Food Research Articles

Airborne bacterial and fungal species in workstations of salmon processing plants

Significant quantities of salmon are processed daily in the industry's indoor facilities. Occupational exposure contributes to an individual's exposome. The aim of this study is to obtain knowledge about potential exposure to viable airborne species of bacteria and fungi as related to workstations in the salmon processing industry. The study was conducted in nine salmon plants along the Norwegian coast over one or two days with a one-year interval. The MAS100 was used for sampling and MALDI-TOF MS for species identification. The geometric mean concentrations of bacteria and fungi were 200 CFU/m3 and 50 CFU/m3, respectively, with the highest concentrations of bacteria found in slaughtering areas and fungi in trimming of fillets. In total 125 gram-negative and 90 gram-positive bacterial and 32 different fungal species were identified. Some genera were represented by several species e.g. Chryseobacterium (15 species), Flavobacterium (13 species), Microbacterium (12 species), Pseudomonas (37 species), and Psychrobacter (13 species). Risk class 2 (RC2, human pathogens) were found in all types of workstations and plants. Seventeen bacterial species belong to RC2, some were fish pathogens, food spoilage bacteria, or species causing foodborne disease. Among fungi, Aspergillus nidulans was frequently detected across different workstations and plants. In conclusion, bacterial and fungal concentrations were low. Fish and sea-related bacteria were found along the salmon processing line. Bacterial concentrations and species compositions differ between workstations. No particular bacterial or fungal species constituted a large fraction of all airborne species. Based on the presence of human pathogens, using protective gloves is important for the workers. The presence of human and fish pathogens and food spoilage bacteria reveals air as a transmission route for bacteria, potentially affecting workers, consumers, fish, and hygiene of processing equipment. To limit the spread of these bacteria an interdisciplinary cooperation with a One Health perspective may be relevant.

Portable smartphone-assisted amperometric immunosensor based on CoCe-layered double hydroxide for rapidly immunosensing erythromycin

Herein, we have manufactured a newly designed bifunctional impedimetric and amperometric immunosensor for rapidly detecting erythromycin (ERY) in complicated environments and food stuffs. For this, bimetallic cobalt/cerium-layered double hydroxide nanosheets (CoCe-LDH NSs), which was derived from Co-based zeolite imidazole framework via the structure conversion, was simultaneously utilized as the bioplatform for anchoring the ERY-targeted antibody and for modifying the gold and screen printed electrode. Basic characterizations revealed that CoCe-LDH NSs was composed of mixed metal valences, enrich redox, and abundant oxygen vacancies, facilitating the adhesion on the electrode, the antibody adsorption, and the electron transfers. The manufactured impedimetric and amperometric immunosensor based on CoCe-LDH has showed the comparable sensing performance, having a wide linear detection range from 1.0 fg mL−1 to 1.0 ng mL−1 with the ultralow detection limit toward ERY. Also, the portable, visualized, and efficient analysis of ERY was then attained at the smartphone-assisted CoCe-LDH-based SPE.

A comparative study of population structure and genetic diversity of commercial and indigenous chickens from different agro-ecological zones in Ghana using SilicoDArT and SNP markers

