Research Publications (Food Safety)

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global emerging problem for food safety and public health. Retail meat is one of the vehicles that may transmit antimicrobial resistant bacteria to humans. Here we assessed the phenotypic and genotypic resistance of non-typhoidal Salmonella from retail meat collected in California in 2019 by the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) Retail Food Surveillance program.

This study investigated the effects of Cinnamomum osmophloeum leaf hot-water extract (CLWE) on nonspecific immune responses and resistance to Vibrio parahaemolyticus in white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei). Firstly, a cell viability assay demonstrated that the CLWE is safe to white shrimp heamocytes in the concentration of 0–500 mg L−1.

This study addresses the limited tools available for assessing food safety risks from cytotoxic Bacillus cereus group strains in contaminated food. We quantified the growth, in skim milk broth, of 17 cytotoxic B. cereus strains across 6 phylogenetic groups with various virulence gene profiles. The strains did not grow in HTST milk at 4 or 6°C. At 10°C, 15 strains exhibited growth; at 8°C, one strain grew; and all strains grew at temperatures ≥ 14°C.

Salmonella, a prominent foodborne pathogen, has posed enduring challenges to the advancement of food safety and global public health. The escalating concern over antibiotic misuse, resulting in the excessive presence of drug residues in animal-derived food products, necessitates urgent exploration of alternative strategies for Salmonella control. Bacteriophages emerge as promising green biocontrol agents against pathogenic bacteria.

Food safety is of global public health concern. Hotels and their restaurants provide hospitality like accommodation and food services and are spearheaded by food handlers who have varied experiences. This study was undertaken to examine knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) on food safety and explore knowledge‐practice gaps among food handlers at hotels in Ghana.

The following reports on the efficacy of a gas‐phase hydroxyl radical‐based process for decontaminating shredded lettuce on a laboratory and simulated commercial scale. The process is based on the ultraviolet light at 254 nm UV‐C‐mediated degradation of hydrogen peroxide mist and ozone gas to generate antimicrobial hydroxyl radicals. Escherichia coli K12 was applied as a surrogate for E.

The levels of patulin contamination in fruit juices showed a discernible decline from 2014 to 2022 within the Chinese market. According to risk assessment, the average daily intake of patulin did not present a threat to public health. Summary Excessive patulin contamination in fruit juice products pose a significant risk to human health.

Salmonella enterica serovar Derby causes foodborne disease (FBD) outbreaks worldwide, mainly from contaminated pork but also from chickens. During a major epidemic of FBD in Uruguay due to S. enteritidis from poultry, we conducted a large survey of commercially available eggs, where we isolated many S. enteritidis strains but surprisingly also a much larger number (ratio 5:1) of S. Derby strains. No single case of S. Derby infection was detected in that period, suggesting that the S.

Bone infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus may lead to an inflammatory condition called osteomyelitis, which results in progressive bone loss. Biofilm formation, intracellular survival, and the ability of S. aureus to evade the immune response result in recurrent and persistent infections that present significant challenges in treating osteomyelitis.

The aim of this study is to investigate the occurrence of plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants in Campylobacter coli isolates collected from broilers, laying hens and poultry farm environments. One hundred and thirty-nine C. coli isolates were isolated from broilers (n = 41), laying hens (n = 53), eggs (n = 4) and the environment (n = 41) of 23 poultry farms located in northeastern of Tunisia.

The extract is produced from mangosteen peels, tested for its antimicrobial activities and applied to beef burgers as a natural preservative to replace artificial ones. Summary This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of mangosteen peel extract (MPE) in preservation of beef burgers. MPE was first evaluated for its total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Tetracyclines (TCs) residues in animal-based foods may cause consumer poisoning or allergic reactions, as well as resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. Therefore, a method to accurately monitor TCs is urgently needed. Here, a sensitive and greenificated molecularly imprinted fluorescent sensor (CDs@MIP) for detecting TCs residues using non-covalent imprinting binding method has been synthesized in a simple and safe manner.

