Research Publications (Food Safety)

Interactions across bacterial species boundaries are usually influenced by environmental stresses, yet little has been evaluated regarding multifactorial stresses on the fate of dual-species biofilm formation in food industry.

Foodborne diseases are caused by food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and Clostridium, a critical threat to human health. As a novel antibacterial agent against foodborne pathogens, endolysins are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by bacteriophages that lyse bacterial cells by targeting their cell wall, notably in Gram-positive bacteria due to their naturally exposed peptidoglycan layer.

Antimicrobial treatment procedures are often applied during produce post-harvest processing and storage as a complementary measure to reduce the potential risk of foodborne illness. Herein, we investigate the feasibility and efficacy of utilizing essential oil vapor–assisted plasma treatments to sanitize lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. These fresh produce items are often associated with foodborne illnesses. Additionally, potatoes were chosen to introduce topography diversity into the study.

The study aimed to investigate the response of osmotically adapted and detached biofilm Listeria monocytogenes cells following sequential stresses that occur during the processing of hot smoking, such as heating and smoke application. Thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes was significantly affected by previous osmotic adaptation of the cells. D60oC-values of osmotically adapted L.

Low‐energy x‐rays can be used to reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms in fresh produce, but the efficacy of this process against internalized bacteria in leafy greens has not yet been reported. Low‐energy x‐ray irradiation at 1.5 kGy reduced the internalized pathogens by an average of 4.86 log CFU/g in iceberg lettuce without affecting product quality.

Abstract Background Myoglobin (MB), a pigmentation protein, can adversely affect the antibacterial activity of carvacrol (CAR) and weaken its bacteriostasis effect. This study aimed to clarify the influence of MB on the antibacterial activity of CAR and ascertain the mechanism involved in the observed influence, especially the interaction between the two compounds.

Listeria monocytogenes is a critical foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis and threatens public health. This pathogenic microorganism forms a transmission cycle in nature, food industry, and humans, expanding the areas of contamination among them and influencing food safety. L.

Abstract Listeriosis, an invasive illness with a fatality rate between 20% and 30%, is caused by the ubiquitous bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. Human listeriosis has long been associated with foods. This is because the ubiquitous nature of the bacteria renders it a common food contaminant, posing a significant risk to the food processing sector.

This study aimed to evaluate the level of counting by indicator microorganisms, identify the microbial ecology, detect Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella sp., and determine the presence of virulence genes and biofilm formation. A total of 480 samples were collected from the surfaces of the equipment and utensils using sterile swabs for the detection of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella sp.

Processing of apple juice supplemented with cinnamon essential oils in three different concentrations and processed by pulsed electric field by increased treatment time provided inactivation of endogenous and pathogenic bacteria without adversely affecting the physical, and bioactive properties with an increase in ΔH in thermal properties.

Enterococcus faecium is a prevalent species found in fermented soybean products, known for its contributions to flavor development and inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms during fermentation. This study aims to provide comprehensive phenotypic and genomic evidence supporting the probiotic characteristics of E. faecium EFEL8600, a bacteriocin-producing strain isolated from Korean soy-meju.

Abstract Chia‐derived peptides might represent a novel alternative to conventional preservatives in food. Despite the antibacterial potential of these molecules, their food application is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate chia‐derived peptides' antibacterial and antibiofilm potential in food preservation.

The contamination of ready to eat foods (RTE) products due to Listeria monocytogenes could compromise the products safety becoming a great risk for the consumers. The high presence of L. monocytogenes in RTE products has been described worldwide, but few data are available about these products from African countries. The aims of this study were to report the presence of L.

Listeria monocytogenes causes foodborne listeriosis, which is an important food safety and public health problem. Monitoring them in the food chain using simple and affordable methods is of paramount importance to avoid untoward consequences.

The rising demand for minimally processed, natural, and healthier food products has led to the search for alternative and multifunctional bioactive food components. Therefore, the present study focuses on the functional proprieties of a peptide fraction derived from Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolism.

Gelatin‐based encapsulation of Cinnamon EOs and bacteriocins is a practical application to extend the shelf‐life of meatballs. The antibacterial and antioxidant activity of encapsulated formulation has been evaluated. This new method can be used in industry for biopreservation of meat.

Abstract Establishing efficient methods to combat bacterial biofilms is a major concern. Natural compounds, such as essential oils derived from plants, are among the favored and recommended strategies for combatting bacteria and their biofilm. Therefore, we evaluated the antibiofilm properties of peppermint oil as well as the activities by which it kills bacteria generally and particularly their biofilms.

Fatty acid amides of palmitic (PAPY), lauric (LAPY), myristic (MYPY), and decanoic (DEPY) acids inhibited bacteria. Significant inhibition of Listeria and other bacteria increased at higher amide concentrations (10,000–20,000 ppm). LAPY reduced Listeria growth by 1.55 to >5.0 Logs in co‐inoculation assays and by 0.51 to >3.00 Log CFU/g on produce. Abstract Foodborne pathogens are a persistent threat to food and consumer safety.

Abstract Silicone rubber (SR) is widely used in the food processing industry due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. However, due to the differences in SR product production formulas and processes, the quality of commercially available SR products varies greatly, with chemical and biological hazard potentials.

Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, EarlyView. In 2023, Listeria monocytogenes persistence remains a problem in the food business. A profound understanding of how this pathogen persists may lead to better aimed intervention/prevention strategies. The lack of a uniform definition of persistence makes the comparison between studies complex.

International Journal of Food Science &Technology, Accepted Article. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cinnamaldehyde (CIN)-loaded nanoliposomes (CIN-NLs) on pre-established biofilms of L. monocytogenes and S. enteritidis. The MIC and MBC values of CIN were 1.25 and 5 μg/mL against L. monocytogenes, respectively; while for S. enteritidis, MIC of 0.625 and MBC of 2.5 μg/mL were obtained.

In order to meet consumers´ demands for more natural foods and to find new methods to control foodborne pathogens in them, research is currently being focused on alternative preservation approaches, such as biopreservation with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Here, a collection of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolates was characterized to identify potential biopreservative agents.

Owing to concerns about the antimicrobial resistance of agents that can prevent the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in meat, researchers have investigated natural preservatives with antilisterial effects. However, in vivo application of essential oils and plant extracts usually results in reduced antimicrobial activity in meat products when compared to in vitro studies.

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Accepted Article. Background Electrolyzed water (EW) is recognized as an effective way to control and reduce pathogens in vegetables. However, the disinfection efficacy of EW alone is limited. In this work, the bactericidal activity and biofilm removal capability of EW, generated by adding NaCl to a portable EW generator, were investigated with special reference to L. monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a foodborne pathogen that poses significant risks to public health and food safety. The present study aimed to identify the presence of Listeria spp. in various samples, including pasteurized milk, chicken fillets, and stool samples from pregnant women in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Additionally, the study identified the serotypes, virulence-associated genes, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes isolates.