Aerobic Conditions Research Articles

Effects of Chlorine Dioxide on the Postharvest Storage Quality of Fresh-Cut Button Mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus)

The application of chlorine dioxide (ClO2) in microbial safety and quality maintenance of fresh produce has received extensive attention. Fresh-cut button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are prone to spoilage, resulting in a short shelf-life. In this study, ClO2 treatment was used to preserve fresh-cut button mushrooms, and its effect on maintaining the postharvest quality was investigated using sensory evaluation, weight loss, color, firmness, respiration rate, electronic-nose (E-nose) analysis and microbial analysis. During the 8 d storage, both the 50 and 100 mg·L−1 ClO2 treatment reduced the aerobic bacteria count on the surface of fresh-cut button mushrooms. However, the results showed that the 50 mg·L−1 ClO2 treatment but not the 100 mg·L−1 ClO2 treatment significantly inhibited the deterioration of comprehensive quality. The 50 mg·L−1 ClO2 treatment maintained the high sensory evaluation and pleasant volatile odor of fresh-cut button mushrooms as well as reduced the decreasing of fresh weight and firmness. Contrary to expectations, the application of ClO2 treatment showed worse appearances in color (lower L*, higher a*, b* and browning index) of fresh-cut button mushrooms. Significant differences were observed between CK and ClO2-treated groups from day 0 to day 6, while there were no significant differences of a*, b* and browning index between CK and the 50 mg·L−1 ClO2 treatment at the end of storage (on day 8). In conclusion, the 50 mg·L−1 ClO2 can maintain the good quality of fresh-cut button mushrooms.

Redox Gradient Shapes the Chemical Composition of Peatland Microbial Communities.

The response of soil carbon to climate change and anthropogenic forcing depends on the relationship between the physicochemical variables of the environment and microbial communities. In anoxic soils that store large amounts of organic carbon, it can be hypothesized that the low amount of catabolic energy available leads microbial organisms to minimize the energy costs of biosynthesis, which may shape the composition of microbial communities. To test this hypothesis, thermodynamic modeling was used to assess the link between redox gradients in the ombrotrophic peatland of the Marcell Experimental Forest (Minnesota, USA) and the chemical and taxonomic composition of microbial communities. The average amino acid composition of community-level proteins, called hereafter model proteins, was calculated from shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The carbon oxidation state of model proteins decreases linearly from -0.14 at 10 cm depth to -0.17 at 150 cm depth. Calculating equilibrium activities of model proteins for a wide range of chemical conditions allows identification of the redox potential of maximum chemical activity. Consistent with redox measurements across peat soils, this model Eh decreases logarithmically from an average value of 300 mV at 10 cm depth, close to the stability domain of goethite relative to Fe2+, to an average value of -200 mV at 150 cm, within the stability domain of CH4 relative to CO2. The correlation identified between the taxonomic abundance and the carbon oxidation state of model proteins enables predicting the evolution of taxonomic abundance as a function of model Eh. The model taxonomic abundance is consistent with the measured gene and taxonomic abundance, which evolves from aerobic bacteria at the surface including Acidobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Verrumicrobia, to anaerobes at depth dominated by Crenarchaeota. These results indicate that the thermodynamic forcing imposed by redox gradient across peat soils shapes both the chemical and taxonomic composition of microbial communities. By providing a mechanistic understanding of the relationship between microbial community and environmental conditions, this work sheds new light on the mechanisms that govern soil microbial life and opens up prospects for predicting geochemical and microbial evolution in changing environments.