Postharvest pear fruits are susceptible to fungal decay and patulin (PAT) contamination during storage and transportation. PAT is a harmful mycotoxin contaminant of fruits and fruit products. Our team has identified a strain of Hannaella sinensis through preliminary research and validated its ability to degrade PAT in vitro. However, whether H. sinensis can effectively combat postharvest diseases of pears and control PAT within the fruit was yet unknown.

Despite the wide variety of native and exotic fruits in Brazil, there is limited understanding of their ability to support pathogens during storage.

Toxoplasma gondii is a food-borne zoonotic parasite widespread in a variety of hosts, including humans. With a majority of infections in Europe estimated to be meat-borne, pork, as one of the most consumed meats worldwide, represents a potential risk for consumers. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the progress of T. gondii infection and tissue tropism in experimentally infected pigs, using different T. gondii isolates and infectious stages, i.e.

This study used hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment to overexpress the gene of nitric oxide synthase (nos) in Staphylococcus vitulinus, which was then inoculated into fermented sausages to observe its effect on colour development. The results showed that a low concentration of H2O2 (50 mM) could up-regulate the expression of nos by increasing the oxidative stress level of S. vitulinus.

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models were utilized to investigate potential interactions between aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and efavirenz (EFV), a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug and inducer of several CYP enzymes, including CYP3A4. PBPK simulations were conducted in a North European Caucasian and Black South African population, considering different dosing scenarios. The simulations predicted the impact of EFV on AFB1 metabolism via CYP3A4 and CYP1A2.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a frequent cause of nosocomial and community infections, in some cases severe and difficult to treat. In addition, there are strains of MRSA that are specifically associated with food-producing animals. For this reason, in recent years special attention has been paid to the role played by foodstuffs of animal origin in infections by this microorganism.

Listeria monocytogenes, along with various other pathogenic bacteria, may show resistance against a broad spectrum of antibiotics. Evaluating the extent of resistance in harmful microorganisms like Listeria monocytogenes holds significant importance in crafting novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate or combat the rise of infections stemming from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Salmonella Dublin is a bovine‐adapted bacterial pathogen that primarily affects dairy cattle. The incidence of S. Dublin has been increasing across North America, including strains that are multidrug resistant. In British Columbia, the Ministry of Agriculture’s Animal Health Center (AHC) reported an increase in cases since 2015, warranting an investigation into how S. Dublin is spreading within the province.

Fontitrygon margarita liver oil, rich in unsaturated fatty acids, is susceptible to oxidation during storage, which can diminish its antibacterial qualities. This study examines the effects of storage temperature and the addition of spices on the stability and antibacterial properties of F. margarita liver oil. Oils with added spices were stored in opaque bottles at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) and in a refrigerator (4°C) and were periodically analyzed over a six‐month period.

Mancozeb is an extensively consumed fungicide, which often leaves high residue levels on agricultural products. The conventional method for detecting mancozeb involves a time‐consuming process using gas chromatography (GC) after a 2‐hour water‐bath acidolysis, resulting in low efficiency and recovery rates. This study developed a rapid method for detecting mancozeb in fruits and vegetables using microwave‐assisted acidolysis and extraction coupled with GC analysis.

The wet market poultry processing is a concern of spreading microbial pathogens into the environment or to the products. So, this study evaluated the microbiological contamination in poultry settings, i.e., slaughter and processing lines of wet market poultry shops, and the use of nonchlorine sanitizer to improve the sanitation.

Solid‐state fermentation by Aspergillus niger and Lactobacillus plantarum improved the content of bioactive compounds and physicochemical properties of wheat bran. Whole wheat bread supplemented with the fermented bran displayed enhanced textual and sensory profiles with upgraded quality. Summary Solid‐state fermentation (SSF) is an economically viable processing technique to improve the bioactive content from agricultural by‐products.

Bacillus cereus is a foodborne pathogen that induces vomiting and diarrhea in affected individuals. It exhibits resistance to traditional sterilization methods and has a high contamination rate in dairy products and rice. Therefore, the development of a new food safety controlling strategy is necessary. In this research, we isolated and identified a novel phage named vB_BceP_LY3, which belongs to a new genus of the subfamily Northropvirinae.