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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 273

  1. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antibacterial peptide NZX in Staphylococcus aureus mastitis mouse model

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Staphylococcus aureus is associated with dairy mastitis, which causes serious economic losses to dairy farming industry. Antibacterial peptide NZX showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus. This study aimed to evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of NZX against S. aureus-induced mouse mastitis. NZX exhibited potent in vitro antibacterial activity against the test S.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  2. Profile of the gut microbiota of Pacific white shrimp under industrial indoor farming system

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • The gut microbial communities interact with the host immunity and physiological functions. In this study, we investigated the bacterial composition in Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp’s gut and rearing water under different host (developmental stage: juvenile and adult; health status: healthy and diseased) and environmental factors (temperature 25 °C and 28 °C; and light intensity: low and high).

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  3. Applied microbiology of the phyllosphere

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • The phyllosphere, or plant leaf surface, represents a microbial ecosystem of considerable size, holding extraordinary biodiversity and enormous potential for the discovery of new products, tools, and applications in biotechnology, agriculture, medicine, and elsewhere.

      • Produce Safety
      • Leafy Greens
  4. Transcriptomic analyses of Vibrio parahaemolyticus under the phenyllactic acid stress

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Phenyllactic acid (PLA) generally recognized as a natural organic acid shows against Vibrio parahaemolyticus activity. In this study, V. parahaemolyticus ATCC17802 (Vp17802) was cultured under the stress of 1/2MIC PLA, and then the antibacterial mechanisms were explored via transcriptomics.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  5. High molecular/low acetylated chitosans reduce adhesion of Campylobacter jejuni to host cells by blocking JlpA

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • 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.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  6. 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
  7. 16S rRNA metagenomic profiling of red amaranth grown organically with different composts and soils

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • In recent years organic food is gaining popularity as it is believed to promote better human health and improve soil sustainability, but there are apprehensions about pathogens in organic produces. This study was designed to understand the effect of different composts and soils on the status of the microbiome present in organically grown leafy vegetables. 16S rRNA metagenomic profiling of the leaves was done, and data were analyzed.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  8. Distribution of antibiotic resistance genes and their pathogen hosts in duck farm environments in south-east coastal China

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Livestock farms are major reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) that are discharged into the environment. However, the abundance, diversity, and transmission of ARGs in duck farms and its impact on surrounding environments remain to be further explored. Therefore, the characteristics of ARGs and their bacterial hosts from duck farms and surrounding environment were investigated by using metagenomic sequencing.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  9. Pioneering gut health improvements in piglets with phytogenic feed additives

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • This research investigates the effects of phytogenic feed additives (PFAs) on the growth performance, gut microbial community, and microbial metabolic functions in weaned piglets via a combined 16S rRNA gene amplicon and shotgun metagenomics approach. A controlled trial was conducted using 200 pigs to highlight the significant influence of PFAs on gut microbiota dynamics.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
  10. Added insult to injury? The response of meat-associated pathogens to proposed antimicrobial interventions

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Modern requirements for ‘green label’ meat products have led to the design of novel antimicrobial innovations which prioritise quality, safety and longevity. Plasma-functionalised water (PFW), ultraviolet light and natural antimicrobial compositions have been investigated and optimised for control of foodborne pathogens like Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Campylobacter
      • Salmonella
  11. The assembly of gut microbiota implicates shrimp acute hepatopancreas necrosis disease progression

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Ample evidence shows dysbiosis in the gut microbiota when comparing healthy shrimp with those affected by severe acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND). However, the static comparison used in available studies leads to the uncertainties regarding how and to what extent the gut microbiota responds to the progressive severity of AHPND.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  12. The implication of viability and pathogenicity by truncated lipopolysaccharide in Yersinia enterocolitica

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract The fast envelope stress responses play a key role in the transmission and pathogenesis of Yersinia enterocolitica, one of the most common foodborne pathogens. Our previous study showed that deletion of the waaF gene, essential for the biosynthesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) core polysaccharides, led to the formation of a truncated LPS structure and induced cell envelope stress.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Yersinia
  13. Bioconversion of feather waste into bioactive nutrients in water by Bacillus licheniformis WHU

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract Feathers become hazardous pollutants when deposited directly into the environment. The rapid expansion of the poultry industry has significantly increased feather waste, necessitating the development of new ways to degrade and utilize feathers.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  14. Genomic and proteomic characterization of vB_SauM-UFV_DC4, a novel Staphylococcus jumbo phage

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most relevant mastitis pathogens in dairy cattle, and the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance genes presents a significant health issue in both veterinary and human fields. Among the different strategies to tackle S.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  15. Multiplex metabolic pathway engineering of Monascus pilosus enhances lovastatin production

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Monascus sp. is an important food microbial resource with the production of cholesterol-lowering agent lovastatin and other healthy metabolites. However, the mycotoxin citrinin naturally produced by Monascus sp. and the insufficient productivity of lovastatin limit its large-scale use in food industry.

