Research Publications (Food Safety)

Salmonella Typhimurium is a common pathogen infecting the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, causing host gastroenteritis and typhoid fever. Heat shock protein (HtpG) as a molecular chaperone is involved in the various cellular processes of bacteria, especially under environmental stress. However, the potential association of HtpG with S. Typhimurium infection remains unknown. In this study, we clarified that HtpG could also play a role as an effector in S. Typhimurium infection.

by Matthew R. Larson, Kassia Biddle, Adam Gorman, Sarah Boutom, Ilan Rosenshine, Mark A. Saper

by Qing Chen, Jun Liu, Yang He, Liu Yang, Huiqiang Luo, Yixi Wang, Xuewen Zhang, Ningxiu Li

by Elizabeth P. Darga, Emily M. Dolce, Fang Fang, Kelley M. Kidwell, Christina L. Gersch, Steven Kregel, Dafydd G. Thomas, Anoop Gill, Martha E. Brown, Steven Gross, Mark Connelly, Michael Holinstat, Erin F. Cobain, James M. Rae, Daniel F. Hayes, Costanza Paoletti

Background

Author(s): Katarina Baralić, Dragica Bozic, Katarina Živančević, Milan Milenković, Dragana Javorac, Đurđica Marić, Evica Antonijević Miljaković, Aleksandra Buha Djordjevic, Predrag Vukomanović, Marijana Ćurčić, Zorica Bulat, Biljana Antonijević, Danijela Đukić-Ćosić

Introduction. A significant cause of mortality in the intensive care unit (ICU) is multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC).

Introduction. Antimicrobial resistance associated with animal hosts is easily transmitted to humans either by direct contact with resistant organisms or by transferring resistance genes into human pathogens.

For centuries, herbal medicines have been used to treat humans and animals. Veterinary medicines are well-regulated; inspectors monitor milk and associated dairy products to screen for unacceptable contaminants. However, few scholars have discussed how the by-products of veterinary herbal medicine can be found in food products.

Presence of heavy metals in industrial discharge warrants the adoption of efficient and cost-effective treatment technologies. In this work, lichen Parmotrema tinctorum biomass was utilized as biosorbent for removal of Ni (II) from metal finishing industry effluents. Optimal adsorption was observed at pH 7, stirring speed of 300 rpm, 120 min incubation from independent batch experiments.

The central sewer of Athens had been discharging untreated sewage from 1950 until 1995 in the marine area between the island of Psyttalia and Keratsini. As a result, a surficial layer of organic mud was formed covering the seafloor. To assess the spatial and temporal distribution of metal contaminants in the area, six sediment cores were collected and analyzed for grain composition, organic carbon content (Corg), and metal concentrations.

The tripartite enterotoxin Hemolysin BL (Hbl) has been widely characterized as a hemolytic and cytotoxic virulence factor involved in foodborne diarrheal illness caused by Bacillus cereus. Previous studies have described the formation of the Hbl complex and aimed to identify the toxin’s mode of action.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a common toxic mycotoxin and is detectable in pregnant women. Animal studies have revealed that AFB1 caused the lysis of erythrocytes and a decrease in hemoglobin. We conducted a prospective cohort study in Guangxi, China, in order to evaluate the association between AFB1 exposure and anemia in pregnant women during the entire pregnancy. A total of 616 pregnant women from the Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort were included in the study.

Bioactive aminooxime ligands based on optically pure (R)-limonene have been synthesized in two steps. Their ruthenium (II) cationic water-soluble complex was prepared by a reaction between dichloro (para-cymene) ruthenium (II) dimers and aminooxime ligands in a 1:2 molar ratio. Antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the synthetized complex were assessed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis.

Most strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus are unable to utilize sucrose as carbon source, though few exceptions exist. We investigated a sucrose-positive V. parahaemolyticus strain by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and confirmed the presences of a genomic island containing sucrose utilization genes.

Nuodeng ham is known for its unique processing techniques and flavor. In the present study, proteolytic microorganisms from cured artisanal Nuodeng ham were investigated in order to identify and select potential starter cultures for its faster and safer fermentation. Eight isolates, accounting for 57% of proteolytic microorganisms, were found to be related to Kocuria rhizophila. Relevant properties of K. rhizophila as potential starter culture were evaluated in vitro for the first time.

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa expresses a small molecular weight, cysteine-rich protein (PmtA), identified as a metallothionein (MT) protein family member. The MT family proteins have been well-characterized in eukaryotes as essential for zinc and copper homeostasis, protection against oxidative stress, and the ability to modify a variety of immune activities.

The main component of creosote obtained from dry wood distillation—guaiacol—is a natural antioxidant that has been widely used in pharmaceutical and food preservation applications. However, the antifungal mechanism of guaiacol against phytopathogens remains unclear. In this study, we found that guaiacol exerts inhibitory effects against mycelial growth, conidial formation and germination, and deoxynivalenol (DON) biosynthesis in Fusarium graminearum in a dose-dependent manner.

Author(s): En Yu, Daiwen Chen, Bing Yu, Yuheng Luo, Ping Zheng, Heng Yin, Xiangbing Mao, Zhiqing Huang, Jie Yu, Junqiu Luo, HuiYan, Jun He

Author(s): Xulu Chang, Meiru Kang, Yihao Shen, Lili Yun, Guokun Yang, Lei Zhu, Xiaolin Meng, Jianxin Zhang, Xi Su

Author(s): Jin-jin Ma, Yu Yan, Xue-juan Chen, Zi-ru Niu, Rui-lian Yu, Gong-ren Hu

Author(s): Yanling Li, Weiping Chen, Yang Yang, Tianqi Wang, Yating Dai

Author(s): Collins K. Tanui, Shraddha Karanth, Patrick M.K. Njage, Jianghong Meng, Abani K. Pradhan As the cost of genome sequencing of foodborne pathogens decreases, it has become possible to sequence a large number of isolates and evaluate those using machine learning algorithms. This study aimed to utilize machine learning algorithms to predict the disease endpoints in untagged Salmonella genome sequences isolated from ground chicken.

Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is known as an ideal target for the investigations of fungicides. To develop novel SDH inhibitors, 30 novel thiophene/furan-1,3,4-oxadiazole carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. In the in vitro antifungal assay, a majority of the target compounds demonstrated fair to potent antifungal activity against seven tested phytopathogenic fungi.

Salmonella contamination is a critical problem in poultry farms, with serious consequences for both animals and food products. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of phage cocktails to reduce Salmonella contamination in poultry farms. Within the scope of the study, Salmonella phages were isolated from chicken stool.

Honokiol is neolignan present in the magnolia bark. It displays versatile pharmacological properties—neuroprotective and anxiolytic effect, anti-cancer activity and antimicrobial effect being the most important. This paper aims to develop a voltammetric non-enzymatic biosensor for honokiol detection, quantification and monitoring in drugs and cosmetic products. The materials used in this study were synthesized and characterized by HR-XRPD, SEM, ATR-FTIR and electrochemical methods.