Alessandra de Cássia Romero

Population growth and the depletion of natural resources have driven the incorporation of edible insects into the human food matrix. Despite their high nutritional value and the environmental benefits of insect farming compared to conventional protein sources, their consumption poses potential risks, including food allergies. Sensitization to insect allergens can occur through various exposure routes, with cross-reactions involving other foods and environmental allergens being well-documented. Vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly may have increased susceptibility not only because of genetic predisposition but also because of age-related physiological factors. This review explores the emerging risks of edible insect consumption, with a focus on children and the elderly. Age-related alterations in the gut microbiota, digestion, immune function, and overall physiology can facilitate the absorption of intact allergenic proteins and impair immune responses. Furthermore, the allergenic potential of insect proteins and their associated microbiota remains poorly characterized. Limited research exists on the effects of processing methods on these proteins. Consequently, incorporating edible insects into food products could present an additional allergenic risk, particularly for these vulnerable populations. Understanding these risks is essential for ensuring the safety and acceptance of edible insects as sustainable food ingredients.

This study evaluated differences in the efficiency of ozonation process to reduce the natural contamination of two mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), in wheat grains and particulate products. Three different products were used, each one representing a different structure and mycotoxin distribution: (1) wheat grains, with natural mycotoxin distribution inside and among the grains; (2) homemade pellets, with homogenous mycotoxin distribution; (3) ground homemade pellets, with homogeneous mycotoxin distribution, and smaller particles. The ozonation of naturally contaminated wheat grains did not reduce the concentrations of DON and ZEN. When the variability of contamination among replicates was reduced by the production of homemade pellets showed, the ozonation provides a reduction of 14% of ZEN concentration. Reducing the size of particles by grinding the homemade pellets, a reduction of DON (11%) and ZEN (31%) was observed, which was evidenced by the higher ozone consumption during the process. Therefore, some limitations of ozonation of grains and particulate products, such as particle dimensions and distribution of natural contamination of mycotoxins affect the degradation of DON and ZEN under real conditions. Because of this, further studies to evaluate the effectiveness of ozonation should also be performed in samples naturally contaminated to produce robustness results.

Free gossypol is a toxic compound which naturally occurs in cottonseed and its derivates, affecting animal and possibly human health. Consequently, alternatives for gossypol destruction must be evaluated. This work evaluated the emerging technology of ozone processing for free gossypol destruction in cottonseed meal. Ozonation was carried out in the actual cottonseed meal and also a model system, designed to describe the involved mode of action. The model system consisted of glass pearls beads covered with free gossypol. Ozonation was performed in two ways: as a static process, i.e., without homogenising the sample after placing them in the reactor, and also homogenising it. Ozone degraded free gossypol in all the systems, but reaching different levels. Free gossypol reduction was higher in the model system than the cottonseed meal, and higher in the homogenised processing than the static one: cottonseed meal in homogenised (56%) and static (25%); model system homogenised (98%) and static (80%). The obtained differences suggest a problem of gas penetration in the solid particles, the effect of unexposed surfaces due to contact areas, and the reaction with other organic molecules further than the target. Ozonation is a promising technique for gossypol degradation in cottonseed meal, but additional strategies are needed to optimise the ozonation process and evaluate toxicological aspects. Graphical Abstract

Crude glycerol is a major by-product of biodiesel production and is an economical additive feed for ruminants. However, residual methanol in crude glycerol can be harmful to animal health. Several methods exist for quantifying methanol residues in biodiesel, yet few have been described that identify the methanol level in crude glycerol. We propose a method for determining the methanol level in crude glycerol destined for animal feed. Crude glycerol was extracted from the headspace and quantified by gas chromatography using a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The method was linear up to 0.5 % of methanol. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.015 and 0.031 %, respectively. No significant matrix effects were observed. Precision was 2 % at the 0.05 and 0.5 % levels. The average percentage of recovery was 90 %. Three analyzed samples of crude glycerol had methanol residues of 0.027-7.802 %. Furthermore, this methanol quantification method may be externally or internally calibrated using a GC manual injector. A reduction of at least 20 % in running time was obtained with good resolution between the peaks. Thus, this method can be applied to determine the methanol level in crude glycerol according to the upper limits for animal feed (5,000 ppm) and for human consumption (150 ppm). Finally, this method is useful for the quality control of crude glycerol intended for use in animal feed, enabling the alternative use of this by-product to add value to the biodiesel production chain.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB₁) is among the most potent naturally occurring carcinogens and classified as a group I carcinogen. Since the ingestion of aflatoxin-contaminated food is associated with several liver diseases, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 2, 20, and 200 ppb of AFB₁ on DNA damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes and liver cells in Dunkin–Hartley guinea pigs. The animals were divided into four groups according to the given diet. After the treatment the lymphocytes and liver cells were isolated and DNA damage determined by Comet assay. The levels of DNA damage in lymphocytes were higher animals treated with 200 ppb of AFB₁-enriched diet (P = 0.02). In the liver cells there were a relationship between the levels of DNA damage and the consumption of AFB₁ in all studied groups. These results suggest that Comet assay performed on lymphocytes is a valuable genotoxic marker for high levels of exposure to AFB₁ in guinea pig. Additionally our results indicate that the exposure to this toxin increases significantly and increases the level of DNA damage in liver cells, which is a key step on liver cancer development. We also suggest that the Comet assay is an useful tool for monitoring the genotoxicity of AFB₁ in liver.

Este estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de avaliar o perfil da distribuição da contaminação com aflatoxinas entre embalagens constituintes de lotes de confeitos de amendoim, expostos à venda no comércio. Os dados da distribuição da ocorrência e dos níveis de contaminação, aqui obtidos, sugerem que os procedimentos de amostragem, visando à detecção de aflatoxinas em produtos processados, sempre estarão associando um grau de incerteza muito elevado quanto à presença ou não e quanto ao nível médio de contaminação de um lote de produto processado. Entretanto, para melhorá-los, devem-se considerar as diferenças existentes entre os produtos com relação ao processamento ou não dos grãos que constituem sua matéria-prima, pois, em lotes de produtos em que a matéria-prima foi triturada ou moída, como por exemplo, o doce de amendoim do tipo paçoca, a distribuição da ocorrência e dos níveis mostrou um grau bem mais elevado de homogeneidade, quando comparado ao amendoim japonês que mantém a integridade da matéria-prima durante o seu processo de fabricação. This study was carried out to evaluate the profile of aflatoxin contamination distribution among packages of peanut candies trading. Aflatoxin occurrence and distribution date from this study suggest that sampling plans to aflatoxin detection in processed products are always associated with high degree of uncertain of presence or not and of the true average level of contamination. To improve sampling plans it is necessary to consider the differences among product types. There are processed products whose the raw material is grounded, like "paçoca" and other that it is not, like "amendoim japonês". Occurrence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination among packages in lots of "paçoca" was more homogeneus than in lots of "amendoim japonês"