Search

In this study, a rare strain of Escherichia coli co-harboring blaCTX-M-32 and blaCTX-M-2 genes was characterized by whole genome sequencing. Escherichia coli strain was recovered from a bovine cecal sample collected at slaughter. The strain was resistant to third and fourth generation cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, tetracycline and sulfamethoxazole, which was in concordance with the genotype: blaCTX-M-32 and blaCTX-M-2, aac(3)-Via and tet(A) and sul1 genes, respectively. The E. coli strain was characterized as pathogenic, and belongs to the ST226 (CC226), serotype O141ab/ac:H5, phylogenetic group A and fumC27/fimH41 types. No virulence genes were found in the genome. According to the plasmid analysis, IncFIB, IncHI2 and p0111 were present. The analysis of the contigs revealed that the blaCTX-M-32 was located in the chromosome, upstream IS5-like/ISKpn26 and IS1380-like/ISEc9 sequences, whereas blaCTX-M-2 was in the p0111 plasmid, within an integron class 1, and flanked by Orf3/qacEΔ1 and IS91/ISCR1. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a multidrug resistant Escherichia coli strain co-harboring two CTX-M enzymes in a healthy bovine from Portugal. This finding allows a better understanding on the dissemination of these resistance mechanism among bacteria of animal origin.

Fruit enzymatic browning (EB) inhibition continues to be a challenge in the Food Industry. This physiological disorder results mainly from the oxidation of natural phenolic compounds by polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POX) leading to the formation of brown pigments. EB can be controlled with the application of antioxidants, reducing/inhibiting the activity of these oxidative enzymes. In this study, strawberry tree (leaves and branches) and apple byproduct were the natural-based extracts (NES) selected, as potential tissue browning inhibitors, within a first screening of fifteen natural-based extracts with antioxidant properties. Phenolic profile, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the selected extracts were also performed as well as their depletion effect on the oxidative enzyme&rsquo, s activity and browning inhibiton in fresh-cut pears. Strawberry tree extracts (leaves and branches) revealed higher total phenolic content (207.97 &plusmn, 0.01 mg GAE.gNES&minus, 1 and 104.07 &plusmn, 16.38 mg GAE.gNES&minus, 1, respectively), confirmed by the plethora of phenolic compounds identified by LC-ESI-UHR-QqTOF-HRMS and quantified by HPLC. This phytochemical composition was reflected in the low IC50 against PPO and POX obtained. Despite the lower phenolic content (6.76 &plusmn, 0.11 mg GAE.gNES&minus, 1) and antioxidant activity (IC50 = 45.59 &plusmn, 1.34 mg mL&minus, 1), apple byproduct extract showed potential in delaying browning. This study highlights the opportunity of byproducts and agricultural wastes extracts as novel anti-browning agents.

The present study aimed to characterize the extended-spectrum β-lactamases and plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamases (ESBL/PMAβ) among Escherichia coli producers isolated from beef, pork, and poultry meat collected at retail, in Portugal. A total of 638 meat samples were collected and inoculated on selective medium for the search of E. coli resistant to 3rd generation cephalosporins. Isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, molecular assays targeting ESBL/AmpC, plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), and plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (PMCR) encoding genes. The highest frequency of E. coli non-wild type to 3rd generation cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones was observed in broiler meat (30.3% and 93.3%, respectively). Overall, a diversity of acquired resistance mechanisms, were detected: blaESBL [blaCTX-M-1 (n = 19), blaCTX-M-15 (n = 4), blaCTX-M-32 (n = 12), blaCTX-M-55 (n = 8), blaCTX-M-65 (n = 4), blaCTX-M-27 (n = 2), blaCTX-M-9 (n = 1), blaCTX-M-14 (n = 11), blaSHV-12 (n = 27), blaTEM-52 (n = 1)], blaPMAβ [blaCMY-2 (n = 8)], PMQR [qnrB (n = 27), qnrS (n = 21) and aac(6’)-Ib-type (n = 4)] and PMCR [mcr-1 (n = 8)]. Our study highlights that consumers may be exposed through the food chain to multidrug-resistant E. coli carrying diverse plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance genes, posing a great hazard to food safety and a public health risk.

