Search Results (866)

This study evaluated a 181-day finishing system for horses entering the Korean meat chain by comparing retired thoroughbred geldings and Belgian-crossbred geldings under identical management and an ad libitum forage-based total mixed ration. Ten geldings (n = 5 per group) were individually housed, with body weight and feed intake recorded monthly. After slaughter, carcass traits and meat quality grade were assessed, and longissimus thoracis et lumborum samples were analyzed for proximate composition. Belgian-crossbreds consumed more dry matter (18.68 vs. 13.60 kg DM/day), corresponding to 2.3% vs. 2.4% of body weight, but showed markedly greater growth (average daily gain 1.063 vs. 0.290 kg/day) and higher gain-to-feed (0.059 vs. 0.024) than retired Thoroughbreds. Carcass weight and marbling-related traits favored Belgian-crossbreds, including higher intramuscular fat in longissimus thoracis et lumborum (9.15% vs. 3.22%). Despite higher total feed cost per head, the economic feed conversion ratio was substantially lower in Belgian-crossbreds (13,133 vs. 35,088 KRW/kg gain), resulting in a positive gross margin estimate, whereas retired Thoroughbreds showed a negative margin under the same system. These results suggest that meat-type horses may be better suited to short, intensive finishing, while alternative utilization or tailored finishing strategies may be needed for retired racehorses. Full article

Grassland productivity and precise monitoring of animal herbage intake are key requirements for sustainable grazing management in Mediterranean upland systems. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV)-based multispectral vegetation indices (VIs) combined with machine learning (ML) algorithms to estimate forage biomass, quality parameters and daily herbage dry matter intake (HDMI) of grazing ewes at the paddock scale. The experiment was conducted in a managed ryegrass–white clover meadow–pasture in southern Italy, where four plots were grazed sequentially by lactating Sarda ewes during spring–summer 2025. Ground measurements included pre- and post-grazing biomass inside and outside exclusion cages, botanical composition and forage quality. Concurrently, UAV multispectral imagery has been acquired, from which several VIs were computed. Pearson’s correlations were used to explore relationships between VIs and forage variables, and five ML algorithms. Indices such as MCARI2, MTVI2, MTVI, MSAVI and OSAVI showed the strongest associations with biomass and quality traits, while support vector machine and neural networks provided the best prediction accuracies, particularly for HDMI (R² up to 0.91). The integrated UAV–ML approach proved effective in simultaneously capturing spatial variability of pasture productivity and animal intake, supporting the development of operational precision grazing tools for heterogeneous Mediterranean grasslands. Full article

Nowadays, most water meters are mechanical and intended to be installed on pipes completely filled with water. But the pipelines of a water supply network may contain air, which poses a metrological problem: if this air flows through the domestic intakes, it can propel the moving part of the meters, resulting in an overestimation of water consumption. By how much? There is a surprising lack of field data on this topic. So, the case of one house is reported: it is located at the top of a steep and sparsely occupied street, with water typically supplied for a few hours per day. The house’s meter (multi-jet) was estimating a huge and erratic consumption: several times more than what would be normally expected on average, and with some daily peaks exceeding the built storage capacity (underground cistern plus roof tank). After one year of monitoring, including the installation of a few devices, it is concluded that: (1) the house’s meter was affected by air in the water supply network (most likely for different reasons, of which three are discussed); (2) a small air-release valve installed just upstream from the meter did not solve the problem; (3) another mechanical meter (single-jet) installed just downstream was also affected by air (although to a lesser extent), and (4) reliable estimates of water consumption were finally obtained with an ultrasonic meter installed at the domestic intake (and with a mechanical meter installed at the roof tank’s outlet). Thus, the case reported emphasizes the need to study more how air in pipelines affects mechanical water meters and to sometimes consider alternatives for measuring domestic water consumption. Full article

