Search Results (5,623)

Detecting Escherichia coli on food preparation and processing surfaces is critical for ensuring food safety and preventing foodborne illness. This study focuses on detecting E. coli contamination on common food processing surfaces using UV-C fluorescence imaging and deep learning. Four concentrations of E. coli (0, 10⁵, 10⁷, and 10⁸ colony forming units (CFU)/mL) and two egg solutions (white and yolk) were applied to stainless steel and white rubber to simulate realistic contamination with organic interference. For each concentration level, 256 droplets were inoculated in 16 groups, and fluorescence videos were captured. Droplet regions were extracted from the video frames, subdivided into quadrants, and augmented to generate a robust dataset, ensuring 3–4 droplets per sample. Wavelet-based denoising further improved image quality, with Haar wavelets producing the highest Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) values, up to 51.0 dB on white rubber and 48.2 dB on stainless steel. Using this dataset, multiple deep learning (DL) models, including ConvNeXtBase, EfficientNetV2L, and five YOLO11-cls variants, were trained to classify E. coli concentration levels. Additionally, Eigen-CAM heatmaps were used to visualize model attention to bacterial fluorescence regions. Across four dataset groupings, YOLO11-cls models achieved consistently high performance, with peak test accuracies of 100% on white rubber and 99.60% on stainless steel, even in the presence of egg substances. YOLO11s-cls provided the best balance of accuracy (up to 98.88%) and inference speed (4–5 ms) whilst having a compact size (11 MB), outperforming larger models such as EfficientNetV2L. Classical machine learning models lagged significantly behind, with Random Forest reaching 89.65% accuracy and SVM only 67.62%. Overall, the results highlight the potential of combining UV-C fluorescence imaging with deep learning for rapid and reliable detection of E. coli on stainless steel and rubber conveyor belt surfaces. Additionally, this approach could support the design of effective interventions to remove E. coli from food processing environments. Full article

Aflatoxin contamination of maize by Aspergillus section Flavi constitutes a major health and economic concern. While biological control using non-toxigenic strains has proven effective, the increasing global food demand underscores the need for alternative carrier materials to replace seeds and grains. The aims of the present study were (1) to develop an innovative macroporous starch polymer in which the biocontrol agent can grow and be transported to fields where the bioformulate is applied, and (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of this new formulate in reducing AF contamination in maize kernels in field trials, in comparison with the traditional formulate based on long-grain rice as a substrate. Several methods and different starch sources were tested, and the formulation consisting of 10% maize starch, 0.5% citric acid, 3% sucrose, 0.3% urea, and distilled water was the most effective. Furthermore, this bioformulate demonstrated a performance comparable to that of the traditional long-grain rice-based formulation, reducing AF accumulation by up to 81% in maize kernels under field conditions. The implementation of this macroporous starch polymer-based formulation, in combination with the biological control agent A. flavus AFCHG2, would not only reduce aflatoxin contamination in maize kernels but also minimise the use of food-grade seeds and grains for industrial purposes, thereby preserving their availability for human and animal nutrition. Consequently, this development could enhance the availability of these substrates for food and feed use, thereby contributing to improved safety and food security. Full article

Salmonella, a major global foodborne pathogen, is a leading cause of salmonellosis. Quantitative detection of Salmonella provides a scientific basis for establishing microbiological criteria and conducting risk assessments. The plate count method remains the primary approach for bacterial quantification, whereas the most probable number (MPN) method is commonly used for detecting low levels of bacterial contamination. However, both methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Validated digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) techniques are emerging as promising alternatives because they enable rapid, absolute quantification with high specificity and sensitivity. Herein, we developed a novel droplet dPCR (ddPCR) assay for identifying and quantifying Salmonella using invA as the target. The assay demonstrated high specificity and sensitivity, with a limit of quantification of 1.1 × 10² colony-forming units/mL in meat samples. Furthermore, the log₁₀ values obtained via ddPCR and plate counting exhibited a strong linear relationship (R² > 0.99). Mathematical modeling of growth kinetics further confirmed a high correlation between plate count and ddPCR measurements (Pearson correlation coefficient: 0.996; calculated bias factor: 0.88). Collectively, these results indicate that ddPCR is a viable alternative to the MPN method and represents a powerful tool for the quantitative risk assessment of food safety. Full article

