Research Publications (Food Safety)

Beneficial 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase-producing bacteria promote plant growth and stress resistance, constituting a sustainable alternative to the excessive use of chemicals in agriculture. In this work, the increased plant growth promotion activity of the ACC deaminase-producing Pseudomonas thivervalensis SC5, its ability to limit the growth of phytopathogens, and the genomics behind these important properties are described in detail. P.

Plant-associated beneficial strains inhabiting plants grown under harsh ecosystems can help them cope with abiotic stress factors by positively influencing plant physiology, development, and environmental adaptation. Previously, we isolated a potential plant growth promoting strain (AXSa06) identified as Pseudomonas oryzihabitans, possessing 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity, producing indole-3-acetic acid and siderophores, as well as solubilizing inorganic phosphorus.

This study innovatively produced polymeric active antibacterial films by incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NP) into linear low-density polyethylene grafted with maleic anhydride (LLDPE-MA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using polymer melting and coating of ZnO-NP.

Salinity is a major abiotic stress that negatively impacts plant health and soil microbiota. ACC (1-aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid) deaminase producing microorganisms act as natural stress busters that protect plants from different kinds of stresses. The study focused on the isolation of potent, indigenous, multi-trait ACC deaminase producers.

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of 0.5% and 1% alkaline, clay mineral and phosphorus amendments, as well as 2% and 5% organic amendments, on lead (Pb) soil bioavailability and Pb absorption by the low-Pb accumulator kumquat (Citrus japonica Thunb.) ‘Cuipi’ in two typical Pb-contaminated soils, Jiyuan and Yangshuo, from northern and southern China, respectively.

The firmness of Jonagold apples is an important quality attribute during postharvest chain. However, postharvest handlers are faced with variability in the firmness that exists within apples even of those of the same batch and cultivar.

Wood ash as a soil amendment has gained wide spread acceptance in the recent years as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, although information regarding the effects of its application on maize growth and yield in the context of climate change and increasing drought severity is lacking till date.

One path toward identifying effective and easily accessible antifungals is to repurpose commonly used drugs. Amiloride, a widely used diuretic, inhibits different isoforms of Na+/H+ exchangers, Na+ channels, and Na+/Ca2+ exchangers. Here, we found that amiloride had poor antifungal activity against isolates of Cryptococcus prompting the examination of the amiloride analog, HMA [5-(N,N-hexamethylene)amiloride].

The aim of the study was to assess human norovirus and feline calicivirus (FCV) surface free energy, hydrophobicity, and ability to interact with fresh foods and food-contact surfaces.

Salicylic acid plays an important role in the plant immune response, and its degradation is therefore important for plant-pathogenic fungi. However, many nonpathogenic microorganisms can also degrade salicylic acid. In the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger, two salicylic acid metabolic pathways have been suggested. The first pathway converts salicylic acid to catechol by a salicylate hydroxylase (ShyA).

Waterlogging stress (WS) induces ethylene (ET) and polyamine (spermine, putrescine, and spermidine) production in plants, but their reprogramming is a decisive element for determining the fate of the plant upon waterlogging-induced stress. WS can be challenged by exploring symbiotic microbes that improve the plant’s ability to grow better and resist WS.

BACKGROUND α‐lactalbumin (α‐La) was of great interest to the industry due to its excellent functional properties and nutritional value. Aqueous two‐phase flotation (ATPF) of thermo‐sensitive polymer poly (ethylene glycol‐ran‐propylene glycol) monobutyl ether (UCON) and KH2PO4 was applied to directly separate and purify α‐La from milk whey, which was purposed to simplify the production process and reduced cost of production.

The role of ethylene in plant development is mostly inferred from its exogenous application. The usage of the mutants affecting ethylene biosynthesis proffers a better alternative to decipher its role. In tomato, 1‐aminocyclopropane carboxylic acid synthase2 (ACS2) is a key enzyme regulating ripening‐specific ethylene biosynthesis.

Tomato is a climacteric fruit susceptible to rapid softening and ripening after harvest. In this study, the changes of physicochemical characters, cell wall degrading enzymes, cell wall compositions and ethylene production of ‘Hisar Arun’ and ‘BSS‐488’ tomato fruits were investigated under the influence of salicylic acid treatment. Salicylic acid treatment effectively delayed firmness decline and increase in PLW, TSS and lycopene content.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a known food contaminant that affects a wide range of food and agricultural products. The presence of this fungal metabolite in foods poses a threat to human health. Therefore, various detection and quantification methods have been developed to determine its presence in foods. Herein, we describe a rapid and ultrasensitive tracer-based fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) for the detection of OTA in rice samples.

Abstract

Main conclusion

Transcriptome and physiological analysis showed that exogenous arginine can delay the ripening process of postharvest strawberry fruit.

In present work, mustard straw, an abundantly available agricultural residue in various parts of globe, is used to prepare a low-cost activated carbon by chemical activation using phosphoric acid. Response surface methodology is employed for optimization of adsorption of methylene blue dye onto mustard straw-activated carbon (MSAC).

The disaccharide Suc cannot be utilized directly; rather, it is irreversibly hydrolyzed by invertase to the hexoses Glc and Fru to shape plant growth. In this context, Glc controls the stability of the transcription factor Ethylene-Insensitive3 (EIN3) via the function of Hexokinase1 (HXK1), a Glc sensor. Thus, invertase, especially the major neutral cytosolic invertase (CINV), constitutes a key point of control for plant growth.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Surfactants with emulsifying bioactivity are known to be produced by Bacillus subtilis. Here, a colorimetric assay for methylene blue active substances is adapted for use in bacterial plaque to describe surfactant bioactivity, and supplemental salts of calcium during culture are shown to enrich cultured plaque for said bioactivity. Where B.

Rhamnolipids have extensive potential applications and are the most promising biosurfactants for commercialization. The efficient and accurate identification and analysis of these are important to their production, application and commercialization. Accordingly, significant efforts have been made to identify and analyse rhamnolipids during screening of producing strains, fermentation and application processes.

by Akshit Puri, Kiran Preet Padda, Chris P. Chanway

Ethylene is the key regulator of sex determination in monoecious species of the family Cucurbitaceae. This hormone determines which individual floral meristems develop as female or male flowers and the female flowering transition. The sex determination genes discovered so far code for ethylene biosynthesis enzymes, but little is known about the importance of ethylene signaling components.

Fruit crops are subject to precocious fruit abscission, during which the phytohormone ethylene (ET) acts as a major positive regulator. However, the molecular basis of ET‐induced fruit abscission remains poorly understood. Here, we show that two ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE 3‐like (EIL) homologs in litchi, LcEIL2 and LcEIL3, play a role in ET‐activated fruitlet abscission. LcEIL2/3 were significantly upregulated in the fruit abscission zone (AZ) during the ET‐induced fruitlet abscission in litchi.

Peaches are vulnerable to cold temperature, showing the symptoms of chilling injury (CI). The occurrence of CI results in irreversible aroma loss, especially ‘peach‐like’ lactones loss during cold storage and subsequent shelf life. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment is effective in alleviating CI symptoms in peach fruit; however, its effect on peach aroma volatiles is still unknown.

A simple, fast, and sensitive analytical protocol using fabric‐phase sorptive extraction followed by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection has been developed and validated for the extraction of five parabens including methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and benzylparaben. In the present work, sol‐gel polyethylene glycol coated fabric‐phase sorptive extraction membrane is used for the preconcentration of parabens (polar) from complex matrices.