An official website of the United States government.

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Research Publications (Food Safety)

This page tracks research articles published in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Recent articles are available ahead of print and searchable by Journal, Article Title, and Category. Research publications are tracked across six categories: Bacterial Pathogens, Chemical Contaminants, Natural Toxins, Parasites, Produce Safety, and Viruses. Articles produced by USDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) and FDA Grant Funding Agencies (requires login) are also tracked in Scopus.

Displaying 1 - 25 of 343

  1. Improving the Composition and Bioactivity of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Bean Shell Extract by Choline Chloride-Lactic Acid Natural Deep Eutectic Solvent Extraction Assisted by Pulsed Electric Field Pre-Treatment

    • Plant Foods for Human Nutrition
    • An environmentally friendly method for the release of cocoa bean shell (CBS) extracts is proposed in this paper. This work aims to investigate the effect of pulsed electric field (PEF) pre-treatment on subsequent solid-liquid extraction (SLE) of metabolites with choline chloride-lactic acid natural deep eutectic solvent (NaDES) and bioactivity of cocoa bean shell (CBS) extract. Two different media for PEF application were evaluated: water and chlorine chloride-lactic acid.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  2. Microbiological Quality and Safety of Fresh Rabbit Meat with Special Reference to Methicillin-Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and ESBL-Producing E. coli

    • Antibiotics
    • The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the microbial quality and safety of rabbit meat. A total of 49 rabbit meat samples were taken at the retail level. The mesophiles, staphylococci, Enterobacterales, and Pseudomonas spp. counts were 4.94 ± 1.08, 2.59 ± 0.70, 2.82 ± 0.67, and 3.23 ± 0.76 log CFU/g, respectively. Campylobacter spp.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  3. Optimization of Synthesis Reaction Parameters of AgNPs Derived from Laser trilobum Plant for Foodborne Pathogens

    • Food and Bioprocess Technology
    • In this study, the antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs L21, AgNPs L22) produced using aqueous extracts of the Laser trilobum harvested in 2021 and 2022 was optimized. The experimental design and optimization of antimicrobial activity were performed using the response surface method (RSM).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  4. Specific Antimicrobial Activities Revealed by Comparative Evaluation of Selected Gemmotherapy Extracts

    • Antibiotics
    • Nowadays, unprecedented health challenges are urging novel solutions to address antimicrobial resistance as multidrug-resistant strains of bacteria, yeasts and moulds are emerging. Such microorganisms can cause food and feed spoilage, food poisoning and even more severe diseases, resulting in human death. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it is essential to identify novel antimicrobials that are naturally occurring, biologically effective and increasingly safe for human use.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  5. Bacterial adhesion inhibition by microalgal EPSs from Cylindrotheca closterium and Tetraselmis suecica biofilms

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • 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.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  6. Isolation and characterization of lactic acid bacteria producing a potent anti-listerial bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) from chhurpi, a fermented milk product

    • Archives of Microbiology
    • 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.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  7. Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. During Cooking of Country Ham and Fate of L. monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus During Storage of Country Ham Slices

    • Journal of Food Protection
    • Thermal inactivation studies were undertaken on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. inoculated on the surface of country ham. Hams (average = ca. 3.4 ± 0.5 kg each; average = ca. ≥18% shrinkage) were used as provided by the processor (i.e., “salted hams”), desalted in tap water (i.e., “desalted hams”), or dried for an additional period (i.e., “extra dried hams”). Hams were surface inoculated (ca.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  8. Chemical Analysis and Investigation of Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities of Prangos trifida (Apiaceae)

    • Antibiotics
    • Plants of the genus Prangos are intensively investigated as potential new sources of bioactive isolated products. In this work, the chemical composition of volatile constituents (essential oils and headspace volatiles) and dichloromethane extracts, as well as antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of essential oils and MFDEs (methanol fractions of dichloromethane extracts) of Prangos trifida from Serbia, were investigated.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Bacillus cereus
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  9. Cocoa Bean Shell Wastes for the Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Activity Against Foodborne Pathogens

    • Food and Bioprocess Technology
    • The green synthesis of silver nanoparticles offers a non-toxic, eco-friendly, economical, and efficient solution against various microorganisms. The study aimed to investigate the utilization of cocoa bean shells for the production of silver nanoparticles through green synthesis, besides its characterization and evaluation against foodborne pathogens.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Cronobacter
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  10. Prolonging broccoli shelf life through controlled release of plai essential oil using palm wood sachet as a novel absorbent material with reusable properties

    • Journal of Food Science
    • Abstract Palm wood powder derived from palm wood waste was utilized as a novel absorbent material. The investigation involved exploring its pore structure and size to achieve the controlled release of bioactive compounds from plai oil, providing protection against pathogenic bacteria and thereby extending the shelf life of broccoli. The palm wood sachet was prepared before being placed into the broccoli bag.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  11. Genotypic diversity and antagonistic activities of enterococci isolated from pastırma

    • Journal of Food Science and Technology
    • The biodiversity of enterococci from pastırma (a traditional Turkish dry-cured meat product) by genotypic identification and the antagonistic activities of strains were investigated. Pastırma samples taken from 20 different small-scale factories were subjected to microbiological and physicochemical analysis. A hundred enterococci isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  12. A comprehensive review of the applications of bacteriophage-derived endolysins for foodborne bacterial pathogens and food safety: recent advances, challenges, and future perspective

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • Foodborne diseases are caused by food contaminated by pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, and Clostridium, a critical threat to human health. As a novel antibacterial agent against foodborne pathogens, endolysins are peptidoglycan hydrolases encoded by bacteriophages that lyse bacterial cells by targeting their cell wall, notably in Gram-positive bacteria due to their naturally exposed peptidoglycan layer.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  13. Antibacterial properties of peptides from chia (Salvia hispanica L.) applied to pork meat preservation

