Food Hygiene and Food Safety

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Aptamer-Based Methods for Food Safety and Hygiene. Global population growth and the increasing complexity of food supply chains have increased the need for simple, cheap, rapid and portable technologies to ensure consumer protection and satisfaction. Historically, antibodies have been exploited in a wide range of technologies that are suitable for the maintenance of food safety and quality; however, aptamers exhibit properties that are potentially more conducive to the development of rapid assays and sensors. This Topic will explore recent advances in aptamer-based assay and sensor development that are suitable for monitoring the food supply chain for contaminants, allergens and pathogens. Areas of particular interest include the detection of anti-microbial resistance, food authenticity and fraud prevention, biofilm detection and control; issues that are of growing global concern and with the potential to cause significant economic disruption and health impacts if not controlled.

Prof. Dr. Graham Bonwick
Prof. Dr. Yu Zhou
Dr. Lan Gao
Prof. Dr. Christopher Smith
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Hygiene hygiene	-	-	2021	14.9 Days	CHF 1000
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ijerph	-	5.4	2004	29.6 Days	CHF 2500
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.5	6.4	2013	15.1 Days	CHF 2700
Safety safety	1.9	3.3	2015	29.6 Days	CHF 1800
Toxins toxins	4.2	7.5	2009	18.4 Days	CHF 2700

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Published Papers (17 papers)

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15 pages, 2949 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Microbiological Diversity and Associated Enzymatic Activities in Honey and Pollen from Stingless Bees from Northern Argentina

by Virginia María Salomón, Johan Sebastian Hero, Andrés Hernán Morales, José Horacio Pisa, Luis María Maldonado, Nancy Vera, Rossana Elena Madrid and Cintia Mariana Romero

Microorganisms 2024, 12(4), 711; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12040711 - 30 Mar 2024

Viewed by 741

Abstract

Honey and pollen from Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis, stingless bees from northern Argentina, presented a particular microbiological profile and associated enzymatic activities. The cultured bacteria were mostly Bacillus spp. (44%) and Escherichia spp. (31%). The phylogenetic analysis showed a taxonomic distribution [...] Read more.

Honey and pollen from Tetragonisca fiebrigi and Scaptotrigona jujuyensis, stingless bees from northern Argentina, presented a particular microbiological profile and associated enzymatic activities. The cultured bacteria were mostly Bacillus spp. (44%) and Escherichia spp. (31%). The phylogenetic analysis showed a taxonomic distribution according to the type of bee that was similar in both species. Microbial enzymatic activities were studied using hierarchical clustering. Bacillus spp. was the main bacterium responsible for enzyme production. Isolates with xylanolytic activity mostly presented cellulolytic activity and, in fewer cases, lipolytic activity. Amylolytic activity was associated with proteolytic activity. None of the isolated strains produced multiple hydrolytic enzymes in substantial amounts, and bacteria were classified according to their primary hydrolytic activity. These findings add to the limited knowledge of microbiological diversity in honey and pollen from stingless bees and also provide a physiological perspective of this community to assess its biotechnological potential in the food industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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13 pages, 965 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Celiac Disease: Risks of Cross-Contamination and Strategies for Gluten Removal in Food Environments

by Fabiana Magnabosco de Vargas, Louise Thomé Cardoso, Amanda Didoné, João P. M. Lima, Janaína Guimarães Venzke and Viviani Ruffo de Oliveira

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(2), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21020124 - 24 Jan 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2503

Abstract

Celiac disease (CD) is the chronic immune-mediated enteropathy of the small bowel, manifesting when exposure to gluten occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. Nowadays, the only treatment considered safe for CD is a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, one of the problems faced by celiac [...] Read more.

