Exposure to mycotoxins from the consumption of corn-based breakfast cereals in the United Arab Emirates.

Corn-based breakfast cereals, known as cornflakes, have become a common breakfast choice worldwide, recognized for their convenience and versatility. However, mycotoxins can contaminate these products, adversely affecting human health. This study assessed the occurrence of major mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, DON, ZEA, and FUM) in cornflake stock-keeping units (SKUs) marketed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Hydrolyzed collagen: Exploring its applications in the food and beverage industries and assessing its impact on human health - A comprehensive review.

Hydrolyzed collagen (HC) consists of many small and low-molecular-weight amino acid chains (3-6 kDa) that can be produced either in basic or acidic media through enzymatic activity. This review details the sources of hydrolyzed collagen, its biosynthesis and its uses in the food industry, as well as its production process and beneficial health effects. HC can be extracted from a variety of sources, during which acetic acid is used for the extraction of collagen type I from bovine, porcine, marine, chicken, and fish cartilage.

Microbial assessment of commercial pet foods marketed in the United Arab Emirates.

Examining the microbiological characteristics of pet food is imperative to safeguard the health and well-being of companion animals, pet owners, and the surrounding environment. Domestic animals, known for carrying harmful microorganisms, pose a significant health risk, especially in close proximity to people and children. Notably, no studies have previously investigated pet food quality in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, in particular, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Fecal prevalence of spp. in house dogs in Lebanon: A pilot study.

Background And Aim: spp. are Gram-negative bacilli that are widely recognized as a primary cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Campylobacteriosis is the disease caused by this pathogen.

Attitudes and practices on antibiotic use and its emerging threats among Lebanese dairy veterinarians: a case study from a developing country.

Introduction: This study aimed to explore how veterinarians (vets) rationalized their prescribing decisions for antimicrobial (AM) uses, the barriers they perceived to implement proper farm management in Lebanon, and the consecutive threats that might arise concerning the emergent spread of antimicrobial resistance in animals and the population.

Methods: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, phone call interviews were conducted with 34 veterinarians working in different demographic regions across the country. Data were analyzed qualitatively using an inductive thematic analysis.

Assessment of mycotoxins in cornflakes marketed in Lebanon.

Cornflakes are a popular and convenient breakfast cereal made from corn and widely consumed worldwide, including in Lebanon. However, they are susceptible to mycotoxin contamination, which can have harmful effects on human health. Our study evaluated the occurrence of five mycotoxins (AFB1, OTA, FUM, ZEA, DON) levels in packed cornflakes marketed in Lebanon.

Aflatoxins and Ochratoxin A in Tea Sold in Lebanon: Effects of Type, Packaging, and Origin.

Tea is among the oldest and most-known beverages around the world, and it has many flavors and types. Tea can be easily contaminated in any of its production steps, especially with mycotoxins that are produced particularly in humid and warm environments. This study aims to examine the level of ochratoxin A (OTA) and total aflatoxin (AF) contamination in black and green tea sold in Lebanon, evaluate its safety compared to international standards, and assess the effect of different variables on the levels of OTA and AFs.

Prevalence of spp. in broilers in North Lebanon.

Background And Aim: Great attention has been given recently to the prevalence of different spp. in poultry since the latter are considered the major contributing reservoir of human campylobacteriosis. In Lebanon, the occurrence of campylobacteriosis in humans is high.

Food allergies and allergens in Lebanon: Characterization and perceptions toward labeling.

Background: Food allergy is a life-threatening medical condition of public health concern. The aim of our study was to characterize food allergies, in terms of sources, symptoms, severity, and history, as well as to assess the knowledge, practices, and attitudes towards food allergens and allergies, in addition to food allergen labeling, in Lebanon.

Methods: For this, 1100 participants filled over the phone a comprehensive valid questionnaire composed of 41 questions.

Perfluorooctanoic Acid and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Human Milk: First Survey from Lebanon.

Human milk is the primary source of nutrition for infants in their first year of life. Its potential contamination with perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a group of toxic man-made chemicals, is a health concern that may threatens infants' health. Our study aims to assess the levels of PFOA and PFOS in the breast milk of Lebanese lactating mothers and the maternal factors associated with their presence.

Food safety and handling knowledge and practices among university students of Bangladesh: A cross-sectional study.

Our study aimed to examine the practices and knowledge of food handling and safety among 1534 university students in Bangladesh (mean age 22.09 ± 1.78), as well as the relationship between these factors and their academic and demographic backgrounds.

Exposure Assessment of Aflatoxin B1 through Consumption of Rice in the United Arab Emirates.

