Research Publications (Food Safety)

Adrianna Raczkowska, Joanna Trzos, Olga Lewandowska, Marta Nieckarz, Katarzyna Brzostek

The role of chromosomal toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems, ubiquitous within the genomes of free-living bacteria, is still debated. We have scanned the Vibrio cholerae N16961 genome for class 2 TA genes and identified 18 gene-pair candidates. Interestingly, all but one are located in the chromosome 2 superintegron (SI). The single TA found outside of the SI is located on chromosome 1 and is related to the well-characterized HipAB family known to play a role in antibiotic persistence.

Publication date: Available online 17 April 2015

Author(s): Gerjo J. de Knegt , Irma A.J.M. Bakker-Woudenberg , Dick van Soolingen , Rob Aarnoutse , Martin J. Boeree , Jurriaan E.M. de Steenwinkel

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

Foodborne Pathogens and Disease , Vol. 0, No. 0.

In food safety management, sampling is an important tool for verifying control. Sampling by nature is a stochastic process. However, uncertainty regarding results is made even greater by the uneven distribution of microorganisms in a batch of food. This article reviews statistical aspects of sampling and describes the impact of distributions on the sampling results.

Volume 6, Page 411-433, April 2015, ISSN 1941-1413, eISSN 1941-1421.

Foodborne bacterial pathogens encounter many environmental insults or stresses during food production, processing, storage, distribution, and preparation. However, these pathogens can sense changes in their surroundings and can respond by altering gene expression. A protective response may follow that increases tolerance to one or more stresses.

Tobias Dörr, Brigid M. Davis, Matthew K. Waldor

Aim
To examine the occurrence and quantity of potential pathogens and an indicator of microbial contamination in the sediments of municipal drinking water storage tanks (MDWSTs), given the absence of such data across the United States.

Publication date: Available online 18 April 2015 Food Bioscience Author(s): Fang Yang , Qi Liu , Siyi Pan , Can Xu , Youling L. Xiong The aim of this research was to study the chemical composition and processing adaptability of Chinese chestnuts grown in ten different ecological regions. Results, based on the harvest season 2012, showed that geographic locations significantly influenced the nutritional contents and quality traits of Chinese chestnuts.

Publication date: July 2015
, Volume 219
Author(s): Lixiang Jiang , Jing Luo , Wenjie Dong , Chengmin Wang , Wen Jin , Yuetong Xia , Haijing Wang , Hua Ding , Long Jiang , Hongxuan He

Among 56 blood isolates of Vibrio species identified by sequencing analysis of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, the Bruker Biotyper matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system correctly identified all isolates of Vibrio vulnificus (n = 20), V. parahaemolyticus (n = 2), and V. fluvialis (n = 1) but none of the isolates of serogroup non-O1/O139 (non-serogroup O1, non-O139) V. cholerae (n = 33) to the species level.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an enteropathogen of public health concern because of its ability to cause serious illness and outbreaks. In this prospective study, a diagnostic screening algorithm to categorize STEC infections into risk groups was evaluated. The algorithm consists of prescreening stool specimens with real-time PCR (qPCR) for the presence of stx genes.

Diarrhea due to enteric bacterial pathogens causes significant morbidity and mortality in the United States and worldwide. However, bacterial pathogens may be infrequently identified. Currently, culture and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) are the primary methods used by clinical laboratories to detect enteric bacterial pathogens.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) genotype 3 is endemic in Europe and hyperendemic in southern France. Recent reports of a high prevalence of HEV RNA in blood donations and in culinary specialties from this geographical area confirmed the endemicity of HEV and sources of viral transmission in this geographical area. HEV causes acute and chronic hepatitis in solid organ transplant recipients.

Serotyping forms the basis of national and international surveillance networks for Salmonella, one of the most prevalent foodborne pathogens worldwide ( 1 – 3 ). Public health microbiology is currently being transformed by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which opens the door to serotype determination using WGS data.

The impact of bread fortification with dry spent yeast from brewing industry on physical, chemical and sensorial characteristics of home-made bread was evaluated with the goal of increasing its β-glucan content. A serving of 50 g of bread fortified with dry spent yeast increased β-glucan intake from 65 to 125 mg, which is within the guidelines suggested by European Food Safety Authority.

Cronobacter species are foodborne pathogens associated with neonatal meningitis, sepsis and necrotizing enterocolitis through consumption of contaminated powdered milk. However, there are no specific targets used for differentiating Cronobacter species. The DNA-based assay and polyphasic analysis have facilitated the detection and typing of Cronobacter species in foodborne outbreaks. In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and dot hybridization for detecting Cronobacter spp.

Following a large outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 infection in 2012, the prerequisite program for the production of pickles in Japan was revised to include disinfection with sodium hypochlorite (NaClO). Here, we examined the indicator bacterial counts, incidence of STEC and Salmonella spp.

Publication date: Available online 16 April 2015 Food Bioscience Author(s): Idrees Ahmed Wani , Arif Ali Wani , Adil Gani , Sabeera Muzaffar , Mohammad Khalid Gul , Farooq Ahmad Masoodi , Touseef Ahmad Wani Flour prepared from wild arrowhead tubers was treated by gamma-irradiation at 0, 5, 10 and 15kGy doses. Chemical composition of native flour revealed moisture, protein, fat and ash contents were 8.55g/100g, 15.62g/100g, 6.01g/100g and 3.91g/100g, respectively.

Nana Su, Yanwu Lu, Qi Wu, Yuanyuan Liu, Yan Xia, Kai Xia, Jin Cui Raphanus sativus L. cv. Yanghua sprouts are rich in health‐promoting anthocyanins; thus hypocotyls show a red color under light. In this study, effects of UV‐B irradiation at 5 W m−2 on anthocyanin biosynthesis in the hypocotyls of radish sprouts were investigated.