Search Results (203)

Over the years, macromycete fungi have been used as a source of food, part of religious rites and rituals, and as a medicinal remedy. Species with strong health-promoting potential include Hericium erinaceus, Cordyceps militaris, Ganoderma lucidum, Pleurotus ostreatus, Flammulina velutipes, and Inonotus obliquus. These species contain many bioactive compounds, including β-glucans, endo- and exogenous amino acids, polyphenols, terpenoids, sterols, B vitamins, minerals, and lovastatin. The level of some biologically active substances is species-specific, e.g., hericenones and erinacines, which have neuroprotective properties, and supporting the production of nerve growth factor in the brain for Hericium erinaceus. Due to their high health-promoting potential, mushrooms and substances isolated from them have found applications in livestock nutrition, improving their welfare and productivity. This phenomenon may be of particular importance in the nutrition of laying hens and broiler chickens, where an increase in pathogen resistance to antibiotics has been observed in recent years. Gallus gallus domesticus is a key farm animal for meat and egg production, so the search for new compounds to support bird health is important for food safety. Studies conducted to date indicate that feed supplementation with mushrooms has a beneficial effect on, among other things, bird weight gain; bone mineralisation; and meat and egg quality, including the lipid profile and protein content and shell thickness, and promotes the development of beneficial microbiota, thereby increasing immunity. Full article

The role of Enterococcus spp. in food is debated since this group of lactic acid bacteria contains opportunistic pathogenic strains, some of which exhibit a multidrug-resistant profile. In livestock farms, the use of antibiotics is the most common practice to deal with mastitis-causing bacteria. However, the heavy usage and/or misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to genetically and phenotypically characterize Enterococcus strains isolated from raw sheep milk. Samples were collected over one year from the bulk tank of a dairy sheep farm and cultured on selective media. Isolates were purified and analyzed by whole-genome sequencing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolates were divided into clusters and the corresponding species were identified along with their genes related to virulence and antibiotic resistance. The pan-, core- and accessory-genomes of the strains were determined. Finally, the antibiotic-resistant profile of selected strains was examined and associated with their genomic characterization. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Enterococci epidemiology, providing comprehensive profiles of their virulence and resistance genes. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in raw sheep milk destined for the production of cheese should raise awareness. Full article

Background: The gut health of livestock and poultry is of utmost importance as it significantly impacts their growth performance, disease resistance, and product quality. With the increasing restrictions on antibiotic use in animal husbandry, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics (PPSP) have emerged as promising alternatives. This review comprehensively summarizes the roles of PPSP in promoting gut health in livestock and poultry. Results: Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces, modulate the gut microbiota, enhance the gut barrier, and regulate the immune system. Prebiotics, including fructooligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides, galactooligosaccharides, and inulin, selectively stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria and produce short-chain fatty acids, thereby improving gut health. Synbiotics, combinations of probiotics and prebiotics, have shown enhanced effects in improving gut microbiota and animal performance. Postbiotics, consisting of inanimate microorganisms and their constituents, restore the gut microbiota balance and have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Additionally, the review looks ahead to the future development of PPSP, emphasizing the importance of encapsulation technology and personalized strategies to maximize their efficacy. Conclusions: Our aim is to provide scientific insights for PPSP to improve the gut health of livestock and poultry. Full article

