Mechanisms and Health Aspects of Food Adulteration: A Comprehensive Review

Advanced detection tools in food fraud: A systematic review for holistic and rational detection method based on research and patents

Modern food chain supply management necessitates the dire need for mitigating food fraud and adulterations. This holistic review addresses different advanced detection technologies coupled with chemometrics to identify various types of adulterated foods. The data on research, patent and systematic review analyses (2018-2023) revealed both destructive and non-destructive methods to demarcate a rational approach for food fraud detection in various countries. These intricate hygiene standards and AI-based technology are also summarized for further prospective research. Chemometrics or AI-based techniques for extensive food fraud detection are demanded. A systematic assessment reveals that various methods to detect food fraud involving multiple substances need to be simple, expeditious, precise, cost-effective, eco-friendly and non-intrusive. The scrutiny resulted in 39 relevant experimental data sets answering key questions. However, additional research is necessitated for an affirmative conclusion in food fraud detection system with modern AI and machine learning approaches.

Double lateral flow immunosensing of undeclared pork and chicken components of meat products

Adulteration of meat products is a serious problem in the modern society. Consumption of falsified meat products can be hazardous to health and/or lead to violating religious dietary principles. To identify such products, rapid and simple test systems for point-of-need detection are in demand along with complex laboratory methods. This study presents the first double lateral flow (immunochromatographic) test system, which allows simultaneous revealing two prevalent types of falsifications-undeclared addition of pork and chicken components to meat products. In the proposed test system, porcine myoglobin (MG) and chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) were used as specific biomarkers recognizable by antibodies. Within the optimization of the analysis, the concentrations of the immune reagents and regimes of their application on the working membrane were selected, which provided minimal limits of detection (LODs) for both analytes. The developed test system enables the detection of MG and IgY with the LODs of 10 and 12 ng/mL, respectively, which accords to addition of 0.1% of the undeclared meat compounds. The applicability of the test system to control the composition of raw meat mixtures and cooked food products was confirmed. The developed approach can be considered as a promising tool for monitoring composition of meat products.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-024-05944-y.

Unveiling the mechanisms for the development of rosehip-based dermatological products: an updated review

Rosa spp., commonly known as rosehips, are wild plants that have traditionally been employed as herbal remedies for the treatment of a wide range of disorders. Rosehip is a storehouse of vitamins, including A, B complex, C, and E. Among phytonutrients, vitamin C is found in the highest amount. As rosehips contain significant levels of vitamin C, they are perfect candidates for the development of skincare formulations that can be effectively used in the treatment of different skin disorders (i.e., scarring, anti-aging, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, melasma, and atopic dermatitis). This research focuses on the vitamin C content of several Rosa sp. by their botanical and geographic origins, which according to research studies are in the following order: R. rugosa > R. montana > R. canina > R. dumalis, with lower levels in R. villosa and R. arvensis, respectively. Among rosehip species, R. canina is the most extensively studied species which also displays significant amounts of bioactive compounds, but also antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities (e.g., against Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, S, epidermis, and S. haemolyticus). The investigation also highlights the use of rosehip extracts and oils to minimise the harmful effects of acne, which primarily affects teenagers in terms of their physical appearance (e.g., scarring, hyperpigmentation, imperfections), as well as their moral character (e.g., low self-confidence, bullying). Additionally, for higher vitamin C content from various rosehip species, the traditional (i.e., infusion, maceration, Soxhlet extraction) and contemporary extraction methods (i.e., supercritical fluid extraction, microwave-assisted, ultrasonic-assisted, and enzyme-assisted extractions) are highlighted, finally choosing the best extraction method for increased bioactive compounds, with emphasis on vitamin C content. Consequently, the current research focuses on assessing the potential of rosehip extracts as medicinal agents against various skin conditions, and the use of rosehip concentrations in skincare formulations (such as toner, serum, lotion, and sunscreen). Up-to-date studies have revealed that rosehip extracts are perfect candidates as topical application products in the form of nanoemulsions. Extensive in vivo studies have revealed that rosehip extracts also exhibit specific activities against multiple skin disorders (i.e., wound healing, collagen synthesis, atopic dermatitis, melasma, and anti-aging effects). Overall, with multiple dermatological actions and efficacies, rosehip extracts and oils are promising agents that require a thorough investigation of their functioning processes to enable their safe use in the skincare industry.

