Research Publications (Food Safety)

Abstract BACKGROUND Flaxseed lignans, types of polyphenolic compounds, primarily consist of secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG). Natural plant extracts are becoming increasingly important as feed for ruminant animals. An underutilized plant bioactive component, SDG shows promising benefits for young ruminant production. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of SDG on rumen fermentation using an in vitro rumen simulation technology.

BackgroundFowl adenovirus serotype 4 (FAdV-4) is the main pathogen of hepatitis-hydropericardium syndrome (HHS), which brings huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Fiber-1 protein plays an important role in viral infection and pathogenesis by binding directly to cellular receptors of FAdV-4.

Citrinin (CIT) is a nephrotoxic mycotoxin, produced by several species of Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Monascus. The foodstuffs most frequently contaminated with CIT include cereals, cereal products, and red yeast rice. Studies on the occurrence of CIT in food have shown that the CIT concentrations in processed cereal-based products are generally lower than in unprocessed industry cereal samples.

The widespread presence of Fusarium mycotoxins in animal feed is a global issue, not only for the health of livestock but also for ensure the safety of food as an end product. High concentrations of zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) have been detected in the diets of Japanese Black (JB) and Holstein Friesian (HF) breeding herds.

ABSTRACT Introduction Extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase‐producing Escherichia coli (ESBL‐EC) are widespread multidrug‐resistant zoonotic bacteria that threaten animal production, food safety and antimicrobial therapy worldwide including Malaysia. Poultry has been reported as one of the pathways for human exposure to ESBL‐EC. There has been little research on the occurrence of ESBL‐EC within the Malaysian poultry food chain.

Abstract Tilapia stands out as one of the most extensively farmed and consumed fish species globally, valued for its ease of preparation and relative affordability. Although tilapia is a valuable protein source, it can also function as a vector for foodborne pathogens.

Using a combination of extensive field sampling, highly accurate ensemble machine learning and tank‐based transmission experiments, we employ 16S rRNA gene surveys to identify two candidate pathogens likely causing white band disease in critically endangered staghorn and elkhorn corals.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, Ahead of Print.

by Evelien Dierick, Chana Callens, Yehudi Bloch, Savvas N. Savvides, Sarah Hark, Stefan Pelzer, Richard Ducatelle, Filip Van Immerseel, Evy Goossens

by Zhaolei Wang, Haixia Du, Haofang Wan, Jiehong Yang, Haitong Wan

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in activity of group-housed, newly weaned, Duroc-sired crossbred commercial pigs exposed to a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. At weaning, pigs [n = 192, body weight (BW) = 5.73 ± 1.8 kg] were stratified by sex, litter, and weaning weight and randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups (16 pigs/pen, 4 pens/treatment).

In swine production, using feed antibiotics as antimicrobial growth promotants has been reduced; thus, feed alternatives to manage gut health are required. Dietary fiber and similar carbohydrate structures such as resistant starch, oligosaccharides, and exopolysaccharides are nutritional tools that may enhance gut health in pigs.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of Brix in predicting sugar concentrations in fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.; ALF) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.; OG) forages to be used as an inexpensive and rapid field-level assessment of relative energy in forages. In a 2-yr study, fresh forages samples from ALF and OG monoculture pastures in central Pennsylvania, U.S. were collected once monthly from May to September.

The need for alternative biomarkers of reproductive potential in the pork industry is apparent as the current selection approach for sow fertility is not keeping up with the improvement of other production-related traits. To date, the vaginal microbiome has been overlooked as a source of potential biomarkers of sow fertility status.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is an opportunistic pathogen frequently associated with subclinical mastitis and accounts for a large proportion of the economic losses due to mastitis on Canadian dairy farms. Despite a plethora of investigations on the molecular mechanisms of mastitis, little information is available on the roles of regulatory noncoding RNAs (ncRNA).

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors determine the milk production of a dairy herd, which is affected by the reproductive efficiency of dairy farms. Infectious, nutritional, and management causes can negatively affect this efficiency. After parturition, dairy cows are sensible to clinical diseases since the physical barriers of the cervix, vagina, and vulva are compromised, allowing environmental bacteria to ascend, altering the vaginal microbiota.

Managing bacterial infections is of great importance in cattle production, particularly those caused by Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium or Dublin, which can impact both animal health and human food safety. Direct-fed microbial (DFM) can support gastrointestinal health and alleviate potential bacterial infections.