Stefania Balzan, Luca Fasolato, Federico Fontana, Sarah Currò, Enrico Novelli
{"title":"Insect-based products commercialized online: a snapshot of lipid oxidation and mineral content.","authors":"Stefania Balzan, Luca Fasolato, Federico Fontana, Sarah Currò, Enrico Novelli","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.11600","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.11600","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This research aims to monitor the conservation status of the lipid and mineral contents of four shelf-stable insect-based products (yellow mealworm, house cricket, mole cricket, and silkworm) marketed online. A total of 32 single-species packs were purchased from various online commercial suppliers. Moisture, lipids, fatty acids, titratable acidity, mineral elements, and primary and secondary lipid oxidation products were determined. Statistical multivariate approaches were applied to investigate the contribution of each chemical variable to the characterization of edible insects. Titratable acidity (up to 37.3 g oleic acid per 100 g of crickets), as well as primary and secondary lipid oxidation products, showed great variability within and between species. The study revealed a significant occurrence of rancidity (45.5% of the samples exceeded the peroxide limit of 10 mEqO2/kg; 100% of the samples exceeded the indication of 1 mg/kg malondialdehyde), whereas the heavy metal content indicated a relatively safe condition, suggesting the absence of potential risks to human health. Both the chemical and the elemental properties could be regarded as potential characteristics suitable for authenticating this food matrix. This study contributes to the description of several chemical features in commercialized processed insect-based products, aiming to highlight possible safety concerns and identify those unfit for human consumption.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"13 4","pages":"11600"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11694618/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142921594","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giuliana Siddi, Francesca Piras, Maria Pina Meloni, Vincenzo Spanu, Nadia Carta, Mario Cuccu, Carlo Spanu, Riccardo Di Salvo, Carlo Piga, Enrico Pietro Luigi De Santis, Christian Scarano
{"title":"Sardinian fermented sausage traditional production process: a preliminary survey in eight establishments.","authors":"Giuliana Siddi, Francesca Piras, Maria Pina Meloni, Vincenzo Spanu, Nadia Carta, Mario Cuccu, Carlo Spanu, Riccardo Di Salvo, Carlo Piga, Enrico Pietro Luigi De Santis, Christian Scarano","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12203","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12203","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to conduct a preliminary investigation in eight Sardinian fermented sausage (SFS) production plants to acquire knowledge about the differences in the applied technological process and their influence on the safety and sensory characteristics of the finished product. Two audits were conducted in each plant to evaluate structural characteristics and process technologies; 72 samples of SFS at the end of seasoning and 48 environmental samples were analyzed. <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, <i>Listeria</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., and <i>Yersinia enterocolitica</i> were investigated, and chemical-physical analyses were also performed. A panel of consumers was subjected to the Check All That Apply test and acceptability test to determine the qualities perceived by consumers and assess the product acceptance rating. A water activity value of >0.941, permissive for the growth of <i>L. monocytogenes</i>, was detected in SFS produced by one producing plant; <i>L. monocytogenes, Salmonella</i> spp., and <i>Y. enterocolitica</i> were detected in 2.8% of SFS samples, and <i>Listeria</i> spp. in 20.8% of samples. Environmental samples tested positive for 45.8% of <i>Listeria</i> spp. and 16.7% of <i>L. monocytogenes</i>. Correct drying and ripening steps, applied for at least 20 days, are critical for the development of hurdles required to guarantee the safety of fermented sausages. The application of proper hygiene and cleaning procedures is required to reduce environmental contamination. Sensory analysis results show how the production processes applied determine the marketing of sensorially different products. The ideal profile suggested by consumers confirms that the attributes that allow for improved liking are \"moderate spicing\", \"moderate spiciness\", \"seasoned product\", and \"artisanal character\".