Effects of Plasma-Activated Water Treatment on the Inactivation of Microorganisms Present on Cherry Tomatoes and in Used Wash Solution.

Herein, we investigated the potential of plasma-activated water (PAW) as a wash solution for the microbial decontamination of cherry tomatoes. We analyzed the efficacy of PAW as a bactericidal agent based on reactive species and pH. Immersion for 5 min in PAW15 (generated via plasma activation for 15 min) was determined as optimal for microbial decontamination of fresh produce.

Antimicrobial Activity of Chitosan/Gelatin/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Ternary Blend Film Incorporated with Extract in Strawberry Applications.

Chitosan (CTS)/gelatin (GEL)/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-based composite films with different concentrations of extract (DIE) (6.25 and 25 mg/mL), an antimicrobial agent, were manufactured using a casting technique. Results indicated that elongation at break decreased as DIE was added at higher concentrations.

Efficient Screening of Pesticide Diazinon-Binding Aptamers Using the Sol-Gel-Coated Nanoporous Membrane-Assisted SELEX Process and Next-Generation Sequencing.

Aptamer-based methods for detecting pesticides are more efficient than antibody-based methods by high thermal stability, low molecular weight, easy modification, and low cost. In this study, the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) process, combined with next-generation sequencing (NGS), was performed to select aptamers specific to the pesticide, diazinon, which was fixed on a sol-gel-coated nanoporous-anodized aluminum oxide membrane to overcome the immobilization effect of general method and simplify the elution step. The frequency of specific nucleotide sequences obtained after SELEX rounds was directly analyzed using NGS to eliminate the time-consuming cloning process used in the general SELEX methods.

Selective Binding and Elution of Aptamers for Pesticides Based on Sol-Gel-Coated Nanoporous Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane.

Sol-gel-based mesopores allow the entry of target small molecules retained in their cavity and aptamers to bind to target molecules. Herein, sol-gel-based materials are applied to screen-selective aptamers for small molecules, such as pesticides. To enhance the efficiency of aptamer screening using a sol-gel, it is necessary to increase the binding surface.

Detection of O157:H7 Using Automated Immunomagnetic Separation and Enzyme-Based Colorimetric Assay.

The food industry requires rapid and simple detection methods for preventing harm from pathogenic bacteria. Until now, various technologies used to detect foodborne bacteria were time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, we have developed an automated immunomagnetic separation combined with a colorimetric assay for the rapid detection of O157:H7 in food samples.

Characteristics and Lytic Activity of Phage-Derived Peptidoglycan Hydrolase, LysSAP8, as a Potent Alternative Biocontrol Agent for .

Outbreaks of staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) causing serious human diseases and economic losses have been reported globally. Furthermore, the spread of with increased resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents has become a major concern in the food industries and medicine. Here, we isolated an endolysin LysSAP8, as one of the peptidoglycan hydrolases, derived from the bacteriophage SAP8 infecting .

Rapid Detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Fresh Lettuce Based on Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Combined with Immunomagnetic Separation.

This study presents a method for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh lettuce based on the properties of target separation and localized surface plasmon resonance of immunomagnetic nanoparticles. The multifunctional immunomagnetic nanoparticles enabling simultaneous separation and detection were prepared by synthesizing magnetic nanoparticles (ca. 10 nm in diameter) composed of an iron oxide (FeO) core and gold shell and then conjugating these nanoparticles with the anti- E.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by an ethanol extract of Coicis semen in Chang liver cells.

Background: It is well known that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a huge role in development of metabolic diseases. Specially, ER stress-induced cellular dysfunction has a significant involvement in the pathogenesis of human chronic disorders. This study was designed to study to assess whether an ethanol extract of Coicis Semen (CSE) and coixol induces the ER stress in Chang liver cells.

Comparative genomic analysis of novel bacteriophages infecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolated from western and southern coastal areas of Korea.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus, a foodborne pathogen, has become resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, alternative bio-control agents such bacteriophage are urgently needed for its control. Six novel bacteriophages specific to V.

Virulence Factors and Stability of Coliphages Specific to O157:H7 and to Various Infection.

Characteristics of O157:H7-specific infection bacteriophages (O157 coliphages) and broad-host-range bacteriophages for other serotypes (broad-host coliphages) were compared. The burst sizes of the two groups ranged from 40 to 176 PFU/infected cell. Distributions of the virulence factors , , , and between the two groups were not differentiated.

Toxin Profile, Biofilm Formation, and Molecular Characterization of Emetic Toxin-Producing Bacillus cereus Group Isolates from Human Stools.

Emetic toxin-producing Bacillus cereus group species are an important problem, because the staple food for Korean is grains such as rice. In this study, we determined the prevalence (24 of 129 isolates) of emetic B. cereus in 36,745 stool samples from sporadic food-poisoning cases in Korea between 2007 and 2008.

High-performance sub-terahertz transmission imaging system for food inspection.

