کردلان پلی ساکاریدی نامحلول در آب و گران‌قیمت است که از واحدهای 14β"> (1‌3)D-گلوکان تشکیل‌شده است. خواص ژل ایجادشده توسط گرما باعث شده کردلان در صنایع غذایی از اهمیت بالایی برخوردار شود. یکی از اصلی‌ترین فاکتورهای محدودکننده استفاده گسترده از کردلان، هزینه تولید بالای آن است. لذا به‌کارگیری ضایعات کشاورزی راهی مناسب برای این مشکل است. در این تحقیق، تولید کردلان توسط باکتریAgrobacterium radiobacterPTCC 1654 در محیط کشت با غلظت‌های مختلف (5، 5/7 و 10 درصد) شیره انگور و ساکارز به عنوان منبع کربن، مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفت. علاوه بر این، میزان کردلان و بیومس تولیدی تعیین و ترکیب قندهای پلی ساکارید به‌دست‌آمده با استفاده از تکنیک کروماتوگرافی لایه‌نازک تعیین شد. تغییرات pH محیط تخمیر نیز در طول فرایند مورد ارزیابی قرار گرفت. نتایج نشان داد بالاترین میزان تولید پلی ساکارید، در محیط تخمیر حاوی شیره انگور با بریکس 5/7 و پس از گذشت 144 ساعت از شروع تخمیر به دست آمد. pH محیط تخمیر در طول فرایند تخمیر از 7 به حدود 5/5 کاهش یافت. نتایج کروماتوگرافی لایه نازک پلی ساکارید تولیدی نشان داد که تنها مونومر تشکیل‌دهنده ساختار این پلیمر، گلوکز بود. نتایج همچنین نشان داد که شیره انگور در مقایسه با ساکارز خالص به شکل معنی‌داری بازدهی بالاتری در تولید کردلان داشت (05/0p<). بنابراین در این زمینه دارای مزیت نسبی بود. بر اساس یافته‌های حاصل از پژوهش حاضر می‌توان نتیجه گرفت، ضایعات کشاورزی نظیر شیره انگور را می‌توان به‌عنوان منبع کربن فرایند تخمیر برای تولید پلیمر کردلان استفاده کرد. Manuscript profile

Aflatoxins are secondary metabolites that produced mainly by Aspergillus species in pistachio nuts or other food products. They are toxic carcinogens and mutagens that cause a variety of adverse effects such as acute and chronic poisoning, inducing cancer initiation and congenital malformation in humans and animals. This study aimed to determine level of knowledge, attitude, and practices concerning aflatoxin contamination in pistachio and its pathogenicity among members of the general public in Damghan city, Iran. This descriptive cross sectional study enrolled 297 people from the population of Damghan city in Iran in 2019 through multistage cluster sampling. Data analysis was performed by SPSS version 16. In this study, 57% (n=162) of the participants were male and the mean age was 41.81±12.1 year. Majority (40.7%) of study subjects had very poor level of knowledge, but a positive attitude (68.7%) about the aflatoxin toxicity. Also, more than 85% of study participants sometimes or always had a good practice regarding prevention of aflatoxin contamination. A significant positive correlation was found between the level of education and the knowledge and attitude scores of the participants (p <0.001). Age and practice of subjects had a significant correlation (r = 0.149, p = 0.021). The findings of this study indicate a poor knowledge level of people in Damghan city. Therefore, strategies such as providing necessary training program in order to improve the level of knowledge, attitude and practices of individuals about aflatoxin should be considered. Manuscript profile

The active films composed of polyvinyl alcohol/Alyssum homolocarpum seeds gum (PVA-AHSG) in corporatinglysozyme (LY) are developed and characterized. The LY affects the thickness, solubility, and water vapor permeability, mechanical, microstructural, and optical properties of PVA-AHSG films and also the antimicrobial activities of obtained films are evaluated. The LY content increased the thickness of composite films. The LY addition led to an increase in water solubility, moisture contents, and contact angle, and decreased density. The control films without LY had the lower opacity and acted as a weak barrier against the water vapor. The LY reduced elongation at break and slightly increased tensile strength and elastic modulus. The electron micrographs showed that the control films had a smoother structure, and the addition of LY formed films with a rough surface. Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectra indicated some interactions between PVA and AHSG chains and LY. Functional activities were found against Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Manuscript profile

