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Fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 (FB1, FB2 and FB3) and aflatoxins B1 (AFB1), B2 (AFB2), G1 (AFG1) and G2 (AFG2) are both major mycotoxins of food concern, because of their wide range of concentration and possible co-occurrence. Therefore, a contamination survey in corn and wheat flour by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was carried out. Quantification of fumonisins and aflatoxins was based on internal calibration (by the use of 13C34-fumonisin) and external calibration, respectively. Fumonisins were detected in 95% of corn samples and in 7% of wheat flour samples, with the mean level (FB1 + FB2 + FB3) of 441 µg kg−1 and 0.09 µg kg−1, respectively. Low levels of aflatoxins were detected in 37% of the samples with a mean level (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) of 0.12 µg kg−1. Fumonisins and aflatoxins were not detected in 29% of the samples analysed. Simultaneous occurrence of fumonisins and aflatoxins was observed in 12% of samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian disease, regarded as one of the crucial aspects influencing poultry production, has restricted the development of the poultry industry for a long period. Although traditional approaches, e.g. vaccination and bio-security measures, have played an indispensable role in diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases, poultry are still threatened by various diseases. Nowadays, with the development of molecular and quantitative genetics, some poultry diseases can be addressed by breeding for disease resistance. In this paper, the research progress of resistance breeding in poultry is reviewed, including genetics, methods, challenges and opportunities for the poultry industry. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Ethyl carbamate (EC) in wine, grain spirits and wine sauce (145 samples) was analysed using solid-phase extraction and stable isotope dilution GC/MS. Samples were obtained from markets in eight areas (Shijiazhuang, Baoding, Handan, Qinhuangdao, Langfang, Zhangjiakou, Xingtai and Cangzhou) of Hebei Province, China. The method had a limit of detection of 2 µg kg-1, with recoveries varying from 95.7 to 102% and RSD ranging 2.3-5.6%. The average concentrations of ethyl carbamate in wines, grain spirits and wine sauce were 14.7 (<2.0-44.5) µg kg-1, 33.8 (2.9-129) µg kg-1 and 8.7 (<2.0-63.3) µg kg-1, respectively. The results led to the development of limit standards that can be used to predict the concentration of ethyl carbamate in Chinese fermented wines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid method for the determination of seven predominant polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in fish was developed. The analysis could be completed in 1 h. The PBDEs in the sample were extracted with fat by selective pressurized liquid extraction (SPLE) using acid alumina as a fat retainer. After concentration, the extract was directly injected into online gel permeation chromatography with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GPC-GC/MS) in negative chemical ionization (NCI) mode. Method detection limits of seven PBDEs were between 0.002 and 0.005 ng g-1 fat. Quantitative recoveries ranging from 81.9% to 110.3% were obtained by analysis of spiked fish. The relative standard deviations were less than 15% (n = 6). The method was applied to a certified reference material of fish; all results were in the reference ranges. It was shown to be a rapid and reliable alternative in the routine analysis for PBDEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]