Biotechnological and Biocontrol Approaches for Mitigating Postharvest Diseases Caused by Fungal Pathogens and Their Mycotoxins in Fruits: A Review

Postharvest diseases caused by fungal pathogens are significant contributors to the postharvest losses of fruits. Moreover, some fungal pathogens produce mycotoxins, which further compromise the safety and quality of fruits. In this review, the potential of biotechnological and biocontrol approaches for mitigating postharvest diseases and mycotoxins in fruits is explored. The review begins by discussing the impact of postharvest diseases on fruit quality and postharvest losses. Next, it provides an overview of major postharvest diseases caused by fungal pathogens. Subsequently, it delves into the role of biotechnological approaches in controlling these diseases. The review also explored the application of biocontrol agents, such as antagonistic yeasts, bacteria, and fungi, which can suppress pathogen growth. Furthermore, future trends and challenges in these two approaches are discussed in detail. Overall, this review can provide insights into promising biotechnological and biocontrol strategies for managing postharvest diseases and mycotoxins in fruits.

Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains Thrive in Dairy and Beef Production, Processing, and Supply Lines in Five Geographical Areas in Ethiopia

Livestock, farms, abattoirs, and food supply systems can become the source of foodborne pathogens, including S. aureus, in the absence of monitoring, general hygienic practices, and control. Studies are scarce on reservoirs (hiding places) and routes of entry of S. aureus into the food supply chain in Ethiopia. To fill these gaps, we evaluated the role of cows (milk), meat, equipment, and food handlers on the abundance and AMR of S. aureus in five geographical areas in central Oromia, Ethiopia. We isolated S. aureus from 10 different ecologies per area in 5 areas and tested their sensitivity to 14 antimicrobials of 9 different classes. We ranked the 5 areas and 10 ecologies by computing their multiple AMR index (MARI) at a cut-off value of 0.2 to determine 'high-risk' ecologies for AMR. We recorded as MDR if an isolate had resistance to ≥3 antimicrobial classes. We used a circos diagram to analyze if isolates with identical AMR patterns were shared between different ecologies. S. aureus is prevalent in central Oromia (16.1-18.3%), higher in dairy farms than in abattoirs, and varied among 10 ecologies (p < 0.001) but not among 5 areas (p > 0.05). Of the 92 isolates, 94.6% were penicillin-resistant. Their AMR prevalence was above 40% for 9 of 14 antimicrobials. All isolates (100%) had AMR in at least one antimicrobial class (range = 1-9; median = 5), indicating MDR was prevalent. The prevalence of MDR S. aureus varied (p < 0.05) among areas and 10 ecologies; the highest was in slaughter lines. All isolates had a MARI of >0.2, indicating drug overuse, and S. aureus's AMR burden is high in central Oromia. Dairy farms had higher MARI values (0.44) than abattoirs (0.39). Of 10 ecologies, the highest and lowest MARI values were in the beef supply chain, i.e., slaughter line (0.67) and butcher's hand (0.25). Of the 68 different AMR patterns by 92 isolates against 14 antimicrobials, 53 patterns (77.9%) were unique to individual isolates, indicating they were phenotypically dissimilar. MDR S. aureus was widespread in central Oromia in dairy and meat supply chains, contaminating milk, meat, equipment, and workers in farm and abattoir settings. In the absence of strict regulations and interventions, MDR S. aureus can be disseminated from these epicenters to the public.

A Quality Assurance Discrimination Tool for the Evaluation of Satellite Laboratory Practice Excellence in the Context of the European Official Meat Inspection for Trichinella spp

Trichinellosis is a parasitic foodborne zoonotic disease transmitted by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing the first larval stage (L1) of the nematode. To ensure the quality and safety of food intended for human consumption, meat inspection for detection of Trichinella spp. larvae is a mandatory procedure according to EU regulations. The implementation of quality assurance practices in laboratories that are responsible for Trichinella spp. detection is essential given that the detection of this parasite is still a pivotal threat to public health, and it is included in list A of Annex I, Directive 2003/99/EC, which determines the agents to be monitored on a mandatory basis. A Quality Management System (QMS) was applied to slaughterhouses and game handling establishments conducting Trichinella spp. testing without official accreditation but under the supervision of the relevant authority. This study aims to retrospectively analyze the outcomes of implementing the QMS in slaughterhouses and game handling establishments involved in Trichinella testing in southern Spain. Canonical discriminant analyses (CDAs) were performed to design a tool enabling the classification of SLs while determining whether linear combinations of measures of quality-assurance-related traits describe within- and between-SL clustering patterns. The participation of two or more auditors improves the homogeneity of the results deriving from audits. However, when training expertise ensures that such levels of inter-/intralaboratory homogeneity are reached, auditors can perform single audits and act as potential trainers for other auditors. Additionally, technical procedure issues were the primary risk factors identified during audits, which suggests that they should be considered a critical control point within the QMS.

A Sensitive, Cell-Based Assay for Measuring Low-Level Biological Activity of α-Amanitin

α-Amanitin is one of the primary toxins produced by the poisonous mushroom genus, Amanita. Because it is odorless and tasteless, it is an important cause of death from the consumption of misidentified mushrooms. To study the thermal stability of α-amanitin, novel cell-based assays were developed to measure the toxin's activity, based on the inhibition of RNA polymerase II by α-amanitin. First, an MTT-formazan cell viability assay was used to measure the biological activity of α-amanitin through the inhibition of cellular activity. This method can detect 10 μg/mL of α-amanitin in a time-dependent manner. Second, a more sensitive quantitative PCR approach was developed to examine its inhibition of viral replication. The new RT-qPCR assay enabled the detection of 100 ng/mL. At this level, α-amanitin still significantly reduced adenovirus transcription. Third, a simpler GFP expression-based assay was developed with an equal sensitivity to the RT-qPCR assay. With this assay, aqueous α-amanitin heated at 90 °C for 16 h or treated in the microwave for 3 min retained its biological activity when tested in HEK293 cells, but a slight reduction was observed when tested in Vero cells. Beyond detecting the activity of α-amanitin, the new method has a potential application for detecting the activity of other toxins that are RNA polymerase inhibitors.

Determination of Selenium in Selenium-Enriched Products by Specific Ratiometric Fluorescence

Selenium (Se), as one of the essential and nutrient components of living organisms and plants, plays an important role in life activities, while excessive selenium is hazardous to human health. So, the establishment of an effective method for simple, rapid, and highly sensitive determination of selenium content is crucial in the field of food composition analysis and other areas. In this paper, a novel and simple ratiometric fluorescence method for the determination of Se has been developed using 9-anthracenemethanol (AM) as the ratiometric fluorescence reagent on the basis of the conventional fluorometric assay which utilized 2,3-diaminonapthalene (DAN) as fluorescent ligand. The ratiometric method was compared with the conventional method with respect to precision and accuracy. The inter-day and intra-day precisions (RSDs) of the ratiometric fluorescence method ranged from 2.08 to 2.78% and 1.28 to 1.84%, with mean recoveries of 93.2~98.0% and limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.0016 and 0.0049 μg/mL, respectively. This method was successfully applied to the determination of total selenium in selenium-enriched milk and selenium-supplemented shampoo, with the results in agreement with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). The results demonstrated that the precision and accuracy of the ratiometric fluorescence method were superior to those of the conventional fluorescence method, and the interferences of various environmental factors were effectively eliminated. The precision and accuracy of the conventional method can be significantly improved by simply adding an elaborately selected ratiometric fluorescence reagent, and the new method will have broader practical applications.

