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Foodborne pathogens can easily contaminate chicken meat due to its high nutritional content, and these pathogens can infect humans. One of the most important pathogens contaminating chicken meat and causing severe public health problems is Listeria monocytogenes, which would be responsible for Listeriosis. Therefore, rapid and sensitive detection of L. monocytogenes in chicken meat samples is of great significance. In the current study, the presence of L. monocytogenes in chicken meat samples collected from several markets in Erzurum was detected by comparing two different DNA isolation methods with the Real-time PCR. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that 34% of the chicken meat samples collected were positive for L. monocytogenes in both two methods. According to the comparison analyses of the Bland-Altman method, no significant difference was found between the thermal lysis method and the DNA isolation method by commercial kit. As a result of this study, it has been shown that the thermal lysis method can be successfully applied for the detection of foodborne pathogens in chicken meat when evaluated in terms of workload and cost. The current study is the first report on the comparison of thermal lysis method and DNA isolation by commercial kit in the detection of L. monocytogenes from chicken meat by Real-time PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Enteritidis is a major foodborne pathogen, and the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. Enteritidis poses a serious public health challenge. In this study, we report the genomic characterization of five S. Enteritidis isolates from clinical. These isolates exhibited resistance to seven classes of antimicrobials with four of the five characterized as MDR. Isolate 33 A exhibited resistance to colistin and polymyxin B, while no associated antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were identified in its genome. Isolate 21 A and 44 A were extended-spectrum beta-lactamases-producing (ESBLs). Whole genome sequencing analysis revealed the presence of multiple mobile genetic elements (MGEs), including plasmids, prophages, and genomic islands, which may have facilitated the acquisition and dissemination of ARGs. Notably, several ARGs, including blaCTX−M−55, blaTEM−141, blaTEM−1B, aph(3')-IIa, aph(3")-Ib, aph(6)-Id, tet(A), floR, fosA3, and sul2, were identified on plasmids. In addition, chromosomal point mutations in gyrA (D87G and D87Y) and acrB (F28L and L40P) were also observed in each isolate. Multiple virulence genes associated with the type III secretion system were identified on Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs) SPI-1 and SPI-2. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the five isolates, along with a clinical and chicken origin isolates in the database, clustered together, suggesting a probable common source of infection. Our findings highlight the intricate genetic mechanisms behind MDR in S. Enteritidis, emphasizing the ongoing necessity for surveillance and appropriate antimicrobial usage. This contributes to our understanding of S. Enteritidis transmission within the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are known to exhibit various beneficial roles in fermentation, serving as probiotics, and producing a plethora of valuable compounds including antimicrobial activity such as bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) that can be used as biopreservative to improve food safety and quality. However, the yield of BLIS is often limited, which poses a challenge to be commercially competitive with the current preservation practice. Therefore, the present work aimed to establish an optimised two-plasmid CRISPR/Cas9 system to redirect the carbon flux away from lactate towards compounds with antimicrobial activity by disrupting lactate dehydrogenase gene (ldh) on various strains of LAB. The lactic acid-deficient (ldhΔ) strains caused a metabolic shift resulting in increased inhibitory activity against selected foodborne pathogens up to 78 % than the wild-type (WT) strain. The most significant effect was depicted by Enterococcus faecalis-ldh∆ which displayed prominent bactericidal effects against all foodborne pathogens as compared to the WT that showed no antimicrobial activity. The present work provided a framework model for economically important LAB and other beneficial bacteria to synthesise and increase the yield of valuable food and industrial compounds. The present work reported for the first time that the metabolism of selected LAB can be manipulated by modifying ldh to attain metabolites with higher antimicrobial activity. • The development of a new mutant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains was attained by genetically disrupt lactate dehydrogenase (ldh) gene, to eliminate the production of lactic acid. • The deletion of the ldh was achieved by introducing an efficient two-plasmid CRISPR system. • The growth rate of the mutant LAB strains show significant changes due to the deletion of ldh. • The effects of metabolic alteration on Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substance (BLIS) was significantly increase up to two-fold resulted from re-routing of the carbon flow towards BLIS pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study assessed the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cowpea-legumin (CPL) against antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogens (FBP), the consequences on Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) quality and shelf-life, and the growth curves of inoculated FBPs. Fresh LTL-steaks were enriched with either 0.5 mg/g (CPL0.5) or 1 mg/g (CPL1) and evaluated over 15 chilling-days at 4 °C. Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli were inhibited by 25 and 3.125 mg/mL, respectively, while antibiotic-susceptible FBPs and antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were suppressed by 0.1 mg/mL CPL. CPL1-fortification produced fully tender LTL that was initially yellower/less red than the control, then turned brighter red with storage. CPL demonstrated promising dose-dependent antioxidant, and antibacterial activities against native spoilage and antibiotic-resistant/susceptible FBPs. CPL's proteinaceous composition, besides sample size, might impact stability. Conclusively, CPL demonstrated promising preservative stability in fresh meat for a maximum of fifteen-days and represents a viable antimicrobial alternative in battle against antibiotic-resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leafy greens are a significant source of produce-related Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) outbreaks in the United States, with agricultural water often implicated as a potential source. Current FDA outbreak detection protocols are time-consuming and rely on sequencing methods performed in costly equipment. This study evaluated the potential of Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) with Q20+ chemistry as a cost-effective, rapid, and accurate method for identifying and clustering foodborne pathogens. The study focuses on assessing whether ONT Q20+ technology could facilitate near real-time pathogen identification, including SNP differences, serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance genes. This pilot study evaluated different combinations of two DNA extraction methods (Maxwell RSC Cultured Cell DNA kit and Monarch high molecular weight extraction kits) and two ONT library preparation protocols (ligation and the rapid barcoding sequencing kit) using five well-characterized strains representing diverse foodborne pathogens. High-quality, closed bacterial genomes were obtained from all combinations of extraction and sequencing kits. However, variations in assembly length and genome completeness were observed, indicating the need for further optimization. In silico analyses demonstrated that Q20+ nanopore sequencing chemistry accurately identified species, genotype, and virulence factors, with comparable results to Illumina sequencing. Phylogenomic clustering showed that ONT assemblies clustered with reference genomes, though some indels and SNP differences were observed, likely due to sequencing and analysis methodologies rather than inherent genetic variation. Additionally, the study evaluated the impact of a change in the sampling rates from 4 kHz (260 bases pair second) to 5 kHz (400 bases pair second), finding no significant difference in sequencing accuracy. This evaluation workflow offers a framework for evaluating novel technologies for use in surveillance and foodborne outbreak investigations. Overall, the evaluation demonstrated the potential of ONT Q20+ nanopore sequencing chemistry to assist in identifying the correct strain during outbreak investigations. However, further research, validation studies, and optimization efforts are needed to address the observed limitations and fully realize the technology's potential for improving public health outcomes and enabling more efficient responses to foodborne disease threats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Human bocavirus (HBoV) is an emerging pathogen causing gastroenteritis/respiratory tract infection. Shellfish has been implicated in foodborne HBoV dissemination. The present investigation aimed at synthesising shellfish-associated HBoV data. Shellfish-HBoV data were mined from public repositories using topic-specific algorithm. A total of 30 data sources was identified of which 5 were synthesised. The average HBoV positivity and sample-size was 12 ± 9.2 and 134.2 ± 113.6, respectively. HBoV was studied in mollusc with 3.7–83.3% crude prevalence. The pooled HBoV prevalence in shellfish was 9.2% (7.2–11.8; 5 studies) and 12.9% (1.8–53.9; 5 studies) in common-effects and random-effects model respectively, with 0.12–94.89% prediction interval (PI). Sensitivity analysis yielded 8.7% (6.7–11.2; PI = 1.99–29.48%) prevalence. HBoV1 and HBoV2 pooled prevalence in shellfish was 7.91% (1.61–31.09; 3 studies) and 12.52% (0.01–99.60; 3 studies), respectively. HBoV3 prevalence was reported in one single study as 6.96% (4.41–10.35). In conclusion, the present study revealed high HBoV prevalence in shellfish, signifying the need to characterise HBoV and subtypes circulating in non-mollusc shellfish. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to mitigate the food safety risk that may result from HBoV contaminated shellfish since shellfish-borne HBoV is not routinely assessed and might be underestimated at present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenic bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is a major food safety concern as it can form biofilms that increase its survival and infective potential. Biofilms consist of microbial cells and extracellular matrix (ECM), which is made of water and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are critical for structural integrity and pathogenicity. The aim of this study was to optimize a protocol for the isolation of C. jejuni ECM. We employed eight physical and chemical isolation methods to extract and purify ECM, followed by different qualitative and quantitative analyses using gel electrophoresis and spectroscopy. This comprehensive approach enabled the evaluation of ECM composition in terms of polysaccharides, proteins, and extracellular DNA. The isolation methods resulted in different yields and purities of the extracted ECM components. Centrifugation in combination with chemical treatments proved to be most effective, isolating higher concentrations of polysaccharides and proteins. Additionally, extraction with ether solution facilitated the recovery of high-molecular-weight extracellular DNA. Overall, we provide a refined methodology for ECM extraction from C. jejuni. As polysaccharides and proteins participate in biofilm stability and microbial communication, and extracellular DNA participates in genetic exchange and virulence, our study contributes towards a better understanding of the persistence of this pathogen in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Salmonella contains the most common foodborne pathogens frequently isolated from food-producing animals and is responsible for zoonotic infections in humans and animals. Salmonella infection in humans and animals can cause intestinal damage, resulting in intestinal inflammation and disruption of intestinal homeostasis more severe cases can lead to bacteremia. Pyroptosis, a proinflammatory form of programmed cell death, is involved in many disease processes. Inflammasomes, pyroptosis, along with their respective signaling cascades, are instrumental in the preservation of intestinal homeostasis. In recent years, with the in-depth study of pyroptosis, our comprehension of the virulence factors and effector proteins in Salmonella has reached an extensive level, a deficit persists in our knowledge regarding the intrinsic pathogenic mechanisms about pyroptosis, necessitating a continued pursuit of understanding and investigation. In this review, we discuss the occurrence of pyroptosis induced by Salmonella effectors to provide new ideas for elucidating the regulatory mechanisms through which Salmonella virulence factors and effector proteins trigger pyroptosis could pave the way for novel concepts and strategies in the clinical prevention of Salmonella infections and the treatment of associated diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dominican Republic, like other economically developing countries, has begun to shift national focus away from food security to concentrate on improving food safety and nutrition. The government of the Dominican Republic has promoted and implemented measures aimed at eradicating poverty and malnutrition and reducing the diseases that are a direct consequence of nutritional deficiencies. However, between 2013 and 2018, the Dominican Republic reported approximately 23,000 cases of foodborne illness annually. Additionally, the number of annual cases of acute diarrhea has increased to approximately 80,000 cases per year with a mortality rate (per 100,000 inhabitants) between 5.98 and 6.94. While the etiological agents responsible for these cases are often not identified, foodborne pathogens including Shigella, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella, and Campylobacter have been isolated from food exported from the Dominican Republic as well as locally consumed foods. This review describes the status of food safety in the Dominican Republic. The review focuses on what is known regarding the etiological agents involved in foodborne disease outbreaks in the country, the impact of foodborne disease, measures the Dominican Republic government has taken to ensure the safety of both exported foods and foods consumed locally, barriers to improving food safety, as well as current and emerging food safety challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consumption of organic food has increased in recent years. In organic rearing animals are exposed to outdoor conditions, which may increase their risk of infection from various pathogens. In the present study the occurrence of the most significant foodborne pathogenic bacteria in organic meat and ready-to-eat organic meat products was assessed. Out of 100 raw organic meat samples tested, 72 were contaminated with bacterial pathogens. The highest percentage of contaminated samples was observed in poultry meat (92.5%) followed by pork meat (66.7%). Furthermore, 50.0% of beef origin samples were positive for the bacteria tested. L. monocytogenes was found in 39.0% of samples, S. aureus was identified in 37.0%, Campylobacter in 20.0%, Salmonella in 8.0% and Shigatoxin-producing E. coli in 4.0% of raw meat samples. In 31.0% of samples a co-occurrence of two (83.9%) or three (16.1%) pathogens was observed. Among 100 samples of organic meat products tested, only L. monocytogenes was found in 5.0% of samples. The result of the present study indicated that organic food may be a source of harmful microorganisms that may pose foodborne infections to consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High incidences of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes have been reported on smear cheeses, and despite increased hygiene efforts, this incidence has remained stable in recent years. Applying antilisterial strains may increase the safety of smear cheeses. To find and test antilisterial strains, we inoculated fresh soft cheeses from nine dairies with the surrogate species Listeria innocua and assessed its growth under standardized ripening conditions. Acetic acid at day 23 (r = −0.66), lactose in fresh cheese (r = −0.63), and glucose at day 10 (r = −0.62), as well as seven amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), were negatively correlated with L. innocua growth. Two of these ASVs were assigned to the genus Leuconostoc of Lactobacillaceae (r = −0.82 and −0.71). Isolates from this family, from Aerococcaceae, and Carnobacteriaceae were characterized according to their inhibitory properties, and those showing antilisterial properties were applied as protective cultures in challenge tests. The combined application of strains of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Aerococcaceae, and Carnobacteriaceae successfully eliminated low levels of L. innocua in the final products. This is likely explained by antimicrobial compounds, including mesentericin Y105 and acetate, and competition for carbon sources and iron. This study shows a promising way to improve the safety of soft smear cheeses by applying defined protective cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although antibiotics are the main therapy for bacterial infections, the reports showed that the overuse (or misuse) of antibiotics will results in several problems such as the development of antibiotic-resistant strains, persistence of drug residues, and numerous environmental concerns. Therefore, finding antibiotic alternatives is considered of vital importance. Investigation of the antimicrobial properties of several plant substances and extracts is of great value to replace antibiotics. With this objective, this study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of an ethanolic extract prepared from olive mill wastewater (OMWW), which is a by-product of olive oil production with considerable environmental burden, against 38 bacterial strains, including fish-associated pathogens, non-pathogenic isolates, collection strains, and one yeast strain, Candida albicans. Disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration (MBC/MFC) tests were used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the OMWWE. According to the results, OMWWE provoked strong inhibitory effects against Shewanella baltica strain SY-S145. It also showed a moderate inhibitory effect on Plesiomonas shigelloides strain SY-PS16 and Vibrio anguillarum strain SY-L24. The MIC and MBC of OMWWE on Shewanella baltica SY-S145, Vibrio gigantis strain C24, and V. anguillarum strain SY-L24 were 500 µg/mL. The MIC and MBC on V. parahaemolyticus ATCC 17802 were 1000 µg/mL, whereas the values for Aeromonas salmonicida ATCC 33658 were 500 µg/mL and 1000 µg/mL, respectively. To put it briefly, the OMWW extract showed high antimicrobial activity and can act as an environmentally friendly additive for the control and prevention of diseases caused by A. veronii, A. hydrophila, P. shigelloides, S. baltica, V. anguillarum, and V. parahaemolyticus. Its active agents also prevented infections of both fish-associated pathogens and food spoiling bacteria, which means it can not only help in the disease control mechanism