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Mycotoxins are one of the biggest threats to global food safety, public health, and economic stability. More than 400 mycotoxins have been found to be secondary metabolites of toxigenic fungi, mostly from the genera Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, and Alternaria. Aflatoxins (AFs), ochratoxin A (OTA), deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FBs), patulin (PAT), and T-2/HT-2 toxins are the most dangerous to the health of people and animals. Conventional physical and chemical decontamination methods are only partially effective and can reduce food quality, leave toxic residues, or be too expensive for smallholder food systems. Recent studies have shown that the application of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a biological detoxification method is a safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly option, and has a long history of safe use in fermented foods. Selected strains or taxonomic units have been granted GRAS status by the FDA or QPS (Qualified Presumption of Safety) status by EFSA. However, their use for mycotoxin detoxification still requires strain-level safety assessment and efficacy validation in the intended food matrix. There are several mechanisms by which LAB employ to reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins in food systems: (i) physical adsorption via cell wall components such as peptidoglycan, teichoic acids, and exopolysaccharides; (ii) enzymatic biotransformation that may produce non-toxic or less-toxic metabolites, though the safety of degradation products requires case-by-case toxicological assessment; (iii) antifungal metabolite production that inhibits fungal growth and mycotoxin biosynthesis; and (iv) competitive exclusion of toxigenic fungi during fermentation. This comprehensive review examines the existing evidence on the detoxification of major food mycotoxins by LAB, with an emphasis on mechanisms, strain-specific efficacy, food-matrix applications, and factors that affect detoxification efficacy. Discussion has also been made of translating in vitro findings to in vivo settings and food-scale applications, alongside regulatory frameworks, current challenges, and future research directions. The review also suggests ways to combine LAB with new technologies, such as encapsulation, genetic engineering, and fermentation optimization, to make food systems safer by synergistically controlling mycotoxins. Full article

Ensuring global food security is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity and meat production is a critical source for protein; however, there are many critical issues facing the industry. This study focused on consumer perceptions of four key issues facing the meat industry: (1) the public perception of the animal industry, (2) environmental sustainability, (3) animal health and well-being, and (4) ensuring human health and well-being (e.g., food safety, nutrition). Analyzing the data from an importance and urgency perspective, the results indicated most respondents tended to perceive ensuring human health and well-being as most important and urgent relative to the other items. However, after calculating the criticality index (a measure of within-person concordance), environmental sustainability had the highest observed mean criticality score, followed by public perception. Lastly, a cluster analysis was undertaken. Four distinct clusters emerged: (1) Health-Focused/Environment-Skeptic, (2) High Engagement, (3) Low Engagement, and (4) Important But Not Urgent. Overall, results indicate a range of consumer perspectives regarding critical issues facing the meat industry; however, human health and well-being was consistently identified as the most important and urgent issue from a consumer perspective which can help inform more targeted communication strategies and effective policy development. Full article

Environmental health services play a critical role in communicable disease outbreaks by addressing environmental determinants of disease transmission. However, the scope, impact, and challenges of Environmental Health Practitioner (EHP)-led interventions remain insufficiently documented. Aim and objectives: This systematic review objectively assessed the role, impacts, and challenges of municipal environmental health services in outbreak response, with a focus on South Africa, to inform the standardisation and strengthening of disease surveillance and prevention. Methods: The PICO framework guided the development of search terms and research questions. PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were searched for English-language, full-text studies published between 2010 and 2024. Studies not meeting these inclusion criteria were excluded. Screening and reporting followed PRISMA guidelines, and data were synthesised using a standardised extraction tool. Results: A total of 58 studies were included. The key EHP functions identified were water quality monitoring, vector control, food safety, waste management, and outbreak response. While South Africa demonstrated comparatively advanced systems, persistent implementation challenges remain, including the integration of environmental monitoring with disease surveillance. The findings emphasised the need for integrating environmental monitoring with disease surveillance systems and integrating WASH and climate-responsive strategies. Conclusions and recommendation: The review recommends strengthening guidelines and advancing evidence-based practice. Enhancing EHP roles within surveillance frameworks is essential for improving outbreak preparedness and public health resilience. Full article

