Characterization of hydrophilic and hydrophobic core-shell microcapsules prepared using a range of antisolvent approaches

This study describes three straightforward approaches to leveraging gel network-restricted antisolvent precipitation techniques as a means of preparing hydrophilic hydrophobic core-shell microparticles. Briefly, hydrophilic polysaccharides (sodium alginate (ALG), κ-carrageenan (CAR), and agar (AG)) were utilized to prepare microgel beads that were then immersed in zein solutions (70% ethanol aqueous solution, 70% urea aqueous solution, and zein in 70% acetic acid, respectively), thereby facilitating the controlled, slow antisolvent precipitation of the protein layer on the microbead surfaces and inducing hydrophilic hydrophobic core-shell structure formation. This technique can be readily applied to a range of gelling systems and can be tailored to target particle sizes and shell thicknesses. The resultant core-shell particles offer great promise for controlled delivery of fragrances, drugs, or other bioactive compounds in an application-specific fashion, and can be individually tailored based upon the selected input concentrations and preparation methods. Importantly, this technique is generalizable and can be extended to prepare diverse particles with a range of core-shell structures produced from a wide assortment of hydrophobic materials

Calcium ion regulation of sodium alginate in pure buckwheat noodles shown by in vitro simulated digestion

The effects of calcium sodium alginate on quality and starch digestion of pure buckwheat noodles were investigated. The incorporation of calcium ions into noodles containing sodium alginate was found to reduce water absorption by the noodles during cooking, together with an increase of the turbidity. Calcium addition improved the noodle texture, as shown by the measurement of hardness, elasticity, adhesion, and chewability. In vitro simulations of digestion showed that calcium ion cross-linking with sodium alginate reduced glucose formation by approximately 23.3 mg/g. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed alterations in the crystal zone of the noodles induced by an alginate gel network, although no new chemical substances were generated. Noodles prepared by this exogenous method may be useful as functional foods for patients with diabetes

Quantitative Detection and Uncertainty Analysis of Low-level Presence of Genetically Modified Ingredient in Soybean

In this study, the low-level presence of genetically modified (GM) soybean event GTS-40-3-2 was quantitatively detected and the measurement uncertainty was estimated. Within 95% confidence interval, the quantitative method developed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and digital PCR could stably detect 0.01% GTS-40-3-2 content with acceptable cost and uncomplicated operation, while the digital PCR method could quantify 0.1% GTS-40-3-2 content accurately, and the quantitative error did not exceed 50% even at GTS-40-3-2 content as low as 0.05%. The sources of uncertainty in quantitative digital PCR analysis were analyzed, and the calculation formula for uncertainty was derived from calculation models in analytical chemistry. Furthermore, GTS-40-3-2 was used for laboratory verification. The expanded uncertainty in quantitative analysis of 0.1% and 0.05% GTS-40-3-2 contents was calculated as 23.56% and 107.29% (k = 2), respectively

Liquid-liquid biopolymers aqueous solution segregative phase separation in food: From fundamentals to applications - A review

As a result of the spontaneous movement of molecules, liquid-liquid biopolymer segregative phase separation takes place in an aqueous solution. The efficacy of this type of separation can be optimized under conditions where variables such as pH, temperature, and molecular concentrations have minimal impact on its dynamics. Recently, interest in the applications of biopolymers and their segregative phase separation-associated molecular stratification has increased, particularly in the food industry, where these methods permit the purification of specific particles and the embedding of microcapsules. The present review offers a comprehensive examination of the theoretical mechanisms that regulate the liquid−liquid biopolymers aqueous solution segregative phase separation, the factors that may exert an impact on this procedure, and the importance of this particular separation method in the context of food science. These discussion points also address existing difficulties and future possibilities related to the use of segregative phase separation in food applications. This highlights the potential for the design of novel functional foods and the enhancement of food properties