The house cricket, Acheta domesticus, is found globally. It is an agricultural pest causing economic damage to a wide variety of crops including cereal seedlings, vegetable crops, fruit plants, and stored grains. Additionally, crickets act as mechanical vectors of pathogens by harboring bacteria, fungi, viruses, and toxins, causing foodborne illnesses. They can contaminate stored grains, packaged foods, or animal feed due to deposition of their feces, lowering the quality of the food and creating food safety risks. Synthetic insect repellents, such as pyrethroids and carbamates, have been used previously in integrated pest management practices to control crickets. Though successful as repellents, they have been associated with health and environmental risks and concerns. The use of organic green repellents, such as plant essential oils, may be a viable alternative in pest management practices. In this study, we tested the effects of 27 plant-based essential oils on the behavior of A. domesticus. A. domesticus were introduced into an open arena to allow them unrestricted movement. A transparent plastic bottle containing an essential oil treatment was placed in the arena to allow voluntary entry by the crickets. Following a predetermined observation period, the number of crickets that entered the bottle was recorded, and percent entry was calculated as the proportion of individuals inside the bottle relative to the total number in the arena. Analysis of the percentage entry into the bottles allowed for a comparative assessment of repellency of the selected essential oils examined in this study. Essential oils that elicited high levels of entry into the bottle were categorized as having weak or no repellency, while those that demonstrated reduced entry were classified as moderate or strong repellents. Our results indicated that A. domesticus responded with strong repellent behavior to nearly half of the essential oils tested, while four essential oils and two synthetic repellents evoked no significant repellent responses. Four strong repellent essential oils, namely peppermint, rosemary, cinnamon, and lemongrass, were tested at different concentrations and showed a clear dose-dependent repellent effect. The results suggest that selected essential oils can be useful in the development of more natural “green” insect repellents. Full article

Aspergillus fumigatus, a saprophytic fungus, causes aspergillosis, primarily affecting the immunocompromised. The efficacy of triazole antifungals is compromised by resistance that has developed both clinically and environmentally. Widespread agricultural use of similar triazole fungicides selects for resistant genotypes, leading to potential food contamination and compromising treatment. This study assessed the presence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in minimally processed food items commonly consumed in Brazil. A total of 25 commercial samples, including black pepper, yerba mate, and green coffee beans, were collected from different regions. Forty-two A. fumigatus isolates were recovered and screened for susceptibility to agricultural and clinical triazoles by determining EC₅₀ values for tebuconazole (0.04–0.7 µg/mL), itraconazole (0.06–0.5 µg/mL), and voriconazole (0.07–0.15 µg/mL). Sequence analysis of the CYP51A gene revealed the presence of M172V mutation, none of which are associated with resistance. Microsatellite genotyping indicated high genotypic diversity and genetic relatedness among isolates from different food sources. Although no azole-resistant phenotypes were identified, the consistent recovery of A. fumigatus from products not directly exposed to azole fungicides highlights the need for continued surveillance. Agricultural environments remain critical hotspots for the emergence and dissemination of resistance, reinforcing the importance of integrated One Health strategies in antifungal resistance monitoring. Full article

