Article
Food Science & Technology
Marta Itarte, Sandra Martinez-Puchol, Eva Fores, Ayalkibet Hundesa, Natalia Timoneda, Silvia Bofill-Mas, Rosina Girones, Marta Rusinol
Summary: Fresh fruits and vegetables are vulnerable to microbial contamination and irrigation water quality is crucial. The study found frequent viral contamination in fresh produce, particularly Norovirus and Human Papillomavirus. The presence of these viruses in both fresh produce and irrigation water implies that irrigation water might be the main source of viral pathogens in food samples.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
A. Saravanan, P. Senthil Kumar, R. V. Hemavathy, S. Jeevanantham, R. Kamalesh, S. Sneha, P. R. Yaashikaa
Summary: Food safety is a major concern due to contamination by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, leading to diseases such as hemolytic uremic, irritable bowel and Guillain-Barre syndromes. Detection of pathogenic microbes is crucial, and current methods include biological methods, biosensors, spectroscopy, immunology, and nucleic acid techniques. Advanced detection technologies are essential for analyzing toxic substances in food.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lina Sheng, Mei-Jun Zhu
Summary: This article summarizes outbreak and recall surveillance data from government agencies in the United States from 2009 to 2018, discusses safety concerns related to fresh produce, and reviews intervention strategies with potential for commercial scale application.
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND FOOD SAFETY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Evyatar Ben Mordechay, Tali Sinai, Tamar Berman, Rita Dichtiar, Lital Keinan-Boker, Jorge Tarchitzky, Yehoshua Maor, Vered Mordehay, Orly Manor, Benny Chefetz
Summary: Irrigation with reclaimed wastewater helps conserve freshwater sources, but also exposes agricultural products to emerging contaminants. A study in Israel found that the highest exposure to wastewater-borne contaminants occurred through the consumption of leafy vegetables. While no human health concerns were observed in average and high exposure scenarios, extreme exposure to certain contaminants from produce irrigated with reclaimed wastewater may pose a threat to human health.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Joshua B. Gurtler, Kristen E. Gibson
Summary: This article presents recent scientific research on irrigation water contamination of fresh produce and the corresponding treatments. It also highlights multidisciplinary studies on the risks associated with bacterial pathogen contamination of produce through irrigation water and various approaches to mitigate these risks. Additionally, proposed changes to the Microbial Water Quality Profile requirement outlined in the Food Safety Modernization Act, Produce Safety Rule, are discussed.
CURRENT OPINION IN FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
Rodrigo Ulloa, J. Rene Villalobos
Summary: Special denomination labels for fresh food products have gained attention in recent decades. This paper explores the use of optimization tools to assess the impact of these labels on supply chains, with a focus on local food labels and distance. The results suggest that relaxing strict local food label definitions can reduce CO2 emissions in the supply chain of fresh produce.
COMPUTERS & INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Neha Farid, Amna Waheed, Simran Motwani
Summary: Foodborne pathogens are a common and concerning cause of illnesses worldwide. Current treatment relies on antibiotics, but the increase in antibiotic resistance and side effects necessitate the development of alternate therapies. This review provides information on common foodborne diseases, their treatment options, including natural alternatives such as phytochemicals and bacteriocins, as well as synthetic treatments like antibiotics.
