Research Publications (Food Safety)

Salmonella prevalence declined in U.S. raw poultry products since adopting prevalence-based Salmonella performance standards, but human illnesses did not reduce proportionally. We used Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) to evaluate public health risks of raw chicken parts contaminated with different levels of all Salmonella and specific high- and low-virulence serotypes.

BackgroundThe microbiota-gut-lung axis has elucidated a potential association between gut microbiota and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, there is a paucity of population-level studies with providing robust evidence for establishing causality.

Abstract Aims Salmonella infections are significant causes of foodborne outbreaks in the European Union. This study investigates a sudden increase in gastroenteritis patients in the hospital district of Central Finland in June 2021. The primary aim was to study the outbreak's magnitude and source of the outbreak. Methods and Results Epidemiological, microbiological, environmental and traceback investigations were conducted.

Pre‐ and post‐harvest management practices to mitigate patulin. Abstract Patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite produced by certain molds (Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Byssochlamys), poses a significant health risk when present in apple juice products above permissible levels. Its presence is a major concern for both consumers and regulatory bodies due to its potential carcinogenic and mutagenic effects.

Modulation of TGF‐β path way with culinary Indian spices against HCC. Scope Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) results from various etiologies, such as Hepatitis B and C, Alcoholic and Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disorders, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. About 80 to 90% of HCC cases possess cirrhosis, which is brought on by persistent liver inflammation.

Abstract BACKGROUND Fresh ginseng is typically accompanied by soil after harvest, leading to contamination with harmful fungi during storage and distribution. In this study, we investigated the incidence of fungal contamination in fresh ginseng (5–6 years old) purchased from 22 different stores in Geumsan, Korea. RESULTS The incidence of fungal contamination in the samples was 67.4–111.5%.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are bacteria with a significant public health impact. Identifying factors impacting their presence and concentrations in food sources could enable the identification of significant risk factors and prevent incidences of foodborne illness.

Fusarium crown rot (FCR) is an important and devastating disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) caused by the fungus Fusarium pseudograminearum and related pathogens. Using two distinct susceptible cultivars, we investigated the isolation frequencies of F. pseudograminearum and quantified its biomass accumulation and the levels of the associated toxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and DON-3-glucoside (D3G) in inoculated field-grown wheat plants. We detected F.

Several limitations in genetic engineering interventions in saffron exist, hindering the development of genetically modified varieties and the widespread application of genetic engineering in this crop. Lack of genome sequence information, the complexity of genetic makeup, and lack of well-established genetic transformation protocols limit its in planta functional validation of genes that would eventually lead toward crop optimization.

Ripening is an irreversible phenomenon involving several physiological, biochemical and organoleptic changes that affect the nutritional value, colour, texture and taste of fruit. Amongst the physical non-destructive technologies, Delayed Luminescence (DL) has been reported able to provide valid information on the functional status of living biological systems, reflecting changes in quality parameters following the occurrence of certain metabolic processes.

This study established a CLIA for trace detection of MG, and this is the first time that automated detection of MG residues has been achieved by combining POCT with CLIA. Abstract Malachite green (MG), a triphenylmethane dye is often used as a fungicide and preservative in fisheries due to its effectiveness against water molds in fish and fish eggs. However, excessive inhalation can be hazardous to human health.

Flow cytometry has made a significant contribution to the study of several complex fundamental mechanisms in plant cytogenetics, becoming a useful analytical tool to understand several mechanisms and processes underlying plant growth, development, and function.

BackgroundPork processing plants in the United States (US) cease operations for 24–48 h every six or twelve months to perform intense sanitization (IS) using fogging, foaming, and further antimicrobial treatments to disrupt natural biofilms that may harbor pathogens and spoilage organisms.

Barley resistance ratings to Fusarium head blight reflect Fusarium success during malting, while strains of Fusarium graminearum differ only mildly in their impacts on barley. Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a devastating disease in barley, causing significant losses for the malting and brewing industries. We hypothesized that the variation observed in Fusarium‐related issues during malting may be partially attributable to differences among Fusarium graminearum strains.

Berries contaminated with human norovirus (HuNoV) have been frequently identified as a cause of foodborne gastroenteritis. To prevent virus transmission while preserving sensory and quality parameters, non-thermal treatments, such as high-pressure processing (HPP), can be applied to the berries and products thereof.

The fungal infestation of crops can cause major economic losses. Toxins produced by the causative fungi (mycotoxins) represent a potential safety hazard to people and livestock consuming them. One such mycotoxin is deoxynivalenol (DON, also known as vomitoxin), a trichothecene associated with Fusarium Head Blight of wheat. DON is commonly found in cereal crops worldwide.

This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in producing artisanal Coalho cheese and analyse the phenotypic profile of the strains, virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Staphylococcus aureus from the production chain of artisanal Coalho cheese, and to analyse the phenotypic profile of the strains, virulence factors and antimicrobial susceptibility profile.

Abstract According to Article 12 of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005, EFSA has reviewed the maximum residue levels (MRLs) currently established at European level for the pesticide active substance gamma‐cyhalothrin.

Aflatoxins are toxic compounds produced by certain molds, primarily Aspergillus species, which can contaminate crops such as grains and nuts. These toxins pose a significant health risk to animals and humans. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most potent of these compounds and has been well-characterized to lead to diminished growth and feed efficiency by disrupting nutrient absorption and metabolism in poultry.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) in food poses a serious challenge to public health. Herein, using the nanobody-driven controllable aggregation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in a glucose oxidase-tyramine-horseradish peroxidase (GOx-TYR-HRP) system, we propose a direct competitive plasmonic enzyme immunoassay (dc-PEIA) for OTA detection.

Background and aims Human health is seriously threatened by cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) poisoning in paddy soils. Due to different geochemical behavior, Cd and As are challenging to repair together. We aims to inquire into the influences of zero valent iron (ZVI) and its mixture on acidic Cd-As contaminated paddy soil and reveal the relevant mechanisms.

Background The widespread presence of arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in agricultural soils coupled with a problem of Al phytotoxicity threatens sustainability of agricultural production system as well as natural ecosystems.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a common foodborne pathogenic bacterium. With the overuse of antibiotics, an increasing proportion of drug-resistant strains are emerging, which puts enormous pressure on public health. In this study, a V. parahaemolyticus-specific phage, VP41s3, was isolated. The head length, width, and tail length of the phage were 77.7 nm, 72.2 nm, and 17.5 nm, respectively.

Penetration ability is one of the biggest concerns of light-emitting diode (LED) technology in the food industry, as most food matrices are usually in packaged conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal effects of LEDs on both pure culture and litchi fruit, which are packaged by nine commonly used commercial packaging films. Results showed that LEDs could penetrate these films with more than 88% energy transmittance.

The synergistic effect of multiple mycotoxins in cereals increases their toxicity. Therefore, the simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins in cereals is of great importance. Exonuclease III (Exo III) assisted electrochemical aptasensor has been used for mycotoxin detection, but simultaneous detection of two mycotoxins has not been previously reported.