Distribution status of genetically modified soybeans from the United States and Canada to Japan in 2021 and 2022.

The number of authorized genetically modified (GM) soybeans has increased worldwide. In Japan, 34 GM soybeans containing single events and their stacked varieties have been approved as food. However, not all approved GM events are commercially cultivated or distributed.

Pretreatment method for oxygen stable isotope ratio analysis of the sugar-rich fraction in fruit juice via isotope ratio mass spectrometry.

Rationale: The oxygen stable isotope ratio (δO) of the sugar-rich fraction of fruit juice is important as a tracer of the geographical origin of raw material. This study sought to minimize the inter-day variation of δO attributable to the influence of water to accurately monitor geographical origin labeling.

Methods: Two drying devices (freeze dryer and vacuum oven) were compared.

[Comparison of DNA Extraction Methods for Processed Foods Containing Soybean or Maize].

Processed foods containing soybean or maize are subject to labeling regulations pertinent to genetically modified (GM) foods in Japan. To confirm the reliability of the labeling procedure of GM foods, the Japanese standard analytical methods (standard methods) using real-time PCR technique have been established. Although certain DNA extraction protocols are stipulated as standard in these methods, the use of other protocols confirmed to be equivalent to the existing ones was permitted.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of spp. isolated from animal feed in Japan.

The rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) of bacteria is a global health problem at the human, animal, and environmental interfaces, which necessitates the "One Health" approach. AMR of bacteria in animal feed are a potential cause of the prevalence in livestock; however, the role remains unclear. To date, there is limited research on AMR of bacteria in animal feed in Japan.

Investigation of Genetically Modified Maize Imported into Japan in 2021/2022 and the Applicability of Japanese Official Methods.

Given that the number of genetically modified (GM) maize events that have been announced as having undergone safety assessment procedures in Japan is increasing yearly, more information is needed about their actual recent domestic distribution in Japan. In this study, we investigated whether current Japanese official qualitative and quantitative methods (the current official methods) for GM maize can comprehensively target events in domestically distributed maize. For samples with the identity-preserved (IP) handling system and non-IP samples from the United States (US) and non-IP samples from Brazil, we performed event-specific real-time PCR targeting 25 authorized single GM maize events in addition to the current official methods.

A simulation model (PostPLANT-Soil) for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables: I. Validation with experimental data in a Japanese Andosol field.

We developed a simulation model for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables (PostPLANT-Soil), which includes the process of pesticide uptake from plant roots. To validate the model, we compared pesticide concentrations simulated by the model with values measured from field experiments in an upland Andosol. The model validation showed that pesticide concentrations in the plant shoot were correlated with the concentrations in the soil solution rather than those of the water-extracted pesticides.

A simulation model (PostPLANT-Soil) for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables: II. Validation with experimental data on plant uptake in a growth chamber.

We validated a simulation model (PostPLANT-Soil) for predicting pesticide concentrations in succeeding leafy vegetables reported in our first paper in this series, which includes the pesticide sorption process into plant roots. As a result of the model validation with the measured data from a plant uptake study in a growth chamber, the model successfully simulated the concentration changes of pesticides in a plant shoot. However, the simulated shoot concentrations for several pesticides were overestimated compared to the measured values.

Inter-laboratory study on simultaneous quantification of ten trichothecenes in feed.

An inter-laboratory study was performed in eight laboratories to evaluate the simultaneous quantification method for HT-2 toxin (HT-2), T-2 toxin (T-2), diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS), neosolaniol (NES), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON), 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (15-AcDON), deoxynivalenol (DON), deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside (D3G), nivalenol (NIV), and fusarenon-X (FUS-X) in feed. The mycotoxins in the samples were extracted with hydrous acetonitrile, purified using a multifunctional column (InertSep VRA-3) and a phospholipid removal column (Hybrid SPE-Phospholipid), and then quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mode. The mean recovery, repeatability, reproducibility, and Horwitz ratio from the inter-laboratory validation study were 99.

