Development of an Indirect Competitive ELISA for Analysis of Alternariol in Bread and Bran Samples

Alternariol (AOH) is one of the major mycotoxins produced by various species of Alternaria fungi. Natural occurrences of AOH have been reported in various foods, including fruits; processed fruit products such as apple juice, tomato products; wheat and other grains; oilseeds and products thereof, such as sunflower seeds, oilseed rape meal, and flax seed/linseed; and pecans. In this study, AOH-specific polyclonal antibodies were generated and developed an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) for monitoring AOH in bread and bran samples. The assay was very sensitive with a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.4?±?0.6 ng/g and a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 15.2?±?2.6 ng/g in bread and a LOD of 8.4?±?1.2 ng/g and IC₅₀ of 52.8?±?10.8 ng/g in bran extract. The assay was very specific to AOH and showed no cross-reactivity to alternariol monomethyl ether, altertoxin, altenuene, tentoxin, or tenuazonic acid. The effect of organic solvents on the assay was tested. The ELISA system tolerated methanol and acetonitrile as co-solvents at up to 5% content without significant loss of IC₅₀ value. Recoveries in all cases were greater than 75%, and the results using this method were comparable to those obtained from mass spectrometry methods. We conclude that this method is suitable for rapid detection of AOH in bread and bran samples, without expensive analytical equipment or time-consuming sample preparation.     

Aflatoxin B1 and sterigmatocystin in wheat and wheat products from supermarkets in China

Wheat is an important cereal but it is often contaminated with mycotoxins. The natural occurrence of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and sterigmatocystin (STC) was determined in 178 food samples (32 wheat samples and 146 wheat products) purchased from Chinese supermarkets. The methodology was validated, the wheat and wheat products samples were treated with a modified QuEChERS (quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe) and quantified by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). From these samples 18.8% of wheat and 8.2% of cracker samples were contaminated with AFB₁. Mean levels were 0.06 µg/kg and 0.05µg/kg, respectively. There was no AFB₁ contamination in white bread or whole meal bread. Meanwhile 53.1% of wheat, 59.2% of crackers, 20.8% of white bread and 16% of whole meal bread samples were contaminated with STC. The mean levels were 0.07, 0.79, 0.12 and 0.12 µg/kg respectively. Although the levels were low, this demonstrates the need for more comprehensive surveys for these two mycotoxins in wheat and wheat products from China.     

Studies on glass transition and starch re-crystallization in wheat bread during staling using electrical impedance spectroscopy

Bread staling is a very complex phenomenon that is not yet completely understood. The present work explains how the electrical impedance spectroscopy technique can be utilized to investigate the effect of staling on the physicochemical properties of wheat bread during storage. An instrument based on electrical impedance spectroscopy technique is developed to study the electrical properties of wheat bread both at its crumb and crust with the help of designed multi-channel ring electrodes. Electrical impedance behavior, mainly capacitance and resistance, of wheat bread at crust and crumb during storage (up to 120 h) is investigated. The variation in capacitance showed the glass transition phenomenon at room temperature in bread crust after 96 h of storage with 18% of moisture in it. The resistance changes at bread crumb showed the starch recrystallization during staling.Industrial relevanceSimultaneous measurement of moisture content, glass transition and starch recrystallization is possible with the designed instrument without disturbing the experimental set-up. Thus, the present work is going to help manufacturers and researchers to understand the bread staling phenomenon at crust and crumb without opting very complex instrumental procedures.     

