Levels and congeners distribution of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in buffaloes adipose tissues sampled in vivo and milk

The levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and DL-PCBs were analyzed both in milk and adipose tissues sampled "in vivo" from lactating, drying off and heifer buffaloes from a Campania farm which had been impounded by the competent authority owing to the high dioxin levels found in bulk milk. The chemical determination was carried out by HRGC-HRMS using US EPA Method 1613b. The range of WHO-TEQ values for the PCDDs/PCDFs in adipose tissues was 1.79 to 68.64 pg g−1 fat and in milk was 8.33 to 13.95 pg g−1 fat. The contamination profile for dioxins and furans was given by 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD; 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF; 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD and 2,3,7,8-TCDD. The levels of DL-PCBs in adipose tissue varied from 1.38 to 20.13 pg g−1 fat while ranged from 8.33 to 13.95 pg g−1 fat in milk. The pattern of DL-PCBs in both matrices was dominated by congeners PCB 126 and PCB 169

Deltamethrin Residues in Milk and Cheese of Lactating Goats (Capra hircus)

peer-reviewedThe distribution of pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin (DLM) in goat milk and cheese (caciotta) following pour-on administration at the sheep dosage (DLMS-10 mL/60 kg body weight) and double dosage (DLMD-20 mL/60 kg body weight) was studied. DLM concentrations were measured in milk collected from study animals (No.14) before treatment and at 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 30, 36, 48, 56, until 168 h (7 days) post treatment and in caciotta cheese at 12 and 24 h post treatment. At both dosages, the maximum level of DLM residues in goat milk and cheese was below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 20 μg kg−1 established for bovine milk (EU No 37/2010) at all time points. However, in terms of public health, higher DLM residues in cheese show that further specific studies should be performed on double dosage efficacy and pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties of ectoparasites in lactating goats

SHELF LIFE OF THAWED CRUSTACEANS TREATED WITH SULPHITES

The quality of fish and fish products is closely related to their freshness. Aim of this research was to evaluate the shelf life of thawed crustaceans (Aristeomorpha foliacea and Nefrops norvegicus) which had been treated with sulphites and frozen on board. Organoleptic characteristics and microbiological and chemical parameters were judged favourably up to day 6 and 7 for the shrimps and Norway lobsters, respectively

Anthelmintics residues in milk and dairy products from cows treated with levamisole, oxyclozanide and nitroxynil at different administration doses

Anthelmintic drugs are widely used in veterinary medicine for protecting or treating animals mainly against gastrointestinal nematodes and trematodes. In general, they cause no human health risk if veterinary drugs are properly administered and the recommended doses are correctly adhered to. However, there may be a concern that if withdrawal periods are not adhered to or if products are administered to animals in unapproved applications (e.g. administration to lactating species) those levels may exceed MRLs in foods. In addiction, whenever chemicals are used, especially with long term low dose exposure, toxicological, teratological and carcinogenetic effects must be considered. Only a limited number of products are licensed for treatment of animals during the lactating period and have a MRL listed under European Commission Regulation 37/2010. The widespread availability of cheaper generic veterinary medicinal products and the development of drug resistance to the limited number of licensed products have increased the potential for off-label applications. SUMMARIES The aim of this study was to investigate the persistence of oxyclozanide and levamisole residues in bovine milk after treatment with a combination product and their subsequent fate during cheese production. Animals were milked twice daily up to 16 days post treatment. Soft (3 d ripening), hard (35 d ripening) and whey cheeses were produced from the milk samples collected from first two milkings. Milk and cheese samples were subsequently analysed by UPLC-MS/MS. Highest levels of levamisole (<600 µg/kg-1) and oxyclozanide (<25 µg/kg-1) were determinate at first and third milking respectively. Levamisole residues were found to concentrate in all cheese types. There was a three fold concentration effect for levamisole in mature cheese. Oxyclozanide residues were found to occur at lower levels in soft and hard cheese than milk with a 10-fold concentration in whey cheese compared to milk. Residues were found at higher levels in cheeses compared to the milk. The results of this study demonstrate that levamisole and oxyclozanide residues are rapidly excreted in dairy cows and milk is compliant after few days, but survive the fermentation process to persist in cheese. Nitroxynil is a halogenated phenol used to control fascioliasis in cattle and sheep. No.35 pregnant dairy cows were treated in this study with a nitroxynil 340 mg/ml solution for injection at the recommended dose of 10 mg/nitroxynil per kg body weight at the start of the dry period, and from 53 to 74 days before the expected calving. Calving occurred between 43 days and 79 days after treatment. Subsequently, the concentrations of nitroxynil in the milk were monitored for up to 120 days after calving. Nitroxynil was detected by UHPLC-MS/MS (ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry). The present study quantified the residue concentrations of nitroxynil in the milk of cows which were treated by subcutaneous administration at the recommended dose of 10 mg nitroxynil per kg body weight at the beginning of the dry period. The occurrence and the depletion of the residues in milk after calving were investigated

Production of vasoactive amines during the ripening of Pecorino Carmasciano cheese

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production of the vasoactive amines, histamine and tyramine, and of other biogenic amines (putrescine, cadaverine, spermidine, and spermine) during the ripening of pecorino Carmasciano cheese, a traditional Italian cheese produced with raw sheep milk. Vasoactive amines, which may pose health risks for consumers, showed relatively low levels near the end of Carmasciano ripening (136.41 mg/kg tyramine and 65.5 mg/kg histamine). The other biogenic amines were also detected and showed increasing levels with time. Results demonstrated that the concentrations of the vasoactive amines were always below the limits established for other foods. However, the data concerning raw materials and the increasing trend of certain biogenic amines highlight the need to control indigenous bacterial populations responsible for amine production, including the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices and adequate training of staff

Shelf life of different fish species stored by a passive refrigeration treatment (PRS)

Passive Refrigeration is a system developed for the preservation and transport of perishable products. Passive Refrigeration (PRS) technology is based on thermal accumulation achieved through the freezing of eutectics obtained by circulating cold brine when power is available and/or has a competitive price. The system guarantees perfect preservation through the maintenance of optimal temperature and relative humidity without the use of power during operation. Aim of this work was to evaluate the efficacy of this technology in the storage of different fish products. PRS technology was effective in extending the shelf life of shellfish and cod. Moreover, for shellfish lower mortality was observed. For the cephalopods the PRS proved less effective. In the cod only TVN showed a good correlation with the evolution of sensory parameters. The PRS can be a valuable tool for the storage of fish products, especially immediately aftercapture and during transport