Research Publications (Food Safety)

The development of a simple, rapid, sensitive, and accurate method for detecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 in complex matrices is critical for ensuring food safety. In this study, a fluorescent biosensor employing aptamer (Apt) -functionalized magnetic beads and cascade strand displacement amplification (SDA) was devised for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 in milk samples. E.

Lycium barbarum L., also known as goji berry, is popular in China and across the world as both a food and a medicine. The pervasive use of chemical pesticides has led to widespread contamination of raw goji berries, although the impacts of pesticide contamination on goji berry-derived products have not yet been thoroughly characterized.

This study investigated the cross-contamination dynamics of biofilms preformed on stainless steel (SS) coupons on chicken skin and chicken meat by modeling surface-to-food transfer by contact and surface-to-food transfer in fluids. Additionally, mono-, dual-, and multi-species biofilms were examined to understand the effects of environmental conditions on biofilm-forming abilities.

Air-blast freezing followed by frozen storage at different temperatures was assessed for inactivation of Vibrio vulnificus in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas). Pacific oysters were allowed to bioaccumulate a cocktail of six strains of V. vulnificus. They were then air-blast frozen at −55 °C followed by frozen storage at −8 °C, −13 °C, −18 °C, −23 °C and −28 °C. V.

This study aimed to develop an efficient PDI system to kill Salmonella in solution or on tuna fillets under 455 nm blue light-emitting diodes (LED) irradiation, by selecting slightly basic electrolyzed water (SBEW) as the solvent. Results showed that the solvent of SBEW increased the solubility of riboflavin, and notably strengthened the production of ROS compared to normal saline solution.

Ochratoxin A is a mycotoxin commonly found in cereals. In this study, a rapid and straightforward method was developed for measuring trace concentrations of ochratoxin A in brown rice; the method combines the fast toxin extraction (FaTEx) technique with high-performance liquid chromatography–fluorescence detection.

Citrus fruits are typically waxed before packaging to prevent water loss and extend shelf-life. The survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella was evaluated in 15 different commercial finishing waxes used for fresh citrus in California. Survival of L. monocytogenes and Salmonella in citrus finishing waxes depended on wax type. Over 24 h at 4 and 22 °C, populations of L.

Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen with high hospitalization and case fatality rates. To cause disease, L. monocytogenes must gain access to a specific food matrix and in many cases be able to grow before the food isnsumed. The fitness of this pathogen differs between individual foods and depends on its ability to adapt to various environmental stressors that are highly specific in each food matrix.

The aim of this study was to compare the results of the presence of antibiotic (AB) residues in the milk of dairy cows treated with ABs – during the withdrawal period (WP) and after the WP obtained by various screening tests (Delvotest T, Twinsensor BT020, and Eclipse 50), to evaluate the presence of AB residues with regard to selected factors (indication for AB administration, AB group, and a number of antimicrobial substances) and to assess selected parameters of milk quality (fat, crude pr

Salmonella represents a notable food-borne health threat in the European Union, primarily transmitted through poultry meat. Consequently, there is an augmented regulatory emphasis on poultry safety. However, chemical treatments can degrade meat's organoleptic quality, necessitating innovative contamination-reduction strategies. A promising approach for the biological control of food-borne diseases is lytic bacteriophages.

This study examined the distribution of 37 pesticide residues in different cereal grains (rye, wheat, oat, and barley) and their fractions, including flour, bran, and feed bran. The grains used in the study were sprayed in the field before processing to provide a more accurate representation of the fate of pesticide residues in these fractions. Pesticides were extracted using the QuEChERS method and analyzed by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of a recombinant superoxide dismutase (rSOD) from Bacillus pumilus E−1-1-1 regarding the degradation of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in model solution. The degradation mechanism was further explored and applied in milk and beer. The Kinetic Momentum and maximal velocity of the rSOD towards AFM1 were 3.6 μg/mL and 1.8 μg/mL/min, respectively. The rSOD-mediated AFM1 degradation product was identified as C12H11O3.

The current public health worry revolves around infections stemming from the consumption of meat contaminated with Salmonella spp., which has been linked to the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance. We investigated the presence of non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) in the retail of spicy chicken meat and its antimicrobial susceptibility profile.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by Penicillium nordicum, being this species a notable producer in dry-cured meat products. This toxin is one of the main fungal contaminants found in a variety of foods, including ripened meat products.

The prevalence of pesticide usage has brought the matter of pesticide residues to the forefront, necessitating the development of effective detection methods as a crucial step towards addressing this issue. This study presents a novel approach for detecting pesticide residues in vegetables using glass slide-formula-ion mobility spectrometry (IMS). The approach enables swift analysis of 36 different pesticides across three vegetable species with glass slides.

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.

Salmonella contamination of egg products is a major concern in the poultry industry. This study aimed to characterize newly isolated lytic Salmonella bacteriophages and evaluate the efficacy of Salmonella ser.

Fungal growth is one of the most common and serious problems faced during food storage. Aspergillus flavus is one of the major storage fungi producing aflatoxins, which are highly toxic and carcinogenic and pose a marked hazard t

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne bacterial pathogen that seriously threatens dairy product safety and human health, hence effective and available antibacterial agents are urgently needed.

Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are the major foodborne pathogen that causes non-bacterial gastroenteritis globally. Conventional RT-qPCR is prone to counting free RNA in the sample, resulting in an inflated infectious virus titer. Porcine gastric mucin (PGM), broadly used as the capture unit of in situ capture RT-qPCR (ISC-RT-qPCR), can precisely capture intact norovirus without adsorbing free RNA.

Vibrio cholerae is a significant seafood-borne pathogen that carries multiple virulence genes. Its ability to form biofilm on surfaces enables this pathogen to persist in the environments and resistant to chemicals and antibiotics. This study investigated the virulence properties of V. cholerae isolates obtained from shrimp supply chains and evaluated the inhibitory activities of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L. cv.

Peanuts contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) possess serious health risks. Radio frequency (RF) roasting was used for decontamination of AFB1 in peanuts. The effects of RF roasting on AFB1 degradation and peanuts quality were investigated under varied electrode gaps (90, 100, 110, and 120 mm), target temperatures (120, 130, 140, and 150 °C) and initial moisture contents (10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%).

Processed meat products could constitute a relevant source of cadmium (Cd) and other toxic elements in the diet as they could contain organ meats (e.g. kidneys, liver) known to accumulate metals. Additionally, these products could be contaminated due to metal transfer from the machinery during processing and, in the case of canned meats, metal migration from the container could also occur.

Shikonin has been used in food production because of its potent bacteriostatic activity and colorability, but it is limited to be widely used because of its poor water solubility. The aim of this study was to prepare shikonin @ chitosan nanoemulsion (NS) to improve the solubility of shikonin and evaluate its antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and the effect on storage quality of a pork food model.

Listeria monocytogenes adapts to low-temperature environments and grows rapidly at room temperature. This bacterium is associated with several foodborne outbreaks due to cold chain breaks, particularly ready-to-eat foods such as sausages. The present study evaluated how frozen storage (-10 °C) for 30 and 90 days of hot dog sausages influences the bacterial growth kinetics between 7 and 30 °C under isothermal conditions. L.