Monitoring of pesticide residues on cucumber, tomatoes and strawberries in Gaza Governorates, Palestine

Three techniques of gas chromatography (GC) either with flame photometric-detector (FPD), electron capture detector (ECD), or with mass-spectrometry (MS) were applied for identification and quantification of pesticide residues on 45 samples of cucumber, tomatoes, and strawberries in fifteen locations in Gaza Governorates. GC-FPD analysis showed the presence of four different organo-phosphorus (OP) pesticides, their levels were very low and below maximum residue limits (MRL's). GC-ECD detected ten different pesticides at levels below the MRL's. Using the GC-MS technique, alpha and beta-endosulfan, chlorpyrifos, carbofuran, chlorfluazuron, triadimenol I and II, penconazole, coptafolmetabolite, pyrimethanil and iprodione were detected and confirmed on some samples of cucumber, tomatoes and strawberries. All GC-MS pesticide residues detected on tomato were below the MRL's except chlorfluazuron while on strawberry were below the MRL's except penconazole, chlorfluazuron and pyrimethanil, but on cucumber were slightly higher than the MRL's except alpha and beta-endosulfan. Also, statistical analysis of pesticide residues in all samples showed that most of the detected residues mean were significantly lower than the MRL's (p < 0.05). Generally, tomatoes showed the least number and level of pesticide residues by all the GC-techniques. On the other hand, strawberries showed greater number and levels of pesticide residues, particularly by the GC-MS technique. These results indicate that the protective period to elapse before harvesting should be increased especially on strawberry. The results also can help in risk assessment of consumers exposure to the expected pesticide residues.     

Nutritional characterization of high protein and high lysine barley lines

Six high protein and high lysine barley lines were derived from four crosses involving high protein andlor high lysine donors, ie Riso 1508 and SV 73608 (Hiproly×Mona⁵), with well adapted local strains V 5681 and V 4342. The trial was grown at the Wheat Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The lines were chemically and nutritionally characterized and the results were compared with the parents. The biological value, net protein utilization and lysine contents were higher in all the derived lines than in their local parents, ie V 5681 and V 4342. The increased lysine levels in the lines B 82503 and B 82507 may be a consequence of the reduction of prolamin fractions with simultaneous increases in salt soluble fractions. In all the lines, lysine and nutritional quality increase were a reflection of high protein andlor high lysine parents. The line B 82503 had grain yield comparable to its local parent V 5681 but it was superior in lysine and some nutritional attributes to its high lysine donor parent Riso 1508. In some lines, lysine improvement was achieued without impairing grain yield.     

Isolation,purification, and antioxidant activities of polysaccharides from Ziziphus Jujuba cv. Muzao

In the present study, crude polysaccharides from Ziziphus Jujuba cv. Muzao were isolated and purified using DEAE cellulose-52 and Sephadex G-100 size-exclusion chromatography; four fractions were collected, namely GZMP-1, GZMP-2, GZMP-3, and GZMP-4. The molecular weights of these four fractions were measured to be 111.2, 95.1, 84.2, and 571.4 kDa, respectively, using high-performance gel permeation chromatography. Gas chromatography analysis of the monosaccharide composition confirmed that GZMP-1 was composed of rhamnose, arabinose, glucose, and galactose. Rhamnose, arabinose, and galactose were the main components present in GZMP-2 and GZMP-3, whereas GZMP-4 was composed of only rhamnose and arabinose. Scanning electron microscopy showed relatively smooth surfaces for GZMP-1 and GZMP-4, whereas GZMP-2 and GZMP-3 had more folds on their surfaces. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated that GZMP-1 and ZMP mainly had α-type glycosidic linkages. The in vitro antioxidant activities of the polysaccharides revealed that jujube polysaccharides exhibit remarkable antioxidant activity, and can scavenge DPPH radical and OH radical in a concentration-dependent manner. The results of this work suggest that polysaccharides from Z. Jujuba cv. Muzao have potential to be used as functional food and in the development of natural antioxidant drug carriers.     

Whey allergens: Influence of nonthermal processing treatments and their detection methods

Whey and its components are recognized as value-added ingredients in infant formulas, beverages, sports nutritious foods, and other food products. Whey offers opportunities for the food industrial sector to develop functional foods with potential health benefits due to its unique physiological and functional attributes. Despite all the above importance, the consumption of whey protein (WP) can trigger hypersensitive reactions and is a constant threat for sensitive individuals. Although avoiding such food products is the most successful approach, there is still a chance of incorrect labeling and cross-contamination during food processing. As whey allergens in food products are cross-reactive, the phenomenon of homologous milk proteins of various species may escalate to a more serious problem. In this review, nonthermal processing technologies used to prevent and eliminate WP allergies are presented and discussed in detail. These processing technologies can either enhance or mitigate the impact of potential allergenicity. Therefore, the development of highly precise analytical technologies to detect and quantify the existence of whey allergens is of considerable importance. The present review is an attempt to cover all the updated approaches used for the detection of whey allergens in processed food products. Immunological and DNA-based assays are generally used for detecting allergenic proteins in processed food products. In addition, mass spectrometry is also employed as a preliminary technique for detection. We also highlighted the latest improvements in allergen detection toward biosensing strategies particularly immunosensors and aptasensors.     

Versatile gas/particle ion chromatograph

A new, compact gas/particle ion chromatograph has been developed for measuring ionic constituents in PM2.5 (particulate matter of aerodynamic diameter < or = 2.5 microm) and water-soluble ionogenic gases. The instrument has separate sampling channels for gases and particles. In one, a membrane denuder collects soluble gases for preconcentration and analysis. In the other, a cyclone removes larger particles, a membrane denuder removes soluble gases, and a continuously wetted hydrophilic filter collects particles. A single, multiport, syringe pump handles liquid transport, and one conductivity detector measures anions and ammonium for both channels. Electrodialytically generated gradient hydroxide eluent permits 20 min chromatographic runs. Gas/particle samples are each collected for 40 min, butthe sampling intervals are staggered by 20 min. Liquid samples from the gas denuder and particle collector are aspirated and preconcentrated on sequential cation and anion concentrators and transferred respectively to an ammonia transfer device and an anion separation column. The flow configuration results in an ammonium peak before anion peaks in the chromatogram. The system measures ammonia, organic acids (such as acetic, formic, and oxalic acids), HCl, HONO, SO2, HNO3, and the corresponding ions in the aerosol phase. Low ng/m3 to sub-ng/m3 limits of detection (LODs) are attained for most common gases and particulate constituents, the LODs for gaseous SO2 to NH3 range, for example, from sub parts per trillion by volume (sub-pptv) to approximately 5 pptv.