Urban and peri-urban river systems subjected to intensive agriculture are vulnerable to diffuse metal(loid) inputs, yet the integration of hydrological compartments, bioindicators, and human health risk remains poorly explored. This study investigated the seasonal dynamics, bioaccumulation patterns, and potential human health risks associated with metal(loid)s in the Santa Virgem River (Brazil–Paraguay border), using water from backwater zones and three plant groups (Apiaceae angiosperms, mosses, and the liverwort Dumortiera sp.). Water and plant samples were collected during five seasonal campaigns (2019–2020) and analyzed by ICP OES. Multivariate analysis (PCA) was applied, and biological accumulation coefficients (BAC) and chronic daily intake (CDI) were estimated for adults and children under different ingestion scenarios. Results showed that Mg, Fe, K, S, and P dominated water chemistry, while As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Se were mostly below detection limits. PCA explained 77.6% of total variance, distinguishing agricultural and hydrological phases. Bryophytes exhibited markedly higher BAC values, particularly for Mn (up to 2.3 × 10⁵) and Fe, compared with Apiaceae. CDI and hazard assessment indicated negligible non-carcinogenic risk for most elements (HQ < 1), except phosphorus, which dominated the Hazard Index due to its low reference dose. Overall, the results demonstrate that hydrodynamic conditions and plant functional traits jointly control metal(loid) dynamics, highlighting the value of multispecies biomonitoring in peri-urban river systems. Full article

Heavy metals in agricultural systems pose a significant challenge to food security, especially in regions with long-term intensive land use. While the Pannonian Plain represents Croatia’s primary breadbasket, accounting for a significant portion of the nation’s cereal production, data on the soil-to-grain transfer of heavy metals and the associated human exposure risk are limited. The objective of this study was (i) to determine the concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) in agricultural soils and corresponding grains (wheat, barley, and maize) across four principal counties within the Pannonian region of Croatia; (ii) to evaluate the soil-to-grain transfer factors that varied regionally and among cereal types; and (iii) to assess the potential non-carcinogenic health risks for both adults and children highlighting differences in exposure due to body weight and consumption patterns. Soil and cereal grain samples were collected in 2019 and 2020, and metal concentrations were determined by ICP-MS after microwave acid digestion. The transfer of metals from soil to grain was estimated using the transfer factor (TF), while exposure assessment was conducted by calculating the estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and hazard index (HI). Due to the nonlinear distribution of the data and the lack of strictly matched soil and grain samples, median metal concentrations pooled across all studied regions were used for exposure assessment. For As, a conservative approach was applied, assuming that 50% of the total As is in inorganic form. Additionally, a probabilistic risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulations was conducted to account for variability in body weight and cereal intake, providing a more comprehensive evaluation of potential exposure. The results showed differences in metal accumulation among cereal species, with wheat and barley tending to accumulate more Cd than maize, while As and Pb concentrations in grains were low for all crops studied. Although soil metal concentrations in Međimurje County were generally low, elevated TF values for As and Pb were observed, indicating enhanced soil-to-plant transfer under specific local soil conditions. In contrast, high soil metal concentrations in Slavonski Brod–Posavina County were associated with low TF values, suggesting limited bioavailability and restricted transfer to cereal grains. Both deterministic and probabilistic assessments indicated that the HQ and HI for adults and children were below 1, suggesting low non-carcinogenic risk from cereal consumption. These findings highlight pronounced regional and crop-specific differences in soil-to-plant metal transfer and confirm that low soil contamination does not necessarily imply low transfer potential, emphasizing the importance of integrated soil–plant–grain monitoring for food safety assessment. Full article

