Journal of Nutrition, Fasting and Health
Volume:9 Issue: 4, Autumn 2021

Cultivation of vegetables and fruits is a main food sources for human population. However, these products can be polluted by different types of contaminates like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Thus, this systematic review served as a comprehensive report on the occurrence, levels, and health risk effects of PAHs in vegetables and fruits samples marketed in Iran. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) were used to develop this systematic review, and four databases (Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Google scholar) were searched from inception until November 2021. A total of 12 studies with data on 1447 samples were met inclusion criteria and included in the final report. The average total PAHs recorded in various samples showed that PAHs concentration in most of the samples was above the standard limits and the mean CRs ranged from low to very high levels of health risks for both children and adults, which is associated with harmful epidemiological and environmental effects. Therefore, there is the need to take up the bodies or institutions involved in policy implementation and environmental management to reduce and prevent PAHs pollution agriculture products in Iran. Furthermore, gaps in literature have been addressed to provide a basis for future studies.

The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of alginate coating and electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) on Listeria monocytogenes in fish samples during 12 days in cold storage condition (4˚C).  Initially, fish fillets were inoculated with L. monocytogenes and divided into different groups. Following that, treated samples including controls (no coating), distilled water, alginate, EOW, and alginate coating with EOW were stored at refrigeration temperature. The fillets were preserved at the temperature of 4°C, and the bacterial count was performed on days zero, two, four, eight, and 12.  The separate and combined use of alginate and EOW could significantly inhibit the growth of inoculated L. monocytogenes compared to the control samples, and the maximum reduction was observed in the EOW and alginate treatment (1.37 log CFU/g).  It is recommended that alginate coating combined with EOW in fish improved safety against L. monocytogenes infection.

A total of seven fish species from the Persian Gulf, belonging to three pelagic, benthopelagic, and demersal habitat groups were evaluated for the fatty acid composition, lipid and cholesterol contents, and nutritional lipid quality characteristics of their edible muscles during winter and summer. The values of lipid (g/100 g) and cholesterol (mg/100 g) varied from 0.66 to 2.74 and 27.80 to 44.91, respectively. Lipid and cholesterol contents of most fish species were significantly higher in summer than in winter. The highest contents of lipid and cholesterol belonged to pelagic and benthopelagic fish species, respectively. All fish species had much higher ∑ n-3 PUFAs than ∑ n-6 PUFAs. A higher level of PUFAs and MUFAs was observed during the winter, while a higher content of SFAs was detected in the summer. Low values of index of atherogenicity (< 0.8) and index of thrombogenicity (< 0.5) indicated that all fish species, especially demersal and benthopelagic fish had favorable nutritional lipid quality properties. The results indicated that season and habitat can significantly influence the lipid and cholesterol content, and fatty acid profile of fish muscles.

Diabetes is a disease caused by a lack of insulin secretion or a decrease in tissue sensitivity to insulin. The aim of this study was to investigate the lipid-lowering effects of endurance training (ET) with cinnamon (C) extract in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Thirty-two diabetic rats were divided into four groups of 8 rats, including 1) cinnamon, 2) training, 3) training+cinnamon and 4) sham groups. During four weeks, groups 1 and 3 received daily 100 mg/kg C perennially, and groups 2 and 3 ran on treadmill five times per week for 60 minutes each session at a speed of 8 to 16 m/min. Data were analyzed using paired sample t test and one way ANOVA and Tukey’s post-hoc tests (p≤0.05).

cinnamon, training and training+cinnamon significantly reduced TG, LDL and VLDL levels as well increased HDL (P=0.001) in compare with sham group, training+cinnamon significantly reduced Cho and VLDL (P=0.001) in compare with sham group; training+cinnamon had more effect on decrease of Cho (p=0.02) and LDL (p=0.002) as well as increase of HDL (P=0.004) rather than training. Also cinnamon (P=0.03) and training (P=0.04) significantly reduced VLDL in compare with sham group.

Although training and cinnamon have lipid-lowering effect in diabetic rats, nevertheless it seems training simultaneously with cinnamon administration has better effect on improving lipid profile compare to training alone.

Today, various sterilization methods are used for the removal of microorganisms, some of which are based on thermal methods that have negative effects on the physicochemical properties of milk. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of cold plasma at atmospheric pressure on the population of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) in raw milk. Initially, a plasma jet filled with argon gas was used to evaluate the antibacterial effects of cold plasma. Following that, pasteurized milk samples (1.5% and 3% fat) were infected with standard strains of E. coli and coagulase-positive S. aureus and irradiated with cold plasma at the frequency of 22, 28, and 33 kHz and voltage of 20, 12.5, and 10 kV for five minutes. The results of statistical analysis and Tukey’s test indicated that the E. coli and S. aureus microbial load was significantly lower in the 1.5% fat milk compared to the control group (P<0.05). In addition, the milk samples exposed to plasma at 20 kV and 28 kHz showed the most significant reduction in the number of E. coli bacteria compared to the control samples (P<0.05). The milk samples exposed to 10 kV and 33 kHz also showed the most significant reduction in the S. aureus microbial load. According to the results, cold plasma could decrease the microbial load of milk containing 1.5% fat more significantly compared to the 3% fat milk. Therefore, plasma could be a proper alternative to thermal decontamination methods for raw milk. However, its application requires further studies to determine the intensity and duration of the exposure of microorganisms to cold plasma at atmospheric pressure.