Celiac disease (CD) is the chronic immune-mediated enteropathy of the small bowel, manifesting when exposure to gluten occurs in genetically predisposed individuals. Nowadays, the only treatment considered safe for CD is a gluten-free diet (GFD). However, one of the problems faced by celiac patients is the cross-contamination of gluten-free food when preparing meals, in addition to utensils, surfaces and equipment. This study aimed to evaluate cross-contamination in gluten-free products and strategies for removing gluten from cross-contamination in cooking environments. The selection of papers for this integrative review was carried out by searching different databases. Gluten cross-contamination is a global concern for celiac patients in food environments. Although some practices are positive, such as gluten labeling on processed food in several countries, it is crucial to promote good practices in food services around the world. Only a few studies showed effective results in removing gluten from surfaces and utensils; furthermore, sampling was limited, making it difficult to identify appropriate procedures to reduce cross-contamination. The variation in contamination in different kitchen environments also highlighted that celiac patients must continue paying attention to the methods used to prepare gluten-free food. More research is needed, especially into methods of removing gluten from surfaces and utensils, to ensure food safety for celiac patients in many food environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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0 pages, 854 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Characteristics of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks Investigated in Singapore: 2018–2021

by Muhd Tarmidzi Fua’di, Benjamin Er, Sylvester Lee, Pei Pei Chan, Joanna Khoo, Desmond Tan, Huilin Li, Imran Roshan Muhammad, Pream Raj, Lalitha Kurupatham, Vernon Lee, Li Kiang Tan, Joanne Sheot Harn Chan, Angela Li and Kyaw Thu Aung

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2024, 21(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010064 - 6 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1967

Abstract

There is a need to study the characteristics of outbreaks via Singapore’s outbreak surveillance system to understand and identify the gaps in food safety for targeted policy interventions due to the increasing trend in gastroenteritis outbreaks and consequential increase in foodborne-related deaths and [...] Read more.

There is a need to study the characteristics of outbreaks via Singapore’s outbreak surveillance system to understand and identify the gaps in food safety for targeted policy interventions due to the increasing trend in gastroenteritis outbreaks and consequential increase in foodborne-related deaths and economic burden on public health systems worldwide. A total of 171 gastroenteritis outbreaks were investigated in Singapore from January 2018 to December 2021. This study analyzed the annual trend of investigated gastroenteritis outbreaks, the proportion of outbreaks by implicated sources of food, and the proportion of the type of pathogens identified from human cases, food samples, and environmental swabs collected from outbreak investigations. Among the foodborne gastroenteritis outbreaks (n = 121) investigated in Singapore, approximately 42.1% of the outbreaks had food prepared by caterers, 14.9% by restaurants, and 12.4% had food prepared by in-house kitchens. Clostridium perfringens and Salmonella were the most common causative pathogens in foodborne outbreaks throughout the analysis period. The food samples and environmental swabs collected were mostly detected for Bacillus cereus. Norovirus was the most common causative pathogen in non-foodborne outbreaks and was mainly attributable to preschools. This highlights the importance of monitoring and educating the catering industry and preschools to prevent future outbreaks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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14 pages, 3433 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 Alleviates the Immunosuppressive Effects of Deoxynivalenol and Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Infection

by Huiping Xiao, Zihui Qin, Baocai Xu, Miao Long, Qinghua Wu, Xinyi Guo, Huayue Zhang, Zelin Li and Wenda Wu

Toxins 2024, 16(1), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16010014 - 27 Dec 2023

Viewed by 1341

Abstract

As one of the most common mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) can contaminate a wide range of crops and foods. Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is a kind of immunosuppressive virus, which can cause porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVD) in pig farms infected with PCV2. Pigs [...] Read more.

As one of the most common mycotoxins, deoxynivalenol (DON) can contaminate a wide range of crops and foods. Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) is a kind of immunosuppressive virus, which can cause porcine circovirus associated disease (PCVD) in pig farms infected with PCV2. Pigs are extremely sensitive to DON, and PCV2-infected pig farms are often contaminated with DON. Our previous studies indicated that Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 (B10) has the potential to alleviate the toxicity of mycotoxins. The research was aimed at investigating the effects of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 on the immunosuppressive effects caused by both DON and PCV2 infection. The results indicated that the expression of the PCV2 capsid protein CAP was significantly decreased after pretreatment with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10. Then, the effects of the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 pretreatment on the type I interferon, antiviral protein and the antiviral signal pathway cGAS–STING was further investigated. The findings displayed that the expression of the type I interferon and antiviral protein were increased, while the IL-10 were decreased after pretreatment with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10. The inhibition of DON on the cGAS–STING signal pathway was relieved. Furthermore, it was found that this intervention effect was produced by inhibiting autophagy. In summary, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens B10 can mitigate the immunosuppressive effects of PCV2 and DON by inhibiting the production of autophagy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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23 pages, 1834 KiB  