Effect of Butternut (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret) Fibres on Bread Making, Quality and Staling

The effect of different enriched fibre products obtained from butternut (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne ex Poiret) on bread making and bread quality was evaluated through the study of bread yield, quality parameters (specific volume, crumb firmness, crumb and crust colour) and bread shelf life. Fractions tested were obtained from butternut mesocarp through ethanolic treatment (fraction AIR) or through dehydration (fraction S) or from the ethanolic treatment of peel (fraction C). These fractions were incorporated in a bread formula, at levels of 5, 10 and 15 g of fibre fraction per kilogram of wheat flour. The study of crumb through digital imaging and thermal analysis was also performed in order to better understand the effects observed. An important influence of water absorption kinetics and chemical composition of the fibre fractions studied was observed in the results obtained. Lower bread firmness was determined 24 h after baking when 10 g of C or either 10 or 15 g of S was present per kilogram of wheat flour used. Breads made with flour containing 10–15 g of S or 5 g of C per kilogram of wheat flour tended to be softer, while 10 g of C per kilogram of flour produced significantly softer breads along 9 days storage.     

Stability of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) during the production of flour-based foods and wheat flake cereal

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin found in cereal grains and cereal-based foods. DON concentrations in finished products are reduced under some processing conditions, but not others. DON concentrations in flour, wheat and selected foods made from them under commercially relevant conditions were compared by GC with electron capture detection. Average concentrations (n?=?9/item) in cookies, crackers and pretzels ranged from 61% (cookies) to 111% (pretzels) compared with flour (100%?=?0.46?µg?g^?1). Lesser amounts were found in donuts and bread: their respective DON concentrations were 44% and 30% that of flour. Mass balance estimates for DON (µg?g^?1 flour equivalents) ranged from 50% (bread?=?0.23?µg?g^?1 flour equivalents) to 120% (donuts), indicating that dilution by recipe ingredients contributed to DON reductions in bread and accounted for all of the apparent reduction in donuts. Mass balance estimates averaged 76% (crackers) to 107% (pretzels) for the other flour products. DON concentrations were higher in cereal flakes (0.55?µg?g^?1 in the finished product and 0.58?µg?g^?1 on a mass balance basis) than in wheat (0.40?µg?g^?1), suggesting that DON concentrations might increase during processing of wheat cereals under some conditions. In summary, DON concentrations of finished food products were reduced?≥50% only in bread and donuts. Reduction in bread resulted from a combination of DON ‘loss’ and dilution by recipe ingredients whereas the reduction in donuts was due entirely to dilution. These results are further evidence of DON stability during the preparation of popular flour or wheat-based products.     

Concentrations and exposure estimates of deoxynivalenol in wheat products from Argentina

The aim of this work was to determine deoxynivalenol (DON) contamination in wheat-based food products in Argentina and to estimate DON exposure. The numbers of samples were determined according to a developed sampling plan. A total of 156 samples of different wheat products were randomly collected from food markets in Luján, Argentina, and analyzed for DON by gas chromatography. DON contamination ranged 7–271?ng?g^?1 for French bread, 5–149?ng?g^?1 for Vienna bread, 11–85?ng?g^?1 for crackers, 8–85?ng?g^?1 for pizza, and was 79?ng?g^?1 for noodles. The maximum contribution to DON intake was 7% of the PMTDI for French bread; the minimum was less than 1% for noodles. Assuming all groups had eaten all sampled foods and summing all groups’ intake contribution, the highest estimate DON exposure would only be <14% (for the 18–24-year old men group) of the DON daily dietary intake.     

微生物挥发性有机物检测及在食品安全监测中的应用

微生物挥发性有机物(MVOCs)是微生物生长代谢过程中产生的重要小分子化合物,是目前检测和防控食品受微生物污染的主要指标之一。本文全面综述了食品中MVOCs的分析检测技术及其在食品包装、贮藏、品质分析、腐败菌鉴定等监测食品安全方面的应用,对快速、准确、有效地评价食品微生物污染情况具有重要的现实意义。     

Composite flour blends: Influence of particle size of water chestnut flour on nutraceutical potential and quality of Indian flat breads

