Evaluation of deodorized yellow mustard concentrations for control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 viability in dry fermented sausage

Aflatoxins and A. flavus Reduction in Loaf Bread through the Use of Natural Ingredients

In this study, the antifungal activity of yellow mustard (YMF) and oriental mustard (OMF) meal extracts against 14 strains of fungi was tested on a solid medium. The results obtained with the YMF were next confirmed in liquid medium determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicide concentration (MFC). Finally, the use of YMF as a natural preservative to extend the useful life of bread was evaluated. Breads with different concentrations of YMF (2, 4, 6 and 8 g/kg) were prepared and contaminated with Aspergillus flavus ISPA 8111 and Penicillium nordicum CECT 2320. For 10 days the formation of mycelium was observed, and after that the fungal growth and the mycotoxins production was determined. The results obtained with the YMF were compared with breads treated with the commercial additive sodium propionate (E-281). The results showed a significant reduction of the fungal population using 6 g/kg and 8 g/kg of YMF in bread contaminated with A. flavus and with P. nordicum and an extensions of the breads shelf life of 7 and 5 days, respectively, in comparison with the control experiment. A reduction of 78% of AFB₁ was observed using 6 g/kg of YMF while no AFB₁ production was detected employing 8 g/kg of YMF in bread preparation.

Health and Safety Considerations of Fermented Sausages

Fermented sausages are highly treasured traditional foods. A large number of distinct sausages with different properties are produced using widely different recipes and manufacturing processes. Over the last years, eating fermented sausages has been associated with potential health hazards due to their high contents of saturated fats, high NaCl content, presence of nitrite and its degradation products such as nitrosamines, and use of smoking which can lead to formation of toxic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Here we review the recent literature regarding possible health effects of the ingredients used in fermented sausages. We also go through attempts to improve the sausages by lowering the content of saturated fats by replacing them with unsaturated fats, reducing the NaCl concentration by partly replacing it with KCl, and the use of selected starter cultures with desirable properties. In addition, we review the food pathogenic microorganisms relevant for fermented sausages(Escherichia coli,Salmonella enterica,Staphylococcus aureus,Listeria monocytogenes,Clostridium botulinum, andToxoplasma gondii)and processing and postprocessing strategies to inhibit their growth and reduce their presence in the products.

Influence of the antimicrobial compound allyl isothiocyanate against the Aspergillus parasiticus growth and its aflatoxins production in pizza crust

Aflatoxins (AFs) are secondary metabolites produced by different species of Aspergillus, such as Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which possess mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic activities in humans. In this study, active packaging devices containing allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) or oriental mustard flour (OMF) + water were tested to inhibit the growth of A. parasiticus and AFs production in fresh pizza crust after 30 d. The antimicrobial and anti-aflatoxin activities were compared to a control group (no antimicrobial treatment) and to a group added with commercial preservatives (sorbic acid + sodium propionate). A. parasiticus growth was only inhibited after 30 d by AITC in filter paper at 5 μL/L and 10 μL/L, AITC sachet at 5 μL/L and 10 μL/L and OMF sachet at 850 mg + 850 μL of water. However, AFs production was inhibited by all antimicrobial treatments in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, AITC in a filter paper at 10 μL/L, AITC sachet at 10 μL/L, OMF sachet at 850 mg + 850 μL of water and sorbic acid + sodium propionate at 0.5-2.0 g/Kg completely inhibited AFs formation. The use of AITC in active packaging devices could be a natural alternative to avoid the growth of mycotoxinogenic fungi in refrigerated bakery products in substitution of common commercial preservatives.

Role of glycoside hydrolase genes in sinigrin degradation by E. coli O157:H7

This work examined Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain 02-0304 for putative genes responsible for sinigrin hydrolysis. Sinigrin is a glucosinolate present in Oriental mustard (Brassica juncea), and its hydrolysis is mediated in plants by the enzyme myrosinase. Sinigrin hydrolysis by plant or bacterial myrosinase yields allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) which is bactericidal. In silico analysis using public databases found sequence similarity between plant myrosinase and enzymes encoded by genes from β-glucosidase families in E. coli O157:H7. Specifically, 6-phospho-β-glucosidase encoded by the genes bglA and ascB (family 1), and chbF (family 4) present in E. coli O157:H7 showed the highest similarity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed the presence of bglA, ascB, and chbF in the clinical E. coli strain tested. Disruption of these genes in wild-type E. coli O157:H7 strain 02-0304 using lambda-red replacement created single and double mutants. The relative importance of each gene in the hydrolysis of sinigrin by E. coli O157:H7 was also assessed by comparing gene expression and sinigrin degradation rates among the E. coli O157:H7 wild-type strain and its mutants. The results suggested that the genes bglA and ascB play a substantial role in the degradation of sinigrin by E. coli O157:H7 strain 02-0304.

Contribution of endogenous plant myrosinase to the antimicrobial activity of deodorized mustard against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fermented dry sausage

This work investigated the antimicrobial activity of residual endogenous plant myrosinase in Oriental and yellow mustard powders and a deoiled meal (which contained more glucosinolate than unextracted mustard powder of each type of mustard), against Escherichia coli O15:H7 during dry-fermented sausage ripening. When small amounts of "hot" mustard powder or meal containing endogenous plant myrosinase were added to fully-deodorized powders and a meal of the same type, pathogen reduction rates were enhanced. The higher glucosinolate level in the deoiled mustard meal enabled the use of 50% less mustard in dry sausage to achieve the mandatory ≥5logCFU/g reduction of E. coli O157:H7. The myrosinase-like activity present in E. coli O157:H7 contributed to glucosinolate hydrolysis in sausages with fully-deodorized, deoiled mustard meal, although the period necessary for a 5log pathogen reduction was 14d longer. Yellow mustard derivatives were more potently antimicrobial than Oriental mustard.