Open AccessReview

One Health Perspectives on Food Safety in Minimally Processed Vegetables and Fruits: From Farm to Fork

by Maria Isabel Santos, Madalena Grácio, Mariana Camoesas Silva, Laurentina Pedroso and Ana Lima

Microorganisms 2023, 11(12), 2990; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11122990 - 15 Dec 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2034

Abstract

While food markets and food production chains are experiencing exponential growth, global attention to food safety is steadily increasing. This is particularly crucial for ready-to-eat products such as fresh-cut salads and fruits, as these items are consumed raw without prior heat treatment, making [...] Read more.

While food markets and food production chains are experiencing exponential growth, global attention to food safety is steadily increasing. This is particularly crucial for ready-to-eat products such as fresh-cut salads and fruits, as these items are consumed raw without prior heat treatment, making the presence of pathogenic microorganisms quite frequent. Moreover, many studies on foodborne illnesses associated with these foods often overlook the transmission links from the initial contamination source. The prevention and control of the dissemination of foodborne pathogens should be approached holistically, involving agricultural production, processing, transport, food production, and extending to final consumption, all while adopting a One Health perspective. In this context, our objective is to compile available information on the challenges related to microbiological contamination in minimally handled fruits and vegetables. This includes major reported outbreaks, specific bacterial strains, and associated statistics throughout the production chain. We address the sources of contamination at each stage, along with issues related to food manipulation and disinfection. Additionally, we provide potential solutions to promote a healthier approach to fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. This information will be valuable for both researchers and food producers, particularly those focused on ensuring food safety and quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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14 pages, 571 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

An Occurrence and Exposure Assessment of Paralytic Shellfish Toxins from Shellfish in Zhejiang Province, China

by Qin Weng, Ronghua Zhang, Pinggu Wu, Jiang Chen, Xiaodong Pan, Dong Zhao, Jikai Wang, Hexiang Zhang, Xiaojuan Qi, Xiaoli Wu, Junde Han and Biao Zhou

Toxins 2023, 15(11), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15110624 - 24 Oct 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1878

Abstract

The intake of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) may adversely affect human health. Therefore, this study aimed to show the prevalence of PSTs from commercially available shellfish in Zhejiang Province, China, during the period of frequent red tides, investigate the factors affecting the distribution [...] Read more.

The intake of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) may adversely affect human health. Therefore, this study aimed to show the prevalence of PSTs from commercially available shellfish in Zhejiang Province, China, during the period of frequent red tides, investigate the factors affecting the distribution of PSTs, and assess the risk of PST intake following the consumption of bivalve shellfish among the Zhejiang population. A total of 546 shellfish samples were collected, 7.0% of which had detectable PSTs at concentrations below the regulatory limit. Temporal, spatial, and interspecific variations in the occurrence of PSTs were observed in some cases. The dietary exposure to PSTs among the general population of consumers only was low. However, young children in the extreme scenario (the 95th percentile of daily shellfish consumption combined with the maximum PST concentration), defined as 89–194% of the recommended acute reference doses, were possibly at risk of exposure. Notably, Arcidae and mussels were the major sources of exposure to toxins. From the public health perspective, PSTs from commercially available shellfish do not pose a serious health risk; however, more attention should be paid to acute health risks, especially for young children, during periods of frequent red tides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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10 pages, 620 KiB  

Open AccessCommunication

Sporadic Detection of Escherichia coli O104:H4 Strain C227/11Φcu in the Edible Parts of Lamb’s Lettuce Cultured in Contaminated Agricultural Soil Samples

by Katharina Detert and Herbert Schmidt

Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2072; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082072 - 12 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1087

Abstract

In the current study, we demonstrate that E. coli O104:H4 strain C227/11Φcu, a derivative of the 2011 enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative (EHEC/EAEC) E. coli outbreak strain, migrated into the edible portion of lamb’s lettuce plants upon contamination of the surrounding soil. Seeds were surface-sterilized and cultivated [...] Read more.