Chicken production, both in the local and commercial sectors, contributes significantly to human livelihood and food security. Precise use of diverse genetic resources is primary in breeding programs. The study analyzed the genetic diversity and population structure of commercial chickens and indigenous chicken ecotypes from three different agro-ecological zones (Semi-Deciduous Rainforest Zone, Guinea Savannah, and Coastal Savannah) using SilicoDArT and SNP markers, utilizing whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic data. Phenotypic data were collected from 72 indigenous chicken ecotypes across the three AEZs, and 32 commercial birds kept at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). DNA samples used for sequencing were obtained from 88 chickens (62 indigenous chicken ecotypes and 26 commercial chickens). A total of 54,995 SilicoDArT and 85,396 SNPs markers were generated from DArTseq genotyping. After filtering, 44,784 SilicoDArT and 58,353 SNP were used for genetic diversity and population structure analysis. Both markers showed high reproducibility and call rate. Polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged from 0.00 to 0.50, while ≥ 50 % showed PIC values more than the median. Furthermore, we obtained FST values, Nei’s genetic distance, dendrogram analysis, and principal component analysis (PCA) of commercial and indigenous chickens. The FST and Nei’s genetic distance showed that there is high genetic diversity between the commercial chickens and the indigenous chicken ecotypes. However, there was low genetic diversity among the indigenous chicken ecotypes. The PCA analysis indicated a clear separation between the commercial and indigenous chicken ecotypes, while no clear separation was observed between the indigenous chicken ecotypes. The phenotypic data and the dendrogram indicated that naked and frizzle genes do not markedly alter the genetics of indigenous and commercial birds, and their influence on economic traits may be solely determined by the prevailing environmental conditions. The results indicate that there is high genetic differentiation between commercial and indigenous chickens based on SilicoDArT and SNP markers. The indigenous chickens from the agro-ecological zones have low genetic diversity and might have a common origin. Naked neck and frizzle genes do not markedly alter the genetic performance of birds in terms of economic traits. Therefore, the superiority of birds carrying these genes in economic traits may be solely due to environmental variation.

Regulation of Added Substances in the Food Supply by the Food and Drug Administration Human Foods Program.

The US food supply is increasingly associated with diet-related diseases, toxicity, cancer, and other health harms. These public health concerns are partly attributable to a loophole in federal law. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) evaluates the premarket safety of ingredients regulated as food additives but allows the food industry to self-regulate and determine which substances to classify as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) based on undisclosed data and conclusions that the FDA never sees. Furthermore, the FDA lacks a formal approach for reviewing food additives and GRAS substances already found in the food supply. Substances in the food supply thus include innocuous ingredients (e.g., black pepper), those that are harmful at high levels (e.g., salt), those that are of questionable safety (e.g., potassium bromate), and those that are unknown to the FDA and the public. A recent court decision codified these gaps in the FDA's current approach, leaving states to try to fill the regulatory void. The FDA and Congress should consider several policy options to ensure that the FDA is meeting its mission to ensure a safe food supply. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print August 8, 2024:e1-e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307755).

A decade of advances in black soldier fly research: from genetics to sustainability

Abstract Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, is one of the most explored insect species mass-produced for feed, but also for food and technical purposes. Considering the rapid developments in both research and industrial production of this insect species in the last decade, this review intends to reflect on the most current scientific insights and define the future trends and needs for the most relevant associated research fields. The review reflects on the aspects of BSF production and reproduction, utilization of BSF biomass as components of animals’ feeds and human food. It also provides reflection on genetics, microbiology and sustainability. The analysis identifies the need in future research associated with compositions of fungal and viral communities of insects and their environments and mapping the dynamics of BSF gut physiology and microbiota in varying conditions. High interest will be devoted to establishing genomic resources, to characterize genotypic diversity, and to harness its potential through selective breeding to improve BSF performance quantitatively and/or qualitatively. Further research will follow on the use of BSF for food and feed development, potentially for specific application cases, associated with animal gut microbiome improvement and antimicrobial properties of BSF biomass. The further in-depth exploration of the potential of BSF for waste biotransformation and the assessment of its circularity potential are also expected to be major focus points of research in the next decade.

Yield and physical-chemical quality of mechanically separated tilapia meat in different weight classes

