Rapid Methods as Analytical Tools for Food and Feed Contaminant Evaluation: Methodological Implications for Mycotoxin Analysis in Cereals

Over the past years, food quality is perceived to have improved and food safety has become an important food quality attribute (R\uf6hr et al., 2005). This implies that all aspects of food production and therefore of the feed supply chain must be considered to ensure the safety of human food (Pinotti & Dell\u2019Orto, 2011). As a result, public authorities and regulatory agencies are pushing producers, manufacturers, and researchers to pay serious attention to food and feed production processes and to develop comprehensive quality policies and management systems to improve food safety and try to enhance consumer information to regain consumers trust in food. From this point of view, the knowledge and control of the level and distribution of contaminants and undesirable substances in food and feed are become a worldwide topic of interest due to the high economic and sanitary impact on human/animal health. Since it is impossible to fully eliminate the presence of undesirable substances and contaminants, an adequate surveillance and frequent checks are fundamental to assure quality and safety of raw materials destined for direct consumption or industrial processes. The aim of this chapter will be to evaluate the potentiality offered by rapid analytical approaches to food and feed evaluation, focusing on contaminants and undesirable substances. A critical overview, highlighting characteristics and applications of these techniques, will be offered with examples pointed on specific matrices and contaminants,cereals and mycotoxins, respectively

Plasminogen activation system in goat milk and its relation with composition and coagulation properties.

The activity of plasmin (PL), plasminogen (PG), and plasminogen activator (PA) and their correlation with goat milk components and milk clotting parameters were investigated. Seven late-lactating Saanen goats were used to provide milk samples that were analyzed for PL, PG, and PA activity (colorimetric assay) fat, protein, noncasein nitrogen, nonprotein nitrogen, casein content, and somatic cell count (SCC). Milk clotting parameters (rennet coagulating time = coagulation time; K20 = firming rate of curd; A30 = curd firmness) were measured with a formagraph. Average milk yield and composition were similar to those previously observed in other studies. Plasmin, PG, and PA activity, expressed as units/ml, were, respectively, 20.04 +/- 0.94, 3.21 +/- 0.04, and 1154 +/- 57.61. Plasminogen activity was surprisingly low compared with other species (bovine, ovine), but it was consistent with the high activity of PA. A negative significant correlation was observed between PL and milk casein content. The correlation coefficients between PL and casein/protein ratio and PA and casein/protein ratio were negative and significant. A positive significant correlation was observed between PL and rennet clotting time and PA and rennet clotting time. Also positive was the correlation between PL and K20 and PA and K20. The plasmin activity was negatively correlated with A30. High plasmin and plasminogen activator activity in goat milk appeared to be negatively related with coagulating properties in late lactation, most probably via degradation of casein due to plasmin activity

Sampling feed for mycotoxins: acquiring knowledge from food

The occurrence and control of mycotoxins in feed and food are items of great interest to researchers, producers, manufacturers and regulatory agencies. In order to implement knowledge of control measures for mycotoxins in the entire food production chain, coordinated inspection programmes aimed to check the presence and concentration of mycotoxins in feedingstuffs are recommended by the Commission of the European Communities. Reliability of measured levels of mycotoxins in feed and food is greatly affected by the collection of representative samples. Because of the heterogeneous distribution of mycotoxins, the variability associated with a mycotoxin test procedure usually depends heavily on the sampling plan. European legislation dealing with sampling plans for mycotoxins in foodstuffs has been recently revised. The aim of the following overview is to discuss the role of sampling in mycotoxin-contaminated feed by considering the evolution of legislation dealing with sampling plans for food. A sampling procedure is a multistage process and consists of three distinct phases: sampling, sample preparation and analysis. The variability associated with each step of a sampling procedure and the aspects related to feedstuffs, matrix/ mycotoxin combination and level of contamination are discussed

Effect of Body Condition Score at Calving on Performance, Some Blood Parameters, and Milk Fatty Acid Composition in Dairy Cows

Effect of body condition score at calving and of change in body condition score on productive and reproductive performance, on lactation curve parameters, and on postpartum disease occurrence was investigated in 213 Italian Holstein-Friesian cows. Plasma FFA, glucose, and insulin concentrations and milk fatty acid composition were analyzed in 15 cows. The cows calving at highest body condition score lost more subcutaneous fat; condition score change did not exceed 1.05 units. Change in body condition score was positively associated with peak and total milk production. Occurrence of retained placenta was not related to the content of fat stores at calving. Glucose concentrations were relatively constant, FFA concentrations were highest, and insulin concentrations were lower in cows calving at the highest body condition score. Milk fatty acid composition reflected the different utilization of body fat stores

Mycotoxins in Wheat and Mitigation Measures

Latest estimates for world cereal production in 2015 and EU‐28 production in 2014 are approximately 2540 and 323 mil tons, respectively. The FAO estimated that the global wheat consumption is about 66 kg/per capita. Among the most important risks associated with wheat consumption are mycotoxins. It has been estimated that up to 25% of the world\u27s crops grown for food and feed may be contaminated with mycotoxins. Despite efforts in controlling fungal growth, mycotoxin co‐contamination represents an unavoidable risk, occurring pre‐ and postharvest and resulting in reduced nutritional value and possible risks for human and animal health. In addition to health risks, mycotoxins have a detrimental effect on the quality and the processing performance of wheat. Mitigation measures to manage the challenge of mycotoxins in wheat include strategies at pre‐ and postharvest. Preharvest events are predominantly dictated by environmental factors and good agronomic/cultural practices, whereas storage and processing are the major areas where contamination can be prevented at postharvest. Integrating as many management options as possible may minimize the risk of mycotoxin contamination in wheat and wheat products

Selection of new markers for animal by-products characterization by classical microscopy

The aim of this study was to identify possible markers to distinguish differences between land animals by using the microscopic method in association with computer image analysis. For this purpose bone fragments from poultry and mammals were obtained and analysed by microscopic method. Through a digital camera and an image analysis software 85 bone lacunae images have been processed and elaborated in order to obtain for each lacuna a monochrome mask on which several measurements were performed. Data were analysed by ANOVA and LDA. Results obtained in the present study indicated that of 32 descriptors processed by image analysis software, only 12 were significantly (P<0.001) different between mammalian and poultry. However, when morphometric measurements were analysed by LDA, 86% of lacunae were correctly classified into the animal class of origin (i.e. mammalian as mammalian and poultry as poultry). By contrast 14% of lacunae were incorrectly classified. In conclusion, data here presented indicate that some of descriptors used by image analysis appears promising not only for a reliable distinction between the different origins of animal meal at the level of vertebrate classes, but also for further characterisation and identification of processed animal proteins in animal feeds

Role of alpha-tocopherol in counteracting DNA damage induced by Ochratoxin A in primary porcine fibroblasts

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin responsible for disease states in both humans and animals. OTA mechanisms of action are numerous, including lipid peroxidation. Oxidative damage results in the modification of macromolecules (i.e. DNA), cell death and tissue injure. Several strategies, such as the use of antioxidants, have been used to reduce OTA cytotoxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of alpha-tocopherol in counteracting DNA damage induced by OTA in cell cultures. Primary porcine fibroblasts, isolated from embryo and from ear, were incubated for 24h with several concentrations of OTA in order to detect DNA fragmentation. OTA produced DNA fragmentation in a concentration dependent manner in both primary cell cultures. The pre-treatment with alpha-tocopherol caused the reduction of DNA fragmentation in both primary cell cultures, after 24h of incubation with OTA. In particular, when OTA was added at 10 µg/ml in embryo fibroblasts, alpha-tocopherol at the concentrations of 1 nM was significantly (P<0.05) able to reduce DNA fragmentation by 16%. In ear fibroblast cultures, alpha-tocopherol at the 1nM concentration was significantly (P<0.05) able to reduce DNA fragmentation by 15.23% in the presence of 5 µg/ml of OTA

Decontamination of Mycotoxin-Contaminated Feedstuffs and Compound Feed

Mycotoxins are known worldwide as fungus-produced toxins that adulterate a wide heterogeneity of raw feed ingredients and final products. Consumption of mycotoxins-contaminated feed causes a plethora of harmful responses from acute toxicity to many persistent health disorders with lethal outcomes; such as mycotoxicosis when ingested by animals. Therefore, the main task for feed producers is to minimize the concentration of mycotoxin by applying different strategies aimed at minimizing the risk of mycotoxin effects on animals and human health. Once mycotoxins enter the production chain it is hard to eliminate or inactivate them. This paper examines the most recent findings on different processes and strategies for the reduction of toxicity of mycotoxins in animals. The review gives detailed information about the decontamination approaches to mitigate mycotoxin contamination of feedstuffs and compound feed, which could be implemented in practice

Alpha-Tocopherol Counteracts the Cytotoxicity Induced by Ochratoxin A in Primary Porcine Fibroblasts

The aims of the current study were to determine the half-lethal concentration of ochratoxin A (OTA) as well as the levels of lactate dehydrogenase release and DNA fragmentation induced by OTA in primary porcine fibroblasts, and to examine the role of α-tocopherol in counteracting its toxicity. Cells showed a dose-, time- and origin-dependent (ear vs. embryo) sensitivity to ochratoxin A. Pre-incubation for 3 h with 1 nM α-tocopherol significantly (P < 0.01) reduced OTA cytotoxicity, lactate dehydrogenase release and DNA damage in both fibroblast cultures. These findings indicate that α-tocopherol supplementation may counteract short-term OTA toxicity, supporting its defensive role in the cell membrane