Article
Biophysics
Qin Tao, Ning Tang, Yanjun Jiang, Bin Chen, Yuanjian Liu, Xiaohui Xiong, Songqin Liu
Summary: A color-switch electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform based on a dual-bipolar electrode (D-BPE) is developed for sensitive detection of food-borne pathogenic bacteria. The D-BPE consists of a cathode, and two anodes filled with [Ru(bpy)3]2+-TPrA and luminol-H2O2 solutions, respectively. By introducing ferrocene-labeled aptamer (Fc-aptamer) on the anodes, the ECL emission signal of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ is reduced, while luminol emits a strong ECL signal.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jingyi Xue, Yaguang Luo, Beifang Li, Xinhao Wang, Zhenlei Xiao, Yangchao Luo
Summary: This study developed thymol-loaded nanocomplexes to improve microbial safety of fresh produce. The nanocomplexes showed significantly stronger antimicrobial activities against foodborne pathogens compared to free thymol control, and the efficacy remained unchanged after storage. The study also found that the nanocomplexes could effectively remove biofilms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Zahra S. Al-Kharousi, Nejib Guizani, Abdullah M. Al-Sadi, Ismail M. Al-Bulushi
Summary: This study evaluated the susceptibility of fresh produce bacteria to chlorhexidine and the antibiotic resistance of enterococci. The results showed that enterococci were more susceptible to chlorhexidine than Enterobacteriaceae, and there was a low to moderate level of antibiotic resistance in enterococci. The study also found that some Enterobacteriaceae bacteria may challenge the disinfection processes and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria should be monitored in fresh produce.
Article
Microbiology
Qunying Yuan, Rong Xiao, Mojetoluwa Afolabi, Manjula Bomma, Zhigang Xiao
Summary: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) synthesized chemically with bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a stabilizer and capping agent showed inhibition on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis starting at 0.5 μg/mL, but higher concentrations were needed for Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Salmonella enterica. No inhibition was observed on the growth of the other five test bacteria. These findings suggest that chemically synthesized SeNPs have the potential to be used as food preservatives to reduce bacteria-mediated food spoilage, but factors such as size, shape, synthesis method, and combination with other preservatives should be considered.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Saad Asadullah Sharief, Oznur Caliskan-Aydogan, Evangelyn C. Alocilja
Summary: This study used carbohydrate-coated magnetic and gold nanoparticles to successfully extract and detect Salmonella Enteritidis from artificially contaminated cucumbers and melons. The extraction of bacterial cells and the detection of genomic DNA were confirmed using different techniques. A colorimetric biosensor utilizing gold nanoparticles was developed and showed a high specificity towards Salmonella.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Sandhya Sadanandan, V. S. Meenakshi, Keerthana Ramkumar, Neeraja P. Pillai, P. Anuvinda, P. J. Sreelekshmi, V Devika, K. Ramanunni, R. Jeevan Sankar, M. M. Sreejaya
Summary: Food-borne diseases caused by bacterial contamination are a serious threat to human food safety and well-being. Gold nanoparticles can be used for the detection of food-borne pathogens, ensuring food safety.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna Townsend, Laura K. Strawn, Benjamin J. Chapman, Mary Yavelak, Abhinav Mishra, Laurel L. Dunn
Summary: The prevalence of Listeria species in transportation and distribution center environments was investigated in this study. It was found that geographical location and sampling location were the two most important factors associated with Listeria spp. detection. The study highlighted the importance of sanitation operations in Listeria-prone areas.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kanaha Shoji, Seraina Schudel, Chandrima Shrivastava, Daniel Onwude, Thijs Defraeye
Summary: This study compares and quantifies the impact of different measures in preserving the quality of fresh produce in the cold chain, using physics-based digital twins of fresh produce. The results show that shortening the time length of shipment and lowering the shipment and retail temperatures can extend the shelf life of fruits, while adjusting humidity control can reduce mass loss. The digital twin technology used in this study allows for more efficient and cost-effective evaluation of cold chain optimizations in the design phase.