The extensive use of veterinary antibiotics in livestock production is a growing concern, particularly in terms of environmental sustainability and health security. This review presents the case of veterinary antibiotic use and regulations in Canada before exploring a potential novel avenue for agricultural antibiotics waste up-cycling. The impact of the widespread use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is reviewed, and the dissemination routes of antibiotic residues and antibiotic-resistant bacteria from farms to the environment are explored to identify potential weaknesses in the management of veterinary antibiotics. The presence of antibiotic residues in livestock products and manure poses significant challenges, as these residues contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which poses a threat to both the environment and health. The review examines the fate of animal waste contaminated with antibiotics in the environment, exploring the impact of management practices on antibiotic degradation and their persistence in soil and water systems. Additionally, the potential risks to human and animal health are addressed, emphasizing the links between antibiotic residues in the environment and the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance. The last part of this review focuses on exploring how up-cycling veterinary antibiotic residues in insects for feed and fertilizers could contribute to mitigating these risks. Overall, this review calls for more integrated solutions that balance the need for antibiotics in animal agriculture with the prevention of environmental contamination and the antibiotic resistance threat, while meeting the rising demand for animal proteins, highlighting the need for more region-specific surveillance programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antibiotic resistance or antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock is a growing global concern that threatens both human and animal health. The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in livestock production have led to an increased propensity for the development of AMR bacterial strains in animals, which can be spread to humans through the consumption of contaminated animal products, direct contact, or environmental exposure. This review aims to summarize the development and transmission of AMR in livestock, explore its underlying mechanisms and impact on human and animal health, and discuss current practices and potential strategies for mitigation and prevention. Methods: For this narrative review, we searched articles on PubMed and Google Scholar using the terms antibiotic resistance, livestock, and environment, alone or in combination. Results: The history of antibiotic use in livestock and its link to increased AMR, along with the involved mechanisms, including the enzymatic breakdown of antibiotics, alterations in bacterial targets, horizontal gene transfer, and efflux pumps, are important. Antibiotics in livestock are used for growth promotion, disease prevention and control, and metaphylactic use. The role of livestock and the environment as reservoirs for resistant pathogens, their impact on human health, chronic infections, allergic reactions, toxicity, and the development of untreatable diseases is important to understand AMR. Conclusions: Given the widespread use of antibiotics and the potential consequences of AMR, collaborative global efforts, increased public awareness, coordinated regulations, and advancements in biological technology are required to mitigate the threat AMR poses to human and animal health. Regulatory solutions and the development of new therapeutic alternatives like antimicrobial peptides and bacteriophage therapy, and preventive measures such as DNA and mRNA vaccines, are future perspectives. Full article

Ceftiofur sodium (CFS) is a clinically significant cephalosporin widely used in the livestock and poultry industries. However, CFS that is not absorbed by animals is excreted in feces, entering the environment and contributing to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs). This situation poses substantial challenges to both environmental integrity and public health. Currently, research on the biodegradation of CFS is limited. In this study, we isolated a strain of Escherichia coli, designated E. coli CS-1, a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium capable of utilizing CFS as its sole carbon source, from fecal samples collected from hog farms. We investigated the effects of initial CFS concentration, pH, temperature, and inoculum size on the degradation of CFS by E. coli CS-1 through a series of single-factor experiments conducted under aerobic conditions. The results indicated that E. coli CS-1 achieved the highest CFS degradation rate under the following optimal conditions: an initial CFS concentration of 50 mg/L, a pH of 7.0, a temperature of 37 °C, and an inoculum size of 6% (volume fraction). Under these conditions, E. coli CS-1 was able to completely degrade CFS within 60 h. Additionally, E. coli CS-1 exhibited significant capabilities for CFS degradation. In this study, six major degradation products of (CFS) were identified by UPLC–MS/MS: desfuroyl ceftiofur, 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, 7-aminodesacetoxycephalosporanic acid, 5-hydroxy-2-furoic acid, 2-furoic acid, and CEF-aldehyde. Based on these findings, two degradation pathways are proposed. Pathway I: CFS is hydrolyzed to break the sulfur–carbon (S–C) bond, generating two products. These products undergo subsequent hydrolysis and redox reactions for gradual transformation. Pathway II: The β-lactam bond of CFS is enzymatically cleaved, forming CEF-aldehyde as the primary degradation product, which is consistent with the biodegradation mechanism of most β-lactam antibiotics via β-lactam ring cleavage. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that 758 genes essential for degradation were upregulated in response to the hydrolysis and redox processes associated with CFS. Furthermore, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of E. coli CS-1 were functionally annotated using a combination of genomics and bioinformatics approaches. This study highlights the potential of E. coli CS-1 to degrade CFS in the environment and proposes hypotheses regarding the possible biodegradation mechanisms of CFS for future research. Full article