Rice is one of the most consumed staple foods worldwide and a major part of the diet for half of the global population. Being primarily cultivated in countries with warm and humid environments increases rice's susceptibility for mycotoxins contamination, especially the hepatotoxic and carcinogenic aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Since no study was published before on the exposure to AFB1 from consuming rice in the UAE, our study aims to assess the levels of AFB1 in rice marketed in the country and determine the estimated daily exposure of the population for this carcinogenic metabolite and its associated liver cancer risk.

A review on the pesticides in coffee: Usage, health effects, detection, and mitigation.

Coffee is considered among the most popular beverages and is classified as the second most exported item worldwide. The presence of pesticides in this staple commodity is a challenge to import and export activities, in addition to the fact that pesticides are toxins of public health concern. Even if pesticides are applied properly and their residues are within the acceptable range, it is important to know the fate of these pesticides prior to their ingestion.

Microbiological safety of commercial canned and dry pet food products in Lebanon.

Estimating the microbiological quality of pet food is essential in providing healthy and safe foods to pets. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological safety of pet food marketed in Lebanon, namely cat and dog products. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been conducted in Lebanon nor the Middle East region with reference to pet food quality.

Exposure to Ochratoxin A from Rice Consumption in Lebanon and United Arab Emirates: A Comparative Study.

Our study aims to evaluate the ochratoxin A (OTA) in rice marketed in Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and to determine the exposure to OTA from rice consumption. All brands available in the market were collected twice (total number of collected samples: 105 and 127 in Lebanon and the UAE, respectively). Using ELISA, the OTA in 56 (53%) samples in Lebanon and 73 (58%) samples in the UAE were above the limit of quantification (0.

Dietary Exposure and Risk Assessment of Mycotoxins in Thyme and Thyme-Based Products Marketed in Lebanon.

This study aimed at evaluating the incidence of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in thyme and thyme-based products, related dietary exposure, and cancer risk for regular and high consumption. A total of 160 samples were collected, and 32 composite samples were analyzed. AFB1 and OTA were respectively found in 84% (27/32) and 38% (12/32) of the samples.

Aflatoxin B1 in Rice: Effects of Storage Duration, Grain Type and Size, Production Site, and Season.

Abstract: Our study evaluated aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) levels in packed rice marketed in Lebanon and determined the exposure to this toxin from rice consumption. A total of 105 packed white, parboiled, and brown rice bags were collected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure AFB1.

Persistent Organic Pollutants in Human Milk: Exposure Levels and Determinants among Lactating Mothers in Lebanon.

Abstract: Exposure of newborns to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a public health concern. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of POPs in human milk collected from lactating mothers in Lebanon and to investigate the sociodemographic, nutritional, and other lifestyle determinants. Fifty-four breast milk samples were collected as per World Health Organization guidelines.

Food shopping and food hygiene related knowledge and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of a developing country.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of food hygiene and food shopping knowledge and practices among residents of Lebanon during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify their socio-demographic determinants. A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online questionnaire composed of 13 questions about demographics, and 25 questions related to knowledge and practices in terms of hand maintenance, mask placing, and food shopping. A total of 1337 participants filled the survey.

Investigation of the effects of some processing conditions on the fate of oxytetracycline and tylosin antibiotics in the making of commonly consumed cheeses from the East Mediterranean.

Background And Aim: Transfer of antibiotics from raw milk to derived products is directly related to the processes involved in the manufacturing of dairy products, including East Mediterranean cheeses, since these have particular flow diagrams of production. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of skimming, pasteurization, curding, pressing, salting, cheese boiling, and whey acidification/heating on two widely used antibiotics in Lebanon, oxytetracycline (OTC) and tylosin (TYL), in the manufacture of commonly consumed cheeses in the East Mediterranean.

Materials And Methods: Four hundred and fifty kilograms of full-fat bovine milk were spiked with OTC and TYL, then skimmed and pasteurized using holder and high-temperature short-time (HTST) methods.

How can packaging, source and food safety management system affect the microbiological quality of spices and dried herbs? The case of a developing country.

Spices and herbs are widely used in almost all types of food preparation and their microbial contamination may cause spoilage and pose public health risk. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of packaging, source and a food safety management system (FSMS) on the microbiological quality of spices and dried herbs in a developing country, like Lebanon. For this, a total of 96 composite samples of thirteen most commonly consumed types of spices and dried herbs were collected twice at three-month interval.

Food allergies and allergens: Characterization and perceptions among diagnosed food allergic individuals in Lebanon.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge, practices, and attitudes towards food allergens and allergies among diagnosed food allergic individuals in Lebanon.

Methods: Seventy diagnosed participants were recruited after reaching out to all the allergists of the country. They completed in person or over the phone a comprehensive valid questionnaire composed of 49 questions.