Influence of starter cultures of lactic acid bacteria on microbiological parameters and shelf life of sausages

The main spoilage microorganisms of the vacuum-packaged sausages on the first day of chilled storage are the bacteria of the following families: Enterobacteriaceae (Raoultella planticola, Raoultella ornithinolytica, and Citrobacter freundii), Morganellaceae (Morganella morganii) and Staphylococcaceae (Macrococcus caseolyticus), and at the end of the shelf life (on the twenty-first day) - Enterobacteriaceae (Proteus mirabilis, Moellerella wisconsensis and Serratia liquefaciens). An appearance of cloudy juice, surface slime and delamination of the vacuum packaging characterises the sausage spoilage. QMAFAnM in the sausages was increased by 1.09 lg CFU/g and 1.53 lg CFU/g on the first day of storage, by 1.18 lg CFU/g and 1.54 lg CFU/g on the twelfth day, by 0.92 lg CFU/g and 1.96 lg CFU/g on the eighteenth day, respectively, compared to the control sample, because “Vienna sausages with chicken fillet” were treated with starter culture SafePro BLC-48 (Lactobacillus curvatus) or the mixture of starter cultures SafePro BLC-48 (Lactobacillus curvatus) + Bactoferm Rubis (Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis) before vacuum packaging. Because the sausages were treated with the mixture of starter cultures SafePro BLC-48 + Bactoferm Rubis, the lactic-acid microorganisms were increased by 0.63 lg CFU/g and 0.53 lg CFU/g on the twenty-fifth and thirtieth days, respectively, compared to the sausages that were treated with SafePro BLC-48. During the entire shelf life, no pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic bacteria, in particular S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., E. coli, coliform bacteria, as well as yeast and mold, were detected in the sausages under all treatment options. The use of starter culture SafePro BLC-48 (Lactobacillus curvatus) or the mixture of starter cultures SafePro BLC-48 (Lactobacillus curvatus) + Bactoferm Rubis (Lactococcus lactis subsp. Lactis) increases the shelf life of the vacuum-packaged sausages if they are kept in a refrigerator for up to 30 days, which is 12 days longer than their shelf life without treatment. The sausage treatment with the mixed starter cultures of the lactic-acid microorganisms may be promising if the development of the aerobic spoilage bacteria is confirmed.

Cultural and Biochemical Characteristics of Rhizobium Present in Nodule of Pongamia Pinnata (l.) Pierre

The present investigation is an attempt to study the impact of rocky terrain on Rhizobium bacteria of root nodules isolated from legume trees. To study the morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics of bacterial strain the bacteria obtained from nodules of selected legume i.e. Pongamia pinnata. Rhizobia inhabited in root nodules of plant, grown in Kota university campus, rhizobia were isolated and inoculated on Yeast Extract Mannitol Agar (YEMA) medium and it’s morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics were studied. It was observed that colonies were circular or irregular; light creamish, glistering, gelatinous, convex with entire margins. The bacteria were gram negative, rod shaped, aerobic, non-spore forming and slow-moving bacteria arranged single, in pairs and in clusters. It showed negative chemical reaction for indole, while showed positive reaction for citrate utilization, catalase, urease. By the help of bio chemical characteristics it was confirmed that isolated bacterial culture may be of Rhizobium pongamie and rocky terrain with high temperature of environment does not have any negative effect on the characters of Rhizobium, our findings was supported by many earlier investigations.

Effect of phytogenic Moringa oleifera leaf powder on performance, carcass characteristics, immune indicators, gut microbial population and economic viability of broiler chickens

