群的膳食摄入慢性风险极低,急性风险水平虽在不同人群和不同蔬菜品种中有差异,但整体风险也非常低,均在可接受范围内;蔬菜中多效唑残留的建议MRL值为0.5 mg/kg,该值对我国各类人群多效唑暴露的保护水平为12.5~50倍。     

Aroma profile of a red plum purée processed by high hydrostatic pressure and analysed by SPME–GC/MS

The volatile profile of a plum purée processed by high pressure processing (HPP) was evaluated by the method of solid-phase micro-extraction gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME–GC/MS). Two pressure intensity levels and three holding times were applied (400 and 600 MPa for 1, 150 and 300 s). Processed purées were compared to raw purée (unprocessed purée). A total of 40 volatile compounds were identified in the headspace of the plum purée. The major compounds identified were an aldehyde (hexanal) and two alcohols (hexan-1-ol and (Z)-hex-3-en-1-ol). Among the total compounds isolated (40), 23 compounds were significantly influenced by HPP. The modifications of these 23 volatiles represented changes of the 1.8% of the total aroma of the original purée. Results showed that the most intense treatments did not significantly alter the original aroma of plum purée. Therefore, HPP appears to be an alternative technology for the preservation of aromatic compounds of plum purée.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure processing is one of the most successful technologies to obtain high-quality fruit purées. It is generally recognized that this treatment better preserves the original aroma of fruit. Two levels of pressure intensity and three holding times were applied (400 and 600 MPa for 1, 150 and 300 s) in order to know the effect of the treatments on the original aroma of plum. The combination of pressure and holding time did not affect the original aroma of plum. Results of this paper demonstrated that high-pressure processing preserves plum puree with a fresh-like aroma. On the other hand, a study of storage would be required to assess possible changes in the stability of the plum purée taking into account other parameters such as microbiological stability and inactivation of enzymes.     

Detection of addition of apple juice in purple grape juice

Due to increasing grape juice consumption, quality control is a reality in all countries which produce and consume this product. The most common form of adulteration is by substituting grape juice with apple juice. The adulterated samples can be identified by specific analysis, since apple juice has some compounds that grape has not. There are many studies about the phlorizin and sorbitol content in wines, but in grape juice they are scarce. Therefore, analytical methods to identify the composition of grape juices and determine their authenticity are needed to ensure quality control. The present study aimed to the validation and application of analytical methods for the determination of phlorizin and sorbitol, to detect the addition of apple juice in purple grape juice, by high-performance liquid chromatography. Initially, the methods were validated and tests were conducted by additions of percentages of apple juices in grape juices. Finally, experimental and commercial grape and apple juices were analyzed. Our study found that both methods are effective in detecting the addition of apple juice in grape juice. Four of the 39 commercial grape juices analyzed showed adulteration by the addition of apple juice in grape juice.     

Simultaneous determination of multi-class antibiotics and steroid hormones drugs in livestock and poultry faeces using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

ABSTRACT

A method for simultaneous determination of multi-class antibiotics and steroid hormone analysis in faeces of livestock and poultry was developed using liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF MS). An in-house database was built for 156 detected drugs using Personal Compound Database Library software (PCDL) including compound name, monoisotopic mass, chemical formula, RT, chemical structure and three CID MS/MS spectra. The linearity result showed that all the drugs exhibited good linearity with determination coefficients (R²) higher than 0.99. The drug recoveries and their RSDs for all three faeces samples (pig, cattle and chicken) were tested and 81, 96 and 92 drugs were chosen for analysis in pig, cattle and chicken faeces, respectively. Further validation showed that 73 veterinary drugs in all three kinds of faeces samples can be quantified in one analytical run. This work shows that qualitative and quantitative analysis using LC-QTOF MS represents a simple, sensitive, low-cost and high-throughput methodology in routine laboratory analyses.