Determination of plasticisers and BPA in Sicilian and Calabrian nectar honeys by selected ion monitoring GC/MS

Twenty-six plasticisers and bisphenol A (BPA) in 39 Sicilian and Calabrian nectar honeys of different botanical south Italian origin were determined by GC-MS. Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate was the most abundant plasticiser in all samples, reaching up 202.7 ± 153.1 µg kg^–1, followed by di-butylphthalate with a concentration of 40.3 ± 9.3 µg kg^–1, whereas the concentration of the other phthalates varied from not detectable to 68.2 µg kg^–1. Trace levels of adipate, sebacate and BPA were not detected in any samples. Among the different floral origin honeys, di-ethylphthalate levels were above the limit of quantification (LOQ) in orange blossom, wildflower and chestnut honey samples. Among the honeys of different geographical origin, di-methylphthalate, di-butylphthalate and di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate concentrations were similar. Calabrian honeys showed levels of di-ethylphthalate always lower than the LOQ, moreover di-(2-methylpropyl)phthalate levels were lower than the Sicilian ones. On the contrary, in Sicilian honeys di-(2-methylpropyl)phthalate levels were higher and di-ethylphthalate was present in 37% of samples.     

Persistent organic pollutants in farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax,Linnaeus, 1758) from Sicily (Italy)

Farmed European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax, Linnaeus, 1758) were collected during 2016 from one Sicilian fish farm that uses two different rearing systems – sea cage and concrete tank – for determination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), organochlorine pesticides (OCP) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) residues by HRGC-MS/MS. Moreover, commercial feed was analysed. This study aimed to determine whether the different rearing systems affect the concentration of these compounds, and to assess the safety of cultured fish. PCBs represent the pollutants with the highest concentration; in particular, PCB138 and 153 have the highest concentration in almost all samples. Among OCPs, only 4,4′-DDE, 4,4′-DDD and 4,4′-DDT residues have been detected. Concerning PAHs, only fluorene and phenanthrene were detected, in both rearing systems. Although some residues of organic pollutants were found in the analysed samples, they were always below the MRLs, so the results suggest that farmed sea bass are safe for human consumption.     

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in frying oils and snacks

The high incidence of lung cancer observed among Chinese women has been associated with exposure to fumes from cooking oil. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of potentially mutagenic substances emitted from cooking oils heated at high temperatures. The objective of this study was to investigate whether deep frying with different oils under different conditions leads to the development of PAHs either in the oil or in the fried product (snacks). PAH analysis was carried out with solid-phase extraction followed by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and spectrofluorometric detection. Different oils were used to fry chips and extruded snacks in different industrial plants (continuous frying) at temperatures between 170 and 205 degrees C, and peanut oil was used to fry French fries and fish (discontinuous frying) at temperatures between 160 and 185 degrees C. No appreciable differences in PAH load was observed in the same oil before and after frying. Both before and after frying, the benzo[a]pyrene concentration in oils ranged from trace to 0.7 ppb. All the analyzed samples, including oils from fried snacks, had benzo[a]pyrene concentrations well below the 2 ppb limit recently proposed by the European Community.     

Associations between pathogen-specific cases of subclinical mastitis and milk yield,quality, protein composition,and cheese-making traits in dairy cows

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between pathogen-specific cases of subclinical mastitis and milk yield, quality, protein composition, and cheese-making traits. Forty-one multibreed herds were selected for the study, and composite milk samples were collected from 1,508 cows belonging to 3 specialized dairy breeds (Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, and Jersey) and 3 dual-purpose breeds of Alpine origin (Simmental, Rendena, and Grey Alpine). Milk composition [i.e., fat, protein, casein, lactose, pH, urea, and somatic cell count (SCC)] was analyzed, and separation of protein fractions was performed by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. Eleven coagulation traits were measured: 5 traditional milk coagulation properties [time from rennet addition to milk gelation (RCT, min), curd-firming rate as the time to a curd firmness (CF) of 20 mm (k₂₀, min), and CF at 30, 45, and 60 min from rennet addition (a₃₀, a₄₅, and a₆₀, mm)], and 6 new curd firming and syneresis traits [potential asymptotical CF at an infinite time (CF_P, mm), curd-firming instant rate constant (k_CF, % × min^?1), curd syneresis instant rate constant (k_SR, % × min^?1), modeled RCT (RCT_eq, min), maximum CF value (CF_max, mm), and time at CF_max (t_max, min)]. We also measured 3 cheese yield traits, expressing the weights of total fresh curd (%CY_CURD), dry matter (%CY_SOLIDS), and water (%CY_WATER) in the curd as percentages of the weight of the processed milk, and 4 nutrient recovery traits (REC_PROTEIN, REC_FAT, REC_SOLIDS, and REC_ENERGY), representing the percentage ratio between each nutrient in the curd and milk. Milk samples with SCC > 100,000 cells/mL were subjected to bacteriological examination. All samples were divided into 7 clusters of udder health (UH) status: healthy (cows with milk SCC < 100,000 cells/mL and uncultured); culture-negative samples with low, medium, or high SCC; and culture-positive samples divided into contagious, environmental, and opportunistic intramammary infection (IMI). Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Significant variations in the casein to protein ratio and lactose content were observed in all culture-positive samples and in culture-negative samples with medium to high SCC compared to normal milk. No differences were observed among contagious, environmental, and opportunistic pathogens, suggesting an effect of inflammation rather than infection. The greatest impairment in milk quantity and composition, clotting ability, and cheese production was observed in the 2 UH status groups with the highest milk SCC (i.e., contagious IMI and culture-negative samples with high SCC), revealing a discrepancy between the bacteriological results and inflammatory status, and thus confirming the importance of SCC as an indicator of udder health and milk quality.     

