Research Keyword: contamination

Cumulative exposure of xenobiotics of emerging concern from agrifood under the One Health approach (XENOBAC4OH)

This research programme examines how harmful chemicals from industry and agriculture accumulate in our food supply and environment. Scientists used a ‘One Health’ approach that considers impacts on humans, animals, and ecosystems together. They tested methods to measure chemical contamination in water and soil, studied how bacteria might break down pollutants, and investigated how different farming practices affect the safety of food crops like tomatoes.

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Fruit-Based Fermented Beverages: Contamination Sources and Emerging Technologies Applied to Assure Their Safety

This review examines safety concerns in popular fermented fruit drinks like wine and cider. It identifies major contamination risks including toxic compounds produced by molds (mycotoxins), harmful byproducts from fermentation (biogenic amines), pesticide residues, heavy metals, and plastic particles. The authors recommend combining traditional safety practices with modern technologies like electric fields and high-pressure treatments to ensure these beverages remain safe to drink while maintaining their health benefits.

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Pleurotus eryngii Culture Filtrate and Aqueous Extracts Alleviate Aflatoxin B1 Synthesis

This research demonstrates that extracts from oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus eryngii) can effectively prevent the production of aflatoxin B1, a highly toxic and cancer-causing substance produced by certain molds that contaminate crops like corn and wheat. The mushroom extracts work by inhibiting the toxin production by up to 94%, offering a natural, environmentally-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. The study suggests that compounds in mushrooms, including special sugars and enzymes, may help protect food supplies from this dangerous contamination, which is becoming increasingly important as climate change creates more favorable conditions for mold growth.

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Use of Anaerobic Digestate Inoculated with Fungi as a Soil Amendment for Soil Remediation: A Systematic Review

This research examines how using fungi-treated digestate (a byproduct from biogas production) can clean polluted soil more effectively than using either alone. The study shows that combining digestate with fungi successfully removes heavy metals like lead and cadmium from soil while promoting plant growth. The best results came from using digestate made from cattle manure. This approach offers an affordable and sustainable way to restore contaminated soils.

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Water Quality Assessment and Decolourisation of Contaminated Ex-Mining Lake Water Using Bioreactor Dye-Eating Fungus (BioDeF) System: A Real Case Study

Researchers tested a natural solution for cleaning polluted water from an old mining lake in Malaysia. They used a special fungus called Ganoderma lucidum in a system called BioDeF that acts like a sponge to remove dirt and discoloration from contaminated water. After just 48 hours, this fungus-based system removed over 90% of the water’s brown color, offering a cheap and eco-friendly alternative to traditional water cleaning methods.

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Mushroom-Based Supplements in Italy: Let’s Open Pandora’s Box

Researchers tested 19 mushroom supplement products sold in Italy and found serious quality problems. Many supplements didn’t actually contain the mushroom species listed on their labels. Some products also contained toxic substances or inconsistent amounts of beneficial compounds. The study highlights the need for better regulation and manufacturing standards to ensure these popular health products are safe and effective.

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Identification of a pathogen causing fruiting body rot of Sanghuangporus vaninii

Sanghuang, a valuable medicinal mushroom grown in China, was suffering from a disease that damaged fruiting bodies and reduced production. Researchers identified the cause as a green mold fungus called Trichoderma virens. The fungus grows best at 25°C and strongly inhibits the mushroom’s growth. Understanding this pathogen is the first step toward developing better ways to prevent the disease and protect this important medicinal crop.

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Phytostabilization of Heavy Metals and Fungal Community Response in Manganese Slag under the Mediation of Soil Amendments and Plants

This research shows that adding spent mushroom compost and a mineral amendment called attapulgite to contaminated mining waste, combined with planting a hardy tree species, significantly reduces heavy metal pollution. The tree and amendments work together by improving soil quality and promoting beneficial fungi that help stabilize harmful metals in the soil, preventing them from leaching into groundwater and surrounding ecosystems.

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Impact of bottom ash addition on Pleurotus ostreatus cultivation on coffee ground substrate

This study investigated growing oyster mushrooms on a mixture of used coffee grounds and coal plant bottom ash. The researchers found that adding small amounts of bottom ash (1-5%) slowed mushroom growth slightly but actually reduced harmful heavy metals in the final mushrooms compared to using only coffee grounds. The leftover substrate after mushroom harvest could be used as a fertilizer for poor soils, creating a complete recycling system that turns industrial and food waste into useful products.

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