Methods of Minimizing Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Content in Homogenized Smoked Meat Sausages Using Different Casings and Variants of Meat-Fat Raw Material

To ensure food safety and protect human health, the levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination in model smoked-pork meat products were examined to select which type of casing and variant of raw material contributes to minimizing the content of PAHs in the final products. The sausages were smoked in a steam smoke chamber with an external smoke generator. The determination of PAHs was performed using the QuEChERS-HPLC-FLD/DAD method. The analyzed products met the requirements of Commission Regulation (EU) No. 835/2011 on the maximum permissible levels of PAHs. Statistically higher sums of 19 PAHs, including 15 heavy and 4 marker PAHs, were stated in smoked sausages in natural and cellulose casings. Synthetic casings like collagen and polyamide exhibited better barriers against PAH contamination than cellulose and natural casings. For each type of casing, significantly higher concentrations of PAHs were found in the external parts of the products. An increase in the fat content of the raw material increased the levels of PAH contamination in the products, regardless of the casing. Therefore, in industrial practice, the selection of an appropriate type of casing and raw material with the lowest possible fat content can be an effective method for reducing PAH levels in the interior of smoked meat products.

Paper-Based Microfluidic Chips for Food Hazard Factor Detection: Fabrication, Modification, and Application

Food safety and quality are paramount concerns for ensuring the preservation of human life and well-being. As the field of food processing continues to advance, there is a growing interest in the development of fast, instant, cost-effective, and convenient methods for detecting food safety issues. In this context, the utilization of paper-based microfluidic chips has emerged as a promising platform for enabling rapid detection, owing to their compact size, high throughput capabilities, affordability, and low resource consumption, among other advantages. To shed light on this topic, this review article focuses on the functionalization of paper-based microfluidic surfaces and provides an overview of the latest research and applications to colorimetric analysis, fluorescence analysis, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, as well as their integration with paper-based microfluidic platforms for achieving swift and reliable food safety detection. Lastly, the article deliberates on the challenges these analytical methods and presents insights into their future development prospects in facilitating rapid food safety assessment.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Escherichia coli Isolates from Chicken Meat in Romania

The current study was conducted in order to analyze the prevalence of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in samples of chicken meat (100 chicken meat samples), as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates. A total of 30 samples were positive for E. coli among the collected chicken samples. Most isolates proved to be highly resistant to tetracycline (80%), ampicillin (80%), sulfamethoxazole (73.33%), chloramphenicol (70%) and nalidixic acid (60%). Strong resistance to ciprofloxacin (56.66%), trimethoprim (50%), cefotaxime (46.66%), ceftazidime (43.33%) and gentamicin (40%) was also observed. Notably, one E. coli strain also proved to be resistant to colistin. The antimicrobial resistance determinants detected among the E. coli isolates recovered in our study were consistent with their resistance phenotypes. Most of the isolates harbored the tetA (53.33%), tetB (46.66%), blaTEM (36.66%) and sul1 (26.66%) genes, but also aadA1 (23.33%), blaCTX (16.66%), blaOXA (16.66%), qnrA (16.66%) and aac (10%). In conclusion, to the best of our knowledge, this is among the first studies analyzing the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli strains isolated from chicken meat in Romania and probably the first study reporting colistin resistance in E. coli isolates recovered from food sources in our country.

Safety Analysis of Korean Cottage Industries' Doenjang, a Traditional Fermented Soybean Product: A Special Reference to Biogenic Amines

The typical Korean diet contains a significant quantity of doenjang owing to its unique taste and health benefits. However, the presence of anti-nutritional and toxic substances, such as biogenic amines and microbial pathogens, in doenjang has resulted in a loss of revenue and poor consumer health. The present study focused on the identification and quantification of different biogenic amines, pathogenic Bacillus cereus, and yeast counts in 36 doenjang products (designated as De-1 to De-36, 500 g each) procured from the different cottage industries situated in different parts of the Republic of Korea. The results indicated, only three samples were contaminated with B. cereus, exceeding the recommended limit (4 log CFU/g) suggested by the national standards of Korea. A total of six distinct yeasts were identified in different doenjang samples, whose comprehensive enzymatic profiling suggested the absence of harmful enzymes such as N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, α-chymotrypsin, and β-glucuronidase. The biogenic amines were detected in the range of 67.68 mg/kg to 2556.68 mg/kg and classified into six major groups based on hierarchical cluster analysis. All doenjang samples contained tryptamine, putrescine, cadaverine, histamine, and tyramine, while 94.44% were positive for spermidine and spermine. The results documented the analysis of traditional cottage industry doenjang and suggest the need for constant monitoring to ensure the safety of food for the consumer.

Variability in Physicochemical Parameters and Its Impact on Microbiological Quality and Occurrence of Foodborne Pathogens in Artisanal Italian Organic Salami

Artisanal salami is produced in small-scale production plants, where the lack of full automation might result in higher variability in food intrinsic properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the inter- and intra-batch variability in physicochemical parameters and its impact on microbial quality and occurrence of foodborne pathogens on 480 samples collected from six batches of an artisanal Italian production of organic salami. Relatively high total bacterial counts (TBC) were found on the surface of the table in the stuffing room (4.29 ± 0.40 log cfu/cm2). High loads of Enterobacteriaceae in the meat mixture of batch 2 and TBC in batch 5 were associated with a higher occurrence of bacterial pathogens. During ripening, water activity (aw) and pH failed to reach values lower than 0.86 and 5.3, respectively. Six Staphylococcus aureus and four Listeria monocytogenes isolates were collected from the salami meat mixture during ripening and the processing environment. A total of 126 isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were characterized at a species level, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter cloacae, and Citrobacter freundii isolated from the final products. Results suggest the relevance of first steps of production in terms of the hygiene of raw materials and handling during stuffing procedures, especially when the physicochemical parameters of the final products do not reach values that represent hurdles for foodborne pathogens.

Revisiting Fruit Allergy: Prevalence across the Globe, Diagnosis, and Current Management

Fruit allergies manifest with a diverse array of clinical presentations, ranging from localized contact allergies and oral allergy syndrome to the potential for severe systemic reactions including anaphylaxis. The scope of population-level prevalence studies remains limited, largely derived from single-center or hospital-based investigations. In this comprehensive review, we conducted a systematic literature search spanning the years 2009 to 2023, with full acknowledgment of potential analytical biases, to provide a global overview of fruit allergy prevalence. The primary mechanistic underpinning of fruit allergies stems from cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens, a consequence of structurally similar epitopes-a phenomenon recognized as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS). In the era of molecular allergology, numerous studies have dissected allergen components with substantial clinical relevance. Within this review, we explore important allergenic molecules found in plant-based foods, scrutinize pertinent cross-reactivity patterns, and offer insights into management recommendations. Additionally, we compare guideline recommendations to enhance clinical understanding and inform decision making.

Field catering in the operational and training activities of the Carabinieri Corps

The Armed Force's victualling sector, and field catering, in particular, were brought up to date following Publication No. C-19, Compendium of Logistic Provisions of the Carabinieri Force. Previously, there was no specific regulation in the defense sector, except for the operational reality of military contingents deployed abroad. The aim of this discussion is the military field catering regulatory adaptation to the procedures of the Certified Notification of Commencement of Activities, pursuant to Law 241/90. To this end, the Ministry of Defense has adopted a specific notification model for its food businesses (Interministerial Decree 06/03/2020). Presidential Decree 327/1980 also applies in the Arma with regard to refrigerated shelters intended for the storage of foodstuffs at a controlled temperature. The authorization, issued by the Veterinary Service of the Arma General Headquarters, is valid for 2 years and is renewable subject to verification of the specific requirements. The procedures to submit the certified activity start notice (SCIA) are functional for the type of service operation. The Veterinary Service issues a specific technical opinion on the relative hygiene and health requirements, while the plant-infrastructure part is assessed by the competent Directorate of Works of the Corps of Engineers of the aforementioned General Command. Failure to submit the SCIA is punishable under Legislative Decree No. 193/2007; however, if the conditions are met, recourse to the administrative institution of the warning is preferred. In the verification phase of the shelters in question, compliance with the regulations concerning the Agreement on the Transport of Perishable Goods must be ascertained. The new regulations allow the Armed Force to guarantee food safety in military operations involving the use of field modules for catering purposes.

