Cocoa beans of different origins and varieties and their derived products contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Continuous solid-phase extraction spectroscopy and its quantification method for trace analysis

This study designed and developed an innovative online detection device based on Continuous Solid-Phase Extraction Spectroscopy (CSPES) for rapid quantitative analysis of environmental water pollutants. The device is highly automated, eliminating environmental interference. Leveraging CSPES technology and adsorption kinetics theory, an online quantitative analysis model between the spectrum and component concentrations was established, along with a concentration calculation method based on the least squares method. The quantitative analysis method was validated using single-component and binary-component sample systems containing Fluoranthene, Benzo[k]Fluoranthene, and Rhodamine 6G. The model exhibited excellent predictive performance, with overall prediction concentration relative errors (RE) ranging from 0.45 % to 8.75 % and relative standard deviations (RSD) of less than 3 %. In real sample applications, recovery rates ranged from 86.8 % to 124.4 %, with RSDs between 0.33 % and 2.22 %. This method provides a robust tool for water quality monitoring and environmental analysis, holding significant potential for application across various fields.

Extraction and analytical approaches for the determination of post-food processing major carcinogens: A comprehensive review towards healthier processed food

Different food processing methods, e.g. fermentation, grilling, frying, etc., to improve food sensory attributes or shelf-stability are typically employed in different cuisines worldwide. These methods may illicit in-situ health-hazardous chemicals via thermal or enzymatic-mediated processes or chemical interactions with food preservatives. This review provides a comparative overview of the occurrence, extraction, and determination of the major food carcinogens such as nitrosamines (NAs), biogenic amines (BAs), heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ethyl carbamate (EC), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Their carcinogenicity levels vary from group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) e.g. benzo[a]pyrene, group 2A (probably carcinogenic to humans) e.g. N-nitrosodiethylamine, group 2B (possibly carcinogenic to humans) e.g. chrysene or group 3 (non-classifiable as carcinogenic to humans) e.g. MDA. Chromatography-based methods are the most predominant techniques used for their analysis. LC-MS is widely used for both volatile/non-volatile NAs, HAAs, BAs, and EC, whereas GC-MS is applied more for volatile NAs, PAHs and MDA.

Methods of Minimizing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in Homogenized Smoked Meat Sausages Using Different Casings and Variants of Meat-Fat Raw Material

To ensure food safety and protect human health, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in model smoked-pork meat products were examined to select which type of casing and variant of raw material contributes to minimizing the content of PAHs in the final products. The sausages were smoked in a steam smoke chamber with an external smoke generator. The determination of PAHs was performed using the QuEChERS-HPLC-FLD/DAD method. The analyzed products met the requirements of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 835/2011 on the maximum permissible levels of PAHs. Statistically higher sums of 19 PAHs, including 15 heavy and 4 marker PAHs, were stated in smoked sausages in natural and cellulose casings. Synthetic casings like collagen and polyamide exhibited better barriers against PAH contamination than cellulose and natural casings. For each type of casing, significantly higher concentrations of PAHs were found in the external parts of the products. An increase in the fat content of the raw material increased the levels of PAH contamination in the products, regardless of the casing. Therefore, in industrial practice, the selection of an appropriate type of casing and raw material with the lowest possible fat content can be an effective method for reducing PAH levels in the interior of smoked meat products.

Cocoa Bean Shell: A By-Product with High Potential for Nutritional and Biotechnological Applications

Cocoa bean shell (CBS) is one of the main solid wastes derived from the chocolate industry. This residual biomass could be an interesting source of nutrients and bioactive compounds due to its high content in dietary fibres, polyphenols and methylxanthines. Specifically, CBS can be employed as a raw material for the recovery of, for example, antioxidants, antivirals and/or antimicrobials. Additionally, it can be used as a substrate to obtain biofuels (bioethanol or biomethane), as an additive in food processing, as an adsorbent and, even, as a corrosion-inhibiting agent. Together with the research on obtaining and characterising different compounds of interest from CBS, some works have focused on the employment of novel sustainable extraction methods and others on the possible use of the whole CBS or some derived products. This review provides insight into the different alternatives of CBS valorisation, including the most recent innovations, trends and challenges for the biotechnological application of this interesting and underused by-product.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Foods: Biological Effects, Legislation, Occurrence, Analytical Methods, and Strategies to Reduce Their Formation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds comprised of carbon and hydrogen molecules in a cyclic arrangement. PAHs are associated with risks to human health, especially carcinogenesis. One form of exposure to these compounds is through ingestion of contaminated food, which can occur during preparation and processing involving high temperatures (e.g., grilling, smoking, toasting, roasting, and frying) as well as through PAHs present in the soil, air, and water (i.e., environmental pollution). Differently from changes caused by microbiological characteristics and lipid oxidation, consumers cannot sensorially perceive PAH contamination in food products, thereby hindering their ability to reject these foods. Herein, the occurrence and biological effects of PAHs were comprehensively explored, as well as analytical methods to monitor their levels, legislations, and strategies to reduce their generation in food products. This review updates the current knowledge and addresses recent regulation changes concerning the widespread PAHs contamination in several types of food, often surpassing the concentration limits deemed acceptable by current legislations. Therefore, effective measures involving different food processing strategies are needed to prevent and reduce PAHs contamination, thereby decreasing human exposure and detrimental health effects. Furthermore, gaps in literature have been addressed to provide a basis for future studies.

Difficulties with Use of Cocoa Bean Shell in Food Production and High Voltage Electrical Discharge as a Possible Solution

The cocoa and chocolate industries have huge problems with the utilization of waste generated during the production process. Waste material generated during production include cocoa pod husk, pulp, and cocoa bean shell. Cocoa shell is a by-product that has great potential because of its composition. It consists of dietary fibers, proteins, polyphenols, methylxanthines, etc. However, despite its favorable composition, cocoa shell often cannot be used directly in food production because it may contain components that are harmful for human health. Cocoa shell can carry mycotoxins, different microorganisms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals. High voltage electrical discharge presents a novel non-thermal method that has great potential for the decontamination of waste materials and can also be used for extraction of valuable compounds from cocoa shell.