Research Publications (Food Safety)

The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence, antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and some toxin genes of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in unpasteurized raw cow’s milk collected from retail outlets located at Mansoura, Dakahliya governorate, Egypt. In that context, a total of 700 raw cow’s milk samples were investigated for the presence of S. aureus, which was identified in 41.1% (288/700) of the samples.

So far there is no internationally accepted, standardized method for MIC determination of natural substances such as essential oils (EOs). The aim of this study was to elucidate how much the MIC values obtained from various studies using different culture media are comparable.

The occurrence of multidrug-resistant pathogens in the food chain causes health problems in humans, thus, research for novel antimicrobials to combat their growth is of interest. This study evaluates the antimicrobial potential of several combinations of peptide-protein extracts (PCs) consisting of peptide extracts from three native probiotic strains, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum UTNGt2, Lactococcus lactis UTNGt28, and L.

Campylobacter spp. isolated from poultry are a major public health concern. Antimicrobial resistance is increasing in general, which is associated with limited treatment of diseases in animal husbandry and in human as well. The use of natural substances (enterocins and phytoadditives) seems to be a promising alternative, either in the prevention or treatment of the gastrointestinal tract infections.

Background

Salmonella Derby is one of the most predominant Salmonella serotypes that seriously threatens food safety. This bacterium can be further differentiated to sub-populations with different population sizes; however, whether and how the S. Derby–gut microbiota interactions affect epidemic patterns of S. Derby sub-populations remain largely unknown.

Results

Honey is a natural food consisting mainly of sugars, enzymes, amino acids, organic acids, vitamins, minerals and aromatic substances. In addition to specific organoleptic properties, honey also has other components that contribute to its nutritional and health value. Proteins, vitamins, minerals, organic acids and phenolic compounds, the most variable components of honey, are predominantly responsible for its strong bioactive effect.

Staphylococcus aureus is a nosocomial bacterium causing different infectious diseases, ranging from skin and soft-tissue infections to more serious and life-threatening infections such as sepsis, meningitis and endocarditis, which may be exacerbated by antibiotic resistance. Plant products may be seen as an alternative as antibacterial agents, namely, against S. aureus. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the bioactive properties of the T.

Molecular Microbiology, Accepted Article. Biofilm formation of staphylococci has been an emerging field of research for many years. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood, and vary widely between species and strains. The aim of this study was to identify new effectors impacting biofilm formation of two Staphylococcus (S.) xylosus strains.

by Nawar Naseer, Marisa S. Egan, Valeria M. Reyes Ruiz, William P. Scott, Emma N. Hunter, Tabitha Demissie, Isabella Rauch, Igor E. Brodsky, Sunny Shin Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is a Gram-negative pathogen that uses two distinct type III secretion systems (T3SSs), termed Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-1 and SPI-2, to deliver virulence factors into the host cell.

by Bao-Rui Zhao, Xin-Xin Wang, Xian-Wei Wang Flagellin is a key bacterial virulence factor that can stimulate molecular immune signaling in both animals and plants. The detailed mechanisms of recognizing flagellin and mounting an efficient immune response have been uncovered in vertebrates; however, whether invertebrates can discriminate flagellin remains largely unknown.

by Ziyu Sun, Mandlaa, Hui Wen, Li Ma, Zhongjun Chen Salmonella is a common foodborne pathogen, especially in meat and meat products. Lytic phages are promising alternatives to conventional methods for Salmonella biocontrol in food and food processing.

With the rapid emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in bacteria from animal, animal-derived food and human clinic, it is of great significance to develop new approaches to combat the multidrug-resistant bacteria. This study presented a short linear antimicrobial peptide RW-BP100-4D, which was derived from RW-BP100 (RRLFRRILRWL-NH2) by transforming the N-terminal 4th amino acid from L- to D-enantiomer.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause food poisoning and diarrhea in both humans and animals worldwide. The Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI) genes encoded type III secretion system (T3SS) is important for S. Typhimurium invasion and replication in host cells. Due to the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance, antibiotic treatment for clinical Salmonella infection has gradually been limited.