Real-time qPCR for the detection of puffer fish components from Lagocephalus in food: L. inermis, L. lagocephalus, L. gloveri, L. lunaris, and L. spadiceus

Puffer fish is a type of precious high-end aquatic product, is widely popular in Asia, especially in China and Japan, even though it naturally harbors a neurotoxin known as tetrodotoxin (TTX) that is poisonous to humans and causes food poisoning. With the increasing trade demand, which frequently exceeds existing supply capacities, fostering fraudulent practices, such as adulteration of processed products with non-certified farmed wild puffer fish species. To determine the authenticity of puffer fish processed food, we developed a real-time qPCR method to detect five common puffer fish species in aquatic products: Lagocephalus inermis, Lagocephalus lagocephalus, Lagocephalus gloveri, Lagocephalus lunaris, and Lagocephalus spadiceus. The specificity, cross-reactivity, detection limit, efficiency, and robustness of the primers and probes created for five species of puffer fish using TaqMan technology have been determined. No cross-reactivity was detected in the DNA of non-target sample materials, and no false-positive signal was detected; the aquatic products containing 0.1% of a small amount of wild puffer fish materials without certification can be reliably tracked; the statistical p-value for each method’s Ct value was greater than 0.05. The developed qPCR method was sensitive, highly specific, robust, and reproducibility, which could be used to validate the authenticity of wild puffer fish in aquatic products sold for commercial purposes

Formation, influencing factors, and applications of internal channels in starch: A review

Starch, a natural polymer, has a complex internal structure. Some starches, such as corn and wheat starches, have well-developed surface pores and internal channels. These channel structures are considered crucial in connecting surface stomata and internal cavities and have adequate space for loading guest molecules. After processing or modification, the starch-containing channel structures can be used for food and drug encapsulation and delivery. This article reviews the formation and determination of starch internal channels, and the influence of different factors (such as starch species and processing conditions) on the channel structure. It also discusses relevant starch preparation methods (physical, chemical, enzymatic, and synergistic), and the encapsulation effect of starch containing internal channels on different substances. In addition, the role of internal channels in regulating the starch digestion rate and other aspects is also discussed here. This review highlights the significant multifunctional applications of starch with a channel structure

Preparation and characterization of gliadin-based core-shell microcapsules by three antisolvent approaches

Gliadin, a versatile wheat-derived protein, has great potential in the creation of nanostructured delivery systems for encapsulating various hydrophobic bioactive substances. Despite gliadin's well-established potential in creating nanostructured delivery systems for hydrophobic substances, its utilization for encapsulating hydrophilic compounds remains a relatively unexplored domain. This study investigated the feasibility of preparing gliadin-based core-shell microcapsules using different antisolvent methods and assessed their controlled release capabilities for hydrophilic compounds. It employed three commonly used food polysaccharides, alginate, κ-carrageenan, and agar, as hydrophilic microbeads and selected thiamine and ethyl maltol as model compounds. The microcapsules were constructed by two steps: 1) The microbeads were prepared by a water-in-oil emulsion template under different gelling conditions; 2) The microbeads were dispersed into aqueous ethanol/urea/acetic acid gliadin solutions, during which the slow migration of water from inside the microbeads to the outer gliadin solution decreased the solubility of gliadin and promoted the deposition of gliadin onto the surface of the microbeads, finally leading to the formation of the core-shell structure. The resulting core-shell microcapsules exhibited adjustable particle sizes from 80.0 to 850.0 μm in diameter and shell thickness ranging from 8.0 to 30.0 μm. Moreover, the microcapsules exhibited controlled release behavior for hydrophilic compounds, with only 20.0% of thiamine being released after 90 min, and this release rate can be finely tuned by controlling the shell thickness. These gliadin-based core-shell microcapsules are considered as promising carriers for the controlled delivery of hydrophilic compounds

Toxins in mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) associated with diarrhetic shell\ufb01sh poisoning episodes in China