Different sieve particle sizes P1 (Whole), P2 (≤0.212 mm) and P3 (≤0.125 mm) of water chestnut flour (WCF) were studied for proximate composition, mineral content, physico-chemical, functional, pasting and antioxidant properties in comparison to refined wheat flour (WF). WCF had significantly higher levels of fiber, resistant starch, mineral (K, Mg, Zn, and Cu), phenolics and flavonoids than WF in the order (P1?>?P2?>?P3?>?WF). Increase in flour fineness decreased antioxidant activity (P1?>?P2?>?P3) with P1 having highest phenolic (4.72 mg GAE/g), flavonoid (2.46 mg QE/g) content. Pasting properties of P1 were significantly lower than WF but significantly increased with increase in flour fineness. Quality of flat bread produced from WCF-WF blends significantly varied with particle size and blending. Bake loss and baking time significantly decreased while shrinkage increased with decrease in particle size. L* value decreased with blending but showed an irregular trend with variation in particle size. (WF?>?P2?≥?P3?>?P1). Baking decreased DPPH scavenging activity more in WF bread (46.68%) than WCF bread (P1?=?17.71%, P2?=?16.45%, P3?=?19.63%). Baking decreased total phenolic and flavonoid content by 49 and 20% in wheat & 38 and 16% in WCF respectively while significantly increased the resistant starch content in the order (P3?>?P2?>?P1?>?WF). This shows better retention of antioxidant activities and greater stability of WCF phenolics than WF phenolics during baking. Sensory analysis showed WCF breads had fair acceptability due to their characteristic flavor. Thus, gluten free WCF bread is also antioxidant rich with ample resistant starch content than WF breads.     

Effect of Pear,Apple and Date Fibres from Cooked Fruit By-products on Dough Performance and Bread Quality

This study examined the effect of the incorporation of flesh fibre concentrate (FFC) from apple, pear, and date pomaces on wheat bread dough performance and bread quality. The nutritional composition and techno-functional properties (water-holding capacity, oil-holding capacity, swelling capacity) of FFC were determined beforehand. Dough performance was evaluated by farinograph, alveograph and visco-amylograph. Bread quality was assessed by physical (weight, specific volume, and color) and textural (hardness and elasticity) parameters. Digital imaging analysis was also performed in order to better understand the observed effects. Results showed that the addition of FFC in wheat flour significantly improved (P?<?0.05) dough properties inducing an increase of water absorption (from 55 to 60 %), of stability (from 4 to 31 min),of tenacity (from 83 to 116 mmH₂O) , a reduction of extensibility (from 69 to 29 mm), of softening (from 60 to 20 BU), of breakdown (from 34 to 25 BU) and of setback (from 103 to 93 BU) in comparison to the control dough (without fibre). The formulation containing FFC produced loaves that had various colors (crust, 0?<?ΔE*?<?10 and crumb, 0?<?ΔE*?<?20; ΔE* corresponding to color variation), a comparable specific volume (2.7 vs 2.9 cm³/g for control) and a more aerated internal crumb structure compared to the control. During storage of breads at 20 °C, there was no significant difference (P?<?0.05) between enriched and control bread crumb and crust texture profiles.     

Impact of sourdough fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum FST 1.7 on baking and sensory properties of gluten-free breads

Sourdoughs were produced from buckwheat, oat, quinoa, sorghum, teff and wheat flour using the heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum FST 1.7 and added to a basic bread formulation of flour from the same grain type (20 % addition level). Dough rheology, textural (crumb hardness, specific volume) and structural bread characteristics (crumb porosity, cell volume, brightness) of sourdough-containing breads were compared to non-sourdough-containing breads (control). Changes in protein profiles as analysed with capillary electrophoresis were observed in all sourdoughs. Furthermore, sourdough addition led to decreased dough strength resulting in softer dough. No influences on specific volume and hardness on day of baking were found for gluten-free sourdough breads. The staling rate was reduced in buckwheat (from 8 ± 2 to 6 ± 2 N/day) and teff sourdough bread (13 ± 1 to 10 ± 4 N/day), however, not significantly in comparison with the control breads. On the contrary, in wheat sourdough bread, the staling rate was significantly reduced (2 ± 1 N/day) in comparison with control bread (5 ± 1 N/day). Sourdough addition increased the cell volume significantly in sorghum (+61 %), teff (+92 %) and wheat sourdough breads (+78 %). Therefore, crumb porosity was significantly increased in all gluten-free and wheat sourdough breads. Shelf life for sourdough breads was one (teff and oat), two (buckwheat, quinoa and sorghum) and 3 days (wheat) and was not prolonged by sourdough addition. The inferior aroma of breads prepared from the gluten-free flours was also not improved by sourdough addition.     

