Intraspecies competition among isolates in the lettuce leaf apoplast.

Multiple serovars and strains have been reported to be able to persist inside the foliar tissue of lettuce ( L.), potentially resisting washing steps and reaching the consumer. Intraspecies variation of the bacterial pathogen and of the plant host can both significantly affect the outcome of foliar colonization.

Reduction of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin on almond kernels using gaseous chlorine dioxide fumigation.

The almond industry suffers product losses caused by mold growth and toxin contamination. Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO) has the potential for postharvest reduction of mycotoxic Aspergillus flavus. In this study, almonds inoculated with A.

Fundamental Differences in Inactivation Mechanisms of O157:H7 Between Chlorine Dioxide and Sodium Hypochlorite.

Chlorine dioxide (ClO) and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) are two chlorinated oxidizing agents that are implemented in water treatment and postharvest processing of fresh produce. While the antibacterial mechanisms of NaClO have been investigated, there are comparatively few studies that have looked at how ClO kills bacteria. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the inactivation pathways of ClO and NaClO against O157:H7.

Pseudomonas phaseolicola preferentially modulates genes encoding leucine-rich repeat and malectin domains in the bean landrace G2333.

Candidate resistance genes encoding malectin-like and LRR domains mapped to halo blight resistance loci throughout the common bean genome are co-expressed to fight a range of Pph races. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop both as a source of protein and other nutrients for human nutrition and as a nitrogen fixer that benefits sustainable agriculture.

Responses of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes to ozone treatment on non-host tomato: Efficacy of intervention and evidence of induced acclimation.

Because of the continuous rise of foodborne illnesses caused by the consumption of raw fruits and vegetables, effective post-harvest anti-microbial strategies are necessary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-microbial efficacy of ozone (O3) against two common causes of fresh produce contamination, the Gram-negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Gram-positive Listeria monocytogenes, and to relate its effects to potential mechanisms of xenobiosis by transcriptional network modeling. The study on non-host tomato environment correlated the dose × time aspects of xenobiosis by examining the correlation between bacterial survival in terms of log-reduction and defense responses at the level of gene expression.

Preservation of grape tomato by isochoric freezing.

This study investigated the potential of isochoric freezing to preserve tomatoes. Isochoric freezing is an emerging technology that preserves biological matter at subfreezing temperatures without any ice damage. Isochoric freezing was compared with freezing under isobaric conditions and with preservation techniques used in the food industry: cold storage at 10 °C and individual quick freezing (IQF).

Gaseous antimicrobial treatments to control foodborne pathogens on almond kernels and whole black peppercorns.

Gaseous treatments with ClO and O on low-moisture foods (LMFs) have been reported for their efficient bacterial reduction without affecting the external quality of food. However, these studies were conducted on a small scale, which limits their application to LMF industries. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of gaseous antimicrobial intervention with ClO or O to reduce foodborne pathogens (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, serovars of Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes) inoculated on almonds and peppercorns maintained under various conditions.

Xenobiotic Effects of Chlorine Dioxide to O157:H7 on Non-host Tomato Environment Revealed by Transcriptional Network Modeling: Implications to Adaptation and Selection.

serotype O157:H7 is one of the major agents of pathogen outbreaks associated with fresh fruits and vegetables. Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO) has been reported to be an effective intervention to eliminate bacterial contamination on fresh produce. Although remarkable positive effects of low doses of ClO have been reported, the genetic regulatory machinery coordinating the mechanisms of xenobiotic effects and the potential bacterial adaptation remained unclear.

Integrity of the O157:H7 Cell Wall and Membranes After Chlorine Dioxide Treatment.

Treatments of wastewater and fresh produce commonly employ chlorine as an antimicrobial. However, there are increasing levels of concerns regarding the safety and antimicrobial efficacy of chlorine treatments. Numerous studies have reported the antimicrobial properties of chlorine dioxide (ClO) treatment in a variety of applications but information regarding how ClO affects bacteria is limited.

Reduction of and Typhimurium on Blueberries through Brief Exposure to Antimicrobial Solutions Coupled with Freezing.

Freezing after brief exposure to antimicrobial solutions increases bacterial reduction. Lactic acid combined with freezing reduced to unrecoverable levels. Most wash treatments maintained visual qualities of blueberries.

Discovery of Shiga Toxin-Producing (STEC)-Specific Bacteriophages From Non-fecal Composts Using Genomic Characterization.

Composting is a complex biodegradable process that converts organic materials into nutrients to facilitate crop yields, and, if well managed, can render bactericidal effects. Majority of research focused on detection of enteric pathogens, such as Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) in fecal composts. Recently, attention has been emphasized on bacteriophages, such as STEC-specific bacteriophages, associated with STEC from the fecal-contaminated environment because they are able to sustain adverse environmental condition during composting process.

Effectiveness of different antimicrobial washes combined with freezing against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on blueberries.

To ensure the safety of produce, including blueberries, elimination of potential pathogens is critical. This study evaluated the efficacy of antimicrobial washes when coupled with frozen storage against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on wild blueberries. Inoculated blueberries were sprayed with antimicrobial solutions at different concentrations for various contact times (chlorine dioxide -2.

Antimicrobial Carvacrol in Solution Blow-Spun Fish-Skin Gelatin Nanofibers.

Unlabelled: Carvacrol is a volatile monoterpenic phenol and main component of oregano essential oil that shows nonspecific antimicrobial activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria. Fish-skin gelatin (FSG) nanofibers encapsulating carvacrol (15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%, w/w FSG) were successfully prepared via solution blow-spinning (SBS) technique using lecithin (2.475% wb) as the surfactant.

Preparation of Fish Skin Gelatin-Based Nanofibers Incorporating Cinnamaldehyde by Solution Blow Spinning.

Cinnamaldehyde, a natural preservative that can non-specifically deactivate foodborne pathogens, was successfully incorporated into fish skin gelatin (FSG) solutions and blow spun into uniform nanofibers. The effects of cinnamaldehyde ratios (5-30%, / FSG) on physicochemical properties of fiber-forming emulsions (FFEs) and their nanofibers were investigated. Higher ratios resulted in higher values in particle size and viscosity of FFEs, as well as higher values in diameter of nanofibers.

Suppression of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by Dung Beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) using the lowbush blueberry agroecosystem as a model system.

Wildlife as a source of microbial contamination is a food safety concern. Deer feces (scat) have been determined as a point source for Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination of fresh produce. The ecological role of the scooped scarab (Onthophagus hecate (Panzer)), a generalist dung beetle species common in Maine blueberry fields, was explored as a biological control agent and alternatively as a pathogen vector between deer scat and food.