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Background: Consumption of artisanal foods, such as Shir Berenj, is common in Iran. Nevertheless, little evidence can be found about the safety of traditional foods in the literature. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological and chemical quality of Shir Berenj samples in Khouzestan province. Methods: Shir Berenj samples were collected from Ahvaz, Shoushtar, Andimeshk, and Dezful. They were put in an ice pack and transferred to the laboratory. Microbiological (total count, psychrophile count, mold and yeast, S. aureus, Salmonella, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli) and chemical (fat content, pH, and dry matter) tests were carried out to determine the safety and quality of samples. Results: According to Iran standards, 96% of Shir Berenj samples were rejected. The data showed that microbial contamination was the most critical problem for the safety of Shir Berenj samples. Merely 70 % of samples were contaminated with Enterobacteriaceae beyond the standard limit. Moreover, 50 % of samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli, indicating poor hygienic conditions. Conclusion: Surveillance organizations should be more watchful about the safety of Shir Berenj. We suggest that appropriate approaches should be used to improve the knowledge of food handlers involved in producing Shir Berenj. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A lot of people consume traditional foods throughout the world, however there are concerns for their safety. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate the safety of traditional doogh (a traditional fermented dairy beverage) with respect to microbiological, chemical, and toxicological aspects. Methods: 89 samples of traditional doogh from Khuzestan province, Iran, were analysed according to microbiological ( Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, coliforms, mold and yeast), chemical (pH, total solid, fat, and salt content), and toxicological (aflatoxin M1, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, and natamycin) aspects. Results: Results showed that 89.88% of samples would be rejected according to the guidelines specified by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI). 78 sample had higher mold and yeast than standard. The salt content of five out of 89 samples were higher than the established Iranian standard. Conclusion: The most challenging problem was mold and yeast contamination, indicating poor hygienic manufacturing conditions. However, the unfavorable conditions for microbial growth such as low pH may prevent the toxic metabolites formation, and therefore, consuming it presents no major concerns to public health. Nonetheless, the authors suggest that efforts should be made to improve hygienic conditions in traditional doogh manufacturing environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the main sources of mercury pollutions in Bandar Imam petrochemical company is its chlor-alkali unit. The unit uses mercury to convert sodium chloride (NaCl) to chlorine and sodium hydroxide. In this study, removal and recovery of mercury from wastewater of the chlor-alkali unit before its conversion to cake using c-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were reported. It was shown that the magnetic nanoparticles can adsorb and remove mercury from the chlor-alkali unit wastes and the resulting sorbents effectively separated from the solution by a 1.4 T magnet. Different parameters, which could affect the adsorption process, such as the amount of nanoparticles, pH and volume of buffer, and contact time were optimized. Under the optimized conditions, 94.59 % of mercury was removed using bare nan c-Fe2O3 with RSD of 1.7 % (n = 5). Adsorbed Hg(II) was successfully desorbed using 1 M HCl, then the resulting solution's mercury content was reduced to elemental mercury. The elemental mercury was finally collected in a hollow glass gas chromatographic column half filled with distilled water, providing a green chemistry for reuse of mercury. The method of mercury determination was cold vapor atomic adsorption spectrometry throughout this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apart from the breast milk, infant formula and baby weaning food have a special role in infant diet. Infants and young children are very susceptible to amount of trace elements. Copper and zinc are two elements that add in infant food. Lead and cadmium are heavy metals that enter to food chain unavoidably. DPASV is a benefit and applicable method for measurement of trace elements in food products. In this study, concentration of zinc, copper, lead and cadmium in four brands of baby food (rice and wheat based) and powder milk was analyzed with DPASV and polarograph set. Total Mean ± SE of zinc, copper, lead and cadmium in baby foods (n = 240) were 11.86 ± 1.474 mg/100g, 508.197 ± 83.154 μg/100g, 0.445 ± 0.006, 0.050 ± 0.005 mg/Kg respectively. Also these amount in powder milk (n = 240) were 3.621± 0.529 mg/100g, 403.822 ± 133.953 μg/100g, 0.007 ± 0.003, 0.060 ± 0.040 mg/Kg respectively. Zinc level in baby food type I was higher than lablled value (P = 0.030), but in other brands was not difference. Concentration of copper in all of samples was in labeled range (P > 0.05). In each four products, level of lead and cadmium were lower than the standard limit (P < 0.05). Amount of zinc and lead in baby food I, had difference versus other products. Concentration of zinc, camium in baby food type I, was higher than type II (P = 0.043, 0.001 respectively). Concentration of lead and cadmium in baby food type II, was higher than infant formulas, but are in standard limit [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s) Bone is a dynamic tissue that is continuously renewed throughout life by the process of bone remodeling. Antioxidant system might be involved in the pathogenesis of bone loss, so the aim of this study was to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), vitamin C and vitamin E levels of plasma besides measuring enzymatic antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione reductase (GR) enzymes activity in Iranian osteoporotic women comparing to the control group. Materials and Methods Bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by dual x-ray absorptiometry. The participants were divided into groups: a) total participants (-3.9 ≤ T-score ≤ 3.6) including 192 women, b) the control group (T-score ≥ -1) including 76 women, c) the total patients (T-score < -1) including 76 women. Then, plasma TAC, vitamin C levels, SOD and GR activities, erythrocyte CAT were measured using spectrophotometrical methods separately, and for vitamin E by HPLC analysis. Results Comparing the control group and osteoporotic women showed that: a) plasma levels for vitamin C and erythrocyte CAT were markedly lower in the patients than in the controls, but plasma activity of TAC, SOD and GR were significantly higher, respectively. b) the differences were higher between control and patients with severe disease (T-score <-1.7) comparing to patients in the group with milder disease (-1.7 ≤ T-score <-1). c) Femoral neck BMD adjusted with age and BMI showed a positive and significant correlation with plasma levels of vitamin C in all subjects, but this relation was reverse or negative for TAC, SOD and GR. Conclusion It seems that a physiologic increase in the amount of some antioxidants occurs in osteoporosis; even though this amount may not be sufficient for the human body requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]