Search Results (1,085)

Intensive livestock and aquaculture systems require high-quality feeds with the correct nutritional composition. The decrease in wild fish proteins has led to demands within the feed supply chain for new alternatives to fulfil the growing demand for protein. In this context, edible insects like the yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) have the greatest potential to become a valid alternative source of proteins. This study evaluated the growth performance and nutritional profile of yellow mealworm larvae reared under laboratory conditions on eight different agro-industrial by-products: wheat middling, durum wheat bran, rice bran, hemp cake, thistle cake, dried brewer’s spent grains, dried tomato pomace, and dried distilled grape marc. The quantitative and qualitative impacts of rearing substrates on larvae were compared. The results showed that larvae adapt well to different substrates with different nutritional compositions, including the fibrous fraction. However, substrates affect larval growth feed conversion and larval macro composition. Hemp cake stood out for its superior nutritional value, as reflected by its high protein content and moderate NDF (Neutral Detergent Fiber) levels, which determine fast larval growth. On the contrary, imbalanced substrate lipid or carbohydrate content (rice bran), as well as the presence of potential antinutritional compounds (thistle cake), appeared to negatively affect growth performances. Full article

Sustainable strategies for revalorizing food industry by-products are increasingly relevant in the development of modern experimental dermato-cosmetic formulations. In this study, two semisolid cosmetic creams (R10 and EM-R10) were designed using recycled palm oil—physically purified after intensive frying—as the lipid phase. The recycled oil was incorporated strictly within a controlled experimental framework and does not imply cosmetic-grade regulatory compliance. The formulations incorporated distinct bioactive profiles: R10 combined apricot and pineapple extracts with lime essential oil, while EM-R10 integrated fir bud and green tea extracts alongside the same essential oil. Both preparations contained Fragard as a preservative and niacinamide and panthenol as vitaminic components. The physicochemical properties of the formulations were assessed through rheology, confocal microscopy, ATR-FTIR, SEM, DSC, and contact angle measurements. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans using disk diffusion and broth microdilution assays. The results demonstrate that, despite partial thermal degradation, recycled palm oil retains modified structural features that influence formulation-related properties relevant to topical systems. EM-R10 showed superior spreadability, adhesion, stability, and diffusion-related performance, as well as improved antimicrobial activity, within the investigated experimental conditions, highlighting recycled palm oil as a promising sustainable lipid phase for experimental dermato-cosmetic formulations, pending further purification, toxicological evaluation, and regulatory compliance assessment. Full article

This study evaluated two formulations of L-carnitine, which were developed and impregnated in an oil-based self-emulsifying system (SEDDS), the first with tyrphostin AG17 and the second without the addition of tyrphostin AG17. The formulation with tyrphostin AG17 showed the presence of stable microvesicles up to 498 h after its preparation. To establish a robust safety profile in compliance with modern regulatory frameworks and the 3Rs principle (replacement, reduction, and refinement), a toxicological evaluation was conducted integrating an in silico quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) analysis with confirmatory in vivo subchronic toxicity studies. The QSAR analysis, performed using the OECD QSAR Toolbox and strictly adhering to Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) validation principles, predicted an acute oral LD50 of 91.5 mg/kg in rats, a value showing high concordance with the historical experimental data (87 mg/kg). Furthermore, computational modeling for repeated-dose toxicity yielded a no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of 80.0 mg/kg bw/day, a no-observed-effect level (NOEL) of 60.4 mg/kg bw/day, and an ADI = 56 mg/day. These computational findings were substantiated by a 90-day subchronic toxicity study in male Wistar rats, where daily intragastric administration of tyrphostin AG17 at doses up to 1.75 mg/kg resulted in not statistically significant hematotoxic activity (p < 0.05), with a maximum cumulative dose over 90 days of 157.5 mg/kg. Collectively, these data indicate that tyrphostin AG17 combines high stabilizing efficacy with a manageable safety profile, supporting its proposed regulatory status as a functional food additive. Based on these results, it is concluded that tyrphostin AG17 shows promising characteristics for use as a stabilizer in food and other substances. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in freshwater systems; consequently, fish ingest them either accidentally or intentionally. Once ingested, MPs can translocate to various organs and cause physiological effects. Most studies have focused on tropical and marine fishes, and many have used mass-based methods that measure exposure only by the total mass of microplastics, ignoring particle number and size. These studies have also rarely examined MP effects or fate after a depuration period, limiting our understanding of MP impacts on temperate fishes, hindering the harmonisation of toxicological studies, and complicating assessments of food safety for cultured and wild fish. This study investigated the physiological impacts of dietary exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs; 1–10 µm) in Salmo trutta fed a diet with ~5.4 × 10⁶ PS-MPs g⁻¹ feed for 21 days, followed by a 90-day depuration period. PS-MPs translocation from the intestine to the liver and muscle was investigated. Enzymatic biomarkers of oxidative stress and metabolism were analysed in the liver, digestive enzyme activity was assessed in the intestine, and inflammatory enzyme responses were evaluated in both liver and intestinal tissues. In addition, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, an indicator of lipid peroxidation, was quantified in blood, muscle, and liver samples. Results show that 1–5 µm PS-MPs translocated to the liver and muscle, while 10 µm particles largely remained in the intestine, with a small fraction detected in muscle tissue but not in the liver. Most biochemical markers were unaffected; however, both trypsin and peroxidase activities significantly decreased after 21 days, and lipid peroxidation increased in blood following 90 days of depuration. PS-MPs persisted in muscle following 90 days of depuration. These findings demonstrate that dietary exposure to PS-MPs in the size range 1–10 µm leads to selective physiological alterations in S. trutta and results in persistent accumulation of MPs in organs, especially muscle tissue consumed by humans, highlighting a clear concern for food safety. Full article

