Feature Reviews on Food Microbiology

A special issue of Foods (ISSN 2304-8158). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 3143

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece
Interests: food hygiene and safety; natural antimicrobials; sustainable microbial control; beneficial microorganisms; biofilms; intercellular interactions and communication; bacterial stress adaptation; virulence and pathogenesis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ichthyology and Aquatic Environment, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Thessaly, 38446 Volos, Greece
Interests: food safety; microbial food spoilage; microbial communities; foodborne pathogens; microbial metabolites; microbial interactions; antibiotic resistance; molecular food microbiology; seafood; next generation sequencing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We would like to invite you to submit comprehensive review papers to this Special Issue dealing with all subjects related to food microbiology, hygiene, and safety. Review papers can range from state-of-the-art topics to novel advances and trends, including, but not limited, to the following:

  • the study of the microbial spoilage of food;
  • foodborne pathogenic microorganisms, their virulence factors and pathogenicity mechanisms, epidemiology, and risk assessment;
  • fermented foods, their microbial ecology, food microbiomes;
  • the quantitative assessment (prediction) of the shelf-life of foods under their relevant conditions of production, processing, transport, and preservation;
  • microorganisms of possible technological interest in the production/processing of foods, probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, and postbiotics;
  • novel sustainable methods for the mitigation of harmful microorganisms in food (e.g., biopreservation, quorum quenching, ozone, hurdle technology, etc.);
  • advanced methods to control, monitor, ensure, and improve the hygiene of food production, processing, preservation, and consumption environment, including the study of biofilms;
  • fast and reliable methods for the isolation, identification, characterization, and quantification of food microorganisms (e.g., genomic and metagenomic approaches, biosensors, nanodevices);
  • fast and reliable, either invasive or non-invasive, methods for the control, monitoring, and manipulation of the microbial quality of food, including AI and machine learning approaches.

Dr. Efstathios Giaouris
Dr. Foteini Parlapani
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Foods is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbial food spoilage
  • food-borne pathogens, epidemiology, risk assessment
  • fermented foods and nutraceuticals
  • predictive food microbiology
  • food hygiene and safety
  • biofilms
  • probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotics, postbiotics
  • food microbial ecology and microbiomes
  • innovative methods for detection and/or characterization of microorganisms

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Review

16 pages, 450 KiB  
Review
Risk Profile of Bacteriophages in the Food Chain
by Monika Trząskowska, Eyesun Eedo Naammo, Muhammad Salman, Ayomide Afolabi, Catherine W. Y. Wong and Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska
Foods 2025, 14(13), 2257; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14132257 - 26 Jun 2025
Abstract
Phages are considered effective biocontrol agents for improving food safety due to their specific interaction with pathogens. It is essential to recognise that zero risk does not exist, and as biological agents, phages must be continuously evaluated for potential adverse effects on human [...] Read more.
Phages are considered effective biocontrol agents for improving food safety due to their specific interaction with pathogens. It is essential to recognise that zero risk does not exist, and as biological agents, phages must be continuously evaluated for potential adverse effects on human health in both food and clinical contexts. This is the first bacteriophage risk profile performed according to the methodology recommended by FAO/WHO and EFSA. Key safety concerns regarding phage use in the food sector include the risk of horizontal gene transfer, especially regarding antibiotic resistance genes among bacteria. While such occurrences are contextually dependent and rare, they warrant further scrutiny. Moreover, improper phage application during food processing could lead to the emergence of resistant bacterial strains, compromising the long-term efficacy of phage interventions. Currently, there is limited evidence indicating any health risks linked to phage consumption or pathogenic behaviour (e.g., possible association between bacteriophages and Parkinson’s disease). Despite numerous studies affirming the safety and efficacy of phages in the food chain, continuous monitoring remains crucial. In particular, the responses of susceptible populations to phage exposure should be carefully examined. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews on Food Microbiology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 4383 KiB  
Review
Polyphosphate from Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Functional Molecule for Food and Health Applications
by Daniela Corrales, Cristina Alcántara, Vicente Monedero and Manuel Zúñiga
Foods 2025, 14(13), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14132211 - 23 Jun 2025
Viewed by 134
Abstract
The linear polymer polyphosphate (polyP) is found across all three domains of life and fulfills diverse physiological functions, including phosphorus storage, chaperone activity, and stress tolerance. In bacteria, polyP synthesis is catalyzed by polyphosphate kinase (Ppk), whereas its degradation is carried out by [...] Read more.
The linear polymer polyphosphate (polyP) is found across all three domains of life and fulfills diverse physiological functions, including phosphorus storage, chaperone activity, and stress tolerance. In bacteria, polyP synthesis is catalyzed by polyphosphate kinase (Ppk), whereas its degradation is carried out by exopolyphosphatases (Ppx). Intracellular polyP levels are determined by the balance between these opposing enzymatic activities, although the regulatory mechanisms governing this balance remain incompletely understood. In higher eukaryotes, polyP participates in diverse physiological processes from cell signaling to blood clotting. In relation to this, polyP from Levilactobacillus brevis has been identified as a protective factor against intestinal damage in a mouse model of acute colitis. Subsequent evidence has confirmed that polyP can confer beneficial effects on human intestinal health, prompting an increased interest in the production of polyP by probiotic lactic acid bacteria. Furthermore, polyP is extensively used in the food industry to enhance food quality, preservation, and nutritional value. This review summarizes the current knowledge on polyP metabolism in these bacteria and explores its functional properties and potential applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews on Food Microbiology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

