Food Safety Challenges Research Articles

Modeling bioaffinity-based targeted delivery of antimicrobials to Escherichia coli biofilms using yeast microparticles. Part I: Model development and numerical simulation.

Biofilms are potential reservoirs for pathogenic microbes leading to a significant challenge for food safety, ecosystems, and human health. Various micro-and nanoparticles have been experimentally evaluated to improve biofilm inactivation by targeted delivery of antimicrobials. However, the role of transport processes and reaction kinetics of these delivery systems are not well understood. In this study, a mechanistic modeling approach was developed to understand the targeted delivery of chlorine to an Escherichia coli biofilm using a novel bioaffinity-based yeast microparticle. Biofilm inactivation by this delivery system was numerically simulated as a combination of reaction kinetics and transport phenomena. Simulation results demonstrate that the targeted delivery system achieved 7 log reduction within 16.2 min, while the equivalent level of conventional free chlorine achieved only 3.6 log reduction for the same treatment time. These numerical results matched the experimental observations in our previous study. This study illustrates the potential of a mechanistic modeling approach to improve fundamental understanding and guide the design of targeted inactivation of biofilms using biobased particles.

Challenges for food security and safety: a qualitative study in an agriculture supply chain company in Iran

BackgroundFood supply chain companies are major link for safe food production and distribution. Food safety ensures reduced food losses and, therefore, contributes to food security. Although there have been extensive studies on the food industry with different perspectives, no study has so far been conducted on the challenges in terms of the food security. The present study is a qualitative one conducted in 2019 in one of the largest agricultural production chain companies in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran.ResultsThe research method was based on the conventional content analysis. Triangulation method was used for the data collection being a combination of the participant observations, focus group discussions (17 managers) and semi-structured interviews with the president of the company. Participants believed that their company plays an important role and has a prestigious position in the food security of Iran. However, the main challenges of the company are regulatory system, food safety risks, market unpredictability, traditional management and sanctions.ConclusionsThe company is highly resilient to all these challenges; however, the traditional management is still a serious disadvantage. This leads to the managers’ burnout along with the company survival problem, removing unfair sanctions and protecting agricultural development in developing countries is a necessity. In general, paying attention to the modern organizational management of these companies and their survival is an essential policy. For this reason, it is suggested that trust must be established between policymakers and companies on one hand and relationship between the academia and such companies to promote the organizational management on the other hand.

Digital Technologies and Open Data Sources in Marine Biotoxins' Risk Analysis: The Case of Ciguatera Fish Poisoning.

Currently, digital technologies influence information dissemination in all business sectors, with great emphasis put on exploitation strategies. Public administrations often use information systems and establish open data repositories, primarily supporting their operation but also serving as data providers, facilitating decision-making. As such, risk analysis in the public health sector, including food safety authorities, often relies on digital technologies and open data sources. Global food safety challenges include marine biotoxins (MBs), being contaminants whose mitigation largely depends on risk analysis. Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), in particular, is a MB-related seafood intoxication attributed to the consumption of fish species that are prone to accumulate ciguatoxins. Historically, CFP occurred endemically in tropical/subtropical areas, but has gradually emerged in temperate regions, including European waters, necessitating official policy adoption to manage the potential risks. Researchers and policy-makers highlight scientific data inadequacy, under-reporting of outbreaks and information source fragmentation as major obstacles in developing CFP mitigation strategies. Although digital technologies and open data sources provide exploitable scientific information for MB risk analysis, their utilization in counteracting CFP-related hazards has not been addressed to date. This work thus attempts to answer the question, “What is the current extent of digital technologies’ and open data sources’ utilization within risk analysis tasks in the MBs field, particularly on CFP?”, by conducting a systematic literature review of the available scientific and grey literature. Results indicate that the use of digital technologies and open data sources in CFP is not negligible. However, certain gaps are identified regarding discrepancies in terminology, source fragmentation and a redundancy and downplay of social media utilization, in turn constituting a future research agenda for this under-researched topic.