</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"13 4","pages":"12203"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11694616/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142921609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Behind the scenes of taste: an exploratory study of non-compliance in Italian artisanal bakery and pastry laboratories.","authors":"Sarah Currò, Stefania Balzan, Valentina Saccarola, Federico Fontana, Enrico Novelli, Luca Fasolato","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12235","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to identify critical issues in artisanal bakery and pastry production in Italy that could improve food safety and quality. Fifteen voluntary Italian companies underwent on-site inspections and interviews from 2018 to 2021. The inspection concerned the production site characteristics, processing flows, materials, and personnel to pinpoint potential product contamination and record objective data collection through a 126-question demerit scoring system. The examined areas encompassed various aspects, such as the point of sale, management of raw materials and packaging, hygiene practices, finished product quality, sanitization procedures, external spaces, personnel, and other factors impacting food safety and hygiene. Additionally, assessments of the microbiological air quality were carried out. Two cohorts (six and nine companies in 2018-2019 and in 2020-2021, respectively) revealed critical issues in warehouse/packaging (70% non-compliance), finished product/cooling (50% non-compliance), and people/products flow (38% non-compliance). Site visits identified pest management and raw material handling challenges. Significant airborne mold and yeast contamination (30-50 colony-forming units/plate/h) were observed in areas near processing sites or with air turbulence. This study facilitated constructive discussions and proposed solutions with the participating companies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"13 4","pages":"12235"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11648099/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142835763","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Risk analysis of critical control points of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in layer farms and chicken egg distributors.","authors":"Aminah Hajah Thaha, Ratmawati Malaka, Wahniyati Hatta, Fatma Maruddin","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12409","DOIUrl":"10.4081/ijfs.2024.12409","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbiological criteria play a role in verifying the critical control points (CCP), which become part of the hazard analysis, and the CCP system that guarantees quality, considering possible danger points or stages in the food production chain. Studies about <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in chicken eggs more extensively discuss the path, source, and level of prevalence of contamination at the final distributor or consumer. Therefore, this study investigates CCP contamination of <i>S. aureus</i> in chicken eggs and their potential consumption, which could endanger human health from the layer farm until the final distributor. This study is critical in health, public health, and veterinary medicine for preventing and controlling consumers' security. This study done for CCP on the chain distribution of chicken eggs starts with preparing production and distribution process flow diagrams for livestock, agents/wholesalers, and retailers. Confirmation of operational production in the field/location study is based on the flow chart that has been arranged, identifying all potential dangers associated with each stage and analyzing potential risks considering every action for controlling identified hazards. The next step involves pinpointing the CCP to counteract the identified threat. An application tree decision defines the CCP, and the logical and final approach is the determination limit critical to the CCP. Analysis results in the determination of CCP contamination of <i>S. aureus</i>, indicating that chicken eggs, personal hands (farm workers, wholesalers, and retailers), shelf eggs, and feces are CCP on farms.</p>","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"13 4","pages":"12409"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11616577/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142785468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Wild boar captured in a large corral-style trap or hunted: preliminary comparison of meat quality traits","authors":"Caterina Altissimi, Eleonora Torregiani, Fausto Cambiotti, Rossana Roila, Raffaella Branciari, Samira Giovannini, David Ranucci","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.11618","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11618","url":null,"abstract":"The management and numerical control of wild boars mainly depend on hunting practices, even if other alternative strategies such as the use of traps and cages can be adopted. There is little information available on the quality of captured wild boar meat. The aim of this study was to evaluate the meat quality of wild boars captured with a large corral-style trap compared to still hunting and collective hunting methods. Longissimus dorsi samples were collected from 60 wild boars, 20 of which were obtained by trapping, 20 by still hunting, and 20 by collective hunting. The animals considered were 32 males and 28 females, weighing between 42 and 68 kg. Muscle pH has been recorded after 1, 24, and 48 hours post-mortem. Furthermore, after 24 hours, color, drip loss, cooking loss, and Warner-Bratzler shear force were also evaluated. Trapping with large enclosures such as corral-style traps, if properly managed, does not seem to adversely affect the quality traits of wild boar meat, which were found to be like those obtained by the still hunting method.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"27 40","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135390632","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Beatriz Nunes Silva, Nathália Fernandes, Laís Carvalho, Ana Sofia Faria, José António Teixeira, Carina Rodrigues, Ursula Gonzales-Barron, Vasco Cadavez