The agar diffusion method was used to test the antibacterial activity of 12 plant species against Agrobacterium tumefaciens, the bacterium that is responsible for crown gall disease. Leaf, root, or flower extracts were prepared, but not all parts were used for each of the 12 plants listed. Plant extracts from leaves exhibited higher antibacterial activity than those from flowers and roots. Furthermore, the type of solvent had a significant influence on both the antibacterial activity and the flavonoid and polyphenol content. Acetone and alcohol extracts contained higher contents of these compounds than water extracts. The strongest bacteriostatic effect was of the leaf extracts of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus nicholii L.) and St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum L.). Based on HPTLC analysis, eucalyptus extracts contained, among others, chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, and quercetin, while St. John’s wort extracts contained rutin, hyperoside, and quercetin. The tansy leaf extracts (Tanacetum vulgare L.) were also rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, such as kaempferol-3-glucoside, luteolin, chlorogenic acid, cynarine, and rutin. However, a moderate inhibitory effect against the tested bacterium was found in tansy extracts, as well as hop (Humulus lupulus L.), wormwood (Artemisia absinthium L.), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), and nettle (Urtica dioica L.) extracts. The least effective were the root extracts of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale F.H. Wiggers coll.) and valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.), as well as the flower extracts of chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L.) and marigold (Calendula officinalis L.). Given the lack of effective chemical products and the unavailability of commercially resistant cultivars, the use of plant-based extracts for protecting against crown gall appears to be of particular interest. The preliminary results are promising and suggest that eucalyptus and St. John’s wort extracts are the most promising for controlling A. tumefaciens. Full article

Over the last 15 years, mixture risk assessment for food xenobiotics has evolved from conceptual discussions and simple screening tools, such as the Hazard Index (HI), towards operational, component-based and probabilistic frameworks embedded in major food-safety institutions. This review synthesizes methodological and regulatory advances in cumulative risk assessment for dietary “cocktails” of pesticides, contaminants and other xenobiotics, with a specific focus on food-relevant exposure scenarios. At the toxicological level, the field is now anchored in concentration/dose addition as the default model for similarly acting chemicals, supported by extensive experimental evidence that most environmental mixtures behave approximately dose-additively at low effect levels. Building on this paradigm, a portfolio of quantitative metrics has been developed to operationalize component-based mixture assessment: HI as a conservative screening anchor; Relative Potency Factors (RPF) and Toxic Equivalents (TEQ) to express doses within cumulative assessment groups; the Maximum Cumulative Ratio (MCR) to diagnose whether risk is dominated by one or several components; and the combined Margin of Exposure (MOET) as a point-of-departure-based integrator that avoids compounding uncertainty factors. Regulatory frameworks developed by EFSA, the U.S. EPA and FAO/WHO converge on tiered assessment schemes, biologically informed grouping of chemicals and dose addition as the default model for similarly acting substances, while differing in scope, data infrastructure and legal embedding. Implementation in food safety critically depends on robust exposure data streams. Total Diet Studies provide population-level, “as eaten” exposure estimates through harmonized food-list construction, home-style preparation and composite sampling, and are increasingly combined with conventional monitoring. In parallel, human biomonitoring quantifies internal exposure to diet-related xenobiotics such as PFAS, phthalates, bisphenols and mycotoxins, embedding mixture assessment within a dietary-exposome perspective. Across these developments, structured uncertainty analysis and decision-oriented communication have become indispensable. By integrating advances in toxicology, exposure science and regulatory practice, this review outlines a coherent, tiered and uncertainty-aware framework for assessing real-world dietary mixtures of xenobiotics, and identifies priorities for future work, including mechanistically and data-driven grouping strategies, expanded use of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modelling and refined mixture-sensitive indicators to support public-health decision-making. Full article

