Mitigation of aflatoxin M1 in milk by the magnetized Fe₃O₄ lactic acid bacteria cells: a response surface methodology (RSM) study

The current work aimed to optimise aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) removal from milk by magnetic inactivated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) adsorbent using response surface methodology (RSM). In this research, the ability of 5 strains of LAB was evaluated for AFM1 removal. Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which indicated the highest adsorption efficiency compared to other strains (p 3O4 particles for the generation of magnetic inactivated LAB adsorbent, which was further characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer. The results indicated that L. rhamnosus cells were successfully functionalised and modified by Fe3O4 particles. A central composite design (CCD) was applied to investigate the effect of variables including time (5–125 min), temperature (3–23°C), initial AFM1 concentration (0.1–2.1 μg L-1), and fat (0–3.6%) on AFM1 removal from milk using synthesised adsorbent. According to the RSM model, the optimal adsorption conditions for the second-order model were observed at 73.60 min, the temperature of 17.82°C, AFM1 concentration of 1.598 µg L−1, and fat content of 0.9% leading to the maximum removal efficiency of 56.92%. Hence, the magnetic inactivated LAB adsorbent synthesised using this approach can be an efficient easy-to-separate adsorbent in removing AFM1 from milk. The main functional groups involved in AFM1 removal were carboxyl, amide, and hydroxyl/amino groups. Moreover, the synthesised adsorbent had superparamagnetic behaviour and could be rapidly separated from aqueous solutions. In conclusion, the current study presented a novel method for the efficient adsorption of AFM1 to improve the safety figures of milk.</p

Mapping routine measles vaccination in low- and middle-income countries

The safe, highly effective measles vaccine has been recommended globally since 1974, yet in 2017 there were more than 17 million cases of measles and 83,400 deaths in children under 5 years old, and more than 99% of both occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)1–4. Globally comparable, annual, local estimates of routine first-dose measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) coverage are critical for understanding geographically precise immunity patterns, progress towards the targets of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP), and high-risk areas amid disruptions to vaccination programmes caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)5–8. Here we generated annual estimates of routine childhood MCV1 coverage at 5 × 5-km2 pixel and second administrative levels from 2000 to 2019 in 101 LMICs, quantified geographical inequality and assessed vaccination status by geographical remoteness. After widespread MCV1 gains from 2000 to 2010, coverage regressed in more than half of the districts between 2010 and 2019, leaving many LMICs far from the GVAP goal of 80% coverage in all districts by 2019. MCV1 coverage was lower in rural than in urban locations, although a larger proportion of unvaccinated children overall lived in urban locations; strategies to provide essential vaccination services should address both geographical contexts. These results provide a tool for decision-makers to strengthen routine MCV1 immunization programmes and provide equitable disease protection for all children