Analysis of underivatizated patulin by a GC-MS technique.

An alternative approach based on the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to confirm the presence of patulin in apple juice. In the gas chromatography (GC) methods previously described, derivatization of patulin was always necessary in order to achieve good chromatographic detection. The use of electronic pressure control (EPC) and on-column injection avoids the need for patulin derivatization and allows a sensitive analysis of patulin. A detection limit of 4 microg/liter in apple juice can be attributed to the method.

[Obstetric and perinatal risk factors for congenital dislocation of the hip]. / Factores obstétricos y perinatales en la luxación congénita de cadera.

OBJECTIVE: The object of this paper was to analyze the epidemiological factors that contribute to congenital dislocation of the hip (CDH) in our setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A comparative study of the obstetrical and perinatal risk factors of a series of 72 newborns with CDH was carried out. These newborns were compared with a sample of 973 healthy newborns. The following factors were analyzed: sex, birth weight, fetal posture, type of delivery, duration of the pushing stage of labor, family history, single or multiple birth, age of parents, firstborn status and season of birth using the Pearson Chi-square test for the qualitative variables and the Mann-Whitney U for the quantitative variables. RESULTS: A statistically significant values (p < 0.05) was found for: sex, fetal posture, type of delivery, firstborn status and month of birth. Forty-nine (68%) of the newborns with CDH had two or more of these risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: When encountering a female newborn, with a breech posture or distocic delivery, from a primipara mother and born in November, a more rigorous examination and follow-up of that newborn should be carried out in order to rule out this pathology.

A survey of porcine kidneys and chicken liver for ochratoxin A in Spain.

Contamination studies by ochratoxin A on pork kidney and chicken liver has been carried out in Catalonia (Spain). 73% of the pork kidney samples analyzed did not contain an amount of ochratoxin A over our detection limit (0.5 ng/g) whereas only 7% had contamination higher than 1 ng/g. None of the chicken samples analyzed were contaminated by this toxin above the detection limit. All contamination levels found are below the maximum levels accepted by several countries for this kind of material. A confirmative test is necessary before discarding false positive samples.

Fumonisin Producing Capacity of Fusarium Strains Isolated from Cereals in Spain.

A total of 147 Fusarium spp., predominantly from the section Liseola were isolated from cereals in Catalonia, Spain. Fusarium moniliforme was the predominant species (85.7%) isolated from these grains. Other species·included Fusarium sporotrichoides , Fusarium heterosporum , Fusarium tricinctum , Fusarium poae , Fusarium anthophilum and Fusarium subglutinans . The ability of these isolates and species to produce fumonisin B1 and B2 was assessed on moist sterile corn. This showed that about 34% of the strains from the section Liseola produced both fumonisin B1 and B2 although the quantities varied considerably. One isolate of F. subglutinans was demonstrated to produce both fumonisin B1 and B2.

Hazelnuts as Possible Substrate for Aflatoxin Production 1.

A study was carried out on the fungal contamination of commercially available hazelnuts, and the effect of different factors (water activity, temperature and presence of potassium sorbate) on fungal growth and aflatoxin production in hazelnuts. All samples (100%) of raw hazelnuts showed fungal contamination. None of the samples showed aflatoxin contamination, but when hazelnuts were inoculated with Aspergillus parasiticus , and water activity and temperature were optimal formold growth, high production of aflatoxin was found. Potassium sorbate at subinhibitory levels seemed to inhibit fungal growth, but enhanced aflatoxin production.