The use of TIC’s as a managing tool for traceability in the food industry

Food safety has become an important food quality attribute. Both food industry and authorities need to be able to trace back and to authenticate food products and raw materials used for food production to comply with legislation and to meet the food safety and food quality requirements.PaniGest is a user-friendly computer package designed to manage traceability and help in the quality control and production improvement. This application was developed in Visual Basic language over an SQL database and its main features are: to register quality control parameters of raw materials, in-course products and final products; to manage reception, production and expedition orders; to analyse production costs, productivity, raw materials and products’ consumptions; to trace products during the food chain. It runs on a personal computer over Windows 95/98 or Windows 2000/XP operating system. The program also uses common Internet Browsers to make information available to users.     

Development of a high energy biscuit for use as a food supplement in disaster relief

International aid agencies undertake supplementary feeding programmes following disasters in order to alleviate or prevent protein energy malnutrition. The associated problems include lack of facilities for preparation and distribution of food on site and food hygiene dangers. In response to these factors a biscuit of high calorific value and acceptable organoleptic qualities has been developed. It is currently being used by Oxfam as part of their disaster relief programme in Ethiopia.     

Assessment of a mobile phone for use as a spectroscopic analytical tool for foods and beverages

A mobile phone was used to perform optical analyses of foods and beverages. The phone’s screen served as illumination source and front view camera recorded images. Reflected intensities were used to discriminate between the different samples analysed by principal component analysis. Samples studied illustrated the technique’s potential analytical capabilities with respect to adulteration and authenticity. Three coloured additives (red, green and blue) in the concentration range 2–10 mg L^?1 in a lemon lime beverage were discriminated. Adulteration by up to 25% water of milk with 3% fat content was detected with an estimated detection limit of about 3% water. Changes occurring on a green onion surface over a 48‐h ageing period at room temperature were monitored. Five different cuts from lamb carcasses weighing 9 and 14 kg were classified by the method. Considerable additional work with regard to sampling, data treatment and quantifying results is necessary before the goal of using the technique as a point‐of‐purchase analytical tool can be realised.     

Sensitivity and specificity of a short questionnaire for food insecurity surveillance in Iran

BACKGROUND: Food insecurity is frequent in both developed and developing countries, affecting from 5% to 25% of the general population. It has considerable health impacts on the physical, social, and psychological status of individuals in communities suffering from food insecurity. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document the epidemiologic features of food insecurity in the northwest region of Iran and to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a short-form (six items) questionnaire for screening of food insecurity in the region. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 subjects (132 male and 168 female) selected randomly in the Asadabadi area of the northwest of Iran. Information on food consumption was obtained by a 24-hour food-recall questionnaire for 3 days in a week. This information was compared with the data from the Household Food Security Scale (six-item short questionnaire) to assess the applicability of this short scale for the surveillance of food insecurity. Hunger was defined as inadequate intake of energy. Hidden hunger was defined as adequate intake of energy and inadequate intake of one (or more) of four key nutrients (protein, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B2). RESULTS: The prevalence of hunger and hidden hunger in the area according to the 24-hour food-recall questionnaire was 26% and 42%, respectively. Only 32% of the study population was secure in terms of having access to all key nutrients. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the short questionnaire for screening for hunger in the population were 98.7%, 85.5%, and 89%, respectively; and the corresponding values for hidden hunger were 23.5%, 96.9%, and 56.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that food insecurity is prevalent in the northwest of Iran. The short questionnaire (six items) may be used as a simple, low-cost, rapid, and useful tool for the screening of food insecurity and energy intake in similar areas.     

Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in ice cream for use as a probiotic food.

Probiotic ice cream was made by fermenting a standard ice cream mix with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum cultures and then freezing the mix in a batch freezer. Survival of the L. acidophilus and B. bifidum, as well as beta-galactosidase activity, was monitored during 17 wk of frozen storage at -29 degrees C. After freezing of the fermented mix, bacterial counts were 1.5 x 10(8) cfu/ml for L. acidophilus and 2.5 x 10(8) cfu/ml for B. bifidum. Seventeen weeks after freezing, these counts had decreased to 4 x 10(6) and 1 x 10(7) cfu/ml, respectively. During the same period, beta-galactosidase activity decreased from 1800 to 1300 units/ml. Probiotic ice cream was prepared at pH 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0 to determine consumer preferences and was compared with standard Utah State University "Aggie" ice cream. All samples were strawberry-flavored and were evaluated by 88 judges. The preferred pH of probiotic ice cream, based on overall acceptance, was pH 5.5. We demonstrated that probiotic ice cream is a suitable vehicle for delivering beneficial microorganisms such as L. acidophilus and B. bifidum to consumers. The bacteria can be grown to high numbers in ice cream mix and remain viable during frozen storage.     