Development and Validation of a New Robust Detection Method for Low-Content DNA Using ΔΔCq-Based Real-Time PCR with Optimized Standard Plasmids as a Control Sample.

Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the gold standard for DNA detection in many fields, including food analysis. However, robust detection using a real-time PCR for low-content DNA samples remains challenging. In this study, we developed a robust real-time PCR method for low-content DNA using genetically modified (GM) maize at concentrations near the limit of detection (LOD) as a model.

Development and Interlaboratory Validation of a Novel Reproducible Qualitative Method for GM Soybeans Using Comparative Cq-Based Analysis for the Revised Non-GMO Labeling System in Japan.

Many countries have implemented the labeling system of genetically modified organisms (GMO). In Japan, the regulatory threshold for non-GMO labeling will be revised and restricted to undetectable by April 2023. The practical criterion for the revised system is based on the limit of detection (LOD).

Application of Mass Spectrometry for Determining the Geographic Production Area of Wagyu Beef.

Japanese Black cattle (Japanese Wagyu) beef is attracting attention for its aroma and marbling, and its handling is increasing worldwide. Here, we focused on the origin discrimination of Wagyu beef and analyzed the nutritional components of Japanese Wagyu (produced in multiple prefectures of Japan), Hybrid Wagyu (a cross between Angus and Wagyu cattle born in Australia and transported to Japan), and Australian Wagyu beef using mass spectrometry (MS). Triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography-MS was used to clarify the molecular species of lipids in Wagyu beef.

[Collaborative Study of an LC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Chlorpropham in Feeds].

A collaborative study for validating the determination method of chlorpropham in feeds by LC-MS/MS was conducted in 13 laboratories using 2 kinds of formula feeds, oats, barley, wheat, and corn. The resulting trueness ranged from 75.3 to 87.

Single-laboratory Validation of an Analytical Method for Detarmination of Fusarium toxins in Buckwheat and Job's Tears.

Fusarium species infect the major cereals consumed as food and feed, contaminating them with various toxic secondary metabolites known as toxins. Among these toxins, which include trichothecenes, zearalenone (ZEA), and fumonisins, the type-B trichothecene deoxynivalenol (DON) is generally considered as the most important. The present study evaluates an analytical method for the detection and quantification of multiple Fusarium toxins, namely, DON, acetyl forms of DON (3-Ac-DON and 15-Ac-DON), a glycoside form of DON (DON-3G), and other Fusarium toxins (nivalenol, an acetyl form of NIV (fusarenonX), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, diacetoxyscirpenol, and ZEA) in Job's tears and buckwheat.

[Determination of Inorganic Arsenic for Pet Food by LC-ICP-MS].

We have developed a quantitative determination method of the concentration of inorganic arsenic in pet foods using a liquid chromatograph-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (LC-ICP-MS). After adding 2 w/v% TMAH solution to a sample, inorganic arsenic was extracted by heating and the extract was collected by water. The pH of the solution was adjusted, and injected into a LC-ICP-MS to determine the concentration of inorganic arsenic.

Validation of a Method for Quantification of Lutein in Spinach Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography: Interlaboratory Study.

Background: Lutein is gaining attention as a strong antioxidant contained in foods. It accumulates in the human blood and retina, and is considered to play an important role in the body, especially in the eyes.

Objective: A method to determine the lutein content of raw spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.

Determination of Lycopene Concentration in Fresh Tomatoes by Spectrophotometry: A Collaborative Study.

Background: Lycopene has been the object of considerable research attention recently, and the effects of the intake of lycopene, or of tomato products, have been studied in various ways. In Japan, interest in the health-promoting function of food components has increased.

Objective: Developing a method to determine lycopene contents in tomato that meets the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).

Studies on the sorption behavior and plant uptake of pesticides in Japanese soils.