Natural elemental impurities are recognized as a threat for safety and quality of edible salt and have adverse effects on public health. In the current study, fiftysamples of packages containing 1 kg of salt from 25 different brands were collected from retailers in Semnan city (Iran). The concentrations of main impurities of edible salt including magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), and sulphate (SO4-2) ions were quantified by the aid of an Ion Chromatography with conductivity detector. According to findings, the maximum concentrations of Mg, Ca, and SO4-2 ions in salt samples were 0.067, 0.226, and 0.888 % w/w (dry matter basis), respectively. In addition, the concentration of Mg in 16%, Ca in 4%, and SO4-2 in 28% of samples suppressed the acceptable limit proposed by the Institute of Standards and Industrial Research of Iran (ISIRI) (0.15% for Ca, 0.03% for Mg, and 0.46% for SO4-2). Moreover, the maximum and minimum levels of purity in the salt samples were recorded as 99.940 and 97.730%, respectively. Moreover, the purity in 12% of the investigated samples was lower than that of the minimum acceptable limit suggested by ISIRI, while the purity of 97% samples met the acceptable Codex Alimentarius limit (97% Min). Based on results of the current investigation, the routine purification processes used in some factories of Iran did not reduce impurities. Hence, purification process bedsides constant monitoring and safety management should be improved to promote the health quality of edible salt. Manuscript profile

Cardiac hypertrophy and cardiac dysfunction are important complications of heart failure. Cardiovascular, immunological, and hormonal players are involved in the pathogenesis of heart failure. Current evidence suggests that probiotics may have fruitful effects on the heart function. This was our aim. To this end, effects of oral administration of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 on isoproterenol-induced heart failure were investigated. Forty male Wistar rats weighing 200 g were randomly assigned to five groups; the control group (saline-treated group), probiotic-treated group, heart failure group (isoproterenol-introduced group), pretreatment group (treating them by probiotic for 20 days then induced heart failure) and treatment group (following heart failure-induced, treating them by probiotic for 20 days). The groups were studied for 30 days. Serum levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and chemerin were measured by ELISA. Finally, the hearts were removed for histopathological evaluation. Compared to the control group, isoproterenol caused cardiac hypertrophy and increased ANP (P < 0.05) and chemerin levels. Treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei significantly reduced the levels of ANP (P < 0.01) and decreased the pathological damages to the myocardium. It caused a small reduction in chemerin level, as well. Pretreatment with probiotics had no positive effects on cardiac hypertrophy and related parameters. Our findings indicate that treatment with Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei 8700:2 reduces cardiac hypertrophy in rats. In addition, this probiotic reduces the serum levels of chemerin and ANP. Manuscript profile

Aflatoxins, are very toxic mixture and having the potential to cause cancer, produce by some the fungi, mostly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, during their growth, harvest and storage on crops such as wheat, corn, cottonseed, peanut, pistachio, etc. For appraising the reaction of maize varieties to A. flavus growth and produced aflatoxin, five varieties of maize, namely KSC400, KSC403, KSC600, KSC703, KSC704, were selected. An isolate A. flavus that produce afalatoxin was used for inoculation of maize kernels (as in vitro conditions). In a statistic completely random design with three replications, 10 gr of kernels of selected cultivars were inoculated with 1×106 spores/ml of fungal spore suspension. After eight days, the percentage of fungal growth and the colonization of maize kernels were calculated. The aflatoxin B1 produced in contaminated all maize cultivars were measured with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Statistical analyses showed a significant difference (α=0.05) between the fungal growth percentages and the amount of aflatoxin B1 in the kernels of tested maize cultivars. Also, the results showed that among mentioned varieties, KSC600 was the least susceptible variety to the growth of Aspergillus. The amount of produced aflatoxin B1 was variable among the varieties. KSC600 had the least whereas KSC403 had the highest rate of aflatoxin B1 content. Manuscript profile

A novel edible film was developed using Lallemantia peltata (L.) seed gum (LSG), and its water sensitivity, physico-mechanical, barriers, microstructural and thermal properties as a function of glycerol concentration (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60% w/w) were studied. Different models were also used to investigate the water sorption of the LSG films. Unplasticized LSG films were brittle and difficult to handle which were effectively modified by glycerol addition. Water sensitivity, oxygen permeability, and elongation of LSG films were increased with increasing glycerol concentration. Also, increasing of glycerol concentration resulted in reduction of tensile strength, glass transition temperature (Tg) and melting temperature (Tm) of the films. Electron scanning micrographs revealed a smooth surfaceand compact cross-section microstructure in LSG films.The films showed sigmoid shape type II water sorption isotherms, representing typical features of most of biopolymers. Accordingly, the results suggest that LSG films containing desired glycerol concentration could potentially be used as edible films in food packaging. Manuscript profile