The food system of Zhejiang Province, a major coastal province in China, includes a wide variety of products, such as canned foods, aquatic products, vegetables, fruits, and tea, all of which may serve as potential sources of tin (Sn) exposure. However, no systematic study has assessed the distribution and dietary exposure risk of Sn across food categories in the province, and a compound-specific evaluation of organotin compounds is lacking. Therefore, we investigated the occurrence of Sn in commonly consumed foods and assessed dietary exposure risks among different age groups in Zhejiang Province. In total, 2014 samples from five major food categories—fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, tea, fresh aquatic products, and canned foods—were collected using a multistage stratified random sampling strategy. The Sn concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, with non-detection replaced by half the detection limit. Dietary intake data were derived from the 2015–2017 Nutrition and Health Surveillance using a 3-day, 24 h recall. The estimated daily intake and total hazard quotient (THQ) were calculated for age-specific risk assessments under multiple exposure scenarios. Fresh vegetables, fruits, tea, and most aquatic products had low Sn concentrations, whereas canned foods, particularly fruits, fungi, and meat products, had higher Sn concentrations. THQ values remained well below 1 across all food categories, indicating minimal health risks under typical consumption patterns, although lifetime exposure estimates suggested that canned foods could approach toxicological benchmarks earlier under high-consumption scenarios. A supplementary assessment of organotin compounds, which are highly toxic even at low fractions of total Sn, used a reverse dietary risk approach and probabilistic modeling. Canned foods and fresh aquatic products exhibited the lowest minimum conversion rates (0.16% and 0.37%, respectively), indicating that they are the most susceptible to organotin risk, whereas fresh fruits (7.77%) and tea (18.67%) required much higher proportions. Due to limited literature, further scenario- and probabilistic-based assessments focused on fresh aquatic products, revealing that typical exposure levels are generally safe, but children ≤ 6 years of age are the most vulnerable. Although overall Sn exposure is low, intake of highly processed foods, particularly canned products, should be limited in young children’s diets. These findings highlight that even small shifts in Sn speciation within high-risk food categories can lead to excessive tolerable daily intakes. This study provides a scientific reference for dietary Sn risk assessment and food safety management. Full article

Given the increasing burden of diet-induced metabolic dysregulation, preventive nutritional strategies targeting early insulin resistance are of growing interest. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of white tea supplementation on body weight gain, insulin resistance, and the Gremlin-1/Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (BMP-4) axis in visceral adipose tissue under high-fat diet conditions in a non-obese experimental model. Thirty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n = 8/group): standard diet (control), only high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat diet plus orlistat (ORL: 30 mg/kg/day), and high-fat diet plus white tea (WT: 5 mg/kg/day). Interventions were administered once daily by oral gavage for 12 weeks. Body weight was recorded weekly. At the end of the study, serum insulin, Gremlin-1, and BMP-4 and retroperitoneal adipose tissue Gremlin-1 and BMP-4 levels were measured by ELISA. Adipose tissue GREM1 gene expression was quantified by qRT-PCR. Insulin resistance was estimated using the HOMA-IR index. Appropriate statistical analyses were conducted in line with the study design and data distribution. High-fat feeding resulted in the highest HOMA-IR values, whereas white tea supplementation reduced HOMA-IR compared to the HFD group (p = 0.008). Body weight gain was increased in both the HFD and ORL groups compared to the control (p = 0.009 and p = 0.012, respectively). The lowest weight gain was observed in the WT group, which was lower than the HFD group (p = 0.044). GREM1 expression showed a 1.92-fold increase in the HFD group relative to the control, with smaller increases in the WT and ORL groups; however, intergroup differences did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.063). Serum BMP-4 levels were lower in the WT group compared to the control (p = 0.012), while tissue BMP-4 and Gremlin-1 levels did not differ between groups. Correlation analyses revealed a moderate inverse association between serum Gremlin-1 and serum BMP-4 (rho = −0.493, p = 0.011) and a moderate positive correlation between serum BMP-4 and HOMA-IR (rho = 0.564, p = 0.003). White tea supplementation attenuated body weight gain and preserved insulin sensitivity in a non-obese high-fat diet model, as evidenced by reduced weight gain and lower HOMA-IR values compared with high-fat feeding alone. These metabolic improvements were accompanied by coordinated changes in circulating components of the Gremlin-1/BMP-4 axis, including reduced serum BMP-4 levels and associations between BMP-4, Gremlin-1, and insulin resistance. Although tissue-level alterations were modest, the observed systemic patterns are consistent with an exploratory association between white tea intake and early metabolic signaling changes; however, definitive pathway modulation cannot be inferred from the present dataset. Collectively, these findings support white tea as a nutrient-derived bioactive with preventive metabolic potential during the early stages of diet-induced metabolic dysregulation, prior to the development of overt obesity. Full article

