Introduction Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a key marine organosulfur compound produced by phytoplankton and macroalgae that functions as an osmolyte, antioxidant, and precursor of dimethylsulfide (DMS)—a climate-relevant gas influencing the global radiation balance. Marine bacteria degrade DMSP through demethylation and cleavage pathways, driving the marine sulfur cycle. This study aimed to quantify DMS(P) concentrations and to isolate, identify, and characterize DMSP-degrading bacteria from the Cochin Estuary (CE), Kerala, India. Methods Surface water and sediment samples were collected from fifteen CE stations across three seasonal regimes (pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon) between 2015 and 2018. DMS(P) levels were determined by alkali hydrolysis followed by gas chromatography with headspace sampling. Heterotrophic bacterial abundance was estimated by spread plating on Zobell’s Marine Agar. DMSP-degrading bacteria were isolated on DMSP-enriched minimal medium, and selected isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. PCR amplification was performed to detect DMSP lyase (Ddd) genes, and phylogenetic analyses were conducted using MEGA6. Results DMSP concentrations ranged from BDL to 0.15 ng/µL in water and 0.01 to 2.35 ng/µL in sediments, with higher values recorded during the pre-monsoon season. A total of 112 water and 211 sediment bacterial isolates were obtained, with Gram-negative strains dominating (70% in water and 64% in sediment). Sediments harbored higher bacterial counts than water. Four isolates capable of growing on DMSP-enriched medium were identified: Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Acinetobacter beijerinckii, Bacillus cereus , and Lysinibacillus fusiformis . Amplification of the dddP gene was observed in A. calcoaceticus . Seasonal variations in salinity, temperature, and nutrient levels influenced DMS(P) distribution, with higher concentrations recorded in sediments. Discussion The findings confirm CE sediments as microbial “hotspots,” dominated by γ-Proteobacteria and Firmicutes—groups known for their significant roles in sulfur cycling. Hydrographic seasonality, particularly salinity fluctuations, shaped bacterial diversity and DMSP transformation patterns. The detection of DddP genes suggests active enzymatic cleavage pathways contributing to atmospheric DMS release. Conclusion This first baseline study on DMSP degradation in the CE highlights the ecological significance of estuarine sediments in sulfur cycling. The results enhance the understanding of microbial mediation of DMSP catabolism in tropical estuaries and its implications for climate regulation. Further research is warranted to elucidate additional catabolic pathways and environmental controls.

Over the years, human impact on the environment has triggered changes in water quality. This has been caused by point and non-point sources of pollution. This study investigated the effects of human activities on the water quality of Manza Stream in Machakos Municipality, Kenya. Manza Stream is one of the streams that pour its waters into the Maruba Dam. Samples were collected in triplicate at four selected sites along the watercourse bi-weekly for one and a half months. The water samples were tested and analysed in the laboratory for bacterial count; E-coli and Total coliforms, and eight physicochemical water parameters. The parameters measured onsite were: temperature and dissolved oxygen, and in the laboratory: turbidity, electrical conductivity, pH, nitrates, nitrites and sulphates. One-way Analysis of Variance and Post Hoc Tukey test were used for data analysis to test the significance difference (p=0.05) and to separate mean values of the different parameters measured at different sampling sites, respectively. Electrical Conductivity (64.20 to 974µs/cm), Nitrates (0.50 to 2.00mg/l), Sulphates (0.89 to 14.56mg/l), Nitrites (0.0009 to 0.08mg/l), Dissolved Oxygen (1.40 to 4.70mg/l), and pH (6.55 to 7.65) were found to be within the WHO drinking water standards. Temperature, specifically at Maruba Dam (site four) (26.210C), E-Coli (0 to 53.33MPN/ml), and Total Coliform (1472.22 to 1777.78MPN/100ml) exceeded the WHO limits. The findings from this research benefit the water sector in educating the public on ways to carry out their activities sustainably, without affecting the water quality of the stream and the importance of protecting the catchment.

