Research Publications (Food Safety)

Aims A. hydrophila is a zoonotic pathogen displaying resistance to multiple antibiotics. Here we aim to develop a candidate biocontrol agent against A. hydrophila. Methods and results In this study, we isolated and characterized the phage vB‐AhyM‐AP1 from sewage. It showed lytic activity against A. hydrophila strains. One‐step growth curve revealed that the latent period lasted for 40 min. The burst size of one lytic cycle was 1413 PFU/infected cell.

Aim To investigate the occurrence of ESBL and colistin‐resistant E. coli and its genotypic characterization and identification of virulence determinants in cases of bovine mastitis in three provinces of China. Materials & methods Five hundred and thirty‐five milk samples presenting mastitis symptoms were screened for the presence of ESBL, colistin‐resistant, and different virulence genes. Susceptibility testing was identified by the micro‐dilution method. E.

Aims A Cadmium (Cd)‐tolerant Bacillus megaterium strain A14 was used to investigate the effects and mechanisms of bacterial inoculation on peanut growth, Cd accumulation in grains, and Cd fixation in Cd‐contaminated soil. Methods and Results Spectroscopic analysis showed that A14 has many functional groups (‐OH, ‐NH2 and ‐COO et al.) distributed on its surface.

Aims To perform the molecular characterization of 23 Staphylococcus aureus isolates from pigs with signs of infections recovered in Spanish farms during 2018‐2019. Methods and Results The antimicrobial resistance pattern and virulence profile were determined. The molecular typing was performed by different molecular techniques. The transferability of the cfr gene was assessed by conjugation and its genetic environment was determined by PCR‐mapping.

Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, causes diverse community and nosocomial acquired human infections, including folliculitis, impetigo, sepsis, septic arthritis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, implant associated biofilm infections and contagious mastitis in cattle. In recent days both methicillin‐sensitive and methicillin resistant S. aureus infections have increased. Highly effective anti‐staphylococcal agents are urgently required.

Aims Esteya vermicola is an endoparasitic fungus producing lunate conidia, which kill pine wood nematode (PWN), and PWN could cause pine wilt disease (PWD). The aims of this study were to increase production and confirm the resistance (temperature and UV irradiation) of lunate conidia, and further determine the effective concentrations of conidia infecting PWN. Methods and Results In this study, rice was used as a carrier to absorb conidial suspension to propagate conidia.

Aim To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and wound healing effect of atmospheric pressure cold plasma (APCP) on an infected pressure ulcer (IPUs) model that was created on rats. Methods A total of 18 rats was divided into APCP, silver sulfadiazine (AgS), and control groups to have six rats in each group. A third‐grade pressure ulcer model was developed on the back of each of the rats, and pressure ulcers were infected by inoculation of multidrug resistance (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aims To investigate the effects of the lectin from Punica granatum sarcotesta (PgTeL) on growth, viability, cell structure, biofilm formation and chitinase activity of Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, the effect of PgTeL on the adhesion and invasion of human cells (HeLa) was determined.

Aims To evaluate the applicability of the Mimosa tenuiflora and Eucalyptus urograndis pyroligneous acids (PAs) as alternative antiseptics in dairy goats. Methods and Results Cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro using bacteria, as well as in vivo using goats, and the influence of PAs on the physicochemical parameters of fresh milk were examined. The cytotoxicity of PAs was evaluated in terms of morphology, cell viability, and metabolic activity of goat tegumentary cells. The PA of M.

Aims Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, the causal agent of white mold, can infect several host species, including economically important crops. In this study, we propose and validate a new in vitro system able to mimic the conditions of interaction with the host and promote the induction of S. sclerotiorum effectors. Methods and results For culture media production, we selected three plant species, common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L, cv. Requinte.), maize (Zea mays, cv.

Aim The current study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistance profile and genetic relatedness of Aeromonas spp. isolated from healthcare and urban effluents, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), and river water. Methods and results We detected the presence of genes conferring resistance to β‐lactam, quinolone, and aminoglycoside.

Aims The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with the probiotic Saccharomyces boulardii with or without metronidazole in experimental giardiasis. Methods and results The effect of treatment with S. boulardii with or without metronidazole on the intestinal mucosa, the antioxidant defence system and the parasitic load was determined in experimental giardiasis.

