Whey fermented by using Lactobacillus plantarum strains: A promising approach to increase the shelf life of pita bread.

Nowadays, there is an increasing concern regarding the shelf life of food products, leading producers to research natural antimicrobial agents to use in food preparation. In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity of Lactobacillus plantarum fermented whey and then added the whey during preparation of pita bread to study shelf-life improvement. The fermented whey showed a satisfactory inhibitory (antifungal) effect against Penicillium expansum and Penicillium brevicompactum strains: the minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations ranged from 3.9 to 39.0 g/L and from 62.5 to 250 g/L, respectively. Addition of fermented whey increased the shelf life of the pita bread. After inoculation of the bread surface with Penicillium, an increase in shelf life until d 8 was achieved compared with the positive control, whereas under natural contamination conditions, an extension of shelf life until d 19 was observed. In terms of antimicrobial activity, the greatest reduction (100%) in fungal growth was achieved when all of the water in the dough was replaced with fermented whey. An untrained sensory panel could not identify differences between bread produced with fermented whey and control pita breads. These results suggest the possibility of using fermented whey in food preservation.

Signatures of Sixfold Degenerate Exotic Fermions in a Superconducting Metal PdSb2.

Multifold degenerate points in the electronic structure of metals lead to exotic behaviors. These range from twofold and fourfold degenerate Weyl and Dirac points, respectively, to sixfold and eightfold degenerate points that are predicted to give rise, under modest magnetic fields or strain, to topological semimetallic behaviors. The present study shows that the nonsymmorphic compound PdSb2 hosts six-component fermions or sextuplets. Using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, crossing points formed by three twofold degenerate parabolic bands are directly observed at the corner of the Brillouin zone. The group theory analysis proves that under weak spin-orbit interaction, a band inversion occurs.

Shelf life extension of mozzarella cheese contaminated with Penicillium spp. using the antifungal compound ɛ-polylysine.

Molds are one of the most important spoilage organisms on cheese which can lead to economic loss as well as raising public health concerns due to the production of mycotoxins. This study investigates the use of ɛ-polylysine as natural antimicrobial to inhibit fungal growth. The minimal inhibitory concentrations and minimal fungicidal concentrations of ɛ-polylysine were determined against Penicillium roqueforti, Penicillium nordicum, and Penicillium solitum. Then, polylysine was tested as surface antimicrobial for the preservation of mozzarella slice cheese inoculated with these Penicillium spp. and stored in plastic trays during 25 days. The minimal inhibitory concentrations calculated for the three fungi tested were of 60 mg/l whereas the minimal fungicidal concentrations detected were of 125-10,000 mg/l. The shelf life observed for the control experiments was of 15 days, and just using the ɛ-polylysine at 0.00625, 0.0125, and 0.025% was evidenced a shelf life increment in comparison with the control of 1-3 days.

FoodSimplex - a public health tool to improve restaurants cleaning and sanitation status / FoodSimplex - una herramienta de salud pública para mejorar el estado de sanitario de los restaurantes

Foodborne diseases have a negative impact on health, and little consideration has been given to such because the symptoms are often moderate and self-limiting. The microbiological contamination of meals by catering systems is one of the main issues, and it must be assessed to ensure safer meals. The aim of this study is to evaluate the hygienic quality in portuguese micro, small and medium restaurants through audit data and microbial sampling through the application of new food safety methodology - FoodSimplex. This four-year longitudinal study revealed maintenance or an improvement in the compliance with hygiene requirements according to the FoodSimplex checklist, and with statistical significance evolution in food handlers hands microbial analyses (p=0,003), which confirms that FoodSimplex contributed for a general food safety status uplift

