Research Publications (Food Safety)

This study, for the first time, systematically investigated 1) the direct and indirect-cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment on the inactivation of Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) in different matrices under different working conditions, 2) assessed the inactivation effect in peppercorns using kinetic models, and 3) studied the impact of CAP on food quality, including color, flavor and bioactive compounds.

Paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) are produced by marine dinoflagellates and can be accumulated in filter feeding shellfish. In this study, we assessed acute dietary exposure to PSTs among residents of Chinese coastal provinces and cities, utilizing point and probabilistic estimates. Additionally, we performed global and local spatial autocorrelation analyses to evaluate PSTs contamination and dietary exposure levels in the coastal regions of China.

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and virulome of Listeria in fresh produce distributed in urban communities.

Methods

Background

Infections by the pathogen Staphylococcus aureus currently represent one of the most serious threats to human health worldwide, especially due to the production of enterotoxins and the ability to form biofilms. These structures and the acquisition of antibiotic resistance limit the action of antibiotics and disinfectants used to combat this microorganism in the industry and the clinic.

Methods

Background

Pesticides are hazardous chemical contaminants for the ecosystem that have been widely used in households and agriculture to eliminate pests for several decades, and have a variety of adverse effects on our health.

Objectives

A rapid, sensitive, accurate and precise micro solid phase extraction method for the determination of Pb (II) in Fish sample by ionic imprinted polymer was developed on the surface of mesoporous silica and based on graphene oxide nanobeads. Extraction parameters were optimized using Box-Behnken design to achieve the twin objectives of quantitative determination and removal of Pb (II).

Despite the nutritional importance of seafood, these marine organisms can bioaccumulate environmentally persistent and potentially toxic chemicals, such as arsenic (As) and its species. In this work, the influence of culinary treatments commonly performed before seafood consumption on the bioavailability of As and As species was evaluated.

Fumonisin Bs (FBs) are the most common toxic and carcinogenic substances found among naturally occurring contaminants of cereals. A group-specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2H7 was prepared that equably recognized fumonisins B1 (FB1), B2 (FB2), and B3 (FB3) with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value for the three forms of 1.52, 2.93, and 3.85 ng/mL, respectively.

Abstract The present study investigates molecular‐based PCR techniques to estimate the prevalence of fish pathogens in southwest Mexico where recurrent mortality in the tilapia cultures has been observed. Sample of internal organs and lesions of Nile tilapia were taken and analysed in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 to detect bacterial pathogens using PCR. No samples were taken in 2021 due to the COVID‐19 pandemic.

This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil in improving productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, and blood metabolites and reducing the toxic effect of 

Over 20% of E. coli O157 illnesses and over 5% of Salmonella illnesses are estimated to be attributable to beef consumption in the United States. Irradiating ground beef is one possible method to reduce disease burden. We simulated the effect of ground beef irradiation on illnesses, hospitalizations, deaths, and direct healthcare costs from ground beef-associated E.

The rapid emergence of antimicrobial resistance is a global concern, and high levels of resistance have been detected in chicken populations worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from healthy chickens in Timor-Leste. Through a cross-sectional study, cloacal swabs and boot swabs were collected from 25 live bird markets and two layer farms respectively. E. coli and Salmonella spp.

This study investigated the effects of the multi-probiotics consisting of Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium butyricum with varying doses (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2%) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and cecal microbes of male broiler chickens. Seven hundred and twenty Ross 308, 1-day-old male broiler chicks were distributed into four dietary groups.

Post-weaning diarrhea affects piglets in the nursery phase of production, leading to a substantial impact both at the farm and financial levels. The multifactorial etiology of this disease includes housing conditions, pig genetics, microbial composition, and metagenomic assets. Among the common therapeutic approaches, the widely used zinc oxide underwent a European Union ban in 2022 due to its negative environmental impact and correlation to increased antimicrobial resistance.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a trichothecene mycotoxin, could lead to cytotoxicity in both animal bodies and plant seed cells. Ozone degradation technology has been applied to DON control. However, the safety and quality of the contaminated grain after DON degradation are largely obscured. In this work, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of ozone-treated DON through seed germination experiments and cytotoxicity tests.

Abstract During the early months of life, infant formula plays a crucial role as a primary source of both food and essential nutrients for infants, serving as a replacement for or supplement to breast milk. However, nonessential metals in infant formulas are a concern because infants are highly vulnerable to chemical exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate infant exposure to nonessential metals in infant formula products in Taiwan and assess the associated health risks.

Abstract This study was conducted to apply the finite volume method (FVM) to solve the partial differential equation (PDE) governing the heat transfer process during meat cooking with convective surface conditions.

Abstract Arsenic occurs across the world in freshwater and marine environments, menacing the survival of aquatic organisms. Organic and inorganic forms of this substance can be found, in which the inorganic form is more hazardous than the organic form. Most aquatic bodies contain inorganic arsenic species, but organic species are believed to be the dominant form of arsenic in the majority of fish. Natural and anthropogenic both are the sources of water contamination with arsenic.

Infections caused by Campylobacter spp. are a major cause of severe enteritis worldwide. Multifactorial prevention strategies are necessary to reduce the prevalence of Campylobacter. In particular, antiadhesive strategies with specific inhibitors of early host–pathogen interaction are promising approaches to reduce the bacterial load.

by Nur Fathiah Rosilan, Muhamad Arif Mohamad Jamali, Siti Aishah Sufira, Khor Waiho, Hanafiah Fazhan, Noraznawati Ismail, Yeong Yik Sung, Zeti-Azura Mohamed-Hussein, Azzmer Azzar Abdul Hamid, Nor Afiqah-Aleng Shrimp aquaculture contributes significantly to global economic growth, and the whiteleg shrimp, Penaeus vannamei, is a leading species in this industry. However, Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection poses a major challenge in ensuring the success of P.

In the food industry, successful bacterial pathogen colonization and persistence begin with their adhesion to a surface, followed by the spatial development of mature biofilm of public health concerns. Compromising bacterial settlement with natural inhibitors is a promising alternative to conventional anti-fouling treatments typically based on chemical biocides that contribute to the growing burden of antimicrobial resistance.

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) is encapsulated in an inulin matrix. The highest encapsulation efficiency is attained at a 15% CEO loading concentration. Oil concentrations significantly influence the thermal and melt rheology. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy displayed the cracks and surface topography. The encapsulates demonstrated broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Safou (Dacryodes edulis H.J.Lam) is a seasonal fruit of great importance in the diet and economy of the populations of safou-producing countries. However, the valorization of this fruit is limited due to postharvest losses linked to the softening of the fruit, though this fruit is an essential source of macro- and micronutrients.

Meat production is a complex system, continually receiving animals, water, air, and workers, all of which serve as carriers of bacteria. Selective pressures involved in different meat processing stages such as antimicrobial interventions and low temperatures, may promote the accumulation of certain residential microbiota in meat cutting facilities. Bacteria including human pathogens from all these sources can contaminate meat surfaces.

Nowadays, the bacteriocin industries have seen significant growth, supplanting chemical preservatives in its ability to improve the shelf-life and safety of food. The increasing customer desire to use natural preservatives has fueled advancing bacteriocin research. The objective of this study was to identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that produce bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) and have strong anti-listerial activity.