Swab-based enzyme immunoassay system for detection of meat residues on food contact surfaces as a hygiene monitoring tool.

An enzyme immunoassay system based on the use of a macroporous swab as a solid phase for the capture and subsequent immunoenzymatic detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from meat residues on food contact surfaces was developed as a hygiene-monitoring tool. Moistened polyester swabs coated with anti-bovine or anti-chicken IgG were rubbed on the test surface, and the captured IgG was subsequently detected directly on the swabs by brief sequential reactions with anti-bovine or anti-chicken IgG-peroxidase conjugate and chromogenic peroxidase substrate.     

Yield gap of cassava crop as a measure of food security - an example for the main Brazilian producing regions

Cassava is a crop of major importance for family agriculture in Brazil and around the world, with its yield varying considerably among different producing regions. The aim of the present study was to assess the yields of cassava roots and the yield gaps in the main Brazilian producing regions, to propose strategies for reducing such gaps and thereby to improve food security. For this, potential and attainable cassava yields were evaluated in 13 major producing regions of the country over the last 24 years. Yield gaps caused by water deficit (YG_WD) and crop management (YG_CM) were determined, using potential and attainable yields obtained by means of a calibrated and validated Agroecological Zone crop simulation model along with actual yield data. The locations in the Northern region of the country had the lowest climatic risk for cassava production, but the lowest agronomic efficiency (44.1%). Sites located in the Northeast region had a YG_WD of 34.1 t ha^?1, with the highest climatic risk. The South-Central region showed good climatic and agronomic efficiencies. Based on our assessment, the main strategies for reducing cassava yield gaps are: setting up the planting dates based on a zoning approach to climatic risk; use of fertilizers, pesticides and green manures; use of drought tolerant genotypes; improvement of soil profiles; and, where possible, irrigation. All of these tools may be employed to reduce yield gaps in order to make the cassava crop more resilient to climate variability in Brazil.     

Potential of front face fluorescence as a monitoring tool of neoformed compounds in industrially processed carrot baby food

The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of using front face fluorescence (FFF) to monitor the impact of industrial process on carrot baby food, and to calibrate their content in neoformed compounds (NFC). Chromatographically measured NFC included furosine, carboxymethyllysine, and furan. The effect of using different raw material, fresh carrots, frozen cubes or pasteurized puree on NFC content in the resultant sterilized puree was also tested. Bidimensional FFF spectra acquired on the samples were decomposed using multiway PARAFAC model and used to predict the chromatographically measured NFC. FFF PARAFAC sample intensities systematically evolved with successive industrial process steps. The levels of NFC increased the most during heat treatment operations. Frozen cubes resulted in the purees with the lowest content in NFC, compared to fresh or pasteurized carrot cubes. Satisfactory calibration models (R² > 0.94) of the chromatographically measured NFC were obtained using FFF PARAFAC sample intensities as predictors. The multivariate regression models root mean square of cross validation for furosine, carboxymethyllysine, and furan were 3.98 mg/kg, 1.38 mg/kg and 5.23 µg/kg, respectively. From these first results we conclude that FFF is a promising tool to monitor fast and easily vegetable processing in a quality control approach.     

Microstructure and nutrient composition of hairless canary seed and its potential as a blending flour for food use

Canary seed is a true cereal with unique composition. The current study employed light and fluorescence microscopy to visualise starch, protein, phenolics and phytate in hairless canary seed (CDC Maria), a cultivar developed potentially for food use. Macronutrients, minerals and vitamins were evaluated in the developed cultivar and compared with a commercial hairy canary seed, cv. Keet. A control common wheat, cv. Katepwa, was grown adjacent to the canary seed varieties. The compositions of the two canary seed varieties were found to be similar with an average of 55.8 g/100 g of starch, 23.7% g/100 g of protein, 7.9% of crude fat, 7.3 g/100 g of total dietary fibre, 1.8 g/100 g of soluble sugar and 2.3 g/100 g of total ash in the whole grain. Regardless of the milling fraction (whole grain flour, white flour or bran), canary seed had more protein and crude fat and less starch, total dietary fibre and soluble sugar than had wheat. It also had higher concentrations of several minerals and vitamins than did wheat. The structure of the canary seed grain exhibited compound starch granules and protein bodies embedded in a protein matrix similar to that of the oat kernel. Baking tests showed that bread made with 100% hairless canary seed flour was significantly lower in loaf volume and crust and crumb colour than was wheat bread. However, bread with loaf volume, specific volume and crust colour comparable to those of the bread control was achieved by using up to 25% of hairless canary seed or 15% of roasted canary seed flour, thus demonstrating its potential for food applications.     