One of the most popular food supplements among the Canary population for the treatment of insomnia and mild anxiety is Valeriana officinalis L. (valerian), whose organ of use is the root. However, this plant is susceptible to the accumulation of certain metals, and a daily multi-dose treatment may be a dosage indication/regimen as multidose therapy. Therefore, there is an interest in determining its content of metals (Cd, Pb, Al, Cr, Cu, Li, Ni, Sr, Mo, Zn, Co, Fe, B, Mn, V, Ba, K, Na, Mg, Ca) to establish the possible toxicological risk of its consumption. The concentrations were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) in a total of 23 samples (8 fragmented, 7 crushed, 8 pulverized). The Cd limit set by the European Pharmacopoeia (0.1 mg/kg) is more than doubled in six samples. The results showed that Pinisan (0.11 mg/kg), the EnRelax^® pill (0.12 mg/kg), the EnRelax^® infuser (0.13 mg/kg), Kneipp (0.15 mg/kg), Milvus (0.16 mg/kg) and one of the market samples (0.23 mg/kg) all exceed this parameter. However, the use of valerian root as a herbal plant or food supplement at therapeutic doses and in all studied dosages does not pose a toxicological risk based on the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of metals. Full article

Mercury (Hg) contamination in deep-sea ecosystems is of increasing concern due to its strong bioaccumulation potential and implications for seafood safety. However, depth-resolved information on Hg speciation and tissue-specific accumulation in deep-sea fish remains limited, particularly in semi-enclosed marginal seas such as the East Sea of Korea. In this study, total mercury (THg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations were quantified in multiple tissues (muscle, liver, gill, bone, and skin) of deep-sea fish collected across a pronounced depth gradient (100–1300 m). Hg concentrations increased significantly with sampling depth (p < 0.05), indicating depth-driven enrichment processes. MeHg accounted for 61.8–87.4% of THg and predominated in muscle and liver, highlighting its toxicological relevance. Human health risk assessment based on Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) and Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) suggested that average exposure levels remained below international safety thresholds. Nevertheless, several deep-sea taxa (e.g., Lycodes tanakae and Malacocottus gibber) approached cautionary levels under high-consumption scenarios. These findings demonstrate that habitat depth is a key ecological driver of Hg accumulation in deep-sea fish and underscore the importance of depth-resolved, species-specific monitoring for effective seafood safety management as deep-sea fisheries expand. Full article

Corn is a critically important agricultural crop, with different parts consumed at specific growth stages—notably, fresh corn and corn grain. The field residue behaviors of clothianidin and phoxim in fresh corn and corn grain were investigated by using a QuEChERS technique combined with UPLC-MS/MS, and the dietary exposure risks of the insecticides were evaluated. Field trials were conducted under the recommended application conditions (2250 g active ingredient per hectare of 2% clothianidin and phoxim granules, applied once) at 12 agricultural regions across China under various climatic conditions to study the residue levels of pesticides. The samples were collected at harvest of fresh corn and corn grain, separately. The results indicated that the residues of the phoxim remained stable in all samples stored at −20 °C for 6 months (180 days). At harvest, the concentrations of clothianidin in fresh corn ranged from <0.01 to 0.027 mg/kg (below the MRL of 0.1 mg/kg established by Japan); the concentrations of phoxim in fresh corn were all below 0.01 mg/kg (below the Chinese MRL of 0.1 mg/kg). In corn grain, clothianidin residues ranged from <0.01 to 0.018 mg/kg (below the Chinese MRL of 0.02 mg/kg), while phoxim residues were below 0.01 mg/kg (below the Chinese MRL of 0.1 mg/kg). Dietary risk assessment based on Chinese pesticide registration status and the per capita dietary structure of Chinese residents showed that the national estimated daily intake (NEDI) of clothianidin for the general population was 0.49 mg, accounting for 7.8% of the adult acceptable daily intake (ADI), while NEDI of phoxim for the general population was 0.048 mg, accounting for 19.2% of adult ADI. The results suggest that the associated health risks are acceptable for the general population. On the basis of these findings, it is recommended to establish an MRL for clothianidin in fresh corn in China at 0.1 mg/kg. This study provided basic data on the use and safety of clothianidin and phoxim in fresh corn and corn grain to help the Chinese government formulate a maximum residue level for clothianidin in fresh corn. Full article

