Research Publications (Food Safety)

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) are immunotoxic agents that can be modulated by dietary ingredients like pumpkin (P) and fermented whey (FW). In this study, the effect of P‐FW mixture against AFB1 and OTA toxicity was evaluated in Jurkat cells through a transcriptomic approach. RNA sequencing showed the strong anti‐inflammatory role of functional ingredients against mycotoxins toxicity.

Abstract Silicone rubber (SR) is widely used in the food processing industry due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. However, due to the differences in SR product production formulas and processes, the quality of commercially available SR products varies greatly, with chemical and biological hazard potentials.

Abstract Aflatoxin and other mycotoxin contamination are major threats to global food security and present an urgent need to secure the global food crop against spoilage by mycotoxigenic fungi. Cocoa material is noted for naturally low aflatoxin contamination. This study was designed to assess the potential for harnessing cocoa‐associated filamentous fungi for the biocontrol of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus.

Abstract An attempt has been made to screen the fish gut‐associated actinobacterial cultures for antifouling compounds. Fifteen morphologically distinct bacterial cultures were recovered from the biofouling samples scraped from the boat surfaces and other maritime structures in the Kovalam beach (Lat. 12.7870°N; Long. 80.2504°E) coastal areas in Tamil Nadu, India. All the bacterial isolates were identified at generic level from which two isolates namely KB6 and KB7 as Staphylococcus sp.

Abstract Phages depend on their bacterial hosts to replicate. The habitat, density and genetic diversity of host populations are therefore key factors in phage ecology, but our ability to explore their biology depends on the isolation of a diverse and representative collection of phages from different sources. Here, we compared two populations of marine bacterial hosts and their phages collected during a time series sampling program in an oyster farm.

Abstract The province of Isabela is the top maize producer in the Philippines. The intensive cultivation and the tropical climate in the region may favour fungal growth and aflatoxin contamination in maize grains. Thus, the study aimed to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin and mycotoxigenic Aspergillus species in maize varieties in this region.

Trichoderma atroviride seems to be a potential biocontrol agent against Fusarium graminearum by altering the expression of genes related to vital processes in fungal life cycle. Abstract The use of Trichoderma spp. offers an ecologically friendly tool for the struggle with mycotoxigenic Fusarium spp. Here, the alterations in transcriptome level were investigated in 6‐day‐old Fusarium graminearum cultures treated with Trichoderma atroviride and nontreated with T.

The phylogenetic distinction between F. graminearum and F. meridionale is supported by phenotypic differences such as aggressiveness, mycotoxin production, mycelial growth and reproduction, and tebuconazole sensitivity. Abstract Fusarium head blight (FHB) of wheat and Gibberella ear and stalk rot (GER and GSR) of maize are diseases of worldwide importance.

The quorum sensing (QS) and c‐di‐GMP signaling pathways are intricately intertwined to control swarming in Vibrio parahaemolyticus strain RIMD 2210633. The QS signals which inhibit LuxOvp phosphorylation are essential for V. parahaemolyticus to swarm efficiently on surfaces. And LuxOvp regulates swarming in a mechanism that involves modulating c‐di‐GMP levels, which may be intracellularly compartmentalized in V. parahaemolyticus.

Translation rates of transcripts in the dinoflagellate Fugacium kawagutii were measured every 2 h over a light–dark cycle using ribosome profiling. Several thousand transcripts show increased rates of translation at specific times of day. Abstract Dinoflagellates respond to daily changes in light and dark by changes in cellular metabolism, yet the mechanisms used are still unclear.

Abstract This study explored the bactericidal role of the epidermal mucus (EM) of five freshwater Cyprinid fish species namely Ctenopharyngodon idella, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, and Cirrhinus mrigala after treatment with Aeromonas hydrophila.

Abstract Liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2) is a small peptide, which is consisted of signal peptide, pro‐peptide and the bioactive mature peptide. Mature LEAP2 is an antibacterial peptide with four highly conserved cysteines forming two intramolecular disulfide bonds. Chionodraco hamatus, an Antarctic notothenioid fish that lives in the coldest water, has white blood unlike most fish of the world.