Las enfermedades transmitidas por los alimentos tienen un impacto negativo en la salud y se les ha prestado poca atención porque los síntomas suelen ser moderados y autolimitados. La contaminación microbiológica de las comidas por los sistemas de restauración es uno de los principales problemas, y debe evaluarse para garantizar comidas más seguras. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la calidad higiénica en micro, pequeños y medianos restaurantes portugueses a través de datos de auditoría y muestreo microbiano mediante la aplicación de una nueva metodología de seguridad alimentaria: FoodSimplex. Este estudio longitudinal de cuatro años reveló un mantenimiento o una mejora en el cumplimiento de los requisitos de higiene de acuerdo con la lista de verificación de FoodSimplex, y con una evolución estadísticamente significativa en los análisis microbianos (p = 0,003), que confirma que FoodSimplex contribuyó para aumentar la seguridad general de los alimentos

Evaluation of biological and antimicrobial properties of freeze-dried whey fermented by different strains of Lactobacillus plantarum.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological and antimicrobial activities of commercial freeze-dried whey fermented by lactic acid bacteria in order to valorize this high polluting liquid waste of the dairy industry. Freeze-dried whey was fermented by different strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (CECT 220, 221, 748) at three different times of fermentation (24, 48, 72 h). Afterwards, the extract was purified on centricon amicon with a cut-off of 3 kDa to obtain a permeate consisting of small bioactive compounds reported in the literature to show greater bioactivity. The purified and diluted samples were subjected to the biological and antimicrobial tests for the evaluation of antioxidant, antihypertensive, iron binding, and antifungal activities and identification of phenolic compounds. The results highlighted a radical cation scavenging activity ranging from 1.415 to 2.083 mmol trolox equivalents TE per kg of dry weight, a percentage of iron binding capacity ranging between 23-55% and a percentage of ACE inhibitory activity ranging between 67-85%. The optimal biological activity was obtained from whey fermented by L. plantarum 220 for all the assays performed, except for the iron chelating activity. Furthermore, the antifungal analysis showed a good activity against the mycotoxigenic fungi belonging to Fusarium generum (F. moniliformis, F. graminearum and F. verticillioides), while a slight activity was obtained for Aspergillus and Penicillium generum. This antifungal activity could be correlated to the production of phenolic compounds during fermentation. The obtained results support the hypothesis of using whey as a functional ingredient to improve food preservation.

Antimicrobial packaging based on ɛ-polylysine bioactive film for the control of mycotoxigenic fungi in vitro and in bread.

ɛ-Poly-l-lysine (ɛ-PL) is a cationic peptide with a broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. This study investigates the use of ɛ-PL as natural antimicrobial to inhibit fungal growth and to reduce aflatoxins (AFs) production. Antifungal activity of starch biofilms with different concentrations of ɛ-Poly-l-lysine (ɛ-PL) was determined in solid medium against Aspergillus parasiticus (AFs producer) and Penicillium expansum. Then, biofilms were tested as antimicrobial devices for the preservation of bread loaf inoculated with A. parasiticus CECT 2681 and P. expansum CECT 2278. Shelf life and AFs content were examined. Biofilms with concentrations of ɛ-PL less than 1.6 mg/cm2 showed no fungal growth inhibition in solid medium, while the antifungal activity of the films with greater than 1.6 mg/cm2 of ɛ-PL was dose dependent. The shelf life of bread inoculated with A. parasiticus was increased by 1 day with the use of films containing 1.6-6.5 mg ɛ-PL/cm2, while shelf life of bread tainted with P. expansum was increased by 3 day with 6.5 mg ɛ-PL/cm2. AFs production was greatly inhibited by ɛ-PL biofilms (93-100%). Thus, ɛ-PL biofilms could be potentially used as antimicrobial device during bread storage as a natural alternative to the synthetic preservatives. Practical applications: Ɛ-Polylysin is a natural substance from microbial metabolism. Polylysine has a function to prevent a microbe from proliferating by ionic adsorption in the microbe. ɛ-polylysine has a wide antibacterial spectrum and has an obvious lethal effect on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, yeast, mold, viruses, etc. It has a good antibacterial effect on the Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and Salmonellae, which are difficult to control with other natural preservatives. ɛ-Polylysine has already been used generally as a food additive in Japan, Korea and other part of world. In the United States, FDA has recognized the polylysine as a GRAS material. Considered the positive results obtained in the study, this compound could be used for the production of antimicrobial biofilms, applied as separator slices in the loaf bread production, to prevent the growth of the mycotoxigenic fungi A. parasiticus and P. expansum, contributing to reduce the use of the synthetically preservatives in bakery industry and also of the negative impact that these compounds could generate on the health of the end users.