Accurate prediction of soil organic carbon (SOC) in cropland is important for food production, sustainable soil management, and carbon sequestration. Although digital soil mapping (DSM) has been widely used in the prediction of SOC, most of the current DSM studies use only a single remote sensing image and a single machine learning (ML) approach, and few studies apply multi-temporal remote sensing images and ensemble methods. This study explores the accuracy of the prediction of surface SOC in cropland by comparing multi-temporal Sentinel-2A remote sensing with random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), gradient boosted decision trees (GBDT), extreme gradient boosted decision trees (XGBoost), and a stacking ensemble method consisting of these four ML approaches. The potential of multi-temporal remote sensing data and the stacking ensemble method for SOC prediction is discussed. To this end, 76 sampling points were selected in the study area, soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10 cm and 10–20 cm for each soil profile, and a total of 152 soil samples were obtained. Remote sensing variables extracted from topography, climate, and Sentinel-2A images on 13 January and 31 August 2023 were used as predictor variables. The results showed that the stacking ensemble method with multi-temporal predictor variables outperformed all single models and variable combinations. However, the overall predictive accuracy remained moderate, with the best performance for 0–10 cm (R² = 0.386, RMSE = 4.782, MAE = 3.36) and 10–20 cm (R² = 0.425, RMSE = 4.484, MAE = 4.031). The relatively low R² values, despite the use of advanced methods, highlight the inherent challenges of SOC prediction in highly fragmented karst croplands. This study demonstrates the incremental benefit, rather than a universal high accuracy, of combining multi-temporal Sentinel-2 imagery with a stacking ensemble to improve SOC mapping in such complex environments. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted governments to implement lockdowns and social distancing measures to curb transmission, which, in South Africa, disrupted economic activity, reduced household income, and challenged the sustainability of household food access. This study assessed food accessibility, availability, dietary diversity, food security status, and coping strategies among households in the Tygerberg region during lockdowns. A cross-sectional design was employed using a researcher-administered questionnaire to collect sociodemographic and household data. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and the Household Food Security Survey Module, dietary diversity using a 24 h recall, and coping strategies through a standardized tool. Among the 432 households surveyed, 62% reported reduced income during lockdowns, while approximately 80% experienced food insecurity in the preceding 30 days and 72% over the past year. Dietary diversity was low in 47.3% of households, consuming fewer than seven food groups, and medium in 46.4%, consuming eight to eleven food groups. Common coping strategies included purchasing cheaper, less preferred foods, skipping meals, and reliance on social relief measures such as food parcels and the Social Relief of Distress grant. Overall, while food availability remained relatively stable, economic access emerged as the principal constraint, undermining dietary quality and household resilience and highlighting the need for income-responsive and socially sustainable food security interventions to strengthen urban food system resilience during prolonged socio-economic shocks. Full article

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a significant staple food crop in the developing world. Despite its significance, diseases and pests are limiting its supply. Farmers have primarily relied on synthetic chemicals as control measures; however, these chemicals are harmful to humans, animals, and the environment and exacerbate pest recurrence. Medicinal plants have shown promising potential as alternative pest- and disease-controlling agents, offering an economical, sustainable, biodegradable, and cost-effective approach. This review article synthesises phytochemical, ethnobotanical, and experimental data from relevant peer-reviewed papers published across various years to identify medicinal plants. Thirty-one unique plant families have been identified and have been used to control pests and diseases of maize. Some families represented both antifungal and insecticidal applications. Medicinal plants such as Senna obtusifolia, Euphorbia balsamifera, Aristolochia ringens, Allium sativum, Azadirachta indica, Carica papaya, Moringa oleifera, and Ficus exasperata have shown antifungal and insecticidal properties, primarily under laboratory conditions. Most of the evidence is derived from laboratory studies, with only limited validation in real field conditions and with limited evaluation of safety for non-target organisms. Furthermore, this review highlighted the extraction methods, solvents used, plant parts, major active ingredients, and mode of action. Future prospects for integrating ethnobotanical knowledge with contemporary scientific methods to optimise biopesticide production are also discussed, along with the challenges of standardisation, formulation, and commercialisation. Full article