The broiler industry is the most developed livestock sector in Cameroon. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between biosecurity implementation with production performance and antibiotic usage in broiler farms in Cameroon. Data concerning biosecurity, production performance (average daily gain or ADG, mortality rate, feed conversion ratio or FCR, and performance index or PI), and antimicrobial usage (AMU) were collected in 57 farms in the Adamawa and North regions. The average total biosecurity score of broiler farms was 52/100. ADG (46.54 ± 5.18 g versus 43.80 ± 4.16 g), FCR (1.59 ± 0.61 versus 1.75 ± 0.58), mortality rate (2.47% versus 6.65%), and PI (339.21 ± 105.79 versus 268.22 ± 101.09) were statistically better in farms with good biosecurity. The majority of antibiotics used (55.2%) were classified as critically important for human medicine, with 83.9% of antibiotics underdosed/overdosed. No correlation was found between biosecurity and AMU, although there was a trend towards reduced use in farms with good biosecurity. The misuse of antibiotics will result in an increased development of antimicrobial resistance, which can be transmitted to humans. This study highlights the importance of biosecurity in improving poultry performance and reducing AMU. Continuous training and awareness-raising efforts among farmers on the importance of biosecurity are needed to reduce AMU and improve farmers’ profitability. Full article

The accelerated spread of bacterial resistance has been demonstrated to reduce the effectiveness of antibiotic treatments for infections, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality rates, as well as increased costs for livestock producers. It is expected that the majority of future antimicrobial use will be in animal production. The management of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the livestock sector poses significant challenges due to the multifaceted nature of the problem. In order to identify appropriate solutions to the rise of antimicrobial resistance, it is imperative that we have a comprehensive understanding of the disease dynamics underpinning the ways in which antimicrobial resistance is transmitted between humans and animals. Furthermore, in consideration of the anticipated requirement to satisfy the global demand for food, it is imperative that we guarantee that resistance is not transmitted or propagated during the treatment and disposal of animal waste, particularly from intensive farming. It is also crucial to formulate a research agenda to investigate how antibiotic resistance in animal faeces from livestock farming is affected by intensified farming activities. The review analyses the environment’s role in the transmission resistance chain and reviews methodologies for disrupting the link. A particular focus is placed on the limitations of the applied methodologies to reduce antimicrobial resistance in global animal production. Full article

The widespread implementation of anaerobic digestion (AD) systems for organic waste treatment is increasingly challenged by emerging contaminants, including microplastics (MPs), antibiotics, and heavy metals (HMs), which exhibit environmental persistence and pose risks to ecological and human health. This review critically examines the sources, transformation pathways, and advanced mitigation strategies for these contaminants within AD systems. MPs, primarily derived from fragmented plastics and personal care products, accumulate in digestates and act as vectors for adsorbing toxic additives and pathogens. Antibiotics, introduced via livestock manure and wastewater, exert selective pressures that propagate antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) while disrupting methanogenic consortia. HMs, originating from industrial and agricultural activities, impair microbial activity through bioaccumulation and enzymatic interference, with their bioavailability modulated by speciation shifts during digestion. To combat these challenges, promising mitigation approaches include the following: (1) bioaugmentation with specialized microbial consortia to enhance contaminant degradation and stabilize HMs; (2) thermal hydrolysis pretreatment to break down MPs and antibiotic residues; (3) chemical passivation using biochar or sulfides to immobilize HMs. Co-digestion practices inadvertently concentrate these contaminants, with MPs and HMs predominantly partitioning into solid phases, while antibiotics persist in both liquid and solid fractions. These findings highlight the urgency of optimizing mitigation strategies to minimize contaminant mobility and toxicity. However, critical knowledge gaps persist regarding the long-term impacts of biodegradable MPs, antibiotic transformation byproducts, and standardized regulatory thresholds for contaminant residues in digestate. This synthesis underscores the necessity for integrated engineering solutions and policy frameworks to ensure the safe resource recovery from AD systems, balancing energy production with environmental sustainability. Full article

Kanamycin (KanR) is a widely used antibiotic in human and veterinary medicine, as well as in food production and livestock breeding. However, its environmental residue and bioaccumulation in the food chain pose a great threat to human health. A real-time and sensitive aptasensor is developed for KanR detection based on a gold interdigitated electrode (IDE). A microfluidic alternating current electrothermal (ACET) effect is employed for rapid directional manipulation and enrichment of KanR molecules. As an ultrasensitive indicator, solid–liquid capacitance is adopted to reflect the tiny change on the IDE surface caused by target adsorption. The overall detection takes only 60 s from sample to result, and a wide linear detection range of 0.1 fM~1 pM, an ultra-low detection limit of 16.56 aM, and a high selectivity of 7752:1 are simultaneously achieved, with 5 times of repeated use and the shelf life of 10 days. Furthermore, the aptasensor shows excellent practicability in milk samples, with the spiked recovery rate ranging from 86.90% to 116.17%. This aptasensor with the detecting strategy provides a rapid, convenient, and cost-effective solution for real-time monitoring of KanR. Full article