The Application of Hybridization Chain Reaction in the Detection of Foodborne Pathogens

Today, with the globalization of the food trade progressing, food safety continues to warrant widespread attention. Foodborne diseases caused by contaminated food, including foodborne pathogens, seriously threaten public health and the economy. This has led to the development of more sensitive and accurate methods for detecting pathogenic bacteria. Many signal amplification techniques have been used to improve the sensitivity of foodborne pathogen detection. Among them, hybridization chain reaction (HCR), an isothermal nucleic acid hybridization signal amplification technique, has received increasing attention due to its enzyme-free and isothermal characteristics, and pathogenic bacteria detection methods using HCR for signal amplification have experienced rapid development in the last five years. In this review, we first describe the development of detection technologies for food contaminants represented by pathogens and introduce the fundamental principles, classifications, and characteristics of HCR. Furthermore, we highlight the application of various biosensors based on HCR nucleic acid amplification technology in detecting foodborne pathogens. Lastly, we summarize and offer insights into the prospects of HCR technology and its application in pathogen detection.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Salmonella isolated from wild birds in fresh produce environments

Wild birds pose a difficult food safety risk to manage because they can avoid traditional wildlife mitigation strategies, such as fences. Birds often use agricultural fields and structures as foraging and nesting areas, which can lead to defecation on crops and subsequent transfer of foodborne pathogens. To assess the food safety risk associated with these events, wild bird feces were collected from produce fields across the southeastern United States during the 2021 and 2022 growing seasons. In total 773 fecal samples were collected from 45 farms across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, and 2.1% (n = 16) of samples were Salmonella-positive. Importantly, 75% of Salmonella were isolated from moist feces, showing reduced Salmonella viability when feces dry out. 16S microbiome analysis showed that presence of culturable Salmonella in moist feces correlated to a higher proportion of the Enterobacteriaceae family. From the Salmonella-positive samples, 62.5% (10/16) contained multi-serovar Salmonella populations. Overall, 13 serovars were detected, including six most commonly attributed to human illness (Enteriditis, Newport, Typhimurium, Infantis, Saintpaul, and Muenchen). PCR screening identified an additional 59 Salmonella-positive fecal samples, which were distributed across moist (n = 44) and dried feces (n = 15). On-farm point counts and molecular identification from fecal samples identified 57 bird species, including for 10 Salmonella-positive fecal samples. Overall, there was a low prevalence of Salmonella in fecal samples, especially in dried feces, and we found no evidence of Salmonella transmission to proximal foliage or produce. Fecal samples collected in farms close together shared highly related isolates by whole genome sequencing and also had highly similar Salmonella populations with comparable relative frequencies of the same serovars, suggesting the birds acquired Salmonella from a common source.

Food Safety Issues in the Oltrepò Pavese Area: A SERS Sensing Perspective

Handly and easy-to-use optical instrumentation is very important for food safety monitoring, as it provides the possibility to assess law and health compliances at every stage of the food chain. In particular, the Surface-enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) method appears highly promising because the intrinsic drawback of Raman spectroscopy, i.e., the natural weakness of the effect and, in turn, of the signal, is overcome thanks to the peculiar interaction between laser light and plasmonic excitations at the SERS substrate. This fact paved the way for the widespread use of SERS sensing not only for food safety but also for biomedicine, pharmaceutical process analysis, forensic science, cultural heritage and more. However, the current technological maturity of the SERS technique does not find a counterpart in the recognition of SERS as a routine method in compliance protocols. This is mainly due to the very scattered landscape of SERS substrates designed and tailored specifically for the targeted analyte. In fact, a very large variety of SERS substrates were proposed for molecular sensing in different environments and matrices. This review presents the advantages and perspectives of SERS sensing in food safety. The focus of the survey is limited to specific analytes of interest for producers, consumers and stakeholders in Oltrepò Pavese, a definite regional area that is located within the district of Pavia in the northern part of Italy. Our attention has been addressed to (i) glyphosate in rice fields, (ii) histamine in a world-famous local product (wine), (iii) tetracycline, an antibiotic often detected in waste sludges that can be dangerous, for instance in maize crops and (iv) Sudan dyes-used as adulterants-in the production of saffron and other spices, which represent niche crops for Oltrepò. The review aims to highlight the SERS performance for each analyte, with a discussion of the different methods used to prepare SERS substrates and the different reported limits of detection.

Current Trends in Mycotoxin Detection with Various Types of Biosensors

One of the most important tasks in food safety is to properly manage the investigation of mycotoxin contamination in agricultural products and foods made from them, as well as to prevent its occurrence. Monitoring requires a wide range of analytical methods, from expensive analytical procedures with high-tech instrumentation to significantly cheaper biosensor developments or even single-use assays suitable for on-site monitoring. This review provides a summary of the development directions over approximately a decade and a half, grouped according to the biologically sensitive components used. We provide an overview of the use of antibodies, molecularly imprinted polymers, and aptamers, as well as the diversity of biosensors and their applications within the food industry. We also mention the possibility of determining multiple toxins side by side, which would significantly reduce the time required for the analyses.

Molecular-Assisted Breeding of Cadmium Pollution-Safe Cultivars

Cadmium (Cd) contamination in edible agricultural products, especially in crops intended for consumption, has raised worldwide concerns regarding food safety. Breeding of Cd pollution-safe cultivars (Cd-PSCs) is an effective solution to preventing the entry of Cd into the food chain from contaminated agricultural soil. Molecular-assisted breeding methods, based on molecular mechanisms for cultivar-dependent Cd accumulation and bioinformatic tools, have been developed to accelerate and facilitate the breeding of Cd-PSCs. This review summarizes the recent progress in the research of the low Cd accumulation traits of Cd-PSCs in different crops. Furthermore, the application of molecular-assisted breeding methods, including transgenic approaches, genome editing, marker-assisted selection, whole genome-wide association analysis, and transcriptome, has been highlighted to outline the breeding of Cd-PSCs by identifying critical genes and molecular biomarkers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the development of Cd-PSCs and the potential future for breeding Cd-PSC using modern molecular technologies.

Non-typhoidal salmonella contamination along the pork value chain in a rural East African setting: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a serious foodborne pathogen that has previously been isolated from pigs presented for slaughter in a rural pork value chain in western Kenya.

METHODS

To understand varying NTS contamination along the value chain we assessed prevalence at slaughter, transport and retail. Suspect isolates from culture were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

Prevalence on pig carcasses, meat transportation containers, retailed raw and cooked pork and accompanying side salads was 18.1%, 23.9%, 28.0%, 1.9% and 8.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

NTS contamination is propagated along the pork value chain in rural western Kenya, demonstrating the need for improved hygiene measures to prevent human exposure.

Trends in maintaining postharvest freshness and quality of Rubus berries

Blackberries and raspberries, commonly known as Rubus berries, are commercially grown worldwide across different climates. Rubus berries contain wide array of phytochemicals, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, these berries have short storage life which is the major constraint in their supply chains leading to higher postharvest losses. Inappropriate harvest handling, physical bruising, insect pests, and postharvest diseases lower the acceptability of fruit among consumers and other supply chain stakeholders. Additionally, the susceptibility to microbial decay, fruit softening, higher ethylene production, respiratory activity, and increased oxidation of anthocyanins, phenolics, and flavonoids considerably affects the marketability of Rubus berries at domestic and international markets. To date, several postharvest strategies such as cold storage, precooling, modified and controlled atmospheres, anti-ripening chemicals, edible coatings, biological agents, and nonchemical alternatives (heat treatment, ultrasound, irradiations, ozone) have been reported to prolong storage life, ensure food safety, and maintain the nutritional quality of Rubus berries. This review briefly encompasses multiple aspects including harvest maturity indices, regulation of fruit ripening, pre and postharvest factors affecting fruit quality, and an update on postharvest quality preservation by employing postharvest technologies to extend the storage life and maintaining the bioactive compounds in Rubus berries which are lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this review provides valuable information to the industry stakeholders and scientists offering relevant solutions, limitations in the application of certain technologies at commercial scale, highlighting research gaps, and paving the way forward for future investigations.