but also in improving the safety of food by reduction of the microbial contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella species are important foodborne pathogens worldwide. Salmonella pathogenicity is associated with multiple virulence factors and enhanced antimicrobial resistance. To determine the molecular characteristics and genetic correlations of Salmonella, 24 strains of Salmonella isolated from different sources (raw poultry, human stool, and food) in the Wenzhou area were investigated to determine the distribution of antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants using whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Aminoglycoside resistance genes were detected in all samples. Over half of the samples found antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and point mutations for several clinically frequently used antibiotic, beta-lactams, tetracyclines, and quinolones. Of these strains, 62.5% were predicted to be multidrug-resistant (MDR). The quinolone-modifying enzyme gene aac(6')-Ib-cr, detected in five samples (S1–S4 and S10), was located on integrons. The analysis of Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) profiles suggests that serotypes with close genetic relationships share the same distribution of virulence factors, revealing a link between genotype and SPI profiles. cgMLST analysis indicated that five isolates S14–S18 were closely related to strains originating from the United Kingdom, suggesting that they may share a common origin. Data from this study may enrich the molecular traceability database for Salmonella and provide a basis for effective public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rising prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in livestock meat poses a growing public health concern in China. The determination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is critical for the clinical management of foodborne infections stemming from livestock meat consumption. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in livestock meat (pork, beef, and mutton) sampled in China in 2021 and to identify the most common AMR patterns among the isolated pathogens. A total of 2515 raw livestock meat samples were collected across 15 provinces in China during 2021. Pathogen detection, including Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC), followed China's national food safety standards. All Salmonella isolates underwent serotyping via slide agglutination. Antimicrobial susceptibility of Salmonella and DEC isolates was assessed using the broth dilution method. The detection rates for L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and DEC in raw livestock meat were 9.06% (228/2, 515), 10.54% (265/2, 515), and 6.16% (155/2, 515), respectively. Pork showed the highest contamination rates for Salmonella and DEC, with prevalence rates of 17.60% (214/1, 216, χ2 = 124.62, p < 0.05) and 7.89% (96/1, 216, χ2 = 14.466, p < 0.05), respectively. L. monocytogenes contamination was notably higher in chilled (14.43%, 84/582) and frozen (12.39%, 55/444) meat than in fresh meat (χ2 = 43.510, p < 0.05). In contrast, Salmonella (12.09%, 180/1489, χ2 = 15.173, p < 0.05) and DEC (7.25%, 108/1489, χ2 = 12.275, p < 0.05) were more prevalent in fresh meat than in chilled or frozen samples. The predominant Salmonella serotypes identified were Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, followed by Salmonella enterica serovar Derby, Salmonella enterica serovar Rissen, Salmonella enterica serovar London, and Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis. Enteroaggregative E. coli was the most frequent pathotype among DEC (84.7%, 133/157), followed by enteropathogenic E. coli (8.3%, 13/157) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (5.1%, 8/157). Among the 14 tested antimicrobial agents, Salmonella isolates demonstrated an overall resistance rate of 87.50%, while DEC exhibited a resistance rate of 84.70%. Ampicillin and tetracycline showed the highest resistance rates in both pathogens. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) was observed in 67.53% of Salmonella isolates (183 isolates) and 57.96% of DEC isolates (91 isolates). This study highlights the significant contamination of retail raw livestock meat in China by L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and DEC. The high resistance of MDR in both pathogens poses serious public health risks. Chinese food safety and veterinary authorities should implement stricter measures to control pathogen contamination and regulate the use of antimicrobials in livestock to mitigate these risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that causes listeriosis in humans, the severity of which depends on multiple factors, including intrinsic characteristics of the affected individuals and the pathogen itself. Additionally, emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications may also modulate host susceptibility to infection. Therefore, different clinical outcomes can be expected, ranging from self-limiting gastroenteritis to severe central nervous system and maternal-neonatal infections, and bacteremia. Furthermore, L. monocytogenes is a genetically and phenotypically diverse species, resulting in a large variation in virulence potential between strains. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) has been widely used to categorize the clonal structure of bacterial species and to define clonal complexes (CCs) of genetically related isolates. The combination of MLST and epidemiological data allows to distinguish hypervirulent CCs, which are notably more prevalent in clinical cases and typically associated with severe forms of the disease. Conversely, other CCs, termed hypovirulent, are predominantly isolated from food and food processing environments and are associated with the occurrence of listeriosis in immunosuppressed individuals. Reports of genetic traits associated with this diversity have been described. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is encouraging the search for virulence biomarkers to rapidly identify the main strains of concern to reduce food waste and economical losses. The aim of this review is to comprehensively collect, describe and discuss the methodologies used to discriminate the virulence potential of L. monocytogenes CCs. From the exploration of in vitro and in vivo models to the study of expression of virulence genes, each approach is critically explored to better understand its applicability and efficiency in distinguishing the virulence potential of the pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne pathogens pose significant risks to food safety. Conventional biochemical detection techniques are facing a series of challenges. In recent years, with the gradual development of CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) technology, CRISPR/Cas system-based biosensors, a newly emerging technology, have received much attention from researchers because of their supreme flexibility, sensitivity, and specificity. While numerous CRISPR-based biosensors have a broad application in the field of environmental monitoring, food safety, and point-of-care diagnosis, they remain in high demand to summarize recent advances in CRISPR/Cas system-based biosensors for foodborne pathogen detection. In this paper, we briefly classify and discuss the working principles of CRISPR/Cas systems with trans-cleavage activity in applications for the detection of foodborne pathogenic microorganisms. We highlight the current status, the unique feature of each CRISPR system and CRISPR-based biosensing platforms, and the integration of CRISPR-Cas with other techniques, concluding with a discussion of the advantages, disadvantages, and future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet shortwave (UV-C) is a technology for postharvest fruit disinfection. This study aimed to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based on the discrete ordinate (DO) radiation model to analyze the distribution of UV-C intensity on whole and minimally processed mangoes within a disinfection chamber and to predict treatments against foodborne pathogens. The mango spears were oriented both parallel and perpendicular to the lamp and positioned at varying distances from the radiation source (50, 75, and 100 mm for spears and 100 mm for whole fruit). CFD simulations integrated with in vitro kinetic parameters enabled predictions of the time and doses needed to inactivate one to three logarithmic units of pathogens on the fruit surface. The highest average radiation intensity values were recorded for the whole mango oriented parallel to the lamp at 100 mm and the spears oriented normally to the lamp at 50 mm. The estimated times to achieve inactivation of one to three logarithmic units of microorganisms ranged from approximately 15 to 6540 s, while the doses necessary for this inactivation were, on average, 1.854, 5.291, and 10.656 kJ/m2, respectively. CFD simulations are valuable for optimizing UV-C treatments in large-scale designing from both microbicide and sustainable perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne diseases result from the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogens or their toxins and represent a serious public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the presence of Rotavirus (RoV), Adenovirus (AdV), Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses (HAV and HEV, respectively), Toxoplasma gondii, Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. across various food matrices in Sicily. The analysis concerned 504 samples, including mussels, farmed meat, game meat, vegetables and bulk milk. Following appropriate pre-treatment, acid nucleic extraction was carried out and amplification of pathogen nucleic acids was carried out by molecular