Research Publications (Food Safety)

The skin of fish contains a diverse microbiota that has symbiotic functions with the host, facilitating pathogen exclusion, immune system priming, and nutrient degradation. The composition of fish skin microbiomes varies across species and in response to a variety of stressors, however, there has been no systematic analysis across these studies to evaluate how these factors shape fish skin microbiomes.

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) have fused molecular imprinting technology with magnetic separation technology, emerging as an innovative material capable of recognizing specific molecules and efficiently separating target substances. Their application to the extraction and purification of mycotoxins has great potential, due to the toxicity and economic impact of these contaminants.

A recent study published data on the growth performance, relative weights of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, liver histology, serum biochemistry, and hematological parameters for turkey poults fed an experimental diet contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and humic acids (HA) extracted from vermicompost.

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin commonly found in feedstuffs, is known for its detrimental effects on the kidneys and liver, posing significant health risks to animals and humans. This study investigated the toxicokinetics, excretion patterns, and milk transmission of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in lactating sows. The sows were administered a single oral dose of 500 μg/kg BW (body weight), followed by the systematic sampling of plasma, feces, urine, and milk.

This study explored the impact of aqueous ozone treatment on chlorpyrifos degradation in cucumbers, optimizing conditions using both response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network‐genetic algorithm (ANN‐GA). While both models demonstrated high predictability, the ANN optimized conditions surpassed RSM in chlorpyrifos degradation, resulting in enhanced physicochemical and microbial qualities in cucumbers.

by Tien Ngoc Phuc Nguyen, Son Hai Nguyen, Mai Thi Tran The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria is essential for food safety and public health. Conventional detection techniques, such as nucleic acid sequence-based amplification and polymerase chain reaction, are time-consuming and require specialized equipment and trained personnel.

Introduction Shotgun metagenomics has previously proven effective in the investigation of foodborne outbreaks by providing rapid and comprehensive insights into the microbial contaminant. However, culture enrichment of the sample has remained a prerequisite, despite the potential impact on pathogen detection resulting from the growth competition.

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) lameness is the most critical animal health and welfare issue facing the broiler industry worldwide. It is estimated that 1 to 2% of bird condemnation at marketing age is caused by BCO lameness, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in annual losses.

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen with high hospitalization and case fatality rates. To cause disease, L. monocytogenes must gain access to a specific food matrix and in many cases be able to grow before the food isnsumed. The fitness of this pathogen differs between individual foods and depends on its ability to adapt to various environmental stressors that are highly specific in each food matrix.

Necrotic enteritis is a devastating disease to poultry caused by the bacterium Clostridium perfringens. As a novel approach to combating poultry necrotic enteritis, we identified and characterized several hundred single domain antibody fragments (or nanobodies) capable of binding either the NetB toxin or the collagen-binding adhesin (CnaA) of C. perfringens.

Absorbent food pads are commonly used to absorb exudate drained from food to maintain initial food quality throughout shelf life. However, the absorbed exudate often serves as a nutrient for contaminating pathogens in the pads, requiring appropriate antimicrobial strategies.

Widespread foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes exhibits a pronounced fatality rate among individuals with compromised immune systems, the elderly, and pregnant women. A simple and user-friendly approach is required to identify L. monocytogenes. A distinctive thermostatic nucleic acid amplification technology called polymerase spiral reaction (PSR) has been extensively employed in the identification of foodborne pathogens.

Background and aims

Enhanced silicate rock weathering (ERW) on cropland soils can increase crop yield and promote carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Applying silicate rock powder to flooded rice paddies can promote weathering, but the effects of ERW on rice production and CO2 removal rates in the field remain unclear.

Reduction of Campylobacter on broiler meat is crucial for decreasing the number of campylobacteriosis cases. A module (IceGun®) that sprays slurry ice on carcasses has been developed to enhance the chilling capacity in poultry slaughterhouses and may, in addition, help reduce the bacterial load. The present study investigated how slurry ice (IceGun®) affects the Campylobacter load on broiler carcasses.

Flavonoids, a diverse group of polyphenolic compounds found in various plant-based foods, have garnered attention for their potential in combating Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Flavonoids have demonstrated promising anti-HBV activities by interfering with multiple stages of the HBV life cycle, making them promising candidates for novel antiviral agents.

Controlled environment agriculture (CEA), or indoor agriculture, encompasses non-traditional farming methods that occur inside climate-controlled structures (e.g., greenhouses, warehouses, high tunnels) allowing for year-round production of fresh produce such as leaf lettuce. However, recent outbreaks and recalls associated with hydroponically grown lettuce contaminated with human pathogens have raised concerns.

The excessive and uncontrolled application of antibiotics in the fish farming industry, coupled with a lack of health monitoring and medication practices, is a driving force behind the escalating development of antimicrobial resistance. The present study assessed and compared qualitative field diffusion (QFD) and disk diffusion (DD) assays for the detection of antimicrobial residues (ARs) in diverse freshwater aquaculture fish.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading cause of seafood-associated gastroenteritis, has a strong capacity to form biofilms on surfaces, which is strictly regulated by the CpsS–CpsR–CpsQ regulatory cascade. OpaR, a master regulator of quorum sensing, is a global regulator that controls multiple cellular pathways including biofilm formation and virulence. QsvR is an AraC-type regulator that works coordinately with OpaR to control biofilm formation and virulence gene expression of V.

Shigella is an important human-adapted pathogen which contributes to a large global burden of diarrhoeal disease. Together with the increasing threat of antimicrobial resistance and lack of an effective vaccine, there is great urgency to identify novel therapeutics and preventatives to combat Shigella infection. In this review, we discuss the development of innovative technologies and animal models to study mechanisms underlying Shigella infection of humans.

Abstract This report by the European Food Safety Authority and the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control, provides an overview of the main findings of the 2021–2022 harmonised Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) monitoring in Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli from humans and food‐producing animals (broilers, laying hens and fattening turkeys, fattening pigs and cattle under one year of age) and relevant meat thereof.

Abstract Free‐living amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba are infected by various bacteria in nature, and thus bacteria can protect themselves from adverse environmental conditions. Contrary to this ameba–bacteria relationship whether Acanthamoeba has antibacterial effects on bacteria is the different aspect of the relationship between these microorganisms. In this study, we investigate various Acanthamoeba strains have antibacterial effects on various Staphylococcus strains.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) enterotoxins have aroused great concern to food safety owing to its increased risk of food poisoning. The current research aimed to investigate the anti-virulence mechanisms of phloretin against S. aureus in terms of toxin activity and gene expression.

by Nigel Yarlett, Mary Morada, Deborah A. Schaefer, Kevin Ackman, Elizabeth Carranza, Rodrigo de Paula Baptista, Michael W. Riggs, Jessica Kissinger Recent advances in the in vitro cultivation of Cryptosporidium parvum using hollow fiber bioreactor technology (HFB) have permitted continuous growth of parasites that complete all life cycle stages.

Protocatechualdehyde (PA) is a phenolic acid present in many plants and has many biological activities. Herein, the antagonistic effects and the action mechanism of PA against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were studied. The results showed that PA had both significant antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities against MRSA. Additionally, PA had synergy with ampicillin against MRSA.

There is a limited research focus on evaluating the detrimental effects of prolonged zearalenone (ZEN) intake on dairy cows’ health under controlled conditions. This experiment was conducted to evaluate whether the length of exposure to a ZEN-contaminated total mixed ration (TMR) at a level of 9.45 mg per day can negatively influence animal health parameters, such as milk composition, rumen and fecal fermentation, and the chewing activity of lactating dairy cows.