Legal situation and consumer acceptance of insects being eaten as human food in different nations across the world-A comprehensive review

Insect consumption is a traditional practice in many countries. Currently, the urgent need for ensuring food sustainability and the high pressure from degrading environment are urging food scientists to rethink the possibility of introducing edible insects as a promising food type. However, due to the lack of the standardized legislative rules and the adequate scientific data that demonstrate the safety of edible insects, many countries still consider it a grey area to introduce edible insects into food supply chains. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed the legal situation, consumer willingness, acceptance, and the knowledge on edible insect harvesting, processing as well as their safety concerns. We found that, despite the great advantage of introducing edible insects in food supply chains, the legal situation and consumer acceptance for edible insects are still unsatisfactory and vary considerably in different countries, which mostly depend on geographical locations and cultural backgrounds involving psychological, social, religious, and anthropological factors. Besides, the safety concern of edible insect consumption is still a major issue hurdling the promotion of edible insects, which is particularly concerning for countries with no practice in consuming insects. Fortunately, the situation is improving. So far, some commercial insect products like energy bars, burgers, and snack foods have emerged in the market. Furthermore, the European Union has also recently issued a specific item for regulating new foods, which is believed to establish an authorized procedure to promote insect-based foods and should be an important step for marketizing edible insects in the near future.

Unveiling Fresh-Cut Lettuce Processing in Argentine Industries: Evaluating Salmonella Levels Using Predictive Microbiology Models

A survey was performed to gather information on the processing steps, conditions, and practices employed by industries processing ready-to-eat (RTE) leafy vegetables in Argentina. A total of seven industries participated in the survey. A cluster analysis of the data obtained was performed to identify homogeneous groups among the participating industries. The data collected were used as inputs of two predictive microbiology models to estimate Salmonella concentrations after chlorine washing, during storage and distribution of final products, and to rank the different practices according to the final estimated Salmonella levels. Six different clusters were identified by evaluating the parameters, methods, and controls applied in each processing step, evidencing a great variability among industries. The disinfectant agent applied by all participating industries was sodium hypochlorite, though concentrations and application times differed among industries from 50 to 200 ppm for 30 to 110 s. Simulations using predictive models indicated that the reductions in Salmonella in RTE leafy vegetables would vary in the range of 1.70-2.95 log CFU/g during chlorine-washing depending on chlorine concentrations applied, washing times, and vegetable cutting size, which varied from 9 to 16 cm2 among industries. Moreover, Salmonella would be able to grow in RTE leafy vegetables during storage and distribution, achieving levels of up to 2 log CFU/g, considering the storage and transportation temperatures and times reported by the industries, which vary from 4 to 14 °C and from 18 to 30 h. These results could be used to prioritize risk-based sampling programs by Food Official Control or determine more adequate process parameters to mitigate Salmonella in RTE leafy vegetables. Additionally, the information gathered in this study is useful for microbiological risk assessments.

[Application progress of innovative high resolution separation and analysis technology in food safety detection field]

In the last decade, mass spectrometry (MS) has been widely used in food inspection science, and the continuous improvement of instruments is the key to the breakthrough of analytical chemistry technology. This paper discusses the latest progress and application of high resolution separation and analysis technology in food safety field (2013-2023), focusing on the innovative development technologies such as on-line MS coupling technology, high resolution screening technology and micro mass spectrometer. Finally, the development of new device in the field of food safety detection is prospected.

Microbiota analysis for risk assessment of xenobiotic exposure and the impact on dysbiosis: identifying potential next-generation probiotics

On-going projects of the team are currently dealing with microbiota, xenobiotics, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), obesity, inflammation and probiotics. The combination of diet, lifestyle and the exposure to dietary xenobiotics categorised into microbiota-disrupting chemicals (MDCs) could determine obesogenic-related dysbiosis. This modification of the microbiota diversity impacts on individual health-disease balance, inducing altered phenotypes. Specific, complementary, and combined prevention and treatments are needed to face these altered microbial patterns and the specific misbalances triggered. In this sense, searching for next-generation probiotics (NGP) by microbiota culturing, and focusing on their demonstrated, extensive scope and well-defined functions could contribute to counteracting and repairing the effects of obesogens. Therefore, EU-FORA project contributes to present a perspective through compiling information and key strategies for directed taxa searching and culturing of NGP that could be administered for preventing obesity and endocrine-related dysbiosis by (i) observing the differential abundance of specific microbiota taxa in obesity-related patients and analysing their functional roles, (ii) developing microbiota-directed strategies for culturing these taxa groups, and (iii) design and applying the successful compiled criteria from recent NGP clinical studies. New isolated or cultivable microorganisms from healthy gut microbiota specifically related to xenobiotic obesogens' neutralisation effects might be used as an NGP single strain or in consortia, both presenting functions and the ability to palliate metabolic-related disorders. Identification of holistic approaches for searching and using potential NGP, key aspects, the bias, gaps and proposals of solutions were also considered in this workplan.

Training in tools to develop quantitative microbial risk assessment of ready-to-eat food with a comparison between the Romanian and Spanish food supply chains

The prevention and control of bacterial contamination on ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh produce is an essential task to ensure food safety. Therefore, the development of novel and effective decontamination technologies to ensure microbiological safety of fruits and vegetables has gained considerable attention and new sanitisation methods are needed. The antimicrobial activity of essential oils (EOs) is well documented, but their application in fresh produce remains a challenge due to their hydrophobic nature. Thus, nanoemulsions efficiently contribute to support the use of EOs in foods by enhancing their dispersibility, their contact area and facilitating the introduction into bacterial cells. The combination of these factors ultimately increases their antimicrobial activity. Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) is gaining more attention as an effective tool to assess and prevent potential risks associated with food-borne pathogens. In this context, the current project aims to study the effectiveness of different washing methods based on nanoemulsified EOs, comparing them against traditional methods, using a QMRA model for Escherichia coli O157:H7 on cherry tomatoes. Different simulations within a stochastic risk assessment model were implemented using the biorisk package for R, aiming to describe microbial behaviour and biological risk along the Romanian and Spanish food supply chains of RTE fresh produce. Nanoemulsions were prepared using oregano and rosemary EOs, each from Romania and Spain. The four nanoemulsions were evaluated as decontamination treatments to control the growth of E. coli O157:H7 on artificially contaminated cherry tomatoes. The decontamination treatments showed encouraging results, comparable to commonly used chlorine solutions. Therefore, oregano and rosemary nanoemulsions are promising and could be a feasible alternative for chlorine solutions in the reduction of microbiological contaminants.

Hepatotoxicity due to dietary supplements: state-of-the-art, gaps and perspectives

Food supplements are products intended to complement the normal diet and consist of concentrated sources of nutrients or other substances with a nutritional or physiological effect. Although they are generally considered safe if the manufacturer's recommendations are followed, many of them have shown hepatotoxic properties. This can cause many diseases (e.g. steatohepatitis and cirrhosis) characterized by progressive damage and malfunction of the liver that in the long term can lead to death. A review of the literature was carried out to elucidate which dietary supplements have been associated with cases of hepatotoxicity in recent years, with emphasis on those relevant to the consumer and the new trends (e.g. cannabidiol). It has been reported that the supplements described as hepatotoxic are mainly of botanical origin (e.g. green tea or turmeric) and those used in sports (mainly anabolic androgenic steroids). There is a great variability of compounds described as causing liver damage, although sometimes it is not possible to identify them, because they are contaminants or adulterants of the products. In addition, the prevalence of toxic effects after the administration of supplements is difficult to define due to underreporting and the lack of specific studies. Globally regarding hepatotoxicity of dietary supplements, there is a paucity of well-conducted clinical trials on the efficacy of these compounds and the frequency of related liver damage, as the use of these products is largely uncontrolled.