{"title":"Lactic acid bacteria from artisanal raw goat milk cheeses: technological properties and antimicrobial potential","authors":"Beatriz Nunes Silva, Nathália Fernandes, Laís Carvalho, Ana Sofia Faria, José António Teixeira, Carina Rodrigues, Ursula Gonzales-Barron, Vasco Cadavez","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.11559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11559","url":null,"abstract":"In cheese-making, a starter culture composed of adequately chosen lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may be suitable to ensure the rapid acidification of milk, improve textural and sensorial characteristics, and avoid pathogen proliferation. In this work, 232 LAB isolates collected from artisanal goat’s raw milk cheeses produced in Portugal were evaluated for their antimicrobial capacity (at 10 and 37°C), as well as their acidifying and proteolytic properties. Among the 232 isolates, at least 98% of those isolated in De Man-Rogosa-Sharpe (MRS) agar presented antagonism against Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, or Staphylococcus aureus, whereas less than 28.1% of M17-isolated LAB showed antagonism against these pathogens. M17-isolated LAB displayed better results than MRS ones in terms of acidifying capacity. As for the proteolytic assay, only two MRS isolates showed casein hydrolysis capacity. Principal component analyses and molecular characterization of a subset of selected isolates were conducted to identify those with promising capacities and to correlate the identified LAB genera and species with their antimicrobial, acidifying, and/or proteolytic properties. Lactococcus strains were associated with the highest acidifying capacity, whereas Leuconostoc and Lacticaseibacillus strains were more related to antimicrobial capacities. Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactococcus lactis, and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei were the predominant organisms found. The results of this work highlight various strains with pathogen inhibition capacity and suitable technological properties to be included in a customized starter culture. As future work, it is necessary to appropriately define the starter culture and implement it in the cheese-making process to evaluate if the in-vitro capacities are observable in a real food system.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"99 2","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136261598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Maria Francesca Peruzy, Immacolata La Tela, Maria Rosaria Carullo, Simona Ioele, Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga, Anna Balestrieri, Nicoletta Murru
{"title":"Occurrence and distribution of <i>Salmonella</i> serovars associated with human infection isolated from irrigation waters and food-producing animals in southern Italy: eleven-year monitoring (2011-2021)","authors":"Maria Francesca Peruzy, Immacolata La Tela, Maria Rosaria Carullo, Simona Ioele, Yolande Thérèse Rose Proroga, Anna Balestrieri, Nicoletta Murru","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.11538","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11538","url":null,"abstract":"Salmonella is one of the main zoonotic agents causing foodborne diseases in Europe. The main reservoirs of the infection are represented by domestic and wild animals, and the infection occurs by direct contact or following the consumption of contaminated food or water. The study aimed to evaluate the presence of Salmonella spp. in food-producing animals and irrigation waters in southern Italy and the serovar distribution. From 2011 to 2021, a total of 473 samples from 6 different animal species (bovine, buffalo, goat, ovine, swine, poultry, and wild boars) and 313 irrigation water samples were collected and analyzed. The overall percentage of positive samples was 56.87% in organs, 50.85% in feces, and 20.45% in irrigation waters. By animal species, the most frequently detected serovar was Salmonella Typhimurium in bovine (17.39%), in buffalo (13.10%) and swine (28.21%), and S. Kentucky (24.78%) in poultry. The subspecies diarizonaeIIIb was frequently detected in goats (40.00%) and ovine (83.33%), while salamaeII (14.12%) and diarizonaeIIIb (11.76%) were frequently isolated in wild boars. In the irrigation water samples, the most frequently detected serovar was S. Napoli (25%). Results revealed that, although in Europe, control strategies aimed at preventing the spread of Salmonella have been implemented, the prevalence of this pathogen in food-producing animals and irrigation waters is high. Considering the risk to public health associated with the contamination of products or foods, more stringent control interventions are needed at primary production and along the food chain.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"31 9","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134908976","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Andrea Piccinini, Daniela Ronconi, Assunta De Luca, Valentina D’Ovidio, Gianluigi Ferri, Alberto Vergara