Hand hygiene is critical for infection prevention and quality of care. Alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) are widely recommended for their broad antimicrobial activity and ease of use; however, concerns remain regarding product quality and efficacy. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties and antimicrobial performance of ABHRs used in healthcare facilities in Addis Ababa. A laboratory-based experimental design was conducted between May and August 2025. Thirty ABHRs from hospital-produced, locally manufactured, and imported sources were tested using a customized EN 1500 protocol. The volunteers' hands were contaminated with Escherichia coli K12 and treated with 3 mL of the product for 30s. Pre- and post-treatment bacterial counts were compared, with log10 reduction factor as the primary outcome. Non-parametric tests (Wilcoxon signed-rank, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U) were applied. Measured ethanol concentrations ranged from 55 to 86% v/v compared with labeled 60-87% v/v. Nearly one-quarter of hospital-produced and locally manufactured products fell below the WHO minimum of 60% v/v. Antimicrobial testing showed log10 reductions of 2.63-4.63; 50% achieved the EN 1500 benchmark of ≥ 4 log reduction, 26.7% demonstrated moderate efficacy (3-<4 log reduction), and 23.3% fell below 3 log reduction. Imported formulations (73-86% v/v; median 79% v/v) consistently achieved ≥ 4 log reductions, significantly outperforming hospital-produced (p = 0.009) and locally manufactured products (p = 0.047). One-fourth of ABHRs and half of the tested products failed to meet the WHO concentration and EN 1500 efficacy benchmarks. Policymakers, hospital administrators, and the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority must urgently establish mandatory quality audit systems and enforce strict adherence to international guidelines to safeguard healthcare workers, patients, and infection prevention efforts in Ethiopia.

Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) remain critical public health challenges in low-income and environmentally degraded communities. This study assessed household sanitation and hygiene practices alongside the bacteriological quality of domestic water sources in Twanchik community, a tin mining–impacted settlement in Jos, Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey of 100 randomly selected households collected data on WASH using a structured questionnaire, while 50 water samples were analyzed for total heterotrophic bacterial counts (THBC) and fecal coliform counts (FCC) using membrane filtration, with bacteria species identified using conventional microbiological procedures. Results revealed suboptimal WASH conditions, including toilet sharing (45%), open defecation (21%), indiscriminate waste disposal into streams (68%) and open areas (26%), limited handwashing facilities (16%), and handwashing frequency (52%). Of the households, 63% lived in private residences and 37% in shared compounds, with 53% comprising 1–5 occupants. Livelihoods of residents were mainly trading (34%) and 46% had attained secondary education. Water sources varied seasonally: protected wells dominated the dry season (65%), while rainwater harvesting (42%) and wells (52%) were primary in the rainy season; 58% of households did not treat water. Residents reported dissatisfaction with water availability (60%) and access (68%), and noted seasonal changes in taste (72%), color (45%), and odor (25%). Bacteriological quality of water sources revealed elevated THBC (1.40 × 10² ± 7.39 × 10¹ CFU/100 mL (control) to 9.75 × 10² ± 4.50 × 10¹ CFU/100 mL (spring water) and FCC from 1.80 × 10¹ ± 5.83 × 10⁰ to 1.95 × 10² ± 3.50 × 10¹ CFU/100 mL, exceeding WHO limits. Escherichia coli (36.5%) predominated, followed by Klebsiella spp. (18.8%) and Enterobacter spp. (14.1%). These findings indicate substantial deficiencies in WASH and bacteriological quality of water sources, driven by both behavioral practices and environmental constraints. Therefore, improved WASH practices and environmental remediation are integrated interventions required to reduce risk of waterborne disease infections in the mining-impacted settlement.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial reduction achieved under in vitro conditions by different irrigation activation methods applied with sterile physiological saline solution in an Enterococcus faecalis root canal biofilm model. Seventy single-rooted and single-canal mandibular premolar teeth were divided into seven groups (n = 10): positive and negative control groups and five experimental groups (Standard needle irrigation-SNI, EDDY, passive ultrasonic irrigation-PUI, XP-Endo Finisher, Erbium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet-Er: YAG laser). On the 21st day of biofilm formation, initial samples (S1) were obtained; they were cultured on blood agar, quantified as CFU/mL, and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. Following irrigation activation, second samples (S2) were obtained and evaluated using the same procedure. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23 software. Since the assumptions of parametric tests were not met, the Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney U tests were used for intergroup comparisons, and the Wilcoxon test was used for pre- and post-procedural comparisons (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found among the groups in terms of S1 values (p = 0.272). In all experimental groups, a significant reduction in bacterial counts was detected as a result of the comparison of S1 and S2 values (p < 0.005). A significant difference was determined among the groups with respect to S2 values (p < 0.001). The EDDY group exhibited the lowest mean value and was found to be significantly different from all other groups (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed among the PUI, XP-Endo Finisher, and Er: YAG laser groups (p > 0.001); however, each of these groups demonstrated significantly lower bacterial counts compared to the SNI group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, all evaluated methods provided a significant reduction in bacterial counts; however, EDDY was determined to be the most effective method. Further studies are required to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.