The use of transgenic yeasts expressing a gene encoding a glycosyl-hydrolase as a tool to increase resveratrol content in wine

Resveratrol, a phenolic compound produced in grapes, exhibits properties that may contribute to the reduction of the incidence of coronary heart disease and other human health related processes. Recombinant yeast strains expressing the Aspergillus niger abfB gene encoding an alpha-L-arabinofuranosidase or the Candida molischiana bgIN gene encoding a beta-glucosidase have been used in vinifications as tools to increase the resveratrol content of white wine. Glycosylated resveratrol isomers (trans- and cis-piceid) and free resveratrol isomers (trans- and cis-resveratrol) were detected and quantified in white wines. Wines fermented with the strain expressing BgiN showed an increased amount of total resveratrol derivatives, particularly the non-glycosylated forms.     

The use of immuno-magnetic separation (IMS) as a tool in a sample preparation method for direct detection of L. monocytogenes in cheese

A sample preparation procedure was developed for direct detection of L. monocytogenes in cheese. The sample preparation protocol consisted of a 10-fold dilution and homogenization, a centrifugation step to precipitate large food particles, passage of the supernatant over a sieve and through a separatory funnel to further eliminate food particles and fat, a centrifugation step to recover the bacterial pellet and finally enzymatic digestion of the suspension to degrade the remaining small food particles. Recovery of L. monocytogenes was confirmed by plating on Oxford medium and confirmation of suspected colonies. This protocol enabled direct detection (without prior enrichment) of low numbers of L. monocytogenes (0.5-1.5 cfu/g cheese) from different types of cheese. The performance of Dynabeads Anti-Listeria (Dynal, Oslo, Norway) for selective recovery of L. monocytogenes and their applicability in the above mentioned procedure for direct detection of low numbers of L. monocytogenes from cheese was evaluated. IMS could not separate and recover L. monocytogenes from the food particles in the concentrated suspension. The use of IMS after a 24 h enrichment procedure (as recommended by the manufacturer) allowed for the detection of low numbers of L. monocytogenes (< 10 cfu/g). However, experiments in broth cultures showed that although the detection limit of IMS with Dynabeads Anti-Listeria was 40-100 cfu/ml, the ratio of L. monocytogenes to non-Listeria flora was not increased. Thus, selective enrichment or concentration of L. monocytogenes was not obtained.     

Growth and survival of Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 in yogurt for use as a functional food

Both Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 are considered probiotic agents with therapeutic properties. To prepare mother cultures for these organism bacteria, four formulations were made with milk (1% fat) with 0.33% yeast extract (T1); 0.4% inulin (T2); 0.33% yeast extract and 0.4% inulin (T3); and one with no additives (T4). The media were inoculated with 1% probiotic cultures and incubated anaerobically at 37 °C overnight. Low-fat (1%) probiotic yogurts were made. Survival of L. reuteri RC-14 and L. rhamnosus GR-1 was monitored after 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days of storage at 4 °C. In all treatments, L. rhamnosus GR-1 survived significantly better (P < 0.05) than L. reuteri RC-14. Survival was highest in media T1 and T3. This study shows that yogurt has the potential to deliver probiotic bacteria to consumers, with L. rhamnosus GR-1 providing excellent shelf life.Industrial relevanceThis study is of relevance to food industry because it deals with the effectiveness of dairy products as a good-vehicle for delivering probiotic microorganisms to consumers. The fermentation of milk into yogurt has gained widespread consumer acceptance in North America and its consumption has increased significantly over the past few years. The normal yogurt cultures, Lactobacillus delbreukii sub-species bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, are not bile resistant or acid tolerant and thus cannot survive in the intestinal tract, although they may help to lessen the symptoms of lactose intolerance. Various strains of lactic acid bacteria are considered probiotics. Two of the most documented probiotic strains, Lactobacillus reuteri (formerly fermentum) RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 can colonize the intestine and vagina and reduce recurrences of bacterial vaginosis, yeast vaginitis and urinary tract infections. They are bile resistant and survive passage through the human gastrointestinal tract without induction of systemic immune or inflammatory responses. There is no published information on the growth and survival of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 in yogurt. The incorporation of L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 in yogurt is an innovative idea. This research developed a new probiotic yogurt with sufficient viable counts of L. rhamnosus GR-1 accompanied by L. reuteri RC-14. The use of probiotic bacteria, especially those with proven therapeutic effects, in dairy products has attracted a lot of attention from dairy industry and health/wellness industry, and this type of product can provide a bridge between the two industries.     

