Survival kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes on chickpeas, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and black pepper as affected by relative humidity storage conditions.
Nuts and seeds have been increasingly associated with recalls due to contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Storage of these food commodities occurs at various relative humidity (RH) conditions for months or years. The objective of this study was to assess L. monocytogenes survival on four commodities representing dried legumes, seeds, and spices categories: chickpeas, sesame seeds, […]
Effects of Passive-and Active-Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Physio-Chemical and Quality Attributes of Fresh In-Hull Pistachios (Pistacia vera L. cv. Badami).
The effects of passive- and active-modified atmosphere packaging (passive- and active-MAP) were investigated on the physio-chemical and quality attributes of fresh in-hull pistachios stored at 4 ± 1 °C and 90 ± 5% R.H. Fresh pistachios were packaged under each of the following gas combinations: active-MAP1 (AMA1) (5% O2 + 5% CO2), AMA2 (5% O2 + 25% […]
Vaccine against peanut allergy based on engineered Virus-Like-Particles displaying single major peanut allergens.
Background: Peanut allergy is a severe and increasingly frequent disease with high medical, psychosocial and economical burden for affected patients. A causal, safe and effective therapy is not available. Objective: We aimed to develop an immunogenic, protective and non-reactogenic vaccine candidate against peanut allergy based on Virus-like Particles (VLPs) coupled to single peanut allergens. Methods: To generate vaccine […]
Real-world tree nut consumption in peanut-allergic individuals.
Background: Individuals with peanut allergy often avoid tree nuts, yet true rates of tree nut allergy in peanut-allergic individuals are as low as 7%. Objective: To examine tree nut sensitization patterns in peanut-allergic individuals, patient and family choice regarding tree nut consumption, and factors that influence consumption of tree nuts. Methods: All patients presenting for […]
Defining challenge-proven coexistent nut and sesame seed allergy: A prospective multicenter European study.
Background: Peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergies are responsible for most life-threatening food-induced allergic reactions. Rates of coexistent allergy between these foods have been from mostly retrospective studies that include only a limited number of tree nuts or were not based on oral food challenges. Objective: The Pronuts study is a multicenter European study (London, […]
Current perspectives on peanut allergy.
Peanut allergy is increasingly prevalent and for most patients is a life-long condition, with the potential to cause life-threatening reactions. Accurate diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to minimise risks due to accidental peanut exposure. Current management strategies focus on strict allergen avoidance and access to emergency medicines to treat potential reactions; however, active approaches […]
Prevention of Non-peanut Food Allergies.
Purpose of review: The purpose of this review article is to discuss the recent literature around methods of prevention of food allergies other than peanut allergy. Recent findings: While the most robust data to date exists for peanut, there are emerging studies suggesting a beneficial effect to early introduction of cooked egg, and cow's milk […]
High sorption efficiency for As (III) and As (V) from aqueous solutions using novel almond shell biochar.
Arsenic (As) presence in surface reservoirs and groundwater is considered as an extremely alarming issue around the globe. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the sorption potential of almond shell (ALS) and almond shell biochar (ASB) based sorbents for the removal of As(III)/As(V) from As-contaminated aqueous solutions. The maximum As(III) sorption capacity […]
In Vitro Antioxidant Activity Optimization of Nut Shell (Carya Illinoinensis) by Extrusion Using Response Surface Methods.
The pecan (Carya illinoinensis) nut shell is an important byproduct of the food processing industry that has not been previously explored as an antioxidant compound. This work aims to study the effect of the extrusion temperature and screw speed on the moisture content, water and oil absorption index, water solubility index, color, phenolic compounds, condensed […]
Characterization of Polyphenolic Compounds Extracted from Different Varieties of Almond Hulls (Prunus dulcis L.).
Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was applied as a pretreatment technique to improve the recovery of polyphenols from the almond hulls of four Tunisian and three Italian almond varieties, followed by the characterization with HPLC-DAD. The operating parameters (solid/liquid ratio, extraction time, and ethanol concentrations) were optimized using a Response Surface Methodology. A polynomial equation was calculated […]