Biodiversity of Species and Their Mycotoxin Production Potential in Dry Meat.

This study aimed to examine fungi diversity in dried beef meat sold in Ekiti State, characterize the isolated fungi, and determine the aflatoxin-producing ability of the fungi in the samples. Dried beef meat was collected from different markets in Ekiti State and screened for the presence of filamentous fungi using molecular methods. Samples were cultured aseptically on potato dextrose agar (PDA) for fungi isolation, and molecular identification was performed using DNA extraction, Polymerase chain Reaction (PCR), ITS-1/ITS-4 primer pair, and nucleotide sequencing.

Metagenome-Assembled Genomes Isolated from a Human Fecal Diarrhea Sample.

Diarrheal infection is the second leading infectious disease that is killing children under the age of 5 years. This study investigates the microbial community within a fecal sample from a diarrhea-affected child through shotgun metagenomic sequencing.

Biodiversity of Aflatoxigenic Species in Dairy Feeds in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The presence of molds, especially certain species of , in food commodities may contribute to aflatoxin contamination. The aim of this study was to determine the biodiversity of species in dairy feeds from farms in select locations in Zimbabwe and assess their aflatoxin production potential using a polyphasic approach. A total of 96 feed samples were collected, which consisted of dairy feed concentrate, mixed ration, brewers' spent grain, and grass from 13 farms during the dry season (August-October, 2016) and the following rainy season (January-March, 2017).

The prevalence and risk factors associated with Leptospira in donkeys in Ngaka Modiri Molema District, North West Province, South Africa.

Background And Aim: Leptospirosis is one of the major emerging global economic and health problems affecting donkeys, thereby reducing their work output. Furthermore, the disease has public health importance because of its zoonotic nature. Despite the significant contribution donkeys make to the national economy, less attention is given to diseases that afflict donkeys and reduce their productivity and performance.

Phylogenetic diversity and prevalence of mycoflora in ready-to-eat supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts.

Little is known of the mycobiota present in ready-to-eat peanuts consumed in Southern Africa. Knowledge of the mycobiota and aflatoxigenic species can elucidate potential health risks associated with consumption of ready-to-eat peanuts sold by supermarkets and roadside vendors. We investigated the culturable mycobiota diversity in supermarket and roadside-vended peanuts as well as the presence of five aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway-related genes (, and ) in 15 suspected aflatoxigenic isolates, with a focus on Mafikeng, South Africa.

Genome Sequence of Campylobacter fetus subsp. NW_ED23, Isolated from Bovine Sheath Wash.

subsp. is the causative agent of bovine genital campylobacteriosis, which is mostly characterized by reproduction problems. The strain reported in this study was isolated from bull sheath wash in South Africa.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of Multidrug-Resistant Campylobacter fetus subsp. NWU_ED24, Isolated from a Bovine Sheath Wash Sample.

subsp. is an opportunistic human pathogen that is frequently identified as a cause of intestinal infections as well as bloodstream infections. This bacterium is well known to cause spontaneous abortions in sheep and cows.

Opportunistic pathogenic fungi isolated from feces of feral pigeons in Mafikeng, North West Province of South Africa.

Background And Aim: Pigeon feces are increasingly being implicated in the spread of bacterial pathogens such as , , , , and . Fungi are rarely investigated except for that has emerged as an important pathogen in old people and immunosuppressed patients. This study investigated fungi in pigeon feces collected from Mafikeng, the North West Province of South Africa.

A polyphasic method for the identification of aflatoxigenic Aspergilla from cashew nuts.

The invasion of food by toxigenic fungi is a threat to public health. This study aimed at enumerating the microbial profile, detection of aflatoxin producing genes and quantification of the levels of aflatoxin contamination of cashew nuts meant for human consumption. A polyphasic method of analysis using newly formulated β-Cyclodextrin Neutral Red Desiccated coconut agar (β-CDNRDCA) and Yeast Extract Sucrose agar (YES) with Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) method was adopted in determining the aflatoxigenic potential of the isolates, the presence of aflatoxin biosynthetic gene (aflM, aflD, aflR, aflJ omt-A) and estimation of the total aflatoxin content of the nuts.

Molecular Characterization and Antibiotic Resistance of Foodborne Pathogens in Street-Vended Ready-to-Eat Meat Sold in South Africa.

Abstract: The consumption of food contaminated with microbial populations remains a key route of foodborne infection in developing countries and creates a serious public health burden. This study aimed at identifying foodborne pathogens and their antibiotic resistance profiles in ready-to-eat meat sold in public eateries in the Johannesburg area. A total of 115 samples were examined for the incidence of bacteria pathogens and their antibiotic resistance profiles against commonly used antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, and sulphonamides) using the molecular and the disc diffusion methods.

Formulation, sensory evaluation, proximate composition and storage stability of cassava strips produced from the composite flour of cassava and cowpea.

The study developed an acceptable formula for the production of cassava strips (a deep fried product) using composite flour of cassava/cowpea at four different levels of cowpea substitutions (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30). Sensory properties, proximate composition, and shelf life at ambient temperature were determined. Proximate composition, shelf life, and microbial analysis were further done on the most preferred sample (80:20) and the control (100:0).

Evaluation of Antibiotic Residues in Raw Meat Using Different Analytical Methods.

Antibiotic residue in meat is a serious public health concern due to its harmful effects on consumer health. This study aimed at estimating the residue levels of four commonly used antibiotics in meat samples using three analytical methods (ELISA, TLC and HPLC). A total of 150 samples of raw meat from sales points were analysed for ciprofloxacin, streptomycin, tetracycline, and sulphanilamide residues.