The Evaluation of Aflatoxin Contamination in Various Foods in Iran: a Review

Introduction: Aflatoxins are secondary fungal metabolites produced by Aspergillus fungi, in particular Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nomius and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins have undesirable effects on human and animal health and lead to various diseases, including liver disorders. Four main types of aflatoxin are B1, B2, G1 and G2, and aflatoxin M1 and M2 are metabolites derived from aflatoxins B1 and B2. Materials and Methods: In this paper, studies on aflatoxin contamination in different foods were investigated. Keywords for related articles include: Aflatoxin, Iran, Incidence, Food, Oil, Milk and Dairy Products. Articles were obtained from SID, Science direct, PubMed and Google scholar databases. Abstract of all related articles were reviewed and finally, articles which mentioned to the amount of aflatoxin were selected.Results: Results showed the presence of aflatoxins in most of the tested food. In most studies conducted on milk and various dairy products, the level of aflatoxin was higher than the recommended level set by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran and the European Union. Conclusion(s): Practical management and control strategies are necessary for assurance of the safety of consumers regarding aflatoxin residue in different foods in Iran

The Gut Microbiota and Probiotics in Celiac Disease

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy that occurs in genetically predisposed individuals associated with gluten intake. Currently, the only effective treatment for CD is life-lasting elimination of gluten from the diet, but adhering to it throughout life is burdensome. In addition, strict compliance with a gluten-free diet (GFD) does not lead to a complete restoration of intestinal microbiota. Although gluten is known to be a trigger in CD, various studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota is involved in gluten metabolism, regulation of intestinal barrier permeability, and modulation of the immune response. Therefore, the gut microbiota has an important role in the pathogenesis, progression, and clinical manifestations of CD. This evidence supports the hypothesis that probiotics act as a strategy to modulate the intestinal microbiota into an anti-inflammatory state. Probiotics such as some bacterial species of the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus can protect the epithelial cells from gliadin-induced damage and improve symptoms and quality of life in GFD-treated patients, as an adjunctive treatment. This narrative review aims to discuss the recent scientific evidence of the relationship between the intestinal microbiota changes in CD and to understand the role of probiotics in CD treatment

Effect of Novel Zein Coating Combined with Different Antioxidants (Thymol and Carvacrol) on the Aflatoxin Production of Peanut

Introduction: Aflatoxin contamination of agricultural crops leads to health hazards and detrimental to the economy. Despite enhanced processing, handling and storage, it remains an issue in the peanut industry. An effort was made to investigate the efficacy of corn zein coating combined with thymol and carvacrol as the edible coating may extend aflatoxinproduction. Methods: Analysis of aflatoxins B1, B2 and total were performed for 11 treatments on coated and uncoated peanuts stored at room temperature for 90 days. Treatments were included zein, thymol (500, 1000, 1500 ppm), carvacrol (5000, 10000, 15000 ppm), incorporating thymol and carvacrol at three different concentrations and control. Results: Significant differences between coated and uncoated treatments were observed (

Evaluation of Microbial Quality of Traditional Sweets, Zoolbia and Bamieh, During Ramadan in Mashhad, Iran

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of traditional sweets, Zoolbia and Bamieh made in the confectioneries of the Mashhad during the holy month of Ramadan. Materials and Methods:  This study was a cross-sectional study. Seventy five samples  of traditional sweets, Zoolbia and Bamieh were collected randomly from confectionaries  of Mashhad during Ramadan month in 2018. Microbial quality tests including mold and yeast, E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae and S. aureus enumeration and Salmonella isolation were performed. Results: Of the total samples tested 22.6% ‏of the samples were within the specified limit of the standard. The contamination rate of mold and yeast was 13.3%, Salmonella 6.6%, Enterobacteriaceae 13.3%, E.coli  16% and S. aureus  28%. The highest level of contamination was related to S.aureus and the lowest level related to Salmonella. Conclusion: The results showed that the contamination rate of Zoolbia and Bamieh is high and significant, therefore, given the high percentage of contamination of samples, production and distribution practices as well as the workers hygiene must be under more control and attention. The existence of vulnerable groups among consumers adds to the importance of this issue

