Advances in Food Contaminant Control Strategies: Detection, Prevention and Detoxification

A Special Issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158) belonging to the section "Food Toxicology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 2123

Editors


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Guest Editor
Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing 210014, China
Interests: antibody-based immunoassay for the rapid detection of biopesticides and antibiotics; novel insecticidal proteins/antibacterial bioactive materials for pests/pathogenic microorganisms green management; biological regulation of the nutritional quality of agricultural products
Oil Crops Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wuhan 430062, China
Interests: detection of contaminants in agro-food and agro-feed products; sample preparation for trace analysis in food and agricultural products; monitoring and risk assessment; mycotxin removal and degradation with advanced nanomaterials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Early warning systems for the prevention and control of food contamination risks are important for ensuring food safety and promoting the sustainable development of the industry. To focus more on and facilitate the exchange of research progress in this area, we are planning to launch a new Special Issue titled “Advances in Food Contaminant Control Strategies: Detection, Prevention and Detoxification” in the journal Foods. In this Special Issue, our main focus will be on the residual risks posed by hazardous substances, such as pesticides, veterinary drugs, foodborne pathogenic microorganisms, biological toxins, microplastics, etc., in the fields of agriculture and food safety. We are particularly interested in any innovative research on technologies and applications related to rapid immunoassays based on antibodies, especially those involving newly genetically engineered antibodies.

Meanwhile, we are also highly intrigued by the adoption of biotechnological approaches—including, but not limited to, the use of biogenic active materials, polymeric nanomaterials, microbial antagonism, microbial degradation, gene editing, and other strategies—in facilitating innovative research. This research covers areas such as preventing the growth of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms, preserving the sensory quality of food, and removing or degrading residues of pesticides, veterinary drugs, antibiotics, biological toxins, and microplastics. Additionally, we are enthusiastic about exploratory research into novel, safe, protein-based green bioactive materials that can serve as alternatives to the functions of pesticides and veterinary drugs. We sincerely invite you to submit your research papers and review papers to our Special Issue on the aforementioned topic.

Dr. Chongxin Xu
Dr. Li Yu
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • pesticides
  • veterinary drugs
  • foodborne pathogenic microorganisms
  • biological toxins
  • microplastics
  • antibody
  • immunoassay
  • risk assessment
  • biological prevention and control
  • biodegradation
  • AI and gene editing

