Influence of Fish Species and Wood Type on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Contamination in Smoked Fish Meat

Despite the numerous sensory, organoleptic and nutritional qualities, fish meat may also contain some toxic compounds with negative effects on human health. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of chemicals resulting from incomplete combustion, found at high levels in thermally processed foods, especially in smoked fish. This research studied the influence of wood type (beech, plum and oak) and fish species (rainbow trout, carp and Siberian sturgeon) on PAH contamination in hot smoked fish. Benzo(a)Piren, Σ4PAHs and Σ15PAHs were considered as main indicators of PAH contamination. All-PAHs was quantified in all samples, indicating a specific dynamic of values due to the influence of variables. Generally, BaP (benzo(a)pyrene) content in the samples ranged from 0.11 µg/kg to 8.63 µg/kg, Σ4PAHs from 0.70 µg/kg to 45.24 µg/kg and Σ15PAHs from 17.54 µg/kg to 450.47 µg/kg. Thus, plum wood promoted the highest levels of PAHs, followed by oak and beech. Carp and Siberian sturgeon presented the highest concentrations of PAHs. Some of these parameters had levels that exceeded the limits allowed by legislation via Commission Regulation (EU) No 835/2011. Results revealed BaP levels > 2 µg/kg when plum wood was used in rainbow trout (4.04 µg/kg), carp (4.47 µg/kg) and Siberian sturgeon (8.63 µg/kg). Moreover, the same trend was found for Σ4PAHs, which exceeded 12 µg/kg in rainbow trout (17.57 µg/kg), carp (45.24 µg/kg) and Siberian sturgeon (44.97 µg/kg).

Contribution of Village Chickens in Sustainable and Healthy Food Systems for Children along a Rural-Urban Gradient: A Systematic Review

Achieving sustainable and healthy food systems in support of human and planetary health is a global challenge. We systematically reviewed papers (n = 2322) showing how village chicken products (meat, eggs, and offal) contribute to sustainable and healthy food systems for children along a rural-urban gradient. A total of 72 articles, representing all different sections covered in this review, were finally included. Production of village chickens contributed positively on livestock-derived food consumption by children. Households who owned chickens were likely to move from medium to high dietary diversity. Children from households that owned chickens had lower odds of anemia (1.07) and higher height-for-age (HAZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) scores. Egg intervention increased HAZ and WAZ for children by 0.63 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38-0.88] and 0.61 [95% CI, 0.45-0.77], respectively. Village chicken ownership had positive effect on children's poultry meat and egg consumption. Per capita consumption of chicken by girls and boys combined was 38.2 g/day, where girls had 36.9 g/day and boys had 39.4 g/day. Children from households that owned chickens consumed eggs 2.8 more times per week compared to children from households without chickens. Moving along a rural-urban gradient, village chicken production was less common. Improved production and quality of village chicken products, and policies supporting optimal maternal and child intake these products are required.

The importance and status of the micronutrient selenium in South Africa: a review

Selenium (Se) is a vital micronutrient with widespread biological action but leads to toxicity when taken in excessive amounts. The biological benefits of Se are mainly derived from its presence in active sites of selenoproteins such as glutathione peroxidase (GPx). An enzyme whose role is to protect tissues against oxidative stress by catalysing the reduction of peroxidase responsible for various forms of cellular damage. The benefits of Se can be harvested when proper regulations of its intake are used. In South Africa, Se distribution in people's diets and animals are low with socio-economic factors and heterogeneous spread of Se in soil throughout the country playing a significant role. The possible causes of low Se in soils may be influenced by underlying geological material, climatic conditions, and anthropogenic activities. Sedimentary rock formations show higher Se concentrations compared to igneous and metamorphic rock formations. Higher Se concentrations in soils dominates in humid and sub-humid areas of South Africa. Furthermore, atmospheric acid deposition dramatically influences the availability of Se to plants. The studies reviewed in this article have shown that atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is the most utilised analytical technique for total Se concentration determination in environmental samples and there is a lack of speciation data for Se concentrations. Shortcomings in Se studies have been identified, and the future research directions of Se in South Africa have been discussed.