(1) Pome fruits (apples and pears) are among the most frequently consumed fruits in Europe and may contribute to dietary exposure to pesticide residues. Although residue levels generally comply with maximum residue limits (MRLs), even low concentrations may cumulatively contribute to chronic health risks under conditions of frequent and long-term consumption. This study aimed to quantitatively assess dietary exposure and the potential non-carcinogenic health risks associated with pesticide residues in apples and pears, using representative monitoring and consumption data. (2) The assessment was based on results of the Polish national official monitoring program for pesticide residues in food, specifically apples and pears sampled in 2022, as reported by the National Institute of Public Health (NIZP-PZH). These data were combined with age- and body weight-specific consumption scenarios derived from FAO/WHO GEMS/Food cluster diets and national Polish statistics. For the most frequently detected pesticides (captan, flonicamid, acetamiprid and fosetyl-Al in apples; captan and acetamiprid in pears), the mean and 95th percentile concentrations were used to estimate the estimated daily intake (EDI). Non-carcinogenic risk was characterized using the hazard quotient (HQ = EDI/ADI) and the cumulative Hazard Index (HI). The hazard quotient (HQ) was calculated as the ratio of estimated daily intake to the acceptable daily intake (HQ = EDI/ADI), while the Hazard Index (HI) was defined as the sum of individual HQ values for pesticides detected in a given commodity and exposure scenario (HI = ΣHQ). Calculations were performed separately for children and adults under several dietary scenarios (Polish general population, German child, German general population, GEMS/Food G08). (3) For all pesticides and exposure scenarios, the HQ values were well below 1, indicating no exceedance of the acceptable daily intake (ADI). The highest chronic exposure was observed for apples in children (German child scenario), with the HQ values for captan, flonicamid and acetamiprid in the approximate range of 0.01–0.05, while the HI remained < 0.1 even under high-consumption conditions. In adults (Polish and German general populations, GEMS/Food G08), HQ values were approximately one order of magnitude lower than in children, and the cumulative HI values for both apples and pears were far below 1. The contribution of pears to total exposure was limited, reflecting lower consumption and fewer active substances detected. (4) This quantitative risk assessment, based on Polish monitoring data from 2022, indicates that under current residue levels and consumption patterns, chronic dietary exposure to pesticide residues from apples and pears does not pose a relevant non-carcinogenic health concern for either children or adults. Nevertheless, children consistently showed higher relative exposure than adults, underscoring the importance of age-stratified risk assessment and continued monitoring of residues in commonly consumed fruits. The findings support existing regulatory frameworks while justifying sustained, targeted surveillance of key active substances in pome fruits as part of public health prevention strategies. Full article

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM₁) is a carcinogenic milk contaminant and a persistent food safety concern in Serbia, especially under changing climate conditions that exacerbate contamination risks. This review synthesizes national research conducted between 2012 and 2024, covering more than thirty thousand analyzed milk and dairy samples, to evaluate AFM1 contamination, public health risks, and the need for structured risk ranking and prioritization frameworks recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A systematic analysis of Serbian studies explored AFM₁ occurrence, dietary exposure, and health risk estimates across population groups. The evidence reveals persistent AFM1 contamination with pronounced seasonal peaks during drought years and winter months, frequently exceeding the EU maximum limit of 0.05 µg/kg. Recent multi-year studies confirm that climate-driven AFB1 contamination in maize and compound feed remains a significant and recurring source of AFM1 in milk, highlighting the necessity of structured risk prioritization frameworks. Exposure assessments highlight children and students as the most vulnerable groups, displaying the highest estimated daily intake. Although current margin of exposure (MOE) values remain within acceptable limits, the persistence of contamination underscores a need for proactive risk management. Adoption of FAO and EFSA risk-ranking methodologies would enhance monitoring efficiency, protect high-risk populations, and support alignment with EU standards. Implementing structured risk prioritization is crucial for strengthening Serbia’s food safety governance, guiding policy decisions, and reducing the health burden of AFM₁ in the dairy sector. Full article

