Twenty-three years of PCR-based seafood authentication assay development: What have we learned?

Seafood is a prime target for fraudulent activities due to the complexity of its supply chain, high demand, and difficult discrimination among species once morphological characteristics are removed. Instances of seafood fraud are expected to increase due to growing demand. This manuscript reviews the application of DNA-based methods for commercial fish authentication and identification from 2000 to 2023.

Effect of Bacterial Endophytes Isolated from Tropical Fruits against Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sakazakii in Model Food Products.

Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sakazakii are two important foodborne bacterial pathogens. Bacterial endophytes, which reside in plant cells, can produce antimicrobial compounds to protect the host organism or inhibit pathogens. This study investigated the bacterial community of tropical fruits for their potential to inactivate L.

Survival and Expression of rpoS and grxB of Cronobacter sakazakii in Powdered Infant Formula Under Simulated Gastric Conditions of Newborns.

Cronobacter sakazakii can cause severe illnesses in infants, predominantly in preterm newborns, with consumption of contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF) being the major vehicle of infection. Using a dynamic human gastrointestinal simulator called the SHIME, this study examined the effects of gastric acidity and gastric digestion time of newborns on the survival and expression of stress genes of C. sakazakii.

Survival and predictive modeling of Listeria monocytogenes under simulated human gastric conditions in the presence of bovine milk products.

Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic foodborne pathogen which has been implicated in many outbreaks of foodborne diseases. This study evaluated the effects of gastric acidity and gastric digestion time of adults, L. monocytogenes strain and food type on the survival of L.

Practice and Progress: Updates on Outbreaks, Advances in Research, and Processing Technologies for Low-moisture Food Safety.

Large, renowned outbreaks associated with low-moisture foods (LMFs) bring to light some of the potential, inherent risks that accompany foods with long shelf lives if pathogen contamination occurs. Subsequently, in 2013, Beuchat et al. (2013) noted the increased concern regarding these foods, specifically noting examples of persistence and resistance of pathogens in low-water activity foods (LWAFs), prevalence of pathogens in LWAF processing environments, and sources of and preventive measures for contamination of LWAFs.

Modeling the UV-C Inactivation Kinetics and Determination of Fluence Required for Incremental Inactivation of Cronobacter spp.

Abstract: A study was undertaken to model the UV-C inactivation kinetics and determine the fluences required for the incremental inactivation of several strains of Cronobacter spp. suspended in clear phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In total, 13 strains of Cronobacter spp.

Inhibition of in an infant simulator of the human intestinal microbial ecosystem using a potential synbiotic.

Powdered infant formula (PIF) can be contaminated with , which can cause severe illnesses in infants. Synbiotics, a combination of probiotics and prebiotics, could act as an alternative control measure for contamination in PIF and within the infant gut, but synbiotics have not been well studied for their ability to inhibit . Using a Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) inoculated with infant fecal matter, we demonstrated that a potential synbiotic, consisting of six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains and Vivinal GOS, can inhibit the growth of in an infant possibly through either the production of antimicrobial metabolites like acetate, increasing species diversity within the SHIME compartments to compete for nutrients or a combination of mechanisms.

Controlling Listeria monocytogenes Growth and Biofilm Formation Using Flavonoids.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of natural plant-derivate products (flavonoid compounds) to inhibit the growth and biofilm-forming ability of Listeria monocytogenes. A collection of 500 synthetic and natural flavonoids were tested individually on strains of L. monocytogenes for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity.

Processing environment monitoring in low moisture food production facilities: Are we looking for the right microorganisms?

Processing environment monitoring is gaining increasing importance in the context of food safety management plans/HACCP programs, since past outbreaks have shown the relevance of the environment as contamination pathway, therefore requiring to ensure the safety of products. However, there are still many open questions and a lack of clarity on how to set up a meaningful program, which would provide early warnings of potential product contamination. Therefore, the current paper aims to summarize and evaluate existing scientific information on outbreaks, relevant pathogens in low moisture foods, and knowledge on indicators, including their contribution to a "clean" environment capable of limiting the spread of pathogens in dry production environments.

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes during storage on dried apples, strawberries, and raisins at 4 °C and 23 °C.

The survival of Listeria monocytogenes was assessed during long-term storage on three dried fruits: dried apples, raisins and dried strawberries. Using sand as a carrier, the dried fruits were dry-inoculated with a four-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes to achieve numbers of 4.