Toxicity reduction of ochratoxin A by lactic acid bacteria.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by the metabolism of fungus belonging to the genus Aspergillus and Penicillium. In this paper we report, the capacity of different cultures of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to degrade OTA present in MRS broth at both pH 3.5 and 6.5. A study of OTA reduction during gastrointestinal digestion carried out with the LAB was also performed. Taking into account the two reduction mechanisms of OTA studied in this work as the enzymatic one and the adsorption on the cell wall, as well as at pH 3.5 and 6.5 the reduction values of OTA were in a range of 30-99%, being the strains with greater reduction (97% and 95%) Lb. rhamnosus CECT 278T and Lb. plantarum CECT 749 respectively. In the experiments carried out digesting the OTA in MRS medium with LAB, the highest bioaccessibility reduction was observed by the strain of Lb. johnsonii CECT 289, showing a mean reduction around all the gastrointestinal digestion process of 97.4%. The mass spectrometry associated to the linear ion trap method identified ochratoxin alpha (OTα) m/z = 256.1 and phenylalanine (Phe) m/z = 166.1 as the major metabolites of OTA degradation in LAB cultures.

Análisis de los inhibidores de las alfa-amilasa y la tripsina contenidos en el trigo y otros cereales: potenciales promotores de la inflamación intestinal / Analysis of Amylase/Trypsin's Inhibitors contained in wheat and other cereals: potential promoters of intestinal inflammation

Las plantas han desarrollado un sistema de resistencia a insectos y plagas mediante la síntesis de compuestos como los inhibidores de las alfa-amilasas y/o las proteasas digestivas, proteínas que actúan también contra las enzimas digestivas de mamíferos. Diversos estudios han demostrado su implicación en la activación del sistema inmune y posiblemente, en la sintomatología de patologías como la Sensibilidad al Gluten no Celíaca, siendo esta reacción proporcional al contenido en el cereal. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión de las diferentes estrategias para la extracción, purificación, detección y cuantificación de estas proteínas en el trigo y en otros cereales de la dieta actual. Esta revisión incluyó los métodos de análisis con espectrometría de masas del periodo 2000 - 2017, identificándose 114 artículos relevantes de los que se seleccionaron 26. Actualmente no existe un método estandarizado de control que permita determinar estas proteínas de forma clara, concisa y fiable

Plants have developed a system of resistance to insects and pests through the synthesis of certain compounds such as alpha-amylase inhibitors and/or digestive proteases, proteins that can also act against digestive enzymes of mammals. Studies have shown their involvement in the activation of the immune system and possibly in the symptomatology of non-coeliac Gluten Sensitivity, being the reaction proportional to cereal content. The objective of this study was to review the different strategies used for extraction, purification, detection and quantification of these inhibitors in wheat and other cereals of the current diet. A review of the literature published between 2000-2017 on methods of analysis by mass spectrometry was carried out. 114 relevant articles were identified from which 26 were selected for review. At present, there is no standardized control method for the clear, concise and reliable determination of these proteins

Risk assessment of mycotoxin intake through the consumption of Spanish breadcrumbs / Evaluación del riesgo de ingesta de micotoxinas a través del consumo de pan rallado español