Rapid urbanization in China has driven annual food waste production to 130 million tons, posing severe environmental challenges for anaerobic digestate management. To resolve trade-offs among drying efficiency, resource recovery (fertilizer/fuel), and carbon neutrality by optimizing the biodried product (BDP) recycling ratio (0–15%), six BDP treatments were tested in 60 L bioreactors. Metrics included drying kinetics, product properties, and environmental–economic trade-offs. The results showed that 12% BDP achieved a peak temperature integral (514.13 °C·d), an optimal biodrying index (3.67), and shortened the cycle to 12 days. Furthermore, 12% BDP yielded total nutrients (N + P₂O₅ + K₂O) of 4.19%, meeting the NY 525-2021 standard in China, while ≤3% BDP maximized fuel suitability with LHV > 5000 kJ·kg⁻¹, compliant with CEN/TC 343 RDF standards. BDP recycling reduced global warming potential by 27.3% and eliminated leachate generation, mitigating groundwater contamination risks. The RDF pathway (12% BDP) achieved the highest NPV (USD 716,725), whereas organic fertilizer required farmland subsidies (28.57/ton) to offset its low market value. A 12% BDP recycling ratio optimally balances technical feasibility, environmental safety, and economic returns, offering a closed-loop solution for global food waste valorization. Full article

A method for quality inspection of food packaging based on hybrid imaging and machine-learning techniques is presented. The proposed inspection system integrates thermal and visible-light imaging, enabling detection and classification of faults such as weak seals, creases and contamination. For the purpose of the study data acquisition is automated with the use of an industrial manipulator, ensuring repeatability and consistent positioning of samples. Using the acquired images, the temperature distribution in the sealing area and selected process parameters, a predictive model for burst-pressure testing was developed. The proposed workflow includes attribute selection, hyperparameter optimization and the application of regression algorithms. The proof-of-concept results demonstrate a strong alignment between predicted and measured values, as well as high model stability. The best-performing model, ElasticNet, achieved an R² of 0.815 and an MAE of 0.028 kgf/cm², confirming its potential for non-destructive quality control of packaging. Full article

Polyphenols with antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties are gaining popularity due to their natural origins and relatively safe nature, and they have met the interest of the food industry because of their possible applicability as food preservatives. We have investigated the effect of different analogs of dimeric A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs) on four food matrix models, including unprocessed meat, fish, vegetables and dairy products previously contaminated with susceptible food pathogens. The best effects were achieved when cherry tomato was used as the food matrix for all the target bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus CECT 828, Listeria innocua CECT 910 and Bacillus cereus UJA27q) and for both temperatures tested (6 and 25 °C). Moreover, several combinations of these analogs also showed synergistic effects, mainly on S. aureus CECT 828, which may allow these antimicrobials to be used at lower levels in food matrices, which would promote their sensory acceptability. However, further studies should be conducted next to understand the mechanisms of these synergistic activities between the phenolic compounds against foodborne pathogens, as well as to ensure the absence of toxic effects when used as food preservatives. Full article

Pesticides have been widely applied in agricultural practices over the past decades to protect crops from pests and other harmful organisms. However, their extensive use results in the contamination of soil, water, and agricultural products, posing significant risks to human and environmental health. Exposure to pesticides can lead to skin irritation, respiratory disorders, and various chronic health problems. Moreover, pesticides frequently enter surface water bodies such as rivers and lakes through agricultural runoff and leaching processes. Therefore, developing effective analytical methods for the rapid and sensitive detection of pesticides in food and water is of great importance. Electrochemical sensing techniques have shown remarkable progress in pesticide analysis due to their high sensitivity, simplicity, and potential for on-site monitoring. Two-dimensional (2D) carbon nanomaterials have emerged as efficient electrocatalysts for the precise and selective detection of pesticides, owing to their large surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and unique structural features. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in the electrochemical detection of pesticides using 2D carbon-based materials. Comprehensive information on electrode fabrication, sensing mechanisms, analytical performance—including sensing range and limit of detection—and the versatility of 2D carbon composites for pesticide detection is provided. Challenges and future perspectives in developing highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensing platforms are also discussed, highlighting their potential for simultaneous pesticide monitoring in food and environmental samples. Carbon-based electrochemical sensors have been the subject of many investigations, but their practical application in actual environmental and food samples is still restricted because of matrix effects, operational instability, and repeatability issues. In order to close the gap between laboratory research and real-world applications, this review critically examines sensor performance in real-sample conditions and offers innovative approaches for in situ pesticide monitoring. Full article

