Antagonistic potential of endophytic fungal isolates of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits against post-harvest disease-causing pathogens of tomatoes: An in vitro investigation.

Post-harvest decay of fresh agricultural produce is a major threat to food security globally. Synthetic fungicides, commonly used in practice for managing the post-harvest losses, have negative impacts on consumers' health. Studies have reported the effectiveness of fungal isolates from plants as biocontrol agents of post-harvest diseases, although this is still poorly established in tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.

species viability in dairy-based probiotic foods: challenges and innovative approaches for accurate viability determination and monitoring of probiotic functionality.

species are essential members of a healthy human gut microbiota. Their presence in the gut is associated with numerous health outcomes such as protection against gastrointestinal tract infections, inflammation, and metabolic diseases. Regular intake of in foods is a sustainable way of maintaining the health benefits associated with its use as a probiotic.

Anti-Biofilm Activity of Cell Free Supernatants of Selected Lactic Acid Bacteria against Isolated from Avocado and Cucumber Fruits, and from an Avocado Processing Plant.

Listeria monocytogenes forms biofilms on food contact surfaces, a niche from where it dislodges to contaminate food products including fresh produce. Probiotics and their derivatives are considered promising alternative strategies to curb the presence of L. monocytogenes in varied food applications.

: A Suitable Candidate for the Construction of Novel Bioengineered Probiotic Strains for Targeted Pathogen Control.

Probiotics, with their associated beneficial effects, have gained popularity for the control of foodborne pathogens. Various sources are explored with the intent to isolate novel robust probiotic strains with a broad range of health benefits due to, among other mechanisms, the production of an array of antimicrobial compounds. One of the shortcomings of these wild-type probiotics is their non-specificity.

Production and stability of a multi-strain based probiotic product for commercial use in poultry.

Probiotics can be effective alternatives to the prophylactic use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in response to industry and consumer concerns around their use in poultry. Studies on the suitability of probiotics are emerging and showing benefits, but information on the production technology is limited. We developed the production process for a novel probiotic product previously shown to be effective in field trials.

Isolation, selection and evaluation of Bacillus spp. as potential multi-mode probiotics for poultry.

Bacillus based probiotics are becoming relevant as alternatives to antibiotics used in poultry production and in other animal husbandry. This study describes the isolation of 48 Bacillus spp. candidates, from chickens and chicken environments, for use as potential probiotics in poultry production.

A novel Bacillus based multi-strain probiotic improves growth performance and intestinal properties of Clostridium perfringens challenged broilers.

There is a necessity for the implementation of in-feed probiotics in the poultry production industry, following strict regulations around the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). Bacillus spp. are becoming an attractive alternative because of their functionality and stability.

Internalin AB-expressing recombinant Lactobacillus casei protects Caco-2 cells from Listeria monocytogenes-induced damages under simulated intestinal conditions.

Background: Listeria monocytogenes is an intracellular foodborne pathogen that employs a number of strategies to survive challenging gastrointestinal conditions. It proliferates in the gut and subsequently causes listeriosis in high-risk individuals. Therefore, inhibition of its adherence to the intestinal receptors is crucial in controlling its infection.

Lactobacillus casei expressing Internalins A and B reduces Listeria monocytogenes interaction with Caco-2 cells in vitro.

Listeria monocytogenes has been implicated in a number of outbreaks including the recent largest outbreak in South Africa. Current methods for prevention of foodborne L. monocytogenes infection are inadequate, thus raising a need for an alternative strategy.

Characterization of starch and gum arabic-maltodextrin microparticles encapsulating acacia tannin extract and evaluation of their potential use in ruminant nutrition.

Objective: The use of tannin extract and other phytochemicals as dietary additives in ruminants is becoming more popular due to their wide biological actions such as in methane mitigation, bypass of dietary protein, intestinal nematode control, among other uses. Unfortunately, some have strong astringency, low stability and bioavailability, and negatively affecting dry matter intake and digestibility. To circumvent these drawbacks, an effective delivery system may offer a promising approach to administer these extracts to the site where they are required.

Visualisation and quantification of fumonisins bound by lactic acid bacteria isolates from traditional African maize-based fermented cereals, ogi and mahewu.