Due to heterogeneous growth and reproductive precocity, many tilapia do not reach the ideal size for commercialization and are discarded. Despite this, they are characterized as a high quality raw material and have the potential to be used in human food by obtaining mechanically separated meat (MSM). This research aimed to evaluate the yield and quality of MSM from tilapia in different weight classes, outside the commercial size. Animals were obtained from a commercial farm and transported to the laboratory in insulated boxes. They were then washed, weighed, graded, and eviscerated for the production of MSM. The weight classes studied were: A (≥ 50 g < 80 g), B (≥ 80 g and < 110 g), C (≥ 110 g and < 140 g) and D (≥ 140 g and < 170 g). Carcass yield and DMI, physicochemical, calcium, water activity, water retention capacity and fatty acid profile analyses were performed. After 90 days of storage (-18oC), total volatile bases, lipid oxidation and pH of MSM were determined. The highest carcass yield was obtained in weight class D. This variation can be attributed to the difference in size and weight of the fish in both classes. There was no significant difference in MSM performance between weight classes. Proteins were not affected by weight differences, and lipid content increased with fish size, with an inverse relationship with moisture and ash. The water activity values of tilapia MSM did not show significant differences. In the analysis of water retention capacity, the classes showed high retention with a significant difference, in which class B (45.2%) obtained the highest average WHC, while C (30.8%) presented the lowest result. Regarding the results obtained for calcium, it was observed that class A (≥ 50 < 80g) obtained the highest result (1.22%), significantly different from the others. In this study, no significant differences in TBARS and BVT values were observed between different weight classes. Differences in pH were observed among the weight classes, but all were within the regulatory limits. The main fatty acids found in MSM were palmitic acid (C16:0) (31.63 to 37.29%), oleic acid (25.33 to 30.14%), stearic acid (C18:0) (7. 10 to 10.31%), linoleic acid (C18:2n-6) (8.19 to 14.46%), palmitoleic acid (C16:1) (31.63 to 37.29%), and margaric acid (C17:0) (1.14 to 2.27%). MSM from tilapia with low commercial weight showed satisfactory yield in all weight classes and physicochemical quality in compliance with accepted standards after 90 days of storage.

Understanding the Cryptosporidium species and their challenges to animal health and livestock species for informed development of new, specific treatment strategies

Cryptosporidium species are parasitic organisms of vertebrates with a worldwide distribution. They have an important impact globally upon human and animal health, and livestock productivity. The life cycle of these species is complex and difficult to disrupt to improve human health, animal health, food security and economic growth. This may contribute to the fact that no new treatment strategy has been widely accepted or applied in livestock for years. Here we consider the natural history of these parasites, their biochemistry and economic impact. Using recent developments in understanding these parasites we then consider viable and affordable approaches to enhancing control of their effects on livestock. These are based on advances in drug discovery, omics research and artificial intelligence applications to human and veterinary medicine that indicate putative new therapeutic approaches.

ANALISIS PENGARUH HADIST NABI MENGENAI MENGAMBIL MAKANAN YANG JATUH SEBELUM 5 DETIK MENURUT PANDANGAN KESEHATAN

Humans require food to survive; it is a basic requirement. Whether these foods offer the best nutritional worth is yet unknown, though. Human food must have a variety of nutrients to sustain human life activities. Public health may be effectively improved by offering halal and sanitary meals. This satisfies both Islamic and health norms for delicious cuisine. Then there is dasit, which maintains that you can consume food that complies with Islamic precepts and the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The literature review method used in this study involves the researchers doing a number of searches utilizing different kinds of material from literature, including books, encyclopedias, and papers. This seeks to identify different kinds of Key words:

Facile E-nose based on single antenna and graphene oxide for sensing volatile organic compound gases with ultrahigh selectivity and accuracy

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) gases exist as important indicators in various processes such as human breath, food spoilage, plant disease, and industrial production, which makes VOC sensing a promising nondestructive detection method. Nanomaterial enabled electronic noses (e-noses) are gaining increasing attention for their exceptional ability to distinguish between multiple VOCs. To achieve this, multiple sensors with distinct nanomaterials are crucial for providing enough diversity for successful discrimination. Apparently if e-nose can be implemented solely on single sensor with single common nanomaterial operating at room temperature, the complexity and power consumption can be greatly decreased. In this study, a significant milestone is achieved as, for the first time, a single antenna sensor coated with commercial graphene oxide, demonstrates comparable performance to array-based e-noses, and even outperforms them in terms of the ultimate ambition of selectivity—isomeric VOC classification. An impressive classification accuracy of 96.7 % is attained for multiple VOC gases, including isomers. Additionally, the concentration of each component in VOC isomer mixtures is accurately determined. Unlike conventional antenna sensors, the sensor maintains stable communication during sensing operations. Finally, the practical feasibility of the antenna e-nose (Ant-nose) is successfully demonstrated with a series of food quality assessments.

