VOLUME 49 (2010)

JUNE

CONTENTS

FOOD PROCESSING IN SPACE: THE USE OF INFLATABLE TECHNOLOGIES
A. Derossi - T. De Pilli - C. Severini
Scientific research in the field of space missions has always ever been very active. Since the first space mission the importance of food systems for the success of space mission programs was considered as crucial. In this paper the possibility to use inflatable technologies to obtain a multipurpose plant for vegetable processing was studied. The technologies used in food industries were compared by Equivalent System Mass (ESM) values which refers to their impact on Life Support Systems used for long duration space missions. Results allowed to design an inflatable pilot plant with both low weight and volume by which sufficient food for 1 week for 6 astronauts (dried vegetables and canned food pre-packaged in pouches) could be provided.

EVALUATION OF A BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR INTEGRATED PROTOCOL TO DETECT PATHOGENIC VIBRIO IN FISHERY PRODUCTS OFFICIAL CONTROL
L. Serracca - I. Rossini - R. Battistini - A. Garrone - C. Ercolini - M. Goria
Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 highlights the need to develop reliable detection methods for pathogenic Vibrio strains. To this purpose, we have evaluated the application of an integrated identification protocol by means of biochemical and biomolecular methods to identify isolates from one hundred sea fish samples. Isolates previously positive to biochemical identification were subjected to species-specific PCR for the identification of V. vulnificus, V. cholerae and V. parahaemolyticus toxigenic strains. The analyzed samples revealed  the presence of 5 strains as V. vulnificus and 5 as V. cholerae, none of these were positive for V. parahaemolyticus. Sequencing confirmed only one sample as V. cholera, allowing to correctly identify false positive samples. We can conclude that the biochemical tests should always be confirmed by molecular tests to obtain a correct identification.

ASSESSMENT OF CRITICAL POINTS OF MANUFACTURE IN A PIG SLAUGHTERHOUSE
L. Valnegri - G. Casirani - G. Soncini
With this work we wanted to assess the microbial loads in some critical points of manufacture in a pig slaughterhouse. The tests were performed on carcasses for determining the Aerobic bacterial count, Enterobacteriacee and Salmonella as indicated in Reg. EC 1441/2007, some work surfaces (table lard and table trimming hams) for the determination of Bacterial aerobic and Enterobacteriacee as indicated in the Decision EC 471/2001, on manholes for the detection of Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes and finally, the water in the pig scalding tanks for Counting aerobic bacteria and Enterobacteriacee. The results were more than satisfactory, only in three samples taken from the table trimming hams values of Enterobacteriacee were found to exceed the limits, for this reason, the cleaning operations, which are contracted to an outside firm, were immediately improved.

CHEMICALS IN FOODS: ENDOCRINE DISRUPTORS
S. Marozzi - R. Condoleo - V. Morena - S. Saccares
Global concerns have been raised in recent years over the potential adverse effects that may result from exposure to chemicals that have the ability to interfere with the endocrine system, a complex network of glands, hormones and receptors. These are identified as Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), exogenous substances that alter the functions of the endocrine system and consequently cause adverse health effects in an intact organism, or its progeny, or (sub)populations. The ED are widespread and are found in soil, air, water and sediment. Ingestion of EDCs and potential EDCs via food intake is generally considered the major exposure route for humans and animals. Some environmental EDCs may be released into the environment intentionally (e.g., pesticides), but for most environmental contaminants release is unintentional. The aim of this paper is to review knowledge on the main endocrine disruptors and their effects on human health.

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