JOURNAL OF FOOD ENGINEERING
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Adam Schikora, Robert Wilson Jackson, Leo Van Overbeek, Nicola Holden
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Plant Sciences
Daniel De Vega, Nicola Holden, Pete E. Hedley, Jenny Morris, Estrella Luna, Adrian Newton
Summary: Current crop protection strategies against Botrytis cinerea rely on conventional fungicides and host genetic resistance, but these strategies are not sufficient due to pathogen evolution and fungicide regulations. Defence elicitors like chitosan can prime plant defense mechanisms for faster and stronger resistance expression upon pathogen recognition. This study identified novel tomato genes, ACRE75 and ACRE180, which act as positive regulators of plant resistance against B. cinerea, providing valuable information for protecting Solanaceae plants.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ashleigh Holmes, Yannick Rossez, Kathryn Mary Wright, Pete Edward Hedley, Jenny Morris, William George Tycho Willats, Nicola Jean Holden
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2020)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kathryn M. Wright, Peter J. Wright, Nicola J. Holden
Summary: The use of MacConkey broth purple provides a more efficient method for Most Probable Number estimation of Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli (E.coli) compared to the traditional process of bacterial enrichment in buffered peptone water followed by detection on MacConkey agar. This single-step process yields comparable results in plant extracts.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2021)
Review
Agronomy
Mustafa Yassin, Jurriaan Ton, Stephen A. Rolfe, Tracy A. Valentine, Matthew Cromey, Nicola Holden, Adrian C. Newton
Summary: The use of chemical induced resistance (IR) agents in plant protection products initially showed promise but fell out of favor due to low efficacy and potential negative effects on growth and yield. However, with a shift towards integrated pest management, these agents may find a place in plant protection strategies. Researchers continue to explore ways to improve the efficacy and mitigate the negative impacts of chemical IR agents.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Deepti Diwan, Lei Cheng, Zeba Usmani, Minaxi Sharma, Nicola Holden, Nicholas Willoughby, Neelam Sangwan, Rama Raju Baadhe, Chenchen Liu, Vijai Kumar Gupta
Summary: The success of conventional cancer therapeutics is limited by antibiotic resistance and lack of specificity in anti-tumor drugs. Microbial-derived bioactive molecules are offering a new strategic solution by selectively targeting cancer cells. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the anti-carcinogenic properties of these molecules and discusses effective therapeutic applications to minimize systemic side effects.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirela C. Coke, Sophie Mantelin, Peter Thorpe, Catherine J. Lilley, Kathryn M. Wright, Daniel S. Shaw, Adams Chande, John T. Jones, Peter E. Urwin
Summary: The study investigated the biological function of the G. pallida GpIA7 effector in potato plants, revealing its potential role in altering plant growth and development by modulating the regulatory function of the plant growth regulator StEBP1. The effector was found to down-regulate the expression of downstream target genes, affecting the host cell cycle and demonstrating a mechanism used by the nematode to manipulate the host plant.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yangminghao Liu, Daniel Patko, Ilonka Engelhardt, Timothy S. George, Nicola R. Stanley-Wall, Vincent Ladmiral, Bruno Ameduri, Tim J. Daniell, Nicola Holden, Michael P. MacDonald, Lionel X. Dupuy
Summary: Our study developed a three-dimensional live microscopy technique to observe plant-microbe interactions in transparent soil, providing valuable insights into the colonization patterns of Bacillus subtilis populations in the rhizosphere of lettuce plants. This innovative system allows for real-time tracking of microbial movement and is a powerful tool for understanding complex interactions in the environment.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicola Holden
Summary: Escherichia coli species shows high genomic diversification due to evolution, mobile genetic elements, and recombination. An environmental E. coli isolate, 'JHI_5025', appears to be clonally related to the historical reference isolate E. coli K-12 strain 'MG1655', making it a potential representative of well-known workhorse strains.