Impact of Different Adulterants on Honey Quality Properties and Evaluating Different Analytical Approaches for Adulteration Detection

The study was carried out keeping in view the recently emerging concern of adulteration of natural honey on the honey markets. This study intended to investigate honey adulteration detection using physical and chemical composition to achieve a foreign component (a marker) that is present in the honey that confirms either the adulteration or authenticity of the honey. The technique was evaluated on honey samples that were 5-50% adulterated with various common adulterants in Ethiopia. Preliminary quick tests and characterization of physicochemical and antioxidant properties were tested as alternative analytical approaches for honey adulteration detection. Preliminary quick test methods were used to detect adulterated honey, but these methods were found specific to adulterant materials. The proline and pH levels decreased as molasses, sugar, and banana adulterants increased, while increased as melted candy and shebeb adulterants increased. Moisture content decreased as sugar, melted candy, and shebeb adulterants were increased, while decreased as molasses and banana adulterants increased. HMF content increased as molasses, melted candy, and shebeb adulterants were increased. The sugar compositions are key differential criteria to detect the adulteration of honey with sugar. Based on their physical characteristics, PCA demonstrated a considerable difference between samples of pure and contaminated honey. In conclusion, it was observed that honey adulteration was detected based on significant deviations of physicochemical and biochemical components from expected values in the concentration of naturally occurring components. This study successfully demonstrated a method to rapidly and accurately classify and authenticate honey. Accordingly, it is recommended that frequent training for stakeholders on adulteration detection methods should be carried out to avoid adulteration of honey from the markets.

Recent advancements with loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) in assessment of the species authenticity with meat and seafood products

Species adulteration or mislabeling with meat and seafood products could negatively affect the fair trade, wildlife conservation, food safety, religion aspect, and even the public health. While PCR-based methods remain the gold standard for assessment of the species authenticity, there is an urgent need for alternative testing platforms that are rapid, accurate, simple, and portable. Owing to its ease of use, low cost, and rapidity, LAMP is becoming increasingly used method in food analysis for detecting species adulteration or mislabeling. In this review, we outline how the features of LAMP have been leveraged for species authentication test with meat and seafood products. Meanwhile, as the trend of LAMP detection is simple, rapid and instrument-free, it is of great necessity to carry out end-point visual detection, and the principles of various end-point colorimetry methods are also reviewed. Moreover, with the aim to enhance the LAMP reaction, different strategies are summarized to either suppress the nonspecific amplification, or to avoid the results of nonspecific amplification. Finally, microfluidic chip is a promising point-of-care method, which has been the subject of a great deal of research directed toward the development of microfluidic platforms-based LAMP systems for the species authenticity with meat and seafood products.

Development of a real-time PCR protocol for the detection of chicken DNA in meat products

Food falsification is a pressing issue in today's food industry, with fraudulent substitution of costly ingredients with cheaper alternatives occurring globally. Consequently, developing straightforward and efficient diagnostic systems to detect such fraud is a top priority in scientific research. The aim of the work was to develop a test system and protocol for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect in food products of animal origin the substitution of expensive meat raw materials for by-products of poultry processing. For this, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used, which allows determining the qualitative and quantitative substitution in raw and technologically prepared products. Other methods for detecting falsification - enzyme immunoassay (ELISA/ELISA) or express methods in the form of a lateral flow immunoassay are less informative. The extraction of nucleic acids for real-time polymerase chain reaction depends on the source matrix, with higher concentrations obtained from germ cells and parenchymal organs. Extraction from muscle and plant tissues is more challenging, but thorough grinding of these samples improves nucleic acid concentration by 1.5 times using DNA extraction kits. The selection of primers and fluorescent probes through GenBank and PCR Primer Design/DNASTAR software enables efficient amplification and identification of target chicken DNA fragments in various matrices.

Bacteriological evaluation and advanced SYBR-green multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of minced meat adulteration

Background

Minced meat is a valuable source of nutrients, but it is vulnerable to contamination by microorganisms commonly present in the environment. In addition, there is a risk of adulteration with cheaper meat sources, which can be harmful to consumers.

Aim

It is crucial to identify meat adulteration with distinct microbiological analysis for legal, economic, religious, and public health purposes.

Methods

A total of 100 minced meat samples were collected from several markets in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. These samples were then subjected to bacteriological testing and an advanced multiplex PCR method. This method enables the detection of bovine, equine, porcine, and dog species in meat samples with just one step.