Helicobacter pullorum has recently emerged as a significant foodborne pathogen. The present study aimed to isolate and determine the antibiotic resistance of H. pullorum from fresh chicken wing using the culture method and a molecular technique in Semnan, Iran.  A total of 60 fresh chicken wings samples were purchased from various local retail markets in different regions of Semnan and processed using the culture method. For initial confirmation, biochemical tests were applied. Suspected colonies were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) by the 16S rRNA gene. The antibiotic resistance of the isolates was also assessed using the disk-diffusion method.  Among 60 samples, 27 (45%) were H. pullorum-positive based on the culture method and biochemical tests. However, the PCR test indicated 18 samples (30%) to be positive for H. pullorum. In the antibiogram, the highest and lowest resistance rates were observed against ciprofloxacin and fosfomycin, respectively.  This was the first report in Iran to clearly illustrate that H. pullorum could be found in fresh chicken wings at a moderate level. In addition, the antibiotic resistance of the H. pullorum isolates was confirmed, and the PCR test based on the 16S rRNA gene was considered a reliable and sensitive technique for the detection of this pathogen. However, further investigation is required to explore the life cycle of this novel foodborne pathogen in the other regions of Iran.

Food safety and preservation methods are important issues, and food scientists and technologists are investigating new methods such as edible coating and microencapsulation. Most of these methods depend on the production of stable emulsions. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of homogenizer speed, the ratio of the dispersed to the continuous phase, and the type of biopolymer on characteristics of emulsions.  In this study, Arabic gum (AG), soy protein concentrate (SPC), whey protein concentrate (WPC), and maltodextrin (DM) were used as biopolymers. Samples were divided into two groups based on the homogenizer speed and ratio of the dispersed to the continuous phase, including group one (14,000 rpm, 10% v/v) and group two (18,000 rpm, 20% v/v).  On the first and sixth day of production, the smallest droplet size belonged to the samples produced by AG+DM in group one and those produced by SPC+DM in group two, respectively. The highest viscosity was observed in the samples of group two, which were produced by SPC+DM, while the lowest measured creaming index belonged to the samples in group two, which were produced by AG+DM on the first day of production. Finally, the most intense color based on the ‘a’ parameter was observed in the samples of group one, which were produced by AG+DM on the first day.  According to the results, the most stable emulsions could be produced by SPC+DM at 18,000 rpm.

Vegetables and fruit cultivation is a main food source for human population. However, different types of pollutants contaminate vegetables products like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Human exposure to PAHs via potential food sources is not well investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to determine PAHs concentrations, dietary intakes, and health risks through the consumption of vegetables collected from urban areas in Mashhad, Iran.  Chemical analysis was conducted on 75 vegetable samples were collected from markets in Mashhad including three root and leafy vegetables. The human health risk assessment (HHRA) model was used to measure the dietary intake and lifetime health risk of PAHs through the consumption of vegetables. The concentrations of total PAHs were ranged from 0.564± 0.162 to 2.211± 0.834 μg kg −1 in all vegetables. The level of health risks of PAHs was below the acceptable risk level (HI < 1) for adults, while the health risk for children was higher than the acceptable risk level in some vegetable samples. Among the carcinogenic PAH congeners, BaA, Chr, and DbA were predominant for adult and children populations. Overall, the total health risk of PAHs for both groups was borderline or higher than the acceptable level of US EPA risk, suggesting the possibility of health risk for the adults and children to the PAHs via vegetable ingestion. Therefore, appropriate control measures and intervention programs need to be used to protect the health of the residents in this study area.

The utilization of plant essential oils and extracts as antibacterial agents has given specific attention to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. This work aimed to compare the effects of sodium metabisulfite and Mentha longifolia L. essential oil (MEO; 0, 0.5, 1, and 2%) for growth prevention of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in peeled giant freshwater prawns under cold storage for two weeks.   The in vitro antimicrobial effect of MEO against L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 was evaluated using disk diffusion method. In this study, the effect of direct addition of MEO (0, 0.5, 1, and 2%) and sodium metabisulfite 1.25% to prawn samples were evaluated.  The major chemical constituents of MEO were found to be pulegone (47.20%), eucalyptol (22.72%), and menthone (13.44%). The diameter of inhibition zone of MEO against L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were determined to be 9.45 ± 0.23 mm and 6.37 ± 0.02 mm, respectively. Our findings indicated that MEO 0.5, 1, and 2% significantly decreased the growth of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). Sodium metabisulfite was more effective than MEO in inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 added in raw freshwater prawns.  The findings of this work indicate that MEO can successfully prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 and improve the safety of raw freshwater prawns under prolonged refrigerated storage.

