Research Publications (Food Safety)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST8 strains have spread worldwide, causing outbreaks in various regions. However, this clone has only been sporadically reported in China. Consequently, detailed information regarding the phylogeny and potential virulence of S. aureus ST8 strains in China remains unknown.

The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic epidemiology of MRSA in China to identify predominant lineages and their associated genomic and phenotypic characteristics. In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing on 565 MRSA isolates from 7 provinces and municipalities of China between 2014 and 2020. MRSA isolates were subjected to MLST, spa typing, SCCmec typing, analysis of virulence determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

We recently showed that functional amino acid (FAA) supplementation improves growth performance and immune status of Salmonella Typhimurium (ST)-challenged pigs, which was further improved by a longer adaptation period. It is expected that the effects are associated with increased activity of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP).

Background In 2018, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Vermont Department of Health investigated an outbreak of multidrug-resistant Shigella sonnei infections in a retirement community that offered a continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing care. The investigation identified 24 culture-confirmed cases.

In biodesulfurization (BD) at haloalkaline and dO2-limited conditions, sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) effectively convert sulfide into elemental sulfur that can be used in agriculture as a fertilizer and fungicide. Here we show which bacteria are present in this biotechnological process. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing of biomass from ten reactors sampled in 2018 indicated the presence of 444 bacterial Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs).

Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme associated with the browning process that can occur from mechanical injury and postharvest storage. Thus, its inactivation to inhibit this process is of great interest to the food industry. Recently a nonthermal technology, high frequency ultrasound (100–1 MHz), has found usage in this aspect.

Mannosylerythritol lipid-B (MEL-B), which comprises ester-bonded hydrophilic ME and hydrophobic fatty acids, is a bio-surfactant with various unique properties, including antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive bacteria. The gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is a causative pathogen of dairy cattle mastitis, which results in considerable economic loss in the dairy industry. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of MEL-B as a disinfectant against bovine-derived S.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are distributed in the environment worldwide. These pollutants are found ubiquitously in the environment, including commercially valuable aquatic organisms. Vietnam is one of the world’s largest exporters of seafood, including bivalves. At the same time, comprehensive monitoring studies of aquatic ecosystems in Vietnam are insufficient and not coordinated and are mainly aimed at detecting heavy metals.

Clostridium botulinum produces botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is the most toxic known protein and the causative agent of human botulism. BoNTs have similar structures and functions, comprising three functional domains: catalytic domain (L), translocation domain (HN), and receptor-binding domain (Hc). In the present study, BoNT/E was selected as a model toxin to further explore the immunological significance of each domain.

Fumonisins, a group of highly prevalent and toxic mycotoxins, are suspected to be causal agents of several diseases in animals and humans. In the animal feed industry, fumonisin esterase is used as feed additive to prevent mycotoxicosis caused by fumonisins. In humans, a popular dosage form for dietary supplements, with high patient acceptance for oral intake, is capsule ingestion.

The widespread irrational use of antibiotics in recent years has resulted in an increase in the detection of multi-resistant bacterial strains, particularly methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The use of natural derivatives such as flavonoids is postulated as one of the most promising avenues to solve this emerging public health problem.

A Salmonella Enteritidis clinical strain SAL045 isolated from an infant patient in China was subjected to whole genome sequencing. Strain SAL045 is resistant to 12 antibiotics tested including ampicillin and polymyxin E. A novel hybrid plasmid pS045A harboring 22 antibiotic resistance genes and 10 virulence genes was characterized. There were no sequences in the NCBI nucleotide database that completely covered the pS045A sequence.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, Accepted Article. Fluoroquinolone (FQ) antibacterials have drawn heightened attention from various international regulatory agencies due to their class specific side effects. Levonadifloxacin is a novel broad spectrum benzoquinolizine FQ active against methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA).