食品应用新酶源-极端酶

与目前食品工业生产中应用的酶相比，极端酶有其独特的生物催化功能。本系统综述了极端酶的特性及耐受机制，概括了它近十年来在食品工业应用中的研究进展。     

Principal Component Analysis as an exploration tool for kinetic modeling of food quality: A case study of a dried apple cluster snack

A Multivariate Accelerated shelf-life Testing (MALST) study of a dried apple cereal-like snack (commercially known as cluster) stored at 18 °C, 25 °C or 35 °C for 17.5 months was conducted. The measured attributes were water activity (Aw), color DE, moisture and sensory properties (aroma, taste, texture and color). The data were deployed to adjust the multivariate kinetics (including the interactions of the attributes) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and the results were compared to those obtained using a univariate kinetic model. The predicted shelf-life for the reference storage condition obtained using the multivariate model was 18.3 months, whereas a predicted shelf-life of 15.6 months was obtained using the univariate model. Thus, although the results of both methods are similar, the multivariate kinetic model revealed all of the product shelf-life attributes and their interactions. Finally, the multivariate model reflected the variability of the biochemical phenomena underlying product degradation.     

Fluorescence polarization as a tool for the determination of deoxynivalenol in wheat.

The mould Fusarium graminearum is found worldwide as a pathogen of cereal grains, in particular of wheat and maize, and it produces a mycotoxin known as deoxynivalenol (DON or vomitoxin). Each year, the presence of this compound and related trichothecenes causes substantial losses to agricultural productivity. Rapid methods for the measurement of the toxin in grains are required to monitor and divert effectively contaminated grain from the food supply. A fluorescence polarization (FP) immunoassay using a previously described monoclonal antibody for DON was developed. The assay was based on the competition of unlabeled DON from a sample with a fluorescently tagged DON, DON-fluorescein (DON-FL), for a DON-specific monoclonal antibody in solution. The FP of the tagged DON was increased upon binding with the antibody. In the presence of free toxin, less of the DON-FL was bound and the polarization signal was decreased. The assays were very simple to perform, requiring only mixing of an aqueous extract of wheat with the DON-FL and antibody. The sensitivity of the assay was strongly dependent upon the time between mixing of the sample with the tracer and measurement of the fluorescence polarization, with midpoints for the competition curves ranging from 0.03 microg ml(-1) with a 15-s incubation to >1 microg ml(-1) with a 12-min incubation. Samples of wheat naturally contaminated with DON were evaluated by FP and by an HPLC-UV method, with a good correlation (r2 = 0.97). Although the FP method tended to overestimate DON slightly in the wheat samples, by approxiamtely 20%, the assay was easy to use and very useful for the screening of wheat.     

Determination of quantitative food consumption levels for use in microbial risk assessments: cheddar cheese as an example

Microbial risk assessment (MRA) is becoming increasingly used in the management of food safety because it can be used to quantify risks and help rank intervention strategies. The exposure assessment components of the assessments have become complex with many aspects of the contamination, survival, and growth of a pathogen in a food being taken into consideration. Insufficient consumption data constitutes an important data gap and consequently one of many sources of uncertainty in MRA even though the effects of uncertainty are smaller than those affecting bacterial concentration in foods. Therefore, food consumption data also play an important role in exposure assessment of MRA. In the United States, there are large-scale, nationwide sets of consumption data available for use in MRA, i.e., the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Newly released dietary interview data in the NHANES 2001 to 2002 survey show that it has been redesigned and that the data were sufficiently updated from previous versions to have more value for MRAs. We propose a model that can effectively use the new data sets and be incorporated into MRAs, using as an example consumption of Cheddar cheese/American-type cheese. This model included the prevalence of food eaten as well as the amount and frequency. We determined the amount of Cheddar/American cheese consumed per day with probability distribution (e.g., lognormal distribution). These could be further determined by gender, age, pregnancy, and combination food type, which we plan to do in the future. The frequency of the range of serving numbers for Cheddar/American cheese consumed per person per day and prevalence as the proportion of a population (e.g., survey respondents) eating a certain food in a day are also presented. Unlike traditional published mean values, the results of this model provide probability distribution intakes that can be compared with mean and median intakes. This allows values in the upper percentiles to be considered for inclusion in MRAs. We believe this simulation model can be adapted with different variables applicable to different foods, pathogens, and specific health risk population groups.     