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a powerful technique for detecting trace amounts of chemicals due to its capacity to significantly amplify the Raman signal of the molecules of these substances. This is particularly relevant in food systems where monitoring antibiotic residues is critical for food safety. Traditional SERS substrates typically utilize colloidal silver nanospheres (AgNSs), but anisotropic silver nanoparticles with numerous sharp tips can further enhance SERS sensitivity, enabling lower detection limits suitable for food safety regulations. In this study, we describe a straightforward synthesis of colloidal silver triangular nanoplates (AgTNPls), featuring multiple sharp tips, using only four common reagents: silver nitrate, trisodium citrate, sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), all at room temperature. By carefully controlling the sequence of reagent addition, specifically introducing H₂O₂ after NaBH₄, we achieved a two-step synthesis. In the first step, AgNSs seeds form, and in the second, these seeds convert into AgTNPls, resulting in a colloid of relatively uniform AgTNPls with an edge length of approximately 52 nm. The resulting AgTNPls colloid, combined with an aluminum foil, produced an SERS substrate with high enhancement factor of 3.2 × 10⁹ (using rhodamine 6G as a test molecule). Applied to enrofloxacin (an antibiotic widely used in livestock and aquaculture) detection, this substrate achieved a detection limit as low as 0.39 µg/L (0.39 ppb), with enrofloxacin detectable at concentrations down to 5 µg/L. This highly sensitive SERS substrate holds great promise for rapid, accurate detection of antibiotic residues in food products, aiding regulatory compliance and food safety assurance. Full article

The growing threat of antimicrobial resistance has intensified the search for alternative strategies to conventional antibiotics and preservatives. Casein-derived antimicrobial peptides (CDAMPs), generated through proteolysis, exhibit potent activity against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant strains, revealing strong potential as natural preservatives and therapeutic agents in food and medical applications. Furthermore, casein can be an ideal source for peptide production in these sectors due to its abundance, disordered structure, which enhances enzymatic cleavage, and its amino acid profile, which favors bioactivity. Nonetheless, there is limited literature addressing real-life applications in veterinary medicine, food safety, and public health. This review provides a structured synthesis of current knowledge on the antibacterial properties of CDPs. We classify the main types of these peptides, describe their production methods, and summarize their mechanisms of action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, we examine their potential applications in clinical, veterinary, and food-related contexts, and discuss key aspects related to delivery systems, safety, and regulatory considerations. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of CDPs in addressing antimicrobial resistance, reducing antibiotic use in livestock and humans, and contributing to sustainable food safety and functional food production. Full article

The discontinuation of commercially available saline and hypertonic saline wound dressings for the veterinary market has restricted options available to veterinary practitioners treating contaminated and infected wounds. Clinicians may manufacture their own homemade solutions in clinics or field settings to treat equine or livestock species; however, information is limited on whether autoclave sterilization is necessary or sufficient to eliminate bacterial growth in isotonic and concentrated salt solutions and how long they may subsequently be stored prior to use. The purpose of this study was to assess sterility of saline (0.9%) and hypertonic saline (20%) solutions manufactured three ways (1—autoclaved glass bottle that was autoclaved again following solution preparation; 2—autoclaved glass bottle, not autoclaved again following preparation; 3—non-autoclaved plastic bottle, not autoclaved following preparation). Solutions were stored two different ways (1—solution in sealed bottle or 2—soaked gauze in vacuum-sealed plastic packets). Products were assessed for bacterial growth at four time points (baseline, one week, one month, six months). At each time point, samples of each solution were plated on Luria–Bertani (LB) agar plates and assessed for bacterial growth at 24 h. Vacuum-sealed soaked gauze was placed in antibiotic-free growth media for 24 h, and then media were plated on LB agar plates and assessed for bacterial growth at 24 h. If bacterial growth was detected, qualitative culture with sensitivity was performed to identify bacterial isolates. No bacterial growth was detected in stored solutions for any preparation method, concentration or time point assessed. Bacterial growth was detected from 0.9% saline-soaked gauze at 1 week, 1 month and 6 months in all container types for at least one time point. Bacterial culture revealed Ralstonia, Bacillus, Sphingomonas and Staphylococcus species. Environmental controls (water, containers, salt, biosafety cabinet and benchtop) were submitted for culture to identify the source of contamination, yielding light mixed growth from tap water and no growth from any other locations. These findings provide clinicians with practical information to guide preparation and storage of homemade saline-based products for wound care. Full article