Understanding the pathways through which heavy metals accumulate in medicinal plants and enter herbal infusions is essential for linking environmental quality with human exposure. This study investigated multi-matrix metal transfer in Tilia spp. along an urban–forest gradient by quantifying twelve elements (Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, Mn, Co, As, Hg, Al, and V) in soil, bark, leaves, flowers, and corresponding infusions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and by estimating daily intake for different age groups based on EFSA default body weights and two consumption scenarios (150 and 400 mL day⁻¹). The results revealed clear spatial patterns, with significantly higher metal loads in urban sites and a consistent transfer from environmental compartments to plant tissues and infusions. Mn, Al, Pb, and Cd exhibited the highest extractability, leading to elevated estimated daily intakes in young children, identified as the most vulnerable group due to their lower body mass. However, all exposure values remained below EFSA and JECFA toxicological reference limits, while As and Hg were undetectable in all infusions. These findings indicate that Tilia infusions contribute minimally to overall dietary metal exposure and confirm Tilia spp. as reliable bioindicators of soil- and airborne metal deposition, supporting the safe consumption of linden tea under realistic intake conditions. Full article

This study evaluated the occurrence of ochratoxin A (OTA) in Turkish coffee and its potential health implications under current consumption patterns by analyzing 65 ground and roasted Turkish coffee samples collected across Türkiye. OTA contamination was detected in 53 samples (82%). Based on the mean OTA concentration, the Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) was calculated as 0.1403 ng/kg body weight/day, and health risk characterization was performed using the Margin of Exposure (MOE) approach in accordance with the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommendations for chronic exposure assessment. MOE calculations enabled a refined characterization of health risks under realistic (0.5 cup/day), average (1 cup/day), and high (3 cups/day) consumption scenarios. The MOE values for carcinogenic (neoplastic) effects ranged from 34,450 to 206,847, all exceeding the EFSA reference threshold of 10,000 and indicating a low level of concern for carcinogenic risk associated with Turkish coffee consumption. For non-carcinogenic (non-neoplastic) kidney effects, MOE values ranged from 11,238 to 67,475 across the different consumption scenarios, all exceeding the EFSA reference threshold of 200, indicating a low level of concern for the general population. In conclusion, the findings demonstrate that Turkish coffee consumption does not pose an OTA-related carcinogenic or non-neoplastic health risk for the general population under current consumption patterns. Nevertheless, considering the widespread consumption of Turkish coffee, continued monitoring and strict implementation of control measures throughout the production chain remain advisable to ensure long-term consumer safety. Full article

Background: Adolescence is a critical stage for establishing lifelong dietary habits and preventing non-communicable diseases through adequate intake of bioactive compounds. Numerous studies have thoroughly examined the antioxidant profile of traditional diets such as the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, current research provides limited insights into the antioxidant properties of foods typically consumed by Mexican adolescents. Objective: So, this study aimed to quantify the total phenolic compound (TPC) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) of frequently consumed foods and to estimate dietary intake in Mexican adolescents. Methodology: The selected food groups were identified based on their frequency of consumption by 15% or more of the adolescent population, considering those that have demonstrated a sufficient quantity of antioxidants. It was analyzed TPC and ABTS•⁺ and DPPH• to determine the antiradical activity of the analyzed samples. Results: The estimated daily intake of TPC was 1484.01 mg GAE/person, while AC intake was 345.67 mg AAE/person (ABTS•⁺) and 5399.14 µmol TE/person (DPPH•). Cereals and fruits were the major contributors to total antioxidant intake, while the contribution of leafy vegetables and nuts was relatively low. The statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TPC and AC. The results of the study indicate the antioxidant potential of the adolescent diet. Conclusions: Despite certain limitations, the values obtained from the study are comparable to those of other studies that employed similar methodologies. Consequently, promoting the early consumption of fresh plant-based foods rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can enhance the dietary profile and contribute to adolescents’ long-term health, constitutes a significant area of research. Full article