Sensor Contamination with Organic Volatiles During Water Activity Measurements with an Electric Hygrometer

This work investigates sensor contamination of an electric hygrometer by organic volatiles during water activity (a_w) measurement in foods and volatile-containing model systems. Various aromatic and flavor chemicals in aqueous solutions, at a concentration of O.1-0.5%, may contaminate the sensor leading to erroneous results in a_w measurement. Various condiments and seasonings also contain volatile compounds which produced a significant effect on sensor performance. Some glycols were also found to contaminate the sensor during a_w measurement.     

Limits of a PCR-based detection method for genetically modified soya beans in wheat bread production

 The official PCR-based method for the detection of recombinant DNA from glyphosate-tolerant soya beans (GTS), laid down in the collection of methods according to Sect. 35 of the German Food Law, was investigated for applicability. As a model, wheat bread was produced with a 1% addition of baking aid consisting of 45% GTS flour. DNA extraction of samples drawn at various stages of the production process revealed that during the process a degradation of DNA took place, resulting in fragment sizes in bread of <500 bp. GTS DNA was detectable at all stages, although the content of GTS flour in the dough and bread had dropped to only 0.4%. In 2 out of 15 commercial baking aids, GTS DNA was detected, reflecting the status of the use of GTS in that area. A model was also developed to study the effect on the detection of GTS under conditions when the target gene sequence of one primer is present in food originating from natural contamination or genetically modified organisms other than GTS. It was observed that high concentrations of competing DNA inhibited the PCR. This inhibition was overcome by increasing the concentration of Taq polymerase in the reaction mixture. Received: 30 April 1998 / Revised version: 17 June 1998     

Potentiometric Determination of Aluminum in Foods, Pharmaceuticals, and Alloys by AlMCM-41-Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A new chemically modified electrode is constructed by incorporating AlMCM-41 into carbon paste matrix (AlMCM-41-MCPE) and used as a sensitive sensor for detection of aluminum in aqueous and nonaqueous solutions. The rapid exchange kinetics in the membrane results in a near-Nernstian behavior of the modified electrode and makes it a suitable potentiometric sensor for detection of aluminum. A linear response in concentration range from 1.0?×?10^?6 to 1.0?×?10^?1 mol/L (0.027 μg/mL–2.7 mg/mL) was obtained with a detection limit of 4.6?×?10^?7 mol/L for the potentiometric detection of aluminum. Selectivity coefficients of a number of interfering cations have been estimated. The interference from many of the investigated ions is negligible. The AlMCM-41-MCPE is suitable for use in aqueous solution of pH 2–6 and in partially nonaqueous medium. The modified electrode exhibited a fast response time (~8 s), good stability, and an extended lifetime. The developed sensor was used successfully for the determination of Al³⁺ in some alloys, drugs, and food products.     

High-resolution Orbitrap™-based mass spectrometry for rapid detection of peanuts in nuts