In this work, 80 commercial samples of breadcrumbs, purchased from different supermarkets located in Valencia (Spain), were investigated for the presence of 11 legislated mycotoxins. Only 9 samples evidenced the presence of the legislated mycotoxins. The compounds detected were: ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), T-2 toxin (T-2) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2). The incidence of OTA was of 3.75% with concentrations ranging from 1.50 to 6.75 µg/kg. One sample showed a contamination level higher than the maximum legislated in Europe for OTA. Three samples were contaminated with ZEA at concentrations varying from 64.32 to 449.21 µg/kg; all values were higher than the maximum allowed by the legislation. T-2 and HT-2 were detected in two (18.25- 2700.48 µg/kg) and one (147.79 µg/kg) of the 80 samples, respectively. Finally, the estimated dietary intakes (EDIs) of the detected mycotoxins, among the Valencian population, were calculated and the health risk assessment was performed. The calculated EDIs were all below the established tolerable daily intake values (TDI)

En este trabajo, 80 muestras comerciales de pan rallado, compradas en diferentes supermercados ubicados en Valencia (España), fueron investigadas por la presencia de 11 micotoxinas legisladas. Sólo 9 muestras evidenciaron la presencia de las micotoxinas legisladas. Los compuestos detectados fueron: ocratoxina A (OTA), zearalenona (ZEA), toxina T-2 (T-2) y toxina HT-2 (HT-2). La incidencia de OTA fue de 3.75% con concentraciones que van desde 1.50 a 6.75 µg / kg. Una muestra mostró un nivel de contaminación más alto que el máximo legislado en Europa para OTA. Tres muestras se contaminaron con ZEA en concentraciones que variaban de 64.32 a 449.21 µg / kg; todos los valores fueron superiores al máximo permitido por la legislación. T-2 y HT-2 se detectaron en dos (18.25-2700,48 µg / kg) y una (147.79 µg / kg) de las 80 muestras, respectivamente. Finalmente, se calcularon las ingestas dietéticas estimadas (EDI) de las micotoxinas detectadas, entre la población valenciana, y se realizó la evaluación del riesgo para la salud. Los EDI calculados estaban todos por debajo de los valores de ingesta diaria tolerable (TDI) establecidos

Occurrence, toxicity, bioaccessibility and mitigation strategies of beauvericin, a minor Fusarium mycotoxin.

Emerging Fusarium mycotoxins include the toxic secondary metabolites fusaproliferin, enniatins, beauvericin (BEA), and moniliform. BEA is produced by some entomo- and phytopathogenic Fusarium species and occurs naturally on corn and corn-based foods and feeds infected by Fusarium spp. BEA has shown various biological activities (antibacterial, antifungal, and insecticidal) and possesses toxic activity, including the induction of apoptosis, increase cytoplasmic calcium concentration and lead to DNA fragmentation in mammalian cell lines. Cereals food processing has an important effect on mycotoxin stability, leading to less-contaminated food compared to the raw materials. Different industrial processes have shown to be effective practices to reduce BEA contents due to thermal food processing applied, such as cooking, boiling, baking, frying, roasting and pasteurization. Some studies demonstrated the capacity of lactic acid bacteria to reduce the presence of the BEA in model solution and in food chain through fermentation processes, modifying this mycotoxin in a less toxic derivate. Prebiotic and probiotic ingredient can modulate the bioaccessibility of BEA reducing the risk of intake of this minor Fusarium mycotoxin. This review summarizes the existing data on occurrence, toxicity and especially on BEA reduction strategies in food and feed such as chemical reduction, biocontrol and food processing.

Multi-mycotoxin determination in barley and derived products from Tunisia and estimation of their dietary intake.