Conventional mechanical debridement may be insufficient to fully eradicate biofilms adherent to prosthetic and surrounding tissue surfaces in cases of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This study aimed to evaluate the eradication efficacy and safety of non-contact low-frequency ultrasonic debridement (NLFUD) combined with antiseptic solutions against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms. Ex vivo, sequential NLFUD was followed by one of four antiseptic protocols (0.9% saline, 3% H2O2, 0.5% povidone-iodine (PI), or 3% H2O2 then 0.5% PI) to eliminate S. aureus biofilms on titanium discs, and evaluated eradication efficacy by live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo, the approach was subsequently evaluated in a S. aureus-infected PJI rat model comprising four groups: mechanical debridement alone, mechanical and chemical debridement, mechanical and NLFUD debridement, and combined mechanical, NLFUD, and chemical debridement. In vivo, biofilm disruption was assessed by SEM, and safety by haematology, hepatorenal function, major-organ histology, local angiogenic/inflammatory markers, and periprosthetic bone integration. NLFUD combined with each antiseptic produced residual live and dead biofilm areas of < 1%. NLFUD + PI and NLFUD + H2O2 + PI groups exhibited no bacterial regrowth. SEM analysis confirmed effective biofilm disruption using NLFUD on titanium discs ex vivo and on titanium alloy prosthesis in vivo. NLFUD treatment significantly increased bacterial counts in surgical fluid (median 2,665 vs 195 CFU/ml, p = 0.002). Biofilms were reformed in all groups at two weeks after debridement surgery. No significant between-group differences were seen in local immunohistochemical markers (including periprosthetic bone integration and angiogenic markers), or systemic inflammatory indicators, and haematoxylin and eosin staining revealed no structural abnormalities in major organs. As an intraoperative adjunct to debridement in PJI, sequential NLFUD and antiseptic irrigation enhance immediate biofilm disruption while maintaining a favourable systemic and local safety profile, warranting clinical evaluation to reduce residual biofilm burden.

Airborne microbes from animal confinement facilities not only amplify the risk of disease spread among livestock but also pose substantial health threats to animals and farm workers. The objective of this study was to investigate the microbial counts in cattle sheds and their relationship with meteorological factors, including temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity, as well as microbial diversity. Sampling was carried out both indoors and outdoors of two cattle sheds throughout three seasons (summer, rainy, and winter), at fortnightly intervals. Results showed that bacterial and fungi counts ranged from 0.0 to 1.60 × 103CFU/m3 inside the sheds and from 0.0 to 1.08 × 103CFU/m3 outside, with significant variation between areas and seasons. The predominant microbial count was mesophilic bacteria followed by staphylococci, fungi and Enterobacteriaceae. The mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae and fungi showed statistically significant positive correlation with air temperature while air velocity with Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. No significant correlation exists between relative humidity and microbial concentration. The bacterial families Staphylococcaceae and Bacillaceae from the mesophilic group of bacteria were identified as the most prevalent, whereas the dominant fungi taxa in the cattle sheds were Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. The microbial environment within cattle sheds under loose housing systems was found to be well-regulated, with airborne bacteria and fungi levels remaining within recommended limits.

Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) is an intestinal pathogen which is excreted fecally and can be spread in the environment through contaminated manure. Lactic acid fermentation (LAF) was evaluated as a method to inactivate MAP in cattle manure (CM). As carbohydrate (CHO) sources oats and saccharose (Sac) were used. After mixing, manure was incubated at 21°C for 8 weeks. The microbial shift was determined using cultural methods. The results showed different suitability of the selected CHOs for inactivation of MAP by LAF. Using squeezed oats as an additive, culturable MAP was reduced to below the detection limit after 35 and 42 days of fermentation. Additional Sac decreased the reduction time to 21 days. With Sac only addition, inactivation of MAP was not successful and bacterial counts did not differ from the negative control. Detection of IS900 genome fragments using real time-polymerase chain-reaction (PCR) showed that the number of gene copies in the manure did not decrease during the course of the experiments. This study showed that LAF is a valuable option for decontaminating CM with natural resources in the case of paratuberculosis.

Mobile phones are integral to modern clinical workflows and increasingly bridge clinical and private environments. Yet, their role as portable high-touch surfaces in infection prevention remains insufficiently characterized. We hence assessed prevalence and molecular epidemiology of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) on mobile phones used by healthcare workers (HCWs) at a German university hospital and compared them with devices used by non-HCWs. In this 30-month cross-sectional study, 232 HCW and 241 non-HCW mobile phones were analyzed to determine MDRO prevalence and overall bacterial count. A subset of devices was examined before and after disinfection with alcohol-based wipes. Whole genome sequencing with subsequent core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) was applied to identify clonal clusters. MDRO prevalence was significantly higher on HCW phones compared to non-HCW phones (15.1% vs. 0.4%, p < 0.001), with particularly high rates on intensive care unit devices and shared phones (23.4% and 23.0%, respectively). Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, predominantly the endemic ST117/CT71 clone, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus were detected on 11.2% and 4.7% of devices, respectively. In contrast, no multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives (MDRGN) were identified, despite contamination with susceptible Enterobacterales or nonfermenters. cgMLST analyses revealed clonal MDRO strains mainly within wards and only rarely across wards, consistent with both local clustering and possible cross-ward dissemination. Total bacterial count did not predict MDRO detection. Alcohol-based wipes reliably eliminated MDRO from all tested devices. Given the high MDRO burden on HCW mobile phones and genomic clustering across wards, mobile phones may represent a relevant reservoir with potential to facilitate in-hospital MDRO dissemination. Standardized mobile phone disinfection routines - particularly for shared and ICU devices - should be considered in infection prevention strategies to reduce potential phone-associated MDRO transmission risk and may represent a conceptual "Sixth Moment" complementing the WHO "Five Moments for Hand Hygiene".

Objectives. The study aimed to evaluate whether sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation demonstrates superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to alternative root canal disinfection protocols in vital tooth endodontic procedures. Materials and methods. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched for relevant information, specifically focusing on Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). A total of 50 articles were analyzed, of which 10 studies most fully met the established search criteria. Results. Sodium hypochlorite is generally at least as effective as, and sometimes superior to, alternative irrigants such as chlorhexidine (CHX), Tetracycline-Acid-Detergent mixture (MTAD), and various natural products. A statistically significant superiority of sodium hypochlorite over chlorhexidine was reported in some RCTs and in vivo studies (Prasad et al., 2025; Vianna et al., 2006), but not in others (Rôças et al., 2016; Siqueira et al., 2007; Ruksakiet et al., 2020; Fedorowicz et al., 2012). The Tetracycline-Acid-Detergent mixture (MTAD) surpassed sodium hypochlorite in one in vitro study (Shabahang et al., 2003). Certain combinations of natural irrigants (e.g., Neem-sodium hypochlorite) showed promising results in a systematic review (Susila et al., 2023), but the evidence base is limited and heterogeneous. Chlorhexidine was found to be more effective than sodium hypochlorite against Enterococcus faecalis in one in vitro study (Menezes et al., 2004). Paul et al. (2024) found that sodium hypochlorite (5.25%) was the most effective for both reducing bacterial count and removing the smear layer, as assessed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Susila et al. (2023) noted less postoperative pain when using Neem, but no significant differences were found regarding clinical or radiographic success between sodium hypochlorite and some natural irrigants. Conclusions. The analyzed studies, which include Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), in vitro studies, and systematic reviews, report that sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is a highly effective root canal irrigant, often achieving high rates of bacterial count reduction. Some studies report a statistically significant superiority of sodium hypochlorite over chlorhexidine (CHX), while others do not. Alternative irrigants, such as the Tetracycline-Acid-Detergent mixture (MTAD) and certain combinations of natural products, may possess similar or even superior efficacy in specific contexts, but the evidence base for these alternatives is currently limited and heterogeneous. The authors consider further investigation into the comparative efficacy of these irrigants in the endodontic treatment of necrotic cases to be a promising area of research.

The increasing cost of conventional microbiological culture media have prompted the mining for alternative, cost-effective and locally formulated options. This study evaluated the potential of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seeds formulation as an alternative culture media for the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria. The following test bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus were characterized via Gram staining and biochemical tests. Proximate analysis of the okra seeds, formulation of okra seed agar and broth were carried out. Total colony count on okra agar and population density (0-72 hours) in the okra and nutrient broth was also ascertained. The proximate analysis okra seeds revealed moisture content (8.5%), ash content (0.5%), crude lipids or fat (1.58%), crude fiber (30.9%), crude protein (15.6%), carbohydrate (4.92%), and calorific content (220.113Kcal). Okra seed agar media was formulated by dissolving 4g of okra seed powder, 0.5g of NaCl, and 1.5g of agar (solidifying agent) into 100ml of distilled, while okra seed broth was formulated without the addition of agar. Total colony count (CFU/mL) of the test bacteria on okra agar includes Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.7x109) , Shigella flexneri, (2.9×10⁸) , Proteus mirabilis (2.6×10⁹) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.3×10⁸) and Staphylococcus aureus (3.1×10⁷). Highest population density (CFU/mL) after 24hours incubation recorded in okra broth was demonstrated by Klebsiella pneumoniae (3.7x108), Shigella flexneri, (3.2x108) , Pseudomonas aeruginosa (3.8x108) and Staphylococcus aureus (4.0x108); while Proteus mirabilis (3.2x108) recorded the highest in nutrient broth. Findings demonstrated that the okra seed formulations supported significant bacterial growth and can be deployed as an alternative culture media for the isolation of some pathogenic bacteria.

Structure-function relationship in nano ZnO-curcumin reinforced pea protein films prepared via high-pressure homogenization.

This study compared the efficacy of Sonic (EDDY) and Er,Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser activation in eradicating Enterococcus faecalis biofilm formed in 3D-printed molar replicas with two mesial canals and one distal canal. An in vitro design was implemented using 20 3D-printed mandibular molar replicas mimicking the natural canal morphology. Root canals were inoculated with E. faecalis and incubated for 21 days to allow the development of a mature biofilm. Three irrigation protocols were tested: Conventional needle irrigation (CNI), EDDY sonic activation (SA), and Er,Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser activation (LA). The control group was irrigated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) without activation. Residual bacterial load was quantified through colony-forming unit (CFU) counts and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Bacterial viability in the apical isthmus was assessed using fluorescence microscopy. A Student's t-test was performed to identify significant differences between CFU/mL values in groups, with significance set at 5% (p < 0.05). CFU counts of E. faecalis were significantly lower in the CNI, SA, and LA groups compared to the control (p < 0.05). In the SA and LA groups, bacterial counts were reduced to the lower detection limit (< log10 CFU/mL of 1.00), suggesting near-total bacterial elimination. qPCR and fluorescence microscopy corroborated these results, providing greater differentiation between the outcomes of sonic and laser activations. Er,Cr:YSGG (2780 nm) laser activation showed superior efficacy in endodontic disinfection by effectively eradicating E. faecalis biofilm, including in the challenging isthmus region, representing a promising method for complex root canal anatomies.