Currently, cereal bars are gaining interest globally because of their nutritionally balanced and convenient nature. One healthy strategy is to add probiotics to cereal bars, to make them a functional food product. So, in this study a cereal bar functionalized with edible coatings of whey protein isolate (WPI) and alginate (ALG) incorporated with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and inulin was developed and evaluated for its consumer acceptability and physicochemical and microbiological properties, throughout 90 days of storage. WPI-coated cereal bars were shown to be the solution that better maintained the level of the incorporated probiotic strain when compared to the ones coated with ALG, throughout storage and throughout in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The physicochemical properties of the bars, namely aw, moisture content, color and texture, were not altered during the storage period. The sensory evaluation showed that coated bars were accepted as well as control bars. Moreover, the consumers appreciated better the odor and flavor of WPI-coated bars than those of ALG-coated bars.

Although new storage technologies have been emerging in recent years, preservation of pear (Pyrus communis L.) remains a challenge for suppliers. Maintenance of desired organoleptic properties throughout cold storage using non-chemical strategies has been investigated and the use of edible coatings has shown potential to delay fruit quality deterioration during cold storage. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of pectin coatings including plant extracts, in &ldquo, Rocha&rdquo, pear (Pyrus communis L. cv. Rocha) preservation. A four-month pilot scale assay was performed in both dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) (&minus, 0.5 &deg, C, 0.5% O2, and 0.4% CO2) and normal atmospheric (NA) conditions (2 &deg, C). For each storage condition, the following three coatings were tested: pectin (3% w/v) (PCT), pectin (3% w/v) + strawberry tree leaves extract (9.5 mg/mL) (CT1), and pectin (3% w/v) + apple pomace extract (16 mg/mL) (CT2). Volatile compounds, potentially related to aroma or ripening status of &ldquo, pear, were monitored alongside with conjugated trienols (CTs) and maturity parameters. The combination of DCA conditions and the application of pectin coatings were able to reduce the release of Rocha pear volatiles associated with ripening status, (particularly esters and sesquiterpenes), as well as reduce CTs, which could contribute to the preservation of Rocha pear for longer periods.

Horticultural crops are vulnerable to several disorders, which affect their physiological and organoleptic quality. For about forty years, the control of physiological disorders (such as superficial scald) in horticultural crops, particularly in fruit, was achieved through the application of the antioxidant diphenylamine (DPA), usually combined with controlled atmosphere (CA) conditions. However, identification of DPA residues and metabolites in treated fruits, associated with their toxicity, banned the use of this antioxidant in Europe. This triggered the urgent need for novel and, ideally, natural and sustainable alternatives, combined with adequate storage conditions to protect cultivars from harmful agents. This review systematizes the state-of-the-art DPA application on several fresh cultivars, such as apples, pears, and vegetables (potatoes, spinach, etc.), as well as the possible mechanisms of the action and effects of DPA, emphasizing its antioxidant properties. Alternative methods to DPA are also discussed, as well as respective effects and limitations. Recent research on scald development molecular pathways are highlighted to open new non-chemical strategies opportunities. This appraisal shows that most of the current solutions have not lead to satisfactory commercial results; thus, further research aimed to understand the mechanisms underlying postharvest disorders and to design sustainable and safe solutions to improve horticultural products storage is needed.