Groundwater is the main water source for irrigated agriculture, accounting for an increasing share of the domestic supply in the hyper-arid district of La Yarada Los Palos (Tacna, Peru); however, at the sector scale, concerns about arsenic, boron and salinity remain poorly quantified. Arsenic and boron were selected as target contaminants because of their naturally elevated concentrations associated with coastal and volcanic hydrogeological settings, and their well-documented implications for human health and irrigation suitability. This study reports a 12-month monitoring program (September 2024–August 2025) in three irrigated sectors, in which wells were sampled monthly and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for total arsenic, boron, lithium and sodium, along with electrical conductivity, pH, temperature and total dissolved solids. The sector–month total arsenic means ranged from 0.0089 to 0.0143 mg L⁻¹, with 33 of 36 exceeding the 0.010 mg L⁻¹ drinking water benchmark recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Total boron ranged from 1.11 to 2.76 mg L⁻¹, meaning that all observations were above the 0.5 mg L⁻¹ irrigation guideline for agricultural use proposed by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). A marked salinity gradient was observed from the inland Sector 1-BH (median Na ≈ 77 mg L⁻¹; EC ≈ 1.2 mS cm⁻¹) to the coastal Sector 3-LC (median Na ≈ 251 mg L⁻¹; EC ≈ 3.3 mS cm⁻¹), with Sector 2-FS showing intermediate salinity but the highest median boron and lithium levels. Spearman rank correlations indicate that sodium, electrical conductivity and total dissolved solids define the main salinity axis, whereas arsenic is only moderately associated with boron and lithium and is not a simple function of bulk salinity. Taken together, these results show that groundwater from the monitored wells is not safe for drinking without treatment and is subject to at least moderate boron-related irrigation restrictions. The sector-resolved dataset provides a quantitative baseline for La Yarada Los Palos and a foundation for future work integrating expanded monitoring, health-risk metrics and management scenarios for arsenic, boron and salinity in hyper-arid coastal aquifers. Full article

This comprehensive review synthesizes current advances and persistent challenges in integrating worker safety and food safety through human-robot collaboration (HRC) in poultry processing. Rapid industry expansion and rising consumer demand for ready-to-eat poultry products have heightened occupational risks and foodborne contamination concerns, necessitating holistic safety strategies. The review examines ergonomic, microbiological, and regulatory risks specific to poultry lines, and maps how state-of-the-art collaborative robots (“cobots”)—including power and force-limiting arms, adaptive soft grippers, machine vision, and biosensor integration—can support safer, more hygienic, and more productive operations. The authors analyze technical scientific literature (2018–2025) and real-world case studies, highlighting how automation (e.g., vision-guided deboning and intelligent sanitation) can reduce repetitive strain injuries, lower contamination rates, and improve production consistency. The review also addresses the psychological and sociocultural dimensions that affect workforce acceptance, as well as economic and regulatory barriers to adoption, particularly in small- and mid-sized plants. Key research gaps include gripper adaptability, validation of food safety outcomes in mixed human-cobot workflows, and the need for deeper workforce retraining and feedback mechanisms. The authors propose a multidisciplinary roadmap: harmonizing ergonomic, safety, and hygiene standards; developing adaptive food-grade robotic end-effectors; fostering explainable AI for process transparency; and advancing workforce education programs. Ultimately, successful HRC deployment in poultry processing will depend on continuous collaboration among industry, researchers, and regulatory authorities to ensure both safety and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global food system. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes (LM) contamination constitutes a paramount global threat to food safety, necessitating the urgent development of advanced, rapid, and non-destructive detection methodologies to ensure food security. This study successfully synthesized Bi₂WO₆ nanoflowers through optimized feed ratios of raw materials and further functionalized them with noble metal Au to construct a high-performance Au-Bi₂WO₆ composite nanomaterial. The composite exhibited high sensing performance toward acetoin, including high sensitivity (R_a/R_g = 36.9@50 ppm), rapid response–recovery kinetics (13/12 s), and excellent selectivity. Through UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterizations, efficient electron exchange between Au and Bi₂WO₆ was confirmed. This electron exchange increased the initial resistance of the material, effectively enhancing the response value toward the target gas. Furthermore, the chemical sensitization effect of Au significantly increased the surface-active oxygen content, promoted gas–solid interfacial reactions, and improved the adsorption capacity for target gases. Compared to conventional turbidimetry, the Au-Bi₂WO₆ nanoflower-based gas sensor demonstrates superior practical potential, offering a novel technological approach for non-destructive and rapid detection of foodborne pathogens. Full article