Synergistic antibacterial effect is a promising way to overcome the challenge of microbial contamination in food. In this study, we detected the synergistic interactions of nisin and carvacrol. The MIC of nisin and carvacrol against S. aureus were 60 and 125 μg/mL, respectively. The FICI and FBCI were 0.28125 and 0.09375, which suggested that the nisin/carvacrol combination presented synergistic antibacterial effect against S. aureus.

The present study challenges the in vivo assessment of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) technology on the bioactive activity (antioxidant/antiaging and antimicrobial potential) of Spirulina powder, using Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model. Surface microdischarge cold atmospheric pressure plasma (SMD-CAPP) treatment was 3.3 W discharge power for 7 min. C.

Vibrio cholerae cytolysin (VCC) is a β-barrel pore-forming toxin (β-PFT). Upon encountering the target cells, VCC forms heptameric β-barrel pores and permeabilizes the cell membranes. Structure-function mechanisms of VCC have been extensively studied in the past. However, the existence of any natural inhibitor for VCC has not been reported yet. In the present study, we show that curcumin can compromise the membrane-damaging activity of VCC.

Because of the excessive use of antibiotics, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become prevalent worldwide. Moreover, the formation of S. aureus biofilms often cause persistence and relapse of infections. Thus, the discovery of antibiotics with excellent antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities is urgently needed. In the present study, eltrombopag (EP), a classic thrombopoietin receptor agonist, exhibited potential antimicrobial activity against S.

Developing sensitive assay for pathogen detection is a sustained demand for food scientists, industries, and government. In this study, an ultrasensitive colorimetric lateral flow assay (LFA) was successfully developed for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium). Based on cascade enzyme reaction induced by horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-encapsulated starch-based liposome, the sensitivity of the conventional LFA can be dramatically improved.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is considered multidrug resistant bacterium due to developing biofilm formation associated with antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Therefore, inhibition of biofilm formation is an alternative therapeutic action to control MRSA infections. The present study revealed the non-antibacterial biofilm inhibitory potential of hesperidin against ATCC strain and clinical isolates of S. aureus.

Zoonoses and Public Health, EarlyView. Objective We describe the epidemiology of live poultry-associated salmonellosis (LPAS) and investigate potential risk factors associated with hospitalization among adults aged ≥65 years in the United States during 2008–2017.

Molecular Microbiology, Accepted Article. Desulfovibrio fructosovorans, a sulfate-reducing bacterium, possesses six gene clusters encoding six hydrogenases catalyzing the reversible oxidation of H2 into protons and electrons. Among them, Hnd is an electron-bifurcating hydrogenase, coupling the exergonic reduction of NAD+ to the endergonic reduction of a ferredoxin with electrons derived from H2.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of tussah immunoreactive substances (TIS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on microbial community and resistance against 

This study aimed to develop a combination of immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and real-time PCR (qPCR) techniques to detect and analyze Salmonella spp. (SAL), Listeria monocytogenes (LM), and Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157: H7) in meat samples quickly and accurately. Bacteria-specific immunomagnetic beads (IMBs) were prepared from carboxyl magnetic beads and affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies using a novel magnetic bead activator.

Translational fidelity is maintained by multiple quality control steps in all three domains of life. Increased translational errors (mistranslation) occur due to genetic mutations and external stresses. Severe mistranslation is generally harmful, but moderate levels of mistranslation may be favored under certain conditions. To date, little is known about the link between translational fidelity and host–pathogen interactions.

Environmental Microbiology, Volume 23, Issue 12, Page 7314-7340, December 2021. Vibrio spp. thrive in warm water and moderate salinity, and they are associated with aquatic invertebrates, notably crustaceans and zooplankton. At least 12 Vibrio spp. are known to cause infection in humans, and Vibrio cholerae is well documented as the etiological agent of pandemic cholera.