We screened 1840 Enterobacteriaceae isolates from food-producing animals, meat, meat products and animal feed, for the detection of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance, during 2010-2015. The mcr-1 gene was detected in 8.0% (97/1206) Escherichia coli and in 0.47% (3/634) Salmonella enterica isolates, with a high number of mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates (45.7%) being extended-spectrum β-lactamase or plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase co-producers. No mcr-2 gene was detected. Our findings highlight the spread of mcr-1 genes within a wide-ranging sample of food-producing animals and meat, in Portugal. Highlights: Spread of MCR-1 within a wide-ranging sample of food-producing animals and meat; Occurrence of mcr genes in E. coli isolates from turkeys, swine and broilers; High number of mcr positive E. coli isolates that were ESBL or PMAβ co-producers; First description of MCR-1-producing Salmonella Reading from bovine meat; New mcr-1.9 variant reported in an Escherichia coli from a swine. V. Manageiro was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) fellowship (grant SFRH/BPD/77486/2011), financed by the European Social Funds (COMPETE-FEDER) and national funds of the Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science (POPH-QREN). The authors also thank to FCT for project grant UID/MULTI/00211/2013. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Fresh-cut cantaloupe melon is valued for its aroma but is highly perishable. Temperature of storage (typically 0-5°C) is critical for maintaining fresh-cut melon quality, but often reaches 10 °C during transportation and in retail outlets. A comparison amongst 0, 5 and 10 °C storage temperatures for fresh-cut melon over 14 days reveals that storage at 0 °C is optimal for avoiding increases in microbial load and loss of vitamin C especially at later time points. However, higher temperatures maintain better the balance of esters (acetate versus non-acetate) and phenolic content. The whole volatile organic compound (VOC) profile can be used to discriminate both time and temperature effects especially at earlier time points. Potential VOC markers for changes in vitamin C from day 0 to day 6 of storage (3-methyl butane nitrile) and temperature (limonene) are identified through a multi-trait analysis.

Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) is a naturally occurring lipid with regulatory effects in senescence and ripening. When applied exogenously to horticultural crops, LPE affects growth, development, and postharvest longevity. The effects of exogenously applied LPE have been studied in a range of plant organs in more than a dozen horticultural species. The claimed horticultural benefits include delayed leaf senescence, stimulation of ripening in table grape, acceleration of color development and extension of shelf-life in cranberry and tomato, and increased vase life of cut flowers. Responses to LPE application are found to vary dramatically within horticultural commodity, developmental stage, and organ type. Effects on ethylene responses are contradictory. LPE inhibits phospholipase D and is reported to affect the activity of enzymes relevant for produce quality, such as phenylalanine ammonia lyase and acid invertase. The biochemical mode of action of LPE is poorly understood. In particular, a mechanism by which a plant growth regulator might delay senescence of plant organs and accelerate ripening-related changes is not obvious. The horticultural, physiological and biochemical effects of LPE are reviewed in an attempt to highlight the knowledge gaps regarding the putative regulatory role of exogenously applied LPE.

Second-order polynomial models were used to relate the independent variables, temperature, relative humidity and storage time, to the quality attributes (electrolyte leakage, chlorophylls, weight loss, humidity and headspace gas composition inside packages before and after packaging) of ready-to-eat spinach leaves. Results show that while waiting for processing the best conditions to assure high quality spinach leaves before packaging were 4 °C, 83 % RH and 4 h. The weight loss of spinach leaves was time-dependent: increasing the exposure time under these conditions decreased the amount of wet leaves before packaging. Under the same conditions, the electrolyte leakage was lower (4.63 %) and the chlorophyll content (45.44) was higher. After packaging and while waiting for dispatch, temperature most affected the package headspace atmosphere. Indeed, an increase in storage temperature from 3 to 7 °C led to a significant increase in respiration. The best combination of conditions in the high-care room was 3 °C, 74 % relative humidity for a maximum of 1 day before dispatch. In this case, the moisture content (0.46 %) and electrolyte leakage (4.16 %) were lower and the chlorophyll content (43.37) and oxygen concentration inside the packages of ready-to-eat spinach leaves (19.55 kPa) were higher.

The effect of calcium application and solution pH on ready-to-eat (RTE) baby-leaf spinach ( Spinacia oleracea L.) texture and structure preservation was studied. Spinach leaves were treated with calcium chloride, calcium lactate and calcium propionate, at two different pH conditions (5 and 7), packaged and stored for 7 days at 5 °C. After 24 h, the leaves crispness increased 49 and 29% for leaves treated with calcium chloride and lactate at pH 5 and the elasticity increased 100% after calcium propionate treatment at pH 7. During spinach shelf-life, the tissue flexibility decreased (20–60%) for all calcium treatments at pH 5 and 7 while tissue crispiness increased (7–40%) only for calcium treatments under pH 7. The electrolyte leakage increased throughout storage and was higher for all calcium treated samples when compared with controls. The chlorophyll content slightly decreased (12%) by the end of product shelf-life and did not differ according the calcium treatments. Total vitamin C content was lower in leaves treated with calcium chloride at pH 5 (31%) and pH 7 (19%) while the remaining treatments did not affect vitamin C content. The different calcium additives tested for potential texture quality maintenance did not provide the expected benefits on baby spinach leaves but increasing solution pH from 5 to 7 lead to an increased firmness by the end of shelf-life.