In the current study, we demonstrate that E. coli O104:H4 strain C227/11Φcu, a derivative of the 2011 enterohemorrhagic/enteroaggregative (EHEC/EAEC) E. coli outbreak strain, migrated into the edible portion of lamb’s lettuce plants upon contamination of the surrounding soil. Seeds were surface-sterilized and cultivated on Murashige-Skoog agar or in autoclaved agricultural soil. Migration into the edible portions was investigated by inoculating the agar or soil close to the plants with 10⁸ colony-forming units (CFU). The edible parts, which did not come into contact with the contaminated medium or soil, were quantitatively analyzed for the presence of bacteria after 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Strain C227/11Φcu could colonize lamb’s lettuce when contamination of medium or soil occurs. The highest recovery rate (27%) was found for lettuce cultivated in agar, and up to 1.6 × 10³ CFU/g lettuce was detected. The recovery rate was lower for the soil samples (9% and 13.5%). Although the used contamination levels were high, migration of C227/11Φcu from the soil into the edible parts was demonstrated. This study further highlights the risk of crop plant contamination with pathogenic E. coli upon soil contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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13 pages, 2520 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Lipopolysaccharide and Deoxynivalenol on the Survival, Antioxidant and Immune Response, and Histopathology of Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii)

by Zhengrong Wen, Xiaoli Xu, Dan Xiang, Junfeng Xu, Qiufeng Yang, Xiaofu Wang, Jiashou Liu, Mingzhong Luo and Wei Wei

Toxins 2023, 15(8), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15080479 - 28 Jul 2023

Viewed by 912

Abstract

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the aquatic environment has been reported to cause diseases in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In addition, deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the primary mycotoxins found in aquaculture. However, the potential synergistic toxic effects of LPS and [...] Read more.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the aquatic environment has been reported to cause diseases in red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In addition, deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the primary mycotoxins found in aquaculture. However, the potential synergistic toxic effects of LPS and DON on crayfish are yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, crayfish were exposed to LPS (1 mg kg⁻¹), DON (3 mg kg⁻¹), and their combination (1 mg kg⁻¹ LPS + 3 mg kg⁻¹ DON, L+D) for a duration of six days. Co-exposure to LPS and DON exhibited the lowest survival rate compared to the control or individual treatments with LPS or DON alone. In the initial stage of the experiment, the combined treatment of LPS and DON showed a more pronounced up-regulation of antioxidant and immune-related enzymes in the sera compared to the other treatment groups, with a fold change ranging from 1.3 to 15. In addition, the (L+D) treatment group showed a down-regulation of immune-related genes, as well as Toll pathway-related genes in the hepatopancreas compared to LPS or DON. Moreover, the (L+D) treatment group demonstrated a 100% incidence of histopathological changes in the hepatopancreas, which were significantly more severe compared to the other three groups. In conclusion, our study provides physiological and histopathological evidence that the co-exposure to LPS and DON exerted synergistic toxic effects on crayfish. The observed effects could potentially hinder the development of the crayfish aquaculture industry in China. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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12 pages, 797 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Detection of Single- and Co-Contaminant Aflatoxins and Fumonisins in Ground Maize Using Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques

by Yong-Kyoung Kim, Insuck Baek, Kyung-Min Lee, Geonwoo Kim, Seyeon Kim, Sung-Youn Kim, Diane Chan, Timothy J. Herrman, Namkuk Kim and Moon S. Kim

Toxins 2023, 15(7), 472; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070472 - 22 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1520

Abstract

Aflatoxins and fumonisins, commonly found in maize and maize-derived products, frequently co-occur and can cause dangerous illness in humans and animals if ingested in large amounts. Efforts are being made to develop suitable analytical methods for screening that can rapidly detect mycotoxins in [...] Read more.

