Research Publications (Food Safety)

Detection and classification of potato defects are of great significance to ensure food safety and improve product quality. This study investigated the potential of a novel multispectral imaging system based on single shot method for detection and classification of potato defects. A total of 417 potato samples were used in the experiment. The 25 spectral images with spatial resolution of 409 × 216 pixels over the spectral region between 676 and 952 nm were acquired for each potato.

Phytomanagement used on soils contaminated with metals aims to stabilize them in the soil. It generally uses less demanding tree species such as maple, poplar, and black locust. However, it is important to consider the rate of accumulation of metals in the leaves as well as their location (leaf blade/petiole) together with the contents of cell wall compounds (hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin).

Recall of microbial-contaminated food products is an important intervention in preventing the transmission of foodborne illness. Here, we summarize the number and nature of foods recalled as a result of microbial contamination, classified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, for the period 1 January 2000 through 31 December 2017. A total of 10,432 food products were recalled from 2,094 recall events in Canada because of microbial contamination during this period.

Public unrest about the use of antimicrobial agents in farming practice is the leading cause of increasing and the emergences of Multi-drug Resistant Bacteria that have placed pressure on the agri-food industry to act.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis nicotinamidase/pyrazinamidase (PZAse) is a metalloenzyme that catalyzes conversion of nicotinamide/pyrazinamide to nicotinic acid/pyrazinoic acid. This study investigated whether a metallochaperone is required for optimal PZAse activity.

Blue light (BL) exerts an antimicrobial effect on pathogenic bacteria. It has been hypothesized that its bactericidal activity depends upon the generation of reactive oxygen species (such as anion superoxides) and the resultant cellular damage. However, some aspects of this hypothesis needed to be tested and investigated. Thus, the work conducted herein examined the molecular impact of BL treatment on Cronobacter sakazakii, an emerging foodborne pathogen.

Author(s): Soojin Shim, Sang Hee Soh, Young Bin Im, Hyun-Eui Park, Chong-Su Cho, Suk Kim, Han Sang Yoo

Author(s): Chenlu Fu, Hongling Zhang, Mingzhu Xia, Wu Lei, Fengyun Wang

Author(s): Juan Shen, Quanmin Kang, Yuchan Mao, Mu Yuan, Fang Le, Xinyun Yang, Xiangrong Xu, Fan Jin

Campylobacteriosis is the most commonly reported zoonosis in Ireland and European Union, posing a serious health burden with 9 million cases reported annually in the European Union. Chicken meat is recognized as a major source of human infections, with an estimated 20%–30% of cases of campylobacteriosis in the European Union attributed to the handling, preparation, and consumption of broilers.

This study investigates the optimal combination of clove, cinnamon, lavender, and myrtle essential oils (EOs) against Escherichia coli. After the GC/MS analyses, the antimicrobial activities of the four EOs were screened. Afterward, a statistical mixture design established the right EOs’ combination capable of protecting milk from E. coli. Results illustrated that the EOs were chemically different and efficient against 14 bacteria.

A previously unreported xylated glycosaminoglycan with a β‐D‐Xylop(1 → 3)‐(⋯ → 4)‐GlcpA(1 → 3)‐GlcpNAc(1 → ⋯) framework was isolated to homogeneity from marine buccinid gastropod Babylonia spirata, and was found to possess potential antioxidant and 5‐lipoxygenase attenuation activities. The isolated metabolite might be anticipated as potential naturally‐derived bioactive constituent in functional food and pharmaceutical applications.

In this study, an effective speed‐regulated directly suspended droplet microextraction method was developed to condense pesticide residues from teas through dispersive solid‐phase extraction prior to analysis by GC–MS/MS. The extractant was intentionally dispersed into the sample solution in the form of globules through high‐speed agitation. This procedure increases the contact area between the binary phases and shortens the distribution equilibrium time.

Application of atoxigenic strains to compete against toxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus strains has emerged as one of the practical strategies for reducing aflatoxin contamination in corn, peanut, and tree nuts. The actual mechanism that results in aflatoxin reduction is not fully understood. Real-time RT-PCR and relative quantification of gene expression protocol were applied to elucidate the molecular mechanism.

Degradation of the mycotoxin patulin (PAT) and the generation of (less toxic) breakdown products, such as (E/Z)-ascladiol (ASC-E/Z) and desoxypatulinic acid (D-PAT), can occur due to chemical, physical and biological treatments.

Mycotoxins are fungal secondary metabolites frequently affecting agronomical crops and consequently imposing a major challenge for food safety and public health. In this study, a total of 67 raw cereals (55 maize and 12 sorghum) were collected from the market of Togo. The samples were investigated on the occurrence of 21 mycotoxins using state-of-the-art high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS).

Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in both humans and livestock in developing countries. The only FDA-approved drug available against the same is nitazoxanide, with questionable efficacy in malnourished children and immunocompromised patients.

Aeromonas hydrophila, considered as an emerging pathogen, is increasingly involved in opportunistic human infections. This bacterium, mainly present in aquatic environments, can therefore develop relationships with the free-living amoeba Vermamoeba vermiformis in hospital water networks. We showed in this study that the joint presence of V. vermiformis and A.

This work aimed at investigating the chemical composition, antibacterial properties, and effect mechanism of Smilax china L. polyphenols (SCLP). SCLP was extracted and purified, and then, its eighteen polyphenolic compounds were identified by LC-MS/MS analysis.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), which cause environmental pollution, are found in animal-based fatty foods. Due to their long half-life and lipophilic properties, they can accumulate in the fat tissues of cattle. The study was conducted to compare the PCB levels (PCB28, 52, 101, 118, 138, 153, and 180) in the different fat tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, spinal cord, lung, back fat, perihepatic fat, and perirenal fat) of cattle by age and gender.

To better understand public health implications of waterfowl as reservoirs for zoonotic sources of Campylobacter in recreational waters, we developed a Gallus gallus (chick) model of infection to assess the pathogenicity of environmental isolates of Campylobacter. This method involved exposure of 1-day-old chicks through ingestion of water, the natural route of infection.

by Michael Neidlin, Efthymia Chantzi, George Macheras, Mats G. Gustafsson, Leonidas G. Alexopoulos

Lysobacter antibioticus HS124 inhibited mycelial growth of Fusarium graminearum (74.66%) under the dual culture method. Microscopic investigation clearly showed that amendment with different concentrations (10%, 30%, and 50%) of HS124 bacterial culture filtrate on potato dextrose agar plates caused abnormal hyphal structures, including swelling and distortion. Its inhibition toward mycelial growth of F.

The growth of molds represents a major problem during table olive fermentation. Molds are recognized as spoilage agents and may reduce the product safety for their ability to produce mycotoxins. Yeasts, instead, are usually found in table olive processing and are generally considered desirable microorganisms for their technological properties. In the present study, a model system to select anti‐mold yeasts usable as protective adjunct cultures in table olive fermentation was developed.

Contamination with enniatins A, A1, B and B1 was investigated in 1240 samples of small grain cereals (470 wheat, 260 durum wheat, 282 spring barley, 172 triticale and 56 winter barley) from the French harvests of 2012 to 2014. Associations with Fusarium avenaceum, F. tricinctum and F. poae were assessed, with the identification of Fusarium species by real-time PCR and mycotoxin quantification by LC–MS/MS. Enniatins were common in the fields sampled.