Effects of Alginate Coating Containing Zataria multiflora Essential Oil in the Form of an Emulsion Gel and Nano-emulsion on the Chemical Quality and Sensory Properties of Rainbow Trout Fillet

Fish is often more perishable than most other foodstuffs. Microbial progression, enzymatic activity, and non-enzymatic oxidation of fats reduce the quality of fish and its products. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of the nano-gel emulsion and emulsion gel of an alginate coating containing Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) on the chemical and sensorial quality of rainbow trout fillet (Oncorhynchus mykiss) during 16 days of refrigerated storage (4±1°C). The fish fillets were treated with alginate coating, alginate emulsion with different ZMEO concentrations (E0.25%, E0.5%, and E1%), and nano-emulsion with different ZMEO concentrations (N0.25%, N0.5%, and N1%). Afterwards, the fillets were analyzed for chemical changes (pH, TVB-N, TBARS, PV, FFA, and fatty acid profile) and sensory properties (color, texture, flavor, odor, and overall acceptability) on days zero, four, eight, 12, and 16. Data analysis was performed in SPSS version 21 using ANOVA, Bonferroni post-hoc test, and Dunnett T3 test to assess significant differences at P<0.05. The results of chemical analysis showed an increasing trend (pH, TVB-N, TBARS, PV, FFAs, MUFAs, and SFAs) during the storage period (day 16) although the rate was slower in the nano-emulsion treatments. Furthermore, the sensory properties of the samples decreased during the storage period, while using ZMEO in the alginate coating (especially in the nano-emulsion form) showed better results compared to the control. According to the results, the alginate coating containing ZMEO (especially in the nano-emulsion form) could preserve the chemical and sensorial quality of the fresh trout fillets for four days

The effects of curcumin and a modified curcumin formulation on serum Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Objective: Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) mediates the transfer of cholesteryl ester from HDL-C to LDL-C and VLDL-C. The aim of the present trial was to evaluate the effect of curcumin and its modified formulation on serum CETP concentrations in patients with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups of 40 subjects receiving either unmodified curcumin or its phospholipid complex or placebo. Lipid profile and plasma CETP were measured at the start and sixweeksafter initiation of the treatment.The normality of data distribution was assessed by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Wilcoxon test was used for comparing the data before and after the intervention. The percent changes of CETP and biochemical factors among the three groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Serum CETP levels were not significantly altered among patients receiving curcumin. Conclusion: Curcumin and its complex had no significant effect on serum CETP concentrations

Efficacy of low-fat milk and yogurt fortified with vitamin D<inf>3</inf> on systemic inflammation in adults with abdominal obesity

Background The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally and is associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular disease. Vit D deficiency is also associated with increased systemic inflammation. The current study aimed to determine the efficacy of low-fat milk and yogurt fortified with 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D, on systemic inflammation in abdominal obese participants. Method This multi-center study was conducted using a 2.5-month parallel total-blind randomized clinical trial design. Two hundred and eighty nine subjects were allocated to four groups: low-fat milk fortified by 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 (200 mL/day). Simple milk (200 mL/day), low-fat yogurt fortified by 1500 IU nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 (150 g/day), and simple yogurt (150 g/day). Results The results showed that serum levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were significantly lower before and after the intervention in fortified dairy groups. The results showed that serum levels of neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, and RDW before and after intervention in the fortified dairy groups were significantly lower (p < 0.05). The values of = neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelets to lymphocyte ratio, and RDW to platelets ratio (RPR) reduced significantly in the fortification group (p < 0.05). Conclusion Fortification with nano-encapsulated vitamin D3 of dairy products may decrease inflammation in individuals with abdominal obesity