Antibiotics are a great blessing for humanity, and they have saved millions of human lives. Antimicrobials have enabled humans to produce animal-based foods that are free of pathogens. However, antibiotics also have a number of weaknesses. The use of antimicrobials in livestock production can have adverse consequences for the natural environment. The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of manure from turkeys administered monensin (M), enrofloxacin (E), and doxycycline (D) as soil fertilizer and to determine the impact of these antibiotics on the physicochemical, microbiological, and biochemical properties of soil in a pot experiment. The following treatments were established: unfertilized soil (S), soil fertilized with turkey manure free of antibiotics (C), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing only M (M), soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M and E (ME), and soil fertilized with turkey manure containing M, E, and D (MED). The experimental plant was Zea mays. The study demonstrated that the soil application of turkey manure containing all three antibiotics (MED) did not inhibit the growth of Zea mays, did not lead to adverse changes in the physicochemical properties of soil, and did not disrupt the abundance or diversity of culturable microorganisms, despite the fact that these antibiotics were identified in both the soil and Zea mays roots. The application of manure containing M, E, and D in the cultivation of Zea mays contributed to the transfer and presence of E and D in soil and maize roots. Antibiotics were not detected in above-ground plant parts. Monensin was not identified in soil or plant samples. The tested manure induced significant changes in the biochemical index of soil quality and in the microbiome of non-culturable bacteria and fungi at both phylum and genus levels. These results indicate that manure from turkeys administered M, E, and D should be used with caution to avoid permanent changes in the microbiome and biochemical properties of soil. Manure contaminated with antimicrobials can be used in the production of fodder crops that do not accumulate antibiotics in above-ground parts. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intensive pig farming is a critical component of food security and economic activity in South Africa; however, it also presents a risk of amplifying antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study provides genomic insights into antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) circulating across the pork production chain, using a ‘farm-to-fork’ approach. Methods: A total of 417 samples were collected from various points along the production continuum, including the farm (n = 144), transport (n = 60), and abattoir (n = 213). E. coli isolates were identified using the Colilert-18 system, and their phenotypic resistance was tested against 20 antibiotics. Thirty-one isolates were selected for further characterization based on their resistance profiles and sampling sources, utilizing whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. Results: The isolates exhibited varying resistance to critical antibiotics used in both human and animal health, including ampicillin (31/31, 100%), tetracycline (31/31, 100%), amoxicillin–clavulanate (29/31, 94%), chloramphenicol (25/31, 81%), and sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (10/31, 33%). Genetic analysis revealed the presence of resistance genes for β-lactams (bla_EC, bla_TEM), trimethoprim/sulfonamides (dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA12, sul2, sul3), tetracyclines (tetA, tetB, tetR, tet34), aminoglycosides (aadA, strA, aph variants), and phenicols (catB4, floR, cmlA1), most of which were plasmid-borne. Virulome analysis identified 24 genes, including toxins and adhesion factors. Mobile genetic elements included 24 plasmid replicons, 43 prophages, 19 insertion sequence families, and 7 class 1 integrons. The E. coli isolates belonged to a diverse range of sequence types, demonstrating significant genetic variability. Further phylogenomic analysis revealed eight major clades, with isolate clustering by sequence type alongside South African environmental and clinical E. coli strains, regardless of their sampling source. Conclusions: The genetic complexity observed across the pork production continuum threatens food safety and may impact human health. These findings underscore the need for enhanced AMR monitoring in livestock systems and support the integration of AMR surveillance into food safety policy frameworks. Full article