Iron-modified activated carbon derived from agro-waste for enhanced dye removal from aqueous solutions.
Background and aim: Finding a cost-effective adsorbent can be an obstacle to large-scale applications of adsorption. This study used an efficient activated carbon adsorbent based on agro-waste for dye removal. Methods: Pistachio shells as abundant local agro-wastes were used to prepare activated carbon. Then, it was modified with iron to improve its characteristics. Acid red 14 was […]
Dependence of the Ripeness Stage on the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Walnut (Juglans regia L.) Green Husk Extracts from Industrial By-Products.
Walnut green husk (WGH) is a waste generated by the walnut (Juglans regia L.) harvest industry. It represents a natural source of polyphenols, compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, but their activity could be dependent on the ripeness stage of the raw material. In this study, the effect of the different ripeness stages-open (OH) and […]
Choline Chloride–Lactic Acid-Based NADES As an Extraction Medium in a Response Surface Methodology-Optimized Method for the Extraction of Phenolic Compounds from Hazelnut Skin.
Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising green solvents for the extraction of compounds from food byproducts. Hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) is one of the most commonly cultivated tree nuts worldwide. The skin represents one of the major byproducts of the hazelnut industry and accounts for 2.5% of the total hazelnut kernel weight. It is a […]
Microbiomes of commercially-available pine nuts and sesame seeds
Metagenomic analysis of food is becoming more routine and can provide important information pertaining to the shelf life potential and the safety of these products. However, less information is available on the microbiomes associated with low water activity foods. Pine nuts and sesame seeds, and food products which contain these ingredients, have been associated with […]
Genotypic and Environmental Variations in Kernel Color Indices in the Main Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) DA Webb) Cultivars Grown in North-Eastern Morocco.
Color indices are important quality traits that define the consumer visual acceptance and agroindustrial preferences. Little is known regarding these properties in the commercial almond cultivars grown in Morocco. This work aimed at investigating kernel color indices in five cultivars, namely, "Fournat de Brézenaud," "Tuono," "Ferragnès," "Ferraduel," and "Marcona." Color indices consisted in the following: […]
Analysis and quantification of naturally occurring aflatoxin B1 in dry fruits with subsequent physical and biological detoxification.
Current research involves extraction, identification and detoxification of mycotoxins from ten dry fruit samples. Mycotoxins were identified by high performance thin layer chromatography followed by physical and biological detoxification, analysed by HPLC. Three fungal species were observed after isolation including, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus and Fussarium sp. HP-TLC analysis revealed the presence of mycotoxin, aflatoxin B1 ranging from 0.000303-0.03636 […]
Sensitive Metal Oxide-Clay Nanocomposite Colorimetric Sensor Development for Aflatoxin Detection in Foods: Corn and Almond.
The work reports on zinc oxide bentonite nanocomposite (ZnOBt) chemical route synthesis, characterization, and investigation of curcumin (Cur) functionalization for a label-free colorimetric detection of total aflatoxins (AFs) in foods. XRD of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) confirmed the wurtzite structure (2θ = 36.2°) and that of ZnOBt showed the intercalated interlayer composite phase. The Debye-Scherrer relation […]
Chemometric Approach Based on Accuracy Profile and Data Chronological Distribution as a Tool to Detect Performance Degradation and Improve the Analytical Quality Control for Aflatoxins’ Analysis in Almonds Using UPLC–MS/MS.
One of the main objectives of routine laboratories is the development of simple and reliable methods as well as meeting fit-for-purpose criteria for regulatory surveillance. In this study, the accuracy profiles and the evaluation of the distribution of results in the case of aflatoxins in almonds have been performed using ultraperformance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry […]
Estimation of Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) for Immunological Effects of Aflatoxin.
Aflatoxins are toxic chemicals produced by the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In warm climates, these fungi frequently contaminate crops such as maize, peanuts, tree nuts, and sunflower seeds. In many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, populations are coexposed to dietary aflatoxin and multiple infectious pathogens in food, water, and the environment. […]
Effect of Tractor Speed and Spray Application Volume on Severity of Scab at Different Heights in the Canopy of Tall Pecan Trees.
Scab (caused by Venturia effusa) is the most important yield-limiting disease of pecan in the southeastern USA. On susceptible cultivars, the disease is managed using fungicides, but spray coverage is an issue in tall trees. In four experiments we used an air-blast sprayer to compare scab severity on fruit at 5.0 to 15.0 m height […]