Comparative Genome Analysis Reveals the Genomic Basis of Semi-Aquatic Adaptation in American Mink (Neovison vison)

Simple Summary

In nature, every animal lives in its suitable environment to support life and reproduction. Due to survival pressure, the ancient ancestors of land animals changed from living in water to living on land through a long time of evolution. But as more and more animals live on land, the pressure to survive increases, and some animals continue to evolve and re-enter the water. Species evolved from water to land, fins became limbs, and re-entering organisms evolved webbing, all in an effort to better adapt to their environment. The American mink’s life is extremely dependent on the water environment, but its external changes are less pronounced than those of other water-dependent animals. Since the limited external changes are not sufficient to indicate that the American mink is a semi-aquatic mammal, we can explore the evidence of aquatic adaptation at the molecular level. Through comparative genomic analysis, we obtained that American mink has certain adaptive evolution to aquatic environment in olfactory, coagulation, immunity and other aspects. The results of this study have important reference significance for exploring biological evolution and species conservation.

Abstract

Although the American mink is extremely dependent on water and has evolved a range of aquatic characteristics, its structural adaptation to water is still less obvious than that of other typical semi-aquatic mammals, such as otters. Therefore, many scholars consider it not to be a semi-aquatic mammal. In order to make the point that minks are semi-aquatic mammals more convincing, we provide evidence at the micro (genome)-level. In particular, we used the genomes of the American mink and 13 mammalian species to reconstruct their evolutionary history, identified genes that affect aquatic adaptation, and examined the evolution of aquatic adaptation. By analyzing unique gene families, the expansion and contraction of gene families, and positive selection genes, we found that the American mink genome has evolved specifically for aquatic adaptation. In particular, we found that the main adaptive characteristics of the American mink include the external structural characteristics of bone and hair development, as well as the internal physiological characteristics of immunity, olfaction, coagulation, lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. We also observed that the genomic characteristics of the American mink are similar to those of other aquatic and semi-aquatic mammals. This not only provides solid genomic evidence for the idea that minks are semi-aquatic mammals, but also leads to a clearer understanding of semi-aquatic species. At the same time, this study also provides a reference for the protection and utilization of the American mink.

Association of poultry consumption with cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality: a systematic review and dose response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies

According to previous cohort studies it is suggested that a high intake of poultry does not adversely affect cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to summarize and analyze the association between dietary poultry intake and the risk for CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and all-cause mortality (ACM). Twenty-four cohort studies were included, and the results showed a trivial inverse association for the highest vs. lowest intake category between poultry and ACM (risk ratio [RR] = 0.96; 95% CI: 0.93, 0.98; I² = 5%). For all other outcomes no association was observed in the high vs. low intake meta-analysis. The results from the primary pooled data for each 100 g/d increase in poultry intake indicated no association for all outcomes. Further, the non-linear dose-response analysis showed some evidence for non-linearity between poultry consumption and risk for CVD and ACM. Additionally, substituting red and/or processed meat with poultry was inversely associated with the risk for ACM, CVDs, CHD and stroke. The certainty of evidence was rated as very low or low. This meta-analysis suggests that based upon the results from the substitution analyses poultry could be a healthier alternative to red and processed meat.

Protein based evaluation of meat species by using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Meat adulteration through partial substitution with cheaper species or mislabeling causes significant problems in terms of health, religious beliefs, economy, and product quality. Therefore, identification of meat species is crucial for monitoring and prevention of meat fraud. In the present study, protein based laser induced breakdown spectroscopy method was developed for the first time to identify three meat species (beef, chicken and pork) by using bulk proteins and protein fractions, namely actin and myosin. LIBS spectra were evaluated with principal component analysis for clustering pattern of meat species, and partial least square analysis was performed to determine adulteration ratio. In PLS analysis, limit of detection (LOD) values for beef adulteration with chicken and pork meat were calculated as 2.84% and 3.89% by using bulk proteins, respectively.

Slaughter practices of different faiths in different countries

This paper reviews many aspects of ritual and traditional slaughter methods used to produce meat for human consumption in different countries. Undoubtedly, meat is an important source of nutrients that are essential for human health. The global meat market has become increasingly interested in Islamic halal and Jewish kosher slaughter, in particular because of potential market opportunities. The requirement for unstunned slaughter or reversible pre-slaughter stunning makes religiously-based methods of animal slaughter unique. This study suggests a simple framework for a halal and tayyib meat supply chain for the Muslim community that also maintains meat quality and wholesomeness from farm to table as a model for the religious slaughter of animals.