Koku Sensation and Kokumi Substance: New Opportunities to Increase Palatability in Plant-Based Products

Abstract Food production needs to increase by 70% to meet the rising demand, but this puts a strain on food quality standards. Continuing to produce food in the same way would require more than one planet to sustain the demand, which is not feasible. Another problem is food waste; one-third of human food production is wasted globally every year, and only a small percentage is used for animal feed or other purposes. Therefore, drastic changes must be made to the global food production systems and our eating habits. Researchers have suggested a planetary diet that involves increasing the consumption of vegetables and fruits while reducing the intake of red meat. The goal is to accelerate the shift towards a greener lifestyle without compromising taste. It is suggested that koku sensation and kokumi substance can be effective tools for developing healthy and sustainable food by enhancing the taste of plant-based products. Research shows that fermentation is a promising method for improving the desirable qualities of plant-based foods by increasing the presence of kokumi peptides and various aroma compounds during the transformation process of raw materials, such as cereal by-products. This field of study holds the potential to increase consumer preference for plant-based diets by reducing unpleasant tastes, such as bitterness. Information © The Author 2024

CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS FOR NITROGEN REMOVAL AND SIMULTANEOUS REUSE OF DOMESTIC SEWAGE

This study evaluated the behavior of vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW), planted with irrigated rice (Oryza sativa L.), specie BRS-GO Guará, and a vertical flow soil filter without plant (VFSF-CTR), as control, both on a reduced experimental scale. The objective was the removal and recovery of N from domestic sewage, using soil latossoil red-yellow (LRY) mixed with medium sand (modified LRY) as support medium. The operation of VFCW and VFSF-CTR for ten months and two rice crop cycles, used three different hydraulic loading rates - HLR (4.0, 8.0 and 15.0 cm/d); with three repetitions, totalizing eighteen experimental units. For the VFCW, the total Kjeldahl nitrogen (KTN) and N-NH4+ removal efficiencies, ranged from 86% to 95%; and, for VFSF-CTR, from 79 to 94%; with the rice crop favoring higher efficiencies in KTN removal, independent of HLR. Both systems showed tertiary treatment removal efficiency in a single stage; in addition, the variations in the removal efficiencies were minimal when operated with HLR of 15 cm/d. There was great accumulation of KTN and mineral N (N-NH4+ and N-NO3-) in soil, mainly in the 0-5 cm soil layer, which can be used for fertilization of other crops. There was also N immobilised in microbial biomass (MBN). This rapid fertilisation improved the soil quality in a short term (ten months of sewage application) and provided the production of grains and vegetable biomass for human and animal food. The VFCW presented good results, either operated with low or high hydraulic loads, showing larger operational flexibility.

Hybrid ensemble - deep transfer model for early cassava leaf disease classification

Cassava is a most important carbohydrate human food consumed in many African and Asian countries. Cassava leaf disease is the major issue which affects production. Automatic early cassava leaf disease detection through deep learning models and transfer learning models were used for multiclass classification with different approaches. Existing approaches deal with imbalanced dataset for predicting the classes. This research work develops an approach based on hybrid Ensemble - deep transfer model approach for early leaf disease detection. Data augmentation was applied to the raw data for balancing the dataset. Three distinct new hybrid models namely Ensemble(InceptionV3+DenseNet-BC-121-32 + Xception), Ensemble(ResNet50V2+DenseNet-BC-121-32), Ensemble(ResNet50V2+ResNet50) were developed. The proposed model shows high performance results. A broad comparison of the proposed model was performed with custom based Convolutional Neural Network and pre-trained models. Highest accuracy of 88.83% and 97.89% was obtained in ensemble based approach that combined InceptionV3, Xception, DenseNet-BC-121-32 for five class and two class classification respectively.