Isolation and characterization of multidrug-resistant Salmonella-specific bacteriophages and their antibacterial efficiency in chicken breast

The use of phages as biocontrol agents against antibiotic-resistant strains of Salmonella spp. is gaining attention. This study aimed to isolate lytic bacteriophages specific for multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serovars Typhimurium; it also evaluated the bactericidal effect of isolated phages (STP-1, STP-2, STP-3, and STP-4) from sewage sample against S. Typhimurium as host strains. Moreover, a current study evaluated the efficacy of a bacteriophage cocktail against S. Typhimurium cocktail in chicken breast meat. The 4 phages were classified under the Caudoviricetes class by morphology characterization. On host range testing, they exhibited lytic activities against S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and S. Thompson. In the stability test, the phages exhibited resistance to heat (above 70°C for 1 h) and pH (strongly alkaline for 24 h). Additionally, the phages had comparable adsorption rates (approximately 80% adsorption in under 5 min). Additionally, the latent periods ranged from 30 to 50 min, with respective burst sizes of 31, 218, 197, and 218 PFU/CFU. In vitro, bacterial challenge demonstrated that at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10, each phage consistently inhibited S. Typhimurium growth at 37°C for 24 h. In the food test, the phage cocktail (MOI = 1,000) reduced S. Typhimurium in artificially contaminated chicken breast meat stored at 4°C by 0.9 and 1.2 log CFU/g after 1 and 7 d, respectively. The results point toward a promising avenue for addressing the challenge of multidrug-resistant S. Typhimurium in the food industry through the use of recently discovered phages. Notably, the exploration of phage cocktails holds significant potential for combating S. Typhimurium in chicken breast products in the times ahead.

Dual-Modal Bimetallic Nanozyme-Based Sensing Platform Combining Colorimetric and Photothermal Signal Cascade Catalytic Enhancement for Detection of Hypoxanthine to Judge Meat Freshness

Considering the enormous demand for meat in people's daily lives, the development of efficient meat freshness assays is of great significance for safeguarding food safety. Here, a novel bimetallic nanozyme Fe@CeO2 with high peroxidase-like activity was first synthesized by embedding ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fc) into hollow CeO2 nanospheres, which combined with xanthine oxidase (XOD) to develop a self-supplying H2O2-facilitated enzymatic cascade catalytic system of XOD + Fe@CeO2, yielding a meat freshness indicator hypoxanthine (Hx)-responsive colorimetric and photothermal dual-mode analytical platform for judging meat freshness upon the assistance of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Owing to the catalytic activity of XOD to convert Hx into H2O2, Fe@CeO2 rapidly dissociated it into •OH via a peroxidase activity-triggered Fenton-like reaction, emerging a typical enzymatic cascade catalytic reaction. As a result, the colorless TMB was oxidized to be the product of dark-blue oxTMB by •OH, with a chromogenic reaction-driven absorption enhancement at 652 nm, which endowed it with a significant photothermal effect under 660 nm laser irradiation. On this basis, an Hx concentration-dependent colorimetric and photothermal dual-mode signal cascade catalytic enhancement sensing platform was proposed by integrating with a Color Picker App-installed smartphone and a 660 nm laser-equipped handheld thermal imager, achieving the onsite quantitative, reliable, and visual detection of Hx in real meat samples for judging meat freshness with acceptable results. Notably, the colorimetric and photothermal dual-mode signal cascade catalytic enhancement improved not only the reliability but also the sensitivity of the assay, which provided new insights for efficient onsite visual monitoring of meat freshness to safeguard food safety.

Composition, functional properties and safety of honey: a review

Honey has been used not only as a food source but also for medicinal purposes. Recent studies have indicated that honey exhibits antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and anti-obesity properties, as well as anticancer, anti-atherosclerotic, hypotensive, neuroprotective and immunomodulatory activities. These health benefits of honey could be attributed to its wide range of nutritional components, including polysaccharides and polyphenols, which have been proven to possess various beneficial properties. It is notable that the composition of honey can also be affected by nectar, season, geography and storage condition. Moreover, the safety of honey requires caution to avoid any potential safety incidents. Therefore, this review aims to provide recent research regarding the chemical composition, biological activities and safety of honey, which might be attributed to comprehensive utilization of honey. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Innovative Application of Cold Plasma Technology in Meat and Its Products

The growing demand for sustainable food production and the rising consumer preference for fresh, healthy, and safe food products have been driving the need for innovative methods for processing and preserving food. In the meat industry, this demand has led to the development of new interventions aimed at extending the shelf life of meats and its products while maintaining their quality and nutritional value. Cold plasma has recently emerged as a subject of great interest in the meat industry due to its potential to enhance the microbiological safety of meat and its products. This review discusses the latest research on the possible application of cold plasma in the meat processing industry, considering its effects on various quality attributes and its potential for meat preservation and enhancement. In this regard, many studies have reported substantial antimicrobial efficacy of cold plasma technology in beef, pork, lamb and chicken, and their products with negligible changes in their physicochemical attributes. Further, the application of cold plasma in meat processing has shown promising results as a potential novel curing agent for cured meat products. Understanding the mechanisms of action and the interactions between cold plasma and food ingredients is crucial for further exploring the potential of this technology in the meat industry, ultimately leading to the development of safe and high-quality meat products using cold plasma technology.

Emerging challenges in maintaining marine food-fish availability and food safety

The marine finfish and crustaceans contribute immensely to human nutrition. Harvesting marine food-fish to meet the global demand has become a challenge due to reduction of the fishery areas and food safety hazards associated with increased pre-harvest and post-harvest contaminations. The causes of low fish availability and contaminations were reviewed following the published literature from 2000 to 2023. The marine fish yields are stressed due to spread of contaminants triggered by rising sea temperatures, transport of microorganisms by marine vessels across the oceans, anthropogenic activities leading to increase in the toxic microorganisms, and the entry of toxic chemicals and antibiotic residues into the seawater through rivers or directly. Processing adds pyrogenic chemicals to foods. The hazardous materials may accumulate in the food-fish, beyond tolerance limits permitted for human foods. While the research and control measures focus on minimizing the hazards due to pathogenic microorganisms and chemicals in market fish, there is less discussion on the unhealthy changes occurring in the oceans affecting the quantity and quality of food-fish, and the origins of microbial and chemical contaminations. This review examines the factors affecting availability of wild food-fish and increased contaminations. It aims to bridge the knowledge gaps between the spread of hazardous agents in the marine environment, and their effects on the food-fish. Meeting the future human food security and safety through marine fish and fish products may need marine cage farming, introduction of genetically modified high yielding food-fish, and cultured contaminant free finless fish muscles as options.

A review on plasma-activated water and its application in the meat industry

Meat is a nutritious food with a short shelf life, making it challenging to ensure safety, quality, and nutritional value. Foodborne pathogens and oxidation are the main concerns that lead to health risks and economic losses. Conventional approaches like hot water, steam pasteurization, and chemical washes for meat decontamination improve safety but cause nutritional and quality issues. Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a potential alternative to thermal treatment that can reduce oxidation and microbial growth, an essential factor in ensuring safety, quality, and nutritional value. This review explores the different types of PAW and their physiochemical properties. It also outlines the reaction pathways involved in the generation of short-lived and long-lived reactive nitrogen and oxygen species (RONS) in PAW, which contribute to its antimicrobial abilities. The review also highlights current studies on PAW inactivation against various planktonic bacteria, as well as critical processing parameters that can improve PAW inactivation efficacy. Promising applications of PAW for meat curing, thawing, and decontamination are discussed, with emphasis on the need to understand how RONS in PAW affect meat quality. Recent reports on combining PAW with ultrasound, mild heating, and non-thermal plasma to improve inactivation efficacy are also presented. Finally, the need to develop energy-efficient systems for the production and scalability of PAW is discussed for its use as a potential meat disinfectant without compromising meat quality.

Food yeasts: occurrence, functions, and stress tolerance in the brewing of fermented foods

With the rapid development of systems biology technology, there is a deeper understanding of the molecular biological mechanisms and physiological characteristics of microorganisms. Yeasts are widely used in the food industry with their excellent fermentation performances. While due to the complex environments of food production, yeasts have to suffer from various stress factors. Thus, elucidating the stress mechanisms of food yeasts and proposing potential strategies to improve tolerance have been widely concerned. This review summarized the recent signs of progress in the variety, functions, and stress tolerance of food yeasts. Firstly, the main food yeasts occurred in fermented foods, and the taxonomy levels are demonstrated. Then, the main functions of yeasts including aroma enhancer, safety performance enhancer, and fermentation period reducer are discussed. Finally, the stress response mechanisms of yeasts and the strategies to improve the stress tolerance of cells are reviewed. Based on sorting out these related recent researches systematically, we hope that this review can provide help and approaches to further exert the functions of food yeasts and improve food production efficiency.