The growing pressure and irreversible process of reducing and eliminating the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) has stirred research towards development of phytogenic feed additives (PFA) as future alternatives for profitability and sustainability of poultry enterprises. The experiment aimed to compare the effects phytogenic Moringa oleifera leaf powder (MO) vs antibiotic growth promoter on growth performance, carcass characteristics, lymphoid organ indices, intestinal lesions, bloody excreta, microbial population, mortality, and economic viability of broiler chicken. Day-old Cobb-500 (n = 1600) unsexed chicks were allotted 16 pens and randomly assigned to a control standard basal diet group containing antibiotic growth promoters zinc bacitracin (486 mg) and salinomycin (650 mg per kg of feed) (CON) or a basal diet + 1% MO (MO1) or a basal + 3.0% MO (MO3), or basal diet + 5% MO (MO5) in a completely randomised design. The experiment lasted for 35 days. Supplementation with MO in diets significantly decreased ADFI, ADG, and FCR (P < 0.05) during the starter, grower, and finisher phases. The highest ADFI and ADG (P < 0.05) for the whole phase (d 1–35) was recorded in the control group, whilst the lowest was observed for in MO5. Feed conversion rate was highest (P < 0.05) in birds on MO1 diets during starter, grower, as well as the overall period whilst the lowest was noted for MO5 group. There was no significant effect of MO on breast, thigh and heart proportions (P < 0.05). The mean proportions of drumstick, wing, feet, neck, small intestine, liver, and gizzard (P < 0.05) improved with MO supplementation. The highest (P < 0.05) abdominal fat was observed in the control group. The spleen, Bursa of Fabricius, liver and intestine indices were highest in birds on MO5 group and comparable among other groups. Results show a reduction in necrotic scores with an increase in dietary MO levels. The control group and birds receiving 5% MO in diets recorded the least bloody excreta scores among all treatment groups (P < 0.05). Incremental levels of MO led to reduced total aerobic bacteria, E. coli, C. perfringens and increase lactobacillus spp. counts in all intestinal segments. Overall total cost of feed per bird was highest in birds in 5% MO (39.97) followed by 3% MO (30.58) and 1% MO (20.90) and lowest in CON (20.42). The CON group obtained the highest gross and net revenue per bird, whereas birds fed 5% MO recorded losses per bird. The highest economic efficiency (1,14) was achieved in birds on CON diets, and lowest in MO5 group (− 0.11) birds. Moringa oleifera leaf meal can be offered at 1–3% as an alternative to antibiotics for better feed conversion ratios, reduced abdominal fat, improved immune indicators, gut microbiota populations and low mortality. The high cost of MO reduces the economic efficiency and thus cheaper sources are necessary for sustainable small-scale communal and commercial enterprises.

Multimodal Approaches Based on Microbial Data for Accurate Postmortem Interval Estimation

Accurate postmortem interval (PMI) estimation is critical for forensic investigations, aiding case classification and providing vital trial evidence. Early postmortem signs, such as body temperature and rigor mortis, are reliable for estimating PMI shortly after death. However, these indicators become less useful as decomposition progresses, making late-stage PMI estimation a significant challenge. Decomposition involves predictable microbial activity, which may serve as an objective criterion for PMI estimation. During decomposition, anaerobic microbes metabolize body tissues, producing gases and organic acids, leading to significant changes in skin and soil microbial communities. These shifts, especially the transition from anaerobic to aerobic microbiomes, can objectively segment decomposition into pre- and post-rupture stages according to rupture point. Microbial communities change markedly after death, with anaerobic bacteria dominating early stages and aerobic bacteria prevalent post-rupture. Different organs exhibit distinct microbial successions, providing valuable PMI insights. Alongside microbial changes, metabolic and volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles also shift, reflecting the body’s biochemical environment. Due to insufficient information, unimodal models could not comprehensively reflect the PMI, so a muti-modal model should be used to estimate the PMI. Machine learning (ML) offers promising methods for integrating these multimodal data sources, enabling more accurate PMI predictions. Despite challenges such as data quality and ethical considerations, developing human-specific multimodal databases and exploring microbial–insect interactions can significantly enhance PMI estimation accuracy, advancing forensic science.

Bioremediation of metal cyanide complexes from electroplating wastewater for long-term application using Agrobacterium tumefaciens SUTS 1 and Pseudomonas monteilii SUTS 2.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the optimum conditions, including aerobic and anoxic conditions, for operating a long-term bioreactor system to decrease the toxicity of industrial electroplating wastewater effluents containing metal cyanide using Agrobacterium tumefaciens SUTS 1 and Pseudomonas monteilii SUTS 2. The initial results revealed that bacteria performed better under aerobic conditions than under anoxic conditions. An aerobic bioreactor system was subsequently set up in a long-term study lasting 30days under optimum operating conditions. Both mixed-culture bacteria and indigenous bacteria promoted the high-efficiency treatment of cyanide and metals in the first 7days of the study. When the system had high removal rates, cyanide removal was greater than that of zinc, copper, nickel, and chromium (CN- > Zn > Cu > Ni > Cr), with removal efficiencies of 96.67%, 93.93%, 74.17%, 63.43%, and 44.65%, respectively, with residual concentrations of 0.15 ± 0.01, 0.24 ± 0.005, 0.03 ± 0.002, 18.41 ± 0.06 and 14.26 ± 0.15mg/L, respectively. The cell concentration in the bioreactor increased to approximately 107CFU/mL over 30days from initial cell concentrations of 6.15 × 105 CFU/mL and 1.05 × 103CFU/mL for the mixed culture and indigenous inoculation, respectively. These results implied that the bacteria were resistant to heavy metal toxicity. The addition of an appropriate carbon source with sufficient aeration to a bioreactor resulted in increased cyanide degradation.

Stimulation of Batch Mesophilic Anaerobic Digestion by Cellulose- and Polysaccharide-Derived Polymers in Landfill Leachates

The fate of biobased and biodegradable cellulose-derived plastics in landfills represents an important topic from economic and environmental points of view. Anaerobic digestion is a cost-effective waste-to-energy technology. The behaviour of six polymer types—that is, cellulose (C), cellulose acetate (CA), viscose (V), nanocellulose (NC), acetate textile (AT), and heteropolysaccharide pectin (P)—was studied under anaerobic batch mesophilic conditions in a landfill leachate for 147 days. The cumulative biogas production was as follows: C&gt;V=CA&gt;&gt;AT&gt;&gt;NC=P. Metagenomic analysis revealed notable variations in the proportion of bacterial and archaeal domains with the highest archaeal abundance in the presence of CA (80.2%) and C (78.5%). At the end of digestion, cellulolytic, hydrolytic, and dehydrogenase activities were measured in the intact samples, as well as the liquid and solid fractions, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Cellulolytic activity in P was detected only in the pellet, while in NC, activity was mostly in the supernatant under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy showed a defragmentation and degradation of polymeric substrates as well as microbial colonisation. Based on the results, landfill leachate is appropriate for the anaerobic biodegradation of cellulose-derived polymers; however, the process is polymer specific.

Selective Catalytic Combustion of Hydrogen under Aerobic Conditions on Na2WO4/SiO2

AbstractNa2WO4/SiO2, a material known to catalyze alkane selective oxidation including the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM), is demonstrated to catalyze selective hydrogen combustion (SHC) with &gt;97 % selectivity in mixtures with several hydrocarbons (CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H6, C6H6) in the presence of gas‐phase dioxygen at 883–983 K. Hydrogen combustion rates exhibit a near‐first‐order dependence on H2 partial pressure and are zero‐order in H2O and O2 partial pressures. Mechanistic studies at 923 K using isotopically‐labeled reagents demonstrate the kinetic relevance of H−H dissociation and absence of O‐atom recombination. In situ X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and W LIII‐edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) studies demonstrate, respectively, a loss of Na2WO4 crystallinity and lack of second‐shell coordination with respect to W6+ cations below 923 K; benchmark experiments show that alkali cations must be present for the material to be selective for hydrogen combustion, but that materials containing Na alone have much lower combustion rates (per gram Na) than those containing Na and W. These data suggest a synergy between Na and W in a disordered phase at temperatures below the bulk melting point of Na2WO4 (971 K) during SHC catalysis. The Na2WO4/SiO2 SHC catalyst maintains stable combustion rates at temperatures ca. 100 K higher than redox‐active SHC catalysts and could potentially enable enhanced olefin yields in tandem operation of reactors combining alkane dehydrogenation with SHC processes.

The Main Groups of Photosynthetic Bacteria and Photosynthetic Pigments

Photosynthesis is one of the most important process on today’s Earth, which provides most of the energy source of the Earth’s biosphere, changed and shaped the atmosphere and oceans in early days of the Earth. Photosynthetic bacteria are a kind of prokaryotic microorganism that can assimilate or dissimilate by using light energy as an energy source and organic or inorganic matter as the electron donor for assimilation or heterocytosis, which can be divided into Cyanobacteria, Purple bacteria (PB), Green bacteria (GB), Aerobic anoxygenic photosynthesis bacteria (AAPB) and others. In this paper, the literature on photosynthetic bacteria in recent years is reviewed and combined with the latest astrobiology research, revealing the photosynthetic pigment composition of different photosynthetic bacteria. Cyanobacteria contain Chlorophyll (Chl) for the absorption and transfer of light energy including Chl a, CHl b, Chl d, carotenoids and phycobilins, of which chlorophyll b and chlorophyll d are not contained in all types of cyanobacteria, PB contain BChl a or BChl b, GSB contains photopigments BChl a, Chl a, and BChl c, d, or e, GNSB contains photopigments BChl a and/or BChl c, and AAPB mainly contain BChl a. Understanding how Photosynthesis evolves, what kinds of photosynthetic pigments and how do it function could provide a new insight into the origins of life and are beneficial to detection of extraterrestrial life and potential habitable planets.

Antimicrobial surface coating in the emergency department as protective technology for infection control (ASEPTIC): a pilot randomized controlled trial

Study objectiveWe examined the effectiveness of an antimicrobial surface coating for continual disinfection of high touch-frequency surfaces in the emergency department (ED).MethodsFollowing a preliminary observation identifying stretcher rails as the surface with highest touch-frequency in the ED, we conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial involving 96 stretcher rails. The stretchers were randomized to receive an antimicrobial surface coating or placebo coating. Routine cleaning of stretchers subsequently continued as per hospital protocol in both arms. Sampling for total aerobic, gram-positive halophilic, gram-negative and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria was performed pre- and post-treatment at 24 h, 7 days and 180 days. Individuals who applied the coating and outcome assessors were blinded to the allocated arms. The primary outcome is contamination of antimicrobial versus placebo rails measured as colony forming units per cm2(CFU/cm2).ResultsBaseline total aerobic bacteria was comparable between placebo and intervention arms (0.84 versus 1.32 CFU/cm2, P = 0.235). Total aerobic bacteria contamination was significantly lower on antimicrobial versus placebo rails at 24 h (0.61 versus 1.01 CFU/cm2, median difference 0.40 CFU/cm2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01 to 1.01 CFU/cm2). There was a non-statistically significant tendency for contamination to be lower on antimicrobial versus placebo rails at 7 days (1.15 versus 1.50 CFU/cm2, median difference 0.35 CFU/cm2, 95% CI -0.64 to 1.28 CFU/cm2), but higher at 180 days (2.06 versus 1.84 CFU/cm2, median difference − 0.22 CFU/cm2, 95% CI -1.19 to 0.78 CFU/cm2).ConclusionThis is the first double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to evaluate an antimicrobial surface coating on high touch-frequency surfaces in the emergency department. Total aerobic bacteria found on antimicrobial-coated patient transport stretcher rails was significantly lower than placebo rails at 24 h.

Quality changes of durian pulp (Durio ziberhinus Murr.) in cold storage

Abstract In this study, the effects of four types of polystyrene (PS) plastic box with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) lid (PSPET), PS tray with polyethylene (PE) bag (PSPE), PS tray with a vacuumed PE bag (PSVPE), and PET box with a sealed lid (PET) on the quality of durian fruit during storage at 10°C were investigated. The analysis results showed that in all four types of packaging, the total aerobic bacteria count in the durian pulp ranged from 101 to 105 CFU/mL after storage. However, total yeast and mold count was not detected. During the same survey period, PET packaging for the product had the lowest weight loss of 0.58–3.07%. Next, the impact of temperature, at 0 and 10°C, on the quality stability of durian fruit during storage was also studied and evaluated. Durian pulp preserved in PET at two different cold temperatures did not show any significant difference in microbial content and phytochemical composition. Total aerobic bacteria count in the samples was recorded at about 104 CFU/g after storage; total yeast and mold count was not detected, and the weight loss reached 1.82 and 1.72% at temperatures of 0 and 10°C, respectively.

Isolation of Shewanella algae from blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in Northwestern Adriatic Sea

Abstract Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is one of the last reported invasive species that have colonized the Italian coasts, in particular the lagoons of the northern Adriatic Sea. Their massive presence is compromising shellfish farming, causing a serious economic crisis among the valley populations. To limit the economic damage, blue crabs have been introduced as human food in the Italian markets. This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological contamination of blue crab as potential risk to human health. From July 2023 to April 2024, 72 blue crabs were collected in coastal lagoons and 5-6 nm from the coast of the Emilia Romagna Region. Microbiological analysis revealed Shewanella algae as one of the most commonly identified microorganisms (18/72, 25%). Shewanella was isolated on Chromagar Vibrio™ and TCBS after an enrichment step in Alkaline Saline Peptone Water. Colony morphology, Gram stain, and biochemical tests (oxidase, catalase) sustained Shewanella identification, later confirmed by MALDI-TOF MS (MALDI Biotyper® Sirius, Bruker Daltonics). S. algae is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, aerobic microorganism widely distributed in seawater, freshwater, and soil. In humans, it is considered an opportunistic pathogen, especially in people with impaired immune systems. Shewanellosis has been strongly associated with seawater exposure and typically arises in hot months. Clinical manifestations include skin and soft tissue infections, otitis media, keratitis, biliary tract infections, vertebral discitis, and bloodstream infections. Notably, in the last years, S. algae infections have increased globally, even in healthy young people. The present study suggests blue crabs as a potential source of S. algae throughout the year. The increasing identification of S. algae in marine waters worldwide, as well as in marine-derived foods like blue crabs, underscores the growing importance of S. algae as an emerging pathogen and its impact on public health. Key messages • Shewanella algae is an opportunistic pathogen, increasingly isolated in marine water and seafood. • Blue crab is an invasive species that has recently conolonised the Italian coasts.

Microbiome Evolution of Brewer’s Spent Grain and Spent Coffee Ground Solid Sidestreams Under Industrial Storage Conditions

Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) and spent coffee ground (SCG) are solid sidestreams from beverage production increasingly being upcycled into food, feed and other value-added products. These solid sidestreams are prone to microbial spoilage, negatively impacting their upcycling potential. Three samples each of BSG and SCG were obtained from generators and recycling facilities in Singapore, and their chemical, elemental, and microbial composition was characterized. The spoilage mechanisms were investigated during storage under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Bacterial loads of sidestreams were low from craft brewery and café sources (&lt;1 and 3.53 ± 0.03 log10 CFU/g) and high from recycling facilities (&gt;6 log10 CFU/g). The microbiome of BSG from recycling facilities was dominated by Bacilli, and B. coagulans was identified as the most prevalent species. SCG from recycling facilities was dominated by lactic acid bacteria, with L. panis being the most prevalent species. Storage up to 14 days under anaerobic conditions led to further bacterial proliferation mainly by Bacilli, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria, while aerobic storage led to extensive fungal contamination, including potential aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus. The results shed light on the spoilage mechanisms, while highlighting the short shelf-life and food safety risks of BSG and SCG to inform valorization strategies.

Determination of optimal technological conditions for the manufacture of semi-finished products from gooseberry fruit

The quality of pureed berries products is determined by many factors. The purpose of the study was to determine the optimal technological conditions for the manufacture of semi-finished products from gooseberries, providing for the use of equipment with a rotary machine (MAG‑50) and ensuring the required quality characteristics. The objects of research were semi-finished products from gooseberries. The manufacturing technology involved high-temperature processing or the use of the rotary machine MAG‑50. The research methods were standard. It has been found that in order to obtain products with the required quality characteristics, the duration of processing in MAG‑50 had the greatest influence. The optimal technological conditions for the manufacture of products in MAG‑50 have been determined: processing for 14–20 minutes at a temperature of 59–65°C of at least 72% of fresh berries or 58–65°C of at least 66% of quick-frozen ones. It has been established that the technology involving the use of rotary machine MAG‑50, compared with the high-temperature one, made it possible to obtain products with a lower content of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, molds (by 97.7 and 69.8%, respectively), better appearance characteristics (by 1.7%), color, texture and odor (by 2.3%), taste and aftertaste (by 3.6%). The state of the raw materials had the greatest impact on the content of yeast in semi-finished products — products made from fresh berries contained 48.7% more of them on average than products from quick-frozen ones. Compared with the Senator variety, gooseberry fruits of the Pink 2 variety made it possible to obtain products with a high content of soluble solids, sugars, minerals and ascorbic acid (by 18.2, 58.9, 7.7 and 61.8%, respectively), less titrated acids and dietary fibers (by 21.2 and 20.3%, respectively). The study demonstrates the potential of obtaining semi-finished products from gooseberries, regardless of their variety and condition by using the technology involving the use of MAG‑50.

Bacteriological Quality of Salads Sold at Selected Restaurants in Accra, Ghana

Background: The increasing prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases has led to a greater emphasis on the consumption of healthy foods, such as vegetables. Vegetable salads from restaurants are generally perceived as safe. We investigated the bacteriological quality of vegetable salads sold in two popular restaurants in Accra. Methods: Twenty salad samples were purchased from two popular restaurants (A and B) with two branches each in Accra, Ghana. Restaurant A had branches at Dansoman and North Industrial Area, while B had branches at Osu and Tesano. Total aerobic colony forming unit (CFU) and biochemical assays were performed by standard culture techniques and protocols, to determine the microbial load and species present. Results: Mean aerobic bacteria count was 1.77E5 and 1.45 E5 CFU/g for Restaurants A, and B respectively. The North Industrial Area branch of A had more CFUs (2.64E5 CFU/g) than the Dansoman branch (0.9E5 CFU/g), and statistically significant (p=0.0010). The Tesano branch of restaurant B had higher CFUs (1.9E5 CFU/g) than the Osu branch (1.0E5 CFU/g), and also statistically significant (p=0.0022). Furthermore, ANOVA across the four branches showed a significant difference (p&lt;0.0001). The main isolates identified from both restaurants were Enterobacter spp. (28.7%), Citrobacter spp. (20.4%), Klebsiella ssp. (18.5%) and Enterococcus spp. (7.4%). Conclusion: Enterobacter species was predominant among others. Education of the restaurant staff, and the application of food safety and handling procedures must be established, and food regulatory institutions must carry out routine inspection at these sites to ensure consumer protection and public health.

Base-free aqueous Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction using recoverable bi-functional Pd supported nanocatalyst

A solid base catalyst comprising pyridine-palladium polyorganosiloxane framework was synthesized via a grafting method. The resulting organic–inorganic hybrid palladium nanomaterial was characterized by 13C CP-MAS NMR, 29Si CP-MAS NMR, XRD, EDX, TEM, TGA, and the BET measurements. The hybrid palladium nanomaterial exhibited high catalytic activity for the Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between aryl chlorides and phenylboronic acid under base-free and aerobic conditions. A maximum turnover number (TON) of 3150, with a 0.2 mol% Pd loading and a reaction temperature of 80 °C in aqueous solution. The catalyst demonstrated remarkable stability, maintaining its activity even after six cycles of reuse without significant loss of activity. TEM images showed that the catalyst retained its structure and high-order mesostructure after several uses. ICP-AES also confirmed the absence of palladium contamination in the final products. Leaching test studies further confirmed the true heterogeneous nature of the developed catalytic system.

Refining habitat selection for sulfate-reducing bacteria: Evaluating suitability and adaptability for sulfate-metal wastewater treatment during anaerobic-to-aerobic transitions

Inoculating sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) habitats offers an eco-friendly method for treating sulfate-metal laden wastewater, characterized by high sulfate levels, low pH, and elevated heavy metals. This study optimizes source habitat selection of SRB by evaluating groundwater, sewage sludge, and lake sediment, focusing on their suitability and adaptability to aerobic-anaerobic transitions in industrial settings. Sewage sludge, with its slightly acidic pH, reducing environment, and high nutrient levels (Total organic carbon: 207.53 g kg−1, Total nitrogen: 47.12 g kg−1), provides robust SRB potential, as supported by its highest diversity index. However, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pose application challenges. All habitats effectively reduced metal concentrations anaerobically, with Cu removal reaching 95%–99%, and groundwater achieved the highest chemical oxygen demand reduction (63.6%) aerobically. Sludge and sediment showed high biomass and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) accumulation, while groundwater's nucleic acid-rich EPS enhanced metal immobilization, resulting in stable residual metal forms but with potential remobilization under oxidative conditions. Microbial analysis revealed that Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were key players during transitions, with the highest SRB abundance in groundwater. SRB composition varied across habitats, with Sedimentibacter (13.04%), Desulfovibrio (6.33%), and Desulfomonile (8.1%) dominating in groundwater, sludge, and sediment, respectively, during the anaerobic stage. Functional analysis highlighted sludge's persistence in sulfate reduction under aerobic conditions, while groundwater's limited nitrogen cycle involvement indicated broader biogeochemical limitations. Collectively, these findings highlight strengths and limitations of each habitat as SRB inoculum source, emphasizing the importance of tailored anaerobic-to-aerobic strategies for effective wastewater management.

Impacts of seasons and regions on the physicochemical, microbiological and sensory characteristics of Kars Fresh Kashar cheeses

This study aimed to investigate the physicochemical, microbiological, and sensorial characteristics of Kars Kashar cheeses produced in different regions and seasons, elucidating the impact of these two variables on cheese quality. Significant differences were determined among samples in various parameters, including pH value, dry matter, fat in dry matter, salt, ash, total free fatty acids, water soluble nitrogen, 12% trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen (% of total nitrogen), 5% phosphotungstic acid-soluble nitrogen (% of total nitrogen) contents, L∗, a∗, b∗ values, total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and mold counts (p < 0.05). Statistical results show that there were no considerable differences between cheeses in terms of sensory properties (p > 0.05). In general, summer samples exhibited higher levels of dry matter, fat, ash, salt, and total free fatty acids compared to spring samples. However, the converse was observed regarding protein values, where spring samples demonstrated higher levels than those collected during summer.

Comparison of microbiological loads of enteral products at two different ambient room temperatures.

Despite the high risk of bacterial contamination, no studies have been found that evaluate the optimal hanging time of open-system enteral sets under room temperature and intensive care conditions. This study aims to determine the differences in microbial loads of solutions taken from open-system enteral feeding sets hanging for 24 h under room temperature and intensive care conditions. This study is a descriptive type of research. The study sample consisted of a total of 40 samples, with 20 samples under room temperature (25.2-23.3°C) and 20 samples under intensive care conditions (21.1-24.2°C). A simple random sampling method was used for sample selection. The assessment of microbial quality was based on the US Food and Drug Administration online Bacteriological Analytical Manual. In this study, it was determined that 5% of the samples taken from intensive care and 15% of the samples taken at room temperature exceeded the accepted limit for aerobic mesophilic bacteria count. The count of catalase and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp was 5% in intensive care samples and 40% in room temperature samples. The total coliform count was not detected in intensive care samples but was 35% in room temperature samples. Escherichia coli was not detected in either group. Differences in microbial loads were observed when commercial enteral solutions were administered using open-system enteral feeding sets under room and intensive care conditions for 24 h. Therefore, large-scale studies are needed to determine the safe use of open-system enteral feeding sets under room temperature conditions.