Research Publications (Food Safety)

Since their discovery in 1915, bacteriophages have been routinely used within Eastern Europe to treat a variety of bacterial infections. Although initially ignored by the West due to the success of antibiotics, increasing levels and diversity of antibiotic resistance is driving a renaissance for bacteriophage derived therapy, which is in part due to the highly specific nature of bacteriophages as well as their relative abundance.

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The aim of this study was to study inactivation of different pathogenic bacteria on agar model surface using TiO2-UV photocatalysis (TUVP).

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Using molecular subtyping techniques, Listeria monocytogenes is divided into three major phylogenetic lineages, and a multiplex PCR method can differentiate five L. monocytogenes subgroups: 1/2a-3a, 1/2c-3c, 1/2b-3b-7, 4b-4d-4e, and 4a-4c. In the current study, we conducted genome comparisons and evaluated serotype-associated genes for their utility as a multiplex PCR-based method for distinguishing high-risk serotypes 1/2a and 1/2c in lineage I from low-risk serotypes 3a and 3c.

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To determine the varieties and concentrations of pesticides by detecting the changes of microalgae components using Raman microspectroscopy technology.

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Few studies have compared the effectiveness of hygienic cleaning under simulated use conditions. This study compares commonly used and novel cleaning methods for food contact and hand contact surfaces in kitchens.

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The effect of milk fat content on ohmic heating compared to conventional heating for inactivation of food-borne pathogens was investigated.

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In the present work the Libyan wild-growing Thymus capitatus essential oil was evaluated for its biological properties.

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We investigated the effect of ozone treatment of apple juice at different pH levels for inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes.

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To evaluate the antifungal activity of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by 75 different foodborne Bacillus species against Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, A. parasiticus, A. clavatus, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, and Moniliophthora perniciosa and to determine the VOCs responsible for the inhibition.

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In this study, the effectiveness of combining each of seven types of acids with 3% salt as a treatment against pathogens was investigated in laboratory media and acidified food.

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To characterize integron-harbouring Gram-negative bacteria in recreational lakes, with focus on the genetic content of integrons, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and virulence-associated genes.

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To develop a gentle ablation technique to recover Listeria monocytogenes biofilms from stainless steel (SS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surfaces by using compressed air and water injection.

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In the present study, we conducted a quantitative microbial risk assessment forecasting the exposure to Campylobacter jejuni contaminated surfaces during preparation of chicken fillets and how using a disinfectant wipe intervention to clean a contaminated work area decreases the risk of infection following the preparation of raw chicken fillet in a domestic kitchen.

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To develop and evaluate cross-priming amplification (CPA) combined with immuno-blotting for detection of coagulase-positive Staphylococci including Staphylococcus aureus.

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To examine the occurrence and quantity of potential pathogens and an indicator of microbial contamination in the sediments of municipal drinking water storage tanks (MDWSTs), given the absence of such data across the United States.

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To develop a mild blanching method with calcium salts to ensure microbiological safety and quality of fresh-cut spinach.

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The aims of this study were to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the essential oils (EOs) of Hesperozygis ringens (HREO), popularly known as “espanta-pulga” and two different species of basil, Ocimum gratissimum (OGEO) and Ocimum americanum (OAEO), as well as, the potential of these products to be used in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) infected with Aeromonas hydrophila.

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Discrimination of Salmonella strains below the species level is very important to trace the source of outbreaks. To this end molecular typing methods can be successfully applied to routine analysis in non-specialized laboratories due to their simplicity and speed. Here, the discriminatory ability of four molecular typing methods was investigated in 74 Salmonella enterica isolates.

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The objective of this study was to determine the effect of lysozyme and antibiotics on zoonotic pathogen shedding in faeces from nursery pigs housed without and with an indirect disease challenge.

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Develop a multiplex real time PCR method to identify Campylobacter jejuni containing mutations commonly associated with macrolide resistance.

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(1) To study the effects of cold shock on E. coli O157:H7 cells. (2) To determine if cold-shocked E. coli O157:H7 cells at stationary and exponential phases are more pressure resistant than their non-cold shocked counterparts. (3) To investigate the baro-protective role of growth media (0.1% peptone water, beef gravy and ground beef).

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Horizontal transfer of Staphylococcus aureus pathogenicity islands (SaPIs) plays an important role in acquiring pathogenicity. This study aimed to identify novel SaPIs encoding staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs) and to characterize their SE productivity and replication process.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential application of bacteriocins against Gram-negative bacteria when associated with others food preservation methods.

Q fever is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetii which is endemic in cattle, sheep and goats in much of the world, including the United Kingdom (UK). There is some epidemiological evidence that a small proportion of cases in the developed world may arise from consumption of unpasteurised milk with less evidence for milk products such as cheese. Long maturation at low pH may give some inactivation in hard cheese and viable C.

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To isolate bacteria from soil for the purpose of microbial pre-treatment of brown crab (Cancer pagurus) shell waste and the production of chitin.