Research Publications (Food Safety)

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important foodborne pathogen and has been implicated in numerous food poisoning outbreaks worldwide. Although several microbiological and molecular methods have been developed to detect E. coli O157:H7, the difficulty to rapidly detect low levels of the foodborne bacteria persists. Here, the optimization of a filtration technique to concentrate and rapidly detect E. coli O157:H7 was conducted.

This study dealt about the volatile profile of Brassica rapa subsp. pekinensis (BRARP) using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) and computer‐based molecular docking method. Its antimicrobial effect was also evaluated to determine the bioactive potential of BRARP (1.5% and 2% w/v) extract on the shelf life of beef for 16 days of refrigeration storage. The Caenorhabditis elegans was used as an in vivo model for chemotaxis and colonization in the intestinal lumen of the worm.

The present study aimed to investigate the incidence, virulence and antibiotic properties in Vibrio spp. isolated from cockles (Tegillarca granosa) marketed in Korea. A total of 32 Vibrio spp. isolates including V. parahaemolyticus (n=4), V. alginolyticus (n=11), V. diabolicus (n=14), and V. harveyi (n=3) were detected using gyrB sequencing.

The indiscriminate use of antimicrobials in aquaculture results in antibiotic selection pressure and proliferation of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria. Frequent assessment of antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture environment is inevitable so as to reduce the passage of clinically important AMR from aquatic to other environment. The present study analysed the antimicrobial resistance of pathogens associated with diseased koi carp and goldfish from an ornamental fish farm.

Aim To study Weissella cibaria and W. confusa strains, Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) members, naturally present in food products, but not yet included in Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) list of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Methods and Results We carried out a comparative genome analysis of 23 sequenced W. cibaria and seven W.

Aim To evaluate antimicrobial effect of paeoniflorin against carbapenem‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP). Methods and Results Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of paeoniflorin against CRKP was determined by agar dilution method. Changes in intracellular ATP concentration, intracellular pH (pHin), cell membrane potential and membrane integrity were investigated to assess the influence of paeoniflorin on cell membrane damage.

Background Despite the growing importance of probiotics vivid health benefits, an impediment to the use of new probiotic cultures is their safety. Hence, there is a need to strictly examine the biosafety as well as health benefits of probiotics in vivo model system. Results In this study, two lactic acid bacterial (LAB) cultures Lactobacillus fermentum NCMR 2826 and FIX proven for their in vitro probiotic properties were investigated for their in vivo safety in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND Nitroxynil (NIT) is a veterinary drug against hepatic fluke disease for food‐producing cattle and sheep. NIT has a long half‐time in animals since it is highly bound to plasma protein. Therefore, NIT possibly remains in animal edible tissues or milk due to drug abuse. Herein, a specific murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) against NIT was prepared. An immunochromatographic strip assay which was based on the mAb was developed for screening NIT in milk.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different cooking methods on the β-carotene content of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius) leaves. Three cooking methods have been experimented. Jute mallow raw leaves was respectively boiled for 15 and 30 minutes in water (CW), in water containing ash leachate (CWA) and frying for 5 minutes followed by cooking with water (CWF) for 15 and 30 minutes.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/ CPPS) has a negative impact on the quality of life, and its etiology still remains unknown. Although many treatment protocols have been evaluated in CP/CPPS, the outcomes have usually been disappointing.

The detection of catalytically active botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) can be achieved by monitoring the enzymatic cleavage of soluble NSF (N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins by the toxins’ light chains (LC) in cleavage-based assays. Thus, for sensitive BoNT detection, optimal cleavage conditions for the clinically relevant A–F serotypes are required.

Whether Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, can persist for long periods in the human body has been a controversial question. The objective of this study was to see if we could find B. burgdorferi in a Lyme disease patient after a long clinical course and after long-term antibiotic treatment. Therefore, we investigated the potential presence of B.

by Shan Lu, Zhongyun Dong

Bacteriophages that infect the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes were previously isolated from New York dairy farms. The complete genome sequences for three of these Listeria phages, with genome sizes of 64.6 to 65.7 kb, are presented here. Listeria phages LP-010, LP-013, and LP-031-2 are siphoviruses that belong to the genus Homburgvirus.

We report high-quality closed reference genomes for 1 bovine strain and 10 human Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains from serogroups O26, O45, O91, O103, O104, O111, O113, O121, O145, and O157. We also report draft assemblies, with standardized metadata, for 360 STEC strains isolated from watersheds, animals, farms, food, and human infections.

Author(s): Jesus D. Fernandez-Bayo, Emily A. Shea, Amy E. Parr, Yigal Achmon, James J. Stapleton, Jean S. VanderGheynst, Amanda K. Hodson, Christopher W. Simmons

Author(s): Diana Matos, Carina Sá, Paulo Cardoso, Adília Pires, Sílvia M. Rocha, Etelvina Figueira

Author(s): Florian Zindler, Franziska Beedgen, Diana Brandt, Madeleine Steiner, Daniel Stengel, Lisa Baumann, Thomas Braunbeck

Author(s): Yuanyuan Pan, Yan Zhang, Jun-Hu Cheng, Da-Wen Sun

The present study assessed the occurrence, virulence determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Vibrio spp. isolated from live Manila clam (Ruditapes philippinarum). A total of 31 Vibrio spp. including 27 V. diabolicus, 2 V. fluvialis, 1 V. alginolyticus, and 1 V. antiquarius were isolated and identified.

This study was aimed to develop a rapid technique for detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) by Photobacterium leiognathi (P. leiognathi) based on its inhibition of luminescence on P. leiognathi. The freeze‐dried powder of P. leiognathi was incubated and grown aerobically in sterile liquid medium at 28℃ for 20 h. Optical cell density (OD) at wavelength of 610 nm was measured using UV spectrometer every 2 h.

EchAMP, the tenth most abundant transcript expressed in the mammary gland of echidna, has in vitro broad-spectrum antibacterial effects. However, the effects of EchAMP on mastitis, a condition where inflammation is triggered following mammary gland infection, has not been investigated. To investigate the impact of EchAMP against mastitis, EchAMP transgenic mice were generated.

The purpose of this review is to present information about the role of activation of aflatoxins and other mycotoxins, of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway. Aflatoxins and other mycotoxins are a diverse group of secondary metabolites that can be contaminants in a broad range of agricultural products and feeds. Some species of Aspergillus, Alternaria, Penicilium, and Fusarium are major producers of mycotoxins, some of which are toxic and carcinogenic.

Campylobacter jejuni is the most common bacterial cause of foodborne zoonosis in the European Union. Infections are often linked to the consumption and handling of poultry meat. The aim of the present study was to investigate the caecal microbiota of birds infected with C. jejuni at different ages. Therefore, a total of 180 birds of the laying hybrid Lohmann Brown-Classic were housed in 12 subgroups of 15 animals each in three performed repetitions.

Necrotic enteritis (NE) causes huge economic losses to the poultry industry. Probiotics are used as potential alternatives to antibiotics to prevent NE. It is known that Clostridium butyricum can act as a probiotic that can prevent infection. However, whether or not it exerts a beneficial effect on NE in chickens remains elusive. Therefore, we investigated the impact of C.