Publications by authors named "U M Pinto"

Bacteria coordinate gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner in a communication process called quorum sensing (QS). The expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation and enzyme production are QS-regulated phenotypes that can interfere in human health. Due to this importance, there is great interest in inhibiting QS, comprising an anti-virulence strategy.

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Foodborne pathogens have always been of public health concern and represent safety issues for food processors. These pathogens develop new ways to overcome antibiotics, survive in different environmental conditions, and the ability to reproduce in many hostile environments configure them as serious health hazards. Considering the huge number of microorganisms, three bacterial representatives were selected to provide a better knowledge about the question of which one is the worst enemy for humans, from the food industry point of view, taking into consideration their multiplication specificity, virulence, and resistance.

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Bacteria coordinate gene expression in a cell density-dependent manner using a communication process called quorum sensing (QS). The expression of virulence factors, biofilm formation and enzyme production are examples of QS-regulated phenotypes that can interfere with food quality and safety. Due to the importance of these phenotypes, the inhibition of bacterial communication as an anti-virulence strategy is of great interest.

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The ability to correctly identify Potential Key Fish Habitats (PKFH) before undertaking development assessments or stream restoration projects is a critical step for determining appropriate management interventions and offset strategies to minimize damage to all life stages of fish. However, there are no rapid, low-cost tools that can be universally utilised to identify PKFH in perennial streams and ephemeral streams in particular. We propose a conceptual framework for developing a rapid field appraisal based on a range of physical fish habitat-supporting features.

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Aims: This study aimed to prospect and isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from an artisanal cheese production environment, to assess their safety, and to explore their bacteriocinogenic potential against Listeria monocytogenes.

Methods And Results: Samples were collected from surfaces of an artisanal-cheese production facility and after rep-PCR and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis, selected strains were identified as to be belonging to Lactococcus garvieae (1 strain) and Enterococcus faecium (14 isolates, grouped into three clusters) associated with different environments (worktables, cheese mold, ripening wooden shelves). All of them presented bacteriocinogenic potential against L.

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