Category Archives: Technology

Research – A Quantitative Risk Assessment Model for Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Smoked and Gravad Fish

Posted on December 8, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

This study introduces a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) model aimed at evaluating the risk of invasive listeriosis linked to the consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) smoked and gravad fish. The QRA model, based on published data, simulates the production process from fish harvest through to consumer intake, specifically focusing on smoked brine-injected, smoked dry-salted, and gravad fish. In a reference scenario, model predictions reveal substantial probabilities of lot and pack contamination at the end of processing (38.7% and 8.14% for smoked brined fish, 34.4% and 6.49% for smoked dry-salted fish, and 52.2% and 11.1% for gravad fish), although the concentrations of L. monocytogenes are very low, with virtually no packs exceeding 10 CFU/g at the point of sale. The risk of listeriosis for an elderly consumer per serving is also quantified. The lot-level mean risk of listeriosis per serving in the elderly population was 9.751 × 10−8 for smoked brined fish, 9.634 × 10−8 for smoked dry-salted fish, and 2.086 × 10−7 for gravad fish. Risk reduction strategies were then analyzed, indicating that the application of protective cultures and maintaining lower cold storage temperatures significantly mitigate listeriosis risk compared to reducing incoming fish lot contamination. The model also addresses the effectiveness of control measures during processing, such as minimizing cross-contamination. The comprehensive QRA model has been made available as a fully documented qraLm R package. This facilitates its adaptation for risk assessment of other RTE seafood, making it a valuable tool for public health officials to evaluate and manage food safety risks more effectively.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria Smoked Fish, Research, Technology

Research – From Germination to Stagnation: Sodium Diacetate’s Impact on Clostridium perfringens Spores

Posted on December 7, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

ABSTRACT

Sodium diacetate is recognized for its high efficiency as a preservative, demonstrating strong antibacterial properties that help extend the shelf life of food products. However, it is still unclear how it influences spores. This research investigated the influence of sodium diacetate on the germination and outgrowth stage in the revival process of Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) spores. The germination and outgrowth rate of spores after sodium diacetate treatment were measured. The changes of spore inner membrane were monitored by laser confocal microscope, electron scanning microscope and macromolecular leakage. The interaction between sodium diacetate and DNA was investigated by EB fluorescence probe, and the finding was verified by the outgrowth of spores in ham sausage. An investigation into the effects of sodium diacetate treatment on the biological activity, inner membrane permeability, morphology, and DNA integrity of spores devoid of both the coat and cortex revealed that sodium diacetate significantly hindered the transition of germinated spores into vegetative cells. In the presence of sodium diacetate, C. perfringens spores underwent germination, characterized by the hydrolysis of the spore cortex and the disassembly of the spore coat. As the spores advanced into the outgrowth phase, sodium diacetate penetrated their structure, causing damage to the inner membrane and compromising DNA integrity. Moreover, sodium diacetate was demonstrated to effectively inhibit spore outgrowth in ham sausage. This study provided theoretical guidance and references for the application of sodium diacetate in food to control the germination and outgrowth of spore-forming bacteria.

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Posted in Bacterial Spores, Clostridium, Clostridium perfringens, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Research, Spores, Technology

Research – Simple lab-free test to detect bacteria in fluids from water to urine

Posted on December 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Science Daily

A novel new test for bacteria in fluids makes it as easy as observing a colour change to confirm the presence of disease-causing pathogens, promising much easier diagnostic tests and greater food safety.

Engineers and biochemists at McMaster university have brought their skills together to make it possible for untrained users to confirm contamination in fluids using a biogel test that changes colour in the presence of such bacteria as E. coli, listeria and other frequent testing targets.

The test uses harmless bacteriophages embedded in the gel to locate target bacteria in a sample of fluid such as lake water, urine or a container of milk, even in low concentrations.

Bacteriophages are the most common form of life on Earth. Each form of bacteriophage is specialized to destroy one form of bacteria.

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Posted in Bacteriophage, Bio-Preservative, E.coli, Food Technology, Research, Technology

Research – Isolation and Detection of the Emerging Pathogen Escherichia albertii in Clinical Stool Samples and the Potential Transmission by Meat Samples in Retail