Global, regional, and national progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 for neonatal and child health: all-cause and cause-specific mortality findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 has targeted elimination of preventable child mortality, reduction of neonatal death to less than 12 per 1000 livebirths, and reduction of death of children younger than 5 years to less than 25 per 1000 livebirths, for each country by 2030. To understand current rates, recent trends, and potential trajectories of child mortality for the next decade, we present the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 findings for all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality in children younger than 5 years of age, with multiple scenarios for child mortality in 2030 that include the consideration of potential effects of COVID-19, and a novel framework for quantifying optimal child survival. Methods We completed all-cause mortality and cause-specific mortality analyses from 204 countries and territories for detailed age groups separately, with aggregated mortality probabilities per 1000 livebirths computed for neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-5 mortality rate (USMR). Scenarios for 2030 represent different potential trajectories, notably including potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impact of improvements preferentially targeting neonatal survival. Optimal child survival metrics were developed by age, sex, and cause of death across all GBD location-years. The first metric is a global optimum and is based on the lowest observed mortality, and the second is a survival potential frontier that is based on stochastic frontier analysis of observed mortality and Healthcare Access and Quality Index. Findings Global U5MR decreased from 71.2 deaths per 1000 livebirths (95% uncertainty interval WI] 68.3-74-0) in 2000 to 37.1 (33.2-41.7) in 2019 while global NMR correspondingly declined more slowly from 28.0 deaths per 1000 live births (26.8-29-5) in 2000 to 17.9 (16.3-19-8) in 2019. In 2019,136 (67%) of 204 countries had a USMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold and 133 (65%) had an NMR at or below the SDG 3.2 threshold, and the reference scenario suggests that by 2030,154 (75%) of all countries could meet the U5MR targets, and 139 (68%) could meet the NMR targets. Deaths of children younger than 5 years totalled 9.65 million (95% UI 9.05-10.30) in 2000 and 5.05 million (4.27-6.02) in 2019, with the neonatal fraction of these deaths increasing from 39% (3.76 million 95% UI 3.53-4.021) in 2000 to 48% (2.42 million; 2.06-2.86) in 2019. NMR and U5MR were generally higher in males than in females, although there was no statistically significant difference at the global level. Neonatal disorders remained the leading cause of death in children younger than 5 years in 2019, followed by lower respiratory infections, diarrhoeal diseases, congenital birth defects, and malaria. The global optimum analysis suggests NMR could be reduced to as low as 0.80 (95% UI 0.71-0.86) deaths per 1000 livebirths and U5MR to 1.44 (95% UI 1-27-1.58) deaths per 1000 livebirths, and in 2019, there were as many as 1.87 million (95% UI 1-35-2.58; 37% 95% UI 32-43]) of 5.05 million more deaths of children younger than 5 years than the survival potential frontier. Interpretation Global child mortality declined by almost half between 2000 and 2019, but progress remains slower in neonates and 65 (32%) of 204 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia, are not on track to meet either SDG 3.2 target by 2030. Focused improvements in perinatal and newborn care, continued and expanded delivery of essential interventions such as vaccination and infection prevention, an enhanced focus on equity, continued focus on poverty reduction and education, and investment in strengthening health systems across the development spectrum have the potential to substantially improve USMR. Given the widespread effects of COVID-19, considerable effort will be required to maintain and accelerate progress. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd

Evaluation of the probiotic, technological, safety attributes, and GABA-producing capacity of microorganisms isolated from Iranian milk kefir beverages

Introduction: Kefir beverage has beneficial microorganisms that have health-giving properties; therefore, they have a good potential to be probiotic. This study evaluated the probiotic potential, technological, and safety characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus lactis, and Pichia fermentans isolated from traditional kefir beverages. Method: First, isolates were evaluated in terms of resistance to acid, alkali, bile salts, trypsin, and pepsin of the gastrointestinal tract. The auto-aggregation and co-aggregation ability of isolates were measured using spectrophotometry. Antimicrobial activities were assayed against important food-borne pathogens using the agar well diffusion method. Moreover, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production was investigated by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Result: Among the isolates, P. fermentans had an 85% total survival rate, but its amount reached below 6 log CFU/ml which is considered non-resistant, and it showed the highest auto-aggregation (74.67%). Moreover, only L. lactis showed antimicrobial activity and had the highest co-aggregation with E. coli PTCC 1338 (54.33%) and L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 (78%). Finally, an evaluation of the technological and safety characteristics of the strains showed that the strains produced GABA and were safe. Discussion: Although the isolates were not resistant to the gastrointestinal tract, their supernatant contained valuable natural compounds, including antioxidants, GABA, and antimicrobials, which can be used to produce functional foods and medicines. In addition, other approaches, such as increasing the initial number of strains, using foods as carriers of isolates, and encapsulating the isolates, can effectively increase the survivability of isolates in the gastrointestinal tract