نشریه بهداشت مواد غذایی
سال یازدهم شماره 2 (پیاپی 42، تابستان 1400)

Nowadays, the consumption of meat and meat products in different countries varies considerably based on social, economic, and geographical differences. Meat and meat products are the most important sources of protein. This study aimed to investigate the possibility of unauthorized tissues in sausage products in Tabriz and Khoy by histotechnique. For this, 80 sausages samples with ≤ 55% and > 55% 55% meat content were collected (from January to March of 2015). For histological evaluation, the slides were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. Based on results, in 87.5% of the samples, cartilage tissue with a high percentage was observed. Unauthorized tissues types such as glands, connective tissue, fat, skin, cartilage, bone, trachea, lung, bladder, parasite eggs, and intestine were observed. The presence of unauthorized tissues in most samples may reduce consumers' desire to use sausages. Consequently, there is a necessity for efficient control at the regional level by authority organizations.

Many‌ people prefer ‌village eggs because of their good taste, ‌bold yolk, and golden skin than commercial eggs, and some people are more interested in commercial eggs because of their production and expiration date codes, and the question always arises which one has a more desirable quality, so this research is aimed at comparing qualitative, microbial and oxidative parameters in the village and commercial eggs in Semnan. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 75 village and 75 commercial egg samples were collected by random sampling method from retail stores of Semnan and transferred to food hygiene laboratory under cold and sterile conditions to determine qualitative parameters (Haugh unit, egg weight, yolk index, pH, yolk color) and also microbial and oxidative parameters. Village eggs in qualitative parameters except for weight had higher rates compared to commercial eggs (P< 0.05) and in a* and L* color index there was no significant difference in the village and commercial samples. In terms of microbial and oxidative parameters, the comparison of averages showed that village eggs were significantly higher in the overall shell-level and internal egg mesophilic bacterial counts, as well as the village eggs, showed a higher amount of lipid peroxidation compared to commercial ones (P< 0.05). The findings of this study showed that village eggs accounted for more in terms of bacterial counts and the rate of oxidative breakdown, but due to yellow color index and viscosity, they are more marketable than commercial eggs.

The demand for the use of plant essential oils due to their antimicrobial properties as antioxidants and natural preservatives and flavorings and aromatizers is increasing in the food industry. Therefore, in this study, microemulsions of licorice, garlic, and fennel essential oils were successfully prepared alone and in combination. Physical and chemical properties, antioxidant activities, antibacterial activities, and synergistic properties of prepared microemulsions were investigated. For this reason, various microemulsions with oily phases consisting of pure licorice, garlic, and fennel essential oils and their combination were prepared. Microbial and turbidity results showed that reduced particle size of essential oil in the nanoemulsion range can increase their antibacterial and antioxidant properties using microemulsion systems. In addition, the synergistic effects of essential oil on each other were observed where oil phase microemulsions consisting of two components showed higher antibacterial and antioxidant activity compared to the oil phase of one component. Therefore, the work aimed to develop a microemulsion system with two oil phases consisting of licorice, garlic, and fennel.

Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) is one of the vegetables that has high nutritional value and bioactive compounds. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of hydroethanolic and aqueous solvents on the functional potential and to investigate the bioactive compounds of Pumpkin extract. For functional evaluation of extracts, the amount of ascorbic acid, total phenol and flavonoids, antioxidant capacity were performed by DPPH and FRAP methods and also the chemical compounds in the extracts were identified by GC/MS. The results showed highest levels of ascorbic acid, total phenol and flavonoids in the hydroethanolic extract were 98.66±13.29 mg/100g, 1.663±0.004 mg GA/100g and 0.381±0.01 mg QU/100g, respectively. Hydroethanolic extract showed the highest ability to inhibit DPPH radicals compared to aqueous extract in all prepared concentrations; so that hydroethanolic extract with a concentration of 800 μg/ml with 61.866% inhibition had the highest inhibitory properties. Detected chemical compounds in hydroethanolic and aqueous extracts using GC/MS were identified 16 and 7 chemical compounds, respectively, when the highest compound content in hydroethanolic extract equal to 34.86767% related to D-erythro-pentose, 2-deoxy and the aqueous extract was related to 5,2-dichlorophenol (74,2053%). The results of this study suggest the use of hydroethanolic solvent for higher extraction of bioactive compounds from pumpkin.

