Research Publications (Food Safety)

The ability to sense and respond effectively to acidic stress is important for microorganisms to survive and proliferate in fluctuating environments. As specific metabolic activities can serve to buffer the cytoplasmic pH, microorganisms rewire their metabolism to favour these reactions and thereby mitigate acid stress. The orally acquired pathogen Listeria monocytogenes exploits alternative metabolic activities to overcome the acidic stress encountered in the human stomach or food products.

Throughout history, Turkish coffee has been the most widely consumed type of coffee in Turkey. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the amount of ochratoxin A (OTA) present in Turkish coffee and to analyze any potential health hazards. A total of 41 Turkish coffees were collected and analyzed for OTA activity using a competitive enzyme immunoassay (ELISA).

Microbiology Resource Announcements, Ahead of Print.

Abstract River confluences with a compound‐channel tributary are common in large river networks, for example, the Yangtze River basin and the Amazon basin. They affect the confluence hydrodynamics, nutrient depletion and fish migration in the network, due to the seasonal exposure and submergence of the tributary floodplain. The corresponding influencing mechanisms are critical but poorly understood.

Phenolic extract from patawa fruits was encapsulated into acetylated cashew gum polysaccharides and chitosan nanoparticles. acCGP/CS@PEP nanoparticles presented improved antioxidant and antibacterial properties against foodborne pathogens. Summary One recent trend in the food industry is using natural antioxidants and antimicrobials as additives for developing multi‐functional packaging.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is an important cereal crop worldwide. Contaminated maize kernels pose a significant mycotoxin exposure risk for humans in Latin America. Fumonisins, the most prevalent mycotoxin in maize, typically occur during pre-harvest conditions leading to significant economic losses. Various factors, including weather conditions, may influence this contamination.

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease impacting over 250 million individuals globally, remains a major public health challenge due to its prevalence and significant impact on affected communities. Praziquantel, the sole available treatment, highlights the urgency of the need for novel anthelmintic agents to achieve the World Health Organization (WHO) goal of schistosomiasis elimination.

Abstract The conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following the peer review of the initial risk assessments carried out by the competent authority of the rapporteur Member State The Netherlands for the pesticide active substance 1‐methylcyclopropene are reported. The context of the peer review was that required by Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council for an amendment in approval conditions.

A new method for screening 300 pesticide residues in fruit‐, vegetable‐, and cereal‐based baby foods by an improved QuEChERS purification method based on amino‐functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (NH2‐MWCNTs) combined with gas chromatography‐electrostatic field orbitrap high‐resolution mass spectrometry (Orbitrap GC‐MS) was developed.

This review evaluates recent novel technologies for aflatoxins decontamination by physical method (microwave heating, Gama and electron beam irradiation, pulse light and ultraviolet), chemical method (ozone, natural plant extracts, and organic acids), and biological method (atoxigenic Aspergillus strains, Trichoderma spp., and bacteria and yeast). The study also highlights on the cutting‐edge technologies of smart packaging and artificial intelligence.

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a type B trichothecene mycotoxin that is commonly found in cereals and grains worldwide. The presence of this fungal secondary-metabolite raises public-health concerns at both the agric...

Modified atmosphere package (MAP), as a practical, economic, and easy to operate food package technique, has experienced a rapid development in both scientific and industrial communities. In recent years, given the superiority of super-atmospheric O2 (SO) MAP in preserving fruits and vegetables relative to low O2 and/or high CO2 MAP, SO MAP is back on the radar of researchers.

The homologous E6-AP carboxy-terminal structural domain (HECT) contained in E3 ubiquitin ligases (E3s) is a key factor in protein degradation and maintenance of cellular homeostasis in animals. However, the functional roles and evolutionary aspects of the HECT gene family in bivalve mussels remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

Abstract Grain yield response to consumptive water use a.k.a. evapotranspiration (ETc) is a critical dimension of food‐water nexus in irrigated agroecosystems. With the largest water footprint, irrigated corn production in the U.S. must be assessed for its ETc and water use efficiency (WUE) at a scale meaningful for producers and water managers.

With its historical roots, Iranian traditional medicine has played a significant role in addressing liver‐related disorders and providing alternative approaches to synthetic drugs. Liver‐related disorders, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, pose significant health challenges worldwide. From traditional practices and indigenous knowledge, Iranian traditional medicine offers a holistic approach to liver health.

Cadmium is one of the most hazardous environmental pollutants for plants due to its mobility and high toxicity. One effective method that may be utilized to decrease heavy metal pollution in the soil is the use of nano-chelated iron. In the present study, lettuce plants were treated with four different concentrations of cadmium chloride, two different concentrations of nano-chelated iron, and six combinations of cadmium chloride+nano-chelated iron.

Milking methods have significant impacts on the microbiological composition, which could affect the quality of raw buffalo milk. Hence, the current study was conducted on the impact of milking methods on microorganisms in buffalo tank raw milk from 15 farms in Guangxi, China. The farms were divided into two groups based on the milking method: mechanical milking (MM, n = 6) and hand milking (HM, n = 9).

Bacillus cereus sensu stricto is a foodborne pathogen that causes food poisoning. Their spore and biofilm-forming abilities persist in various environments and foods. This study investigated the prevalence, virulence, antibiotic resistance, and genetic diversity of B. cereus s. s. strains isolated from various food samples. Of 179 samples, 22.34% were positive for B. cereus s. s., with significantly high detection rates in milk products and raw chicken meat.

A two‐level factorial design was used to evaluate the effect of food‐related stresses on the biofilm formation ability of Salmonella serotypes. Freezing time was the most important factor affecting biofilm formation response of Salmonella. Interaction of pH and heat was the most significant interactive effect on biofilm of S. typhi. Interaction of NaCl and cold showed the most significant effect on the biofilms of S. enteritidis and S. typhimurium.

by Shinnosuke Sawano, Satoshi Kodera, Naoto Setoguchi, Kengo Tanabe, Shunichi Kushida, Junji Kanda, Mike Saji, Mamoru Nanasato, Hisataka Maki, Hideo Fujita, Nahoko Kato, Hiroyuki Watanabe, Minami Suzuki, Masao Takahashi, Naoko Sawada, Masao Yamasaki, Masataka Sato, Susumu Katsushika, Hiroki Shinohara, Norifumi Takeda, Katsuhito Fujiu, Masao Daimon, Hiroshi Akazawa, Hiroyuki Morita, Issei Komuro