Aflatoxins and fumonisins, commonly found in maize and maize-derived products, frequently co-occur and can cause dangerous illness in humans and animals if ingested in large amounts. Efforts are being made to develop suitable analytical methods for screening that can rapidly detect mycotoxins in order to prevent illness through early detection. A method for classifying contaminated maize by applying hyperspectral imaging techniques including reflectance in the visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) regions, and fluorescence was investigated. Machine learning classification models in combination with different preprocessing methods were applied to screen ground maize samples for naturally occurring aflatoxin and fumonisin as single contaminants and as co-contaminants. Partial least squares–discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and support vector machine (SVM) with the radial basis function (RBF) kernel were employed as classification models using cut-off values of each mycotoxin. The classification performance of the SVM was better than that of PLS-DA, and the highest classification accuracies for fluorescence, VNIR, and SWIR were 89.1%, 71.7%, and 95.7%, respectively. SWIR imaging with the SVM model resulted in higher classification accuracies compared to the fluorescence and VNIR models, suggesting that as an alternative to conventional wet chemical methods, the hyperspectral SWIR imaging detection model may be the more effective and efficient analytical tool for mycotoxin analysis compared to fluorescence or VNIR imaging models. These methods represent a food safety screening tool capable of rapidly detecting mycotoxins in maize or other food ingredients consumed by animals or humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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18 pages, 1488 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

From Foodborne Disease Outbreak (FBDO) to Investigation: The Plant Toxin Trap, Brittany, France, 2018

by Stéphanie Watier-Grillot, Sébastien Larréché, Christelle Mazuet, Frédéric Baudouin, Cécile Feraudet-Tarisse, Lise Holterbach, Aïssata Dia, Christelle Tong, Laure Bourget, Sophie Hery, Emmanuel Pottier, Olivier Bouilland, Marc Tanti, Audrey Merens, Stéphanie Simon, Laure Diancourt, Aurélie Chesnay and Vincent Pommier de Santi

Toxins 2023, 15(7), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070457 - 13 Jul 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1825

Abstract

On 6 July 2018, the Center for Epidemiology and Public Health of the French Armed Forces was informed of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among customers of a dining facility at a military base in Brittany, France. A total of 200 patients were [...] Read more.

On 6 July 2018, the Center for Epidemiology and Public Health of the French Armed Forces was informed of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis among customers of a dining facility at a military base in Brittany, France. A total of 200 patients were reported out of a population of 1700 (attack rate: 12%). The symptoms were mainly lower digestive tract disorders and occurred rapidly after lunch on 5 July (median incubation period: 3.3 h), suggesting a toxin-like pathogenic process. A case–control survey was carried out (92 cases and 113 controls). Statistical analysis pointed to the chili con carne served at lunch on 5 July as the very likely source of poisoning. Phytohaemagglutinin, a plant lectin, was found in the chili con carne at a concentration above the potentially toxic dose (400 HAU/gram). The raw kidney beans incorporated in the chili con carne presented a high haemagglutination activity (66,667 HAU/gram). They were undercooked, and the phytohaemagglutinin was not completely destroyed. FBDOs due to PHA are poorly documented. This study highlights the need to develop methods for routine testing of plant toxins in food matrices. Improved diagnostic capabilities would likely lead to better documentation, epidemiology, and prevention of food-borne illnesses caused by plant toxins. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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8 pages, 745 KiB  

Open AccessCommunication

Knife Decontamination by Cold Water Treatment Supplemented with Inspexx^TM 210—A Validation Study in an Abattoir

by Lucien Kelbert and Roger Stephan

Hygiene 2023, 3(3), 248-255; https://doi.org/10.3390/hygiene3030018 - 28 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2086

Abstract

To evaluate the decontamination effect of Inspexx 210, a cold-water disinfectant containing peracetic acid and peroctanoic acid (0.16%), knives contaminated with E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213 as well as naturally contaminated knives collected from different slaughtering steps of an [...] Read more.