Comparative resistome, mobilome, and microbial composition of retail chicken originated from conventional, organic, and antibiotic-free production systems

The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial composition, and the profiles of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs, resistome) and mobile genetic elements (mobilome) of retail chicken carcasses originated from conventional intensive production systems (CO), certified antimicrobial-free intensive production systems (AF), and certified organic production systems with restricted antimicrobial use (OR). DNA samples were collected from 72 chicken carcasses according to a cross-sectional study design. Shot-gun metagenomics was performed by means of Illumina high throughput DNA sequencing followed by downstream bioinformatic analyses. Gammaproteobacteria was the most abundant bacterial class in all groups. Although CO, AF, and OR did not differ in terms of alpha- and beta-microbial diversity, the abundance of some taxa differed significantly across the groups, including spoilage-associated organisms such as Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter. The co-resistome comprised 29 ARGs shared by CO, AF and OR, including genes conferring resistance to beta-lactams (blaACT-8, 10, 13, 29; blaOXA-212;blaOXA-275 and ompA), aminoglycosides (aph(3')-IIIa, VI, VIa and spd), tetracyclines (tet KL (W/N/W and M), lincosamides (inu A,C) and fosfomycin (fosA). ARGs were significantly less abundant (P < 0.05) in chicken carcasses from AF and OR compared with CO. Regarding mobile genetic elements (MGEs), transposases accounted for 97.2% of the mapped genes. A higher abundance (P = 0.037) of MGEs was found in CO compared to OR. There were no significant differences in ARGs or MGEs diversity among groups according to the Simpson´s index. In summary, retail frozen chicken carcasses from AF and OR systems show similar ARGs, MGEs and microbiota profiles compared with CO, even though the abundance of ARGs and MGEs was higher in chicken carcasses from CO, probably due to a higher selective pressure.

Exposure Assessment of Essential and Potentially Toxic Metals in Wheat-Based Sweets for Human Consumption: Multivariate Analysis and Risk Evaluation Studies

In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the negative impact of unforeseen contaminants such as metals in commonly consumed food items, which pose a threat to human well-being. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to evaluate the levels of these contaminants to guarantee the safe consumption of these food items. The goal of the current research is to determine the levels of essential (EMs: Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, and Zn) and potentially toxic metals (PTMs: Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb) in various brands of wheat-based sweets. One hundred samples were collected and analysed via flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Also, the current study was to investigate the distribution, correlation, and multivariate analysis of 13 metals (Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, Al, Cr, Ni, As, Cd, and Pb). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to interpret the metals' association. The concentration (mg/kg) ranges of EMs were, in order, Mg (12.70-65.67), Ca (24.02-209.12), Mn (1.32-9.61), Fe (4.55-111.23), Co (0.32-8.94), Cu (2.12-8.61), and Zn (2.60-19.36), while the concentration (mg/kg) ranges of PTMs were, in order, Al (0.32-0.87), Cr (0.17-5.74), Ni (0.36-1.54), Cd (0.16-0.56), and Pb (0.14-0.92), and As was not detected in any sample under investigation. The HCA data revealed that Co, Al, and Ni form clusters with other metals. Sweets are prepared at high temperatures, and the elevated temperatures can increase the likelihood of Ni and Al leaching from stainless steel. Tolerable dietary intake (TDI) values for Ni were higher than the values established by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The CR value found for the Ni and Cr was at the threshold level of cancer risk, if an amount of 25 g were to be used over a lifetime. In a nutshell, this study highlights the monitoring of EM and PTM levels in wheat-based sweets, and from a food safety perspective, the study is important for consumers of wheat-based sweets.

Selection of mutant Listeria phages under food-relevant conditions can enhance application potential

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect and kill bacteria. Currently, phage products are available for the control of the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes in food products in the United States. In this study, we explore whether experimental evolution can be used to generate phages with improved abilities to function under specific food-relevant conditions. Ultra-pasteurized oat and whole milk were chosen as test matrices as they represent different food groups, yet have similar physical traits and macronutrient composition. We showed that (i) wild-type phage LP-125 infection kinetics are different in the two matrices and (ii) LP-125 has a significantly higher burst size in oat milk. From this, we attempted to evolve LP-125 to have improved infection kinetics in whole milk. Ancestral LP-125 was passaged through 10 rounds of amplification in milk conditions. Plaque-purified DNA samples from milk-selected phages were isolated and sequenced, and mutations present in the isolated phages were identified. We found two nonsynonymous substitutions in LP125_108 and LP125_112 genes, which encode putative baseplate-associated glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase and baseplate protein, respectively. Protein structural modeling showed that the substituted amino acids in the mutant phages are predicted to localize to surface-exposed helices on the corresponding structures, which might affect the surface charge of proteins and their interaction with the bacterial cell. The phage containing the LP125_112 mutation adsorbed significantly faster than the ancestral phage in both oat and whole milk. Follow-up experiments suggest that fat content may be a key factor for the expression of the phenotype of this mutation. IMPORTANCE Bacteriophages are one of the tools available to control the foodborne pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes. Phage products must work under a broad range of food conditions to be an effective control for L. monocytogenes. Here, we show that the experimental evolution of phages can be used to generate new phages with phenotypes useful under specific conditions. We used this approach to select for a mutant phage that more efficiently binds to L. monocytogenes that is grown in whole milk and oat milk. We show that the fat content of these milks is necessary for the expression of this phenotype. Our findings show that experimental evolution can be used to select for improved phages with better performance under specific conditions. This approach has the potential to support the development of condition-specific phage-based biocontrols in the food industry.

Comparative secretomic and proteomic analysis reveal multiple defensive strategies developed by Vibrio cholerae against the heavy metal (Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) stresses

Vibrio cholerae is a common waterborne pathogen that can cause pandemic cholera in humans. The bacterium with heavy metal-tolerant phenotypes is frequently isolated from aquatic products, however, its tolerance mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated for the first time the response of such V. cholerae isolates (n = 3) toward the heavy metal (Cd2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) stresses by comparative secretomic and proteomic analyses. The results showed that sublethal concentrations of the Pb2+ (200 μg/mL), Cd2+ (12.5 μg/mL), and Zn2+ (50 μg/mL) stresses for 2 h significantly decreased the bacterial cell membrane fluidity, but increased cell surface hydrophobicity and inner membrane permeability, whereas the Ni2+ (50 μg/mL) stress increased cell membrane fluidity (p < 0.05). The comparative secretomic and proteomic analysis revealed differentially expressed extracellular and intracellular proteins involved in common metabolic pathways in the V. cholerae isolates to reduce cytotoxicity of the heavy metal stresses, such as biosorption, transportation and effluxing, extracellular sequestration, and intracellular antioxidative defense. Meanwhile, different defensive strategies were also found in the V. cholerae isolates to cope with different heavy metal damage. Remarkably, a number of putative virulence and resistance-associated proteins were produced and/or secreted by the V. cholerae isolates under the heavy metal stresses, suggesting an increased health risk in the aquatic products.