Food grade salt is the main carrier for iodine fortification to prevent iodine-deficiency disorders in iodine-deficient regions. Excessive and also too low iodine content in salt could cause diseases and human health risks. This study is aimed to investigate the iodine content of edible salts produced in Semnan province (Iran) and also the iodine intake and exposure were estimated in population. Iodine content of 75 salt samples from 25 different brands produced in Semnan province were measured using titration method. Urinary iodine was determined in 240 children (8-12 years old). Iodine intake and exposure was determined based on the defined variables. The results indicated that the mean iodine concentration of 32% iodized salt samples were not according to acceptable range (30-50 mg.kg-1(set by Iranian National Standard Institute. The urinary iodine median was 161 µg.L-1 and in 7.5% of studied population was more than 300 µg.L-1. The mean of daily iodine intake in all samples was 298.4 ± 79.6 µg per day. Obtained iodine exposure values demonstrated that the status of iodine intake in Semnan province was at optimal nutrition and no risk of iodine deficiency treat the population. Manuscript profile

In this study, the biological activities of whole herb extract of a medicinal plant named Smirnovia Iranica were investigated. The extraction was performed using Supercritical CO2 and phytochemical compounds, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer effect were determined in the extract. Based on the results, high TPC concentration (120.36 mg GAE/100 g FW) and TFC (17.41 mg quercetin/100g FW) were obtained in the extract. Besides, the extract showed significant antioxidant activity (IC50=53.97 µg mL-1). Moreover, the extract showed a notable inhibitory effect againstEscherichia coli(MIC=15.63 mg mL-1) andSalmonella enterica (MIC=31.25 mg mL-1). On the other hand, this extract showed the cytotoxic effect on glioblastoma cancer cell lines in the MTT assay. This is the first, yet comprehensive, scientific report about the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of the extract of Smirnovia Iranica whole herb. According to current results, the Smirnovia Iranica extract has excellent antioxidant properties for application as bioactive components for various objects such as as food supplements. The experiment confirmed the efficacy of the extracts as natural antimicrobials and suggested the possibility of employing them in drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by the test organisms. Manuscript profile

In this research chemical composition and antimicrobial effects of Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (E. angustifolia L.) whole fruit ethanolic extract was investigated on common pathogenic microorganisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans). The phytochemical composition of E. angustifolia was screened by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract were determined using the broth dilution technique. According to the results, 13 major compounds such as flavonoid, aldehyde, alcoholic and fatty acids were identified by GC/MS. In addition, the extract could inhibit the growth of all examined pathogenic strains. The MIC was 3.75 to 1.87 mg ml-1 while maximum activity was found against Staphylococcus aureus. Besides, the MBC was ranging from 7.5 to 3.75 mg ml-1. Since E. angustifolia whole fruit ethanolic extract contains phytochemical compounds and has antimicrobial potential it can be recommended as a natural active agent for application in the food industry. Manuscript profile

Cold plasma is a high-end technology that offers favorable opportunities for microorganism inactivation in contaminated food. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cold plasma treatment to reduce different pathogen and spoilage microorganisms in various foods. In addition, the effect of influential factors related to plasma processing, including microorganism type, gas type, treatment time, and treatment voltage, on the reduction rate of microorganisms was assessed using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. The extracted data showed that most researcher investigated plasma efficiency on the inactivation of Escherichia coli in different food samples. Also in most studies the plasma was generated using air as plasma gas. The microorganism inactivation rate obtained by cold plasma treatments was raging from -0.90 to 8.00 log CFU. The plasma voltage (0.7) and plasma gas (0.66) had a significant correlation with principal component 1 and had a negative correlation coefficient with treatment time (-0.76). The reduction rate (0.68) and microorganism (0.7) were positively correlated with principal components 2. The findings indicated that cold plasma has an excellent potential to decontaminate hazardous organisms in different food. Besides, plasma treatment conditions should be considered to optimize the effective inactivation rates. The reduction rate of microorganisms in different foods is strongly influenced by microbial factors and technical plasma performance factors. Regarding the crucial damage to microorganism cell components using plasma, this novel technology could efficiently apply for preservation and also promote the shelf life of food products. Manuscript profile