Research Publications (Food Safety)

Author(s): Paula Vasconcelos Costa, Luiza Vasconcellos, Ingrid Camelo da Silva, Valéria de Mello Medeiros, Stephen James Forsythe, Marcelo Luiz Lima Brandão

Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) is a group of bacteria commonly found in diverse environments, including foods, with potential to cause emesis and diarrhea. In Colombia, it is one of the main foodborne pathogens. The aim of this study was to determine the genomic and toxigenic heterogeneity of B. cereus s.l. isolated from ready-to-eat foods and powdered milk collected in day care centers of Medellin, Colombia. Of 112 B. cereus s.l. isolates obtained, 94% were β-hemolytic.

Author(s): Selina Brighina, Cristina Restuccia, Elena Arena, Rosa Palmeri, Biagio Fallico

Attiéké is the major fermented plant food in Côte d'Ivoire. The aim of this study was to identify hazards and critical control points (CCP) in order to implement a HACCP system for the production of attiéké. Physico‐chemical and microbiological analyses were carried out. pH of the cossettes used as raw material for attieke process was slightly acidic (6·5 ± 0·23). But attiéké produced had an acid pH (4·55 ± 0·67).

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of raw vegetable products present on the German market regarding toxin-producing Bacillus cereus sensu lato (s.l.) group bacteria.

The microbial population of kefir made from Korean kefir grain was profiled via next‐generation sequencing technology at the species level. Interestingly, Acetobacter fabarum was the second most predominent bacteria in kefir. We isolated Acetobacter fabarum DH1801 strain and revealed its potent and broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria. This could contribute to the anti‐contamination and probiotic attributes of Korean kefir.

The chemical and anti-nutritional, antioxidative and anti-microbial properties of seeds from Acacia cyclops, Acacia microbotrya and Acacia victoriae(which are legumes) traditionally consumed by indigenous Western Australians were studied for the first time for their potential as commercial food components. A. microbotrya (2.7 CIU/g) (α < 0.05) had the highest α-chymotrypsin inhibitor activity, while A.

Author(s): Gabriele Rocchetti, Jorge Pamplona Pagnossa, Francesca Blasi, Lina Cossignani, Roberta Hilsdorf Piccoli, Gokhan Zengin, Domenico Montesano, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Luigi Lucini

Author(s): Junxin Zhao, Ting Peng, Shibo Liang, Maomao Ma, Zheling Zeng, Ping Yu, Deming Gong, Shuguang Deng

The Bacillus cereus group is frequently isolated from soil, plants, food, and other environments. In this study, we report the first isolation and characterization of a B. cereus group member, Bacillus wiedmannii SR52, from the hydrothermal field in the Iheya Ridge of Okinawa Trough. SR52 was isolated from the gills of shrimp Alvinocaris longirostris, an invertebrate species found abundantly in the ecosystems of the hydrothermal vents, and is most closely related to B.

This study aimed to evaluate the possible inhibitory effect of natural lactic acid bacteria on the growth of 2 Bacillus cereus strains. First, we evaluated the behavior of spores of B. cereus GPe2 and D43 when inoculated before cheesemaking using pasteurized or raw milk; no statistical differences were observed between cheese produced with the 2 types of milk.

Author(s): Katesaraporn Nuankeaw, Boonyanoot Chaiyosang, Thanapat Suebrasri, Somdej Kanokmedhakul, Saisaamorn Lumyong, Sophon Boonlue

Both nosocomial pathogens, such as Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae and food-borne pathogens, such as Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens are known to be detrimental to human and animal health. The effectiveness of currently used treatments for these pathogens becomes limited as resistant strains emerge. Therefore, new methods for eliminating bacterial pathogens must be developed continuously.

Awareness of the consumer has increased the demand of safe and chemical-free foods, and consequently it has increased the demand of antibacterial bioactive compounds. In the present study, antibacterial compound produced by a local bacterial isolate NSD MTCC 10072, showing antagonistic activity against six human pathogens, was isolated, partially purified and characterized. Maximum production of antibacterial compound was observed between 51 and 60 h after seeding.

The impact of cold atmospheric pressure plasma treatment on the inactivation kinetics of Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 and the resulting quality changes was investigated in tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) milk (TNM). The effect of input power (39, 43, and 46 W) and treatment time (0 to 270 s) was fitted using the Weibull model to represent the microbial kinetic inactivation in the treated TNM. Inactivation efficacy increased with an increase in treatment time and input power.

This study investigated the combined effects of different doses of UV‐C light at 260 nm (0–1,800 mWs/cm2) and ethanol (0–70%) on the reduction of Escherichia coli and Bacillus cereus in experimentally contaminated Gwamegi (semidried Pacific saury). After combined treatment of 4,800 mWs/cm2 of UV‐C and 70% ethanol, E. coli and B. cereus were reduced by 3.03 and 2.73 log CFU/g, respectively.

Bacillus cereus, a Gram-positive bacterium, is an agent of food poisoning. B. cereus is closely related to Bacillus anthracis, a deadly pathogen for humans, and Bacillus thuringenesis, an insect pathogen. Due to the growing prevalence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, alternative antimicrobials are needed. One such alternative is peptidoglycan hydrolase enzymes, which can lyse Gram-positive bacteria when exposed externally.

For the past few decades, there has been limited progress in the development of novel antibacterials. Previously, we postulated that the gut microbiota of animals residing in polluted environments are a forthcoming supply of antibacterials. Among various species, the water monitor lizard is an interesting species that feeds on organic waste and the carcass of wild animals.

The spoVA2mob operon confers heat resistance to Bacillus spp., and the resistance correlates to the copy number of the operon. Bacillus endospores also exhibit a strong variation in resistance to pressure, but the underlying mechanisms of endospore resistance to pressure are not fully understood. We determined the effects of multiple spoVA2mob operons on high-pressure resistance in Bacillus endospores.

Author(s): Martin D. Webb, Gary C. Barker, Kaarin E. Goodburn, Michael W. Peck

Abstract

Background

Spores of psychrotrophic Bacillus cereus may survive the mild heat treatments given to minimally processed chilled foods. Subsequent germination and cell multiplication during refrigerated storage may lead to bacterial concentrations that are hazardous to health.

Author(s): Katia Rouzeau-Szynalski, Katharina Stollewerk, Ute Messelhäusser, Monika Ehling-Schulz

Author(s): Shruti Shukla, Jong Suk Lee, Vivek K. Bajpai, Imran Khan, Yun Suk Huh, Young-Kyu Han, Myunghee Kim

This study evaluated the inactivation effect of the ultrasonic treatment combined with acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) on Bacillus cereus. Ultrasound treatment for 10 min induced 0.69 log CFU/ml reduction of B. cereus in sterile saline, while AEW treatment resulted in 1.05 log CFU/ml for the same time. Simultaneous ultrasound and AEW treatment reduced 1.98 log CFU/mL which had synergistic effect for 10 min at 20°C.

The presence of very high concentrations of organic pollutants, phenols, tannins and heavy metals mainly chromium in wastewater discharged from leather industries, tags it as one of the most polluting industries. The phenolic syntans discharged from tanning units have an adverse effect on living organisms and cause serious environmental pollution, thereby making it very imperative to remove it.

Author(s): Saerom Lee, Misook Kim