Antimicrobial Efficacy of GS-2 on Reusable Food Packaging Materials for Specialty Crops.

The European Union (EU) regulations mandate 10% of all food packaging to be reusable by 2030. United States (U.S.

The Combined Use of High Pressure Processing and Lactic Acid Containing Fermentate on Inactivation of Salmonella, Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Pet Foods.

Raw meat pet foods can pose health risks to pets and humans. High-pressure processing (HPP) was used in a previous study to demonstrate its effectiveness in achieving a 5-log reduction of Salmonella, E. coli STEC, and L.

Role of Dipicolinic Acid in Heat Resistance of Spores of Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 by Thermal and Pressure-assisted Thermal Processing.

Dipicolinic acid (DPA) is a major constituent of spores and reportedly provides protection against inactivation by various thermal processes; however, the relationship between DPA and resistance towards pressure-assisted thermal processing is not well understood. Thermal and pressure-assisted thermal inactivation studies of Clostridium botulinum nonproteolytic strains QC-B and 610-F, proteolytic strain Giorgio-A, and thermal surrogate Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 spores suspended in ACES buffer (0.05 M, pH 7.

More sensitive microbial responses to the interactive effects of warming and altered precipitation in subsoil than topsoil of an alpine grassland ecosystem.

Subsoil is a large organic carbon reservoir, storing more than half of the total soil organic carbon (SOC) globally. Conventionally, subsoil is assumed to not be susceptible to climate change, but recent studies document that climate change could significantly alter subsoil carbon cycling. However, little is known about subsoil microbial responses to the interactive effects of climate warming and altered precipitation.

Comparative growth kinetics of and on dehydrated enoki and wood ear mushrooms during rehydration and storage.

Specialty mushrooms have been implicated in foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. in recent years.

Effectiveness of Dry Cleaning Treatments for Removing Milk Chocolate from Valve/Pipe Assemblies and Pilot-scale Chocolate Processing Equipment.

Dark chocolate produced on equipment used to manufacture milk chocolate can contain milk due to cross-contact. This study evaluated the use of dry cleaning methods for removing milk chocolate residue from a butterfly or ball valve attached to a stainless steel pipe and from pilot-scale equipment used in chocolate manufacture. Milk-free dark chocolate (40 °C) was pumped through a milk chocolate-contaminated valve/pipe assembly after no cleaning, use of a pig purging treatment, or a 40 °C cocoa butter flush.

PlasmidHunter: accurate and fast prediction of plasmid sequences using gene content profile and machine learning.

Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA found in microorganisms. They often carry beneficial genes that help bacteria adapt to harsh conditions. Plasmids are also important tools in genetic engineering, gene therapy, and drug production.

Quantitation of milk proteins in thermally treated milk samples and commercial food products by ELISA test kits.

This study evaluated four ELISA kits for quantitation of milk proteins in thermally treated milk samples and food products. How reference materials may be used for comparison of kit performance was examined. Protein contents determined by Veratox Total Milk generally reflected those determined by the 660 nm total protein assay.

Method of Inoculation Influences the Survival of Salmonella enterica on Retail and Orchard Peaches.

Challenge studies associated with fruits and vegetables generally utilize wet bacterial inoculation methods. However, a recent salmonellosis outbreak in the U.S.

An algorithm to simulate missing data for mixed meal tolerance test response curves.

Background: Response curves formed by analyte concentrations measured at sampled time points after consuming a mixed meal are increasingly being used to characterize responses to differing diets. Unfortunately, owing to a variety of reasons, analyte concentrations for some of the time points may be missing.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop an algorithm to estimate the missing values at sampled time points in the analyte response curve to a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT).

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes on Frozen Vegetables during Long-term Storage at -18 and -10°C.

Two recent listeriosis outbreaks have occurred in the United States and Europe due to contaminated individually quick-frozen (IQF) vegetables. While one of the outbreaks was due to frozen vegetables considered ready-to-eat (RTE), the other was linked to frozen corn whose packaging contained cooking instructions and was considered not-ready-to-eat (NRTE). However, consumers may thaw certain frozen vegetables and consume without cooking.

Environmental stress mediates groundwater microbial community assembly.

Community assembly describes how different ecological processes shape microbial community composition and structure. How environmental factors impact community assembly remains elusive. Here we sampled microbial communities and >200 biogeochemical variables in groundwater at the Oak Ridge Field Research Center, a former nuclear waste disposal site, and developed a theoretical framework to conceptualize the relationships between community assembly processes and environmental stresses.

Targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): from bench to bedside.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has evolved as a pivotal enzyme in lipid metabolism and a revolutionary therapeutic target for hypercholesterolemia and its related cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This comprehensive review delineates the intricate roles and wide-ranging implications of PCSK9, extending beyond CVD to emphasize its significance in diverse physiological and pathological states, including liver diseases, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders, and notably, cancer. Our exploration offers insights into the interaction between PCSK9 and low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDLRs), elucidating its substantial impact on cholesterol homeostasis and cardiovascular health.

