Determination of Mycotoxins in Plant-Based Meat Alternatives (PBMAs) and Ingredients after Microwave Cooking.

In this study, we investigate the role of microwave cooking in reducing mycotoxin contamination in plant-based food matrices, with a focus on veggie burgers (purchased and home-made) and their ingredients (soybean, potatoes, zucchini, carrots). Two different conditions were studied (Max-Min) that were 800 W for 60 s and 800 W for 90 s, respectively. The degradation patterns of aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2), fumonisins (FB1, FB2, FB3), trichothecenes (T2, HT2, ZEA), and ochratoxin A (OTA) were studied.

Polyphenols of white lupin ( L.) seeds cultivated in Southern Italy by a LC-HRMS method.

In this work we examined the contents of 14 polyphenols in white lupin ( L.) samples cultivated in Southern Italy by the optimisation and validation of a LC-HRMS method. The validation of the LC-HRMS method showed linearity results r > 0.

Correction: Bigi et al. Waste Orange Peels as a Source of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Their Use for the Development of Nanocomposite Films. 2023, , 960.

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Acetic acid bacteria in agro-wastes: from cheese whey and olive mill wastewater to cellulose.

In this study, cheese whey and olive mill wastewater were investigated as potential feedstocks for producing bacterial cellulose by using acetic acid bacteria strains. Organic acids and phenolic compounds composition were assayed by high-pressure liquid chromatography. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction were used to investigate modifications in bacterial cellulose chemical and morphological structure.

Waste Orange Peels as a Source of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Their Use for the Development of Nanocomposite Films.

To date, approximately 30-50% of food is wasted from post-harvesting to consumer usage. Typical examples of food by-products are fruit peels and pomace, seeds, and others. A large part of these matrices is still discarded in landfills, while a small portion is valorized for bioprocessing.

Toxic metals in Loggerhead sea turtles () stranded freshly dead along Sicilian coasts.

Background: The Loggerhead sea turtle () is a marine reptile belonging to a monophyletic group of chelonians. As these animals are long-lived, they have the ability to accumulate pollutants.

Aim: To collect epidemiological data on toxic metals in marine Loggerhead sea turtles.

The Green Era of Food Packaging: General Considerations and New Trends.

Recently, academic research and industries have gained awareness about the economic, environmental, and social impacts of conventional plastic packaging and its disposal. This consciousness has oriented efforts towards more sustainable materials such as biopolymers, paving the way for the "green era" of food packaging. This review provides a schematic overview about polymers and blends of them, which are emerging as promising alternatives to conventional plastics.

Anti-Spoilage Activity and Exopolysaccharides Production by Selected Lactic Acid Bacteria.

In this study, eight lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains, previously isolated from traditional and gluten-free sourdoughs, and selected for their potential in improving the sensory and rheological quality of bakery products, were screened against some common spoilage agents. The anti-mould activity was tested using strains of the species , , and Regarding the antibacterial activity, it was assessed against four strains of the species , , and . Furthermore, LAB strains were evaluated for their ability to produce exopolysaccharides, which are gaining considerable attention for their functional properties and applicability in different food industrial applications.

Candidate Acetic Acid Bacteria Strains for Levan Production.

In this study, twelve strains of acetic acid bacteria (AAB) belonging to five different genera were tested for their ability to produce levan, at 70 and 250 g/L of sucrose concentration, respectively. The fructan produced by the bacterial strains was characterized as levan by NMR spectroscopy. Most of the strains produced levan, highlighting intra- and inter-species variability.

Fatty Acids Composition of Stomach Oil of Scopoli's Shearwater () from Linosa's Colony.

is a Procellariforms seabird having a very representative colony in Linosa Island (Southern Italy). The adult forms of produce a pasty oil from their proventriculus to feed their chicks during the rearing period. In this work, we examined the fatty acids composition of the stomach oil of from Linosa Island by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID).

Trace elements in stomach oil of Scopoli's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea) from Linosa's colony.

Calonectris diomedea is a colonial Procellariiform breeding on Mediterranean islands. The stomach oil produced during chick rearing is a peculiar trait of this species. The composition of the stomach oil is likely to reflect the composition of the prey ingested and might reveal the contaminants uptake with prey becoming a possible tool for the marine pollution monitoring.

Domestic Use Simulation and Secondary Shelf Life Assessment of Industrial .

The secondary shelf life (SSL) is defined as the time after package opening during which the food product retains a required level of quality. The SSL, indicated in labels as "best if used within days after opening", could lead to domestic food waste if not correctly evaluated. In this context, the SSL of two brands of industrial shelf-stable pesto products (with an indicated SSL of 5 days) was studied through a domestic use simulation performed in five households under two scenarios simulating real opening and storage conditions.