Bongkrekic Acid and Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans: Formidable Foe and Ascending Threat to Food Safety

Bongkrekic acid (BKA) poisoning, induced by the contamination of Burkholderia gladioli pathovar cocovenenans, has a long-standing history of causing severe outbreaks of foodborne illness. In recent years, it has emerged as a lethal food safety concern, presenting significant challenges to public health. This review article highlights the recent incidents of BKA poisoning and current research discoveries on the pathogenicity of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans and underlying biochemical mechanisms for BKA synthesis. Moreover, the characterization of B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans and the identification of the bon gene cluster provide a crucial foundation for developing targeted interventions to prevent BKA accumulation in food matrices. The prevalence of the bon gene cluster, which is the determining factor distinguishing B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans from non-pathogenic B. gladioli strains, has been identified in 15% of documented B. gladioli genomes worldwide. This finding suggests that BKA poisoning has the potential to evolve into a more prevalent threat. Although limited, previous research has proved that B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans is capable of producing BKA in diverse environments, emphasizing the possible food safety hazards associated with BKA poisoning. Also, advancements in detection methods of both BKA and B. gladioli pv. cocovenenans hold great promise for mitigating the impact of this foodborne disease. Future studies focusing on reducing the threat raised by this vicious foe is of paramount importance to public health.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Adsorption Efficacy of Biochar Materials on Aflatoxin B1, Ochratoxin A, and Zearalenone

Mycotoxin sequestration materials are important tools to reduce mycotoxin illness and enable proper handling of mycotoxin-contaminated commodities. Three food-grade bentonite clays and four generally recognized as safe (GRAS) charcoal/biochar carbon materials that are marketed as feed additives and supplements were evaluated for their ability to sequester the mycotoxins aflatoxin B1, ochratoxin A, and zearalenone. The surface area of the clays varied between 32.1 to 51.4 mg2/g, and the surface area of the carbon-based materials varied from 1.7 to 1735 mg2/g. In vitro, gastric fluid studies indicated that certain pine biochar and activated coconut charcoal could sequester high amounts (85+%) of the mycotoxins at 1 ppm levels or below. However, some biochar materials with lower surface area properties lacked binding capacity. The coconut shell charcoal and pine biochar utilize agricultural waste products in a manner that significantly reduces carbon emissions and provides valuable materials to minimize exposure to toxins found in food and feed.

The Rapid Detection of Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus via Polymerase Chain Reaction Combined with Magnetic Beads and Capillary Electrophoresis

Food safety concerns regarding foodborne pathogen contamination have gained global attention due to its significant implications. In this study, we developed a detection system utilizing a PCR array combined with an automated magnetic bead-based system and CE technology to enable the detection of three foodborne pathogens, namely Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that our developed method could detect these pathogens at concentrations as low as 7.3 × 101, 6.7 × 102, and 6.9 × 102 cfu/mL, respectively, in the broth samples. In chicken samples, the limit of detection for these pathogens was 3.1 × 104, 3.5 × 103, and 3.9 × 102 cfu/g, respectively. The detection of these pathogens was accomplished without the necessity for sample enrichment, and the entire protocols, from sample preparation to amplicon analysis, were completed in approximately 3.5 h. Regarding the impact of the extraction method on detection capability, our study observed that an automated DNA extraction system based on the magnetic bead method demonstrated a 10-fold improvement or, at the very least, yielded similar results compared to the column-based method. These findings demonstrated that our developed model is effective in detecting low levels of these pathogens in the samples analyzed in this study. The PCR-CE method developed in this study may help monitor food safety in the future. It may also be extended to identify other foodborne pathogens across a wide range of food samples.

Recent Study of Separation and Identification of Micro- and Nanoplastics for Aquatic Products

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are polymeric compounds widely used in industry and daily life. Although contamination of aquatic products with MNPs exists, most current research on MNPs focuses on environmental, ecological, and toxicological studies, with less on food safety. Currently, the extent to which aquatic products are affected depends primarily on the physical and chemical properties of the consumed MNPs and the content of MNPs. This review presents new findings on the occurrence of MNPs in aquatic products in light of their properties, carrier effects, chemical effects, seasonality, spatiality, and differences in their location within organisms. The latest studies have been summarized for separation and identification of MNPs for aquatic products as well as their physical and chemical properties in aquatic products using fish, bivalves, and crustaceans as models from a food safety perspective. Also, the shortcomings of safety studies are reviewed, and guidance is provided for future research directions. Finally, gaps in current knowledge on MNPs are also emphasized.

Mechanism and Association between Microbial Nitrogen Transformation in Rhizosphere and Accumulation of Ciprofloxacin in Choysum (Brassica parachinensis)

Rhizosphere microbiota are an important factor impacting plant uptake of pollutants. However, little is known about how microbial nitrogen (N) transformation in the rhizosphere affects the uptake and accumulation of antibiotics in plants. Here, we determined recruitment of N transformation functional bacteria upon ciprofloxacin (CIP) exposure, by comparing differences in assembly processes of both rhizospheric bacterial communities and N transformation between two choysum (Brassica parachinensis) varieties differing in CIP accumulation. The low accumulation variety (LAV) of CIP recruited more host bacteria (e.g., Nitrospiria and Nitrolancea) carrying nitrification genes (mainly nxrA) but fewer host bacteria carrying denitrification genes, especially narG, relative to the high accumulation variety (HAV) of CIP. The nxrA and narG abundance in the LAV rhizosphere were, respectively, 1.6-7.8 fold higher and 1.4-3.4 fold lower than those in the HAV rhizosphere. Considering that nitrate can decrease CIP uptake into choysum through competing for the proton motive force and energy, such specific bacteria recruitment in LAV favored the production and utilization of nitrate in its rhizosphere, thus limiting its CIP accumulation with 1.6-2.4 fold lower than the HAV. The findings give insight into the mechanism underlying low pollutant accumulation, filling the knowledge gap regarding the profound effects of rhizosphere microflora and N transformation processes on antibiotic accumulation in crops.

Consumer Willingness to Pay for Food Defense and Food Hygiene in Japan: Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

In Japan, incidents of falsified expiration dates on popular cookie brands and health hazards associated with frozen Chinese dumplings have raised food safety awareness. To prevent the intentional contamination of food by foreign substances, large food manufacturing companies have adopted the concept of food defense.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess people's willingness to pay for food protection measures. In addition, the impact of participants' personalities and considerations regarding their purchase choices on how much they were willing to pay when shopping for food and other products were measured.

METHODS

A questionnaire on willingness to pay for food hygiene and food defense was administered via a web survey and 1414 responses were included in the analysis. Univariate logistic regression analyses were performed with individuals willing and unwilling to pay additional costs as the objective variable and other questionnaire items as explanatory variables. A principal component analysis was performed on 12 questions regarding how much additional money people were willing to pay, and the principal component scores and other questions were examined for implications and other information.

RESULTS

Approximately one-third of the respondents stated that they were unwilling to pay additional costs and reported a willingness to consume delivery food even if it contained items that were not part of the original order. The first principal component reflected the extent to which people were willing to pay additional money, and if so, how much. This tendency existed even if the individual foods and amounts varied. The third principal component reflected the amount of extra money that people were willing to pay, which was determined by the amount people had to pay toward food safety measures. Those who answered "zero" were more likely to believe that consumers should not have to pay to ensure food safety. The second principal component reflected an axis separating food defense and food hygiene. Some items not directly related to food were correlated with this axis.

CONCLUSIONS

In Japan, the concept of food hygiene is well-established and is generally taken for granted. In contrast, the concept of food defense is relatively new and has not yet fully penetrated the Japanese market. Our research shows that people who think that clothing brands provided added value to clothing products may have similar feelings about food defense. In addition, food hygiene efforts to prevent outbreaks of food poisoning are common in Japan and have been established as the basis of food safety. While food defense efforts are spreading, mainly in companies, it is presumed that they are valuable for the general public as supplementary measures to routine (or basic) food hygiene.

Incidence of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Commercial Eggs and Their Impact on Consumer's Safety

Eggs play an important role in a balanced diet; however, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognizes eggs as a major source of poly and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). In this study, the presence of PFASs was analysed in eggs produced by hens from Northern Italian regions, a PFASs-contaminated area. Sixty-five samples were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry. The greatest presence of PFASs was found in eggs from Veneto and Emilia Romagna, and the most detected PFASs were perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) (mean concentrations 0.30 ± 0.15 and 0.05 ± 0.00 ng g-1). Considering the most recent updates for the sum of the main four PFASs, the highest concentration found in the analysed samples was 0.05 ng g-1, well below the maximum limit set by the European Union. The PFAS intake evaluation confirmed that egg consumption does not represent a risk for Italian consumers.