Consumption of fumonisin-contaminated foods has a negative influence on the health of humans (carcinogen; oesophageal cancer in Eastern Cape in South Africa). Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have emerged as a promising natural detoxification agent against mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to visualise the interaction between fumonisins (FB and FB) and LAB: Lactobacillus plantarum FS2, L.

Preparation of acacia tannin loaded lipid microparticles by solid-in-oil-in-water and melt dispersion methods, their characterization and evaluation of their effect on ruminal gas production In Vitro.

Tannin extracts have wide biological activity in ruminant nutrition. The possibility of masking their bitter taste and enhancing sustained release in the rumen can be achieved through encapsulation. The objectives of this study were to prepare an encapsulated Acacia tannin extract (ATE) suitable for ruminants using the solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) method, and to evaluate the microparticles in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release under varying pH.

Probiotic engineering: towards development of robust probiotic strains with enhanced functional properties and for targeted control of enteric pathogens.

There is a growing concern about the increase in human morbidity and mortality caused by foodborne pathogens. Antibiotics were and still are used as the first line of defense against these pathogens, but an increase in the development of bacterial antibiotic resistance has led to a need for alternative effective interventions. Probiotics are used as dietary supplements to promote gut health and for prevention or alleviation of enteric infections.

Isolation, Identification and Screening of Potential Probiotic Bacteria in Milk from South African Saanen Goats.

This study aimed to evaluate lactic acid bacteria isolates from Saanen goats' milk for probiotic attributes, thereby determining their potential as direct-fed microbials for goats. Isolates were identified using API 50CH system, 16S rDNA sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. All 17 isolates obtained were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum except one identified as Pediococcus acidilactici.

Potential of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacterial Isolates to Contribute to Soil Fertility.

Restoration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon- (PAH-) polluted sites is presently a major challenge in agroforestry. Consequently, microorganisms with PAH-degradation ability and soil fertility improvement attributes are sought after in order to achieve sustainable remediation of polluted sites. This study isolated PAH-degrading bacteria from enriched cultures of spent automobile engine-oil polluted soil.

Survival of Bifidobacterium longum LMG 13197 microencapsulated in Vegetal or Vegetal-inulin matrix in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and yoghurt.

Background: Vegetal BM 297 ATO is a food grade lipid based material extracted from vegetables, and certified for human consumption. In this study, Bifidobacterium longum LMG 13197 was encapsulated in Vegetal BM 297 ATO-inulin by freeze drying, followed by evaluation of its survival in simulated gastrointestinal fluids and yoghurt. Furthermore, the effect of incorporation of such microparticles on physico-chemical properties of yoghurt was examined.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas sp. Strain 10-1B, a Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Degrader in Contaminated Soil.

Pseudomonas sp. strain 10-1B was isolated from artificially polluted soil after selective enrichment. Its draft genome consists of several predicted genes that are involved in the hydroxylation of the aromatic ring, which is the rate-limiting step in the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.

Cocktails of probiotics pre-adapted to multiple stress factors are more robust under simulated gastrointestinal conditions than their parental counterparts and exhibit enhanced antagonistic capabilities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Background: The success of the probiotics in delivery of health benefits depends on their ability to withstand the technological and gastrointestinal conditions; hence development of robust cultures is critical to the probiotic industry. Combinations of probiotic cultures have proven to be more effective than the use of single cultures for treatment and prevention of heterogeneous diseases. We investigated the effect of pre- adaptation of probiotics to multiple stresses on their stability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions and the effect of their singular as well as their synergistic antagonistic effect against selected enteric pathogens.

Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and flow cytometric assessment of the antibacterial mechanism of action of aqueous extract of garlic (Allium sativum) against selected probiotic Bifidobacterium strains.

Background: It is generally reported that garlic (Allium sativum) harms pathogenic but not beneficial bacteria. Although numerous studies supporting the alleged garlic effects on pathogens are available, there are limited studies to prove this claim for beneficial bacteria. We have recently shown that garlic exhibits antibacterial activity against probiotic bifidobacteria.

Supercritical carbon dioxide interpolymer complexes improve survival of B. longum Bb-46 in simulated gastrointestinal fluids.

Gastric acidity is the main factor affecting viability of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). This study investigated the survival in simulated gastrointestinal fluids of Bifidobacterium longum Bb-46 encapsulated in interpolymer complexes formed in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO(2)). Bacteria were exposed sequentially to simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 2) for 2 h and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF, pH 6.