Fresh sausage has a short shelf life  and is easily spoiled at refrigerated condition. The object of the current research was to assess the effect of Cuminum cyminum L. essential oil (CCEO) (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2% v/v) on the shelf life extension of fresh camel sausage within storage at 4oC for 15 days. Based on the microbiological findings, integration of CCEO significantly (p<0.05) retarded microbial growth in the sausage compared to the control group. Mesophilic bacterial count (MBC) reached to upper microbiological permissible limit, 7 log CFU/g, on day 5 in control samples, on day 7 in samples containing 0.05% or 0.1 % CCEO and on day 15 in samples containing 0.2 % CCEO. Based on chemical findings, on the last day of the storage period, the total volatile base nitrogen (TVB-N) value in the control samples increased to 39.75 mg/100g. At the end of the research, a significant (p<0.05) reduction (approximately 6.29-11.85 mg/100g) was found out in the final TVB-N of samples integrated with CCEO compared to the control samples. The peroxide value (PV) for the control sample was 4.49 meq/1000g of lipid, meanwhile, the PV values for the treated samples remained lower as 3.25 meq/1000g of lipid at the final step of the study. Regarding sensory attributes, adding 0.05 % and 0.1% of CCEO results in slight adverse effect on the sensory characteristics (p>0.05). The results of this study revealed that the integration of CCEO to fresh camel sausages is a practical method to increase its shelf life.

The present study aimed to evaluate Fatty acid profile and level of heavy metals in the sesame oils consumed in Iran. In total, 30 sesame oil samples were collected from factories (n=20; industrial) and from traditional mills (n=10; non-industrial). Heavy metal content and the FA profile of examined samples oil were determined by ICP-OES and gas Chromatography respectively. Significant differences were observed between the industrial and non-industrial sesame oil samples in terms of the Fatty acid profile and toxic heavy metals contamination. In addition, the fatty acid profile of the industrial and non-industrial sesame oil indicated high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (84.5% and 83.49%, respectively), with the main fatty acids determined to be oleic acid and linoleic acid. The fatty acid profile of the sesame oil samples indicated no adulteration with other vegetable oils. The concentration of lead, cadmium, iron in industrial sesame oil were observed in the range of 0.008–1.33, 0.001–0.04, 0.11–6.74 mg/kg, and in non-industrial sesame oil were found to be 0.00–0.199, 0.01–0.04, 0.8–4.3 mg/kg respectively. In general, lead content was higher than that of the legislation limit of Iran and European Union (0.1 mg/kg). Mercury and arsenic metals no detected in any of sesame oil samples. Mean values obtained in this work for Fe was lower than the maximum values recommended for FAO/WHO (1-1.5 μg/g) and for Cd was agree whit international requirements, the approved content of Cd in oils are: 0.05 μg/g (1). The health risks carcinogenic (ILCRs) and no carcinogenic (HI or THQ) were highly exceeded than threshold value of 1 in the both consumer groups of adult and children. This calls for concern for both adults and children exposed to consume of sesame oil through ingestion. It is necessary to monitor the presence of heavy metal contaminants and the quality of imported sesame seeds prior to oil preparation.

Human beings are exposed to Aluminum (Al) and heavy metals from different sources. It has been for years that scientists are studied effects of Aluminum (Al) and heavy metals on human health. It has been found that there is a correlation between Al concentrations and some diseases like Alzheimer, heavy metals and cancer. So it is of importance to do a risk analysis study and find the chances of getting non-cancerous diseases. 

Different types of flat bread, cakes and muffins were randomly collected in Tehran. Samples were prepared according to a modified AOAC Official Method. Subsequently, test solutions were analyzed for Al, Pb, Hg, Ni, As, Cd, Co, Cr and Cu by Inductively Coupled Plasma/Optical Emission Spectrophotometry (ICP-OES).

Concentration, Daily Intake, National Theoretical Maximum Daily intake for aluminum in Iran and Hazard quotient were calculated.  The lowest concentration of Al was found in Sangak and the highest level of Al was found in Taftan. According to the results, Al concentration in cakes (mean: 40.44) was greatest. The significance of the difference between each group of breads was determined using the One Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the least square difference (LSD) test was Duncan. Daily intake (DI) for aluminum was o.26 mg/kg and NTMDI for adults is 0.005. HQ for Al in all bread was less than 1.

 The average of ADI is 92% of Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake and HQ was less than 1 in all samples so there is no risk for non-cancer disease.