Aquaculture is a crucial global food production sector that faces challenges in water quality management, food safety, and stress-related health concerns in aquatic species. Cortisol, a key stress biomarker in fish, and Escherichia coli (E. coli) contamination in bivalve mollusks are critical indicators that require sensitive and real-time detection methods. Liquid crystal (LC)-based immunosensors have emerged as a promising solution for detecting biological analytes due to their high sensitivity, rapid response, and label-free optical detection capabilities. Therefore, this study explores the development and application of LC-based immunosensors for the detection of cortisol in artificial and real recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) samples, as well as E. coli in real contaminated water and clam samples during the depuration processes of bivalve mollusks. The biosensors exhibited the capacity to detect cortisol with a response time in seconds and a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 ng/mL. Furthermore, they demonstrated specificity to cortisol when tested against different interfering substances, including testosterone, glucose, and cholesterol. Furthermore, it was possible to correlate cortisol concentrations in different filtration stages and track E. coli contamination during depuration. The results confirm the feasibility of LC-based immunosensors as a user-friendly, portable, and efficient diagnostic tool for aquaculture applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tallaga cheese is an artisanal form of traditional Egyptian soft white Damietta cheese, characterized by high moisture, elevated salinity, and a limited shelf life, which collectively increase its vulnerability to microbial contamination. Typically produced from raw or minimally heated cow or buffalo milk, Tallaga cheese represents a relevant model for studying emerging food safety challenges. Methods/Results: This study revealed marked variability among commercial samples and, unexpectedly, a general absence of typical lactic acid bacteria (LAB) such as Lactococcus spp. Instead, enterococci, microorganisms increasingly associated with antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits, emerged as the dominant LAB group, with the detection of Enterococcus faecium strains posing particular concern for dairy safety. To address these challenges, the antimicrobial potential of isolated LAB was evaluated against Latilactobacillus sakei (CECT 906). Twelve bacteriocin-producing strains were identified: ten Enterococcus faecalis, one E. faecium, and one Lactococcus lactis. Enterococci demonstrated robust tolerance to stress conditions, including high salt concentrations, emphasizing their persistence in dairy environments. Given the relevance of controlling resistant and potentially virulent strains such as E. faecium, the bioprotective capacity of two bacteriocinogenic L. lactis strains (IPLA 1064 and AHRI ST9) was assessed using a laboratory-scale cheese model. Both strains effectively inhibited E. faecium AHRI CH4, achieving reductions of 2.6 and 3.6 log units (99.9%). Conclusions: These findings underscore the relevance of bacteriocin-producing L. lactis as natural biopreservatives to mitigate emerging threats related to antimicrobial-resistant food-borne pathogens in dairy products. Full article

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris is an acidothermophilic bacterium considered a significant challenge to the food industry, particularly in the production of fruit juices and concentrates. Its ability to survive pasteurization and form spores and biofilms makes it a persistent contaminant that can spoil products and generate off-flavors even during product storage. Recent studies have increasingly focused on developing new strategies to eliminate both vegetative cells and biofilms, with special attention on natural compounds such as plant extracts, essential oils and antimicrobial metabolites. These natural agents offer promising alternatives for controlling A. acidoterrestris and might contribute to improvement in safety and quality of juice products. This article presents a comprehensive overview of current strategies for controlling Alicyclobacillus species in food processing environments, with an emphasis on A. acidoterrestris as a major spoilage organism in the fruit juice industry. It summarizes the established physical and chemical control methods, as well as highlights emerging novel approaches involving natural-origin antimicrobial compounds considered useful for mitigating Alicyclobacillus contamination. Full article