Methods of analysis for toxic elements in food products. 3. Limit of determination of methods for assuring safety

To evaluate the suitability of the analytical methods used in determining food safety, a new metrological characteristic "MQS" is suggested. MQS is defined as the absolute minimum quantity in micrograms of a substance that can be determined in a test solution (solubilized test portion). MQS accounts for 2 factors: (a) the necessity for a reliable determination of ML (maximum permitted level, i.e., regulatory tolerance), and (b) the optimum quantity of test portion of a food product to be analyzed, and thus assists in evaluating the suitability of a method to assure food safety. The MQS of 8 toxic elements in any food are As, 3; Cd, 0.5; Cu, 20; Fe, 50; Hg, 0.2; Pb, 4; Sn, 200; Zn, 100 micrograms. To characterize the applicability of any given method, the specific minimum limit of determination, MQSM, must be established for each method. The method in question may be used to control food safety only if MQSM is less than MQS. MQSM values are given for the common polarographic and colorimetric methods for determining these elements.     

Malignant catarrhal fever in a swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) calf in New Zealand

Malignant catarrhal fever was diagnosed in a newly imported swamp buffalo calf. This disease is prevalent in deer and cattle in New Zealand and causes sporadic losses in these species. The disease is recognised as a problem in buffaloes overseas and this paper records the first case in a swamp buffalo in New Zealand.     

Responses of immune and nonimmune adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to adenovirus SV-20.

Adenovirus SV-20 (ASV-20) was inoculated subcutaneously into adult rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), and various immunologic parameters were studied. Similar changes were observed in macaques that had anti-ASV-20 serum-neutralizing antibodies prior to inoculation and in those lacking detectable antibodies. There were absolute decreases in numbers of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), erythrocyte-rosetting lymphocytes, complement-receptor lymphocytes, and Fc-receptor lymphocytes. These changes were most significant (P less than 0.05) on postinoculation days (PID) 3 and 7. Mitogenic responsiveness to concanavalin A, phytohemagglutinin, and pokeweed mitogen in cultured PBL from immune and nonimmune macaques was depressed on PID 3, 7, and 14. Ultraviolet-inactivated ASV-20 caused moderate suppression of phytohemagglutinin-induced mitogenesis when viral particles and lectin were added simultaneously to PBL cultures. Plasma cortisol (hydrocortisone) values were not significantly altered following inoculation of ASV-20. High titers of anti-ASV-20 antibody developed by PID 7 in nonimmune macaques, and previously immune macaques showed a booster effect in the same time period. Antibody titers were still increased 120 days after inoculation. There was no clinical evidence of an adverse effect of ASV-20 infection in these macaques.