Peanut represents one of the most harmful allergenic foods capable of triggering severe and sometimes lethal reactions in allergic consumers upon ingestion of even small amounts. Several proteins capable of inducing allergic reactions that have been recognised by patients’ IgE antibodies have been identified from this nut source. Methods mainly based on ELISA assays have been developed in order to detect peanuts in several food commodities. In addition LC-MS/MS methods based on different mass analysers have also been devised for tracing peanut contamination in different foods achieving low limits of detection. The applicability of a benchtop high-resolution Exactive? mass spectrometer has never been investigated for the rapid screening of peanut contamination in complex food matrices like mixtures of nuts. We report in this paper the design of suitable peanut markers and the development of an high-resolution Orbitrap? mass spectrometer-based method for peanut detection in a mixture of nuts species. With this aim, different types of samples were prepared: (1) nuts-based powder made up of a mixture of hazelnuts, pistachios, almonds and walnuts; and (2) nuts powder fortified with peanuts. Different levels of fortifications were produced and the applicability of the method was tested. Finally, a subset of six peptides fulfilling specific analytical requirements was chosen to check the suitability of the method tailored to the detection of peanuts in nuts-based products, and two of them, peptides VYD and WLG, were selected as quantitative markers. The method proved to be a suitable screening tool to assess the presence of traces of peanuts in other tree nuts with a limit of detection as low as 4 µg of peanuts proteins or 26 µg of peanuts in 1 g of matrix.     

Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging using violet LEDs as excitation sources for fecal matter contaminate identification on spinach leaves

Food safety in the production of fresh produce for human consumption is a worldwide issue and needs to be addressed to decrease foodborne illnesses and resulting costs. Hyperspectral fluorescence imaging coupled with multivariate image analysis techniques for detection of fecal contaminates on spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea) was evaluated. Violet fluorescence excitation was provided at 405 nm and light emission was recorded from 464 to 800 nm. Partial least square discriminant analysis and wavelength ratio methods were compared for detection accuracy for fecal contamination. Fluorescence emission profiles of spinach leaves were monitored over a 27 days storage period; peak emission blue-shifts were observed over the storage period accompanying a color change from green to green–yellow–brown hue. The PLSDA model developed correctly detected fecal contamination on 100 % of relatively fresh green spinach leaves used in this investigation, which also had soil contamination. The PLSDA model had 19 % false positives for non-fresh post storage leaves. A wavelength ratio technique using four wavebands (680, 688, 703 and 723 nm) was successful in identifying 100 % of fecal contaminates on both fresh and non-fresh leaves. An on-line fluorescence imaging inspection system for fecal contaminant detection has potential to allow fresh produce producers to reduce foodborne illnesses and prevent against the associated economic losses.     

Stability of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) during the production of flour-based foods and wheat flake cereal

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin found in cereal grains and cereal-based foods. DON concentrations in finished products are reduced under some processing conditions, but not others. DON concentrations in flour, wheat and selected foods made from them under commercially relevant conditions were compared by GC with electron capture detection. Average concentrations (n = 9/item) in cookies, crackers and pretzels ranged from 61% (cookies) to 111% (pretzels) compared with flour (100% = 0.46 μg g?1). Lesser amounts were found in donuts and bread: their respective DON concentrations were 44% and 30% that of flour. Mass balance estimates for DON (μg g?1 flour equivalents) ranged from 50% (bread = 0.23 μg g?1 flour equivalents) to 120% (donuts), indicating that dilution by recipe ingredients contributed to DON reductions in bread and accounted for all of the apparent reduction in donuts. Mass balance estimates averaged 76% (crackers) to 107% (pretzels) for the other flour products. DON concentrations were higher in cereal flakes (0.55 μg g?1 in the finished product and 0.58 μmg g?1 on a mass balance basis) than in wheat (0.40 μg g?1), suggesting that DON concentrations might increase during processing of wheat cereals under some conditions. In summary, DON concentrations of finished food products were reduced ≥ 50% only in bread and donuts. Reduction in bread resulted from a combination of DON ‘loss’ and dilution by recipe ingredients whereas the reduction in donuts was due entirely to dilution. These results are further evidence of DON stability during the preparation of popular flour or wheat-based products.     