A study on raw barley and derived products (barley soup and beers) was carried out to determine the natural presence of twenty-four mycotoxins by both liquid chromatography and gas chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The developed multi-mycotoxin procedure was based on both SLE and QuEChERS extraction steps. 66% of analyzed samples presented mycotoxin contamination and only one sample, which was soup of barley (6 ng/g), exceeded the maximum level (ML) established by EU for OTA (5 ng/g). Raw barley was the most contaminated matrix (62%), which concentrations ranged from 1.70 to 287.13 ng/g) and type of detected mycotoxins (DON, 15AcDON, NEO, NIV, HT2, FB1, OTA, ENA, ENA1, ENB and ENB1). DON was the most detected mycotoxin with an incidence of 56%, 29% and 23% in beer, soup of barley and barley, respectively. However, the highest levels detected were for ENA, in raw barley with 287 ng/g. In beer and soup of barley samples, the mycotoxins with highest level were 15AcDON (15.6 ng/g) and ENB1 (55.1 ng/g), respectively. Furthermore, 80% of positive soup of barley samples showed co-occurrence. No toxicological concern was associated to mycotoxins exposure for consumers.

Mitigation of enniatins in edible fish tissues by thermal processes and identification of degradation products.

Emerging mycotoxins, such as enniatins and beauvericin, are common contaminants in vegetal matrices, but recently, the occurrence of mycotoxins in foodstuffs from animal origin has been also reported as they can be present in edible tissues of animals fed with contaminated feedstuffs. Sea bass, sea bream, Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout from aquaculture analyzed in the present survey showed contamination by emerging Fusarium mycotoxins enniatins (ENs). ENs were extracted from raw and cooked fish with acetonitrile and analyzed by Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry. In this study, the stability of ENs was evaluated during food processing by the application of different cooking methods (broiling, boiling, microwaving and baking treatments). All treated samples showed a reduction in mycotoxin levels with different percentages depending on the type of EN and the fish species. Thus, the reduction obtained ranged from 30 to 100%. The thermal treatments have shown to be a good strategy to mitigate ENs content in edible fish tissues. On the other hand, some ENs degradation products originated during the application of thermal treatments were identified.

Reaction of zearalenone and α-zearalenol with allyl isothiocyanate, characterization of reaction products, their bioaccessibility and bioavailability in vitro.

This study investigates the reduction of zearalenone (ZEA) and α-zearalenol (α-ZOL) on a solution model using allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) and also determines the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of the reaction products isolated and identified by MS-LIT. Mycotoxin reductions were dose-dependent, and ZEA levels decreased more than α-ZOL, ranging from 0.2 to 96.9% and 0 to 89.5% respectively, with no difference (p⩽0.05) between pH 4 and 7. Overall, simulated gastric bioaccessibility was higher than duodenal bioaccessibility for both mycotoxins and mycotoxin-AITC conjugates, with duodenal fractions representing ⩾63.5% of the original concentration. Simulated bioavailability of reaction products (α-ZOL/ZEA-AITC) were lower than 42.13%, but significantly higher than the original mycotoxins. The cytotoxicity of α-ZOL and ZEA in Caco-2/TC7 cells was also evaluated, with toxic effects observed at higher levels than 75µM. Further studies should be performed to evaluate the toxicity and estrogenic effect of α-ZOL/ZEA-AITC.

Multimycotoxin analysis in water and fish plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

High performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used for the determination of 15 mycotoxins in water and fish plasma samples, including aflatoxins, fumonisins, ochratoxin A, sterigmatocistin, fusarenon-X and emerging Fusarium mycotoxins. In this work, dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) was assessed as a sample treatment for the simultaneous extraction of mycotoxins. Results showed differences in recovery assays when different extraction solvents were employed. Ethyl acetate showed better recoveries for the major part of mycotoxins analyzed, except for aflatoxins B2, G1 and G2, which showed better recoveries when employing chloroform as extractant solvent. Fumonisins and beauvericin exhibited low recoveries in both water and plasma. This method was validated according to guidelines established by European Commission and has shown to be suitable to be applied in dietary and/or toxicokinetic studies in fish where is necessary to check mycotoxin contents in rearing water and fish plasma.

Improve intra-uterine insemination in rabbits using ultra-high temperature skim milk as extender to keep semen at room temperature.