Unlike X-ray systems, a terahertz imaging system can distinguish low-density materials in a food matrix. For applying this technique to food inspection, imaging resolution and acquisition speed ought to be simultaneously enhanced. Therefore, we have developed the first continuous-wave sub-terahertz transmission imaging system with a polygonal mirror.

A multiplex PCR assay for simultaneous detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus in Korean ready-to-eat food.

A multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for simultaneous detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Bacillus cereus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus in various Korean ready-to-eat foods. The six specific primer pairs for multiplex PCR were selected based on the O157 antigen (rfbE) gene of E.

Protective effect of β-caryophyllene, a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene, against cerebral ischemic injury.

β-Caryophyllene (trans-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylenebicyclo[7,2,0]undec-4-ene), found in various plants, is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene with a low toxicity. Here, we show that a single intraperitoneal injection of β-caryophyllene (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced the cortical infarct volume by 67% when given immediately before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Neurological deficits caused by MCAO were also significantly decreased by β-caryophyllene.

Quantitative modeling of the behaviour of microfluidic autoregulatory devices.

We develop a theoretical model for a fluidic current source consisting of a via, a detour channel, and a push-up type micro-valve. The model accurately describes the non-linear behaviour of this type of device, which has been previously measured experimentally. We show how various structural parameters and material properties of the device influence the saturated flow rate and the minimum driving pressure required for the device to function as a current source.

A surface plasmon resonance sensor for the detection of deoxynivalenol using a molecularly imprinted polymer.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the feasibility of applying the molecular imprinting polymer technique to the detection of the mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transducer. A molecularly imprinted polypyrrole (MIPPy) film was prepared via electropolymerization of pyrrole onto a bare Au chip in the presence of a template DON molecule. Atomic force microscope SPR analysis showed that the MIPPy film was deposited homogeneously on the Au surface, with a thickness of 5 nm.

A photonic-crystal optical antenna for extremely large local-field enhancement.

We propose a novel design of an all-dielectric optical antenna based on photonic-band-gap confinement. Specifically, we have engineered the photonic-crystal dipole mode to have broad spectral response (Q~70) and well-directed vertical-radiation by introducing a plane mirror below the cavity. Considerably large local electric-field intensity enhancement~4,500 is expected from the proposed design for a normally incident planewave.

A fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the detection of zearalenone in corn.

The aim of this study was to develop a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) that is based on the change in fluorescence polarization of fluorescently labeled small antigen when bound by a specific antibody, for use as a screening test for zearalenone (ZEN) in cereals and their products. Syntheses of fluorescein-labeled ZEN tracers containing three linkers of different lengths (2, 3 and 6-carbon bridge), ethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminopropane and hexamethylenediamine, were explored and their binding response with ZEN-specific antibody was evaluated. A fluoresceinthiocarbamyl hexamethylenediamine-labeled ZEN conjugate (ZEN-HMDF), which contain a 6-carbon bridge, was found to be the most sensitive FPIA for detection of ZEN.

Detection of mycoestrogen zearalenone by a molecularly imprinted polypyrrole-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor.

The aim of the present work was to investigate the feasibility of employing the molecular imprinting polymer technique for detecting the mycotoxin zearalenone using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) transducer. The molecularly imprinted polypyrrole (MIPPy) film was prepared by electropolymerization of pyrrole onto the bare Au chip in the presence of a template zearalenone molecule. The MIPPy-SPR sensor exhibited a linear response in the range of 0.

Expression of functional single-chain variable domain fragment antibody (scFv) against mycotoxin zearalenone in Pichia pastoris.

A synthetic gene coding for single-chain variable domain fragment antibody against mycotoxin zearalenone (scFv-ZEN) has been designed, constructed and expressed in Pichia pastoris. The native scFv-ZEN sequence was optimized to Pichia preference codon usage. The expression level of codon-optimized scFv-ZEN was slightly higher than that of native scFv-ZEN, and its maximum yield reached 328 mg total protein/l in flask culture.

Cytoprotective effect of anthocyanins against doxorubicin-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in relation to their antioxidant activities.

The effect of six anthocyanidins and seven anthocyanins against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiotoxicity in relation to their antioxidant properties was investigated in H9c2 cardiomyocytes. The exposure to Dox, a highly effective cytotoxic agent against cancer cells, induced significant cell death, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), and lipid peroxidation in non-tumorigenic cardiac cell culture. All anthocyanidins (50 and/or 100 microM) significantly increased cell survival up to 40% compared to the Dox-treated controls.

Amelioration of dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice by oral administration of beta-caryophyllene, a sesquiterpene.

beta-Caryophyllene (BCP), a naturally occurring plant sesquiterpene, was examined for anti-inflammatory activity in a mouse model of experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Colitis was induced by exposing male BALB/c mice to 5% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. BCP in doses of 30 and 300 mg/kg was administered orally once a day, beginning concurrently with exposure to DSS.