Food research needs

Data are scarce in mammals that link zinc concentrations in tissues with environmental zinc perturbations. In harbor porpoises, impaired homeostasis reportedly occurs when zinc exceeds 100 mg/kg FW liver however, livers of many species of marine mammals routinely exceed this value (Wood and Van Vleet 1996). Elevated zinc concentrations, in mg Zn/kg DW tissue, were >120 in cattle liver, >180 in sheep kidney, and >250 in sheep liver (Table 9.9), but their significance is unclear. No international regulations or guidelines applicable to zinc are available (USPHS 1989). No U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level or other maximum acceptable concentration exists for zinc, and therefore no Final Residue Value can be calculated (USEPA 1987). This seems to be a high priority research need. 

PAHs are widely distributed in the environment as evidenced by their detection in sediments, soils, air, surface waters, and plant and animal tissues. However, the ecological impact of PAHs is uncertain. PAHs show little tendency for bioconcentration despite their high lipid solubility (Pucknat 1981), probably because most PAHs are rapidly metabolized. Sims and Overcash (1983) list a variety of research needs regarding PAHs in soil-plant systems. Specifically, research is needed to establish the rates of PAH decomposition in soils the soil PAH levels above which PAH constituents adversely affect the food chain and enhancement factors that increase degradation rates of PAHs, especially PAHs with more than three rings. Once these factors have been determined, PAH disposal into soils may become feasible at environmentally nonhazardous levels. 

The theoretical basis of light-induced antimicrobial treatment is described, followed by examples of its application for the cleaning and disinfection of surfaces. All available information supports the idea that PDT could offer a very efficient and cost-effective way to combat microbial contamination of foods. The advantages and pit-falls of the technique are discussed. Directions of future research needed for bringing the technology to commercial reality are identified. 

Finally, it is clear that much more research needs to be performed to connect the disciplines of colloid science and nutrition, especially in the application areas of functional foods and delivery systems. The combination of information from both in vitro and in vivo studies is evidently required in order to be able to understand properly the complex physicochemical processes that can occur during the digestion of food colloids. Our ultimate objective must be to make use of this knowledge to produce effective strategies for the formulation of a healthier diet with optimized bioavailability of the most desirable ingredients. 

One thing lacking in work on authenticity is a good database of ranges of analysis values for oils. Fatty acid composition is well covered and expected ranges of sterols and tocopherol levels are also available, at least for the major oils (Codex Alimentarius, 1997 FOSFA, 1994 AOAC, 1997). There have been some surveys of other components (Rossell, 1985 Flor et al., 1993) but not all information is available in the available scientific literature. And more needs to be done. For other oils the data available are even more limited. The Leatherhead Food Research Association, UK, has carried out a survey on minor oils, but the results have not been published (J.B. Rossell, 1997, personal communication), and for some of the oils the range of samples obtainable was limited. It is to be hoped that this will be remedied in the future. 

The problems for organic food production are that (a) the additives permitted for preservation (and to improve taste and texture) are greatly limited and (b) the substances used for cleaning processing machinery are also restricted. The research needs are therefore similar to those in production how to achieve the desired aims with acceptable substances. Especially in developing countries, however, there are also problems of pest control during... 

General research needs lie in the areas of detection, decontamination, and treatment. Better and cheaper methods need to be developed for the rapid detection and measurement of mycotoxin levels be it in food or tissues. In regard to bioterrorism, better methods need to be developed for the identification and measurement of mycotoxins in human and animal tissues, body fluids, and feces. Availability of mycotoxin reference samples to provide comparability of analytical results obtained between laboratories within a country as well as in different parts of the world would be helpful. 

Research Needs. Over the years L-ascorbic acid has been shown to be an essential nutrient for many insects including species of Lepidoptera, Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera. Others such as cockroaches, houseflies, and mealworms are reared on simple diets without added ascorbic acid. Perhaps those insects require very low levels of vitamin C in their diets. A sensitive analytical method is needed to measure levels of L-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid in insect tissue and food. Such a method, which is likely to be developed using HPLC with electrochemical detection, could be used to monitor vitamin C levels in feed ingredients as well as in tissues during an insect s life cycle. This information is needed to determine whether ascorbic acid is used to... 

We often see in consumer news and advertisements that blueberries are nature s number one antioxidant fruit or are an antiaging food. Although blueberries are wonderful whole foods, we need to maintain a scientifically sound perspective of them in reference to our diets and health expectations. Describing a fruit as antioxidant-rich implies a health benefit that has not yet been scientifically proved. In fact, polyphenol antioxidant research in humans has not even reached step 3 in the health claims research pyramid, and such proof is more than ten years away. 

Kokini, J.L., Eads, T., and Ludescher, R.D., Research needs on the molecular basis for food functionality, Food Technol., 47, 36S, 1993. 

Another important work duty for a food chemist is to serve on committees that are striving to improve laboratory procedures. There is a constant need to increase safety precautions surrounding food research. If equipment becomes contaminated or you do not observe cleanliness procedures such as washing your hands, your research could become worthless. 

Continuing food research will probably result in some additional employment for food chemists as the public continues to focus on diet, health and food safety. Food trends are changing all the time, and the emergence of strong markets for such innovations as low fat, no fat and high fiber food will probably keep the demand for trained food chemists at a high level. Global and domestic issues, such as overpopulation, will also increase future need and focus for food chemists. 

Furthermore, the functionality tests used to evaluate the properties of the modified proteins are empirical and not standardized. Each test seems to have as many variations as there are investigators. A real need in this area of food research is the development of a series of standardized methods for studying the functionality of proteins. 

As in the case of dog food, research into the nutritional needs of other pets and of farm-raised animals, also taking into account animal sizes and ages, led to the requirement to produce a large number of different formulations for optimal care (pets) and... 

---