To estimate pesticide residue levels in succeeding crops based on those in soils, the relationship between pesticide concentrations in komatsuna ( var. ) and the concentrations extracted sequentially from soils using water and acetone was investigated. The concentrations of many pesticides in komatsuna shoots showed higher positive correlation with water-extractable concentrations ( ) than total-extractable concentrations in soils, so that the was available for evaluating the phytoavailability of pesticides in the soil.

Development of a simultaneous quantification method for ten trichothecenes including deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside in feed.

An analytical method for the simultaneous quantitation of ten trichothecenes of type A (HT-2 toxin, T-2 toxin, diacetoxyscirpenol, and neosolaniol) and type B (3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol, deoxynivalenol-3-glucoside, nivalenol, and fusarenon-X) in feed has been developed using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Mycotoxins extracted twice from samples using aqueous acetonitrile were purified using a multifunctional clean-up column, followed by a phospholipid removal column. Trichothecenes were analysed using liquid chromatography atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Effects of temperature on the dissipation of total- and water-extractable pesticides in Japanese soils.

We investigated the dissipation of 27 pesticides in five Japanese soils at three temperatures and the variability of activation energies ( ). The dissipation of total pesticides extracted sequentially using water and acetone was fitted to a single first-order (SFO) model. The values calculated from the dissipation rate constants of the SFO model showed a normal distribution with a median of 61.

Metal Ions in Activated Carbon Improve the Detection Efficiency of Aflatoxin-Producing Fungi.

Aflatoxins (AF), produced by several species, are visible under ultraviolet light if present in high amounts. AF detection can be improved by adding activated carbon, which enhances the observation efficiency of weakly AF-producing fungi. However, commercial activated carbon products differ in their characteristics, making it necessary to investigate which characteristics affect method reproducibility.

Comparison of soil sorption parameters of pesticides measured by batch and centrifugation methods using an andosol.

We compared the soil sorption coefficient ( ) measured by batch and centrifugation methods using a Japanese andosol and ten pesticides. Although the values measured by both methods increased with time, those obtained the batch method tended to be higher during the test period. The difference in values between the two methods affected pesticide concentrations estimated in the soil solution, and the results estimated using values obtained the batch method underestimated the observed trends.

Differential uptake and translocation of organic chemicals by several plant species from soil.

We performed uptake experiments with 12 different organic chemicals using 16 plant species and determined differences in the ability of plant species to take up and translocate these chemicals. There were differences among the plant species in the shoot and root concentrations of each organic chemical. The root concentration factor values increased with an increasing log of the -octanol-water partition coefficient (log ) of organic chemicals.

[Single-Laboratory Validation Study of Determination of Patulin by GC-MS in Juice].

We examined whether the analytical method of patulin (a mycotoxin found in fruit juice) developed in Nagano prefecture meets the criteria in the Codex Procedural Manual and Guidelines on Analytical Terminology. The trueness, repeatability, within-laboratory reproducibility and HorRat value were 98.8-103.

Sterigmatocystin and aflatoxin B contamination of corn, soybean meal, and formula feed in Japan.

Sterigmatocystin (STC) and aflatoxin B (AFB) were analyzed in 246 corn samples, 126 soybean meal samples, and 861 formula feed samples from the Japanese market between April 2010 and March 2015. The detection rate, the highest concentration, and the mean concentration of STC were respectively 14%, 6.4 μg/kg, and 1.

Variation of strontium stable isotope ratios and origins of strontium in Japanese vegetables and comparison with Chinese vegetables.

To evaluate the utility of Sr/Sr ratio for determining the geographical provenance of vegetables, we compared Sr/Sr ratios and Sr concentrations in five vegetable species grown in Japan and China, and we also examined the relationships between Sr/Sr ratios in vegetables, the soil-exchangeable pool, irrigation water, and fertilizer from 20 Japanese agricultural areas. The vegetable Sr/Sr ratios in Japan were similar for all species within a given agricultural area, but tended to be low in northeast Japan and high in southwest Japan. The median Sr/Sr ratio in Japanese vegetables was similar to that in fertilizer, suggesting that in addition to rock-derived Sr, vegetables contain Sr derived from fertilizers.