In vitro evaluation of oral contraceptives on long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) primary ovarian cells

Hormonal contraception has been advocated as an alternative population control method for the long-tailed macaque population, which has increased exponentially due to anthropogenic changes and incidental food subsidies from human food waste. Risks of increased zoonosis and conflict are imminent if the population growth of long-tailed macaques is unchecked. However, there's a gap in the literature about the effect of hormonal contraceptives on long-tailed macaque reproductive tissues cell line. The present study aims to investigate the effect of oral contraceptives (Nordette, Noriday, and Ella) on long-tailed macaque ovarian cells. We determine the cell viability and cytotoxicity as well as the morphological changes of the drugs on long-tailed macaque ovarian cells using the MTT assay, Acridine orange/propidium iodide double staining method, morphological examination, and the 4, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining method. For the MTT assay, The drugs were dissolved in culture media before use to have a concentration ranging from 0.5 μg/mL, 2.5 μg/mL, 0.125 μg/mL, 0.0625 μg/mL, and 0.0315 μg/mL to have three replicates for each treatment.In contrast, the concentration of 0.0315 μg/mL was used for the morphological and histopathological analysis. The result of the study indicates that human oral contraceptives (Nordette, Noriday, and Ella) inhibit the growth of long-tailed macaque ovarian cells and induce apoptosis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner (at a concentration of 0.0315 μg/mL and an IC50 lower than 10 μg/mL), With a statistically significant value of ****P < 0.001 for each drug compared to the negative control. The result of the present study contributes toward addressing the gap in the literature on the effect of oral contraceptives in long-tailed macaque ovarian cells. Hence, we conclude that human oral contraceptives (Nordette, Noriday, and Ella) are safe and effective in long-tailed macaque ovarian cells as such could be used to develop non-invasive oral contraceptives for controlling the population of long-tailed macaques as an alternative population control method.

Bioaccumulation of legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in hydroponic lettuce and risk assessment for human exposure

Reclaimed water for irrigation or hydroponic cultivation provides exposure pathways for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to enter the human food chain. This study employed hydroponic methods to investigate the behavior of legacy PFAS and emerging chlorinated polyfluoroalkyl ether sulfonic acids (Cl-PFESAs) in lettuce grown under environment-related exposure levels and assessed the human exposure risks from consuming contaminated lettuce. Overall, PFAS in lettuce were concentration-dependent, with long-chain PFAS tending to accumulate in roots and short-chain PFAS accumulating more in shoots. The enrichment of PFAS in lettuce was jointly influenced by their chain length and polar functional groups. Specifically, the root concentration factors (RCFs) of PFAS generally increased with increasing chain length, and RCF values of most perfluoroalkanesulfonic acids (PFSAs) were significantly higher than those of perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCAs) with the same chain length (p < 0.01), while the translocation factors (TFs) exhibited opposite trends. RCF values of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and its alternatives, Cl-PFESAs, were ranked as follows: 8:2 Cl-PFESA (mean: 139) > 6:2 Cl-PFESA (28.6) > PFOS (25.7), which was attributed to the increased molecular size and hydrophobicity resulting from the insertion of ether bonds and additional CF2 in 8:2 Cl-PFESA. Notably, TF value of 8:2 Cl-PFESA (mean: 0.007) was the smallest among all PFAS, indicating 8:2 Cl-PFESA was difficult to transfer to nutritional compartments. Adults and children would exceed the most conservative health-based reference dose (RfD) by consuming approximately 15.9–148 g and 7.92–74.0 g of contaminated lettuce per day, implying high health risks.