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).

ABSTRACT The gut microbiome can contribute to drug metabolism and significantly influence pharmacokinetic (PK) behavior. Sulfasalazine is well‐known to be metabolized by gut bacterial azoreductases into sulfapyridine and mesalamine. Despite in vitro and in vivo evidence of the gut microbiome's role in drug metabolism, quantitative predictions of its impact on drug PK are lacking. To address this gap, we used sulfasalazine and its metabolites as a case example to build a translational modeling framework to predict the extent of gut microbiome‐mediated drug metabolism and subsequent PK of the metabolites. First, sulfasalazine conversion kinetics was measured in vitro using pooled human fecal homogenate incubation. In vitro V max was 650.5 and 200.9 pmol/min/mg feces, and K m was 3648 and 1605 μM for sulfapyridine and mesalamine formation, respectively. Based on colon and feces bacterial counts from nine healthy humans, a ratio of 0.47 was used to scale in vitro fecal V max to the colon level. Second, physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models for sulfasalazine, sulfapyridine, and mesalamine were built in Simcyp and verified to predict their oral PK when dosed directly. Lastly, sulfapyridine or mesalamine PK after dosing sulfasalazine was predicted by linking the parent and metabolite PBPK models with colon luminal metabolism kinetics. The observed sulfapyridine and mesalamine PK after dosing sulfasalazine were predicted with weighted average fold‐errors of 1.21, 1.22, and 1.05 for C max , T max , and AUC, respectively. Overall, this in vitro to in vivo translation and modeling framework provides valuable insights for quantitatively predicting the in vivo impact of gut microbiome‐mediated drug metabolism.

Application of SPI incorporated with OSA rice starch ester composite film on the preservation of chilled beef.

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

ABSTRACT This study examined how well mycomeal (rice bran fermented with Volvariella volvacea ) can serve as a sustainable replacement for soybean meal (SBM) in the diets of saline‐tolerant hybrid tilapia fry ( Oreochromis spilurus × Oreochromis niloticus, SpiN ) over a 60‐day feeding trial. Five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets were formulated with graded levels of mycomeal replacing SBM (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) and fed to triplicate groups of fish using a completely randomized design. Growth evaluation revealed that SBM can be fully replaced by mycomeal without compromising culture survival, growth, feed utilization or the proximate composition of SpiN . Nutrient analysis demonstrated that mycomeal has a higher apparent digestibility coefficient for protein (93.84%) than SBM (78.80%), but lower dry matter digestibility (72.00 vs. 91.10). Furthermore, mycomeal served as a functional feed ingredient, improving gut health and modulating the microbiota. Histological analysis revealed that 50% mycomeal replacement significantly increased intestinal villus length compared to the SBM control and other mycomeal‐based diets. This gut health improvement is also supported by a drastic increase in beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) at the 75% inclusion level, while total bacterial count significantly decreased with mycomeal inclusion. Overall, mycomeal serves as an adequate and highly digestible protein source for saline‐tolerant hybrid tilapia fry. Its functional properties provide a strategic and sustainable solution for the continued expansion of tilapia aquaculture in saline and brackishwater environments.

Efficacy and pharmacokinetics of a stepwise isolated phage cocktail against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a murine pneumonia model.

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.