Food Microbiota in the Center Place: Detection, Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilms, the Impact on Hosts and Targeted Interventions

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Food Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2025 | Viewed by 2999

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
Interests: antibiotic resistance; host and food microbiota; food fermentation; biofilms; lactic acid bacteria and Listeria monocytogenes; rapid detection of microbes and gene pools

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Guest Editor
Joint Institute of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
Interests: foodborne pathogens; microbial genetics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microorganisms and microbiota with the food chain have central roles in shaping food safety, public health, agricultural production and environmental sustainability. Foodborne and feedborne microbiota directly affect host health. Host gastrointestinal tract system further serves as the breeding ground for the evolution, dissemination, enrichment and persistence of microorganisms harboring hazardous genes and pathogens. Animal and human feces released contribute to the environmental pools of these organisms and hazardous genes, further affecting animal and human health through plant and animal food intake and environmental contacts. Manuscripts on improved detection of viable foodborne pathogens and hazardous genes; improved understanding on antibiotic resistance, microbial persistence, impact on host health; and innovative and targeted pathogen and hazardous gene mitigation strategies essential for food safety and public health are welcome to submit to this Special Issue.

Dr. Hua Wang
Dr. Atin Datta
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • food microbiota
  • detection
  • antibiotic resistance
  • biofilms

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 1866 KiB  
Article
Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
by Elena González-Fandos, Alba Martínez Laorden, Santiago Condón Usón and María Jesús Serrano Andrés
Microorganisms 2025, 13(4), 754; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13040754 - 26 Mar 2025
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Abstract
Poultry meat is the most consumed meat worldwide due to its low fat content, sensory qualities, and affordability. However, its rapid spoilage, especially when minced for products like hamburgers, is a challenge. Strategies such as sulfite addition or modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can help [...] Read more.
Poultry meat is the most consumed meat worldwide due to its low fat content, sensory qualities, and affordability. However, its rapid spoilage, especially when minced for products like hamburgers, is a challenge. Strategies such as sulfite addition or modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can help control spoilage and microbial growth. This study evaluated both approaches by analyzing bacterial development in poultry hamburgers through total viable counts and MALDI-TOF identification, combining food-pathogens detection. The addition of 5 mg/kg sulfites had a limited effect, whereas increasing CO2 levels in the packaging significantly extended the shelf life by reducing the bacterial growth rates and prolonging the lag phases. The most affected bacteria were aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, as well as Brochothrix thermosphacta. Carnobacterium spp. dominated the aerobic mesophilic group, while Enterobacter spp. was prevalent in Enterobacteriaceae and aerobic mesophilic isolates, highlighting its role in spoilage. Hafnia alvei was also relevant in the final spoilage stages. These results suggest the importance of these bacteria in poultry hamburger decay and demonstrate that MAP is an effective method to delay spoilage. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 1288 KiB  
Review
Microbial Contamination and Antibiotic Resistance in Fresh Produce and Agro-Ecosystems in South Asia—A Systematic Review
by Pachillu Kalpana, Sandul Yasobant, Deepak Saxena and Christiane Schreiber
Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2267; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112267 - 8 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2415
Abstract
Fresh produce prone to microbial contamination is a potential reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), posing challenges to food safety and public health. This systematic review aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and the incidence of [...] Read more.
Fresh produce prone to microbial contamination is a potential reservoir for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), posing challenges to food safety and public health. This systematic review aims to comprehensively assess the prevalence of bacterial pathogens and the incidence of ARB/ARGs in fresh produce and agro-ecosystems across South Asia. Twenty-two relevant studies published between 2012 and 2022 from three major scientific databases and the grey literature were identified. The results revealed a wide occurrence of microbial contamination in various types of fresh produce across South Asia, with a predominance of E. coli (16/22), Salmonella spp. (13/22), Staphylococcus spp. (5/22), and Klebsiella spp. (4/22). The agro-ecosystem serves as a complex interface for microbial interactions; studies have reported the prevalence of E. coli (1/4), Salmonella spp. (1/4) and Listeria monocytogenes (1/4) in farm environment samples. A concerning prevalence of ARB has been reported, with resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. The presence of ARGs in fresh produce underscores the potential for gene transfer and the emergence of resistant pathogens. To conclude, our review provides insights into the requirements of enhanced surveillance, collaborative efforts, implementation of good agricultural practices, and public awareness for food safety and safeguarding public health in the region. Full article
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