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14 pages, 2374 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

What about the Arsenic? Health Risk Assessment in Canned Tuna Commercialized in Northern Spain

by Carlos Valiente-Diaz, Alejandra del Valle, Eva Garcia-Vazquez, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino and Alba Ardura

Processes 2023, 11(3), 824; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11030824 - 9 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3864

Abstract

The incorrect labeling, as well as the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in seafood, represent a recurring problem worldwide, not only for natural resources but also for the consumers’ health. Heavy metals can be accumulated through the food chain and transferred to the final [...] Read more.

The incorrect labeling, as well as the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in seafood, represent a recurring problem worldwide, not only for natural resources but also for the consumers’ health. Heavy metals can be accumulated through the food chain and transferred to the final human consumer. Despite its toxicology, arsenic does not have a concentration limit on food, unlike other heavy metals like cadmium, mercury, and lead. Tuna species, with a worldwide distribution and high per capita consumption, represent a well-known toxicological issue caused by heavy metals. In this context, 80 samples of canned tuna were analyzed to check if the information contained in the label was correct and complete. Genetic identification was made by sequencing a fragment of 16S rDNA from 80 samples. For the heavy metal quantification, only those samples with the complete FAO fishing area information on the label were analyzed. Only 29 out of 80 samples presented enough information on the labels for the analysis. Some of the canned tuna commercialized in Spanish markets surpassed the safety standard levels established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Activities (JECFA) under the consumption rates of 300 g and 482 g per week. However, the carcinogenic risk (CRlim) for arsenic in all cans and all scenarios was higher than the safety levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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8 pages, 2703 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of Porcine and Aspergillus oryzae α-Amylases as Possible Model for the Human Enzyme

by Mauro Marengo, Davide Pezzilli, Eleonora Gianquinto, Alex Fissore, Simonetta Oliaro-Bosso, Barbara Sgorbini, Francesca Spyrakis and Salvatore Adinolfi

Processes 2022, 10(4), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10040780 - 15 Apr 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3249

Abstract

α-amylases are ubiquitous enzymes belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase (GH13) family, whose members share a high degree of sequence identity, even between distant organisms. To understand the determinants of catalytic activity of α-amylases throughout evolution, and to investigate the use of homologous enzymes [...] Read more.

α-amylases are ubiquitous enzymes belonging to the glycosyl hydrolase (GH13) family, whose members share a high degree of sequence identity, even between distant organisms. To understand the determinants of catalytic activity of α-amylases throughout evolution, and to investigate the use of homologous enzymes as a model for the human one, we compared human salivary α-amylase, Aspergillus oryzae α-amylase and pancreatic porcine α-amylase, using a combination of in vitro and in silico approaches. Enzyme sequences were aligned, and structures superposed, whereas kinetics were spectroscopically studied by using commercial synthetic substrates. These three enzymes show strikingly different activities, specifically mediated by different ions, despite relevant structural homology. Our study confirms that the function of α-amylases throughout evolution has considerably diverged, although key structural determinants, such as the catalytic triad and the calcium-binding pocket, have been retained. These functional differences need to be carefully considered when α-amylases, from different organisms, are used as a model for the human enzymes. In this frame, particular focus is needed for the setup of proper experimental conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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20 pages, 1527 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Toxicological and Nutraceutical Screening Assays of Some Artificial Sweeteners

by Marcos Mateo-Fernández, Miguel Josué González-Jiménez, Mercedes Del Río Celestino, Rafel Font, Ángeles Alonso-Moraga and Tania Merinas-Amo

Processes 2022, 10(2), 410; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020410 - 20 Feb 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3709

Abstract

Artificial sweeteners are food additives worldwide used instead of fructose or glucose in many diet beverages. Furthermore, diet beverages intake has been increasing every year. Thus, some food agencies should regulate it based on toxicological studies. Debates and controversial results are demonstrated, and [...] Read more.

Artificial sweeteners are food additives worldwide used instead of fructose or glucose in many diet beverages. Furthermore, diet beverages intake has been increasing every year. Thus, some food agencies should regulate it based on toxicological studies. Debates and controversial results are demonstrated, and authority can revise its decision on the basis of new data reporting toxicological effects since cyclamate has been forbidden in some countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to report new data about the toxicity of acesulfame-k, aspartame, and cyclamate, which are useful for authority agencies, determining the toxic potential and nutraceutical capabilities of these compounds. The toxicity, antitoxicity, genotoxicity, antigenotoxicity, and life expectancy assays were carried out in Drosophila as an in vivo model. In addition, in vitro HL-60 line cell was used to evaluate the chemopreventive activity determining the cytotoxic effect and the capability of producing DNA damage due to internucleosomal fragmentation or DNA strand breaks. Furthermore, the methylated status of these cancer cells treated with the tested compounds was assayed as a cancer therapy. Our results demonstrated that all tested compounds were neither toxic nor genotoxic, whereas these compounds resulted in antigenotoxic and cytotoxic substances, except for cyclamate. Aspartame showed antitoxic effects in Drosophila. All tested compounds decreased the quality of life of this in vivo organism model. Acesulfame-k, aspartame, and cyclamate induced DNA damage in the HL-60 cell line in the comet assay, and acesulfame-k generally increased the methylation status. In conclusion, all tested artificial sweeteners were safe compounds at assayed concentrations since toxicity and genotoxicity were not significantly induced in flies. Moreover, Aspartame and Cyclamate showed protective activity against a genotoxin in Drosophila Regarding nutraceutical potential, acesulfame-k and aspartame could be demonstrated to be chemopreventive due to the cytotoxicity activity shown by these compounds. According to DNA fragmentation and comet assays, a necrotic way could be the main mechanism of death cells induced by acesulfame-k and aspartame. Finally, Acesulfame-K hypermethylated repetitive elements, which are hypomethylated in cancer cells resulting in a benefit to humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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18 pages, 2178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Seasonal Variation and Processing Methods on the Cassava-Derived Dietary Cyanide Poisoning, Nutritional Status, and Konzo Appearance in South-Kivu, Eastern D.R. Congo

by Marius Baguma, Christiane Migabo, Fabrice Nzabara, Wany Linda Sami, Christian Manegabe Akili, Samuel Makali Lwamushi, Jules Mufungizi Bisimwa, Aimé Nkemba, Pacifique Chirhalwirwa, Ghislain Balemba Maheshe, Jean-Michel Rigo and Joëlle Nsimire Chabwine

Processes 2022, 10(2), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020337 - 10 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2333

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the impact of seasons on the nutritional status and on dietary cassava-related cyanide exposure in Burhinyi and Idjwi, two areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, witnessing similarly high cassava-derived cyanide poisoning but differently affected by [...] Read more.

This study aimed at evaluating the impact of seasons on the nutritional status and on dietary cassava-related cyanide exposure in Burhinyi and Idjwi, two areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, witnessing similarly high cassava-derived cyanide poisoning but differently affected by konzo and malnutrition. Cyanide content in cassava roots and flour, and urinary thiocyanate levels (uSCN) of 54 subjects (40 from Burhinyi and 14 from Idjwi, aged 28.7 (12.1) years, 63% women) were measured during the rainy season (RS) and dry season (DS), using picrate paper kits A and D1. Local processing methods proved to be efficient in removing cyanogenic compounds in fresh cassava roots during the RS. However, the cyanide content in flour samples significantly increased during DS, with ~50% of samples containing unsafe levels (>10 ppm) of cyanide content. Strikingly, the uSCN (µmol/L), from being comparably high in RS (~172.0), slightly decreased during DS in Burhinyi (~103.2; p = 0,3547), but not in Idjwi (~172; p = 0,1113). Furthermore, serum proteins and albumin levels significantly decreased during the DS, witnessing a worsening of nutritional status, in Burhinyi but not in Idjwi. The consumption of bitter cassava roots (OR = 5.43, p = 0.0144) and skipping heap fermentation (OR = 16.67, p = 0.0021) were independently associated with very high uSCN levels during the DS. Thus, restoring the traditional processing methods, and complying with them in either season should ensure the safe consumption of cassava. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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21 pages, 1988 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Safety and Protective Activities of Manufactured Alcohol-Free Beers

by Tania Merinas-Amo, Mercedes Del Río Celestino, Rafael Font and Ángeles Alonso-Moraga

Processes 2022, 10(2), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10020331 - 9 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1941

Abstract

Nowadays, a general interest in improving health in order to achieve better conditions of life is increasing. Diet is a complex factor affecting health conditions. We analysed the biological activities of three types of alcohol-free lager beer (a blond, a pale-blond and a [...] Read more.

Nowadays, a general interest in improving health in order to achieve better conditions of life is increasing. Diet is a complex factor affecting health conditions. We analysed the biological activities of three types of alcohol-free lager beer (a blond, a pale-blond and a stout beer) as well as epicatechin gallate (ECG) as one of their most abundant phenols with the aim of revealing them as nutraceuticals. For that purpose, we carried out safety and protective assays of the tested substances in the well-known Drosophila melanogaster animal model. Moreover, chemoprevention studies on human leukaemia cells (HL-60) in an in vitro model were carried out to evaluate the viability and genomic damage potential of the studied compounds on the tumour cell line. Results suggest the safety properties of all compounds, although pale-blond and stout beer only showed genotoxic activity at the lowest concentrations assayed. Moreover, alcohol-free beers and phenols were able to protect against H₂O₂ oxidative damage as well as to induce an increase in longevity with an improvement of the quality of life in the in vivo animal model assayed. Promising results were obtained with the alcohol-free beers and ECG in the in vitro assays with human leukaemia cells as they inhibited the tumour cells’ growth, induced DNA damage and modified the methylation status of such a cancer cell line. To sum up, alcohol-free beers should be of interest not only because of their reduced calories and isotonic properties but because they can be recognised as nutraceutical substances. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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13 pages, 2088 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lentinan Impairs the Early Development of Zebrafish Embryos, Possibly by Disrupting Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

by Wenyu Miao, Lingling He, Tao Zhang and Chunqi Li

Processes 2022, 10(1), 120; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10010120 - 7 Jan 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2507