Recent trends in cereal chemistry emphasize sustainable food systems and functional fortification through upcycling and gluten reduction. This study addresses the challenges of reformulating wheat bakery products with four technologically distinct oat forms at three levels (5, 10, 15% substitution of wheat flour) by focusing on dough’s structural integrity. While conventional farinographic metrics such as Stability (STA) or Degree of Dough Softening (DSD) usually are not able to capture the dynamic fatigue of the gluten–starch matrix of wheat dough, several innovative kinetic descriptors are introduced, e.g., dough development slope angle (DDSA), and the time-resolved of both the dough curve width (DW) and farinograph elasticity loss (FEL) foursomes. Analytical results revealed that fiber-rich oat bran induced a mechanical ‘pseudostabilization’, whereas germinated diastatic malt caused a severe enzymatically driven structural collapse of wheat dough cohesiveness. This degradation was corroborated by a sharp non-linear decline in Falling Number (from 482 s to 196 s) and by a dramatic rise in the DSD/STA ratio (from 6.4 to 149.2). Statistical analysis indicated the proposed descriptors, particularly late-stage DW₁₅–DW₂₀ and FEL₁₅–FEL₂₀, provided more sensitive associations with quality parameters of small round breads baked at a laboratory scale—height, bread slice area, and specific volume—than traditional static indicators of the farinogram. As usual in such cases, a critical threshold of wheat flour substitution was identified at 10–15%. These results demonstrate that time–resolved kinetic modeling of dough elasticity serves as a robust complementary tool for predicting baking performance, enabling the rational optimization of formulations and the prevention of structural defects in industrial production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multidrug resistant (MDR) Salmonella represents a major global public health challenge within the One Health interface. This study aimed to characterize the genomic epidemiology of Salmonella isolates from Colombia and resolve the genetic architecture of novel MDR plasmids identified in foodborne strains. Methods: A total of 90 Salmonella isolates collected between 2002 and 2009 from various food sources and food-producing animals in Colombia were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Bioinformatics tools were employed for serotype prediction, multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), and resistome/virulome profiling. Long-read sequencing was utilized to close the complete sequences of representative MDR plasmids. Results: 45.6% of isolates exhibited antimicrobial resistance, with seven being classified as MDR. The major serotypes identified were Uganda (n = 20), Newport (n = 10), and Braenderup (n = 10). We characterized a novel 229,037 bp IncHI1 plasmid (pCFS0255-1) harboring a copper homeostasis and silver resistance island (CHASRI) integrated with tetracycline and macrolide resistance clusters. Additionally, a 99,288 bp IncI1 plasmid (pCFS0255-2) carrying a unique aminoglycoside resistance module was resolved. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the persistence of specific Salmonella lineages in the Colombian food chain and the role of hybrid plasmids in the co-selection of metal and antibiotic resistance. The study underscores the necessity of implementing WGS-based surveillance to track emerging MDR threats. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a pressing global health challenge, underscoring the urgency of developing effective dietary interventions derived from natural resources. Zaojiaomi polysaccharide (ZJMP) from the endosperm of Gleditsia sinensis seeds (zaojiaomi), a traditional edible product, exhibits largely underexplored potential in T2DM management. Methods: In the present study, the antidiabetic effects and underlying mechanisms of ZJMP were investigated using a rat model of T2DM induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozotocin (STZ). Relevant biochemical indicators were detected, and histopathological examination was performed. The expression levels of key components of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-1β in renal tissues, were further analyzed. Additionally, gut microbiota composition and the levels of short-chain fatty acids were determined. Results: ZJMP treatment significantly ameliorated hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, elevated serum insulin levels, reduced intestinal mucosal permeability, and attenuated histopathological lesions in the heart, kidney, and pancreas of T2DM rats. Meanwhile, ZJMP notably alleviated renal inflammation by suppressing the production of IL-1β and IL-6, as well as inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, ZJMP administration effectively modulated gut microbiota composition and increased fecal concentrations of acetic acid and propionic acid. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings elucidate the novel bioactivity of ZJMP and highlight its potential as a promising functional food ingredient or dietary supplement for T2DM management. Full article

