Category Archives: Microbiology

Research – Scale‐up model of forced air‐integrated gaseous chlorine dioxide for the decontamination of lowbush blueberries

Wiley Online 

Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) is a promising sanitizer for frozen products because of its efficacy under nonthermal and waterless conditions. A major knowledge gap exists between laboratory trials and effectiveness at the industrial scale. To address this, a pilot study implementing a pallet‐sized fumigation container (60 harvest totes) was designed for gaseous ClO2. Fifty kilograms of blueberries were exposed to initial dose of 57.46 mg/L, representing a treatment of 2.35 mg/g of blueberries. Blueberries remained enclosed for 10 hr. Reduction of all viable cells, coliforms, yeasts, and molds were measured by plating treated samples on Tryptic Soy Agar, Violet Red Bile Agar, and Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar and compared to untreated controls. The results demonstrate that a significant reduction of 1.5 log CFU/g can be achieved against coliforms after ClO2 exposure. Our findings demonstrate a cost‐effective procedure that could be adapted to commercial processing.

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed – Aflatoxins – Groundnuts – Peanuts – Crushed Peanut Kernels

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RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 46 µg/kg – ppb) in groundnuts for birdfeed from Argentina in the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 81 µg/kg – ppb) in peanuts from India than the Netherlands

RASFF – aflatoxins (B1 = 34.3 µg/kg – ppb) in crushed peanut kernels from Argentina in Germany

RASFF Alerts – Animal Feed -Salmonella – Toasted Soymeal for Pigs

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RASFF – Salmonella enterica ser. Mbandaka (presence /25g) in toasted soymeal used in several types of compound feeds for pigs from Belgium in Belgium

Research – Scotland – WHOLE GENOME SEQUENCE TYPING AND ANALYSIS OF NON-O157 STEC

Click to access WGS_Typing_and_Analysis_of_Non-O157_STEC_-_Jan_2020_v3.pdf

Research – Study shows how diligent we have to be to keep surfaces germ-free

Science Daily

During the COVID-19 pandemic, every frequently touched surface outside our home seems as dangerous as a hot pot right out of the oven. We won’t get burned if we touch it, but we might get infected with a potentially dangerous virus.

A recent study suggests that even organized efforts to clean surfaces can fall short, a reminder for us all that keeping our surroundings clean may require some additional work.

For 5 ½ weeks, researchers tagged surfaces of a small-animal veterinary practice daily with a fluorescent dye visible only under black light. They checked tagged surfaces 24 hours later to see if the marks were showing. Surfaces were considered cleaned if the dye was completely removed.

Results showed that overall, only half of all surfaces were adequately cleaned during the study period. Human-touch surfaces — such as medical instruments, dog run handles, and computer mice and keyboards — were cleaned less frequently than areas touched primarily by animals. The results were similar to studies from other veterinary clinics.

Research – Modeling the inactivation of Bacillus cereus by infrared radiation in paprika powder (Capsicum annuum)

Wiley Online 

Infrared (IR) irradiation, a novel technology for modeling of decontamination of Bacillus cereus in paprika powder was evaluated and the effect on temperature profiles and total phenolic content was determined. The highest reduction in B. cereus count (2.3 log CFU/g) was achieved after a holding time of 1 min at 200 W IR power and 5 cm distance. The rapid rise in temperature was observed in surface paprika powder and the highest temperature at 200 W IR power and 5 cm distance reaching to 127.8°C. An increase in IR power and a decrease in sample distance of the IR lamp caused a significant decrease in the total phenolic content. The Double Weibull model closely predicted the inactivation of B. cereus in paprika powder by IR irradiation.

Research – Don’t freak out: These are the microbes living on your tongue

Science Mag

STEVEN WILBERT AND GARY BORISY/FORSYTH INSTITUTE

Microbes are everywhere in our guts—and in our mouths. Now, a new study reveals our tongue-dwelling companions aren’t all mixed together randomly; instead, they seem to prefer living close to their own kind, separating out into distinct groups based on their species.

Researchers started by scraping the tongues of 21 healthy human volunteers. Then, they used fluorescent tags to identify specific groups of bacteria, some of which produce nutrients for us, so they could see exactly where each one lived on the tongue’s surface. Without exception, the bacteria formed tight-knit, well-defined clusters of the same species, the researchers report today in Cell Reports.

The clusters (above) resemble a microbial rainbow under the microscope. For instance, Actinomyces bacteria, in red, grow close to the epithelial tissue of the tongue, shown in gray, while Rothia bacteria, in cyan, form long patches between other communities. Streptococcus, in green, form a thin crust on the edge of the tongue and slender veins in the interior. By looking at the images, the researchers could guess at how these colonies establish themselves and grow over time.

USA – New Oyster Rules Aim to Reduce Vibrio Cases

Coastal Review

Division of Marine Fisheries Director Steve Murphey implemented the new oyster harvest control measures through Proclamation SS-1-2020  and Proclamation SS-2-2020, both issued Monday.