Results

The adulterated samples had a higher total bacterial count and pH values compared to pure bovine meat. These differences in bacterial count and pH values were statistically significant, with p-values of 0.843 (log10) and 0.233, respectively. The frequency of Escherichia coli occurrence was 13%, and the O111 serotype was predominant in the adulterated samples. Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated with prevalence rates of 3% and 29%, respectively. Besides, the SYBR-green multiplex real-time PCR assay used in this study detected adulteration with dog, equine, and porcine meats in the examined samples at rates of 9%, 5%, and 4%, respectively.

Conclusion

This method provides a sensitive and specific approach to detect issues related to well-being and safety.

Accurate molecular identification of different meat adulterations without carryover contaminations on a microarray chip PCR-directed microfluidic lateral flow strip device

Meat adulteration-based food fraud has recently become one of the global major economical, illegal, religious, and public health concerns. In this work, we developed a microarray chip polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-directed microfluidic lateral flow strip (LFS) device that facilitates the accurate and simultaneous identification of beef adulterated with chicken, duck, and pork, especially in processed beef products. To realize this goal, four pairs of amplification primers were designed and applied for specifically amplifying genomic DNA extracted from mixed meat powders in microarray chip. With the prominent advantage of this device lies in the flexible combination and integration of sample loading, detection, and reporting in microstructures, all the DNA amplicons can be individually visualized on the LFS unit, leading to the appearance of test lines (TC line, TD line, TP line, or TB line) as well as the control line (C line) for the species identification and quantification in beef products. Based on this new method, the adulterants were successfully distinguished and identified in mixtures down to 0.01% (wt.%) while the carryover aerogel contamination in routine molecular diagnostic laboratories was effectively avoided. The practicability, accuracy, and reliability of the device were further confirmed by using real-time PCR as a gold standard control on the successful identification of 50 processed ground meat samples sourced from local markets. The method and device proposed herein could be a useful tool for on-site identification of food authentication.

Selected food items adulteration, their impacts on public health, and detection methods: A review

Every living thing requires food to survive. Clean, fresh, and healthy foods are important to human health. Today, food is affected by various counterfeits. Adulteration of food is the intentional deterioration of the quality of food offered for sale by either the addition or substitution of an inferior substance or by the omission of a valuable ingredient. Economically motivated adulteration is the intentional adulteration of food for financial gain, and has enormous public health implications, making it an important issue in food science. Almost every food, including milk and dairy products, fats and oils, fruits and vegetables, grain foods, coffee, tea, honey, etc., is susceptible to adulteration. It is difficult to find food that is free from adulteration. Consumption of adulterated food contributes to numerous diseases in society, ranging from mild to life threatening. Therefore, detection of adulteration in food is essential to ensure the safety of the food we consume. To provide consumers with food that is free of adulterants, various detection methods such as physical, chemical, biochemical, and molecular techniques are used to identify adulterants in food. This review aims to provide up-to-date information on food adulteration, its impact on health, and the analytical techniques used to detect adulteration in food.

Do You Know What You Eat? Kebab Adulteration in Poland

In recent years, consumer interest in meat authenticity has increased. Fraudulent claims are most likely to be regarding meat origin, meat substitution, meat processing treatment, and non-meat ingredient additions. This study focuses on the substitution of meat species in processed kebab-like food sales in Poland. The growing popularity of kebab-like foods and the limited number of official inspections of this type of food make this topic interesting. In this study, the results reveal that 60% of the foods analyzed contain an undeclared ingredient or the substitution of an expensive ingredient with a cheaper option.

Some Variation Factors of Freezing Point in Camel Milk

The freezing point degree of milk (FPD) is a classical indicator of cow milk quality. In camel milk, few references are available in the literature regarding the main factors of variation. In the present paper, two methods of FPD determination were used: the Reference method (RM) (using Cryostar) and the Express method (EM), using a milk analyzer (Milkoscan-FT1). The RM was used to determine FPD in 680 bulk raw or pasteurized camel milk samples. Regarding EM, 736 individual milk samples, 1323 bulk samples, 635 samples of pasteurized milk and 812 samples of raw milk used for cheese making were available. The variability of FPD was investigated according to month, lactation stage, milk composition, milk production and microbiological status. Correlations between methods were explored. FPD was highly correlated with most of the milk components and tended to decrease in cases of high contamination by coliforms or high total flora count. However, the weak significant correlations between the two methods indicated the necessity to specifically calibrate an automatic milk analyzer for camel milk.