Partial replacement of sodium chloride with potassium chloride in marinated rabbit meat

This study was aimed at evaluating the consequences of sodium chloride reduction by potassium chloride up to 50% on technological, sensorial and microbiological traits of marinated rabbit meat. In total, 226 rabbit loin meat samples were obtained and subjected to vacuum tumbling using solutions with different NaCl/KCl ratios. Replacing of sodium chloride up to 30% by potassium chloride did not change microbiological traits (total aerobic mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria maximum cell loads), sensorial acceptability (perceived saltiness and overall liking) and technological traits (pH, colour, texture, cooking loss and yield). Otherwise, reduction in sodium chloride to 50% significantly decreased perceived saltiness (4.15 vs. 4.73; P < 0.05) and reduced microbial shelf life by 1 day when compared to control, even if there was still no effect on technological traits. In conclusion, it is feasible imparting an added value for processed rabbit meat products by reduction in sodium content that could increase market interest.     

Characterization and catalytic activity of soft-templated NiO-CeO2 mixed oxides for CO and CO2 co-methanation

Nanosized NiO,CeO₂ and NiO-CeO₂ mixed oxides with different Ni/Ce molar ratios were prepared by the soft template method.All the samples were characterized by different techniques as to their chemical composition,structure,morphology and texture.On the catalysts submitted to the same reduction pretreatment adopted for the activity tests the surface basic properties and specific metal surface area were also determined.NiO and CeO₂ nanocrystals of about 4 nm in size were obtained,regardless of the Ni/Ce molar ratio.The Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results proved the formation of defective sites at the NiO-CeO₂ interface,where Ni species are in strong interaction with the support.The microcalorimetric and Fourier transform infrared analyses of the reduced samples highlighted that,unlike metallic nickel,CeO₂ is able to effectively adsorb CO₂,forming carbonates and hydrogen carbonates.After reduction in H2 at 400°C for 1 h,the catalytic performance was studied in the CO and CO₂ co-methanation reaction.Catalytic tests were performed at atmospheric pressure and 300°C,using CO/CO₂/H₂ molar compositions of 1/1/7 or 1/1/5,and space velocities equal to 72000 or 450000 cm³?h^-1?gcat^-1.Whereas CO was almost completely hydrogenated in any investigated experimental conditions,CO₂ conversion was strongly affected by both the CO/CO₂/H₂ ratio and the space velocity.The faster and definitely preferred CO hydrogenation was explained in the light of the different mechanisms of CO and CO₂ methanation.On a selected sample,the influence of the reaction temperature and of a higher number of space velocity values,as well as the stability,were also studied.Provided that the Ni content is optimized,the NiCe system investigated was very promising,being highly active for the CO_x co-methanation reaction in a wide range of operating conditions and stable(up to 50 h)also when submitted to thermal stress.     

Effects of Microbiota Imbalance in Anxiety and Eating Disorders: Probiotics as Novel Therapeutic Approaches

Anxiety and eating disorders produce a physiological imbalance that triggers alterations in the abundance and composition of gut microbiota. Moreover, the gut–brain axis can be altered by several factors such as diet, lifestyle, infections, and antibiotic treatment. Diet alterations generate gut dysbiosis, which affects immune system responses, inflammation mechanisms, the intestinal permeability, as well as the production of short chain fatty acids and neurotransmitters by gut microbiota, which are essential to the correct function of neurological processes. Recent studies indicated that patients with generalized anxiety or eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorders) show a specific profile of gut microbiota, and this imbalance can be partially restored after a single or multi-strain probiotic supplementation. Following the PRISMA methodology, the current review addresses the main microbial signatures observed in patients with generalized anxiety and/or eating disorders as well as the importance of probiotics as a preventive or a therapeutic tool in these pathologies.