Mycotoxins in Foods: Occurrence, Challenges and Management in Context of Nepal

Incidence of mycotoxins in principal foods and grains is a major threat to achieving food safety but still remains one of the most underrated and ignored sources for food borne diseases, particularly in less developed countries. Furthermore, food insecurity together with ineffective government regulations and environmental conditions that favor fungal proliferation and toxin production merge together to make the people’s life even harder in countries like Nepal. Apart from wasting huge quantities of food every year, mycotoxins are associated with various acute and chronic health disorders including carcinogenic, mutagenic, estrogenic, digestive, vascular and nervous defects. Staple diets in less developed countries like Nepal are largely based on crops like maize, susceptible to mycotoxins which may ultimately lead to chronic health problems in large population. Although there is an immediate need to address the food safety challenges caused by mycotoxin contamination in cereal grains, studies so far in Nepal has been conducted mainly in aflatoxins in limited commodities only and very less efforts have been made to manage and mitigate the problems caused by mycotoxins in Nepal. Therefore, a thorough control of mycotoxins in overall food chain is essential to safeguard the health of the population which could be achieved by implementing stricter regulations, modern and scientific post-harvest operations, effective monitoring programs and raising necessary awareness among stakeholders. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 9(3): 152-159.

Community knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin in dietary staples in rural Busia county, Kenya: A mixed methods study

Aflatoxins are an important food safety challenge globally and in Kenya. Understanding a community’s knowledge, perception and practices is instrumental to improvement of aflatoxin control measures. Creating awareness on the causes of contamination and mitigation options could improve aflatoxin mitigation. This study aimed to map out dietary staples, establish drivers of food choices, describe knowledge and perceptions on aflatoxin and post-harvest grain management practices and use among the communities in Busia County in order to guide future evidence-based aflatoxin prevention and public health interventions. A household survey was conducted in 40 villages, and participants were selected using stratified systematic sampling in three sub-counties in rural Busia County. The survey was complemented and triangulated with a qualitative study component. Focus Group Discussions with sixty women and sixteen semi- structured interviews with nine men and seven women were conducted. Both descriptive and statistical analysis of data were performed. The results showed variability in household diversity scores and maize was observed as the community staple. While both younger and older participants were able to identify spoilt grains, they demonstrated limited knowledge and awareness of aflatoxin. Participants were not aware that seemingly clean grains could be colonized by aflatoxin as they only associated spoilage with discoloration and bitter taste of flour. Study participants were also not aware of the aflatoxin pathways to exposure as they used the spoilt grains in feeding chicken, making animal feed and local brew. Appropriate disposal methods of aflatoxin contaminated food were not known. The knowledge gap was attributed to lack of awareness creation and sensitization by the relevant government ministries. For effective control and prevention of aflatoxin contamination, farmers and traders need to be aware of the causes of aflatoxin contamination of grains, available mitigation options and health risks attributable to aflatoxin exposure in order to self-regulate. Ministries of health and agriculture, through their public health officers, community health workers and agricultural extension officers respectively need to collaborate and spearhead awareness creation among communities and institute food surveillance systems in Busia County.

SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic and Food Safety Oversight: Implications in Canada and Coping Strategies.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has created enormous societal disruptions in the Western world, including Canada, with serious implications for food safety. Since the start of the pandemic, many scholars have investigated the issue of food safety through different lenses. In this review, two research thrusts were identified, the epidemiology of the virus and food safety oversight. Both were challenged by the pandemic in Canada and elsewhere. In this paper, we first present how Canada experienced the pandemic. We then present how epidemiology and food safety oversight were affected by the virus and how the spread exposed gaps in Canada’s food safety system. We explain how Canada was not adequately prepared to face the food safety challenges posed by SARS-CoV-2. The review ends with an explanation on how risk perceptions will be altered by the pandemic in Canada and how food safety systems will adjust to better anticipate systemic risks in the future.

Towards improving food safety in Cambodia: Current status and emerging opportunities

Cambodia has made significant efforts to improve nutritional outcomes while demonstrating increasing interest in ensuring that food safety challenges do not negate these efforts. This integrative review examines food safety in Cambodia to identify areas where efforts, both existing and recommended, could focus to best limit Cambodians’ exposure to foodborne disease. The review considers: 1) documented foodborne disease outbreaks in Cambodia; 2) aggregated food safety research taking place in Cambodia; 3) current food safety regulatory structures in the country; and 4) gaps in food safety knowledge or practices. Lastly, the review proposes an framework to bridge food safety gaps through the integration of improved surveillance, targeted intervention research informed, and a comprehensive understanding of Cambodians motivations, opportunities, and capabilities to adopt food safety practices.

Critical success factors influencing artificial intelligence adoption in food supply chains

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the food supply chains (FSC) can address unique challenges of food safety, quality and wastage by improving transparency and traceability. However, the technology adoption literature in FSC is still the in infancy stage, meaning little is known about the critical success factors (CSFs) that could affect the adoption of AI in FSC. Therefore, this study makes a pioneering attempt by examining the CSFs influencing the adoption of AI in the Food Supply Chain (FSC). A conceptual framework based on TOEH (Technology–Organisation–Environment–Human) theory is used to determine the CSFs influencing AI adoption in the context of Indian FSC. The rough-SWARA technique was used to rank and prioritise the CSFs for AI adoption using the relative importance weights. The results of the study indicate that technology readiness, security, privacy, customer satisfaction, perceived benefits, demand volatility, regulatory compliance, competitor pressure and information sharing among partners are the most significant CSFs for adopting AI in FSC. The findings of the study would be useful for AI technology providers, supply chain specialists and government agencies in framing appropriate policies to foster the adoption of AI in FSC the sector.

Prevalence and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ready-to-Eat Street Foods.

As the global urban populations increase with rapid migration from rural areas, ready-to-eat (RTE) street foods are posing food safety challenges where street foods are prepared with less structured food safety guidelines in small and roadside outlets. The increased presence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in street foods is a significant risk for human health because of its epidemiological significance. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have become important and dangerous foodborne pathogens globally for their relevance to antibiotic resistance. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential burden of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae contaminating RTE street foods and to assess the microbiological quality of foods in a typical emerging and growing urban suburb of India where RTE street foods are rapidly establishing with public health implications. A total of 100 RTE food samples were collected of which, 22.88% were E. coli and 27.12% K. pneumoniae. The prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 25.42%, isolated mostly from chutneys, salads, paani puri, and chicken. Antimicrobial resistance was observed towards cefepime (72.9%), imipenem (55.9%), cefotaxime (52.5%), and meropenem (16.9%) with 86.44% of the isolates with MAR index above 0.22. Among β-lactamase encoding genes, blaTEM (40.68%) was the most prevalent followed by blaCTX (32.20%) and blaSHV (10.17%). blaNDM gene was detected in 20.34% of the isolates. This study indicated that contaminated RTE street foods present health risks to consumers and there is a high potential of transferring multi-drug-resistant bacteria from foods to humans and from person to person as pathogens or as commensal residents of the human gut leading to challenges for subsequent therapeutic treatments.

Evaluation of Raw Groundnuts from Makurdi Markets in Nigeria for Aflatoxin B1

Aims: The contamination of groundnut by aflatoxins (AF) results in financial losses to farmers’ as well as severe food safety and public health challenges globally. This study was carried out to; (i) assess the levels of AFB1 in husked groundnut seeds in Makurdi (ii) determine the relationship between moisture content and AF levels, and (iii) investigate vendors’ knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of AF and their approach towards groundnut storage.
 Study Design: Quantitative research method was employed in this study.
 Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Benue State University, Makurdi from May – June 2019.
 Methodology: Duplicate groundnut samples were collected from ten market locations in Makurdi and analyzed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) quantification method.
 Results: The moisture content of the groundnuts was determined, and data on Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) relating to groundnut storage were obtained using mini-questionnaires. The results obtained showed that all the sampled groundnuts were contaminated with AFB1 levels ranging from 17.3 - 35.9 parts per billion (ppb). Furthermore, we found a correlation between high moisture content and high AFB1 levels and vice-versa. The knowledge of AF among the groundnut retailers was low (<40%), and 40.91% of the sellers confirmed that groundnuts were stored for ≤one month before sale.
 Conclusion: The levels of AFB1 levels in stored groundnuts are above the permissible limit of 20 ppb for stored groundnut in Nigeria. The data obtained raises concerns for food safety considering that groundnuts are widely consumed in Makurdi. Regular evaluation of AFB1 levels in food should be conducted in Nigeria.

Occurrence of Chemical Contaminants in Peruvian Produce: A Food-Safety Perspective.

The presence of chemical contaminants in agricultural products is a continued food-safety challenge in Peru. This country has robust agriculture potential, but its output of fruits and vegetables is severely impacted by massive mining activities, as well as poor farming practices, including the use of polluted irrigation water, misuse of pesticides, and inadequate postharvest conditions. This review examines the current scientific knowledge on the levels of pesticide residues, heavy metals, and mycotoxins on crops produced in Peru. The available data shows that several crop varieties are contaminated with these classes of chemical contaminants, and at levels that exceed the national and international permissible limits. The abundance of chemical contaminants in produce indicates a relevant food-safety issue, which increases the risks of chronic human diseases, like cancer—a leading cause of death in Peru. Finally, this review presents recommendations to address these contamination problems in produce grown in the Andean country.

Food safety and sanitation challenges of public university students in a developing country.

Inadequate catering facilities in Kenyan public universities compel students to handle and prepare their own food, in environments not designated for food preparation such as rooms in hostels. This study investigated the level of food safety and sanitation knowledge, attitude, and practice, among students in an effort to prevent food‐borne diseases. A cross‐sectional study was conducted among 535 students from two public universities in Kenya. Data were obtained through a piloted, structured questionnaire in line with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) guidelines, administered to students from seven different departments. Eighty percent of the students had adequate levels of food safety and hygiene knowledge, while 70% had a positive attitude toward food safety and sanitation. An average of 74% engaged in inadequate food safety and hygiene practices, with majority citing lack of equipment as a major contributor. ANOVA results revealed significant correlation between the gender and knowledge and practice of food safety and sanitation (F = 30.328, ρ = 0.000) and (F = 18.177,ρ = 0.000), respectively. Binary logistic regression showed that knowledge (β = 3.677, p < .000) fostered the practice of food safety and sanitation more in comparison with attitude (β = 2.244, p < .000). Kenyan universities should consider introducing food safety courses that emphasize Food Safety Management System (FSMS) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) practices and procedures especially to non‐science‐based courses, in addition to providing students with proper cooking and food handling facilities.

Farmer research networks enable community-based mycotoxin management in rural Indian villages

CONTEXTMycotoxins and other food safety and preservation challenges are prevalent in smallholder food systems, and communities often lack the knowledge and capacity required to effectively diagnose and address these concerns. Participatory research can facilitate innovation in resource-poor settings by fostering collective identity and leveraging endogenous systems of change, but there are limitations to the scalability and impact of this approach across contexts. Embedding participatory research within a farmer research network (FRN) has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of participatory research by enhancing the flow of knowledge between local and global innovation systems. OBJECTIVEThis study proposes a framework for FRN-mediated participatory food safety research and reports on key findings from an application of this approach in six villages in Unnao District, Uttar Pradesh, India. METHODSA cohort of 184 households was organized into a FRN and engaged in a series of participatory research activities. Collective identity was developed within the FRN by reflecting on shared goals and establishing leadership. Participatory context characterization combined with multiple factor analysis (MFA) enabled formation of interest-based affinity groups, which explored potential solutions to a range of local problems. Affinity group deliberations led to the implementation of a FRN-wide hermetic grain storage intervention. Uptake of the technology was evaluated by monitoring continued usage, willingness-to-pay, price elasticity of demand, and retail sales across localities. Efficacy of the FRN approach for participatory food safety research was assessed by monitoring participation, motives, and experiential outcomes among members. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSContext characterization revealed distinct needs profiles influenced by the extent of home versus non-home time allocation and economic orientation. Household trials of hermetic sacks were effective in 99% (128/129) of participating households, with 83% continuing use in subsequent seasons. Willingness-to-pay analysis demonstrated substantial demand for hermetic sacks but high price elasticity across hypothetical price points. Despite demonstrable demand and positive reception, actual sales were low (<10 units) due to perceived high cost of the technology. Participation and experiential outcomes were generally positive, but the FRN was not successful in maintaining adequate, representative gender balance in its programming. SIGNIFICANCEThis study documents a novel application of the FRN approach to participatory food safety research and constitutes substantial evidence for the potential for FRNs to catalyze local-global knowledge feedback loops. The model outlined is widely adaptable and could be used across contexts in India and elsewhere.

Antimicrobial Residues in Food from Animal Origin-A Review of the Literature Focusing on Products Collected in Stores and Markets Worldwide.

The extensive use of antibiotics leads to antibiotic residues in frequently consumed foods. Generally, the main use of antibiotics in animals is to treat and prevent diseases and growth promotion. However, the residues and their breakdown products have several side effects on the human body and, in a broader sense, on the environment. In relation to the human body, the frequency of mutations is increased, the bone marrow is damaged (chloramphenicol), and the reproductive organs of humans are affected. Carcinogenic effects have been found with antibiotics such as sulfamethazine, oxytetracycline, and furazolidone. We summarized data from 73 scientific studies reporting antimicrobial residues in animal products that were freely available for sale. The studies were published in English starting from 1999 till 2021 and identified through the Pubmed search engine. The aims were to find out which antibiotics, legal or illegal, could be found in animal foods worldwide. Which are stable to get into the food chain and exceed the maximum residue limits (MRL) regarding the EU guidelines as a comparison. Reducing antimicrobial residues in food from animal origin and, in addition to this, fighting the tremendous growth and spread of antimicrobial resistance will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult food safety challenges in the coming years.

Knowledge and attitudes toward genetically modified (GM) food among health sciences university students in Karachi, Pakistan

Purpose Genetically modified (GM) foods have global importance as they can significantly improve food security challenges. However, risks associated with the consumption of GM foods have affected consumers’ acceptance. This study aims to assess the student’s awareness regarding GM foods. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted to explore the knowledge and attitude of health sciences university students toward GM foods. Students (n = 400) from different academic disciplines were participated in the study. Findings The majority of the university students heard about GM organisms and GM food (67.5% and 60.8%, respectively) and have correctly defined GM foods (48.2%). The mean percentage score of knowledge and attitude toward GM foods among university students was 36.0 ± 29.4% and 29.8 ± 23.1%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in knowledge and attitude between undergraduate and postgraduate students. A significant difference was found toward the acceptability of GM food in students from different health sciences disciplines (p = 0.006). Originality/value The findings indicate that educational programs are needed to improve the knowledge of students about GM food and food safety challenges.

Ecological niche adaptation of Salmonella Typhimurium U288 is associated with altered pathogenicity and reduced zoonotic potential

The emergence of new bacterial pathogens is a continuing challenge for agriculture and food safety. Salmonella Typhimurium is a major cause of foodborne illness worldwide, with pigs a major zoonotic reservoir. Two phylogenetically distinct variants, U288 and ST34, emerged in UK pigs around the same time but present different risk to food safety. Here we show using genomic epidemiology that ST34 accounts for over half of all S. Typhimurium infections in people while U288 less than 2%. That the U288 clade evolved in the recent past by acquiring AMR genes, indels in the virulence plasmid pU288-1, and accumulation of loss-of-function polymorphisms in coding sequences. U288 replicates more slowly and is more sensitive to desiccation than ST34 isolates and exhibited distinct pathogenicity in the murine model of colitis and in pigs. U288 infection was more disseminated in the lymph nodes while ST34 were recovered in greater numbers in the intestinal contents. These data are consistent with the evolution of S. Typhimurium U288 adaptation to pigs that may determine their reduced zoonotic potential.

Preparation of self-assembling Litsea cubeba essential oil/ diphenylalanine peptide micro/nanotubes with enhanced antibacterial properties against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm

The contamination of foodborne pathogens biofilms presents a serious challenge for global food safety, attributed to their rapid diffusion and high antimicrobial resistance. Herein, we demonstrated that Litsea cubeba essential oil (LC-EO) has sufficient antibacterial activity to eradicate S. aureus biofilm. After 4 h treatment of 2 mg/mL LC-EO, the bacterial density inside the biofilm decreased 75.89%. The study on antibiofilm mechanism indicated that during LC-EO treatment, the adhesion of S. aureus was weakened, and the transcription level of ica operon genes (biofilm formation-related) suffered varying degrees of inhibition. In addition, for improving the stability and antibiofilm activity of LC-EO, a LC-EO-loaded peptide micro/nanotubes structure (LC-EO/FNTs) was further prepared in this study via combination with diphenylalanine self-assembly technology. Compared with LC-EO treatment alone, the prepared LC-EO/FNTs showed better eradication effect on S. aureus biofilm with enhanced penetrability across the dense extracellular polymers matrix. Finally, a stable antibacterial effect of LC-EO/FNTs was also obtained with application on different handmade soybean products. This study provides evidence of an innovative strategy for antibiofilm applications of natural antibacterial agents and materials in food matrix.

Risk management tool to define a corrective storage to enhance Salmonella inactivation in dry fermented sausages

The resistance of Salmonella to the harsh conditions occurring in shelf-stable dry fermented sausages (DFS) poses a food safety challenge for producers. The present study aimed to model the behaviour of Salmonella in acid (with starter culture) and low-acid (without starter culture) DFS as a function of aw and storage temperature in order to build a decision supporting tool supporting the design of a corrective storage strategy to enhance the safety of DFS. Salmonella spp. were inoculated in the raw meat batter at ca. 6 Log cfu/g with a cocktail of 3 strains (CTC1003, CTC1022 and CTC1754) just before mixing with the other ingredients and additives. After stuffing, sausages were fermented and ripened following industrial processing conditions. Different drying-times were applied to obtain three batches with different aw (0.88, 0.90 and 0.93). Afterwards, DFS were stored at 4, 8, 15 and 25 °C for a maximum of three months and Salmonella spp. were periodically enumerated. The Weibull model was fitted to Log counts data to estimate inactivation kinetic parameters. The impact of temperature and aw on the primary inactivation parameters was evaluated using a polynomial equation. The results of the challenge tests showed that Salmonella spp. levels decreased during storage at all the assayed conditions, from 0.8 Log (in low-acid DFS at 4 °C) up to 6.5 Log (in acid DFS at 25 °C). The effect of both aw and temperature was statistically significant. Delta (δ) parameter decreased by decreasing aw and increasing temperature, while the shape (p) parameter ranged from above 1 (concave) at 10 °C to below 1 at 25 °C (convex). A common secondary model for the p parameter was obtained for each type of DFS, acid and low-acid, indicating that acidification during the production of DFS affected the time for the first Log reduction (δ) during the subsequent storage, but not the overall shape (p parameter) of the inactivation. The developed models covered representative of real conditions, such as Salmonella contamination in the raw materials and its adaptation to the harsh processing conditions. The good predictive performance shown when applying the models to independent data (i.e. up to 80% of the predictions within the ‘Acceptable Simulation Zone’ for acid sausages) makes them a suitable and reliable risk management tool to support manufacturers to assess and design a lethality treatment (i.e. corrective storage) to enhance the Salmonella inactivation in the product before DFS are released to the market.

Antibiotic resistant bacteria in raw cow milk and milk products retailed in the northern region of Ghana; a food safety challenge

The presence of antimicrobial resistant foodborne bacteria is a major food safety challenge for food that is consumed raw. Abuse and overuse of antibiotics in the agriculture sector has been identified as a contributory factor to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. In many developing countries where milk is marketed and consumed raw through informal channels, the occurrence of bacterial contamination is high and poses a major public health risk. This situation is exacerbated when caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Hence this study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistant pattern of bacteria in raw cow milk and milk products retailed in the Northern Region of Ghana. Antibiotic resistance profiles were established for 150 bacteria isolates (Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. Shigella spp. and Proteus spp.) obtained from the culture of raw milk (n=210) and milk products (n=60) retailed within the Northern region of Ghana. Susceptibility to nine antimicrobials commonly used in veterinary and human medical practice was performed on all the isolates using the agar disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Isolates showed highest resistance to Nalidixic acid followed by Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and Ceftriaxone but were most susceptible to Ciprofloxacin and Ampicillin. About 25 – 47.6 % of Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to Cefoxitin. Milk and milk products sold in the northern region of Ghana are contaminated with bacterial pathogens with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. A one health approach is required to curtail the threat of antibacterial resistant bacteria in the food chain.

Year, Location, and Variety Impact on Grape-, Soil-, and Leaf-Associated Fungal Microbiota of Arkansas-Grown Table Grapes.

With the recent advancement of next-generation sequencing methods, there has been an increase in studies on identification of vineyard microbiota, winery-associated microbiota, and microbiota in wine fermentation. However, there have been few studies investigating the fungal microbiota of table grapes which present distinct spoilage and food safety challenges. The aims of this study were to identify and compare the impact of year, variety, and vineyard location on grape, leaf, and soil fungal communities of two varieties of table grapes, Faith and Gratitude, grown in two open-air vineyards and one high tunnel vineyard. The grape, leaf, and soil mycobiota were analyzed using highthroughput amplicon sequencing of the ITS region. The sampling year and location of table grapes had an impact on grape, leaf, and soil mycobiota. Fungal diversity of grape, leaf, and soil was greater in 2017 than in 2016. Grape and leaf samples presented strong similarities in fungal communities with abundance of Sporidiobolaceae and Filobasidium in two vineyards and Cladosporium in another one. The high tunnel structure had distinct grape and leaf fungal communities compared to the two other vineyard locations. Mortierella was the predominant genus (27%) in soil samples for the three locations; however, genera of lower abundance varied between locations. These results provide extensive description of fungal communities in less-studied table grape vineyards and high tunnels, providing useful insight of potential threats and preventive strategies to help improve the production and marketability of table grapes.