Abstract

LNT is the major biologically active substance extracted from Lentinus edodes (L. edodes). Although functional and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that LNT has multiple benefits for animals and humans, the safety assessment is far from sufficient. To evaluate the potential safety [...] Read more.

LNT is the major biologically active substance extracted from Lentinus edodes (L. edodes). Although functional and pharmacological studies have demonstrated that LNT has multiple benefits for animals and humans, the safety assessment is far from sufficient. To evaluate the potential safety risk, larval zebrafish were continuously exposed to varying concentrations of LNT for 120 h. The 96 h LC50 of LNT was determined to be 1228 μg/mL, and morphological defects including short body length, reduced eye and swim bladder sizes and yolk sac edema were observed. In addition, LNT exposure significantly reduced the blood flow velocity and locomotor activity of larval zebrafish. The biochemical parameters were also affected, showing reduced glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels in zebrafish larvae after being exposed to LNT. Correspondingly, the genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism were disrupted. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates the adverse potential of high concentrations of LNT on the development of zebrafish larvae in the early life stage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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9 pages, 2537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Hepatic mRNA Expression Levels of the Oncogenes Alpha-Fetoprotein and Osteopontin as Diagnostics for Liver Cancer in a Murine Model of Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

by Anthony J. Pellicano, Stephanie Mullan, Itzhak D. Goldberg and Prakash Narayan

Processes 2021, 9(9), 1516; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9091516 - 26 Aug 2021

Viewed by 1852

Abstract

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression levels of hepatic oncogenes, alpha-fetoprotein (afp) and osteopontin (opn)/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (spp1), were investigated using a model of diet-induced NASH. Mice were randomized [...] Read more.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is associated with an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Expression levels of hepatic oncogenes, alpha-fetoprotein (afp) and osteopontin (opn)/secreted phosphoprotein 1 (spp1), were investigated using a model of diet-induced NASH. Mice were randomized to a standard diet or a fast-food diet (FFD) for 17 months. Livers from the FFD cohort exhibited hallmark characteristics of NASH with liver fibrosis, with a subset of animals exhibiting HCC. Expression levels of hepatic afp and opn/spp1 were elevated ~2.5 and ~5-fold, respectively, in the FFD cohort. Hepatic opn/spp1 exhibited a direct (r = 0.65) and significant (p < 0.01) correlation with liver hydroxyproline content. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for hepatic afp, as a diagnostic for HCC, returned an area under (AU) ROC 0.84, a sensitivity of 87.5%, a specificity of 77% and a threshold of >1.05-fold change in mRNA level. The use of hepatic opn/ssp1 as a diagnostic for HCC returned an AUROC 0.88, a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 86.7% and a threshold of >2.4-fold change in mRNA level. These data point to a transformation of NASH to an oncotype with hepatic oncogene levels as a diagnostic for NASH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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Review

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14 pages, 1491 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperReview

Pathways of Mycotoxin Occurrence in Meat Products: A Review

by Jelka Pleadin, Tina Lešić, Dragan Milićević, Ksenija Markov, Bojan Šarkanj, Nada Vahčić, Ivana Kmetič and Manuela Zadravec

Processes 2021, 9(12), 2122; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9122122 - 25 Nov 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 7472

Abstract

Documented cases of mycotoxin occurrence in meat products call for further research into potential contamination sources, especially given an ever more increasing consumption of these nutritionally rich products. These foodstuffs can be contaminated with mycotoxins through three pathways: contaminated spices and other raw [...] Read more.

Documented cases of mycotoxin occurrence in meat products call for further research into potential contamination sources, especially given an ever more increasing consumption of these nutritionally rich products. These foodstuffs can be contaminated with mycotoxins through three pathways: contaminated spices and other raw materials, mycotoxin-producing moulds present on the surface of dry-cured meat products, and carry-over effect from farm animals exposed to contaminated feed. In order to establish meat products’ mycotoxin contamination more precisely, the concentrations of all mycotoxins of relevance for these products should be determined. This manuscript reviews data on major mycotoxins present in different types of meat products, and discusses the contamination pathways, contamination levels and control & preventative measures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Food Safety and Toxicology in Food Processes and Engineering)

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