    • Journal of Food Science
    • Abstract Chia‐derived peptides might represent a novel alternative to conventional preservatives in food. Despite the antibacterial potential of these molecules, their food application is still limited. This study aimed to evaluate chia‐derived peptides' antibacterial and antibiofilm potential in food preservation.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  14. Progress in research on the safety of silicone rubber products in food processing

    • Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety
    • Abstract Silicone rubber (SR) is widely used in the food processing industry due to its excellent physical and chemical properties. However, due to the differences in SR product production formulas and processes, the quality of commercially available SR products varies greatly, with chemical and biological hazard potentials.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Cronobacter
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  15. pH Indicator Integrated with Carbon Quantum Dots of Glucose to Monitor the Quality of Fish and Shrimp

    • Food and Bioprocess Technology
    • An ammonia-sensitive, easy-to-use, pH-responsive food packaging indicator was developed using drop-coated filter paper combined with hydrothermally generated glucose-derived carbon dots (G-CQDs). The stability and efficacy of the prepared G-CQD were confirmed by TEM, zeta potential, and optical and luminescent investigations. The multifunctional G-CQD exhibited potent antibacterial activity against S. enterica, E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and S.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  16. A chemometric study on phenolic profiles and biological properties of cotton honeys from Turkey

    • European Food Research and Technology
    • Honey, a nutritious and healthy product, has recently been the focus of research due to its characteristic chemical composition and a wide variety of biological properties.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  17. Lethality of high hydrostatic pressure processing on Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in low salt white brined cheese: D-value

    • International Dairy Journal
    • The lethal effect of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP), expressed as D-value, on some common pathogens found in low salt white brined cheese was studied.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  18. Antibiotic resistance profiles on pathogenic bacteria in the Brazilian environments

    • Archives of Microbiology
    • The present study aimed to elaborate a review of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in soil, food, aquatic environments, cattle, poultry, and swine farms in Brazil. Initially, the literature database for published papers from 2012 to 2023 was Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), U.S. National Library of Medicine (PubMed), and Google Scholar, through the descriptors: antimicrobial resistance, resistance profile, multidrug resistance, environmental bacteria, and pathogenic bacteria.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Shigella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
      • Vibrio
  19. Eradication of multiple-species biofilms from food industrial and domestic surfaces using essential oils

    • Food Science and Technology International
    • Microbial biofilm formation represents a serious problem for both food industry and households. Natural biofilms are formed mostly by multiple species, and show resistance against most of the usual sanitizers.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  20. Development of a food preservative from sea buckthorn together with chitosan: Application in and characterization of fresh-cut lettuce storage

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • The purpose was to create a novel composite food preservative for fresh-cut lettuce using flavonoids and chitosan from sea buckthorn leaves (SBL). Sea buckthorn leaves were extracted with ethanol as the extraction solvent and ultrasonic-assisted extraction to obtain flavonoid from sea buckthorn leaf crude (FSL), and then the FSL was secondarily purified with AB-8 resin and polyamide resin to obtain flavonoid from sea buckthorn leaf purified (FSL-1).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
      • Produce Safety
      • Fresh Cut
      • Leafy Greens
  21. Biogenic nanosilver bearing antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities and its potential for application in agriculture and industry

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • Introduction

      Due to the increasing resistance of bacteria and fungi to antimicrobials, it is necessary to search for effective alternatives to prevent and treat pathogens causing diseases in humans, animals, and plants. In this context, the mycosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are considered as a potential tool to combat such pathogenic microorganisms.

      Methods

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  22. Leaf-buds of Pistacia atlantica: a novel source of bioactive molecules with high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and antimicrobial properties

    • Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants
    • In this study, for the first time, the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and antimicrobial property of P. atlantica Desf. subsp. atlantica leaf-bud extract have been investigated. The anti-inflammatory activity was determined in vivo by reducing carrageenan-induced hind paw edema in mice, while the antiradical function was evaluated using DPPH, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reduction power assays.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  23. Potential antimicrobial activity of camel milk as a traditional functional food against foodborne pathogens in vivo and in vitro

    • Food Science and Technology International
    • Foodborne pathogens are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Therefore, strategies focused on functional foods are urgently required to tackle this issue. As a result, camel milk is one of the most important traditional functional foods since it contains a variety of bioactive components, which all have antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogens.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  24. Preparation and characterization of geraniol nanoemulsions and its antibacterial activity

    • Frontiers in Microbiology
    • Geraniol nanoemulsions (G-NE) based on Tween 80 and medium chain triglyceride (MCT) as surfactant and co-surfactant, respectively, has been prepared by the spontaneous emulsification method. Its physical and chemical properties such as mean particle size, zeta potential, PDI, pH, viscosity, contact angle, appearance morphology, and stability (storage stability, thermal stability, centrifugal properties, acid-base stability, and freeze-thaw properties) of the droplet were analyzed.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Salmonella
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  25. Targeting SAM-I Riboswitch Using Antisense Oligonucleotide Technology for Inhibiting the Growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes

    • Antibiotics
    • With the discovery of antibiotics, a productive period of antibacterial drug innovation and application in healthcare systems and agriculture resulted in saving millions of lives. Unfortunately, the misusage of antibiotics led to the emergence of many resistant pathogenic strains. Some riboswitches have risen as promising targets for developing antibacterial drugs. Here, we describe the design and applications of the chimeric antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) as a novel antibacterial agent.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Listeria monocytogenes
      • Staphylococcus aureus