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 2811 KB  
Article
Synergistic Effects Between Chitooligosaccharide–Epigallocatechin Gallate Conjugate and Nisin on Inhibition of Seafood-Associated Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., and Shewanella spp.
by Suriya Palamae, Pitima Sinlapapanya, Jirayu Buatong, Natchaphol Buamard, Yu Fu, Bin Zhang, Hui Hong and Soottawat Benjakul
Foods 2026, 15(17), 3072; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15173072 - 30 Aug 2026
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Ready-to-cook Asian moon scallop (RAM) may harbor seafood-associated spoilage and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, leading to quality deterioration and food safety concerns. This study investigated the microbiological diversity, virulence-associated phenotypes, and antibacterial activity of chitooligosaccharide–epigallocatechin gallate conjugate (CEGC) combined with nisin against seafood-associated bacteria [...] Read more.
Ready-to-cook Asian moon scallop (RAM) may harbor seafood-associated spoilage and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, leading to quality deterioration and food safety concerns. This study investigated the microbiological diversity, virulence-associated phenotypes, and antibacterial activity of chitooligosaccharide–epigallocatechin gallate conjugate (CEGC) combined with nisin against seafood-associated bacteria isolated from RAM. A total of 102 bacterial isolates were subjected to identification by MALDI-TOF/MS, with Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Shewanella as the predominant genera. Several isolates exhibited proteolytic and hemolytic activities, indicating spoilage potential and virulence-associated traits. Multivariate analysis showed that bacterial isolates differed widely in their antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence-associated phenotypes. Checkerboard assays demonstrated synergistic effects between CEGC and nisin against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio fluvialis (FICI = 0.50). The additive effects were observed for the remaining strains, except an indifferent effect (FICI = 1.06) was found for A. hydrophila. The combined treatment markedly inhibited bacterial growth and biofilm formation, achieving approximately 95% biofilm reduction in V. parahaemolyticus. Confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy revealed severe membrane disruption, increased permeability, cellular deformation, and collapse of biofilm architecture. Furthermore, CEGC–nisin effectively suppressed V. parahaemolyticus growth in cold-stored RAM. These findings demonstrate that CEGC combined with nisin is a promising natural antimicrobial strategy for improving seafood safety and reducing microbial spoilage in ready-to-cook seafood products. Full article
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33 pages, 8358 KB  
Article
Multi-Element Composition of Wild Prunus spinosa Fruits Across Contrasting Environments: Implications for Food Safety and Quality
by Andra Ioana Vlad, Szilárd Bartha, Voichița Timiș-Gânsac, Laviniu Ioan Nuțu Burescu, Tunduc Adrian, Mariana Florica Bei, Florin Alexandru Rebrean, Călugăr Anamaria, Petrică Tudor Moțiu and Florin-Dumitru Bora
Foods 2026, 15(10), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15101726 - 14 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 647
Abstract
Environmental contamination with potentially toxic elements is a growing concern for ecosystem quality and food safety. This study evaluated the relationships between environmental conditions, anthropogenic activities, and the elemental composition of Prunus spinosa fruits collected from western and central Romania along a pollution [...] Read more.
Environmental contamination with potentially toxic elements is a growing concern for ecosystem quality and food safety. This study evaluated the relationships between environmental conditions, anthropogenic activities, and the elemental composition of Prunus spinosa fruits collected from western and central Romania along a pollution gradient. Eighty samples from ten sites representing non-polluted, agricultural, traffic-exposed, and mining-affected areas were analyzed by ICP-MS after microwave digestion. Fruits from impacted areas showed compositional differences, including lower concentrations of some essential macroelements and higher levels of several trace elements potentially associated with anthropogenic pressure. Increased sodium, aluminum, and silicon contents were consistent with environmental stress and enhanced environmental exposure and possible soil-derived particulate influence, while boron and molybdenum declined with pollution intensity. Elemental patterns were mainly associated with local environmental conditions and appeared consistent with site-specific environmental influences. Food safety assessment indicated generally low to moderate risk depending on sampling origin. Overall, Prunus spinosa fruits showed potential as a bioindicator of environmental quality and a useful tool for monitoring anthropogenic contamination. Full article
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15 pages, 5227 KB  
Article
Atmospheric Cold Plasma Degradation of Fenvalerate Residues on Shiitake Mushrooms: Mechanisms, Toxicity Evolution, and Quality Effects
by Hu Shi, Ziwen Cheng, Shiwei Dong, Yang Jiao and Hongru Liu
Foods 2026, 15(7), 1229; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15071229 - 3 Apr 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 653
Abstract
Fenvalerate residues on edible mushrooms pose significant risks to food safety and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the efficiency, degradation mechanisms, toxicity evolution, and quality effects of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) for removing fenvalerate from shiitake mushrooms. Fenvalerate degradation increased with ACP treatment [...] Read more.
Fenvalerate residues on edible mushrooms pose significant risks to food safety and aquatic ecosystems. This study investigated the efficiency, degradation mechanisms, toxicity evolution, and quality effects of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) for removing fenvalerate from shiitake mushrooms. Fenvalerate degradation increased with ACP treatment voltage and exposure time, reaching a maximum efficiency of 82.5% at 80 kV for 15 min. Quantum chemical calculations based on Fukui functions and frontier molecular orbitals identified phenoxy and chlorophenyl moieties as primary reactive sites. High-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry revealed degradation pathways dominated by hydroxylation, ester bond cleavage, and oxidative transformations. Toxicity assessment using ECOSAR predictions and yeast bioassays demonstrated substantial reductions in acute and chronic toxicity by ACP treatment, although some intermediates retained residual toxicity. In addition, ACP preserved mushroom quality during refrigerated storage. Overall, ACP represents a promising non-thermal strategy for pesticide detoxification while preserving edible mushroom quality. Full article
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