To evaluate the decontamination effect of Inspexx 210, a cold-water disinfectant containing peracetic acid and peroctanoic acid (0.16%), knives contaminated with E. coli ATCC 25922 and S. aureus ATCC 29213 as well as naturally contaminated knives collected from different slaughtering steps of an abattoir were examined. Treatment with Inspexx 210 for 15 s reduced mean E. coli counts by 5.95 log CFU/cm² and mean S. aureus counts by 6.24 log CFU/cm². Contamination of the knives first with fat and thereafter with the bacteria led to lower mean reductions of 5.52 log CFU/cm² for E. coli and 3.58 log CFU/cm² for S. aureus. Contamination first with blood and thereafter with the bacteria had the greatest negative impact on the inactivation effect, with mean reductions of 3.70 log CFU/cm² for E. coli and 1.55 log CFU/cm² for S. aureus. Rinsing the blood with tap water before contamination with S. aureus led to the reduction of 5.50 log CFU/cm². Treatment with Inspexx 210 was also assessed for naturally contaminated knives from an abattoir. After treatment under routine conditions, colony counts were 0.09 log CFU/cm² (pigs) and 0.35 log CFU/cm² (sheep) in the wet area and below detection limit (pigs) and 0.91 (sheep) in the clean area. This study shows that Inspexx 210 can be an adequate alternative to knife decontamination with 82 °C hot water, but pre-rinsing is recommended especially in dirty process steps with a high contamination of blood and fat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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14 pages, 1032 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Rapid Monitoring of Viable Genetically Modified Escherichia coli Using a Cell-Direct Quantitative PCR Method Combined with Propidium Monoazide Treatment

by Yang Qin, Bo Qu and Bumkyu Lee

Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1128; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051128 - 26 Apr 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1566

Abstract

The commercialization of industrial genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) has highlighted their impact on public health and the environment. Rapid and effective monitoring methods detecting live GMMs are essential to enhance current safety management protocols. This study aims to develop a novel cell-direct quantitative [...] Read more.

The commercialization of industrial genetically modified microorganisms (GMMs) has highlighted their impact on public health and the environment. Rapid and effective monitoring methods detecting live GMMs are essential to enhance current safety management protocols. This study aims to develop a novel cell-direct quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method targeting two antibiotic-resistant genes, KmR and nptII, conferring resistance against kanamycin and neomycin, along with propidium monoazide, to precisely detect viable Escherichia coli. The E. coli single-copy taxon-specific gene of D-1-deoxyxylulose 5-phosphate synthase (dxs) was used as the internal control. The qPCR assays demonstrated good performance, with dual-plex primer/probe combinations exhibiting specificity, absence of matrix effects, linear dynamic ranges with acceptable amplification efficiencies, and repeatability for DNA, cells, and PMA-treated cells targeting KmR/dxs and nptII/dxs. Following the PMA-qPCR assays, the viable cell counts for KmR-resistant and nptII-resistant E. coli strains exhibited a bias% of 24.09% and 0.49%, respectively, which were within the acceptable limit of ±25%, as specified by the European Network of GMO Laboratories. This method successfully established detection limits of 69 and 67 viable genetically modified E. coli cells targeting KmR and nptII, respectively. This provides a feasible monitoring approach as an alternative to DNA processing techniques to detect viable GMMs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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12 pages, 1304 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Evaluation and Monitoring of the Natural Toxin Ptaquiloside in Bracken Fern, Meat, and Dairy Products

by Hana Park, Yoeseph Cho, JiEun Lee, Kang Mi Lee, Ho Jun Kim, Jaeick Lee, Yong-Sun Bahn and Junghyun Son

Toxins 2023, 15(3), 231; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15030231 - 21 Mar 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2753

Abstract

Ptaquiloside, a naturally occurring cancer-causing substance in bracken fern, has been detected in the meat and milk of cows fed a diet containing bracken fern. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of ptaquiloside in bracken fern, meat, and dairy products [...] Read more.