In food establishments, cleaning and disinfection programs contribute to provide the environmental conditions that are necessary for the production of safe and healthy food. Compliance with validated programs is evaluated through verification activities, in order to establish, through objective evidence, if they are implemented as they were written and if they are effective, achieving continuous improvement of the sanitation programs.

Aim Fluorescent semiconductor nanoparticles or Quantum Dots (QDs) have excellent properties as photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy. This is mainly consequence of their nanometric size and the generation of light‐activated redox species. In previous works we have reported the low‐cost biomimetic synthesis of glutathione (GSH) capped QDs (CdTe‐GSH QDs) with high biocompatibility. However, no studies have been performed to determine their phototoxic effect.

Aims To better understand the persistence dynamics of enteropathogenic bacteria in freshwater wetland habitats, we constructed lab‐scale mesocosms planted with two different wetland plant species using a sub‐surface flow wetland design. Mesocosms were treated with either a high‐ quality or a poor‐quality water source to examine the effects of water quality exposure and plant species on Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Enterococcus spp.

Aims The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of probiotics and antibiotics on microbial composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration and free fatty acid receptor 2/3 (FFAR2/3) expression in boiler chickens. Methods and Results 150 one‐day‐old male broilers were randomly allocated into 3 groups, control (CON) group, probiotics (PB) group and antibiotics (ATB) group.

This study evaluated the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B. amyloliquefaciens) TL106 isolated from Tibetan pigs’ feces, on the growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, morphology of jejunum, cecum and colon, and gut microbiota in the mice with enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC)‐induced intestinal diseases.

Aims The study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity and efficacy of chestnut and quebracho wood extracts against Salmonella by in vitro assays and in vivo trials. Methods and results The extracts showed inhibitory activity against Salmonella determined by the minimum inhibitory concentration method as well as on the adhesion and invasion of S. Gallinarum (SG) and S. Enteritidis (SE) in Caco‐2 cells.

Aims This study evaluated the microbiological quality and safety of minimally processed parsley sold in southeastern Brazilian food markets. Methods and Results One hundred samples were submitted to the enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae by plating on MacConkey agar. Colonies of Enterobacteriaceae were randomly selected and identified by MALDI‐TOF MS. Samples were also tested for Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp.

Aims In this study, we sought to determine the incidence and diversity of Salmonella in a broad collection of commercial animal feeds collected from animal feed mills across the United States over an eleven‐month period and utilize CRISPR analysis to identify individual serovars. Methods and Results Over two independent trials, 387 feed samples from 135 different animal feed mills in the United States were screened for Salmonella.

Aims Infection of seafood with pathogenic species of the genus Vibrio causes human food‐borne illnesses. This study was executed to examine the antimicrobial‐resistance phenotypes, biofilm‐forming capability, and virulence‐associated genes of Vibrio from fish and shellfishes. Methods and results Three hundred fresh water and marine fish and shellfish samples were collected from wet markets and supermarkets in Mansoura, Egypt.

Aim Gonorrhoea remains a leading public health burden and the development of vaccine against gonorrhoea becomes more urgent. Here, a novel Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA vaccine delivered by Salmonella enteritidis ghosts was developed and the immune responses of the vaccine candidate were evaluated. Methods and Results Neisseria gonorrhoeae nspA gene was cloned into the pVAX1 vector.

Aim The focus of the present study was the evaluation of the copper ions treatment on the viability of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and other bacterial communities in cow’s milk. Methods and Results A copper ions treatment was evaluated in naturally contaminated cow’s milk to assay MAP load and/or viability; and relative abundance of other bacterial communities. In addition, physical‐chemical analysis of the milk was also performed.

Aims To analyze the non‐glycosylated protein fraction from Melipona beecheii honey for antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli O157:H7. Methods and Results The proteins from M. beecheii honey were separated according to their degree of glycosylation using Concanavalin A‐affinity chromatography. The total protein extract and its fractions were analyzed by 1D and 2D electrophoresis.

Aims Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) caused by Vibrio parahaemolyticus has emerged as a severe bacterial disease of cultured shrimp. To identify the key virulence factors, two AHPND‐causing V. parahaemolyticus (VpAHPND) strains (123 and 137) and two non‐VpAHPND strains (HZ56 and ATCC17082) were selected.