More than 200 people in China suffered illness with symptoms of diarrhetic shell\ufb01sh poisoning (DSP) following consumption of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The event occurred in the cities of Ningbo and Ningde near the East China Sea in May, 2011. LC\u2013MS/ MS analysis showed that high concentrations of okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, and their acyl esters were responsible for the incidents. The total concentration was more than 40 times the EU regulatory limit of 160 \u3bcg OA eq./kg. Pectentoxin-2 and its seco-acids were also present in the mussels. Additionally, yessotoxins were found to be responsible for positive mouse bioassay results on scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis) and oyster (Crassostrea talienwhanensis) samples collected from the North Yellow Sea in June, 2010. This work shows that high levels of lipophilic toxins can accumulate in shell\ufb01sh from the Chinese coast and it emphasises that adequate chemical analytical methodologies are needed for monitoring purposes. Further research is required to broaden the knowledge on the occurrence of lipophilic toxins in Chinese shell\ufb01sh.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Clinical Validation of DNA Extraction-Free qPCR, Visual LAMP, and Fluorescent LAMP Assays for the Rapid Detection of African Swine Fever Virus

The global pig industry and food safety are seriously threatened by outbreaks of African swine fever (ASF). To permit early diagnosis of African swine fever virus (ASFV), prevent its spread, and limit its outbreaks, a highly sensitive diagnostic method that can be performed at pig farms is required. Herein, we established DNA extraction-free real-time PCR (qPCR), visual loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), and fluorescent LAMP assays, which were compared with the results of World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) qPCR to assess ASFV-infected clinical samples. Based on plasmid DNA, the limit of detection for the three assays and OIE qPCR were 5.8 copies/μL. All four assays had good ASFV specificity and showed no cross-reactivity with other tested viruses. These assays were used to diagnose 100 clinical samples. The assays showed good diagnostic consistency, with kappa values of 1.0, 0.84, and 0.88, respectively. Compared with OIE qPCR, the diagnostic specificity/sensitivity of DNA extraction-free qPCR, visual LAMP, and fluorescent LAMP assays were 100%/100%, 100%/87.1%, and 100%/90.32%, respectively. The assays eliminated the need for DNA extraction and are more suitable for ASF diagnosis by inexperienced farmers in low-resource environments, making them a good choice for on-site monitoring of pig farms

Tetrahedral DNA Nanostructure-Engineered Paper-Based Electrochemical Aptasensor for Fumonisin B1 Detection Coupled with Au@Pt Nanocrystals as an Amplification Label

Fumonisin B1 (FB1), as one of the highest toxicity mycotoxins, poses a serious threat to animal and human health, even at low concentrations. It is significant and challenging to develop a sensitive and reliable analytical device. Herein, a paper-based electrochemical aptasensor was designed utilizing tetrahedral DNA nanostructures (TDNs) to controllably anchor an aptamer (Apt), improving the recognition efficiency of Apt to its target. First, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)@MXenes were used as a sensing substrate with good conductivity and modified on the electrode for immobilization of complementary DNA–TDNs (cDNA–TDNs). In the absence of FB1, numerous Apt–Au@Pt nanocrystals (NCs) was hybridized with cDNA and assembled on the sensing interface, which accelerated the oxidation of TMB with H2O2 and produced a highly amplified differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signal. When the target FB1 specifically bound to its Apt, the electrochemical signal was decreased by releasing the Apt–Au@Pt NCs from double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). On account of the strand displacement reaction by FB1 triggering, the aptasensor had a wider dynamic linear range (from 50 fg/mL to 100 ng/mL) with a lower limit of detection (21 fg/mL) under the optimized conditions. More impressively, the designed FB1 aptasensor exhibited satisfactory performance in corn and wheat samples. Therefore, the TDN-engineered sensing platform opens an effective approach for sensitive and accurate analysis of FB1, holding strong potential in food safety and public health