Advances in the applications of Bacteriophages and phage products against food-contaminating bacteria

Food-contaminating bacteria pose a threat to food safety and the economy by causing foodborne illnesses and spoilage. Bacteriophages, a group of viruses that infect only bacteria, have the potential to control bacteria throughout the "farm-to-fork continuum". Phage application offers several advantages, including targeted action against specific bacterial strains and minimal impact on the natural microflora of food. This review covers multiple aspects of bacteriophages applications in the food industry, including their use as biocontrol and biopreservation agents to fight over 20 different genera of food-contaminating bacteria, reduce cross-contamination and the risk of foodborne diseases, and also to prolong shelf life and preserve freshness. The review also highlights the benefits of using bacteriophages in bioprocesses to selectively inhibit undesirable bacteria, such as substrate competitors and toxin producers, which is particularly valuable in complex microbial bioprocesses where physical or chemical methods become inadequate. Furthermore, the review briefly discusses other uses of bacteriophages in the food industry, such as sanitizing food processing environments and detecting specific bacteria in food products. The review also explores strategies to enhance the effectiveness of phages, such as employing multi-phage cocktails, encapsulated phages, phage products, and synergistic hurdle approaches by combining them with antimicrobials.

Effects of Synbiotic Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, Bifidobacterium breve, and Prebiotics on the Growth Stimulation of Beneficial Gut Microbiota

The gut microbiota is a complex community of microorganisms that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, and is comprised of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The probiotic efficacy and safety of Lacticaseibacillus paracasei and Bifidobacterium breve for consumption were confirmed by in vitro experiments. The survival rate of the probiotics showed a significant decline in in vitro gut tract simulation; however, the survival rate was more than 50%. Also, the probiotics could adhere to Caco-2 cell lines by more than 90%, inhibit the pathogenic growths, deconjugate glycocholic acid and taurodeoxycholic acid through activity of bile salt hydrolase (BSH) proteins, and lower cholesterol levels by over 46%. Regarding safety assessment, L. paracasei and B. breve showed susceptibility to some antibiotics but resistance to vancomycin and were examined as γ-hemolytic strains. Anti-inflammatory properties of B. breve with Caco-2 epithelial cell lines showed the significantly highest value (p < 0.05) for interleukin-10. Furthermore, probiotics and prebiotics (inulin, fructooligosaccharides, and galactooligosaccharides) comprise synbiotics, which have potential effects on the increased abundance of beneficial microbiota, but do not affect the growth of harmful bacteria in feces samples. Moreover, the highest concentration of short chain fatty acid was of acetic acid, followed by propionic and butyric acid.

What motivates food workers to adhere with WHO guidelines to combat the COVID-19? A social cognitive theory perspective

Background

COVID-19 has become a public health emergency and pandemic of global concern, and the hundreds of millions of foodborne illnesses that occur each year also wreak havoc on human lives, society and the economy. Promoting workers in food service establishments to adhere to the hygiene practices in the WHO guidelines is a two-birds-one-stone strategy in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and limiting the occurrence of foodborne illness. The aim of this study was to determine the drivers that motivate workers to adhere to hygiene practices based on social cognitive theory.

Methods

The cross-sectional survey targeting food workers using face-to-face interviews was conducted from July to September 2022. Stratified random sampling and convenience sampling were employed to locate survey sites and respondents, respectively. The survey uses a credible questionnaire evaluated by multiple reliability and validity measures. Binary logistic regression was employed to identify significant determinants of adherence to WHO-initiated hygiene practices.

Results

A total of 900 workers were interviewed and 609 valid questionnaires were received. The study showed that the average correct rate of knowledge about hygiene practices was only 51.09%, that perceived non-adherence to hygiene practices was most likely to result in lower customer satisfaction and the spread of COVID-19, and that only about 11.7% of the workers always adhered to hygiene practices. Three of the cognitive dimensions in the personal factors, self-efficacy, risk perception, and knowledge, had significant positive effects on adherence practices. Among the demographic variables, there were significant differences in adherence practices differing by income level and place of residence.

Conclusion

It was found that workers' knowledge of the WHO-initiated hygiene practices is insufficient and that the frequency of adherence to hygiene practices is poor and require improvement. The significant drivers and effects of demographic variables provide evidence-based guidance to identify priority intervention information and populations to improve worker hygiene practices.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Bacteria from Meat and Meat Products: A One Health Perspective

According to the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations, one of the sustainable development goals is to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. The need to ensure food safety includes, other than microbiological hazards, concerns with antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria. The emergence of resistant bacteria in the food industry is essentially due to the abusive, and sometimes incorrect, administration of antimicrobials. Although not allowed in Europe, antimicrobials are often administered to promote animal growth. Each time antimicrobials are used, a selective pressure is applied to AMR bacteria. Moreover, AMR genes can be transmitted to humans through the consumption of meat-harbouring-resistant bacteria, which highlights the One Health dimension of antimicrobial resistance. Furthermore, the appropriate use of antimicrobials to ensure efficacy and the best possible outcome for the treatment of infections is regulated through the recommendations of antimicrobial stewardship. The present manuscript aims to give the current state of the art about the transmission of AMR bacteria, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp., along with other ESKAPE bacteria, from animals to humans through the consumption of meat and meat products, with emphasis on pork meat and pork meat products, which are considered the most consumed worldwide.

Food hygiene and food safety practices of households in a township north of Tshwane, Gauteng

Background

Foodborne illness is still a major public health concern worldwide. Most cases of foodborne illness can be traced to the home. The food safety practices of food handlers in the household are an important determining factor in food safety at the household level.

Aim

To assess the food safety practices of food handlers in households in Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane.

Setting

The study was conducted in zones 1-9 and zone 16, as well as extension 25 of Ga-Rankuwa, Tshwane.

Methods

A quantitative descriptive study design was used for which a structured questionnaire was administered among 339 food handlers. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was performed in STATA 13.1.

Results

The majority of food handlers reported always washing their hands before (81%) and after handling raw meat, chicken or fish; the majority of food handlers (69%) reported always washing preparation surfaces and utensils with clean, soapy water after handling raw meat, chicken or fish. Less than half (45%) of food handlers reported never thawing frozen meat, chicken or fish in a bowl of cold water.

Conclusion

The food handlers reported appropriate food safety practices regarding hand washing and food preparation surfaces and utensils. However, their practices regarding the storage of meat, chicken and fish were inappropriate.

Contribution

This study builds on the existing body of literature on the food safety practices of food handlers. Moreover, the study findings can serve as a basis for the development of interventions to ensure food safety at a household level.

Efficacy of Liquid Smoke to Mitigate Infestations of the Storage Mite, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, in a Model Semi-Moist Pet Food

The storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae infests a wide range of food products including pet food. Control of this mite depends on chemical methods such as fumigation and spraying with insecticides. Methyl bromide was used as a fumigant for high-value stored products, especially to control mite infestation in dry-cured hams and cheeses, but it is now banned for most uses in many countries because of its atmospheric ozone-depleting effects. Effective alternatives to methyl bromide are needed to develop integrated pest management programs for this pest. Liquid smoke is a naturally derived flavoring and preservative with known antimicrobial properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of liquid smoke preparations, with varying phenol and carbonyl concentrations and pH, on the survivability and orientation behavior of T. putrescentiae in a model semi-moist pet food. The mite survivability assays using liquid smoke-treated and untreated semi-moist pet food samples indicated that there was no difference among treatments (p > 0.05) for mite infestation and survival. Two-choice behavioral assays using semi-moist pet food cubes dipped in varying concentrations (0%, 0.3%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, or 100% v/v) of liquid smoke preparations found that some of the liquid smoke preparations containing medium to high carbonyl content repelled the mites. In conclusion, liquid smoke did not kill or inhibit the mite population growth in semi-moist pet food. However, some liquid smoke fractions containing medium to high carbonyl content were repellent to mites and may retard mite infestation in stored semi-moist foods.