Research Publications (Food Safety)

Aims To increase biodegradation of phenanthrene (PHE), pyrene (PYR) and fluoranthene (FLU) through mixed cultures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)‐degrading bacteria, using modified repeated batch fermentation. Methods and Results Novel bacterial strains of Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas sp. and Ralstonia eutropha were cultivated and the biodegradation and conversion of mixed PAH to medium chain length‐polyhydroxyalkanoates (MCL‐PHA) was determined.

Aim The aim was to identify a Lactobacillus strain with potential probiotic characteristics by whole genome sequence analysis and in vitro experimental studies. Methods and Results The whole genome sequencing was carried out using PacBio RSII sequencing method and Illumina's paired‐end sequencing technology. Gene prediction and annotation was achieved using GlimmerVersion 3.02 and NCBI prokaryotic Genome Annotation Pipeline.

Aims This experimental study focuses on survival and consistence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in cold water sediments and how increasing temperature and nutritional availability can affect growth. Methods and Results A pathogenic strain of V. parahaemolyticus was inoculated in seawater microcosms containing bottom sediment. Gradually, during 14 days, the temperature was upregulated from 8 to 21°C. Culturable V.

Aims The aims of this study were to isolate and characterize novel Salmonella phages and evaluate the effectiveness of phage cocktails used as antibacterial agents in dishwashing materials. Methods and Results The effective phages, vB_STy‐RN5i1 and vB_STy‐RN29, were isolated from drain water samples collected from open markets using S. Typhimurium as the host strain. These phages were identified as members of Podoviridae and Siphoviridae, respectively.

Aims The aim of this study was to develop a novel selective agar for the specific isolation and detection of Bacillus anthracis. Methods and Results Based on published data on antibiotic resistance and susceptibility of B. anthracis and other closely related species of the Bacillus cereus sensu lato group, a new selective agar formulation termed CEFOMA (Bacillus CEreus sensu lato group specific antibiotics, FOsfomycin, MAcrolides) was developed and evaluated. All tested strains of B.

Aims Salmonella cells desiccated in an environment with low‐water activity (aw) show longer survival times and enhanced resistance to heat. However, little is known about the cellular ultrastructure of Salmonella in low‐aw environment in relation to the survival and persistence during desiccation.

Aims The purpose of this study was to isolate Lactobacillus from gastrointestinal tract of healthy post‐weaning piglets and investigate its synergistic antimicrobial and probiotic effects with ZnO nanoparticles (nZnO). Methods and Results Out of the 128 isolates, L. plantarum BLPL03 was selected based on its excellent acid and bile salt tolerance properties. L.

Aims Exposure of Listeria monocytogenes to osmotic stress can induce increased resistance to subsequent lethal exposure to cell envelope stressors, such as nisin and bile salts. We wanted to determine if similar cross‐protection phenotypes could occur when L. monocytogenes strains were treated with osmotic stress and exposed to sub‐lethal levels of the cell envelope stressor, bile. Method and Results Growth phenotypes were measured for six L.

Aims The study established the inactivation kinetic parameters of an Acanthamoeba cyst isolate subjected to heating and chlorination. Methods and Results A strain of Acanthamoeba was isolated and purified from an area surrounding a pilot food plant. Mature cysts (14 d) were subjected to heat inactivation studies at 71, 76, 81, 86, and 91 °C; and chlorination at 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm.

Aims Evaluate the possible synergistic effect of cranberry juice (CJ) and commercial citrus extract (BS) against FCV‐F9 viral titer in‐vitro in combination with γ‐irradiation to determinate the D10 values and radiosensitivity increase. Methods and Results Virus samples were treated with a formulation containing a mixture of BS or CJ. Results showed a D10 of 0.05 %, 0.42 % and 1.34 kGy for the virus treated with the BS, the CJ and the irradiation alone, respectively.

Aim The current study was conducted to determine the incidence, antibiotic resistance and virulence genes of Vibrio strains isolated from ready‐to‐eat shrimps in Edo and Delta States, Nigeria. Methods and Results A total of 1440 ready‐to‐eat shrimp's samples were obtained from open markets from November 2016 to October 2017 and analysed using standard culture‐based procedures.

Aims This study was conducted to early detect the negative culture bacterial pathogens causing subclinical mastitis for the fast diagnosis of the disease and the reduction of some milk transmitted pathogenic bacteria to human consumers. Methods and Results A total of 171 positive California mastitis test (CMT) milk samples collected from asymptomatic dairy cows in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt were examined by conventional bacteriological methods.