{"title":"<i>Trichinella</i> spp. detection in hunted wild boar (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) diaphragm biopsies in Central Italy","authors":"Andrea Piccinini, Daniela Ronconi, Assunta De Luca, Valentina D’Ovidio, Gianluigi Ferri, Alberto Vergara","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.11467","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11467","url":null,"abstract":"Trichinellosis is a globally diffused food-borne parasitic disease caused by nematodes of the Trichinella complex. During evolution, guided by ecological interactions, natural selection, and biochemical “intelligence”, these parasites developed admirable strategies to infect the host’s organism. One of the most fascinating is represented by the nurse cell formation in muscular tissue (e.g., diaphragm, skeletal muscle, extrinsic ocular muscles, etc.). This strategy allowed the parasite to adapt and conquer the wider host species spectrum, including ungulates and humans. Consumption of undercooked meat from infected wild ungulates constitutes the most important source of infection for the human species. In this study, we show the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in hunted wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Central Italy. During the hunting season 2021/2022 in the Province of Rieti, 554 wild boar diaphragm biopsies were collected for Trichinella spp. screening, in accordance with Regulation EU 1375/2015. An artificial digestion method was used for the detection of Trichinella spp. larval forms. The results revealed a positivity of 0.18% (1/554), and molecular biology identification demonstrated the presence of Trichinella britovi in the positive sample. This species is the most diffused in wild ungulate populations in Central Italy and the most frequently isolated in human patients with trichinellosis from this area, showing a close epidemiological relation between Homo sapiens and Sus scrofa for Trichinella spp. diffusion in an ecosystem. Epidemiological surveillance, in receptive animal species destined for human consumption and at any One Health level, represents the main “winning” strategy in the control of this worldwide, widespread food-borne parasitic disease.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135267349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A study on the occurrence of human enteric viruses in salad vegetables and seafood and associated health risks for consumers in Mauritius","authors":"Hudaa Neetoo, Khousboo Juggoo, Hena Johaheer, Mala Ranghoo-Sanmukhiya, Zishaan Manoga, Nadhiir Gurib","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.11447","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.11447","url":null,"abstract":"Norovirus (NOV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are human enteric viruses of major concern worldwide. Salad vegetables and molluscan shellfish are highly susceptible to contamination by NOV and HAV and can pose a health threat when consumed raw. The objective of this study was to determine the occurrence of NOV and HAV in lettuce, watercress, tomatoes, and oysters using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and assess the health risks associated with consumption of these commodities by semi-quantitative risk assessment. The occurrence of NOV in vegetables ranked in the following decreasing order: lettuce (36%) > watercress (16%) > tomatoes (4%). However, HAV was more frequently detected in watercress (56%), compared to lettuce or tomatoes (12%). Additionally, NOV was detected in oysters (60%). The risk assessment exercise pointed to a medium-risk score of contracting a foodborne illness of viral origin for consumers eating fresh watercress or oysters. Future research will ascertain the presence of these enteric viruses in a broader range of food commodities.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"41 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136296097","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ahmad Ni'matullah Al-Baarri, Siti Susanti, Anang Mohamad Legowo, Mulyana Hadipernata, Arif Aryanto, Putri Safina Liestyana
{"title":"Accelerated shelf life determination of corn snack bars","authors":"Ahmad Ni'matullah Al-Baarri, Siti Susanti, Anang Mohamad Legowo, Mulyana Hadipernata, Arif Aryanto, Putri Safina Liestyana","doi":"10.4081/ijfs.2023.10718","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4081/ijfs.2023.10718","url":null,"abstract":"Corn snack bars are a snack product made from corn extrudate, and additional ingredients in the form of sorghum flour can be consumed as a nutritious snack. The shelf life of snack bar products needs to be known to ensure product quality reaches consumers. This study aims to determine the shelf life changes in critical parameters during storage using the accelerated shelf life testing Arrhenius method. Tests on the estimation of shelf life with the Arrhenius were carried out at three different storage temperatures (10°C, 30°C, and 47°C) for 35 days with an observation time of every 7 days. The shelf life of corn snack bars was tested using parameters of quality changes such as water content, texture hardness, and springiness. Based on the results obtained, the final shelf life of the corn snack bar is determined by the crispness parameter; shelf life at 10°C is 233 days, at 30°C is 111 days, and at 47°C is 363 days.","PeriodicalId":14508,"journal":{"name":"Italian Journal of Food Safety","volume":"12 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135591728","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}