Search Results (2)

Formaldehyde is widely utilized across various industries such as food, textiles, and leather, yet its presence raises significant health concerns due to its irritation and carcinogenicity. Numerous methods have been developed to probe it in solution and gas states. Among them, absorption spectroscopy-based methods commonly employed. However, these methods require complex preprocessing for colored solutions to avoid interference. In response to this challenge, a novel interference-resistant detection kit leveraging surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) coupled with reaction-induced self-amplification for rapid and direct detection of formaldehyde was developed. The kit needed only ten minutes and achieved a limit of detection lower than 10⁻⁴ μg/mL with a handheld Raman spectrometer. Thanks to the kit’s reaction with formaldehyde, colloidal nanoparticles were linked to form “hot-spots” to further enhance the SERS signals. The signal demonstrated outstanding resistance to interference, including different dyes, ensuring a practical tool for direct detection of formaldehyde in complex solutions. Full article

Hepatitis E is a major cause of acute liver disease in humans worldwide. The infection is caused by hepatitis E virus (HEV) which is transmitted in Europe to humans primarily through zoonotic foodborne transmission from domestic pigs, wild boar, rabbits, and deer. HEV belongs to the family Hepeviridae, and possesses a positive-sense, single stranded RNA genome. This agent usually causes an acute self-limited infection in humans, but in people with low immunity, e.g., immunosuppressive therapy or underlying liver diseases, the infection can evolve to chronicity and is able to induce a variety of extrahepatic manifestations. Pig and wild boar have been identified as the primary animal reservoir in Europe, and consumption of raw and undercooked pork is known to pose a potential risk of foodborne HEV infection. In this study, we analysed pig and wild boar liver, faeces, and muscle samples collected in 2019 in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, north-east Germany. A total of 393 animals of both species were investigated using quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), conventional nested RT-PCR and sequence analysis of amplification products. In 33 animals, HEV RNA was detected in liver and/or faeces. In one individual, viral RNA was detected in muscle tissue. Sequence analysis of a partial open reading frame 1 region demonstrated a broad variety of genotype 3 (HEV-3) subtypes. In conclusion, the study demonstrates a high, but varying prevalence of HEV RNA in swine populations in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The associated risk of foodborne HEV infection needs the establishment of sustainable surveillance and treatment strategies at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment within a One Health framework. Full article