Consumers and companies associated with food or pharmaceuticals rely on spices and herbs in various forms. Their intricate supply chains, elevated prices, and low-volume production render them ...vulnerable to fraudulent practices. However, comprehensive methodologies to detect adulterants remain scarce, impeding national control laboratories from enforcing European and national legislation. In this study, we present quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) methods designed to identify the top five adulterants of each of six commonly consumed spices and herbs: paprika/chili, turmeric, saffron, cumin, oregano and black pepper. The specificity of each method was confirmed by qPCR analysis of a large collection of relevant plant species. Each authentic sample was combined with its respective top five adulterants as identified in the European Union-wide coordinated control plan on herbs and spices in 2021 or in the existing literature. These binary mixtures were used to evaluate the method's performance with respect to sensitivity, linearity and trueness at four levels of adulterants concentration. Detection was also investigated in multi-adulterated samples. These SYBR™ Green-based qPCR methods enable the specific detection of adulterants, and their sensitivity allows for the distinction between inadvertent contamination and deliberate adulteration. Altogether, these methods contribute to safeguard the authenticity of these high-value commodities.
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•Authenticity of spices and herbs is at high risk of fraudulent malpractices.•We provide specific qPCR methods to detect prevalent adulterants.•Trueness of each method was systematically assessed.•Sensitivity of methods meets ISO requirements for purity assessment.•Methods versatility is evaluated with multi-adulterated samples.
Reliable tables of glycemic indexes (GIs) and glycemic loads (GLs) are critical to research examining the relationship between glycemic qualities of carbohydrate in foods, diets, and health. In the ...12 years since the last edition of the tables, a large amount of new data has become available.
To systematically review and tabulate published and unpublished sources of reliable GI values, including an assessment of the reliability of the data.
This edition of the tables lists over 4000 items, a 61% increase in the number of entries compared to the 2008 edition. The data have been separated into 2 lists. The first represents more precise values derived using the methodology recommended by the International Standards Organization (∼2100 items). The second list contains values determined using less robust methods, including using limited numbers of healthy subjects or with a large SEM (∼1900 food items).
Dairy products, legumes, pasta, and fruits were usually low-GI foods (≤55 on the 100-point glucose scale) and had consistent values around the world. Cereals and cereal products, however, including whole-grain or whole-meal versions, showed wide variation in GI values, presumably arising from variations in manufacturing methods. Breads, breakfast cereals, rice, savory snack products, and regional foods were available in high-, medium-, and low-GI versions. Most varieties of potato were high-GI foods, but specific low-GI varieties have now been identified.
The availability of new data on the GIs of foods will facilitate wider research and application of the twin concepts of GI and GL. Although the 2021 edition of the tables improves the quality and quantity of GI data available for research and clinical practice, GI testing of regional foods remains a priority. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO as #171204.
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An alternative preconditioning process for the NO removal-based air-purification ISO method ISO 22197-1:2007 is proposed which can be used to provide a more realistic measure of the underlying ...photocatalytic activity of the material under test and a measure of its NOx removing capacity.
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•A pre-irradiation step in NO is proposed for the NO removal ISO test 22197-1:2007.•The time taken to reach HNO3 saturation (t*) is a measure of NOx removal capability.•At t*, almost all NO is converted to NO2.•At t* a measure of the photocatalytic activity can be calculated.
Although the NO removal-based air-purification ISO method ISO 22197-1:2007 is well established, its preconditioning requirements mean that only the initial activity of the photocatalyst under test is measured owing to the often-reported, gradual alteration of the surface kinetics for NO oxidation by air through the accumulation of surface HNO3. Herein, we compare the photocatalytic NO removal abilities of a number of different, common TiO2 materials, surface-saturated with photogenerated HNO3, with their behaviours observed during the typical 5h-long ISO standard test. It is found that all the TiO2 materials studied eventually become largely NO to NO2 converters after sufficient exposure to NO under irradiation (>5h) due to the accumulation of surface HNO3. The UV exposure time, t*, necessary to reach this HNO3 saturated condition is different for each different catalyst. As a consequence, an alternative preconditioning process for the ISO method is proposed which can be used to provide a more realistic measure of the photocatalytic activity of the underlying material and provide a measure of the NOx removing capacity of the photocatalytic material under test.
Lack of the biodynamic data of lightweight and heavyweight human bodies in seating posture becomes an impediment to developing dynamic dummies and relevant standards for improving vehicle ride ...comfort and reducing health risks caused by vibration. To acquire missing data and gain an understanding of relevant biodynamic responses, the vertical apparent masses of seated subjects in lightweight and heavyweight groups as well as the mediumweight group (targeted mass 55 kg, 98–115 kg, and 75 kg) were experimentally measured and studied under 9 vibration magnitudes (0.25, 0.315, 0.4, 0.5, 0.63, 0.8, 1.0, 1.25 and 1.6 ms−2 r.m.s. with a common ratio of ca. 1.25) without and with the support of an upright backrest. Each group had twelve subjects. With an increase in the vibration magnitude from 0.25 to 1.6 ms−2 r.m.s., the resonance frequency of the vertical apparent mass showed a decreasing trend. This was observed with all three bodyweight groups and two backrest conditions. Results of pairwise Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed that, when the vibration magnitude increased by a factor of ca. 1.25, its effect on the resonance frequency was statistically insignificant in most cases. The results provided data on the vertical apparent mass for the heavyweight subjects that have not been reported and augmented the database of those for the lightweight subjects.
•Provided useful data of apparent mass for subjects of light and heavyweight groups.•Results filled in missing data of apparent mass for subjects up to 117 kg.•Effect of increasing vibration magnitude by a factor of ca. 1.25 on apparent masses was insignificant in many cases.
An optimized compact-based method is introduced that verifies the distance measuring precision of surveying instruments. The paper describes the improvement of the compact based method not only in ...establishing a compact facility by using shorter lengths and folded path but also in the assessment process by implementing the official ISO standard for electronic distance measuring equipment (ISO 17123-4). The method produces statistically comparable results to ISO standards and is suited for regular instrument checks in institutions with limited space available.
Additive manufacturing offers a useful and accessible tool for prototyping and manufacturing small volume functional parts. Polylactic acid (PLA) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are amongst the ...most commonly used materials. Characterising 3D printed PLA and TPU is potentially important for both designing and finite element modelling of functional parts. This work explores the mechanical properties of additively manufactured PLA/TPU specimens with consideration to design parameters including size, and infill percentage. PLA/TPU specimens are 3D-printed in selected ISO standard geometries with 20%, 60%, 100% infill percentage. Tensile and compression test results suggest that traditional ISO testing standards might be insufficient in characterising 3D printed materials for finite element modelling or application purposes. Infill percentage in combination to design size, may significantly affect the mechanical performance of 3D printed parts. Dimensional variation may cause inhomogeneity in mechanical properties between large and small cross section areas of the same part. The effect was reduced in small cross section parts where reducing the nominal infill had less effect on the resulting specimens. The results suggest that for 3D printed functional parts with significant dimensional differences between sections, the material properties are not necessarily homogeneous. This consideration may be significant for designers using 3D printing for applications, which include mechanical loading.
•Cross-section variations in 3D printed designs, may result in inhomogeneity's in mechanical properties.•Current ISO test standards may be insufficient in characterising 3D printed materials.•Tension and compression test result data are available on 3D printed PLA and TPU.•The effect of infill settings reduces in smaller specimen.•Printing settings and specimen size, may need to be considered in characterising 3D printed materials.
Among other purposes, companies and regulatory agencies from around the world often adopt International Standard Organization (ISO) standards to determine acceptable practices, equipment and criteria ...for preventing occupational injuries and illnesses. ISO standards are based on a consensus among individuals who participate in the process. This discussion paper examines the scientific process for the development of several ISO standards on biomechanical factors, comparing it with processes used by other professional organizations, including scientific committees working on the development of clinical guidelines. While the ISO process has value, it also has clear limitations when it comes to developing occupational health and safety standards that should be based on scientific principles.
Lignocellulosic residues are potential sources of renewable energy, but these materials have low energy density and undesirable properties for energy use. For this reason, pelleting is a viable ...alternative for the biomass energy valorization because it produces high-energy-density solid biofuels. The aim of this research is to evaluate the physical, chemical, and energetic characteristics of pellets produced with lignocellulosic biomass blends (elephant grass EG, eucalyptus wood EW, and sugarcane bagasse SB) for bioenergy generation. For biomass and pellets, bulk and energy densities, chemical compositions, and heating values, were determined. For pellets, the mechanical durability, fines content, diametrical compression, diameter, length, and unit density were measured. Pellets presented increased heating value, bulk and energetic density, and reduced moisture content. The highest absolute ash contents were found in the compositions and pellets produced with high amounts of EG (2.89%–6.48%). The reduction of EG in the blends has improved the energy properties of pellets. A 55% reduction of ash content was observed in the pellets produced with 50% EG and 50% EW compared with the pellets produced with 100% EG. The pellets produced with biomass blends obtained better energy and mechanical performances when compared with those produced with only one biomass.
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•The Brazilian biomasses can be used to produce good-quality biofuel pellets.•Pellets produced with the blends of Brazilian biomasses provide better energy results.•The heating value of pellets depends on the composition of lignocellulosic materials.•The best pellet was produced with 50% wt elephant grass (EG) and 50 wt% eucalyptus wood.•The reduction of EG in pellets results in a decrease of ash content.
Additive manufacturing and 3D printing is being widely adopted by the medical industry. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of 3D printing technology in NHS trusts ...across the UK. Data was collected through a survey using the freedom of information act. The survey revealed that 53 NHS trusts (∼25 %) across the UK are utilising the technology, with a diverse range of strategies and applications. The most common application was the creation of guides and models, used for pre-operative planning, intraoperative guidance, and educational purposes. The study also highlights the regulatory and ethical considerations involved in 3D printing in healthcare. The findings indicate that there are no 3D printing specific standards or guidelines being followed for medical devices and therefore underscores the need for clear and consistent regulatory guidelines to be established. As the 3D printing technology continues to advance, its applications in healthcare are expected to expand rapidly, warranting further research into its impact on patient outcomes and healthcare costs.
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