The use of biodegradable films containing antimicrobial compounds for packaging is one of the effective methods in reducing environmental pollution and the safety of food products. This study aimed to investigate the effect of biodegradable films based on polyvinyl acetate/gelatin containing Angelica essential oil on increasing the shelf life of pita bread. Films based on polyvinyl acetate and gelatin were mixed with 0/100, 20/80, 40/60, 60/40, 80/20, 100/0 ratios and given Angelica essential oil with a concentration of 1250 µg/ml was added. Antimicrobial and mechanical properties were evaluated during 9 days of storage at 25 °C. The optimal film with the highest antimicrobial properties was selected for packing pita bread and its microbial features were compared with pita bread packed in polyethylene. The highest growth inhibition zone of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium expansum belonged to the biodegradable film of 40% polyvinyl acetate and 60% gelatin. Thus, the film was selected for packaging pita bread. Loads of yeast and mold as well as the total bacteria in pita bread packed in the optimal biodegradable film were significantly less than a pita bread packed in polyethylene. With increasing gelatin and decreasing polyvinyl acetate, water vapor permeability, solubility, water absorption, oxygen permeability, and film thickness were increased. The use of biodegradable films containing antimicrobial compounds can be an effective step in reducing the microbial load and increasing the quality properties of bread during storage.

Liver trematodes, including Fasciola and Dicrocoelium species, are zoonotic parasites that cause high mortality and economic losses in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the effect of age, sex, and season on the prevalence of fasciolosis and dicrosliosis in slaughtered animals in the Tabriz slaughterhouse. During two years, livers of 4150 cows, 500 buffaloes, 2000 goats, and 5000 sheep were examined for the presence of Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola gigantica, and Dicrocoelium dendriticum by incisions on the liver and ocular observation. The results showed that 5.4%, 16%, and 6% of slaughtered cows, sheep, and goats were infected with liver trematodes (P<0.05), respectively. Of the 500 buffaloes studied, no liver trematode was isolated. The prevalence of parasitic infection in all three animals increased significantly with the age (P<0.05). In female cows and sheep, the rate of liver trematode infection was significantly higher than in males (P<0.05). The highest and lowest prevalence was observed in summer in spring, respectively. The highest frequency of parasites and severity of infection in all studied animals was related to Dicrocoelium dendriticum and the lowest was related to Fasciola gigantica (P<0.05). Based on the market day price, the number of economic losses due to the condemnation of liver of cows, sheep, and goats due to trematode infections were estimated at 402,240,000 (3656.72 USD), 576,576,000 (5241.6 USD), and 28,545,000 (259.5 USD) RIAL, respectively. Due to the history of the human fascioliasis epidemic and economic damage caused by liver condemnation in this area, effective control methods are suggested.

Salmonella and Escherichia coli are major food contaminants. The presence of these microorganisms in food and their entry into the human body cause gastroenteritis. This study aimed to evaluate the contamination of Salmonella and E. coli in samosas presented in Sistan and Baluchestan province and the antibiotic resistance of the isolates. A total of 104 samples, including mushroom, chicken, meat, and vegetable samosas, were randomly obtained from different regions of Sistan and Baluchestan province. The results showed that 45 (43.3%) and 13 (12.5%) were contaminated with Salmonella and E. coli, respectively. Salmonella isolates had the highest resistance to ampicillin (77%), imipenem (59%), and ciprofloxacin (41%). In the case of E. coli, the highest resistance was observed in imipenem (77%), ampicillin (46%), and tetracycline (38%). It was concluded that the prevalence of Salmonella and E. coli in samosas presented in Sistan and Baluchestan province was so high. Therefore, training food staff for observing hygienic principles in all stages is essential.