Effect of sourdough processing and baking on the content of enniatins and beauvericin in wheat and rye bread

The occurrence of the emerging mycotoxins enniatins (ENNs) and beauvericin (BEA) has been reported in Fusarium-infected cereals. To study the effect of sourdough processing and baking on ENN B, ENN B1, and BEA concentrations, a recently developed stable isotope dilution assay for these mycotoxins was used. After milling of wheat and rye grains naturally contaminated with ENN B and ENN B1, approximately 70–82 % of the two ENNs were found in the bran fraction and the rest remained in flour. BEA was added to flour before sourdough fermentation. In an experiment on a microscale, dough was fermented for 24 h at 30 or 40 °C, which reduced part of the ENNs and BEA in particular at 40 °C. On a standard scale, mixing, resting, and proofing of the bread dough resulted in 13–19 % reduction of the ENNs compared with flour, but in no significant change of BEA. The final baking at 200 °C for 25 min led to a further decrease of the ENNs and BEA, ranging from 9 to 28 % compared with fermented dough. In case of rye sourdough bread, greater reductions of ENNs were found in crust than in crumb. For both wheat and rye flours, overall 25–41 % of ENN B, ENN B1, and BEA were reduced during the whole sourdough bread-making process.     

Determination of hydrogen as a marker in irradiated frozen food

The determination of hydrogen from thawed samples of frozen food offers a reliable, rapid and robust method for the detection of prior irradiation. Being based on an electronic sensor incorporated into a simple headspace analyser, it is particularly useful as a cheap on‐site screening procedure. False positive results are not observed (except after obvious gross microbial contamination), but failure to detect hydrogen provides no proof of an unirradiated sample. The technique is limited to frozen foods (eg chicken) which can be thawed inside the analyser; samples of at least 100 g are needed for confident detection of doses above 1 kGy after 4 months’ storage at −18 °C. © Crown Copyright 2000     

Signal amplification using colloidal gold in a biolayer interferometry-based immunosensor for the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a toxin produced by certain species of Fusarium fungi that can infest wheat, barley and corn. The fungi cause diseases in crops worldwide and some of the secondary metabolites, such as DON, can adversely affect animal health and food safety. To monitor DON in wheat rapidly, a biosensor using the principle of biolayer interferometry (BLI) was developed. The signal from the sensor was substantially amplified through the use of a primary antibody–colloidal gold conjugate. The amplification was much greater in the presence of wheat matrix than in buffered solution, suggesting matrix components may have contributed to the enhancement. The improved signal provided by the amplification allowed for the development of rapid qualitative and quantitative assays. The limit of detection of the method was 0.09?mg?kg^?1; the limit of quantitation was 0.35?mg?kg^?1. Recovery from wheat spiked over the range from 0.2 to 5?mg?kg^?1 averaged 103% (RSD?=?12%). The quantitative assay compared favourably (r ^2?=?0.9698) with a reference chromatographic method for 40 naturally contaminated wheats. The qualitative assay was able to classify accurately the same group of 40 samples as either above or below a 0.5?mg?kg^?1 threshold. These results suggest that the BLI technique can be used to measure DON in wheat rapidly.     

Development of an Electrochemical Sensor for the Determination of Amaranth: a Synthetic Dye in Soft Drinks

The voltammetric behaviour of synthetic food colourant, amaranth, was studied using a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) thin film-modified gold electrode in 0.1 M acetate buffer solution of pH 5.0. A well-defined oxidation peak was obtained for amaranth at 0.792 V with the modified electrode. The diffusion controlled oxidation of amaranth at the modified electrode can be attributed to the electrocatalytic nature of MWCNT, since the bare electrode has not produced an electrochemical signal under the same experimental conditions. The operational parameters such as supporting electrolyte, pH of the solution and amount of MWCNT–Nafion suspension were optimised. Under optimum conditions, the oxidation peak current varies linearly with concentration in the range from 1.0?×?10^?5 M to 1.0?×?10^?6 M with a limit of detection at 6.8?×?10^?8 M. The developed sensor has good sensitivity and selectivity towards oxidation of amaranth. The sensor was successfully employed for the determination of amaranth in three different samples of soft drinks, and the results were in good agreement with the standard spectrophotometric method.