Two experiments were carried out to examine in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of rabbit semen diluted in ultra-high temperature (UHT) skim milk. In the first experiment, pooled ejaculates of 10 adult rabbits were divided in three aliquots. Each aliquot was diluted in saline solution, TrisC or UHTm extender and kept at room temperature for 24 h. Sperm quality assessment was performed during all the incubation periods. In the second experiment, 27 adult rabbit does were inseminated with semen incubated for 5 h. Embryo recovery was performed 96 h after insemination. Results showed that treatments diluted in UHTm registered the highest values of spermatozoon with total motility, intact and functional plasma membrane and greater number of embryos recovered in rabbit does. We conclude that UHT skim milk would be a good extender for improved intra-uterine insemination in rabbits and to keep sperm cells for several hours at room temperature.

Evaluación del riesgo de exposición dietética a acrilamida en la población española y valenciana / Risk assessment of dietary exposure to acrylamide in Spanish and Valencian population

Al declarar la acrilamida como un probable carcinógeno en humanos, diferentes trabajos han tratado de esclarecer si la exposición dietética en humanos puede constituir un riesgo para la salud, no obstante, las publicaciones sobre la población española han sido englobadas en macroestudios no específicos o se refieren exclusivamente a población infantil. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue realizar una evaluación del riesgo de exposición dietética a la acrilamida en la población española y valenciana. A partir de la revisión de la información sobre la toxicidad de acrilamida y su presencia en alimentos se calculó la exposición dietética al tóxico a través del método determinista. Los alimentos que presentan mayor contribución al consumo diario de acrilamida son el pan, el pan tostado, las galletas, las patatas crisps y los cereales de desayuno, seguidos del café tostado y la cerveza. La población adulta española duplica la exposición estimada por el estudio europeo EPIC. La población más expuesta es la infantil seguida de la femenina. La población valenciana está menos expuesta que la española aunque ambas se encuentran en el mismo nivel que la población europea. Los adultos españoles presentan el mismo riesgo de neurotoxicidad y menor riesgo de tumores mamarios que el calculado a nivel internacional en 2011 por la FAO/OMS. En cambio la población infantil presenta un riesgo de neurotoxicidad cuatro veces menor. El principio de precaución debe prevalecer en tanto no se obtengan datos más concluyentes de toxicidad (AU)

As a result of declaring acrylamide as a probable human carcinogen, different studies attempted to clarify whether dietary exposure in humans can establish a health risk. However, the literature concerning Spanish population has been subsumed in non-specific macro studies or it refers exclusively to children. The aim of this study was to make a risk assessment of dietary exposure to acrylamide in the Spanish and Valencian population. Based on reviewing the information about the toxicity of acrylamide and its presence in food, dietary exposure to the toxic substance was calculated by a deterministic method. Foods that have a higher contribution to daily intake of acrylamide are bread, toasted bread, biscuits, crisps and breakfast cereals, followed by roasted coffee and beer. The Spanish adult population doubles the exposure estimated by the EPIC study. The most exposed population is children followed by the female one. The Valencian population is less exposed than the Spanish as a whole though both are on the same level, as the European population. Spanish adults have the same risk of neurotoxicity and lower risk of mammary tumors than the international value calculated in 2011 by the FAO/WHO. However the child population has a risk of neurotoxicity four times lower. The precautionary principle must prevail while more conclusive toxicity data is not achieved (AU)

Analysis of mycotoxins in coffee and risk assessment in Spanish adolescents and adults.

Mycotoxins are toxic compounds produced by fungal secondary metabolism that cause toxicological effects. Coffee is a highly popular beverage that is susceptible to contamination by mycotoxigenic fungi. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence of the following 21 mycotoxins in coffee using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS-IT): aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2; ochratoxin A; nivalenol; deoxynivalenol; 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol; 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol; diacetoxyscirpenol; neosolaniol; T-2 and HT-2 toxin; sterigmatocystin; enniatin A, A1, B, and B1; beauvericin; and fumonisin B1 and B2. We aimed to determine differences by coffee process (coffee maker, electrical machine, soluble and traditional Turkish process) and to calculate the estimated daily intake (EDI) and risk assessment of mycotoxins from coffee consumption using deterministic approach at various scenarios of food consumption in Spanish adolescents and adults. The results demonstrate that all studied mycotoxins were detected in samples with mean concentrations ranging from 0.69 µg/kg to 282.89 µg/kg. Eleven percent of samples did not show contamination with legislated mycotoxins. Only 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol, neosolaniol, fumonisin B1, and ochratoxin A exhibited significant differences between methods of coffee brewing. The results show that coffee intake does not represent a potential risk for consumers with respect to individual mycotoxin contamination.