Posted on November 30, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

The significance of Escherichia albertii as a foodborne pathogen is increasingly acknowledged, but the assessment of its occurrence and transmission remains challenging due to the lack of validation of selective isolation, detection, and identification methods. The aim of the present study was to examine its presence on various meat samples at the retail level in order to assess a potential foodborne transmission and its occurrence in clinical stool samples. First, the evaluation and selection of a selective enrichment broth and isolation medium, combined with an optimized identification by MALDI-TOF MS, as well as a suitable DNA extraction method and a PCR-based detection strategy were developed. After the evaluation of existing isolation strategies and the formulation of an adapted enrichment and isolation medium, 100% isolation specificity was not achieved. An identity confirmation of suspected colonies remains necessary. A total of 292 samples, including 45 beef fillet, 51 minced beef, 50 pork fillet, 30 minced pork, 30 chicken carcass, 51 chicken fillet, and 35 minced chicken samples were examined. Samples were all collected at the retail level, including supermarkets and local butcheries. Escherichia albertii was isolated from two chicken fillets (3.9%) and additionally detected in one minced chicken (4.5%) and two other chicken fillet (4.5%) samples by a PCR assay. All beef and pork samples tested negative for its presence, but transmission through these meat types cannot be excluded, as it potentially correlates with the level of fecal contamination that was significantly higher on poultry products. With other hygienic conditions and processing steps applied, the presence of E. albertii on food can therefore differ in other parts of the world. Escherichia albertii was present in 0.4% of the 2419 clinical stool samples examined. The future development of a chromogenic isolation medium, as well as further extensive epidemiologic approaches and a genomic comparison of human, food, and animal isolates, could enhance the assessment of the emerging pathogen status and its potential as a foodborne hazard.

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Posted in E.albertii, Escherichia albertii, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Research, Technology

Research – Cold Plasma and Pulsed Light Inactivates Escherichia coli O157: H7 in Romaine Lettuce and Preserves Produce Quality

Posted on November 17, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

ABSTRACT

Fresh produce safety is important for consumer health. Intervention technologies that can lessen the pathogen threat and produce contamination is needed. In this research, cold plasma (CP), pulsed light (PL) and their combinations were assessed for inactivating Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Romaine lettuce. The effects of treatment on native microflora and sensory attributes of lettuce was also determined. An inoculum of multiple E. coli O157:H7 strains was employed for this study. Lettuce leaves were spot inoculated and then treated with PL (1–60 s), CP (15–60 s) or their optimized treatment combinations. A 30 s treatment with PL (fluence dose of 31.5 J/cm2), was optimum which provided 2.7 log CFU/g reduction of the pathogen, while 45 s treatment of CP was optimum, that delivered 2.1 log CFU/g log reduction. Combinations of PL and CP treatments were investigated for enhanced inactivation. For PL-CP combination, inoculated lettuce was treated with PL for 30 s followed by 45 s of CP exposure. While for CP-PL combination, treatments sequences were 45 s of CP treatment followed by 30 s PL treatment. Both combination treatments, PL-CP and CP-PL, resulted in synergistic inactivation of E. coli cells with > 5 log reductions of the pathogen. These combination treatments significantly (p < 0.05) reduced native microbiota and slowed their growth during storage. Additionally, treatment effects on lettuce quality was not adversely impacted. PL and CP are both non-aqueous, sustainable technologies. This study demonstrated that integration of PL and CP technology can enhance microbial safety and preserve quality of Romaine lettuce.

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Posted in Cold Atmospheric Plasma, Cold Plasma, E.coli O157, E.coli O157:H7, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Research, Technology

Research – Popular air fryers could be a food safety risk if you don’t ‘Look before you cook’ Australian Food Safety Week 9-16 November 2024

Posted on November 13, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety Information Council

This Australian Food Safety Week 9 to 16 November, the Food Safety Information Council is advising consumers that air fryers could be a food safety risk if they don’t follow cooking instructions.

Lydia Buchtmann, the Council’s CEO, said that air fryers are becoming very popular with our recent research shows 2 in 3 Australians surveyed have an air fryer in their household, with 54% of those using it weekly and 38% several times a week.

‘Air fryers are convenient and easy to use, but there have been individual foodborne disease cases around the country linked to air fryers, especially when cooking crumbed products that may look cooked on the outside but aren’t fully cooked on the inside.

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Posted in Food Microbiology Research, Food Safety, Food Safety Alert, Food Safety Management, Food Safety Regulations, food safety training, Food Technology, Research, Technology

Research – EPA Approves First Antimicrobial Treatment of Foodborne Pathogens in Preharvest Agricultural Water

Posted on November 9, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Food Safety.com

The first-ever registration of an antimicrobial treatment for foodborne pathogens in preharvest agricultural water has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), setting a new precedent for preharvest agricultural water treatments specifically intended to reduce the presence of pathogens that affect food safety.

The successful registration of SANIDATE 12.0 is the result of a collaborative effort between EPA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to develop and refine an efficacy protocol to support such registrations. Using the revised efficacy protocol, the University of Arizona and industry members worked together to register SANIDATE 12.0 for use against foodborne pathogens like Escherichia coli and Salmonella in preharvest agricultural water, and to provide feedback on the protocol that informed updates regarding testing parameters and to clarify the protocol for future users.