34 pages, 1390 KiB  
Review
A Comprehensive Review of Edible Flowers with a Focus on Microbiological, Nutritional, and Potential Health Aspects
by Angela Daniela Carboni, Tiziana Di Renzo, Stefania Nazzaro, Pasquale Marena, Maria Cecilia Puppo and Anna Reale
Foods 2025, 14(10), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14101719 - 12 May 2025
Viewed by 1474
Abstract
Edible flowers have been used since ancient times directly as food, flavoring agents, and garnish in food products, and are now reappearing in modern cuisine. Edible flowers have gained popularity due to changing consumer habits focused on healthier food options. In addition to [...] Read more.
Edible flowers have been used since ancient times directly as food, flavoring agents, and garnish in food products, and are now reappearing in modern cuisine. Edible flowers have gained popularity due to changing consumer habits focused on healthier food options. In addition to contributing to the esthetics and flavor of various dishes, edible flowers are now recognized for their nutritional value, as they contain bioactive components with different health benefits. However, a significant concern regarding edible flowers is the potential contamination by undesirable microorganisms. Since edible flowers are often consumed fresh or minimally processed, they can pose a microbiological risk. Edible flowers may be susceptible to contamination by various pathogenic microorganisms, particularly Bacillus spp., Enterobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, mycotoxin-producing fungi, such as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, or Fusarium, can be found in various flowers. Good agricultural practices, hygienic handling, and appropriate storage are essential to reduce contamination and guarantee the safe consumption of edible flowers. Since current investigations on the microbiological safety aspects of edible flowers are scarce, this review aims to provide an overview of the consumption of edible flowers and a discussion of their uses, health benefits, and risks, focusing on microbiological aspects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews on Food Microbiology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

19 pages, 1021 KiB  
Review
Synergistic Approaches to Foodborne Pathogen Control: A Narrative Review of Essential Oils and Bacteriophages
by Rafail Fokas, Nikolaos Giormezis and Apostolos Vantarakis
Foods 2025, 14(9), 1508; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14091508 - 25 Apr 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 720
Abstract
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among foodborne pathogens has intensified the search for alternative biocontrol strategies. Among these, essential oils (EOs) and bacteriophages have gained increasing attention, due to their natural origin and antimicrobial potential. This narrative review investigates their individual and combined [...] Read more.
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among foodborne pathogens has intensified the search for alternative biocontrol strategies. Among these, essential oils (EOs) and bacteriophages have gained increasing attention, due to their natural origin and antimicrobial potential. This narrative review investigates their individual and combined use as innovative tools for improving food safety. We discuss the mechanisms of action, current food applications, and regulatory or technical limitations associated with both EOs and phages. Particular emphasis is placed on their complementary characteristics, which may enhance efficacy when used together. An in-depth analysis of five key studies investigating synergistic EO–phage combinations against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium is presented. These studies, conducted in both in vitro and food-based systems, reveal that antimicrobial synergy is often dose- and temperature-dependent. Optimized combinations lead to enhanced bacterial reduction and reduced resistance development. However, several challenges remain, including sensory alterations in food products, phage inactivation by EO compounds, and host cell destruction at high EO doses. The review concludes that while EOs and phages face limitations when applied independently, their strategic combination shows substantial promise. Future research should focus on formulation development, delivery systems, and regulatory alignment to unlock their full synergistic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Reviews on Food Microbiology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop