Studying the concentration of xenobiotics in milk and developing the biosensor method for their rapid determination

In this article the content of toxic xenobiotics (heavy metals and pesticides) in cow milk collected from 5 districts of Eastern Kazakhstan was examined and their cumulative properties were determined. The content of organochlorine pesticides (HCCH, DDT) was not detected in the analyzed milk. The content of mercury and arsenic in milk samples does not exceed the maximum allowable concentration (0.005 and 0.05 mg/kg, respectively). The content of cadmium above the maximum allowable concentration (0.03 mg/kg) was found in milk sampled from Shemonaikha and Katon-Karagai districts. The content of lead and zinc above the maximum allowable concentration (0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg, respectively) was found in milk samples taken from all 5 studied districts. The content of copper above the maximum allowable concentration (1.0 mg/kg) was found in milk samples collected from 4 districts under study (Borodulikha, Beskaragai, Shemonaikha and Katon-Karagai). Based on the analysis of information data the need to develop an accelerated method of determining toxic xenobiotics in milk was substantiated. The basic directions of modernization of the biosensor for determination of cadmium and lead salts in milk and dairy products were selected. A new approach to the process of immobilization of the enzyme on the surface of a substrate for cadmium and lead salts determination in milk has been developed. The efficiency of using a polymeric plate with a graphite conducting layer as a basis for the enzyme biosensor was established.

The influence of beet pectin concentrate and whole-ground corn flour on the quality and safety of hardtacks

Currently, the main task of food manufacturers is to continuously improve quality while complying with legal regulations primarily related to ensuring product safety for consumers. In this regard,  using pectin substances as natural detoxifiers and wholemeal flour in the production of hardtacks will solve the problem of meeting the population's needs for safe food products with high nutritional and biological value. The article substantiates the sequence and parameters of technological operations for producing pectin concentrate from ‘Ardan’ sugar beet. The effectiveness of the use of beet pectin concentrate and whole-ground corn flour in the production of hardtacks has been substantiated experimentally based on a study of their qualitative characteristics, chemical composition and safety. The optimal dosage of pectin concentrate was determined at 10% and whole-ground corn flour at 15% in the production of hardtacks from first-grade wheat flour, where the properties of the gluten and the quality of finished products were similar to the control samples. The use of ‘Ardan’ sugar beet pectin concentrate made it possible to alter the dough's properties to increase its firmness and elasticity. It was found that the food and biological value of the developed hardtacks was higher than that of the control samples. The products obtained complied with the safety requirements of TR CU 021/2011 Technical Regulations of the Customs Union ‘On Food Safety’.

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench: Biological and Pharmacological Properties. A Review

Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench (EP)is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant, commonly known as purple coneflower and it belongs to the Asteraceae family. The Echinacea genus is originally from North America, in the United States, and its species are widely distributed throughout. There are nine different species of Echinacea, but only three of them are used as medicinal plants with wide therapeutic uses: Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench, Echinacea pallida (Nutt.) Nutt. and Echinacea angustifolia DC. Several significant groups of bioactive compounds with pharmacological activities have been isolated from Echinacea species. Numerous beneficial effects have been demonstrated about these compounds. The immunomodulatory effect was initially demonstrated, but over time other effects have also been highlighted. The present review gives a comprehensive summary of the chemical constituents, bioactive compounds, biological effects and therapeutical uses of purple coneflower. Research shows that such a well-known and recognized species needs to be further studied to obtain efficient products with a guarantee of the safety.