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Posted in Decontamination Microbial, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Microbiology Research, Food Microbiology Testing, Food Technology, Microbiological Risk Assessment, Microbiology, Microbiology Investigations, Microbiology Risk, Research, Technology

Research – Antibacterial Activity of Phloretin Against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Its Application in Seafood

Posted on November 7, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Although phloretin is widely utilized in the food industry as an additive, its effects on foodborne pathogens remain insufficiently investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of phloretin (PHL) against Vibrio parahaemolyticus (V. parahaemolyticus) and to elucidate the potential mechanisms of action. After PHL treatment, alterations in the cell morphology, cell microstructure, and intracellular contents of V. parahaemolyticus were assessed. Scanning electron microscopy revealed substantial damage to cell integrity, subsequent to PHL treatment. A notable reduction in intracellular components, including proteins, ATP, and DNA, was observed in samples treated with PHL. PHL was shown to inhibit the activities of ATPase, β-galactosidase, and respiratory chain dehydrogenase in V. parahaemolyticus. Furthermore, it was demonstrated to elevate the intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species and promote cell death. After being applied to sea bass, shrimp, and oysters, PHL effectively inactivated V. parahaemolyticus in these seafoods. These findings demonstrate that PHL has potential for application in seafood to control V. parahaemolyticus.

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Posted in Bio-Preservative, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, phloretin, Research, Technology, Vibrio, Vibrio cholera, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio vulnificans

Research – Effects of Combined Cold Plasma and Organic Acid-Based Sanitizer Treatments Against Salmonella enterica on Tomato Surfaces

Posted on November 2, 2024 by | Leave a comment

Wiley Online

ABSTRACT

Incidence of foodborne illness due to bacterial contamination of fresh produce continue to exist despite continuous research on processing interventions to mitigate the problem. In this study, we combined atmospheric cold plasma treatments with an antimicrobial solution containing specific organic acids generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and tested its antimicrobial efficacy against Salmonella enterica inoculated on tomato surfaces. Tomato surfaces were inoculated with at 5.6 log CFU/g of Salmonella by spotting 0.1 mL of 7 log CFU/ml Salmonella onto the tomato stem scars, and by dipping whole tomatoes into a solution of 7 log CFU/ml Salmonella for 3 min to achieve 4.1 log CFU/g. Antimicrobial efficacy of the organic acid-based sanitizer + cold plasma treatments for 30, 60, 120, 180, and 360 s, were investigated, and significant bacterial inactivation was achieved above 120 s treatments. At 120 s, surviving populations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria recovered on the tomatoes surfaces averaged < 2 logs/g while yeast and mold survival averaged < 1 CFU/g. Treatment combination with this organic acid-based sanitizer + cold plasma for 120 s resulted in a 4.9 log reduction of Salmonella on the stem scar area and a 3.9 log reduction on the smooth peel surface. Similarly, populations of aerobic mesophilic bacteria recovered on treated tomato surfaces averaged < 0.3 log CFU/g. The results of this study indicate that combining an organic acid-based sanitizer with cold plasma treatments for ≥ 120 s can inactivates significant populations of Salmonella to enhance the microbial safety of tomato surfaces designated for fresh-cut salad.

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Posted in Cold Atmospheric Plasma, Cold Plasma, Food Microbiology Research, Food Technology, Research, Salmonella, Technology

Research – Investigating the Potential of L(+)-Lactic Acid as a Green Inhibitor and Eradicator of a Dual-Species Campylobacter spp. Biofilm Formed on Food Processing Model Surfaces

Posted on October 30, 2024 by | Leave a comment

MDPI

Abstract

Campylobacter spp. are prevalent foodborne bacterial enteric pathogens. Their inclusion in biofilms on abiotic surfaces is considered a strategy that facilitates their extraintestinal survival. Organic acid (OA) treatments could be used in a green approach to decontaminate various surfaces. This work aimed to evaluate the inhibitory and eradicative effects of L(+)-lactic acid (LA), a naturally occurring OA, on a dual-species biofilm formed on two food processing model surfaces (polystyrene and stainless steel) by three selected foodborne Campylobacter spp. isolates (two C. jejuni and one C. coli). The influence of aerobiosis conditions (microaerophilic, aerobic and CO2 enriched) on the resistance of the established biofilms to the acid was also tested. In parallel, the predominant metabolites contained in the planktonic media of biofilm monocultures and mixed-culture biofilm were comparatively analyzed by an untargeted metabolomics approach. Results revealed that LA inhibited mixed-culture biofilm formation by more than 2 logs (>99%) on both surfaces when this was applied at its highest tested concentration (4096 μg/mL; 0.34% v/v). However, all the preformed mixed-culture biofilms (ca. 106−7 CFU/cm2) could not be eradicated even when the acid was used at concentrations exceeding 5% v/v, denoting their extremely high recalcitrance which was still influenced by the abiotic substratum, and the biofilm-forming aerobiosis conditions. The metabolic analysis revealed a strain-specific metabolite production which might also be related to the strain-specific biofilm-forming and resistance behaviors and resulted in the distinct clustering of the different samples. Overall, the current findings provide important information on the effectiveness of LA against biofilm campylobacteria and may assist in mitigating their risk in the food chain.

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Posted in Biofilm, Campylobacter, Food Microbiology Research, Research, Technology