Evaluation of ELISA Test Kits for Detection of Milk Protein in Frying Oil Treated at Different Temperatures.

Milk is a common ingredient in fried foods. Allergen cross-contact can occur through the reuse of frying oil. To enable assessment of the allergy risk of reused oil, methods for quantification of milk protein in oil are needed.

Deciphering microbiomes dozens of meters under our feet and their edaphoclimatic and spatial drivers.

Microbes inhabiting deep soil layers are known to be different from their counterpart in topsoil yet remain under investigation in terms of their structure, function, and how their diversity is shaped. The microbiome of deep soils (>1 m) is expected to be relatively stable and highly independent from climatic conditions. Much less is known, however, on how these microbial communities vary along climate gradients.

VBCG: 20 validated bacterial core genes for phylogenomic analysis with high fidelity and resolution.

Background: Phylogenomic analysis has become an inseparable part of studies of bacterial diversity and evolution, and many different bacterial core genes have been collated and used for phylogenomic tree reconstruction. However, these genes have been selected based on their presence and single-copy ratio in all bacterial genomes, leaving out the gene's 'phylogenetic fidelity' unexamined.

Results: From 30,522 complete genomes covering 11,262 species, we examined 148 bacterial core genes that have been previously used for phylogenomic analysis.

Analysis of Eight Types of Plant-based Milk Alternatives from the United States Market for Target Minerals and Trace Elements.

A wide variety of commercial plant-based foods that are marketed and sold as alternatives for milk (plant-based milk alternatives or PBMAs) are available to consumers. In this study, PBMAs from the United States (n=85) were subjected to analysis for target minerals (magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc) to compare their variability across PBMA types, brands, and production lots. Samples were also screened for the environmental contaminant elements arsenic, cadmium, and lead.

Efficacy of Power Ultrasound-Based Hurdle Technology on the Reduction of Bacterial Pathogens on Fresh Produce.

Minimally processed produce is frequently contaminated with foodborne bacterial pathogens. Power ultrasound is a non-thermal and cost-effective technology that can be combined with other chemical sanitization methods. This study investigated the reduction of and Newport on grape tomato, romaine lettuce, and spinach washed with water, chlorine, or peroxyacetic acid alone or in combination with 25 or 40 kHz power ultrasound for 1, 2, or 5 min.

Inactivation of Salmonella, Shiga Toxin-producing E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in Raw Diet Pet Foods Using High-Pressure Processing.

Pet food formulated with raw meat can pose health risks to pets and humans. High-pressure processing (HPP) was evaluated to achieve a 5-log reduction ofSalmonella,E. coliSTEC, andL.

Barotolerance of Acid-adapted and Cold-adapted Bacterial Isolates of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes in an Acidic Buffer Model.

The fruit and vegetable juice industry has shown a growing trend in minimally processed juices. A frequent technology used in the production of functional juices is cold pressure, which refers to the application of high pressure processing (HPP) at low temperatures to inactivate foodborne pathogens. HPP juice manufacturers are required to demonstrate a 5-log reduction of the pertinent microorganism to comply with FDA Juice HACCP.

Validation and interlaboratory comparison of anticoagulant rodenticide analysis in animal livers using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are used to control rodent populations. Poisoning of non-target species can occur by accidental consumption of commercial formulations used for rodent control. A robust method for determining ARs in animal tissues is important for animal postmortem diagnostic and forensic purposes.

Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Profile of Herbs and Spices' Phytochemicals over 24 h after Consumption in Overweight/Obese Adults.

Scope: This study aims to characterize the phytochemicals in commonly consumed herbs/spices (H/S) in the United States and their pharmacokinetic profile (PK) over 24 h in humans after consumption.

Method And Results: The clinical trial is a randomized, single-blinded, four-arm, 24 h, multi-sampling, single-center crossover design (Clincaltrials.gov NCT03926442) conducted in obese/overweight adults (n = 24, aged 37 ± 3 years, BMI = 28.

Phytochemical Composition and Health Benefits of Figs (Fresh and Dried): A Review of Literature from 2000 to 2022.

With their rich history dating back 6000 years, figs are one of the oldest known plants to mankind and are a classical fruit in the Mediterranean diet. They possess a diverse array of bioactive components, including flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, and tocopherols, which have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their health-promoting effects addressing gastrointestinal, respiratory, inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular issues. This review summarizes the updated information on the phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and other functional properties of fresh and dried figs cultivated in various parts of the world, highlighting variation in phenolic composition based on cultivar, harvesting time, maturity stage, processing, and fig parts.