BACKGROUND: Orange-fleshed cantaloupe melons have intense aroma and flavor but are very perishable during storage life. Fresh-cut processing enhances ethylene-mediated quality losses. Post-cutting 1-methylcyclopene (1-MCP) application to fresh-cut cantaloupe was evaluated for its effects on quality attributes, phytochemical content and aroma volatiles. RESULTS: Fresh-cut cantaloupe (Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis ‘Fiesta’) cubes treated with 1.0 µL L−1 of 1-MCP for 24 h at 5 °C, packaged in vented plastic clamshells and stored under normal atmosphere at 5 °C for 9 days, preserved their soluble solids, total phenolics, total carotenoids and β-carotene contents, but significant softening occurred. A significant increase of non-acetate esters and a decrease of aldehydes occurred during storage. Most quality attributes of fresh-cut cantaloupe were unaffected by the treatment with 1-MCP. 1-MCP-treated fresh-cut cantaloupe accumulated higher levels of propyl acetate, 2-methylbutyl acetate, methyl butanoate, methyl 2-methyl butanoate, methyl hexanoate, 2-methylbutyl alcohol and phenethyl alcohol, and lower levels of benzyl alcohol and heptanal than untreated controls. CONCLUSION: Post-cutting treatment with 1-MCP affected nine of the flavor-important volatiles, particularly those derived from the amino acids isoleucine and phenylalanine, but had no practical effect on phytochemicals or other quality attributes. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry

Cantaloupe and honeydew melon cultivars were processed and stored under a high oxygen passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) or reduced oxygen controlled atmosphere (CA; 5 kPa O2 + 10 kPa CO2 and balance N2) for 14 days at 5 °C. Atmosphere did not affect softening rate or soluble solids content and had a negligible effect on colour. Volatile compounds known as flavour-important in melons were extracted using stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) and quantified via GC-MS. Acetate esters increased more in MAP than in CA. Non-acetate esters increased markedly in both cultivars and storage types. Alcohols were more abundant in honeydew than in cantaloupe. Aldehydes decreased during storage in both cultivars and storage types. Lower O2 availability under CA conditions likely suppressed some of the esters relevant to the aroma of fresh-cut melon. Results suggest that package O2 levels are more important in determining aroma than other quality attributes of fresh-cut melon, and high O2 levels may be required to reveal desirable aroma compounds.

'Rocha' pear (Pyrus communis L.) was used as a model system to assess the effect of pH of dipping solutions on quality retention of fresh-cut fruit and its interaction with calcium additives. Pear slices were dipped for 60. s in a buffer solution at pH 3.0, 5.0 or 7.0 and stored at 4.5°C for 13 days. In other experiments, pear slices were dipped for 60. s in buffer solutions containing 250. mM of calcium ascorbate, lactate, chloride, and propionate, at pH 3.0 or 7.0, and stored at 4.5°C for 6 days. Browning and softening were more intense in slices dipped in a solution at pH 3.0 than at pH 5.0 or 7.0, but microbial growth was lower in slices treated at pH 3.0. The effect of calcium additives depended on the anion and significant interactions between the effects of calcium salt and pH were observed. Calcium ascorbate was very effective in preserving color and reducing microbial growth irrespective of pH, but enhanced pectin solubilization and tissue softening at pH 3.0. Slices treated with 250. mM calcium propionate or calcium lactate were softer and had higher electrolyte efflux when treated at pH 3.0 than at pH 7.0. Calcium lactate enhanced browning and reduced microbial growth at pH 3.0 but did not affect color or microbial counts at pH 7.0. All calcium treatments enhanced electrolyte leakage. pH of the dipping solution can affect, per se, the quality of fresh-cut fruit. The choice of calcium additives to prevent undesirable changes on visual and sensory quality of cut produce should involve pH ranges that provide the expected benefits.