methods. The mussels tested positive for NoVs (3/51, 5.9%) and farm meat resulted positive for T. gondii (1/34, 2.9%). The game offal samples tested positive for HEV, which was detected in 17 out of 222 samples (7.7%), and T. gondii (18/318, 5.7%) and Leptospira spp. (2/318, 0.6%). The milk samples tested positive for C. burnetii (15/85, 17.6%), T. gondii (2/85, 2.4%) and Leptospira spp. (1/85, 1.2%). This study highlights the variability in the risk of contamination of different food matrices, confirming the importance of vigilance in the consumption of potentially contaminated food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne pathogens cause around 47.8 million illnesses in the U.S. annually, with antimicrobial misuse in food production, particularly in poultry processing, contributing significantly to this public health challenge. Misuse of antimicrobials can contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and make the treatment of pathogens increasingly difficult. This emphasizes the need to investigate antimicrobial resistance in U.S. poultry. This study analyzes data from the NCBI Pathogen Isolates Browser (2015–2023) to explore the relationships between antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, AMR genes, and antimicrobials detected with resistance in pathogens isolated from chicken and turkey. Using principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering, we mapped and profiled regional and temporal patterns of antimicrobial resistance. Salmonella enterica was the most prevalent antimicrobial-resistant pathogen across both chicken and turkey, with notable outbreaks, particularly in the Northeast. Antimicrobial-resistant Campylobacter jejuni was more prevalent in chicken, particularly in California and Georgia, while Escherichia coli and Shigella were more prominent in turkey, with concentrated antimicrobial resistance in Texas for pathogen samples isolated from chicken. Resistance to tetracycline and streptomycin was widespread, with distinct regional clusters: antimicrobial resistance was concentrated in states like Minnesota for pathogens isolated from chicken, while AMR found in pathogens isolated from turkey was more evenly distributed across the Midwest. Key AMR genes, such as tet(A), mdsA, and mdsB, also followed similar patterns, peaking in 2019 and significantly declining by 2022. The observed decline in AMR cases may be linked to improved biosecurity measures and disruptions in detection due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This comprehensive study of antimicrobial resistance in U.S. poultry provides valuable insights into resistance trends, which provide useful information to inform targeted interventions and policies to mitigate AMR threats in the poultry production industry. For consumers, these findings emphasize the importance of proper food handling and cooking practices to reduce the risk of exposure to resistant pathogens. Regulatory authorities should focus on enforcing stricter antimicrobial usage policies and enhancing surveillance systems to sustain the reduction in AMR cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the significant risk to food safety and public health posed by antimicrobial-resistant foodborne Salmonella pathogens is driven by the utilization of in-feed antibiotics, with variations in usage across poultry production systems. The current study investigated the occurrence of virulence, antimicrobial resistant profiles, and biofilm-forming potentials of Salmonella isolates sourced from different chicken types. A total of 75 cloacal faecal samples were collected using sterile swabs from layer, broiler, and indigenous chickens across 15 poultry farms (five farms per chicken type). The samples were analysed for the presence of Salmonella spp. using species-specific PCR analysis. Out of the 150 presumptive isolates, a large proportion (82; 55%) were confirmed as Salmonella species, comprising the serovars S. typhimurium (49%) and S. enteritidis (30%) while 21% were uncategorised. Based on phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility test, the Salmonella isolates were most often resistant to erythromycin (62%), tetracycline (59%), and trimethoprim (32%). The dominant multiple antibiotic resistance phenotypes were SXT-W-TE (16%), E-W-TE (10%), AML-E-TE (10%), E-SXT-W-TE (13%), and AMP-AML-E-SXT-W-TE (10%). Genotypic assessment of antibiotic resistance genes revealed that isolates harboured the ant (52%), tet (A) (46%), sui1 (13%), sui2 (14%), and tet (B) (9%) determinants. Major virulence genes comprising the invasion gene spiC, the SPI-3 encoded protein (misL) that is associated with the establishment of chronic infections and host specificity as well as the SPI-4 encoded orfL that facilitates adhesion, autotransportation and colonisation were detected in 26%, 16%, and 14% of the isolates respectively. There was no significant difference on the proportion of Salmonella species and the occurrence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance determinants among Salmonella isolates obtained from different chicken types. In addition, neither the chicken type nor incubation temperature influenced the potential of the Salmonella isolates to form biofilms, although a large proportion (62%) exhibited weak to strong biofilm-forming potentials. Moderate to high proportions of antimicrobial resistant pathogenic Salmonella serovars were detected in the study but these did not vary with poultry production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella, a foodborne pathogen, possesses a type I-E clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR associated (Cas) system. We investigated the system's role in regulating Salmonella virulence by deleting the CRISPR arrays and Cas operon. Results: Our study demonstrates invasion and proliferation defects of CRISPR-Cas knockout strains in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages owing to the repression of invasion and virulence genes. However, proliferation defects were not observed in the Gp91phox−/− macrophages, suggesting the system's role in the pathogens' antioxidant defense. We deduced that the CRISPR-Cas system positively regulates H2O2 importer (OmpW), catalase (katG), peroxidase (ahpC), and superoxide dismutase (soda and sodCI), thereby protecting the cells from oxidative radicals. The knockout strains were attenuated in in-vivo infection models (Caenorhabditis elegans and BALB/c mice) due to hypersensitivity against antimicrobial peptides, complement proteins, and oxidative stress. The attenuation in virulence was attributed to the suppression of LPS modifying (pmr) genes, antioxidant genes, master regulators, and effectors of the SPI-1 (invasion) and SPI-2 (proliferation) islands in knockout strains. The regulation could be attributed to the partial complementarity of the CRISPR spacers with these genes. Conclusions: Overall, our study extends our understanding of the role of the CRISPR-Cas system in Salmonella pathogenesis and its virulence determinants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica, a prominent foodborne pathogen, contributes significantly to global foodborne illnesses annually. This species exhibits significant genetic diversity, potentially impacting its infectivity, disease severity, and antimicrobial resistance. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) offers comprehensive genetic insights that can be utilized for virulence assessment. However, existing bioinformatic tools for studying Salmonella virulence have notable limitations. To address this gap, a Salmonella Virulence Database with a non-redundant, comprehensive list of putative virulence factors was constructed. Two bioinformatic analysis tools, Virulence Factor Profile Assessment and Virulence Factor Profile Comparison tools, were developed. The former provides data on similarity to the reference genes, e-value, and bite score, while the latter assesses the presence/absence of virulence genes in Salmonella isolates and facilitates comparison of virulence profiles across multiple sequences. To validate the database and associated bioinformatic tools, WGS data from 43,853 Salmonella isolates spanning 14 serovars was extracted from GenBank, and WGS data previously generated in our lab was used. Overall, the Salmonella Virulence database and our bioinformatic tools effectively facilitated virulence assessment, enhancing our understanding of virulence profiles among Salmonella isolates and serovars. The public availability of these resources will empower researchers to assess Salmonella virulence comprehensively, which could inform strategies for pathogen control and risk evaluations associated with human illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Food Research & Development is the property of Food Research & Development Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bacillus cereus, a foodborne pathogen, produces resilient endospores that are challenging to detect with conventional methods. This study presents a novel Flower-Shaped PCR Scaffold-based Lateral Flow Biosensor (FSPCRS-LFB), which employs an aptamer-integrated PCR scaffold as capture probes, replacing the traditional streptavidin-biotin (SA-Bio) approach. The FSPCRS-LFB demonstrates high sensitivity and cost-efficiency in detecting B. cereus endospores, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.57 endospores/mL a visual LOD of 102 endospores/mL, and a LOD of 6.78 CFU/mL for endospore-cell mixtures. In chicken and tea samples, the platform achieved LODs of 74.5 and 52.8 endospores/mL, respectively, with recovery rates of 82.19% to 97.88%. Compared to existing methods, the FSPCRS-LFB offers a 3.7-fold increase in sensitivity while reducing costs by 26% over the SA-Bio strategy and 87.5% over rolling circle amplification (RCA). This biosensor provides a rapid, sensitive and cost-effective solution for point-of-care testing (POCT) of B. cereus endospores, expanding detection capabilities and offering novel approaches for pathogen detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Enteritidis is a major foodborne pathogen throughout the world and the increase in antibiotic resistance of Salmonella poses a significant threat to public safety. Natural nanobodies exhibit high affinity, thermal stability, ease of production, and notably higher diversity, making them widely applicable for the treatment of viral and bacterial infections. Recombinant expression using Lactococcus lactis leverages both acid resistance and mucosal colonization properties of these bacteria, allowing the effective expression of exogenous proteins for therapeutic effects. In this study, nine specific nanobodies against the flagellar protein FliC were identified and expressed. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FliC-Nb-76 effectively inhibited the motility of S. Enteritidis and inhibited its adhesion to and invasion of HIEC-6, RAW264.7, and chicken intestinal epithelial cells. Additionally, a recombinant L. lactis strain secreting the nanobody, L. lactis-Nb76, was obtained. Animal experiments confirmed that it could significantly reduce the mortality rates of chickens infected with S. Enteritidis, together with alleviating the inflammatory response caused by the pathogen. These results provide a novel strategy for the treatment of antibiotic-resistant S. Enteritidis infection in the intestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a promising technology for increasing the shelf life of food, with minimal effects on the nutritional or sensory quality. However, there has been a concern that high-oil-content foods may protect food pathogens in HPP, and that HPP can affect the quality of lipids. We inoculated Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium into 34% and 54% oil-content pesto sauce, processed them either with HPP (600 MPa, 4 min) or thermal processing (82 °C, 5 min), and analyzed bacteria counts, pH, GC-MS (Terpene compounds), the time–kill kinetic study, and lipid oxidation value for 60 days in refrigerating storage (5 ± 2 °C). Our findings show that HPP significantly reduced the number of bacteria (more than 4-log) compared to thermal processing or non-processing. Additionally, we discovered terpene compounds (highest-level terpene: L-linalool, eugenol, and 1,8-cineol) in pesto oil that exhibit antimicrobial activity. Different oil content did not have any significant effect on bacteria levels. Regarding chemical results, all samples were of acceptable quality, and the processes did not show any negative effect on lipid oxidation (Peroxide and P-Anisidine value under 10 meq per kilogram of oil). In conclusion, our study indicates that HPP is a suitable method for high-oil-content pesto sauce. In addition, functional compounds naturally present in pesto may contribute to maintaining its microbial and chemical quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although Campylobacter spp., including Campylobacter coli, have emerged as important zoonotic foodborne pathogens globally, the understanding of the genomic epidemiology of C. coli of porcine origin is limited. Methods: As pigs are an important reservoir of C. coli, we analyzed C. coli genomes that were isolated (n = 3) from pigs and sequenced (this study) them along with all other C. coli genomes for which pig intestines, pig feces, and pigs were mentioned as sources in the NCBI database up to January 6, 2023. In this paper, we report the pan-genomic features, the multi-locus sequence types, the resistome, virulome, and mobilome, and the phylogenomic analysis of these organisms that were obtained from pigs. Results and discussion: Our analysis revealed that, in addition to having an open pan-genome, majority (63%) of the typeable isolates of C. coli of pig origin belonged to a single clonal complex, ST-828. The resistome of these C. coli isolates was predominated by the genes tetO (53%), blaOXA-193 (49%), and APH (3')-IIIa (21%); however, the virulome analysis revealed a core set of 37 virulence genes. Analysis of the mobile genetic elements in the genomes revealed wide diversity of the plasmids and bacteriophages, while 30 transposons were common to all genomes of C. coli of porcine origin. Phylogenomic analysis showed two discernible clusters comprising isolates originating from Japan and another set of isolates comprising mostly copies of a type strain stored in three different culture collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six hundred million cases of disease and roughly 420,000 deaths occur globally each year due to foodborne pathogens. Current methods to screen and identify pathogens in swine, poultry, and cattle products include immuno-based techniques (e.g., immunoassay integrated biosensors), molecular methods (e.g., DNA hybridization and PCR assays), and traditional culturing. These methods are often used in tandem to screen, quantify, and characterize samples, prolonging real-time comprehensive analysis. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) is a relatively new technology that combines DNA-sequencing chemistry and bioinformatics to generate and analyze large amounts of short- or long-read DNA sequences and whole genomes. The goal of this project was to evaluate the quantitative capabilities of the real-time NGS Oxford Nanopore Technologies' MinION sequencer through a shotgun-based sequencing approach. This investigation explored the correlation between known amounts of the analyte (lambda DNA as a pathogenic bacterial surrogate) with data output, in both the presence and absence of a background matrix (Bos taurus DNA). A positive linear correlation was observed between the concentration of analyte and the amount of data produced, number of bases sequenced, and number of reads generated in both the presence and absence of a background matrix. In the presence of bovine DNA, the sequenced data were successfully mapped to the NCBI lambda reference genome. Furthermore, the workflow from pre-extracted DNA to target identification took less than 3 h, demonstrating the potential of long-read sequencing in food safety as a rapid method for screening, identification, and quantification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postbiotics are the non-viable bacterial products or the low molecular weight metabolites produced by probiotics that have received considerable attention owing to their health promoting effects. The present study aimed to investigate the safety and antibacterial properties of postbiotic components of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus (Lra) and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (Lre) for their potential applications in food products. The freeze dried postbiotic metabolites (FD-P) from Lra and Lre were extensively analyzed for their physico-chemical properties and antibacterial actions against common food borne pathogens. Higher levels of total flavonoids (1971.79 ± 20 mg Qu/ g), total short-chain fatty acid (23 µg/g), sugar contents, CAT, and SOD anti-oxidative enzymes were detected in the Lra postbiotic, while GSH-px levels and riboflavin were higher in Lre postbiotics (P < 0.01). No significant differences were recorded in the total phenolic (2501 and 2518 mg GAE/ L) and crude protein contents (305. 58 and 296.23 µg/g) of the postbiotics (p ≥ 0.05), respectively. Both FD-P samples showed enhanced activities against Gram-Positive pathogens compared to Gram-Negative pathogens (p < 0.05), while combining the two postbiotics further potentiated the antibacterial actions. Both FD-P samples were non-hemolytic to human erythrocyte cells, and exhibited low cytotoxicity in MRC 5 and IPEC-J2 cell lines at the highest used concentrations (150 mg/ml). In summary, the postbiotics derived from Lra and Lre are safe bioactive ingredients with enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant capabilities, having potential applications as a natural preservatives in food system, potentially enhancing safety and extending the shelf life of food products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) is a widely distributed invasive species that is listed in the Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventory for Europe. Native to North America, it has been introduced to numerous regions, such as the Canary Islands, Spain. Previous studies have confirmed the role of this crayfish in the maintenance of several foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the main zoonotic bacterial and parasitic pathogens present in a P. clarkii population introduced to the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, and to assess the potential risk to public health and native fauna. A total of 22 crayfish from Tenerife were analyzed using Biofire FilmArray Gastrointestinal Panels and culture–PCR methods. The results show the presence of Plesiomonas shigelloides, Shigella/enteroinvasive Escherichia coli, enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, Salmonella ser. Enteritidis, Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, and Salmonella ser. Typhi. These results demonstrate the presence of a variety of pathogenic bacteria in the red swamp crayfish in Tenerife that represent a significant concern in terms of public health and conservation. Implementing educational campaigns to inform the community about the risks associated with handling and consuming contaminated crayfish, as well as initiatives for the restoration of the contaminated ecosystem, are necessary to prevent the transmission of the foodborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dish sponges are known to support the proliferation of human bacterial pathogens, yet they are commonly used by consumers. Exposure to foodborne pathogens via sponge use may lead to illness, a serious concern among susceptible populations. The extent of exposure risks from sponge use has been limited by constraints associated with culture‐independent or dependent methods for bacterial community characterization. Therefore, five used dish sponges were characterized to evaluate the presence of viable bacterial foodborne pathogens using the novel application of propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment and targeted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Select pathogen viability was confirmed using targeted selective enrichment. The taxonomic abundance profiles of total and viable sponge microbiomes did not vary significantly. The numbers of unique bacterial species (p = 0.0465) and foodborne pathogens (p = 0.0102) identified were significantly lower in viable sponge microbiomes. Twenty unique bacterial foodborne pathogens were detected across total and viable sponge microbiomes, and three to six viable foodborne pathogens were identified in each sponge. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were identified in each viable sponge microbiome, and viable E. coli were recovered from two sponges via targeted selective enrichment. These findings suggest that sponge‐associated bacterial communities are primarily viable and contain multiple viable bacterial foodborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The urgent need for affordable and rapid detection methodologies for foodborne pathogens, particularly Escherichia coli (E. coli), highlights the importance of developing efficient and widely accessible diagnostic systems. Dark field microscopy, although effective, requires specific isolation of the target bacteria which can be hindered by the high cost of producing specialized antibodies. Alternatively, M13 bacteriophage, which naturally targets E. coli, offers a cost-efficient option with well-established techniques for its display and modification. Nevertheless, its filamentous structure with a large length-diameter ratio contributes to nonspecific binding and low separation efficiency, posing significant challenges. Consequently, refining M13 phage methodologies and their integration with advanced microscopy techniques stands as a critical pathway to improve detection specificity and efficiency in food safety diagnostics. Methods: We employed a dual-plasmid strategy to generate a truncated M13 phage (tM13). This engineered tM13 incorporates two key genetic modifications: a partial mutation at the N-terminus of pIII and biotinylation at the hydrophobic end of pVIII. These alterations enable efficient attachment of tM13 to diverse E. coli strains, facilitating rapid magnetic separation. For detection, we additionally implemented a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based algorithm for precise identification and quantification of bacterial cells using dark field microscopy. Results: The results obtained from spike-in and clinical sample analyses demonstrated the accuracy, high sensitivity (with a detection limit of 10 CFU/μL), and time-saving nature (30 min) of our tM13-based immunomagnetic enrichment approach combined with AI-enabled analytics, thereby supporting its potential to facilitate the identification of diverse E. coli strains in complex samples. Conclusion: The study established a rapid and accurate detection strategy for E. coli utilizing truncated M13 phages as capture probes, along with a dark field microscopy detection platform that integrates an image processing model and convolutional neural network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sous vide cooking implies cooking foods, packed under vacuum conditions, at controlled temperatures (<80 °C). Although this method opens a new window of culinary possibilities, it also involves a series of risks, mainly microbiologically related, that must be assessed. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of SV processes to inactivate three important foodborne pathogens (Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Clostridium spores) in chicken breast and eggs (omelet). For this purpose, two levels of inoculation (102 and 106 CFU/g), two different recipes, and two distinct treatments (with and without storage) for each food were studied. After treatments and storage, the corresponding microbiological counts were performed with standard methods. Average inactivation rates observed were 1.70, 4.82, and 4.34 log for Clostridium spores, Campylobacter, and Salmonella, respectively. No significant differences in microbial inactivation were perceived between the different recipes (food composition) or treatments, except for Clostridium spores, which showed a higher inactivation rate (2.30 log) when samples were stored. In general, preliminary results showed that, although appropriate levels of inactivation are reached for vegetative pathogenic cells, in some cases (spores in breast and Salmonella in eggs), the remaining microbiological risks should be considered and further studied, especially if long-term storage is planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella, are major factors that pose significant threats to global food safety and public health. Salmonella typhimurium is a prominent serotype contributing to non-typhoidal salmonellosis, which is a prevalent foodborne illness affecting humans and animals. Bacteriophages are considered one of the most environmentally friendly biocontrol agents, particularly in the food industry, owing to their high specificity and high safety. However, the emergency of phage-resistant mutants limits the biocontrol effect of phage treatment, leading to the requirement for a high diversity of lytic phages. Therefore, the study isolated and characterized two novel lytic Salmonella bacteriophages (SPYS_1 and SPYS_2) targeting S. typhimurium ATCC14028 and evaluated their effectiveness in reducing the contamination rates for milk and chicken tenders. Morphological and genomic analyses indicated that Salmonella phages SPYS_1 and SPYS_2 are novel species classified under the genus Skatevirus and the genus Berlinvirus, respectively. Both phages exhibited high stability across a broad range of thermal and pH conditions. The one-step growth curve result suggested that both phages had a short adsorption time and a large burst size in a single lytic cycle. The phage SPYS_1 demonstrated a noteworthy inhibition effect on the growth of S. typhimurium ATCC14028 in milk, resulting in a ~2-log reduction within the 2 to 4 h range. Overall, both phages have shown significant potential for application in food safety in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes are relevant foodborne bacterial pathogens which may cause serious intoxications and infectious diseases in humans. In this study, a sensitive immunochromatographic analysis (ICA) for the simultaneous detection of these two pathogens was developed. For this, test strips containing two test zones with specific monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against lipopolysaccharides of S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes and one control zone with secondary antibodies were designed, and the double-assay conditions were optimized to ensure high analytical parameters. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) were used as nanozyme labels and were conjugated with specific MAbs to perform a sandwich format of the ICA. Peroxidase-mimic properties of PBNPs allowed for the catalytic amplification of the colorimetric signal on test strips, enhancing the assay sensitivity. The limits of detection (LODs) of Salmonella and Listeria cells were 2 × 102 and 7 × 103 cells/mL, respectively. LODs were 100-fold less than those achieved due to the ICA based on the traditional gold label. The developed double ICA was approbated for the detection of bacteria in cow milk samples, which were processed by simple dilution by buffer before the assay. For S. typhimurium and L. monocytogenes, the recoveries from milk were 86.3 ± 9.8 and 118.2 ± 10.5% and correlated well with those estimated by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a reference method. The proposed approach was characterized by high specificity: no cross-reactivity with other bacteria strains was observed. The assay satisfies the requirements for rapid tests: a full cycle from sample acquisition to result assessment in less than half an hour. The developed ICA has a high application potential for the multiplex detection of other foodborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial resistance and persistence in food environments are major concerns for the industry, which constantly seeks new strategies to reduce microbial contamination. Rhamnolipids (RL) biosurfactants are considered sustainable and green alternatives to synthetics; furthermore, they have demonstrated potential for controlling various foodborne pathogens. Food environments are typically exposed to diverse pH, solutes, temperatures, and water activity (aw) levels that may favor the survival of pathogens. Therefore, it is crucial to consider these factors in evaluating the performance of novel antimicrobials. Our study examined the influence of pH and sucrose on the antimicrobial activity of RL against both planktonic and biofilm of Listeria monocytogenes. We found that the presence of sucrose can enhance the antimicrobial effectiveness of RL against both planktonic and sessile bacteria. The addition of sugar particularly improved RL action at pH 6 and 7. Moreover, we observed that the type and size of RL self-assembly structures depend on the pH and sucrose concentration. These findings suggest potential for developing RL-based innovative methods to control L. monocytogenes in sugar-rich or -low aw foods and environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Microorganisms speed up food spoilage, causing illnesses and economic losses. Compounds derived from endophytes has a potential for combating foodborne diseases, reducing antibiotic use, enhancing food safety and human health. This study was aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of the ethyl acetate extract from endophytic Nigrospora sphaerica CL-CP30, isolated from Swietenia macrophylla King, against foodborne pathogens. Methodology and results: The extract underwent antimicrobial screening tests, including disc diffusion, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and kill curve study, and further confirmation of its detrimental effects were observed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The disc diffusion test revealed significant antimicrobial activity against four foodborne pathogens viz. Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus spizizenii and Staphylococcus aureus, with inhibition zones ranging from 18 to 23.20 mm. The MIC and MBC values of the ethyl acetate extract ranged from 93.75 to 375 µg/mL and 750 to 6000 μg/mL, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus displayed higher susceptibility to the extract, with MIC=93.75 μg/mL and MBC=750 μg/mL. The MIC:MBC ratio denoted that the extract has a bacteriostatic effect on S. aureus. In the kill curve study, the extract's efficacy against S. aureus was affected by both concentration and exposure duration. SEM analysis showed that after 24 h of treatment, the extract caused shrinkage and crumpling of S. aureus cells, suggesting damage to their cell walls and reduced structural rigidity. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The ethyl acetate extract of endophytic N. sphaerica CL-CP30 shows promising potential against foodborne pathogens. Further comprehensive investigation should be done for applications in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales and Acinetobacter spp. pose significant challenges as nosocomial pathogens, demonstrating resistance against various antimicrobials. Their presence in food suggests that hospital kitchens could serve as antibiotic resistance reservoirs leading to patients' infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of β-lactam-resistant strains of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter spp. isolated from the kitchen environment and from the staff of two Greek hospitals. Methods: Strains were recovered after selective isolation with β-lactams and were identified with MALDI–TOF MS. Antimicrobial susceptibility and presence of common β-lactamase genes were evaluated. Protein profiles were examined to analyze potential relationships of the strain with those from hospital patients. E. coli strains were further categorized into phylogenetic groups. Results: The overall prevalence in the kitchen environment was 4.5%, 1.5%, and 15.0% for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter spp., respectively, whereas the prevalence of Acinetobacter spp. in human skin was 4.0%. Almost all strains were multidrug-resistant. All E. coli strains were ESBL producers and belonged to phylogroups A and B1. All K. pneumoniae and seven Acinetobacter strains were carbapenemase-producers. A protein profile analysis showed relatedness between chicken and kitchen environment strains, as well as between kitchen environment and patient strains originated either from the same or from different hospitals. Conclusions: The results suggest that hospital kitchens may act as important pathogen hotspots contributing to the circulation of resistant strains in the hospital environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a unique, extremely sensitive biophotonic sensor with a three-tier S-tapered (3S) structure. It is designed for the real-time detection of Shigella flexneri (S. flexneri), a common foodborne pathogen that causes severe gastrointestinal diseases. The sensor development includes three distinct diameters of S-tapered structures. The performance of tapered sections was improved by using molybdenum disulfide nanosheets (MoS2-NSs), zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO-NWs), and photoluminescent bimetallic gold–copper nanoclusters (AuCu–NCs). These nanoparticles greatly improve the sensor's performance. The sensor is further functionalized using anti-S. flexneri antibodies, allowing for the precise detection and capture of the target bacterium. The results show that the sensor can detect S. flexneri rapidly and accurately, with a linear detection range of 1–108 colony-forming units per milliliter (CFU/ml) and a low detection limit of 4.412 CFU/ml. In addition, the sensor's ability to identify S. flexneri biofilms is demonstrated. Biofilm detection allows us to better understand and control biofilm concerns in the environment, equipment, and biomedical devices. Aptamer examines confirm the sensor's ability to detect S. flexneri from the lateral direction. This study makes a significant contribution to the field of biosensing because no biophotonic sensor has previously been developed specifically for the detection of S. flexneri, fulfilling a critical gap in the arena of food safety and pathogen detection. The 3S sensor's performance, robustness, and potential for practical applications make it an important addition to the field of photonics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pss exopolysaccharide (EPS) enhances the ability of the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes to colonize and persist on surfaces of fresh fruits and vegetables. Eradicating listeria within EPS-rich biofilms is challenging due to their increased tolerance to disinfectants, desiccation, and other stressors. Recently, we discovered that extracts of maple wood, including maple sap, are a potent source of antibiofilm agents. Maple lignans, such as nortrachelogenin- 8'-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and lariciresinol, were found to inhibit the formation of, and promote the dispersion of pre-formed L. monocytogenes EPS biofilms. However, the mechanism remained unknown. Here, we report that these lignans do not affect Pss EPS synthesis or degradation. Instead, they promote EPS detachment, likely by interfering with an unidentified lectin that keeps EPS attached to the cell surfaces. Furthermore, the maple lignans inhibit the activity of L. monocytogenes sortase A (SrtA) in vitro. SrtA is a transpeptidase that covalently anchors surface proteins, including the Pss-specific lectin, to the cell wall peptidoglycan. Consistent with this, deletion of the srtA gene results in Pss EPS detachment from listerial cells. We also identified several additional maple compounds, including epicatechin gallate, isoscopoletin, scopoletin, and abscisic acid, which inhibit L. monocytogenes SrtA activity in vitro and prevent biofilm formation. Molecular modelling indicates that, despite their structural diversity, these compounds preferentially bind to the SrtA active site. Since maple products are abundant and safe for consumption, our finding that they prevent biofilm formation in L. monocytogenes offers a viable source for protecting fresh produce from this foodborne pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Good hygienic milking practices including the disinfection of the cow teat skin before and after milking aimed at preventing the occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMI) in dairy cows. This practice is generally performed using disinfectants, and in the current context of attention to the emergence of resistances, it is of greatest interest to evaluate alternative solutions that can expand treatment options. We assessed the efficacy of a pre-dipping and a post-dipping product based on the bacteriocin-containing culture of Lactococcus cremoris strain FT27, as compared to commercial disinfectants. FT27 was selected for the bactericidal activity in vitro against food pathogens. In the present study, it also revealed a high bactericidal activity against the main mastitis pathogens, most likely related to Nisin A production, according to genomic and proteomic analysis. The lactococcus-based preparations were applied in two commercial dairy farms in Northern Italy. Overall, 298 dairy cows were enrolled, 141 in the treated group (TR), and 157 in the control group (CTR). The cows were sampled at quarter level every two weeks for 3 months. During the trial, all cows showed a good health status. The hygiene level for udder, flanks and legs was generally good (on average < 3 score); the udder hygiene was significantly worse (P < 0.01) in the CTR group. The teat apex hyperkeratosis was overall low (on average < 2 score). We recorded no significant differences between the two experimental groups in the Somatic Cell Count (SCC) values and the bacteriological results. The overall frequency of new IMI was low, ranging 0.6 − 0.5% for S. aureus in the TR or CTR group respectively, to 2.6–4.4% for NASM. Regarding Str. spp., the new IMI accounted for 1.7% or 1.9% in the TR or CTR group, respectively. Notably, the incidence of S. aureus new IMI did not increase during the study, even though neither of the two herds segregated the positive cows. The non-inferiority test showed that the Lactococcus-based pre- and post-dipping products had an efficacy comparable to proven commercial disinfectants in maintaining udder health and preventing new IMI, thus representing a possible alternative to current teat dip products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in sequencing quality, availability, speed and costs results in an increased presence of genomics in infectious disease applications. Nevertheless, there are still hurdles in regard to the optimal use of WGS for public health purposes. Here, we discuss the current state ("status quo") and future directions ("quo vadis") based on literature regarding the