Yeasts and Lactic Acid Bacteria for Production: An Assessment of Candidate Strains.

The recovery of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in sourdough fermentation is the first step in the selection of starters with suitable technological aptitude and capable of producing desired aromas and/or aromatic precursors. In this work, two sourdoughs samples (MA and MB) and the derived doughs (samples A and B) were collected from a bakery during artisanal Panettone manufacture. Yeasts and bacteria were isolated at different fermentation steps on selective agar media.

Suitability Assessment of PLA Bottles for High-Pressure Processing of Apple Juice.

The aim of the present study is to assess the use of polylactic acid (PLA) bottles as an alternative to polyethylene terephthalate (PET) ones for high-pressure processing (HPP) of apple juice. The treatment of PLA bottles at 600 MPa for 3 min did not cause alterations in the packaging shape and content, confirming the suitability of PLA bottles to withstand HPP conditions as well as PET bottles. Quantification of total mesophilic bacterial and fungal load suggested HPP treatment can be effectively applied as an alternative to pasteurization for apple juice packed in PLA bottles since it guarantees microbial stability during at least 28 days of refrigerated storage.

Acrylamide assessment of wheat bread incorporating chia seeds ( L.) by LC-MS/MS.

We examined the acrylamide content in samples of wheat bread with chia seeds added at different concentrations (2%, 5%, 7%, 10%) and cooked at predefined conditions (20 min at 200°C) by a validated LC-MS/M method after QuEChERS extraction. The acrylamide contents of the bread samples with added chia seeds were compared with control wheat bread samples. The highest acrylamide values were found in bread with 5% chia seeds, showing a mean value of 156.

Development of a Rapid and Eco-Friendly UHPLC Analytical Method for the Detection of Histamine in Fish Products.

We developed, validated, and confirmed with proficiency tests a fast ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detector (UHPLC-DAD) method to determine histamine in fish and fishery products. The proposed method consists of two successive solid-liquid extractions: one with a dilute solution of perchloric acid (6%) and the second only with water. The instrumental analysis with UHPLC provides a very fast run time (only 6 min) with a retention time of approximately 4 min, a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 7.

Antimicrobial peptide cocktail activity in minced turkey meat.

Meat products contain valuable nutrients that are important for human health and development but are also highly susceptible to colonization by microorganisms. This can lead to spoilage and serious foodborne illnesses. Natural antimicrobial peptides, produced by many organisms as part of their innate immune system to fight microbial infections, have great potential as food preservatives.

High hydroxycinnamic acids contents in fennel honey produced in Southern Italy.

A total of 122 honey samples ( ssp. Ligustica) collected from Southern Italy were examined for floral identification by melissopalynological examination and for polyphenols detection by an LC-ESI-Orbitrap -MS/MS method. The melissopalynological examination confirmed all the samples examined as fennel () unifloral variety.

Validation of a Commercial Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) Assay for the Rapid Detection of spp. DNA in Processed Fish Products.

Parasites belonging to the genera are organisms of interest for human health because they are responsible for the Anisakiasis zoonosis, caused by the ingestion of raw or undercooked fish. Furthermore, several authors have reported this parasite to be a relevant inducer of acute or chronic allergic diseases. In this work, a rapid commercial system based on Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) was optimised and validated for the sensitive and rapid detection of spp.

Histamine in Fish Products Randomly Collected in Southern Italy: A 6-Year Study.

Abstract: In total, 4,615 fresh and processed fish samples collected from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed for histamine by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection. Histamine levels were detected in 352 (7.6%) samples, with a maximum of 4,110 mg kg-1 and mean values of 908.

Land Snails as a Valuable Source of Fatty Acids: A Multivariate Statistical Approach.

The fatty acid (FA) profile of wild , and land snail samples, collected in Sicily (Southern Italy), before and after heat treatment at +100 °C were examined by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The results show a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in all of the examined raw snails samples, representing up to 48.10% of the total fatty acids contents, followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs).

Preservation, Characterization and Exploitation of Microbial Biodiversity: The Perspective of the Italian Network of Culture Collections.

Microorganisms represent most of the biodiversity of living organisms in every ecological habitat. They have profound effects on the functioning of any ecosystem, and therefore on the health of our planet and of human beings. Moreover, microorganisms are the main protagonists in food, medical and biotech industries, and have several environmental applications.

Mercury Detection in Benthic and Pelagic Fish Collected from Western Sicily (Southern Italy).

In highly polluted water, fish can accumulate mercury up to a concentration of 10 mgKg. This has occurred on the eastern coasts of Sicily (Southern Italy), probably due to the intense industrial activity of this area. However, little is known about Hg accumulation in fish of the western Sicilian coasts.