Impact of processed and ultra-processed foods on colorectal cancer risk: Mechanisms, dietary factors, and protective compound

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignant neoplasm worldwide, linked to behavioral factors such as a sedentary lifestyle and smoking, environmental factors like pollution, and nutritional factors including a diet rich in red and processed meats. Some foods are associated with potential carcinogenicity, while others act as protective factors. This review aims to report the contribution of processed and ultra-processed foods to the etiopathogenesis of CRC and explore the role of protective diets. The article is an integrative review conducted in PubMed and VHL databases using the descriptors “colorectal cancer” and “processed foods.” Studies published in the last five years addressing the relationship between these foods and CRC development were included. Potentially carcinogenic substances in processed foods, such as heterocyclic amines, nitrosamines, heme iron, industrial fatty acids, aromatic hydrocarbons, sialic acid sugar, and additives like titanium dioxide, were associated with colon and rectal neoplasms. Additional associations were found with the human microbiome, packaging materials, and food preparation methods. Conversely, several food components can protect against CRC. The consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods can significantly increase CRC risk through mechanisms like inflammation, oxidative stress, gene expression changes, and genetic material damage. The intestinal flora profile may be protective against CRC but is altered when processed and ultra-processed foods are included in the diet. Fiber, phytochemicals, and spices present in plant foods are consistently reported to have anticarcinogenic effects.

Microplastic accumulation and oxidative stress in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum Linn.): Role of the size effect

Microplastics (MPs), which are widely dispersed in terrestrial environments, threaten crop growth and human food security. However, plant accumulation and phytotoxicity related to the size effects of MPs remain insufficiently explored. This study investigated the accumulation and toxicity of two sizes of MPs on Capsicum annuum Linn. (C. annuum) through fluorescence tracing and antioxidant defense system assessment. The results revealed that the size of MPs significantly impacts their accumulation characteristics in C. annuum roots, leading to variations in toxic mechanisms, including oxidative stress and damage. Smaller MPs and higher exposure concentrations result in more pronounced growth inhibition. C. annuum roots have a critical size threshold for the absorption of MPs of approximately 1.2 μm. MPs that enter the root tissue exhibit an aggregated form, with smaller-sized MPs displaying a greater degree of aggregation. MP exposure induces oxidative stress in root tissues, with high concentrations of smaller MPs causing lipid peroxidation. Analysis of the IBR values revealed that C. annuum roots utilize ascorbic acid (ASA) to prevent oxidative damage caused by larger MPs. Conversely, smaller MPs primarily induce superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH). These results emphasize the significant impact of MP size on plant antioxidant defense response mechanisms, laying the foundation for further investigating the implications for human health.

IMPLEMENTASI UU NO. 18 TAHUN 2012 TERHADAP PERAN DINAS KETAHANAN PANGAN DAN PERTANIAN DALAM MENINGKATKAN KESEJAHTERAAN PETANI DI DESA KEDUNG DALEM KECAMATAN DRINGU KABUPATEN PROBOLINGGO

Agriculture and food security are two important aspects in state development, which do not only focus on meeting people's food needs, but also on improving the welfare of the main actors, namely farmers. To optimize these two aspects, the Indonesian government issued Law no. 18 of 2012 concerning Food. This law provides the legal basis for implementing policies aimed at improving food security and farmer welfare. Food is one of the places to develop District Government Policy in supporting food availability, and what innovations have been implemented by the Kedung Dalem Village government in advancing the food sector in its village. It is hoped that Village Government policies can provide new innovations, or new ideas that are able to provide progress for food in developing the food sector. Kedung Dalem Village was chosen as the research location because it has quite large agricultural potential and represents the real problems faced by farmers at the local level. A deep understanding of food law enforcement at the village level is key to designing policies that are more effective and responsive to farmers' needs.

