Zearalenone (ZEN), a mycotoxin present in cereals, poses significant health risks to animals and humans due to its estrogenic effects. Numerous studies on the enzymatic detoxification of ZEN have predominantly focused on reducing the parent toxin to assess the enzyme’s efficacy, yet there is limited research on the identification and toxicity evaluation of the enzymatic degradation products. This study investigated the enzymatic degradation mechanisms of ZEN using commercial peroxidase (POD) and laccase (LC), with a focus on identifying degradation products and assessing their hepatotoxicity effects. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations elucidated the binding mechanisms between these enzymes and ZEN, revealing strong interactions that facilitate efficient detoxification. Subsequent analysis employing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) successfully identified crucial degradation products. Hepatic toxicity of the enzymatic degradation products was comprehensively assessed in HepaRG liver cells through systematic measurements of cell viability, oxidative stress, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, and molecular metabolic profiles. Our findings demonstrate that both POD and LC exhibit significant efficacy in mitigating hepatocyte toxicity induced by ZEN, thereby highlighting their potential utility in enhancing food safety. This research provides essential data for safety evaluation regarding enzymatic detoxification of ZEN while offering theoretical and technical resources for risk assessment related to mycotoxin enzymatic detoxification.

To understand the antimicrobial resistance and the mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr) carrying status of Salmonella isolates recovered from retail snail aquatic products in mainland China. Methods: A total of 346 Salmonella isolates collected from mainland China in 2018 were tested for their susceptibility to a panel of antimicrobial compounds by broth microdilution method; mcr genes were detected by PCR, and positive isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing and downstream bioinformatics analysis. Results: The resistant isolates accounted for 84.10% (291/346) of the collection and the resistance rate to SMX was the highest at 80.64% (279/346). One hundred and thirty-five isolates (39.02%) expressed a multi-drug resistance (MDR) phenotype and ninty-seven antimicrobial resistance profiles were recorded. Three Salmonella isolates representing different serotypes recovered from Shaanxi, Sichuan, and Chongqing provinces were positive for the mcr-1 gene positive with a rate of 0.87% (3/346), and all were multi-drug resistant. These three mcr-1-positive isolates contained IncHI2 plasmids that were not transferable. Genomic analysis of 106 mcr-1-bearing-IncHI2 plasmids showed that these plasmids were mainly from clinical settings (45.2%, 48/106) in China (75.40%, 80/106), and were identified from E. coli (62.26%, 66/106), Salmonella (33.02%, 35/106) and Klebsiella (4.72%, 5/106). Conclusion: Salmonella isolated from retail snail aquatic products in China in 2018 demonstrated high level antimicrobial resistance. In addition, mcr-1-bearing IncHI2-pST3 plasmids play an important role as carriers of colistin resistance with the potential for broader dissemination with the assistance of helper plasmids, a feature that warrants active surveillance for antimicrobial resistance.

Given the severe toxicity and widespread presence of cadmium (Cd) in staple foods such as rice, accurate dietary exposure assessments are imperative for public health. In vitro bioavailability is commonly used to adjust dietary exposure levels of risk factors; however, traditional planar Transwell models have limitations, such as cell dedifferentiation and lack of key intestinal components, necessitating a more physiologically relevant in vitro platform. This study introduces an innovative three-dimensional (3D) intestinal organoid model using a microfluidic chip to evaluate Cd bioavailability in food. Caco-2 cells were cultured on the chip to mimic small intestinal villi’s 3D structure, mucus production, and absorption functions. The model’s physiological relevance was thoroughly characterized, demonstrating the formation of a confluent epithelial monolayer with well-developed tight junctions (ZO-1), high microvilli density (F-actin), and significant mucus secretion (Alcian blue staining), closely resembling the physiological intestinal epithelium. Fluorescent particle tracking confirmed its ability to simulate intestinal transport and diffusion. The Cd bioavailability in rice measured by the 3D intestinal organoid model ((9.07 ± 0.21)%) was comparable to the mouse model ((12.82 ± 3.42)%) but significantly lower than the Caco-2 monolayer model ((26.97 ± 1.11)%). This 3D intestinal organoid model provides a novel and reliable strategy for in vitro assessment of heavy metal bioavailability in food, with important implications for food safety and risk assessment.

The global shift towards sustainable food systems has sparked innovations in food sources and production systems, including cell-based meat, plant-based food products, precision fermentation, and 3D food printing. These advancements pose regulatory challenges and opportunities, with China emerging as a critical player in adopting and regulating new food technologies. This review explores the international landscape of new food sources and production systems (NFPS), focusing on China’s role and regulatory approaches compared to global practices. Through this comparative analysis, we aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on food safety regulation, offering insights and recommendations for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers engaged in the global food system’s evolution. This comprehensive overview underscores the dynamic nature of regulatory frameworks governing NFPS, highlighting the international efforts to ensure food safety, consumer protection, and the sustainable evolution of the food industry.

To investigate the role of nutrients intake during pregnancy with longitudinal development of rhinitis, asthma, eczema, wheeze, and food allergy in offspring. The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library were searched for articles published throughout May 2022. The pooled effect estimate were presented using relative risk and calculated by the random-effects model. Twenty-three prospective cohort studies enrolling 210817 individuals were included. The risk of wheeze in offspring were lowered when high vitamin D, vitamin E, zinc, and milk intakes during pregnancy, whereas high meat intake during pregnancy could induce additional risk of wheeze in offspring. Moreover, high β-carotene and magnesium intakes during pregnancy were related to lower eczema risk in offspring, whereas eczema risk in offspring was increased for pregnant women with high intake of butter and margarine. Finally, the asthma risk in offspring could protect against for pregnant women with high intake of vitamin D and apple, whereas high folic acid during pregnancy could produce excess asthma risk in offspring. This study provides the summary evidences regarding the role of nutrients intake during pregnancy and subsequent risk of rhinitis, asthma, eczema, wheeze, and food allergy, and further effective intervention strategies should be employed to improve childhood allergic diseases.