Aims To study association between number and positions of mutations with MICs of fluoroquinolone non‐susceptible Haemophilus influenzae. Methods and Results More than 40% of 48 H. influenzae isolated from nursing home residents were not susceptible to fluoroquinolone. Amino acid changes in the quinolone resistance determining regions, and correlation with MICs and inhibition zone diameters were analyzed.

Aim Following previous research on improving the cleaning of crates used to transport broiler chickens from the farm to the abattoir, a demonstration project was undertaken to investigate improvements in crate washing on a commercial scale. Methods and Results The soak tank of a conventional crate washing system was replaced with a high‐performance washer fitted with high‐volume, high‐pressure nozzles.

Aim To effectively make high‐quality silage in hot and humid area. Methods and Results The natural lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains CZ149, XH358, XH753, and XH761 isolated from corn and Napier grass were screened by the potential of low pH growth and high lactic acid production, and their effect on silage quality, aerobic stability and aflatoxin B1 production of whole‐crop corn were also studied in Sichuan, China.

Aims Assessment the quality of fresh whitemouth croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) collected in different seasons the through quantification of histamine‐forming bacteria, determination of histamine content, and characterization of microorganism communities. Methods and Results The histamine content of fresh whitemouth croaker was detected by HPLC‐DAD with a concentration ranging from 258.52 to 604.62 mg kg‐1 being observed.

Aims This study evaluated the antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella enterica strains from layer poultry farms in central Ecuador isolated during 2017. This geographical area is responsible for around 60% of total domestic egg production, yet, as of 2019, no reports had been published on the phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance patterns of Salmonella in the layer poultry farms of this area.

Aim Identification and enumeration of foodborne pathogens in food stuffs are valuable concerns. In the present study, starch‐blood‐egg yolk‐polymyxin B‐trimethoprim‐ceftazidime (SBYPTC) agar was established to isolate and specify the number of B. cereus in food products. Methods and results The effectiveness of the developed medium in selecting for B.

Aim Infiltration experiments aimed to show the effectivity of coral sand to remove microorganisms in septic tank wastewater treatment system, in South Tarawa, Kiribati. Methods and Results Laboratory experiments evaluated effective microbial removal properties of a packed bed of coral beach sand conditioned with domestic effluent.

Aim The objective of this study was to investigate the biofilm inhibitory activity of Streptomyces‐derived actinomycin D against biofilm formation by Staphylococcus epidermidis. Methods and Results The microtiter plate method and microscopy were used to detect the biofilm formation of S. epidermidis. And an attempt was made to detect the effect of actinomycin D on important biofilm components, exopolysaccharides (EPS) in S. epidermidis using precolumn derivation HPLC.

Consumers’ demand is increasing for safe foods without impairing the phytochemical and sensory quality. In turn, it has increased research interest in the exploration of innovative food processing technologies. Cold plasma technology is getting popularity now days owing to its high efficacy in decontamination of microbes in fruit and fruit based products. As a on‐thermal approach, plasma processing maintains the quality of fruits and minimizes the thermal effects on nutritional properties.

Aim The present investigation was aimed at isolating and identifying bacterial strains from cured vanilla beans. Additionally, the study focused on evaluating bacterial processes pertaining to the aromatic compounds production (ACP). Methods and Results Three bacteria were isolated from Vanilla planifolia beans, previously subjected to the curing process.

Aim To develop a novel in vitro urethra model and use it to determine if insertion of an intermittent urinary catheter (IC) displaces pathogenic bacteria from the urethral meatus along the urethra. Methods Displacement of microbial growth after catheter insertion was assessed using a novel in vitro urethra model.

Aims The identification and differentiation of antibiotic resistant bacteria by MALDI‐TOF‐MS profiling remains a challenge due to the difficulty in detecting unique protein biomarkers associated with this trait.

Aims To prevent the spread of brucellosis, a simple and rapid vertical flow technology for the detection of antibodies targeting brucellosis was developed. Methods and Results In this study, Brucella spp. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was purified and used to detect brucellosis antibodies. Sheep IgG was used as a negative control. Colloidal gold‐labeled recombinant staphylococcus aureus protein A was sprayed on a fiberglass membrane to prepare an immunogold pads.