Control and Risk Assessment of Microorganisms in Agricultural Products

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Agricultural Product Quality and Safety".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 April 2024) | Viewed by 3537

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: food microbiology; meat products; microbial spoilage; pathogenic microorganisms; biopreservation

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Interests: food microbiology; meat products; microbial spoilage; pathogenic microorganisms; biopreservation
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Codex, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) published three technical guidance documents in the 2000s about the risk assessment of microbiological hazards in foods, commonly referred to as microbiological risk assessment (MRA). However, due to the advancement of science, there is a need to update the data and the methods to evaluate MRA. This together with new tendencies based on reductions in pesticides in favour of the use of biocontrol and other natural strategies require new studies about the control and risk of microbiological contamination of the final agricultural product.  

This Special Issue is focused on the development of newly available control options in agriculture products as well as the study of MRA in plants. This Special Issue aims to highlight impactful research on the control and risk assessment of microorganisms in agriculture products. It will include interdisciplinary studies on agriculture with disciplines of biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, and engineering. Research articles may include the control of spoilage microorganisms and toxin producers. All types of articles, such as original research, opinions, and reviews, are welcome.

Dr. Micaela Álvarez
Dr. María J. Andrade
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • risk
  • agricultural foodstuff
  • microbial hazard
  • spoilage
  • pathgens
  • biocontrol agents

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

12 pages, 634 KiB  
Article
Reconsidering the Co-Occurrence of Aspergillus flavus in Spanish Vineyards and Aflatoxins in Grapes
by Clara Melguizo, Belén Patiño, Antonio J. Ramos, Covadonga Vázquez and Jéssica Gil-Serna
Agriculture 2023, 13(10), 1998; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13101998 - 14 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1528
Abstract
Aspergillus flavus is a xerophilic fungus whose geographical distribution is expected to change due to the current climate change scenario. Grapes are one of the most important crops worldwide, and it is essential to evaluate the risk posed by their contamination with potential [...] Read more.
Aspergillus flavus is a xerophilic fungus whose geographical distribution is expected to change due to the current climate change scenario. Grapes are one of the most important crops worldwide, and it is essential to evaluate the risk posed by their contamination with potential mycotoxigenic species. Recently, a few reports have described A. flavus as an emerging contaminant in vineyards, which has led to a discussion on the need to legislate aflatoxin contents in grapes. Using a specific PCR assay, the occurrence of A. flavus was demonstrated in 43 out of 61 grape samples collected from Spanish vineyards. Considering the high incidence observed, the risk of the grapes becoming contaminated with aflatoxin was subsequently evaluated. Aspergillus flavus isolates from grapes can grow in grape-based media under a variety of environmental conditions, but they were unable to produce either aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) or aflatoxin B2 (AFB2) even though their ability to produce these toxins was confirmed in a permissive medium (CYA). These results confirm that climate change is affecting the distribution of mycotoxigenic fungi, thereby increasing the occurrence of A. flavus in vineyards, although the risk of the grapes becoming contaminated with aflatoxin needs to be reconsidered. Full article
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13 pages, 857 KiB  
Article
Mycotoxins and Other Secondary Metabolites Are Produced by Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi When Confronted with Biological and Chemical Control Agents
by Micaela Álvarez, Isadora Agostini, Sofia Silva, Rosangela Dallemole-Giaretta, Michael Sulyok, Ana Sampaio and Paula Rodrigues
Agriculture 2023, 13(6), 1166; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13061166 - 30 May 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1507
Abstract
Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi (Gs) is a relevant pathogen of chestnut since it provokes significant losses worldwide. The aim of this study was to screen the effect of a new biocontrol agent (BCA) against Gs isolated from chestnut (CIMO-BCA1) on the mould’s growth as well [...] Read more.
Gnomoniopsis smithogilvyi (Gs) is a relevant pathogen of chestnut since it provokes significant losses worldwide. The aim of this study was to screen the effect of a new biocontrol agent (BCA) against Gs isolated from chestnut (CIMO-BCA1) on the mould’s growth as well as on the production of secondary metabolites. The chemical fungicide Horizon® (tebuconazole; HOR) and the commercial biofungicide Serenade® ASO (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens QST 713; ASO) were also tested. Three concentrations of each antifungal (HOR, ASO, and CIMO-BCA1) were faced with Gs in the growth study in a chestnut-based medium. The intermediate concentrations were used for the analyses of metabolites by LC-MS/MS. CIMO-BCA1 was also identified as B. amyloliquefaciens. All agents reduced the mould’s growth, and the CIMO-BCA1 treatment with an intermediate concentration was the most effective. The metabolite analysis revealed, for the first time, the production of two mycotoxins by Gs, including 3-nitropropionic acid and diplodiatoxin. Additionally, HOR stimulated the production of diplodiatoxin. In conclusion, Gs could present a health risk for consumers. B. amyloliquefaciens strains effectively decreased the mould’s growth, but they must be applied at effective concentrations or in combination with other strategies to completely reduce the hazard. Full article
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