SARS-CoV-2 and Risk to Food Safety.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a consideration of our understanding of transmission of the causal agent, SARS-CoV-2 to humans and its potential effect on food safety and food security. The main routes of transmission are reported to be person-to-person, by respiratory droplets and to a lesser degree, by fomites. Concerns have been raised on the possibility of transmission via food and food packaging and whether the virus poses a risk to food safety.

Survival and Virulence of Listeria monocytogenes during Storage on Chocolate Liquor, Corn Flakes, and Dry-Roasted Shelled Pistachios at 4 and 23°C.

Abstract: The survival and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes was assessed during storage on three low-moisture foods (LMFs): chocolate liquor, corn flakes, and shelled, dry-roasted pistachios (water activity [aw] of 0.18, 0.27, and 0.

Identification of Novel Genes Mediating Survival of on Low-Moisture Foods via Transposon Sequencing Analysis.

is the leading foodborne pathogen associated with outbreaks involving low-moisture foods (LMFs). However, the genes involved in s long-term survival on LMFs remain poorly characterized. In this study, in-shell pistachios were inoculated with Tnbased mutant libraries of .

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes Inoculated on Packaged Fresh-Cut Turnips Stored at 4 and 10°C.

Abstract: The ecology of Listeria monocytogenes has been previously investigated in various whole and minimally processed raw vegetables, but not in turnips. A 2018 national Canadian recall for packaged fresh-cut turnips contaminated with L. monocytogenes raised concerns about turnips being able to support the growth of this microorganism.

Examination of the Culturable Microbiota from Low-Moisture Foods Imported into Canada for Antibacterial Activity against Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes, a resilient and ubiquitous foodborne pathogen, is associated with a high case-fatality rate in humans. This study investigated the culturable microbiota of low-moisture foods (LMFs) imported into Canada to see how well bacteria isolated from these foods could inhibit or inactivate the growth of L. monocytogenes.

In vitro assessment of immunomodulatory and anti-Campylobacter activities of probiotic lactobacilli.

The present study was undertaken to assess the antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus spp. (L. salivarius, L.

Source attribution at the food sub-product level for the development of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency risk assessment model.

Decreasing the health burden caused by foodborne pathogens is challenging and it depends on the identification of the most significant hazards and food sources causing illnesses, so adequate mitigation strategies can be implemented. In this regard, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has developed the Establishment-based Risk Assessment (ERA) model, so that a more effective and efficient allocation of resources can be assigned to the highest food safety risk areas. To assess risk, the model considers the type of food sub-products being manufactured by establishments and its scope is limited to the 17 most important foodborne pathogens representing the highest level of food safety risk.

Qualitative Microbiological Risk Assessment of Moringa oleifera Leaf Powder To Be Used To Treat Undernutrition in Infants and Children in Cambodia and India: A Review.

This qualitative risk assessment (QRA) was conducted to estimate the microbiological risk associated with the consumption of Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MLP) by infants and children ages 6 to 23 months to prevent or treat undernutrition in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and Madhya Pradesh, India. This QRA follows the Codex Alimentarius Commission principles and guidelines for risk assessment and takes into account all known microbial hazards that are associated with MLP. A comprehensive literature search was carried out for foodborne pathogens isolated from MLP and other dried foods of similar consistency, such as dried herbs and spices and flour.

Prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes in Select Ready-to-Eat Foods-Deli Meat, Soft Cheese, and Packaged Salad: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Listeria monocytogenes is the cause of listeriosis, an important foodborne disease. Contaminated ready-to-eat foods are common sources of L. monocytogenes, yet no global estimates exist for prevalence and levels in high-risk ready-to-eat foods.

When too much isn't enough: Does current food production meet global nutritional needs?

Sustainably feeding the next generation is often described as one of the most pressing "grand challenges" facing the 21st century. Generally, scholars propose addressing this problem by increasing agricultural production, investing in technology to boost yields, changing diets, or reducing food waste. In this paper, we explore whether global food production is nutritionally balanced by comparing the diet that nutritionists recommend versus global agricultural production statistics.

Trend and Pattern of Antimicrobial Resistance in Molluscan Vibrio Species Sourced to Canadian Estuaries.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in foodborne bacteria is a growing concern worldwide. AMR surveillance is a key element in understanding the implications resulting from the use of antibiotics for therapeutic as well as prophylactic needs. The emergence and spread of AMR in foodborne human pathogens are indirect health hazards.