Abstract Aims Effects of H2O2 producing electrochemical‐bandages (e‐bandages) on methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and biofilm removal were assessed using a porcine explant biofilm model. Transport of H2O2 produced from the e‐bandage into explant tissue and associated potential toxicity were evaluated. Methods and Results Viable prokaryotic cells from infected explants were quantified after 48 h treatment with e‐bandages in three ex vivo S.

ESEM images of wheat powder and JFDQ (A) and of the cultured microbes from JFDQ (B). A1–A4 represented wheat powder, WDQ, YDQ and BDQ, respectively; B1–B3 represented the microbes observed in WDQ, YDQ and BDQ, respectively. Summary Jiang‐Flavour Daqu (JFDQ) is a type of grain‐based fermentation starter used in Chinese liquor production.

The PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat based on natural antimicrobial substances was successfully prepared by simple dipping method. The PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat could achieve long‐term antimicrobial activity by embedding EG into β‐CD. PET‐EG‐β‐CD mat prolonged the shelf life of chilled pork by more than 50%. Summary This study aimed to prolong the shelf life of chilled pork by simply preparing antimicrobial packaging.

A visual summary of the findings. Summary Food safety is a crucial aspect of human well‐being, covered under the second sustainable development goal (SDG). Sustainable food supply chains must ensure compliance with food safety standards from farm to fork. Consumers in developed countries are becoming ever more demanding regarding ‘producers’ compliance with food safety and quality standards.

Production and characterization of chicken sausages with sophorolipids. Summary Sophorolipids present antimicrobial and antioxidant activities allowing their application in meat products such as sausages. In this study, formulations of chicken sausages were developed with 0.008%–0.06% sophorolipid supplementation.

Improvement of soybean meal nutritional values by a potential probiotic, Bacillus siamensis FVP1. Summary Microbial fermentation is an effective approach for enhancing the nutritional value of soybean products. In this work, Bacillus siamensis FVP1, isolated from fermented vegetables, was used for the solid‐state fermentation of soybean meal.

Summary Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) belongs to the Rosaceae family. The fruit is very beneficial, with a delicious taste, attractive colour, and high vitamin and mineral content. The effect of chitosan on juice's transparency and phytochemical properties from the Camarosa cultivar was evaluated. Using chitosan as a clarifying agent for strawberry juice significantly reduced turbidity, phenolic content, flavonoids, protein, and antioxidant properties.

Summary The alkaline ionized water (AIW) could inactivate food‐borne microorganisms, ensuring the vegetables and fruits security. However, the application of AIW in preserving fish is still unknown. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the effects of AIW on grass carp fillets during storage at 4 °C for 12 d.

Abstract Hybrid grouper (E. lanceolatu × E. fuscoguttatus) is a high economic value cultured species in Southeast Asia. There is a dangerous stage during its body length from 7 cm to 15 cm, and rotten fins and enteritis often occur in this period.

Abstract A 100‐day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the influences of dietary lipid levels on the immunity and mechanism in abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino. Abalones (initial weight: 10.98 ± 0.05 g) were fed with graded levels of dietary lipid, which were 15.73, 23.41, 31.72, 38.25, 46.35, 55.63, 61.70 and 67.19 g/kg.

Abstract An 8‐week trial was performed to evaluate tributyrin effects on growth, disease resistance, lipid metabolizing, distal intestinal inflammation‐, tight junctions‐ and apoptosis‐related gene expressions caused by high‐level cottonseed protein concentrate (CPC) substitution of fishmeal. Fish were fed one fishmeal (50% fishmeal) and six CPC diets (27.5% fishmeal and 25.2% CPC).

Abstract The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of yeast culture on the growth, hepatic antioxidant capacity, intestinal barrier and microflora of fish fed a high‐cottonseed protein diet.

Abstract A 60‐day feeding trial was carried out to investigate the effects of fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) in high lupin meal (LM) diets on growth, health and immunity of barramundi. Fish were fed a fishmeal‐based control diet (FM) and three test diets to replace 75% fishmeal protein in the control diet by lupin meal alone (LM), lupin meal with FPH (LM+FPH) and fermented lupin meal with FPH supplementation (FLM+FPH).