Research Publications (Food Safety)

A novel film was developed from barberry (BA) anthocyanins immobilized on cobalt-based metal–organic framework (Co-MOF) nanoparticles utilizing biodegradable polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan nanofiber (ChNF) as intelligent and active packaging for red meat freshness.

In this pioneering in silico study in Peru, we aimed to analyze Escherichia coli (E. coli) genomes for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) diversity and virulence and for its mobilome. For this purpose, 469 assemblies from human, domestic, and wild animal hosts were investigated. Of these genomes, three were E. coli strains (pv05, pv06, and sf25) isolated from chickens in our previous study, characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility profile, and sequenced in this study.

Imazethapyr is the most common herbicide used for weed management in pulses. A field trial was carried out with imazethapyr 10% SL formulation at 100 and 150 g a.i./ha application rates, as pre-and post-emergence, to study dissipation of imazethapyr in soil, persistence in urdbean plant, terminal residues in urdbean grains and effect on soil microbes.

Traditional polysaccharide-based films, though environmentally friendly, face challenges like poor heat resistance and susceptibility to bacterial contamination, limiting their application in bio-based and smart food packaging. This study presents a novel composite film by incorporating zinc ions (Zn2+) into hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and sodium alginate (SA). This HPMC/zinc-alginate (ZA) film aims to address these limitations.

In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of octyl gallate (OG), an antioxidant food additive, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial pathogens. OG demonstrated robust bactericidal activity against Gram-positive bacterial pathogens with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 4 to 8 µg/mL and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of 8 to 16 µg/mL in vitro.

Staphylococcus spp. poses a significant threat to human and animal health due to their capacity to cause a wide range of infections in both. In this study, resistance genes conferring antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus spp. and Mammaliicoccus sciuri isolates from humans and poultry in Edo state, Nigeria, were investigated. In April 2017, 61 Staphylococcus spp. isolates were obtained from urine, wounds, nasal and chicken fecal samples.

Wolverines are facultative scavengers that feed near the top of terrestrial food chains. We characterized concentrations of mercury and other trace elements in tissues of wolverine from a broad geographic area, representing much of their contemporary distribution in northwestern North America. We obtained tissues from 504 wolverines, from which mercury was measured on muscle (n = 448), kidney (n = 222), liver (n = 148), hair (n = 130), and brain (n = 52).

Eight E. coli phylotypes were identified in freshwater samples; A and B1 were prevalent in dairy and urban areas, while B2 was common in low‐impact sites. Pathogens were found in 89.9% of samples, posing a potential recreational health risk even with low E. coli concentrations and absence of common faecal sources.

Abstract Concerns about food safety have consistently driven the exploration of potent antimicrobials with probiotic origins. Identification of probiotic‐derived bacteriocins as robust alternatives to antibiotics has gained traction following the COVID‐19 pandemic. Additionally, the global market is witnessing an increasing preference for minimally processed food products free from chemical additives.

by Lin Chen, Haider Khan, Lingchen Tan, Xiaojie Li, Gongchun Zhang, Young Jun Im

by Tadesse Atanaw, Getu Girmay, Aragaw Zemene, Muluneh Assefa, Tewodros Eshetie, Gezahegn Bewket, Fikadu Alemiye, Debaka Belete, Nega Birhane

Background

This study aimed to investigate the aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) degradation as a result of using cold plasma by dielectric barrier discharge method at atmospheric pressure with gases (air, nitrogen, argon, and nitrogen + argon) at different times (0, 5, 15, 25, and 35 min) and also to model AFB1 inactivation, cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Hep-G2), and AFB1 bioaccessibility in simulated gastrointestinal conditions.

Saxitoxin (STX), an exceptionally potent marine toxin for which no antidote is currently available, is produced by methanogens and cyanobacteria. This poses a significant threat to both shellfish aquaculture and human health. Consequently, the development of a rapid, highly sensitive STX detection method is of great significance. The objective of this research is to create a novel approach for identifying STX.

Acute Infectious Diarrhea (AID) and the short- and long-term complications associated with it are major causes of hospitalization worldwide. In Italy, due to a lack of robust surveillance programs, only limited data has been collected on their prevalence and circulation. This study aims to evaluate the resistance pattern of enteric pathogens and their epidemiological trends over a six-year period.

The global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is exacerbated by the mobilization of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) occurring in different environmental niches, including seawater. Marine environments serve as reservoirs for resistant bacteria and ARGs, further complicated by the ubiquity of microplastics (MPs). MPs can adsorb pollutants and promote bacterial biofilm formation, creating conditions favorable to the dissemination of ARGs.