UHPLC as a suitable methodology for the analysis of carotenoids in food matrix

The purpose of this paper was to optimize an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method for the determination and quantification of carotenoid pigments in food products and compare it with a HPLC method in terms of resolution, selectivity, sensitivity, time and reagent saving. Less analysis times, solvent consumption and better peak resolution were achieved when the UHPLC methodology was used. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography analysis was performed on Zorbax Eclipse Plus C18 column (2.1?×?50?mm; 1.8?μm) using a gradient solvent system and diode array detector. A total of seven carotenoids were separated and quantified in <8.5?min. For all components, the resolution was higher than 1.5 and LOD was below 1.0?μg?mL^?1. To determine the intraday and reproducibility, assays were conducted in 10 continuous days for method validation achieving recuperation rates ranging between 85 and 100?% and no significant differences among the results obtained in same and different days. The proposed methodology was applied for the determination of the carotenoid contents in honeybee pollen samples, pumpkin and nectarine flesh with satisfactory recovery.     

Mid-infrared spectroscopy as a tool for rapid determination of internal quality parameters in tomato

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of predicting the quality parameters of tomato by mid-infrared spectroscopy. For 2 years, tomato samples, representing a large variability in the chemical composition, were scanned using the attenuated total reflectance accessory of a Fourier transform spectrometer in the wavenumber region between 4000 and 400 cm⁻¹_. Calibration models were developed using partial least squares (PLS) regression method and were tested with internal validation sample set in the first year. Different spectral preprocessing techniques were investigated and different spectral regions were selected to optimise the calibration models. In addition, the models obtained in 2007 were used to predict the soluble solids, dry matter and total acidity in tomato harvested in 2008.     

31P MAS NMR: a useful tool for the evaluation of VX natural weathering in various urban matrixes

The fate of chemical warfare agent VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate) in various urban matrixes was monitored utilizing 31P MAS NMR. Chosen matrixes represent buildings, roads, pavement, and earth found in urban environments. In view of the high toxicity of VX, solid state NMR afforded a fairly safe experimental mode, omitting any chance for evaporation. Moreover, due to the nondestructive nature of these experiments, measurements could be repeated over and over using the same samples. Degradation rates of VX were obtained and compared to provide a list of relative reactivity toward VX: concrete > desert sand > beach sand > asphalt approximately to bitumen sheet. Chemical interactions between VX, its degradation products, and the matrixes were often expressed by widening of the peaks to the extent that mass balance could not be achieved. It is noteworthy that these experiments were usually carried out on crushed or milled specimens, allowing high reactivity and rapid reactions.     

The red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum allows for the convenient determination of fitness and survival as a measure of toxic effects of the food contaminant acrylamide

Acrylamide is a toxic ingredient generated as a by-product of the Maillard reaction in starchy foods processed at temperatures above 120°C. Here we used the red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum as a model organism to test the effects of acrylamide on fitness and survival. Beetles were fed on flour spiked with acrylamide between 0.5% and 10% at 32°C over 2 weeks. Fitness of the beetles was tested by measuring the running distance and survival was recorded after 2 weeks of feeding at increased temperatures at 42°C. Both parameters were dose-dependent reduced by acrylamide. Knockdown of gene homologues of ahr, the arylhydrocarbon receptor, and of nrf-2, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2, both reduced fitness and survival. Application of 0.5% acrylamide under knockdown of each factor further reduced fitness and survival, suggesting that ahr and nrf-2 are important for an adequate response to the toxicant. RNA-interference for ahr blocked completely the increase in nrf-2 mRNA levels, suggesting that the actions of ahr on acrylamide detoxification are mediated via Nrf-2.