use of genomics in surveillance, hazard characterization and source attribution of foodborne pathogens. The future directions include the application of new techniques, such as machine learning and network approaches that may overcome the current shortcomings. These include the use of fixed genomic distances in cluster delineation, disentangling similarity or lack thereof in source attribution, and difficulties ascertaining function in hazard characterization. Although, the aforementioned methods can relatively easily be applied technically, an overarching challenge is the inference and biological/epidemiological interpretation of these large amounts of high-resolution data. Understanding the context in terms of bacterial isolate and host diversity allows to assess the level of representativeness in regard to sources and isolates in the dataset, which in turn defines the level of certainty associated with defining clusters, sources and risks. This also marks the importance of metadata (clinical, epidemiological, and biological) when using genomics for public health purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food contamination has emerged as a significant global health concern, posing substantial challenges to the food industry. Bacteria are the primary cause of foodborne diseases. Consequently, it is crucial to develop accurate and efficient sensing platforms to detect foodborne bacteria in food products. Among various detection methods, biosensors have emerged as a promising solution due to their portability, affordability, simplicity, selectivity, sensitivity, and rapidity. Electrospun nanofibers have gained increasing popularity in enhancing biosensor performance. These nanofibers possess a distinctive three-dimensional structure, providing a large surface area and ease of preparation. This review provides an overview of the electrospinning technique, nanofibers and nanofiber-based biosensors. It also explores their mechanisms and applications in the detection of foodborne bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Pseudomonas putida (P. putida). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L. monocytogenes is considered one of the most dangerous foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to determine the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in RTE meat products from southern Poland, including serogroups and antimicrobial susceptibility, and to assess the usefulness of MALDI-TOF MS as a tool for identifying L. monocytogenes. A total of 848 production batches of RTE meat products were analyzed for L. monocytogenes. All L. monocytogenes isolates were serotyped using the multiplex PCR method, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method and identified using the MALDI-TOF MS method. L. monocytogenes was detected in 52/848 batches of RTE meat products (6.13%). The isolates belonged to four serogroups: 17/52 (33%) isolates to IVb; 15/52 (29%) isolates to IIa; 10/52 (19%) isolates to IIc and 10/52 (19%) isolates to IIb. All isolates (52/52) showed susceptibility to the tested antimicrobials. Using MALDI-TOF MS, 10/52 isolates (19.2%) were identified at the level of secure genus identification, probable species identification; 37/52 isolates (71.2%) were identified at the level of probable genus identification; 3/52 isolates (5.8%) were incorrectly identified as L. innocua; and 2/52 isolates (3.8%) were not identified. The occurrence of L. monocytogenes in RTE meat products was low. Almost half of the analyzed isolates were L. monocytogenes of serogroups, which are most often associated with listeriosis in humans in Poland. All isolates showed susceptibility to five commonly used antimicrobials for treating listeriosis. The use of MALDI-TOF MS as a tool for the identification of L. monocytogenes indicated its limitations related to the insufficient representation of the pathogen in the reference database. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Shipin Kexue/ Food Science is the property of Food Science Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rapid assessment and prevention of diseases caused by foodborne pathogens is one of the existing food safety regulatory issues faced by various countries, and it has received wide attention from all sectors of society. When the content of foodborne pathogens in food is higher than the limit standard and spreads in a certain way, it can cause disease outbreaks, which seriously threaten human health or life safety. Developing a novel method to detect foodborne pathogens accurately and rapidly is significant. Because of the limitations of complex steps, time-consuming, low sensitivity or poor selectivity of commonly used methods, a photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on electrochemistry is developed. Its advantages include a low background signal, fast response and simple operation. It also has broad application prospects for sensing, which has attracted wide attention. However, an organized summary of the latest PEC biosensors for foodborne pathogen sensing has not been reported. Therefore, this review introduces the recent advances in foodborne pathogen detection using PEC biosensors as follows: (i) the construction of PEC biosensors, (ii) the research status of PEC biosensors for the detection of foodborne pathogens and (iii) the direction of future development in this field. Hopefully, the study will provide some insight into developing more mature bio-sensing strategies to meet the practical needs of foodborne pathogen surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since foodborne diseases are one of the major causes of human hospitalization and death, one of the main challenges to food safety is the elimination or reduction of pathogens from food products throughout the food production chain. Pathogens, such as Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Clostridium species, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter species, etc., enter the consumer's body through the consumption of contaminated food and eventually cause disease, disability, and death in humans. In particular, the expression of virulence genes of these pathogens in various food environments containing them has been repeatedly reported, which is a key issue for the survival and pathogenicity of the pathogen. Hence, in this review, the interventions to prevent and control foodborne diseases, such as the application of natural preservatives, redox potential, heat treatments, high‐pressure processing, and gaseous atmosphere, are discussed based on the literature. Moreover, the effects of various environmental conditions on bacterial gene expression are comprehensively reviewed. In conclusion, the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the growth and pathogenicity of bacteria are very complicated. The information obtained from the current study can be used to develop new control strategies, improve food safety, and ensure human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epiphytic yeasts represent an important source for the development of novel strategies aiming to combat food microbial contamination. The present study deals with the characterization of nine yeast strains belonging to Starmerella, Candida, Metschinikowia, Lachancea, Kodamaea and Pichia genera, isolated from the surface of plants from the Botanical Garden "Dimitrie Brandza" (Bucharest, Romania) for use as antimicrobial and probiotic agents. The tests involved the determination of the safe status, cell growth under stress conditions, and activity against pathogenic Candida and bacteria strains, respectively, as well as phytopathogenic filamentous fungi and lipolytic activity. None of the nine strains showed all the characteristics for virulence and pathogenicity, with the rare positive results being explained rather by their adaptability to the habitats of origin. The strains Lachancea thermotolerans CMGB-ST12 and Kodamaea ohmeri CMGB-ST19 grew at 37 °C; Metschnikowia reukaufii CMGB-ST21.2, M. reukaufii CMGB-ST.8.1 and M. reukaufii CMGB ST10 grew in the presence of 10% NaCl, while L. thermotolerans CMGB-ST12 and K. ohmeri CMGB-ST19 tolerated both acidic and alkaline pH values well (3.0 to 12.0). The studied yeast strains showed good antimicrobial activity against Candida krusei, Candida albicans and Gram-negative bacterial strains, with K. ohmeri CMGB-ST19 and Pichia membranaefaciens CMGB-ST53 inhibiting up to 100% the development of filamentous fungi. All the strains produced lipases for tributyrin hydrolysis, the best producer being Starmerella bombi CMGB-ST1, and only Candida magnoliae CMGB-ST8.2 tested positive against other probiotic yeasts. Overall, our nine yeast strains show high potential for industrial applications, for obtaining probiotic products and for preventing the development of a wide range of microbial food contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is the primary cause for diseases in humans and carries high risk pathogens. Assessment of the safety in foods is needed to validate the presence of pathogenic bacteria. We used colony PCR for this approach to detect foodborne pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Lactobacillus and Bacillus cereus. Suitable primers were selected based on specific gene 1040 for Escherichia coli, gene S2 for Lactobacillus, and gene NVF for Bacillus cereus. Agarose gel electrophoresis is used for the detection of amplified products against a suitable marker. ImageJ is used for DNA band analysis, enabling precise quantification, normalization, and statistical comparisons. These studies have established a promising role in the detection of pathogens in various environmental samples. The insights gained from this study may serve as the foundation for rapid detection of foodborne diseases in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]