Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a principal hydroxylated-aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) metabolite, and has been classified as possible human carcinogen (group 2B). The aim of this study was to survey the contamination level, estimated daily intake (EDI) and tolerable daily intake % (TDI%) of AFM1 in Jordanian infant milk formulas. A total of 120 samples, 48 starter and 72 follow-on formula samples were collected and analyzed using ELISA technique. Of the 120 surveyed samples, 58 (48.33%) were AFM1-positive and exceeded the EU maximum limit for AFM1 in IMF (25 ng/kg). The average AFM1 concentration was 69.93 and 84.78 ng AFM1/kg, with range of <5 − 89.25 and <5 – 213.84 ng AFM1/kg in starter and follow-on formula, respectively. It is also noteworthy the high EDI of AFM1 by infants (1.557 and 1.551 ng AFM1/kg b.w./day), and the high TDI% values (786.9 and 775.9%). In addition, current study indicated high-extrapolated AFB1 content in the feed; accordingly, raised the need to implement good agricultural and hygienic practices as preventive and controlling measures to decrease AFM1 in milk and IMF through controlling AFB1 in feed at the farm level. Finally, it is obvious that the contamination of IMF by AFM1 is an international problem, and the protection of infants and young children against AFM1 in Jordan requires a fundamental setup of clear legal limits of AFM1 in Jordanian standards and strict monitoring and continual analysis of IMF traded and consumed in Jordan.

Background and Aim: Sulfamethazine (SMZ) is an important and widely used antibiotic in poultry industry due to its high efficacy in fighting diseases and promoting growth. In addition, SMZ is a possible human carcinogen and has been found in many food types including poultry meat. Accordingly, this study aimed to survey the contamination level and estimated daily intake (EDI) of SMZ in domestic and imported poultry meat samples in Jordan. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 samples; 60, 30, and 30 of fresh and frozen domestic and frozen imported poultry samples, respectively, were collected from different cities in Jordan. Poultry samples were analyzed for SMZ incidence rate and contamination level using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. EDI values were calculated from the SMZ concentration, average poultry daily consumption rate, and adult body weight (b.w.). Results: Of the 120 surveyed samples, 20 samples (16.7%) were SMZ violative positive and exceeded the European Union maximum limit (100 μg/kg) and accordingly were unfit for human consumption. Whereas, 51 samples (42.5%) were with SMZ concentrations of 10-100 μg/kg. The average SMZ concentration was 235.58 μg/kg, with a range of 11.47-800 μg/kg poultry meat. It is also noteworthy the high EDI of SMZ by Jordanian adults, 0.286 μg SMZ/kg b.w./day. Moreover, results prevailed that the highest SMZ incidence rate and contamination level were for imported poultry samples followed by domestic poultry samples, which may indicate that SMZ contamination in poultry meat is an international issue. Conclusion: The current study prevailed high SMZ incidence rate, contamination level, and EDI values, which is likely due to indiscriminate use of SMZ in poultry production. Results also prevailed the high risk that consumers in Jordan may expose due to SMZ residues. Therefore, more strict program and good agricultural practices should be applied to monitor antibiotic withdrawal periods in animals used for human consumption to ensure the legal residue requirements of these antibiotics.

The beneficial application of silver nanoparticles and biostimulants to increase crop yield and quality is a long-term strategy to achieve desired agricultural productions that are resilient to various biotic and abiotic challenges. This project aimed to evaluate the individual effects of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), Ascophyllum nodosum (SEW), and Spirulina platensis (SP) on the growth and physiological responses of Santolina chamaecyparissus. S. chamaecyparissus plants were exposed to AgNPs (20, 40, and 60 mg L⁻¹), SWE (0.5% and 1%), and SP (1%, 2%, and 3%). The finding indicates that the light-harvesting efficiency and plant photochemical capacity are not affected by most treatments except for 60 mg L⁻¹ AgNPs. Furthermore, the pattern of H₂O₂ levels in leaves was significantly higher after AgNP, SP, and SEW treatments. In parallel, total phenolic production was at least accompanied by a burst in H₂O₂ levels. However, higher antioxidant activity compared to the control, is shown by the higher free-DPPH-radical inhibition that goes completely smoothly with lower H₂O₂ levels. Thus, the results of the present study showed that biostimulants overall improved the antioxidant activity of S. chamaecyparissus and induced variable detectable amounts of phenolic compounds in response to the concentrations of each biostimulant.

Currently, it is crucial to screen efficient, safe, and accessible therapies from a variety of prospective antimicrobial agents due to the rapid development of microbial resistance against chemotherapeutic drugs (mainly antibiotics). Bacteriocins are a type of antimicrobial peptide created by bacteria that are ribosomally synthesized. Bacteriocins have evolved into one of the tools used to combat bacteria because of their distinctive traits. Therefore, bacteriocins may replace antibiotics to treat multiple drugs resistance pathogens. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to investigate the antibacterial effects of secondary metabolites from two bacteriocinproducing strains (Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA102) and Lacticaseibacillus casei (LC232)) on 24 pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms either alone or in combination. The 50% inhibitory concentration, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), or minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were determined. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and its effect were also defined. Results showed that all the 12 bacterial and ten fungal strains were inhibited by both bacteriocin-producing strains and only four fungal strains were not affected by all studied 12 strains. It was found that the bactericidal activity of both bacteriocin-producing strains against S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, and the fungi strains M. phaseolina was the highest among all the tested strains. It was also noticed that a combination of (LA102) and (LC232) gives a 20% synergistic effect and 40 % additive relationship and indifferent relationship without any microbes showing an antagonistic relationship. Moreover, to screen for better functional and bacteriocin-producing strains, this study offers a practical, thorough, and shared profile of newly developed antimicrobial agents.

Honey contains natural antioxidants that can help to get rid of free radicals and improve our health. The antioxidant capacity of honey is determined by its chemical makeup. The antioxidant capacity of Monofloral honey, including Eucalyptus flower honey and Weed honey obtained from different Jordanian governorates (Jerash and al-Zarqa) were examined using the phenolic contents (GAE), DPPH free radical scavenging test (%), and Ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay (FRAP). The Folin–Ciocalteu assay was used to assess the total phenol components in terms of the Gallic acid equivalent (GAE) in mg/g. Results showed that the Eucalyptus flower honey, and weeds honey both obtained from Jerash governorate followed by weeds honey obtained from Al-Zarqa governorate have the highest phenolic contents among the honey samples with the values of (10.6734 + 0.006) mg/g, (10.43889 + 0.012) mg/g and (10.1345+ 0.004) mg/g; respectively. The DPPH scavenging assay as compared to BHT scavenging (reference control) 59.61%, has demonstrated that the eucalyptus flower honey obtained from Al-Zarqa governorate and weeds honey obtained from Jerash governorate have exhibited the highest DPPH scavenging among honey samples with the values (12.8734+ 0.008)% and (11.5635+ 0.006)% respectively. Moreover, the reducing power tests of the reference compound ascorbic acid (0.751 mg/ml) have demonstrated that the weeds honey and eucalyptus honey both obtained from Jerash governorate have exhibited the highest reducing power with values of (15.8857+ 0.002) mg/ml and (16.8787+ 0.004) mg/ml respectively. It is important to note that honey has varying levels of antioxidant activity depending on its source and content.