Article
Ecology
I. C. Engelhardt, D. Patko, Y. Liu, M. Mimault, G. de las Heras Martinez, T. S. George, M. MacDonald, M. Ptashnyk, T. Sukhodub, N. R. Stanley-Wall, N. Holden, T. J. Daniell, L. X. Dupuy
Summary: This study used live microscopy techniques to observe collective movement of B. subtilis bacteria in soil, resembling the behavior of bird flocks or fish schools. Genetic analysis suggests that this movement may be driven by diffusion of extracellular signaling molecules and influenced by physical obstacles and hydrodynamics in the soil environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kathryn Mary Wright, Peter John Wright, Nicola Jean Holden
Summary: The colonization of six edible plant species by Shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli was investigated, and it was found that the success of colonization depended on the mode of inoculation and the characteristics of the plants. The potential risks associated with consumption of leafy produce contaminated with pathogenic bacteria are discussed.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kathryn M. Wright, Jacqueline Marshall, Peter J. Wright, Nicola J. Holden
Summary: Microgreens, immature plants harvested after a few weeks of growth, are seen as healthy and nutritious, but can be vulnerable to colonization by human pathogens like STEC. This study compared the impact of anthocyanins on bacterial colonization by STEC in three species of pigmented microgreens: basil, cabbage, and mustard greens. The results showed that anthocyanins did not affect the bacterial colonization by STEC, suggesting that pigmentation is not a controlling factor in bacterial interactions.
Article
Microbiology
Katrin MacKenzie, Jacqueline Marshall, Frank Wright, George Gunn, Nicola Holden
Summary: The analysis of Escherichia coli taxonomy has revealed the existence of divergent cryptic clades, which have a relationship with clinical or veterinary isolates. In this study, E. coli isolated from a spring barley field trial were screened and it was found that four isolates belonged to Clade-V and one isolate belonged to Clade-IV. These isolates showed high intraclade similarity and encoded potential virulence factors.
CURRENT RESEARCH IN MICROBIAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Guangfei Wei, Yichuan Liang, Guozhuang Zhang, Zhaoyu Zhang, Yongqing Zhang, Shilin Chen, Linlin Dong
Summary: This study investigated the presence of fungi on the surface of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb and found that it is easily contaminated by toxigenic fungi and mycotoxins, posing a health risk for consumers. The results also showed that sampling location and processing can influence the assembly and network complexity of the surface microbiome of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Gabriele Busetta, Giuliana Garofalo, Salvatore Claps, Maria Teresa Sardina, Elena Franciosi, Antonio Alfonzo, Nicola Francesca, Giancarlo Moschetti, Luca Settanni, Raimondo Gaglio
Summary: This study evaluates the microbial diversity of wooden shelves used for the ripening of PDO Pecorino di Filiano and PGI Canestrato di Moliterno cheeses. The results show a strict correlation between the microbiota of wooden shelves and cheese rinds, indicating the positive role of wooden shelves in the cheese ripening process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Massimo Todaro, Giuliana Garofalo, Gabriele Busetta, Riccardo Gannuscio, Ambra Rita Di Rosa, Maria Luisa Scatassa, Cinzia Cardamone, Isabella Mancuso, Elena Franciosi, Fatima Rando, Monica Agnolucci, Vincenzo Chiofalo, Raimondo Gaglio, Luca Settanni
Summary: This study aimed to reduce the production time of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese by comparing two cooking methods and assessing their impact on microbiological composition and lactic acid bacteria populations. The results showed that the different cooking methods did not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the cheese, and sensory evaluation confirmed that the modified production protocol did not significantly alter the product characteristics and overall acceptance. Therefore, cooking under hot water proved to be an effective way to reduce the transformation duration while maintaining the typicality of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yingying Sun, Yana Liu, Weiwei Zhou, Lele Shao, Han Wang, Yijie Zhao, Bo Zou, Xingmin Li, Ruitong Dai
Summary: The study evaluates the effect of Ohmic heating (OH) at various voltage gradients and water bath on microbial inactivation, physicochemical and sensory properties, and microbial flora of pasteurized milk. Results show that OH with higher voltage effectively inactivates microorganisms, slows down lipid oxidation, and maintains sensory quality and amino acids content of milk. The microbial community in milk treated with OH remains relatively stable during storage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Minjin Oh, Ana Cevallos-Urena, Byoung Sik Kim
