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This study analysed 330 environmental substrates from three dairy farms for the occurrence, drug resistance and the genetic mutations of MTBC (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex) in Eastern Cape, South Africa using PCR, while the Genotype MTBDRplus assay was used for drug susceptibility and genetic mutations analyses. About 17% (55/330) of the samples were positive for MTBC at 16.7% (water), 13.3% (soil) and 20% (hayfeed). Isoniazid resistance was detected in 47.3% (26/55) of the samples while 16.4% (9/55) were multidrug-resistant. Genetic mutations were detected on the rpoB gene (resistance to rifampicin) with frequencies ranging from 53.6% (D516V) to 21.4% (H526D), while mutations on the katG and inhA genes (resistance to isoniazid) ranged between 14.3% and 80%. Incidents of diverse genetic mutations in the environmental matrices suggest possible resistance to other anti-TB drugs not assayed in this study and emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of drug resistance patterns for timely detection and control of new clonal groups of MTBC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overarching challenges of mycotoxin contamination in food necessitate the development of strategies to be implemented to combat their effects thereof. Common processing techniques have been utilised but do not necessarily meet the desired efficacy. This review appraises studies on novel non‐thermal food processing techniques, particularly high pressure processing, pulsed electric filed, cold plasma and ultrasound processing for the decontamination of mycotoxins in food. Although available studies on these techniques have suggested a reduction of mycotoxins and in some instances, complete decontamination of mycotoxins was also reported. The mechanisms by which reduction/elimination occurs include through decomposition of toxins after collision with ions/electrons leading to cleavage of bonds, structural degradation of the mycotoxins structure and cleavage of functional groups. Additional studies into the toxicity of degraded products and the composition of the food products are still required to ensure a more widespread adoption of these techniques to enhance food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the prevalence of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and Vibrio species, as well as the physicochemical qualities of the discharged effluents of two wastewater treatment facilities, in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over a one-year sampling period using standard methods. Bacteriological assessment revealed presumptive E. coli counts ranging from 3 to 1.2 × 105 CFU/100 mL, while counts of Vibrio spp. ranged from 11 to 1.4 × 104 CFU/100 mL. Molecular identification of the isolates by polymerase chain reactions (PCR) yielded positive reaction rates of 76.2% (381/500) and 69.8% (279/400) for E. coli and Vibrio species, respectively. The antibiotic susceptibility profiles of 205 randomly selected PCR-confirmed Vibrio isolates against 18 antibiotics revealed resistance frequencies ranging from 0.5% (imipenem) to 96.1% (penicillin G), based on recommended breakpoint concentrations. About 81% (166/205) of the Vibrio isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (resistance to three or more classes of antibiotics), while nine different antibiotic resistance genes were detected by PCR. The physicochemical qualities of the effluents also ranged as follows: pH (6.5-7.6), temperature (12-27 °C), turbidity (1.5-65.7 mg/L), total dissolved solids (95-171 mg/L), dissolved oxygen (2.1-9.8), electrical conductivity (134-267 μS/cm), free chlorine (0.08-0.72 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (0.12-9.81 mg/L), nitrate (1.04-21.5 mg/L), nitrite (0.11-0.76 mg/L), phosphate (1.03-18.3 mg/L) and chemical oxygen demand (27-680 mg/L). The discharged effluents fell short of the regulatory guidelines for some of the parameters assessed. We conclude that the discharged effluents are potential sources of environmental pollution and can contribute to drug resistant bacteria load in the receiving watershed, with the associated ecological and human health risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]