Salt stress is a major agricultural issue. A promising modern agriculture method is the foliar treatment of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). This approach has shown promise in boosting challenged tomato yields, fruit quality, and leaf extract antibacterial activity against pathogens. A greenhouse experiment was conducted. The previously synthesized and characterized ZnONPs were used to alleviate the harmful effects of NaCl stress. Tomato fruit weight from different treatments was determined, and the gas–liquid chromatography device was used to observe the changes in fatty acid production. The antimicrobial activities of the aqueous and diethyl ether extracts from tomato leaves were determined against six bacterial and six fungal strains. The plants that were salinity-stressed and sprayed with 0.075 and 0.15 g/L ZnONPs showed a better improvement compared to the salinity-stressed plants. Also, the sprayed plants that were not stressed at all showed promising results compared to the control and the other different treatments. Through the process of molecular docking, it was shown that caffeic acid, ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and apigenin-7-glucoside are essential chemicals that possess antibacterial and antifungal effects against the DNA Gyrase inhibitor and the sterol 14-alpha demethylase (CYP51) enzyme, respectively. It is concluded that salt stress can negatively affect the growth, quality, and variant plant features. However, the foliar application of ZnONPs is able to overcome those adverse effects in the stressed plants, and enhance the non-stressed as well. Full article

Mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products poses a serious challenge to food safety, severely threatening human and animal health and causing significant economic losses. This study aimed to investigate the degradation and detoxification capabilities of Trichoderma reesei GG-T40 against two representative mycotoxins—aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) and zearalenone (ZEN). The results showed that the degradation rates of AFB₁ and ZEN by this strain reached 98.6% and 88.4%, respectively. Using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF MS), the degradation products were systematically characterized, leading to the identification of six AFB₁ degradation products (C₁₇H₁₄O₇, AFD₁: C₁₆H₁₄O₅, C₁₁H₁₀O₄, C₁₄H₁₆O₄, C₁₅H₁₀O₄, and C₁₇H₁₄O₅) and two ZEN degradation products (α-ZOL and β-ZOL). Toxicity evaluation revealed that the key toxic structures of AFB₁ were disrupted, significantly reducing or even eliminating the toxicity of its degradation products; ZEN was mainly converted into β-ZOL (accounting for 91.5%), which has lower estrogenic activity. Further toxicological experiments in mice confirmed that the degradation products were non-toxic and non-pathogenic under actual testing conditions, demonstrating systematic verification of their safety. In conclusion, T. reesei GG-T40 can efficiently and safely degrade AFB₁ and ZEN, showing great potential for developing green control technologies for mycotoxin contamination in food and feed raw materials, with important application value for ensuring food safety. Full article

Goji berry consumption provides various beneficial health effects, although little is known about the possible toxicological and pro-oxidant effects. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the subchronic oral toxicity of goji berry juice (GBJ) for 28 days in Wistar rats (OECD 407). The GBJ was prepared in a blender with water and then filtered. The total phenolic compounds were evaluated using the Folin method (μg equivalent of gallic acid/mL juice). Forty 90-day-old female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of 10 animals each. The control group received an oral saline solution of 1 mL/100 g, and the treatments received daily doses of 1.85, 5.68, and 11.36 μg GAE/100 g for 28 days. Our findings revealed that GBJ does not alter animal body weight or food intake, although we observed higher hepatic transaminase levels and reactive species generation in the liver and kidney, which may have led to imbalanced antioxidant defenses and damaged lipids and proteins. Additionally, we observed kidney damage with increased Bowman space. Our 28-day findings indicate that goji berry juice at doses equivalent to typical human consumption can induce early redox imbalances and hepatic and renal biochemical alterations in female Wistar rats, warranting caution and further long-term, sex-inclusive studies. Full article

Aquatic environments have been a critical source of nutrition for millennia, with wild fisheries supplying protein and nutrients to populations worldwide. A notable shift has occurred in recent decades with the expansion of aquaculture, now representing a fast-growing sector in food production. Aquaculture plays a key role in mitigating the depletion of wild fish stocks and addressing issues related to overfishing. Despite its potential benefits, the sustainability of both wild and farmed aquatic food systems is challenged by anthropogenic pollution. Contaminants from agricultural runoff, industrial discharges, and domestic effluents enter freshwater systems and eventually reach marine environments, where they may be transported globally through ocean currents. Maintaining water quality is paramount to food safety, environmental integrity, and long-term food security. In addition to conventional seafood products such as fish and shellfish, foods such as those derived from microalgae are gaining attention in Western markets for their high nutritional value and potential functional properties. These organisms have been consumed in Asia for generations and are now being explored as sustainable foods and ingredients as an alternative source of protein. Contaminants in aquatic food products include residues of agrochemicals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), as well as brominated flame retardants and heavy metals. Public and scientific attention has intensified around plastic pollution, particularly microplastics and nanoplastics, which are increasingly detected in aquatic organisms and are the subject of ongoing toxicological and ecological risk assessments. While the presence of these hazards necessitates robust risk assessment and regulatory oversight, it is important to balance these concerns against the health benefits of aquatic foods, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins, and trace elements. Furthermore, beyond direct human health implications, the environmental impact of pollutant sources must be addressed through integrated management approaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the food systems they support. This review covers regulatory frameworks, risk assessments, and management issues relating to aquatic environments, including the impact of climate change. It aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for researchers, policymakers, food businesses who harvest food from aquatic systems and other stakeholders. Full article

This study prepared carbon dots (CDs) from agricultural waste pineapple peel via an eco-friendly microwave method, optimizing their performance through copper ion and chitosan doping. Multiple characterization techniques and performance tests were employed for systematic analysis. Antioxidant assays revealed that PP-CDs have excellent concentration-dependent free radical scavenging activity: the DPPH IC₅₀ values of Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (PP-CDs), Copper-Doped Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (Cu-PP-CDs) and Chitosan-Doped Pineapple Peel Carbon Dots (CS-PP-CDs) are 0.79, 0.95 and 0.98 mg/mL, while their ABTS IC₅₀ values are 0.22, 0.40 and 0.26 mg/mL, respectively. Antibacterial tests showed modified CDs have enhanced activity: Cu-PP-CDs exhibit inhibition zones of 23.1 ± 0.13 mm (E. coli) and 17.3 ± 0.05 mm (S. aureus) with MICs of 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL, while CS-PP-CDs have respective zones of 12.8 ± 0.08 mm and 16.3 ± 0.12 mm with a 5.0 mg/mL MIC for both strains. All CDs present a quasi-spherical morphology and emit yellow fluorescence under UV excitation, with PP-CDs showing the strongest intensity. This study provides technical support for high-value utilization of pineapple peel and development of multifunctional CDs, which have food field potential but face large-scale production and toxicological evaluation challenges. Full article

Aflatoxin M₁ (AFM₁), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), is a potent hepatotoxic and carcinogenic compound frequently detected in milk and dairy products. Its thermal stability and resistance to processing make it a persistent public health concern, especially in regions prone to fungal contamination of animal feed. This review integrates bibliometric mapping (2015–2025) with toxicological and mitigation perspectives to provide a comprehensive understanding of AFM₁. The bibliometric analysis reveals a sharp global rise in research output over the last decade, with Iran, China, and Brazil emerging as leading contributors and Food Control identified as the most prolific journal. Five research clusters were distinguished: feed contamination pathways, analytical detection, toxicological risk, regulatory frameworks, and mitigation strategies. Toxicological evidence highlights AFM₁’s mutagenic and hepatocarcinogenic effects, intensified by co-exposure to other mycotoxins or hepatitis B infection. Although regulatory limits range from 0.025 µg/kg in infant formula (EU) to 0.5 µg/kg in milk (FDA), non-compliance remains prevalent in developing regions. Current mitigation approaches—adsorbents (bentonite, zeolite), oxidation (ozone, hydrogen peroxide), and biological detoxification via lactic acid bacteria and yeasts—show promise but require optimization for industrial application. Persistent challenges include climatic variability, inadequate feed monitoring, and heterogeneous regulations. This review emphasizes the need for harmonized surveillance, improved analytical capacity, and sustainable intervention strategies to ensure dairy safety and protect consumer health. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of domestic cooking methods (pan-frying, smoking, and grilling) on the concentrations of elements of toxicological concern and essential elements (Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Zn, and Pb) in the traditionally consumed Black Sea bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix). The investigation also included an assessment of the associated health risks and benefits by calculating carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic effects as well as benefit–risk ratios. Toxic heavy metals such as Cd, Ni, and Pb were found to be below the maximum residual limits (MRLs) established by relevant food safety authorities. Cooking generally led to increased concentrations of both essential and toxic elements compared to raw samples, with the highest increases observed in grilled and smoked samples. Furthermore, evaluations of (a) estimated weekly intakes (EWIs), (b) target hazard quotients (THQs) for Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn, and (c) hazard quotient ratios for essential fatty acids (HQ_EFA) relative elements indicated that consumption of these cooked bluefish species does not pose significant health risks to consumers. Full article

Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) is a tropical monocotyledonous, succulent plant of the Musaceae family commonly grown for food in the tropical regions of the African, Asian, and South American continents, where its parts are also sought for ethnomedicinal purposes in the treatment of burns, inflammation, and diabetes, among others. In the present preliminary exploratory study, the ethanol extract of the underutilized Musa paradisiaca peel (MPE) was evaluated for its in vitro inhibitory effects on α-amylase and α-glucosidase, as well as its in vivo hypoglycemic activity and potential biochemical toxicity. MPE (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to normal experimental rats for 30 days, following which the lipid profile, antioxidant status, and serum/tissue indices of hepatic, renal, and cardiac functions were evaluated. MPE produced significant inhibition (p < 0.05) of α-amylase (37%) and α-glucosidase (46%) at 120 µg/mL in vitro. The effect was lower than that of acarbose (IC₅₀ = 44.4 ± 1.14 and 15.60 ± 0.01 µg/mL, respectively). A modest blood glucose-lowering effect of MPE was observed at the highest tested dose (400 mg/kg) following subacute oral administration. During this treatment period, no biochemical alterations of toxicological importance were caused by MPE, as the organ–body weight ratio and serum/tissue indicators of organ function/damage were not adversely altered. In conclusion, MPE demonstrated inhibitory activity against both α-amylase and α-glucosidase, which may contribute to its potential hypoglycemic effects. Additionally, the findings indicate that the peel extract is non-toxic in rats following sub-acute administration at doses up to 400 mg/kg body weight. Further studies involving diabetic models and chronic exposure will substantiate and extend these preliminary observations. Full article

Natamycin, a polyene macrolide antifungal, has long been used as a food preservative and is the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical treatment for fungal keratitis. While its safety is supported by specific ergosterol interaction and minimal systemic absorption, current research mainly focuses on short-term effects, often overlooking long-term, developmental, and microbiome-related impacts. In food applications, questions remain about cumulative exposure and potential disruptions to gut microbiota. For ophthalmology, advanced delivery methods like nanocarriers and hydrogels enhance drug penetration but may alter pharmacokinetics and pose formulation challenges. Regulatory approvals have historically depended on established safe use and limited toxicological data, emphasizing the need for more systematic evaluations. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) represent a promising yet underutilized model for addressing significant gaps in research, particularly in the realms of microbiome studies, ocular health, developmental processes, and multigenerational effects. When paired with omics technologies, zebrafish facilitate comprehensive system-level mapping of drug-induced outcomes. This review consolidates existing evidence and positions zebrafish as a vital translational link between in vitro assays, mammalian models, and clinical practice. Additionally, it proposes a framework to ensure the effective and scientifically supported use of natamycin in both food and medicinal applications. Full article