Ptaquiloside, a naturally occurring cancer-causing substance in bracken fern, has been detected in the meat and milk of cows fed a diet containing bracken fern. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of ptaquiloside in bracken fern, meat, and dairy products was developed using the QuEChERS method and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The method was validated according to the Association of Official Analytical Chemists guidelines and met the criteria. A single matrix-matched calibration method with bracken fern has been proposed, which is a novel strategy that uses one calibration for multiple matrices. The calibration curve ranged from 0.1 to 50 µg/kg and showed good linearity (r² > 0.99). The limits of detection and quantification were 0.03 and 0.09 µg/kg, respectively. The intraday and interday accuracies were 83.5–98.5%, and the precision was <9.0%. This method was used for the monitoring and exposure assessment of ptaquiloside in all routes of exposure. A total of 0.1 µg/kg of ptaquiloside was detected in free-range beef, and the daily dietary exposure of South Koreans to ptaquiloside was estimated at up to 3.0 × 10⁻⁵ µg/kg b.w./day. The significance of this study is to evaluate commercially available products in which ptaquiloside may be present, to monitor consumer safety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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13 pages, 4311 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Human Dietary Exposure to Heavy Metals via Rice in Nepal

by Yuxiao Shao, Xiaohang Xu, Le Wang, Jialiang Han, Hem Bahadur Katuwal, Shulin Jiao and Guangle Qiu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(5), 4134; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054134 - 25 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1603

Abstract

The effects of exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in rice on human health have become a global public health concern, particularly in countries where rice is consumed as a staple food. The concentrations of HMs, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and [...] Read more.

The effects of exposure to heavy metals (HMs) in rice on human health have become a global public health concern, particularly in countries where rice is consumed as a staple food. The concentrations of HMs, including cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu), in commercial rice samples (n = 170) were analyzed to estimate the HM exposure of consumers in Nepal. The geometric mean concentrations of Cd, As, Pb, and Cu in commercial rice were 15.5 ± 16.0, 43.4 ± 19.6, 16.0 ± 14.0, and 1066 ± 1210 μg/kg, respectively, all below the maximum allowable concentrations (MACs) recommended by FAO/WHO. Generally, the average estimated daily intakes (EDIs) of Cd, As, Pb, and Cu were all below the oral reference doses (RfDs). However, young age groups were exposed to high levels of HMs, and the average EDI of As and the P99.9 EDIs of Cu and Cd were above the corresponding RfDs. The mean hazard index and total carcinogenic risk were 1.13 and 1.04 × 10⁻³ respectively, suggesting a potential non-carcinogenic risk (NCR) and a carcinogenic risk (CR) via rice consumption. Arsenic contributed the most strongly to NCR and Cd to CR. Overall, although the HM levels in rice were generally safe, the Nepalese population may be exposed to an elevated health risk from rice consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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17 pages, 4560 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Absorption and Transport Mechanism of Red Meat-Derived N-glycolylneuraminic Acid and Its Damage to Intestinal Barrier Function through the NF-κB Signaling Pathway

by Enqi He, Wei Quan, Jie Luo, Chuxin Liu, Wanting Zheng and Qingwu Shen

Toxins 2023, 15(2), 132; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15020132 - 6 Feb 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1889

Abstract

N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a specific factor in red meat that induces intestinal disease. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Neu5Gc on the intestinal barrier as well as its mechanism of endocytosis and exocytosis. Ten specific inhibitors were used to [...] Read more.

N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) is a specific factor in red meat that induces intestinal disease. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Neu5Gc on the intestinal barrier as well as its mechanism of endocytosis and exocytosis. Ten specific inhibitors were used to explore the mechanism of Neu5Gc endocytosis and exocytosis by Caco-2 cells. Amiloride hydrochloride and cytochalasin D had the strongest inhibitory effect on the endocytosis of Neu5Gc. Sodium azide, dynasore, chlorpromazine hydrochloride, and nystatin also inhibited Neu5Gc endocytosis. Dynasore exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect than that of chlorpromazine hydrochloride or nystatin alone. Exocytosis inhibitors, including nocodazole, brefeldin A, monensin, and bafilomycin A, inhibited the transmembrane transport of Neu5Gc. Monensin promoted the exocytosis of Neu5Gc from Caco-2 cells. In another experiment, we observed no significant inhibitory effects of monensin and brefeldin A. Dietary concentrations of Neu5Gc induced prominent damage to intestinal tight junction proteins zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, and claudin-1 and promoted the phosphorylation of IκB-α and P65 to activate the canonical Nuclear Factor kappa-B (NF-κB) pathway. Neu5Gc increased the RNA levels of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and inhibited those of anti-inflammatory factors TGF-β and IL-10. BAY, an NF-κB signaling pathway inhibitor, attenuated these changes. Reductions in the levels of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1 were recovered in response to BAY. Our data reveal the endocytosis and exocytosis mechanism of Neu5Gc and prove that Neu5Gc can activate the canonical NF-κB signaling pathway, regulate the transcription of inflammatory factors, thereby damaging intestinal barrier function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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14 pages, 3482 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Variability in Cold Tolerance of Food and Clinical Listeria monocytogenes Isolates

