M. M. Hewedi

Monoclonal antibody‐based ELISA for the detection of ethyl parathion

An enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a monoclonal antibody for the detection of ethyl parathion has been developed. The assay is capable of detecting ethyl parathion in water or milk in the range 0.001–40 μg ml‐1. The specificity of the technique was studied by inhibition assay. Cross‐reactivity with related compounds showed that the antibody reacted with ethyl parathion, methyl parathion and reduced parathion but did not react significantly with the structurally related compounds paraxon, p‐nitrophenol, malathion and dimethoate. Cross‐reactions at 40 μg gl‐1, the highest concentration assayed, produced inhibition by paraxon (40%), p‐nitrophenol (30%), malathion (15%) and dimethoate (0%).

Application of an aldrin and dieldrin ELISA to the detection of pesticides in eggs

This paper details the results obtained when a number of egg samples, collected in Egypt from different races of chicken were analyzed for the presence of the organochlorine insecticides aldrin and dieldrin. A simple ELISA was used for the detection and quantification of aldrin and dieldrin. The test was modified for application in this high protein system. Pesticide was detected in 83–352% (14/17) of the samples at levels ranging from 0.006 to 0.7 ppm (0.006 to 0.7 μg ml‐1). People eating eggs containing these amounts of pesticides which are above the World Health Organisation average daily intake levels would be at increased risk.

Detection of aldrin and dieldrin in egyptian milk samples using a competitive ELISA

A number of milk samples collected in Egypt from different animal species and at different locations were analyzed for the presence of the organochloride pesticides aldrin and dieldrin. A simple competitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection and quantification of aldrin and dieldrin in milk samples from different species: buffalo, cow, goat, sheep and donkey. Pesticides were detected in 62.5% (10/16) of the buffalo milk samples, 73.33% (11/15) of the cows’ milk samples, 25% (3/12) of the goats’ milk samples, 71.42% (5/7) of the sheeps’ milk samples and 66–66% (2/3) of the donkeys’ milk samples.

Detection of dieldrin in milk by (ELISA)

Polyclonal antibodies against an aldrin/dieldrin immunogen have been raised in rabbits and used as the basis of an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). This assay can detect dieldrin in milk in the range 5 μg ml ‐1 to Ing ml ‐1 reliably. This range differs in skimmed and semi‐skimmed milk, and in cream, reflecting the differences in fat content between these samples.

Food production and service in UK hospitals

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to apply value stream mapping holistically to hospital food production/service systems focused on high-quality food. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH Multiple embedded case study of three (two private-sector and one public-sector) hospitals in the UK. FINDINGS The results indicated various issues affecting hospital food production including: the menu and nutritional considerations; food procurement; food production; foodservice; patient perceptions/expectations. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS Value stream mapping is a new approach for food production systems in UK hospitals whether private or public hospitals. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The paper identifies opportunities for enhancing hospital food production systems. ORIGINALITY/VALUE The paper provides a theoretical basis for process enhancement of hospital food production and the provision of high-quality hospital food.

Detection of cow milk admixture to buffalo milk

A method has been devised that gives the distribution of various fatty acids of pure and adulterated buffalo milk with cow milk. Gas chromatography (GC) was used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of fatty acids of authentic buffalo milk, cow milk and buffalo milk adulterated with cow milk. The milk fat was separated by fractional crystallization at -20 C into 2 fractions, i.e., semisolid and mother liquor. The concentration of fatty acids in the mother liquor changed significantly for 14:0, 16:0 and 18:1 as adulteration levels were increased. The fatty acids of the semisolid fractions change in the proportion of 16:0, 18:0 and 18:1 when cow milk is mixed with buffalo milk. By applying simple regression equations for these acids, adulteration of buffalo milk with 5% cow milk could be distinguished.

Factors Affecting the Development of Target Competencies Among Final-Year Tourism and Hospitality Students in Egypt

This research investigates the contribution of each dimension in the educational process to the development of target competencies that tourism and hospitality employers seek in graduates. Using a sample of 506 senior students in 7 public universities, and using structural equation modeling, we found that 5 out of 8 dimensions in the educational process significantly affect the development of target competencies. In turn, these target competencies significantly affect the ability of students to get a job in the tourism and hospitality market. It was found that staff members, teaching methods, and facilities provided to support the teaching process are still below students’ expectations. This study is useful for policymakers who wish to do their best to improve the quality of tourism higher education in Egypt and increase its competitiveness.

Development of an Indirect Competitive ELISA for Aldrin/Dieldrin in Human Milk Samples Collected in Egypt

Human milk samples (80) collected from 10 different cities in Egypt were tested for aldrin/dieldrin using an indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pesticides were detected in 73 of the 80 samples (91.25%) at levels ranging from 0.005 to 28 μg ml‐1. These results present evidence for the persistence (or continued use) of these pesticides in Egyptian agriculture and their transmission through the food chain. More significantly the levels of pesticide in maternal milk (0.006–28 ppm) represent an unacceptably high level for infant intake; the maximum average daily intake is 0.0001 mg kg‐1 body weight (WHO, 1972).

Detection of porcine pepsin in rennet mixtures used in cheese making by ELISA

An ELISA for the detection of porcine pepsin has been developed. Porcine pepsin was detected using this assay at concentrations of ≥ 1 μg ml‐1. Other cheese rennetting agents, such as bovine rennet or Mucor miehei rennet did not cross‐react in the assay either separately or in mixtures. The ELISA was used for the determination of porcine pepsin at concentrations of 1% (10 μg ml‐1) and over in combination with bovine rennet/M. miehei rennet mixtures. The effects on the assay of samples which had been subjected to a pH range between 5.0 and 7.0 (which may be encountered during the storage of rennet mixtures and in cheese making procedures), were tested. Similarly pre‐incubation of porcine pepsin in the presence of NaCl up to 10%, conditions encountered in certain salty cheese preparations, had no subsequent effect on the sensitivity of the assay when such samples were tested. Milk proteins showed no cross‐reactivity with the anti‐porcine pepsin and increasing concentrations of casein to 75 mg ml‐1 caused no...

Tourism and hospitality postgraduate research experience: A highlight of tourism and hospitality research issues in Egyptian higher education

Abstract This paper explores the problems and constraints that encounter postgraduates, their perceptions and whether they consider their research experience to be satisfying and rewarding. The research population was all postgraduates who have completed either a Masters or a PhD in tourism and hotel faculties in the Egyptian universities prior to September 2002. The questionnaire used an agree-disagree scale and focused on the following dimensions: supervision, intellectual atmosphere, skills development, thesis examination process, clarity of goals and expectations, and overall satisfaction. Respondents were satisfied with their experience regarding “skills development” and “thesis examination process,” where the agreement percentage constituted 84.66% and 79.48%, respectively. Dissatisfaction was expressed for “intellectual atmosphere” and “infrastructure.” The agreement percentage for the “overall satisfaction” was 57.19%. Results proved that the postgraduate research experience satisfaction (PRES) is closely correlated to supervision, intellectual atmosphere, skills development, thesis examination process, and clarity of goals and expectations. Moreover, the overall satisfaction of respondents is closely correlated with all sub-scales (r above 0.95), which confirms the importance of all sub-scales in achieving the overall satisfaction among graduates.