In vitro antifungal activity of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) against Aspergillus parasiticus and Penicillium expansum and evaluation of the AITC estimated daily intake.

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) are natural compounds derived from cruciferous vegetables produced by enzymatic conversion of metabolites called glucosinolates. They are potentially useful antimicrobial compounds for food applications have been shown to be promising agents against cancer in human cell culture, animal models, and in epidemiological studies. In this study, the antifungal activity of the allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) was evaluated on two mycotoxigenic fungi as Aspergillus parasiticus and Penicillium expnsum, aflatoxins (AFs) and patulin (PAT) producers, employing an assay on solid medium. Also an approximation of the risk evaluation associated to the intake of food treated with the AITC to reduce the risk of fungi spoilage has been evaluated. On solid medium and after 20 days incubation the strain of Penicillium expansum was inhibited with AITC quantities highest than 50 mg, whereas the strain of A. parasiticus was sensible to AITC doses highest than 5 mg. The analysis of the risk assessment associated to the intake of several food classes treated with the bioactive compound AITC to prevent fungi spoilage evidenced that this product can be considered as safe due that the estimated daily intakes (EDIs) are always lower than the AITC Admissible Daily intake (ADI).

Influence of prebiotics, probiotics and protein ingredients on mycotoxin bioaccessibility.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of prebiotic compounds (cellulose and inulin), food ingredients (milk whey, ß-lactoglobulin and calcium caseinate) and several probiotic microorganisms on the bioaccessibility of beauvericin (BEA), enniatins (ENs A, A1, B, B1), deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEA) present in wheat crispy bread produced with wheat flour previously fermented with F. tricinctum, F. culmorum and G. zeae. The bioaccessibility of mycotoxins was determined by a dynamic simulated gastrointestinal digestion system, imitating the human digestive physiological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Mycotoxins were determined in the simulated intestinal fluids by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). EN bioaccessibility ranged from 15.1 to 30.6%, whereas the values evidenced for BEA ranged from 12 to 19%. DON showed bioaccessibility data ranging from 0.8 to 5.6% whereas for ZEA the data evidenced ranged from 26 to 44%. The bioaccessibility reduction evidenced using probiotic microorganisms for the mycotoxins studied ranged from 21 to 27.1% for ENs, from 29 to 39.7% for DON, from 41 to 57% for ZEA and from 6.6 to 10.5% for BEA. The addition of prebiotic and bioactive microorganisms decreased the bioaccessibility of mycotoxins, with a concentration-dependent behavior, thus being a potential strategy for reducing human exposure to these minor mycotoxins.

Prevalence of bacteria and absence of anisakid parasites in raw and prepared fish and seafood dishes in Spanish restaurants.

This study evaluated the presence of bacteria and anisakid parasites in 45 samples of raw anchovies in vinegar, a dish widely eaten in Spain, and in 227 samples of cooked fish and cephalopods served in Spanish food service establishments. Our analysis showed that, according to European and Spanish regulation, 14 to 30% of the prepared fish and cephalopod dishes exceeded the maximum allowable level for mesophilic aerobic counts, and 10 to 40% of these samples exceeded the allowable levels for Enterobacteriaceae. None of the studied samples showed evidence of anisakid parasites, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, or Listeria monocytogenes. These results indicate that application of hazard analysis and critical control points, food safety training courses, and routine inspections in compliance with current European and Spanish legislation help protect consumer health.