Implementation of the HACCP System for Apple Juice Concentrate Based on Patulin Prevention and Control.

Patulin (PAT) is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp., which acts as a contaminant of most apples and their products. The internationally recognized HACCP system is selected as the theoretical basis to more effectively reduce the PAT in apple juice concentrate (AJC). Through field investigation of apple juice concentrate (AJC) production enterprises, we collected 117 samples from 13 steps of AJC production, including whole apple, apple pulp, and apple juice. PAT contents were analyzed via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and compared with samples from the different production processes. The result demonstrated that the PAT content was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by five processes, receipt of raw apples, sorting of raw apples, adsorption step, pasteurization, and aseptic filling. These processes were determined as the CCPs. Monitoring systems for maintaining CCPs within acceptable limits were established, and corrective actions were proposed in case a CCP was surpassed. Based on the above-identified CCPs, critical limits, and control methods (corrective actions), a HACCP plan related to the production process of AJC was established. This study provided important guidance for juice manufacturers wishing to effectively control the PAT content in their products.

Levels, sources, and risk assessment of PAHs residues in soil and plants in urban parks of Northwest China.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) will be ingested by people through different ways to threaten their health during play, so the environmental quality of the park directly affects the health of tourists and residents. Using eight typical parks in Urumqi in Northwest China as the study area, we used GC-MS to detect the PAHs content in the park surface soil and 10 common plants in the park in different seasons. The results showed that the content of PAHs in park soil in the summer was 5-6 times that in the winter, and the monomer PAHs in some park soil sampling points were higher than the soil pollution risk screening value. And the contamination level at these sampling sites was also higher compared to other sampling sites. In summer, the plants with high PAHs content in leaves are short herbs, while in winter, they are tall arbors. The PAHs of the park soil are mainly composed of high-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and are mainly of traffic origin. The proportion of low-ring aromatic hydrocarbons in the winter was significantly higher than that in the summer. The source of PAHs in plants in summer is similar to that in soil, but the source of PAHs in plants in winter is more complex. The toxicity equivalent concentration method values of soil PAHs in South Park, Zhiwu Park, Shihua Park and Toutunhe Park were higher than that in other parks. The lifetime carcinogenic risk (ILCRs) values of some sampling points in these four parks in the summer were relatively high. The average ILCRs of adults and children in all parks reached a low-risk level in summer. The carcinogenic risk in children is much higher than that of adults.

Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Chitosan-Ag Complex Hydrogel on Fungal Disease in Grape.

Hydrogel antibacterial agent is an ideal antibacterial material because of its ability to diffuse antibacterial molecules into the decayed area by providing a suitable microenvironment and acting as a protective barrier on the decay interface. The biocompatibility and biodegradation make the removal process easy and it is already widely used in medical fields. However, there have been few reports on its application for controlling postharvest diseases in fruit. In this study, the Chitosan-silver (CS-Ag) complex hydrogels were prepared using the physical crosslinking method, which is used for controlling postharvest diseases in grape. The prepared hydrogels were stable for a long period at room temperature. The structure and surface morphology of CS-Ag composite hydrogels were characterized by UV-Vis, FTIR, SEM, and XRD. The inhibitory effects of CS-Ag hydrogel on disease in grape caused by P. expansum, A. niger, and B. cinerea were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. The remarkable antibacterial activity of CS-Ag hydrogels was mainly due to the combined antibacterial and antioxidant effects of CS and Ag. Preservation tests showed that the CS-Ag hydrogel had positive fresh-keeping effect. This revealed that CS-Ag hydrogels can play a critical role in controlling fungal disease in grapes.