Novel application of carbon nanotube electrodes for electrochemical detection of amino acids in athlete’s biological samples

Understanding different physiological processes and spotting any health problems, especially in athletes, depend on tracking the quantities of amino acids in biological samples. This study looked at the creation of a unique electrochemical sensor for the sensitive and targeted identification of the necessary amino acid methionine in biological materials. Based on a modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface, the sensor incorporated a tungsten disulfide (WS2) and carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposite. The improved electrical conductivity and catalytic activity of this material combination towards methionine oxidation led to its selection. The sensor that was created showed remarkable selectivity for methionine over other amino acids, along with a wide linear range of 5–1475 μM and a low detection limit of 10 nM. A relative standard deviation of 3.62 % was obtained across ten consecutive measurements, confirming the sensor's repeatability. The practical use of the CNTs-WS2/GCE sensor was verified by the detection of MTN in human blood serum, urine, and food samples. The recovery values ranged from 93.00 % to 99.40 %, and the relative standard deviation was less than 4.71 %. Based on these findings, we believe that our new CNTs-WS2/GCE sensor holds great potential for quick and precise methionine identification in biological samples from athletes.

Meso- and micro-plastics contamination of water, sediments and fish species in coastal communities of Ondo State, Nigeria

Small plastic particles are contaminants of increasing concern in the environment due to the dangers they pose to organisms and their potential to enter human food chain. Plastic pollution of Coastal environments is a threat to biodiversity of aquatic resources, and to the health and livelihood of Coastal inhabitants. In this study, microplastics and mesoplastics were jointly determined in the water, sediments and fish species from five coastal communities in Ondo State, Nigeria. The plastic particles ranged from 1430 to 2844 particles/L and 2497–4844 particles/kg in the coastal waters and sediments, respectively. Attenuated total reflectance– Fourier transform infrared (ATR – FTIR) spectroscopic analyses led to the identification of eight (8) plastic polymer types, with low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) jointly constituting 64 % of the plastic particles (0.5–25 mm). Microplastics were discovered in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) of every single individual of the four (4) species investigated. Clarias gariepinus had the highest concentration (13.3 ± 3.4 microplastics/individual) and showed tendency to accumulate microplastics as the fish size increased. Small plastic fibres were the most abundant shape in the coastal environment and in the fish species, pointing to the impact of artisanal fishing activities in the area. Detection of microplastics in all the fish species implies a risk of exposure to plastic particles by humans, who rely on these fishes for their protein source. Regulation of some single-use plastics (e.g. nylons, polybags and styrofoams) is proposed to curb the incidence of plastic particles in the Nigerian total environment.

In vitro assessment of probiotic properties of lactic acid bacteria isolated from camel milk: enhancing sustainable foods

Probiotic properties of isolated lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from sustainable foods including camel milk are the potential research domains. For this purpose, camel milk samples (n = 20), from four different herds of Camelus dromedarius, were processed for the identification of LAB strains based on biochemical profiles followed by amplification and sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene. The probiotic characteristics, i.e., acids and bile salts tolerance, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, hemolytic and antimicrobial activities, auto-aggregation assay, and adhesion to HT-29 epithelial cells were determined. Thirteen out of 20 milk samples were initially found positive for the growth of probiotics or LAB which were further confirmed as Lacticaseibacillus casei (5) and Pediococcus pentosaceus (3). The probiotics/LAB strains showed maximum survival (%) = 92.06 ± 1.82 and 81.35 ± 3.64 against acids and bile salts, respectively. The LAB strains were found sensitive to amoxicillin, ceftazidime, imipenem, linezolid, ofloxacin, tetracycline, tobramycin, and vancomycin. None of the LAB strains showed hemolytic activity. L. casei-04 strain showed a maximum zone of inhibition (15.33 ± 0.58) against multidrug-resistant E. coli AZ1 strain whereas, L. casei-05 showed a maximum zone of inhibition (16.33 ± 1.15) against methicillin-resistant S. aureus Saba-1 strain. L. casei-03 showed maximum percentage auto-aggregation (28.65 ± 1.96) at 4 h while L. casei-01 showed (41.10 ± 3.03) at 24 h of incubation. Maximum adhesion was shown by P. pentosaceus-01 (11.14%) followed by L. casei-02 (9.73%). Altogether, the current findings suggested that camel milk has significant potential of providing probiotics/LAB strains into human food chain and enabling camel milk as potential sustainable food.