New methods to identify trace amount of food components and/or contaminants (infectious pathogens and chemicals) rapidly, accurately, and with high sensitivity are in constant demand to prevent foodborne illnesses. Multipurpose biofunctionalized engineered nanomaterials are very promising for the detection of food components and contaminants. The unique optical and magnetic properties of the na...

A small subsurface ion mobility spectrometer (SS-IMS) was constructed and tested with several environmental contaminants to determine its potential for monitoring gaseous volatile organic compounds in the vadose zone. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) were detected and separated in IMS for the first time. Detection limits as low as 1 part per billion volume-to-volume (ppb(v)...

Effects of wiping copper-alloyed stainless steel surfaces with disinfectants to remove protein surface contaminants and re-establish their antibacterial activities were quantitatively studied. Disinfectants used were sodium hypochlorite aqueous solutions and ethyl alcohol aqueous solutions. Wiping with NaOCl aqueous solutions effectively removed protein surface contaminants. Ethyl alcohol aqueo...

Initial sampling results of emerging contaminants at the Llobregat delta deep aquifer (Barcelona, Spain) are presented. Among micro contaminants selected are 82 pharmaceuticals (antibiotics, lipid regulation agents, analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs, etc), 18 personal care products (sunscreen agents, preservatives and disinfectants/antiseptics), 4 metals, 44 pesticides, 6 volatile priority poll...

Most ecosystems receive an assortment of anthropogenic chemicals from the thousands possible, making it important to identify a predictive theory for their direct and indirect effects. Here, we propose that the impacts of contaminants can be simplified and unified under the framework of community ecology. This approach offers predictions of the strength and direction of indirect effects, which ...

Ethanol is the preferred solvent for the formation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiolates on gold. By applying a thin film sensor system, we could demonstrate that even the best commercial qualities of ethanol contain surface-active contaminants, which can compete with the desired thiolates for surface sites. Here we present that gold nanoparticles deposited onto zeolite X can be used...

Fifty-five Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates, classified as contaminants or causing device-related meningitis, from external ventricular drain (EVD) and non-EVD cerebrospinal fluid specimens were characterized. Thirty-three of 42 (78.6%) meningitis isolates were PCR-positive for ica and aap, known determinants of polysaccharide- and protein-mediated biofilm production, whereas five of 13 (38....

Medicinal plants have a long history of use in therapy throughout the world and still make an important part of traditional medicine. Thus, medicinal plants and herbal products must be safe for the patient (consumer). This review addresses biological contaminants (microbes and other organisms) and chemical contaminants (mycotoxins, toxic elements such as heavy metals, and pesticide residues) as...

traditional production of grape syrup in iran inaugurated by addition of natural clay in order to decrease the acidity for subsequent heating. the presence of some mineral residues and sand in the final product which is mainly due to clay impurity might cause and adverse effect. in this study, eleven samples of traditionally produced grape syrup were collected randomly from different regions of...

Food safety is threatened by numerous contaminants, which can originate from environmental pollution, such as toxic metals and organic halogenated compounds; chemicals used in the production of food, such as pesticides and veterinary drugs; contaminants formed during food production and cooking; contaminants arising from food packaging, or natural toxins in food. Consumers’ perceptions of food-...