Cantaloupensis melons are aromatic and fast senescing, whereas Inodorus have less odor and are slower senescing. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is used to reduce respiration rate and extend shelf-life but may alter the synthesis of volatile compounds. We assessed the effects of passive MAP and controlled atmosphere (CA; 5 kPa O 2 + 10 kPa CO 2 ) upon quality and volatile production by fresh-cut 'Cantaloupe' and 'Honeydew' melons, stored at 5°C for 14 days. O 2 concentration inside the MAP packages decreased during the 14 days, to 11.1 and 14.2 kPa, in 'Cantaloupe' and 'Honeydew', respectively. CO 2 levels increased to 11.3 and 7.9 kPa during storage, for 'Cantaloupe' and 'Honeydew', respectively. In MAP, during the first 4 days of storage, cantaloupe cubes softened at a higher rate (2.0 N.day -1 ) than 'Honeydew' cubes (0.9 N.day -1 ). Conversely in CA, fresh-cut 'Honeydew' softened faster (1.9 N.day -1 ) than fresh-cut 'Cantaloupe' (0.9 N.day -1 ) which, softened faster between days 4 and 7 (2.1 N.day -1 ). Initial 'Cantaloupe' respiration was 17.5 ml CO 2 .kg -1 .h -1 , which increased to 63.8 and 43.4 ml CO 2 .kg -1 .h - 1 when stored in CA and MAP, respectively. Initial respiration of 'Honeydew' melon was 7.7 ml CO 2 .kg -1 .h -1 and increased to 55.5 and 30.0 ml CO 2 .kg -1 .h -1 when stored in CA and MAP, respectively. Volatile compounds that are known to be flavor-important in melons, were extracted using Stir Bar Sorptive Extraction (SBSE) and quantified via GC-MS. The production of acetate esters increased in both melons stored in MAP, but decreased in 'Cantaloupe' under CA conditions. Non-acetate esters increased in both cultivars and storage conditions. Alcohols, initially more abundant in 'Honeydew', underwent a decrease throughout storage. Aldehydes, initially more abundant in 'Cantaloupe', decreased in both melons for MAP but not in 'Honeydew' stored in CA. Lower O 2 availability in fresh-cut fruit, stored under CA conditions utilized in this experiment, likely suppressed some of the acetate esters relevant to the aroma of fresh-cut melon.

Melon ( Cucumis melo L.) is a widely consumed fruit whose major biologically active compounds are the vitamins C, pro-vitamin A, and folic acid, the phenolic phytochemicals and the toxic cucurbitacins. Levels of biologically active compounds in melon vary widely and are affected by genotype and environmental conditions during production and post-harvest handling, with strong interactions between cultivar and environmental effects. Ascorbic acid levels are generally reduced by processing methods. β-Carotene concentration also varies widely with genotype and is affected by processing conditions. Phenolics are generally preserved during storage and processing of raw materials but can be enhanced by roasting. Cucurbitacin levels, although negligible in commercial cultivars, may become important in pharmacological or ethnobotanical applications.

In the past two decades, zebrafish (Danio rerio)-based research has contributed to significant scientific advances. Still, husbandry and health programs did not evolve at the same pace, as evidenced by the absence of general guidelines. Health monitoring is essential to animal welfare, to permit animal exchanges across facilities, to contribute to robust experimental results, and for data reproducibility. In this study, we report a health program implemented in a zebrafish research facility to prevent, monitor, and control pathogen, and disease dissemination. This program includes quarantine, routine health screening of sentinels, and nonroutine screenings of retired animals and sick/moribund individuals. An extensive list of clinical signs, lesions, and pathogens was monitored based on: daily observation of fish, necropsy, histology, and bacterial culture. The results indicate that the combined analysis of sentinels with the evaluation of sick/moribund animals enables a comprehensive description not only of pathogen prevalence but also of clinical and histopathologic lesions of resident animals. The establishment of a quarantine program revealed to be effective in the reduction of Pseudoloma neurophilia frequency in the main aquaria room. Finally, characterization of the colony health status based on this multiapproach program shows a low prevalence of lesions and pathogens in the facility. Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência (IGC); Animal House Core Facility (AHCF); info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion