The study aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of the addition of lavender essential oil (LEO) immobilized in alginate hydrogel administered during the first period of rearing on production performance, selected blood parameters, gut microflora, and jejunum morphology in broiler chickens, as well as to assess its in vitro antibacterial activity against clinical Escherichia coli strains with varying drug resistance isolated from 1-day-old chicks. The experiment was conducted on a commercial farm using 300 unsexed Ross 308 broilers. One-day-old chicks were assigned to three experimental groups of 100 birds each, with five replicates of 20 birds per group. In the control group (CON), the chicks received feed without essential oil supplementation throughout the rearing period. In the experimental groups hydrogel (H) and hydrogel with LEO (HE), 2 % (w/w; relative to the other feed components) of alginate hydrogel capsules were added to the starter feed mixture (days 1-10). During the experiment, body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), water intake (WI), and mortality of the chicks were recorded. At the end of the starter feed period (day 10), blood and jejunum samples were collected from the chicks for analysis of selected biochemical, microbiological, and morphological parameters. The results demonstrated that supplementation with hydrogel containing immobilized LEO positively affected the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P < 0.05), while no differences were observed between the groups in FI, mortality, or blood biochemical parameters (P > 0.05). It was shown that supplementation with hydrogel capsules containing immobilized LEO reduced the counts of E. coli and coliforms in intestinal samples (P < 0.05). No differences were observed in the counts of lactic acid bacteria (P > 0.05), and no relevant morphological changes were detected in the liver or jejunum. LEO was effective in inhibiting the growth of all E. coli strains, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 1.0 to 4.0 % (v/v).

A lipophilicity-based strategy: Curcumin-mediated photodynamic inactivation combined with eugenol for enhanced bacon preservation.

This study investigated interactions and competition between the starter culture Penicillium nalgiovense and the toxigenic fungus Aspergillus westerdijkiae, focusing on their effects on processing parameters and on ochratoxin A (OTA) production on the dry-fermented salami surface during ripening. The influence of Lactococcus lactis, incorporated into the meat matrix, was also assessed. Salami was produced in accordance with official technical standards in a controlled environment. Half of the meat batter was inoculated with L. lactis. Following stuffing, salami was treated with one of three inoculum solutions: (A) P. nalgiovense, (B) P. nalgiovense plus A. westerdijkiae, or (C) A. westerdijkiae alone. Samples ripened for 20days under industry-standard conditions. At days 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20, pH, water activity, total bacterial counts in the meat, total fungal counts on the casing, and OTA concentrations in both matrices were measured. A. westerdijkiae rapidly colonised and dominated the casing surface by day 4, even in the presence of P. nalgiovense, and reached peak growth between days 8 and 12. OTA concentrations increased significantly after day 12, reaching 69μg/g in the casing and 16μg/g in the meat by day 20. Indicating that the surface provides more favorable conditions for toxin production, so removing casing could reduce the exposure to the toxin. The addition of L. lactis accelerated early acidification and temporarily reduced bacterial load but did not significantly affect fungal growth or OTA biosynthesis. These findings demonstrate that, under favorable environmental conditions, toxigenic fungi represent a significant food safety risk during salami ripening. Starter cultures alone are insufficient to prevent mycotoxin contamination in dry-cured meat products.

Background: Environmental contamination with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MRPA), remains a major challenge in healthcare facilities. Hypochlorous acid water (HOCl) has emerged as a promising disinfectant owing to its strong antimicrobial activity and favorable safety profile. This study aimed to evaluate the bactericidal efficacy of atomized HOCl against CRAB and MRPA in a hospital room. Methods: An atomization experiment was conducted in a two-bed room. CRAB and MRPA were prepared using drying and non-drying methods, respectively. HOCl (CLFine) at concentration of 40 and 300 ppm was atomized using ultrasonic humidifiers. Bacterial samples were collected at 0, 1, 3, and 5 h after atomization. Viable bacterial counts were determined by culture, and bactericidal efficacy was evaluated. Results: Atomized HOCl exhibited time- and concentration-dependent bactericidal effects against CRAB and MRPA. CRAB and MRPA reached their limits of detection at 3 and 5 h post-atomization at 40 ppm, and at 1 and 3 h at 300 ppm, respectively. Conclusion: Atomized HOCl effectively inactivated CRAB and MRPA in a hospital room within 3–5 h. These findings support the potential application of HOCl atomization as an adjunctive environmental disinfection strategy for controlling MDRO contamination in healthcare facilities.

Bacteria can deteriorate spermatozoal quality during semen cryopreservation, compromising artificial insemination (AI) success. Antibiotics are included in extenders to reduce the harmful effects of bacterial contamination. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate antibiotics in ring-necked pheasant semen cryopreservation. This study was designed to assess the efficiency of antibiotics (gentamicin, streptomycin, penicillin) on sperm quality and total aerobic bacterial count (TABC) of cryopreserved ring-necked pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) semen. Semen from eight males (40 ejaculates) was pooled, diluted with Red Fowl Extender, and divided into five treatments including a control; experiments were repeated five times. Samples were cryopreserved using 10% glycerol and stored at -196°C. Sperm quality was assessed at multiple stages postdilution, postcooling, postequilibration, and post-thaw, along with fertility outcomes via AI. TABC was determined by culturing thawed samples at 37°C. All antibiotic treatments significantly improved semen quality compared with the control, with the streptomycin-penicillin (SP) combination yielding the best results across all stages. The SP group exhibited higher acrosome integrity and sperm livability (p < 0.01). Fertility trials showed higher fertilization and hatch rates in the postdilution group compared with the post-thaw group. TABC was below the detectable limits (<1.0 × 104 colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) in all the antibiotic-treated extenders compared with 1.1 × 104 CFU/mL in the control. This study supports the use of antibiotic-enriched extenders to reduce bacterial contamination and enhance reproductive outcomes in avian AI programs, with potential benefits for conservation. Further work is recommended to elucidate mechanisms and optimize antibiotic concentration for long-term storage.

Sucuk is a traditional Turkish dry fermented sausage, the quality and safety of which depend on physicochemical, microbiological, and biochemical changes during fermentation and ripening. Organic acids, their salts, and antioxidants such as ascorbic acid (AA) are widely used in fermented meat products; however, information about their main effects on quality attributes and microbial ecology in sucuk is limited. This study evaluated the main effects of AA levels (0, 500, and 1000 mg kg-1) and selected organic acids or salts (acetic, lactic, citric, and sorbic acids, and potassium sorbate; 1000 mg kg-1) on sucuk quality and safety. The pH, moisture, protein, fat content, lipolysis, proteolysis, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values, and color parameters were not affected significantly by treatments (P > 0.05), whereas water activity was influenced significantly (P < 0.05). Increasing AA levels were associated with higher nitrate concentrations, whereas other anions, cations, and biogenic amine content did not differ among treatments. Higher AA levels, as well as sorbic acid and potassium sorbate treatments, increased shear force, shear work, hardness, and chewiness (P < 0.05). Lactic acid bacteria counts were affected significantly, whereas Micrococcus and Staphylococcus populations were not. Enterobacteriaceae and yeast and mold counts remained below the detection limit. These results show that AA levels and organic acid or salt type influenced water activity, texture, and lactic acid bacteria populations selectively in sucuk without markedly affecting basic composition or biogenic amine content, providing practical guidance for improving microbial stability and technological quality in fermented sausages. © 2026 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Abstract The effects of cold nitrogen Gliding Arc Discharge (GAD) plasma species on natural microbial contamination, physicochemical quality, and storage stability of apricot kernels were investigated. Plasma parameters, including gas flow rate (GF, 0.5–0.9 mL/min), electrode tip distance (ED, 0.6–1.0 cm), and treatment time (2–10 min) were optimized using a Box-Behnken design. Optimal conditions were determined for single-objective reduction of total mold-yeast count (0.9 mL/min GF, 0.6 cm ED, 4.18 min; plasma-I) and for multi-objective reduction of both total mold–yeast and total mesophilic aerobic bacteria (TMAB) counts (0.9 mL/min GF, 0.6 cm ED, 7.65 min; plasma-II). Plasma-II treatment achieved the highest microbial reductions of 22.1% for total mold–yeast and 7.7% for TMAB, indicating a modest decontamination effect. These microbial reductions persisted after 30 days of storage at 25 °C. Quality parameters, including moisture content, water activity, color, total phenolics, FRAP, ABTS, tocopherol isomers, free fatty acids, and fatty acid composition, were preserved after plasma-II treatment ( p &gt; 0.05). However, DPPH value decreased by 59.5% and 40.1% in plasma-I and II-treated samples, respectively, compared to the control ( p &lt; 0.05). After accelerated storage at 60 °C for 30 days, both plasma treatments led to a decrease in DPPH as well as FRAP and ABTS values of samples compared to control, but the highest decrease was determined for plasma-I ( p &lt; 0.05). This study showed that cold nitrogen GAD plasma treatment resulted in modest but measurable reductions in natural microbial contamination while maintaining storage stability of apricot kernels without compromising their physicochemical quality attributes.

Traditional dairy products are primarily produced for local household consumption within the source community. Their production as well as physicochemical and microbiological properties may differ based on milk source, way of processing, and agroecological factors. This is a questionnaire study aimed to assess traditional processing techniques as well as physicochemical and microbiological profiles of Shimpia in selected districts of Wolayta Zone, southern Ethiopia. The study was conducted in three selected agroecologically different districts, enrolling a total of 162 farmers from kebeles such as Kokatemarachere (79), Bossakecha (45), and Gulgula (38). Additionally, ten Shimpia samples from each kebele (totally 30 samples) were collected to determine the physicochemical and microbial analysis using standard procedures. The results showed that 57.9% of respondents in the selected study areas produced Shimpia from milk sourced from local breed cows. The majority (64.8%) of respondents used tap water for cleaning of equipment used for Shimpia production. Nearly half (52.5%) of respondents used locally available herbs as cleaning agent. The pH of Shimpia prepared at farmers’ house ranged from 4.5 to 4.7 with average constituents of total solid 11.7%, fat 4.5%, protein 3.1%, lactose 3.7%, and ash 0.7%. The total solid and fat content of samples were significantly different across agroecological locations (p &lt; 0.05). In addition, enumeration of microorganisms (cfu/g) showed that 8.79 ± 0.04 log10 cfu/g, 6.49 ± 0.05 log10 cfu/g, 4.77 ± 0.01 log10 cfu/g, and 4.22 ± 0.03 log10 cfu/g for total aerobic bacteria count, yeast and mold count, total lactic acid bacteria, and total coliform count, respectively.

Özen MM, Karataş E. Effect of Cavity Design on Bacterial Reduction in Root Canals and Postoperative Pain Level: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Aust Endod J. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1111/aej.12976 . A randomised controlled trial evaluated the impact of endodontic access cavity design on intra-canal bacterial reduction and postoperative pain. Patients were allocated to either the Traditional Conservative Endodontic Cavity (TEC) or Truss Endodontic Cavity (TREC) group using computer randomisation. Microbial samples were collected from the mesial root canals of lower molars at baseline and following chemo-mechanical preparation. The total number of bacteria present and the percentage reduction following instrumentation were analysed via real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Samples were evaluated for bacterial load using 16S rRNA universal primers. Postoperative pain was recorded daily for 7-days using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). 250 patients attended for assessment at the Endodontics Clinic of A.U. Faculty of Dentistry, Turkey. 100 patients (n = 50 per group) met the inclusion criteria (mainly including necrotic mandibular molars with asymptomatic apical periodontitis, where there has been complete root development), 96 patients completed the study (n = 48 per group). Sample size calculation to achieve 95% power and 5% alpha error identified a minimum of 17 participants were required to evaluate antibacterial efficacy, with 27 participants required to evaluate postoperative pain. The statistical power was enhanced by sampling 50 patients in each of the observed groups. Blinding of operators was not possible, and information about individuals conducting the analysis was not included. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v20.0. Categorical variables were analysed using the Chi-square test. Normality and homogeneity of numerical data were evaluated using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene's tests, respectively. Given the non-normal distribution of the data, intergroup comparisons of age, bacterial load, and post-operative pain levels were conducted using the Mann-Whiteny U test. To compare bacterial load and postoperative pain levels within the groups, the Wilcoxon test and Friedman test were applied, respectively. Statistical evaluations were carried out at the 95% confidence interval. Intra-canal bacterial count was significantly reduced in both groups following chemo-mechanical preparation. There was a bacterial load reduction from 6.4 × 105 to 4.8 × 104 (96.32%) in the TEC group and a reduction from 6.7 × 105 to 5.2 × 104 (92.32%) in the TREC group. This difference in the percentage of total bacterial count reduction was statistically significant between the groups (p > 0.05). Therefore, the null hypothesis can be rejected at the 95% confidence interval. For postoperative pain, both groups demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in postoperative pain levels from day 1 to day 7. There was no statistically significant difference in pain levels between the two groups at any time point. Endodontic access cavity design impacts reduction in bacterial load following chemo-mechanical preparation. The TEC allowed for greater reduction in bacterial levels compared to the TREC. This is likely due to reduced access restricting effective debridement. There are benefits to retaining more dentine with regards to improved fracture resistance following treatment, so further research is required in this area. Additionally, neither the TEC nor TREC had any impact on postoperative pain levels.

We studied the shelf life of fresh buffalo meat in polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging during refrigerated storage for 14 days, when treated with cinnamon-clove (C-C) and nutmeg (Nut) powders, along with lavender essential oil (LEO). Microbiological (total viable count, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Enterobacteriaceae, and lactic acid bacteria), antibacterial (Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus), physicochemical and biochemical (pH, moisture, color, total fat, hemoglobin and heme iron, 2-thiobarbituric acid, mercaptans, antioxidant activity, and total phenolic content), and sensory (color, odor, texture, and taste) analyses were carried out. The results showed that C-C and Nut powder extracts exhibited significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant and antibacterial activity, higher than LEO; however, all treatments delayed lipid oxidation. Based primarily on sensory evaluation, the shelf life extension of buffalo meat was 2-3 days for LEO and Nut powder, and 4-6 days for C-C powder. Factor analysis indicated the critical days of refrigerated storage for the evolution of spoilage-related biochemical parameters.

In this study, red cabbage-based intelligent/active composite films loaded with different concentrations of clove essential oil were prepared using red cabbage slurry as the matrix, polyvinyl alcohol as the binder, glycerol as the plasticizer, and Tween 80 as the emulsifier via the casting method. The physicochemical properties, color response behavior, and antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the films were systematically evaluated and their application in fish freshness monitoring was further investigated. The results showed that the incorporation of clove essential oil significantly enhanced the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the films and optimized their mechanical properties within a certain concentration range. Although high concentrations slightly reduced the pH response sensitivity of the films, all composite films exhibited significant color-changing ability, achieving a visible transition from red to yellow-green within the pH range of 2-12. In fish preservation experiments, the composite films not only reflected the freshness status of fish in real time through color changes but also effectively inhibited the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen, total bacterial count, and pH value, thereby delaying spoilage. In this study, a green packaging material with an intelligent indicating function was successfully developed, providing a novel solution for the quality monitoring of high-value aquatic products.

The potable water dispenser (PWD) system plays a critical role as a source of drinking water for astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). In this study, we examined the bioburden in the potable water produced by the PWD. The amount of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) in the PWD water was approximately 19 or 55 times greater than the bacterial count, and the EPS biomass accounted for approximately 24% or 86% of the bacterial biomass. Ralstonia pickettii consistently comprised approximately 70% or 80% of the bacteria for 3 years. Under simulated microgravity conditions, the isolated R. pickettii strains exhibited higher cell and EPS concentrations and higher total volume concentrations (average volume multiplied by concentration) of cell and EPS than under 1G conditions, whereas the average cell volume was smaller and the average EPS volume was larger. The ISS isolates showed higher EPS production and biofilm-formation abilities than terrestrial strains under nutrient-rich conditions and possessed high biofilm-formation ability comparable to those of terrestrial strains under nutrient-poor conditions. The ability of R. pickettii to produce EPS may play a crucial role in its adaptation to the water environment on the ISS.IMPORTANCEIn space habitation environments, the use of recycled water is indispensable, and ensuring its microbiological safety is essential. In this study, we elucidated the microbiological characteristics of water from the potable water dispenser (PWD) on the International Space Station (ISS). Our findings revealed that bacteria of the Ralstonia pickettii are the predominant species in PWD water and that extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) constitute a large proportion of the biomass. Furthermore, the isolated R. pickettii was shown to possess high EPS production ability and strong biofilm-forming capacity. Since EPS plays a crucial role in biofilm formation, these abilities may be important factors enabling R. pickettii to adapt to the water environment of the ISS.

Background: Paediatric syrups are sugar-rich solutions widely preferred in paediatric healthcare due to their palatability, although they are highly prone to microbial contamination. Of particular concern is the presence of biofilm-producing microorganisms; existing studies have focused on contamination while overlooking the enhanced resistance mechanisms conferred by biofilm formation. This study aimed to determine the antibiogram profile of bacterial isolates from commonly prescribed paediatric syrups administered by caregivers to patients at selected healthcare centers.Materials and Methods: A total of 392 syrup sample swabs were collected from hospitals and community sources. Bacterial isolation and identification were performed using standard microbiological methods. Biofilm production was evaluated using the test-tube method, and antibiotic susceptibility was determined via the disk diffusion method.Results: Bacterial counts ranged from 3.0±2.0×10³ to 10.7±3.05×10³ CFU/mL, with community samples showing the highest counts. Bacterial isolates identified included Proteus vulgaris, with the highest frequency of occurrence (18.75%) &gt; Streptococcus agalactiae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii (12.59%) &gt; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Arthrobacter agilis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli (6.25%). All isolates produced biofilms significantly different (p&lt;0.05) from the negative control (broth tube without bacterial cells), except Arthrobacter agilis. Antibiotic susceptibility testing indicated multidrug resistance, particularly against amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanate, while showing comparatively higher susceptibility to fluoroquinolones.Conclusion: P. vulgaris was the most frequent isolate, while K. pneumoniae and A. baumannii produced the strongest biofilms. The highest resistance was observed against amoxicillin and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, whereas fluoroquinolones remained the most effective. Paediatric syrups can harbor biofilm-producing multidrug-resistant bacteria, underscoring the importance of monitoring and safe handling.Keywords: paediatric syrup, antibiogram profile, biofilm, bacterial isolates, test-tube method

Inhibition of microbiologically influenced corrosion in 90/10 CuNi alloy by a novel antibacterial peptide.

Development of resin-modified glass ionomer functionalized with polyvalent metals and cyclic phosphates: Evaluation of mechanical properties, fluoride release, antibiofilm activity and cytotoxicity.

Impact of preoperative urine culture on postoperative febrile urinary tract infection after ureterorenoscopic lithotripsy.

Revealing the biological and genomic characteristics of Escherichia coli phages and their application in reducing biofilm formation and bacterial counts in contaminated meat.

The role of biofilms formed on different mesoplastics as a carrier of a range of diverse contaminants in estuarine water.

The antimicrobial potential of the water-based probiotic Symprove® against three clinically relevant pathogens, Clostridium perfringens, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Listeria monocytogenes, was investigated in vitro. Isothermal calorimetry and classical microbiological techniques were used to give an evaluation of Symprove's antimicrobial efficacy and mechanism of action against the pathogens. In mixed culture, the pathogenic species initially exhibited faster growth than the probiotic bacteria in Symprove, but the final bacterial counts revealed a significant reduction in pathogen viability compared with controls. After 48h of co-incubation, more than a 3-fold log reduction in colony-forming unit (CFU) growth was observed for all three pathogens evaluated, demonstrating a strong inhibitory effect (in particular, levels of C. perfringens and K. pneumoniae declined to zero). The mechanism of inhibition appears largely pH-dependent, driven by production of lactic acid from the probiotic strains. These findings support and expand previous work showing that Symprove exerts antipathogenic effects against common organisms that cause infectious diseases and suggest a potential role for Symprove as an adjuvant therapy in infectious diseases.

Volatolomics reveals the influence of O2/CO2 on the growth of Pseudomonas fragi and its volatile metabolites on meat substrates.