The Division of Marine Fisheries announced that while the state’s public health record concerning shellfish-related illnesses is one of the best in the country, the number of Vibrio cases nationwide had increased in recent years. Vibrio are naturally occurring bacteria in coastal waters that can cause illness in humans if precautions are not taken during the warmer months of the year.

The new regulations also will bring the state into conformity with guidance from the National Shellfish Sanitation Program, which is the federal, state and industry cooperative program recognized by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and the Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference for the sanitary control of shellfish produced and sold for human consumption.

The changes include the following new requirements to:

  • Shade oysters harvested between May 1 and Oct. 14. This involves providing shade over harvested oysters or covering the oysters with a light-colored tarp or other nontoxic material while they are stored on the vessel, floating container when the oysters are not submerged, or a vehicle (this is already required for the harvest of clams in the summer).
  • Resubmerge oysters exposed to the air for greater than five hours between May 1 and Oct. 14 (this might occur during air-drying or de-fouling with gear such as OysterGro). The oysters must remain submerged for at least 14-days to abate Vibrio levels that may have been elevated.
  • Clarify that when working in intertidal waters the term “start of harvest” begins when the oyster is first exposed by the receding tide.
  • Clarify the tagging procedures when oysters leave the lease for tumbling or culling.
  • Resubmerge oysters moved from one growing area to another for at least 21 days prior to harvest (Certified shellfish dealers with a wet storage permit are exempt). This may prevent the closure of multiple growing areas in the event of an illness outbreak.

Previously implemented regulations pertaining to recording the start of harvest on the harvest tag and delivering the oysters to a licensed dealer within a specified time remain in effect.

For more information, contact Shannon Jenkins, chief of the division’s Shellfish Sanitatio

USA -IcelandicPlus LLC Voluntarily Recalls Whole Capelin Fish Pet Treats Because Product Exceeds FDA Size Restrictions – Botulism

FDA Label Front:  ICELANDIC+ CAPELINE WHOLE FISH FOR CATS, 1.5 oz. Bag

Out of an abundance of caution IcelandicPlus LLC of Ft. Washington, PA, is recalling its Capelin Pet Treats because some of the fish have exceeded the FDA compliance guideline for fish larger than 5 inches. The FDA has determined that salt-cured, dried, or fermented un-eviscerated fish larger than 5 inches have been linked to outbreaks of botulism poisoning in humans between 1981 and 1987 and again in 1991. Since some IcelandicPlus Capelins are larger than 5 inches there is a possible health risk. To date there have been no reported illnesses of dogs, cats, or persons in connection with Capelin. Nor has there been any positive test results for Clostridium botulinum from any IcelandicPlus Capelin, but because of the potential risk, and despite no known illnesses in connection with our products, we have decided in co-operation with the FDA, to announce this product recall.

Clostridium botulinum toxin can cause severe clinical signs including death in both animals consuming the pet treat and people handling the pet treat or coming in contact with contact areas that have been exposed to the product. Common symptoms may include dizziness, blurred or double vision, trouble with speaking or swallowing, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, abdominal distension, and constipation. Consider that several of the listed symptoms, such as double vision, cannot be easily assessed in animals or conveyed by an animal. Pets or persons experiencing these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.

The Capelin product was shipped to distributors in the United States with the intent to be sold to Retailers who in turn sell to Consumers. This product would be found in Independent Pet Specialty Stores within all States in the United States.

The product comes in a clear plastic package or tube, and marked Icelandic+ Capelin WHOLE FISH, PURE FISH TREATS FOR DOGS, or PURE FISH TREATS FOR CATS UPC CODES, 8 5485400775 9; 8 5485400711 7; and 8 5485400757 5 are packaged in a 2.5 ounce tube or a 1.5 or 2.5 ounce bag (lot numbers 02/2020 to 02/2022)

IcelandicPlus is family owned and run by pet parents who take the safety and wellbeing of its consumers and clients with the utmost importance, as such we are conducting this voluntarily recall to further protect our customers. Additionally, we are changing our Capelin supplier to ensure that the fish in our product are consistently less than 5 inches, or if larger, they will be completely eviscerated.

Distributors, Retailers and Consumers who have purchased IcelandicPlus’s Capelin can return it to the location where it was purchased for a refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1857-246-9559. Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm EST.

 

Research – Bacteria form biofilms like settlers form cities

Science Daily biofilm

Biofilms are composed of bacteria living in a densely packed and organized community. Research paired high-level imaging tools with an algorithm to track a biofilm as it formed. Biofilm growth at multiple scales, they found, mimics aspects of how cities emerge from individual settlers.

The findings show that, as individual bacteria multiply and grow into a dense and sticky biofilm, such as the community that forms dental plaque, their growth patterns and dynamics mirror those seen in the growth of cities.

“We take this ‘satellite-level’ view, following hundreds of bacteria distributed on a surface from their initial colonization to biofilm formation,” says Hyun (Michel) Koo, a professor in Penn’s School of Dental Medicine and senior author on the work. “And what we see is that, remarkably, the spatial and structural features of their growth are analogous to what we see in urbanization.”

This new perspective on how biofilms grow could help inform efforts to either promote the growth of beneficial microbes or break up and kill undesirable biofilms with therapeutics.