by Peter Myintzaw, Vincenzo Pennone, Olivia McAuliffe, Máire Begley and Michael Callanan

Microorganisms 2023, 11(1), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11010065 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1769

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of strain variability amongst food and clinical Listeria monocytogenes isolates growing at low temperatures (4 and 7 °C) in both laboratory media and real food matrices. Isolates (n = 150) grown in [...] Read more.

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of strain variability amongst food and clinical Listeria monocytogenes isolates growing at low temperatures (4 and 7 °C) in both laboratory media and real food matrices. Isolates (n = 150) grown in laboratory media demonstrated a large variation in growth profiles measured using optical density. Overall, it was noted that clinical isolates exhibited a significantly higher growth rate (p ≤ 0.05) at 7 °C than the other isolates. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) tests of isolates grouped using Multi Locus Sequence Typing (MLST) revealed that clonal complex 18 (CC18) isolates were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) faster growing at 4 °C than other CC-type isolates while CC101, CC18, CC8, CC37 and CC14 were faster growing than other CC types at 7 °C. Euclidean distance and Ward method-based hierarchical clustering of mean growth rates classified 33.33% of isolates as faster growing. Fast and slow growing representative isolates were selected from the cluster analysis and growth rates were determined using plate count data in laboratory media and model food matrices. In agreement with the optical density experiments, CC18 isolates were faster and CC121 isolates were slower than other CC types in laboratory media, UHT milk and fish pie. The same trend was observed in chocolate milk but the differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, pan-genome analysis (Scoary) of isolate genome sequences only identified six genes of unknown function associated with increased cold tolerance while failing to identify any known cold tolerance genes. Overall, an association that was consistent in laboratory media and real food matrices was demonstrated between isolate CC type and increased cold tolerance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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13 pages, 3696 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Cefsulodin and Vancomycin: A Supplement for Chromogenic Coliform Agar for Detection of Escherichia coli and Coliform Bacteria from Different Water Sources

by Michael Schalli, Sarah Maria Inwinkl, Sabine Platzer, Rita Baumert, Franz F. Reinthaler, Petra Ofner-Kopeinig and Doris Haas

Microorganisms 2022, 10(12), 2499; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10122499 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2377

Abstract

Background microorganism growth on Chromogenic Coliform Agar (CCA) can be challenging. For this reason, a new alternative method with a Cefsulodin/Vancomycin (CV)-supplemented CCA should be developed in this study. CCA supplemented with CV was validated according to ÖNORM EN ISO 16140-4:2021 using water [...] Read more.

Background microorganism growth on Chromogenic Coliform Agar (CCA) can be challenging. For this reason, a new alternative method with a Cefsulodin/Vancomycin (CV)-supplemented CCA should be developed in this study. CCA supplemented with CV was validated according to ÖNORM EN ISO 16140-4:2021 using water from natural sources in Styria, Austria. Results show that the alternative method using the supplemented CCA has similar values in relation to sensitivity (82.2%), specificity (98.6%) and higher selectivity (59%) compared to the reference method. Repeatability and reproducibility were acceptable for the alternative method and showed similar results with the reference method. The alternative method shows a very low false positive rate and a low false negative rate paired with good performance regarding the inclusion study. The exclusion study shows the advantage of our method by suppressing background microorganisms and facilitating the process of enumeration of Escherichia coli and other coliform bacteria on CCA plates. Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth was inhibited using the supplement. To conclude, the coliform CV selective supplement combined with CCA is an appropriate tool for coliform bacteria detection in water samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Food Hygiene and Food Safety)

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