Genetic resources of small ruminants are essential for food security in arid regions; however, basic data for each breed in Saudi Arabia remain incomplete. This study establishes a comprehensive national database through a systematic survey of 104 farms, covering 21,214 heads of livestock (sheep and goats) across the kingdom’s primary agro-ecological zones between January and October 2025. Although national census data indicate that major breeds of sheep such as Naeemi, Najdi, Arabi, and Harri or goats such as Ardi exceed the FAO’s numerical thresholds for “not at risk,” our analysis reveals a fundamental paradox of “genetic vulnerability,” defined as a high risk of inbreeding depression and genetic stagnation despite high census numbers. The results show significant regional variations in prolificacy (p < 0.05), with the southern region displaying a substantial productivity gap compared to the central and eastern regions, mainly due to reliance on traditional grazing (46.7%) and limited infrastructure. This vulnerability is driven by a high risk of systematic inbreeding, with 65.7% of breeders acquiring sires from their own herds, a situation worsened by a severe 80% shortage of high-quality breeding males in the central region. Furthermore, selection criteria heavily emphasize esthetic phenotypic traits (over 80%) rather than production indicators (less than 8%), hindering genetic progress. Correlation analysis showed that higher farmer education levels were negatively associated with reproductive challenges (r = −0.216), while high feed prices remained a near-universal obstacle (97.1%). To mitigate these risks, we recommend implementing region-specific sire exchange programs to break closed breeding loops and establishing a national performance recording system to shift selection focus from phenotypic traits to measurable productivity. This study provides a vital, evidence-based framework for transitioning toward data-driven, resilient conservation and breeding strategies. Full article

Vitamin B₁₂ supplementation among people without proven deficiency has become popularized, driven by perceptions of (i) frequent underdiagnosis of deficiency, (ii) promotion as a natural enhancer of well-being, and (iii) a favourable safety profile. Here, we examine whether these claims align with current evidence. We present guidance from major health authorities, which advises against routine testing in asymptomatic individuals without risk factors. The prevalence of B₁₂ deficiency varies greatly, mainly because definitions of B₁₂ deficiency are not standardized and may include clinical, biochemical, or functional criteria. Biochemical deficiency (typically serum B₁₂ < 148 pmol/L) is the predominant definition in epidemiological and clinical research studies. Using this criterion, deficiency appears uncommon in general populations of high-income countries (~2%), but substantially more frequent in settings with limited access to animal-source foods or B₁₂-fortified products (up to 69%). Studying the effects of supplementation is also challenged by variation in the regimens used, which range from 0.02 to 1 mg/day orally and from 1 to 5 mg/week intramuscularly, with durations spanning ~4 weeks to ~7 years. This limits cross-study comparability. Overall, supplementation has not shown consistent benefits in populations without overt clinical or biochemical B₁₂ deficiency, with no clear improvements in fatigue, mood, cognition, or cardiovascular outcomes. Benefits, when reported, appear confined to selected subgroups (e.g., hyperhomocysteinemia or low–normal B₁₂ status). B₁₂ supplementation is generally well tolerated. There are rare reports of acneiform and hypersensitivity responses, although these cannot be completely distinguished from reactions to, e.g., excipients. Observational studies associate B₁₂ supplementation and higher circulating B₁₂ levels with increased risks of malignancy. However, these findings are inconsistent, and current evidence is insufficient to establish causality, as potential reverse causation remains a major concern. Full article

