Evaluating serotype-specific survival of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua on wax-coated Granny Smith apples during storage.

Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b are implicated in over 90 % of human listeriosis cases; however, information regarding the serotype-specific survival of L. monocytogenes on apples remains limited. This study evaluated the survival dynamics of these serotypes, using two sets of strains, on Granny Smith apples (GSA) and examined the impact of wax-coating on their survivability during storage.

Innovative Hurdle Strategies for Control on Food-Contact Surfaces: A Peroxyacetic Acid-Steam Approach.

The persistence of biofilms on equipment surfaces poses a significant risk of cross-contamination, necessitating effective surface decontamination strategies. This study assessed the effectiveness of hurdle treatments combining peroxyacetic acid (PAA) and saturated steam against 7-day-old (a non-pathogenic surrogate for ) biofilms on stainless steel (SS), polyester (PET), and rubber surfaces. Results demonstrated >6 log CFU/coupon reductions on SS and PET surfaces after PAA (40 ppm, 1 min) followed by steam treatment (100 °C, 6 s).

Comprehensive strategies for controlling Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on food-contact surfaces.

Listeria monocytogenes biofilms formed on food-contact surfaces within food-processing facilities pose a significant challenge, serving as persistent sources of cross-contamination. In this review, we examined documented cases of foodborne outbreaks and recalls linked to L. monocytogenes contamination on equipment surfaces and in the food production environment, provided an overview of the prevalence and persistence of L.

Impacts of water activity on survival of Listeria innocua and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 in almonds during steam treatments.

Raw almonds have been associated with Salmonella outbreaks and multiple recalls related to Listeria monocytogenes contamination. While steam treatment has been approved for pasteurizing both conventional and organic whole almonds, there is limited understanding of how water activity (a) influences the effectiveness of steam treatments in decontaminating almonds. Hence, this study aimed to assess and compare the efficacy of steam treatments against Listeria innocua and Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354, the known non-pathogenic surrogates, on almonds.

Unlocking the Hidden Threat: Impacts of Surface Defects on the Efficacy of Sanitizers Against Listeria monocytogenes Biofilms on Food-contact Surfaces in Tree Fruit Packing Facilities.

Food-contact surfaces showing signs of wear pose a substantial risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination and may serve as persistent sources of cross-contamination in fresh produce packinghouses. This study offers a comprehensive exploration into the influence of surface defects on the efficacies of commonly used sanitizers against L. monocytogenes biofilms on major food-contact surfaces.

Listeria monocytogenes cross-contamination during apple waxing and subsequent survival under different storage conditions.

This study evaluated Listeria monocytogenes cross-contamination between inoculated fruits, waxing brush, and uninoculated fruits during apple wax coating and investigated the fate of L. monocytogenes on wax-coated apples introduced via different wax coating schemes. There were 1.

Effectiveness of Low-Dose Continuous Gaseous Ozone in Controlling on Red Delicious Apples During 9-Month Commercial Cold Storage.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of low-dose continuous ozone gas in controlling and quality attributes and disorders of Red Delicious apples during long-term commercial cold storage. Red Delicious apples were inoculated with a three-strain cocktail at ∼6.2 log CFU/apple, treated with or without 1-methylcyclopropene, and then subjected to controlled atmosphere (CA) storage with or without continuous gaseous ozone in a commercial facility for 36 weeks.

Verification of peroxyacetic acid treatment against L. monocytogenes on fresh apples using E. faecium NRRL B-2354 as a surrogate in commercial spray-bar operations.

Peroxyacetic acid (PAA) is a commonly used antimicrobial in apple spray bar interventions during post-harvest packing. However, limited information is available about its efficacy against foodborne pathogens on fresh apples under commercial packing conditions. In this study, the practical efficacies of PAA against Listeria monocytogenes on fresh apples during spray bar operation at ambient and elevated temperature were validated in three commercial packing facilities using Enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 as a surrogate strain.

A study of starch-urea-water mixtures with a combination of molecular dynamics simulation and traditional characterization methods.

The relationships among the mixtures of starch, urea and water were intensively studied with a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and traditional characterization methods, including differential scanning calorimeter, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, etc. In the presence of urea, the structure and morphology, as well as the thermal property of starch were significantly changed, which positively depends on the urea content in the aqueous solutions. In MD simulation, hydrogen bonds interaction as well as the distributions of starch fragments, urea and water in both molecular and atomic level were systematically studied.

Comparative Evaluation of Different Sanitizers Against Biofilms on Major Food-Contact Surfaces.

Contaminated food-contact surfaces are recognized as the primary reason for recent outbreaks in caramel apples and cantaloupes, highlighting the significance of cleaning and sanitizing food-contact surfaces to ensure microbial safety of fresh produce. This study evaluated efficacies of four commonly used chemical sanitizers at practical concentrations against biofilms on major food-contact surfaces including stainless steel, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester (PET), and rubber. In general, efficacies against biofilms were enhanced by increasing concentrations of quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), chlorine, and chlorine dioxide, or extending treating time from 1 to 5 min.

Development and characterization of a hydroxypropyl starch/zein bilayer edible film.

An edible hydroxypropyl starch (HPS) based bilayer film with a waterproof layer of zein was successfully prepared through a two-step solvent casting method. The morphology, mechanical properties, as well as water barrier properties of the bilayer film were systematically studied. Results showed that bilayer film presented smooth surface morphology with an improved visibility, and there was an adhesion interface between two layers.

Attenuation of Multiple Virulence Factors by Citral.

Citral was known as a widely used food additive with antimicrobial activity; however, whether it can be a potential therapy for controlling bacterial virulence with less risk of antimicrobial resistance remains to be investigated. Herein, we demonstrated that virulence factors that contribute to infection were effectively inhibited to different degrees by sub-inhibitory concentrations (3.125, 6.

Efficacy of Ozonated Water, Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds and Peroxyacetic Acid Against Biofilm on Polystyrene Surfaces.

contaminated processing equipment and the general packing environment have been implicated in deadly foodborne listeriosis outbreaks, highlighting the significance of proper sanitization and disinfection of food contact surfaces. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate antimicrobial efficacy of commercially available, economical sanitizers at practical concentrations against biofilm formed on polystyrene surfaces under different conditions. Ozonated water 1-min treatment at 1.

Recent advances in hierarchically structured zeolites: synthesis and material performances.

Hierarchically structured zeolites (HSZs) have attracted increasing attention in the last few years, thanks to their unique hierarchical porous structures combining micro- and mesoporosity and superior material performances, especially in the bulky molecules-involved catalysis and adsorption applications. In this Feature Article, the recent advances in the HSZs synthetic methodologies and material performances in catalysis are overviewed. Further, some perspectives for the future development of HSZs are discussed.

Malignant transformation of intracranial epidermoid cyst with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis: case report.

Introduction: Although rare, the malignant degeneration of epidermoid cysts is well documented. Its occurrence with leptomeningeal dissemination and malignant cells in CSF is scarce. To the best of our knowledge only four cases have been reported.

A function of Fas-associated death domain protein in cell cycle progression localized to a single amino acid at its C-terminal region.

FADD is an adaptor known to transmit apoptotic signals from members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. We show here that FADD has a domain implicated in cell proliferation. Mice bearing the Asp mutation in the serine 191 phosphorylation site are runted and anemic and display splenomegaly.