Abstract Background and Objective Brucella spp. are major zoonotic foodborne pathogens frequently associated with the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, particularly traditional cheeses. Although previous studies, including molecular investigations, have examined Brucella contamination in Iranian dairy products, molecularly confirmed and methodologically comparative data from central Iran remain limited, particularly with respect to diagnostic specificity. This cross‐sectional study aimed to (i) estimate the proportion of cheese samples yielding culture‐positive isolates that were PCR‐positive using an omp2a ‐based assay in major types of traditional cheeses marketed in Qazvin province, Iran, using combined culture and molecular confirmation, (ii) evaluate the agreement and limitations of conventional culture relative to PCR‐based confirmation, and (iii) explore whether contamination patterns vary descriptively by season and cheese type. Methods A total of 112 traditional cheese samples were systematically collected from retail outlets in Qazvin, Iran, using a geographically stratified sampling framework. Samples were initially screened using standard culture techniques. Culture‐positive isolates were subsequently subjected to PCR confirmation targeting the omp2a gene. Associations between contamination status, season, and cheese type were assessed descriptively using the Fisher–Freeman–Halton exact test, as the limited number of PCR‐positive samples precluded reliable logistic regression modeling. Results Fourteen samples (12.5%) were culture‐positive, whereas only seven samples (6.25%) were confirmed as Brucella spp. by PCR, indicating possible limited sensitivity of culture‐based screening. White cheese accounted for the highest proportion of PCR‐confirmed samples. Although higher contamination frequencies were observed during autumn and winter, no statistically robust associations with season or cheese type were identified. A statistically significant association was observed between sampling location and PCR‐confirmed positivity ( p = 0.038); however, this finding should be interpreted with caution given the small number of confirmed positives ( n = 7) and unequal sample sizes across sites (Site A: 1/44, Site B: 2/28, Site C: 4/36, Site D: 0/4), and does not establish a causal relationship. Conclusion These findings support the cautious integration of molecular tools as confirmatory components of food safety surveillance, alongside strengthened hygiene and pasteurization practices in traditional cheese production.
Abstract Background Two species of rice pests that are responsible for postharvest losses, the rice weevil ( Sitophilus oryzae ) and the Angoumois moth ( Sitotroga cerealella ), are major destructive pests responsible for paddy grain deterioration. A benchtop custom‐built model of ozone‐generating equipment from ozone generator DKM‐10GY, producing 2000 ppm with a continuous flow rate of 0–23 mg/L, has demonstrated an effective means of seed treatment; hence, it was used at the entomology laboratory of Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to solve major limitations associated with conventional paddy rice handling, including seed quality deterioration and human health concerns. Approximately 0.2 g of an estimated 100 mature weevils and moths were incorporated into 5.0 kg of the infested Nerinca 14 rice variety, then the seed quality, seed germination, mortality rate, optimal ozone application rates, and unused ozone were determined. Results Ozone demonstrated strong antimicrobial properties and could be used as an alternative form of insect control, as it presents a promising opportunity to improve safety and quality at optimal levels via the use of gaseous ozone. Lower mortality rates were recorded at O 1 and O 2 , ranging from 80% to 85%, whereas the remaining application rates presented 95%–100%. Significant differences ( p < 0.05) existed between the rates of supplied ozone and unused ozone. No significance was recorded for the germination rates of O 3 , O 6 , and O 8 ( p > 0.05) (99%), while O 4 treatment produced the highest germination rate of 100%, which was also statistically significant ( p < 0.05). The preliminary examination demonstrated that lower‐than‐optimum ozone injection rates could kill some insect pests, whereas higher ozone application rates recorded lower seed viability and germination rates. Conclusion This preliminary study demonstrated ozonation's effectiveness in decontaminating food grains, attributed to specific ozone concentrations, constant pressure, and flow rates that inactivate microorganisms. Ozone outperforms traditional preservation methods due to its strong oxidation properties and broad antibacterial spectrum. Treatment O 4 achieved the highest germination rate (100%), while higher ozone levels O 9 negatively impacted rice germination. Ozone application at optimal rates significantly increased rice weevil mortality, achieving complete mortality at depths of 1 cm and 3 cm. Statistical analyses indicated significant differences in the grain preservation effects over varying storage periods. The results advocate for the commercialization of this technology to reduce postharvest losses in northern Ghana, thereby enhancing food production and alleviating poverty.