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Volume 102, Issue 4, Page 1729-1735, 15 March 2022. Listeria monocytogenes is a widespread common contaminant in food production facilities during preparation, storage, and distribution, and minimally processed ready-to-eat products are considered at high risk of contamination by this bacterium.

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, Volume 102, Issue 4, Page 1391-1396, 15 March 2022. Round fish is one of the most consumed fish in Brazil. Farmed fish feed is based mainly on grains, which are susceptible to contamination by mold and mycotoxins. Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp. and Fusarium spp. are the major mycotoxins producers.

Salmonella is one of the main pathogenic factors that cause foodborne diseases. Rapid and accurate detection of Salmonella in food is of great importance to ensure food safety. Nicking enzyme-assisted amplification (NEAA) is one of the promising isothermal amplification methods finishing the in vitro amplification in ∼10 min; however, it suffers from nonspecific amplification a lot (∼70% products are noises).

The ochratoxin A (OTA) biosynthetic gene cluster includes a bZIP transcription factor (TF) gene (OTAbzip) that has been identified in different fungal species. However, most previous studies identified the OTAbzip gene in ochratoxigenic fungi using bioinformatics methods, while few studies focused on deleting the gene, let alone overexpressing it, to characterize the function of the OTAbZIP TF.

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and peroxyacetic-acid (PAA) mixer delivered by conventional garden sprayer (GS), electrostatic sprayer (ES) and dip methods to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes on apples.

Our study aimed to evaluate the AFB1 levels in packed rice marketed in Lebanon and determine the exposure to this toxin from the rice consumption. A total of 105 packed white, parboiled and brown rice bags were collected. ELISA was used to measure AFB1. A comprehensive FFQ was filled by 500 participants to determine the patterns of rice consumption and subsequently the exposure levels to AFB1 from the rice consumption in Lebanon. AFB1 was detected in all rice samples (100%).

Food processing environment flooring can become contaminated with pathogens in many ways including foot and equipment traffic, incoming materials, and floor drain backups.  Natural antimicrobial turmeric and commercially available powdered floor treatments may reduce the levels of pathogens on flooring thereby reducing the risk of cross contamination from the floor to food contact surfaces.

Peripheral lymph nodes have been implicated as potential contaminants of ground beef, yet the source and timing of Salmonella lymph node (LN) infection in cattle is still unclear, limiting targeted intervention. Thus, the aim of this study was to leverage the vertical integration of special-fed veal production to identify preharvest environmental exposures, namely livestock trailers or harvest facility holding pens where calves spend 30 min. to 4 hrs, that result in Salmonella LN infection.

Salmonella can be isolated from animal food, ingredients, and animal food manufacturing surfaces. There is limited data regarding the sanitation of animal food manufacturing surfaces. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of nine chemical treatments to reduce Salmonella Typhimurium contamination on various manufacturing surfaces. This experiment was a 9 × 5 factorial with nine chemical treatments and five surfaces.

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a metabolite of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), is detected in milk obtained from ruminants fed AFB1-contaminated feedstuff. Considering the potential risk of aflatoxin exposure for human health, the AFM1 content in milk and dairy products is regularly monitored. A survey on AFM1 contamination in milk from retail markets consumed in Albania was conducted in 2019–2020.

Vibrio cholerae remains a major public health threat worldwide, causing millions of cholera cases each year. Although much is known about the evolution and pathogenicity of the O1/O139 serogroups of V. cholerae, information is lacking on the molecular epidemiology of non‒O1/O139 strains isolated from patients who have diarrheal illnesses. We performed whole-genome sequence analysis and in vivo infections to investigate characteristics of V.

Across much of the Arctic, lakes and ponds dominate the landscape. Starting in late September, the lakes are covered in ice, with ice persisting well into June or early July. In summer, the lakes are highly productive, supporting waterfowl and fish populations. However, little is known about the diversity and ecology of microscopic life in the lakes that influence biogeochemical cycles and contribute to ecosystem services.