Summary: In this study, two bacteriophages, PECP14 and PECP20, infecting Escherichia coli O157:H7 were isolated and found to be stable under different environmental conditions. These phages exhibited specificity in targeting different host receptors and demonstrated the ability to infect other foodborne pathogens. The efficacy of phage treatment was demonstrated through rapid adsorption and bacterial lysis. Furthermore, purified endolysins derived from these phages showed remarkable bacteriolytic activity not only against E. coli O157:H7 but also against other pathogens. These findings suggest that these phages and their endolysins can be used for biological control of E. coli O157:H7 in various stages of agricultural product production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Filippo Marzoli, Michela Bertola, Juliane Pinarelli Fazion, Giulia Cento, Pietro Antonelli, Beatrice Dolzan, Lisa Barco, Simone Belluco
Summary: Insects are a sustainable and protein-rich food source, and Salmonella is a common pathogen in insects. This systematic review aims to collect and evaluate existing studies on the occurrence of Salmonella in crickets and mealworms. Although the number of studies is limited and there are some limitations, this review highlights the importance of obtaining reliable data on the presence of Salmonella in insects, considering the growing market and increased farming scale.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Lucas Chikhi, Melanie Mancier, Hubert Brugere, Bertrand Lombard, Lyazrhi Faouzi, Laurent Guillier, Nathalie Gnanou Besse
Summary: Listeriosis is a severe foodborne disease with a high mortality rate, mainly caused by L. monocytogenes. The EU regulation sets qualitative or quantitative food safety criteria for L. monocytogenes and recommends the use of EN ISO 11290-1 as the reference detection method. Our study compares alternative certified methods for detecting L. monocytogenes, highlighting the importance of diversifying available detection methods.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Christina A. M. DeWitt, Kevin A. Nelson, Hyung Joo Kim, David H. Kingsley
Summary: High pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal method that can effectively inactivate pathogens. Research has shown that applying high pressure to thawed samples in an ultra-low temperature environment enhances the inactivation of norovirus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Suzane Manzini, Thaina Valente Bertozzo, Isabella Neves Aires, Nassarah Jabur Lot Rodrigues, Amanda Bezerra Bertolini, Marcela Alexandrino, Jackieline Sampaio Steinle, Renata Pimentel Bandeira de Melo, Rinaldo Aparecido Mota, Maria Izabel Merino de Medeiros, Virginia Bodelao Richini-Pereira, Vera Claudia Lorenzetti Magalhaes Curci, Simone Baldini Lucheis
Summary: This study detected Toxoplasma gondii DNA in raw bovine milk samples from expansion tanks in small properties located in different cities of the Midwest region of Sa similar to o Paulo, Brazil using PCR. The results showed that the TgNP1 and TgNP2 genes were more efficient in detecting T. gondii DNA, highlighting the importance of raw bovine milk as a potential source of human infections caused by this parasite, and emphasizing the need for proper pasteurization and further understanding of the epidemiology of this protozoan.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Luca Bolzoni, Mauro Conter, Luca Lamperti, Erika Scaltriti, Marina Morganti, Antonio Poeta, Marco Vecchi, Silvia Paglioli, Alessandra Rampini, Paolo Ramoni, Daniela De Vita, Cristina Bacci, Martina Rega, Laura Andriani, Stefano Pongolini, Silvia Bonardi
Summary: This study assessed the role of equids as carriers of Salmonella and the occurrence of contaminated equid carcasses during the slaughter process. Salmonella was detected in a small percentage of equids' caecal contents, but not in carcass samples. Additionally, a genetic match was found between Salmonella strains from horse caecal contents and human cases, suggesting a link between horse meat consumption and salmonellosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Daria Nowinski, Tomasz Czapka, Irena Maliszewska
Summary: The effect of multiple sublethal doses of non-thermal plasma treatments on phenotypical changes and the reduction in phytopathogenicity of three species of fungi was investigated. The plasma damaged the surface of the fungal hyphae, decreased their dry biomass, and affected the activity of pectinase and xylanase. Furthermore, the plasma treatments increased the germination rate of artificially infected cucumber seeds and resulted in plants with higher biomass and longer roots and stems. However, the reduction in phytopathogenicity was not complete after the multiple plasma treatments.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2024)