Abstract Background Enzymatic browning catalyzed by polyphenol oxidase (PPO) severely compromises the quality and economic value of tobacco leaves. However, research on inhibiting tobacco browning using natural extracts remains limited. Results This study initially screened four cultivars and identified ‘YY73’ with the highest PPO activity (37 OD min −1 ), which was subsequently used as the subject for PPO activity assessment. Among eight natural compounds tested at 0.1 g L −1 , ethyl furaneol and kaempferol achieved nearly complete inhibition. In a further concentration gradient experiment, ethyl furaneol exhibited an IC 50 of 0.0174 g L −1 and completely inhibited enzymatic activity at 0.06 g L −1 , outperforming kaempferol. Inhibitory kinetic analysis revealed that ethyl furaneol acts as a reversible mixed‐type inhibitor with competitive dominance. Fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed that ethyl furaneol induces conformational changes, and the static quenching constant verified the formation of a ground‐state complex. Molecular docking simulations indicated that ethyl furaneol embeds into the active site cavity of PPO, forming van der Waals forces and π ‐alkyl interactions with key residues, thereby potentially disrupting substrate binding and inhibiting catalytic activity. Conclusion This study demonstrates that ethyl furaneol is a promising inhibitor of tobacco leaf PPO, elucidates its mechanism of action against tobacco leaf PPO and provides a new strategy for the environmentally friendly control of enzymatic browning in tobacco leaves during agricultural processing.
Abstract Background Drying is essential for food preservation, yet conventional methods often compromise product quality. This study investigated the effects of cold plasma pretreatment time (0, 15, and 30 s) and an intermittent infrared‐hot air hybrid dryer (300, 600, and 900 W; pulse ratios 1 and 2) on the functional and quality attributes of dried red beetroot. Results Cold plasma pretreatment significantly enhanced color attributes, with a 15 s exposure optimizing color intensity. While high infrared power (900 W) triggered pigment degradation, moderate power (600 W) improved brightness and color richness. Increased infrared power and pulse ratio 1 accelerated the drying process, thereby facilitating higher retention of total phenolics and antioxidant capacity. Texture profile analysis (TPA) revealed that specific conditions (15 s cold plasma pretreatment, 600 W power, and pulse ratio 1) significantly improved hardness and chewiness while reducing adhesiveness. Conclusion The integration of cold plasma pretreatment with optimized intermittent infrared‐hot air drying effectively modulated the surface and internal structure of beetroot, ensuring a high‐quality dried product with enhanced functional and mechanical attributes.
Abstract Background Dried fruits and nuts are widely consumed for their desirable sensory qualities and high nutritional value, providing essential nutrients such as proteins, healthy fatty acids, potassium, dietary fiber, and bioactive compounds. However, they are highly susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, particularly in humid tropical regions like Bangladesh. This study investigated toxigenic fungal contamination and quantified aflatoxin (B 1 , B 2 , G 1 , and G 2 ) levels in dried fruits and nuts collected from markets in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Results Mean fungal counts were 84.5 ± 3.20 CFU/g, 72.8 ± 3.81 CFU/g, and 58.0 ± 4.24 CFU/g in nuts, raisins, and dates, respectively. The identified genera included Aspergillus , Penicillium , Rhizopus , and Fusarium , with Aspergillus being predominant (95.23%). Aflatoxins were present in 57.14% of samples, with concentrations ranging from 1.22 to 81.97 μg/kg. Mean aflatoxin levels were 4.15 ± 0.32 μg/kg in dates, 44.38 ± 34.19 μg/kg in raisins, and 3.27 ± 1.79 μg/kg in nuts, with aflatoxin B 1 being dominant. Over one‐third of samples exceeded the European Commission's threshold of 4 μg/kg. Dietary exposure ranged from 1.50 to 27.31 ng/kg‐bw/day, with liver cancer risk greatest among Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)‐positive individuals. Conclusion The high occurrence of carcinogenic aflatoxins in dried fruits and nuts poses a significant public health concern, underscoring the urgent need for improved pre‐ and post‐harvest practices, regular surveillance, and stricter regulatory measures to ensure food safety and protect consumers.