The digital transformation of agriculture has generated vast heterogeneous datasets from sensors, machinery, and administrative systems; however, interoperability and data sovereignty remain critical challenges. This study presents an IDS-compliant Agricultural Data Space tailored to the Italian context, integrating regulatory frameworks (General Data Protection Regulation, Data Governance Act and Data Act) with the International Data Spaces (IDS) Reference Architecture Model. The study addresses key barriers to data sharing, including technical fragmentation, governance gaps, and economic incentives, by mapping Italian agricultural data flows onto the five-layer IDS model. Policy-based usage control is implemented through machine-enforceable Open Digital Rights Language policies, enabling farmer-centric data sovereignty. Three use cases, namely administrative Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) declarations, machine-generated data portability, and agri-food supply-chain traceability, demonstrate how structured and interoperable data exchange can reduce redundancy, mitigate vendor lock-in, and support sustainable agri-food systems. The findings highlight the feasibility of IDS-driven solutions in real-world agricultural ecosystems, emphasizing the need for sector-specific policy templates and scalable governance mechanisms. This work contributes to the development of the Common European Agricultural Data Space by bridging institutional, technical, and regulatory gaps. Full article

Food markets represent a public good essential for urban supply and as intergenerational spaces supporting the small-scale economy, yet they face growing challenges in adapting to sustainability regulations and circular economy requirements. This study examines the current state of sustainability in Madrid’s municipal markets through interviews and questionnaires administered to market managers, analyzing building characteristics, renewable energy systems, passive savings strategies, and energy costs across different market typologies. Results reveal that in December 2025, only 9% of markets had solar thermal installations, while merely 11% were planning photovoltaic solar panel projects—figures insufficient to meet current EU energy efficiency mandates. The findings demonstrate a significant gap between existing infrastructure and the requirements of the Directive (EU) 2023/1791, which supersedes previous directives. These results indicate an urgent need for accelerated implementation of renewable energy systems in market buildings to achieve sustainability targets. The study contributes baseline data for developing intervention strategies that can reduce energy consumption and align Madrid’s market network with European decarbonization goals for 2030 and 2050. Full article

Early and non-destructive identification of fungal contamination in cereals is essential to support post-harvest management, reduce economic losses, and mitigate food safety risks along the wheat supply chain. Among filamentous fungi, Alternaria spp. are widespread contaminants of durum wheat and producers of toxic secondary metabolites such as alternariol (AOH), whose early detection remains analytically challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of near-infrared transmittance (NIT) spectroscopy as a rapid, non-destructive pre-screening tool for the early identification of Alternaria-contaminated durum wheat lots and associated AOH risk. Samples from three durum wheat cultivars were artificially inoculated with Alternaria spp. and monitored over time. NIT spectra (570–1100 nm) were acquired in transmittance mode and analyzed using partial least squares (PLS) regression, focusing on the 870–1100 nm spectral region. Clear and time-dependent spectral differences were observed between inoculated and control samples, with the strongest discriminative features at 834 and 966 nm. Classification performance was high, with area under the curve (AUC) values between 0.96 and 0.97. ELISA analysis confirmed progressive AOH accumulation in inoculated kernels, consistent with the observed spectral changes, while control experiments excluded autoclaving and visual grain damage as confounding factors. From an applied perspective, the results indicate that NIT spectroscopy can support post-harvest decision-making as a rapid pre-screening approach, enabling the prioritization of suspect wheat lots for confirmatory analytical testing. Multivariate analysis further confirmed the consistency of spectral differences across datasets. Full article

Start-ups have established themselves as drivers of dynamism and economic growth. However, they face many and varied challenges, with one of them being managing their communication strategy. This study aims to analyse the digital communication strategy of start-ups in the Agrotech and Foodtech sectors. For that purpose, the annual rankings published by El Referente between 2023 and 2025 were reviewed, and 17 companies were selected, 11 from the Agrotech sector and six from the Foodtech sector. Based on this sample, a mixed methodology was used, combining content analysis with social media metrics analysis. The results show an uneven use of communication strategies by start-ups. Almost all of them have their own communication channels, such as websites or social media profiles, but their use is not uniform, and in many cases, the potential offered by these tools could be improved. The findings contribute to the literature on strategic communication in start-ups by evidencing the gap between declared identity and substantive legitimacy in sectors of high social scrutiny, such as the agri-food sector. Full article