      • Chemical contaminants
      • Heavy Metals
      • Natural toxins
      • Mycotoxins
  16. LysP53 activity against Salmonella and its application in decontamination of Salmonella on fresh romaine lettuce

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Salmonella is a zoonotic pathogen that is commonly associated with foodborne disease outbreaks. This study found that a newly identified Gram-negative lysin LysP53 had good activity against a wide range of Salmonella, including Salmonella Newington, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Salmonella Dublin.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  17. Evolutionary relevance of metabolite production in relation to marine sponge bacteria symbiont

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract Sponges are habitats for a diverse community of microorganisms. Sponges provide shelter, whereas microbes provide a complementary defensive mechanism. Here, a symbiotic bacterium, identified as Bacillus spp., was isolated from a marine sponge following culture enrichment.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Staphylococcus aureus
  18. Metagenomics analysis reveals differences in rumen microbiota in cows with low and high milk protein percentage

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Variation exists in milk protein concentration of dairy cows of the same breed that are fed and managed in the same environment, and little information was available on this variation which might be attributed to differences in rumen microbial composition as well as their fermentation metabolites.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  19. Protection of postharvest grains from fungal spoilage by biogenic volatiles

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Fungal spoilage of postharvest grains poses serious problems with respect to food safety, human health, and the economic value of grains. The protection of cereal grains from deleterious fungi is a critical aim in postharvest grain management. Considering the bulk volume of grain piles in warehouses or bins and food safety, fumigation with natural gaseous fungicides is a promising strategy to control fungal contamination on postharvest grains.

      • Produce Safety
      • Post Harvest
  20. Sodium butyrate supplementation impacts the gastrointestinal bacteria of dairy calves before weaning

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract The objective of this study was to systematically investigate how sodium butyrate (SB) affects the gastrointestinal bacteria in newborn calves at different stages before weaning.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Shigella
  21. Characterization of a broad-spectrum endolysin rLysJNwz and its utility against Salmonella in foods

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Abstract Salmonella is a common foodborne pathogen worldwide. The use of bacteriophage-encoded endolysins as antimicrobial agents is a promising approach for controlling pathogenic contamination. In this context, a recombinant endolysin named rLysJNwz, consisting of a single domain falling with the L-alanogyl-D-glutamate peptidase-like family, was cloned, expressed, and characterized.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Salmonella
  22. Proteomic analysis reveals the adaptation of Vibrio splendidus to an iron deprivation condition

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Vibrio splendidus is a ubiquitous Gram-negative marine bacterium that causes diseases within a wide range of marine cultured animals. Since iron deprivation is the frequent situation that the bacteria usually encounter, we aimed to explore the effect of iron deprivation on the proteomic profile of V. splendidus in the present study.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  23. The effect of Sichuan pepper on gut microbiota in mice fed a high-sucrose and low-dietary fibre diet

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum, HJ), a spice widely used in China, has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-obesity properties.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  24. Identification of determinants for entering into a viable but nonculturable state in Vibrio alginolyticus by Tn-seq

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • The viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state is a dormant state of nonsporulating bacteria that enhances survival in adverse environments. Systematic genome-wide research on the genetic basis of VBNC formation is warranted.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio
  25. Biological control of soft rot in potato by κ-carrageenan carriers encapsulated microbial predators

    • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
    • The Pectobacterium and Dickeya pectinolytic bacteria are phytopathogens responsible for several macerating diseases on a wide range of crops and ornamental plants. Recently, bacterial predators belonging to the Bdellovibrio and like organisms (BALOs) were shown to efficiently prey on these rot-causing bacteria and reduce soft rot-induced potato slice maceration.

      • Bacterial pathogens
      • Vibrio