Microbiological Control Research Articles

Study of enterobacteria biofilms critical point control technologies livestock and food production

The relevance of the study and the presence of gaps in the existing knowledge on the topic. Monitoring studies of the biological safety of food raw materials for microbiological indicators is an urgent problem due to the increase in the number registered diseases transmitted to humans through raw materials and products of animal origin. There is a tendency for a statistically significant increase in epidemiological indicators throughout the world, the proportion of these pathologies is increasing both in humane medicine and veterinary medicine. The aim of the work is a comparative assessment and selection of effective methods for studying the formation biofilms enterobacteriaceae circulating among susceptible animal species and isolated from food raw materials.Methods. Аnalysis of growth and dynamics development biofilms Enterobacteriaceae was carried out during cultivation on nutrient media containing growth factors for the repair of the cell wall and the reversal viable uncultured microorganisms. To study the morphological and functional patterns of the development a population microorganisms in vitro and in vivo, we used the conventional and developed methods for preparing preparations for scanning, transmission phase contrast, optical and luminescence microscopy.Results and its discussion. During microbiological control critical points in the technology of animal husbandry and food production, the morphological and functional characteristics biofilms, which are communities microorganisms secreting a polymer matrix and adhered to the tissues of susceptible animal species and abiotic surfaces livestock buildings and food industries, were studied. The developed methods of biofilm cultivation made it possible to study enterobacteriaceae biofilms in vitro and in vivo, without disturbing the natural architectonics of the population microorganisms, to determine the components extracellular matrix. For the study dynamics morphological and functional patterns of the development populations microorganisms, routine and technological advances present are recognized as promising, for example, scanning electron microscopy makes it possible to assess the degree of formation and morphological composition biofilms. Phase contrast microscopy to reveal processes depending on the composition medium and the oxygen content in the culture medium.Conclusions. Methods for cultivating biofilms in vitro and in vivo without disturbing the natural architectonics of biofilms made it possible to optimize the preparation samples for research and eliminate the routine stages of colony counting, and significantly increase the number of analyzes. Due to the simplicity of operations and minimization manual labor, productivity increases, safety of work is increased, cost of personnel working time is reduced, and subjective factors are excluded. For the development of a complex antiepizootic and diagnostic measures, a priority direction is the disclosure of scientific knowledge in the field fundamental studies of ecological plasticity and adaptation potentially pathogenic enterobacteria to parasitism in the warm-blooded organism of birds and mammals. This will allow solving applied problems controlling the critical points of livestock and food production technology, developing effective chemotherapeutic and disinfecting drugs to reduce cell coaggregation and detect viable uncultured microorganisms.

Quality of hydro-alcoholic products used in Senegal: pilot study

Antisepsis and disinfection have always played an important role in the fight against infectious diseases. The use of these products has been effective in breaking the chain of transmission of microorganisms. Today, with the advent of COVID-19, the main recommendations are, among other things, physical distance and the use of antiseptic products, including hydro-alcoholic products. In Senegal, with poor regulations on the acquisition and distribution of antiseptics and disinfectants, this situation has led to a proliferation of antiseptics and disinfectants on the national market. this work aimed to study the quality of hydroalcoholic products found in the trade. We evaluated ten samples of hydro-alcohol products collected during the month of March 2020. Physical and microbiological controls were performed at the National Drug Control Laboratory. The alcohol content of the samples ranged from 63 to 85% and were consistent with WHO recommendations except for samples E3 and E5. The pH values varied between 4.02 and 6.64 and the densities of the hydro-alcoholic gel samples ranged from 0.84 to 0.92 g/cm3; E2, E4, E5, E6 samples had densities greater than 0.89 g/cm3. The samples of hydro-alcoholic products all conformed to the sterility test and no microbiological contamination was observed. Antimicrobial activities of the hydro-alcoholic samples tested ranged from 58.3 to 100% with two samples showing no activity (E2 and E5). In view of the results of this study, it would be relevant to expand and deepen investigations by a significant increase in the number of samples and by carrying out as complete an analysis as possible.

Assessment of Microbiological Quality of Fresh Vegetables and Oysters Produced in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina.

Fresh vegetables and shellfish are prone to microbial contamination through irrigation or breeding with sewage-polluted waters, as well as by infected food handlers. In this work, we studied the presence of human and bovine polyomaviruses and human norovirus in fresh lettuces, strawberries and oysters produced in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. In oysters, we also investigated F-specific RNA bacteriophages, indicator Escherichia coli (E. coli) and pathogen bacteria of concern (Salmonella spp., Vibrio spp.). Within vegetables, we found viral contamination of human origin given the presence of human-associated polyomaviruses -MCPyV, HPyV6, JCPyV, and SV40- in lettuce and strawberry samples (16 and 10%, respectively), probably coming from irrigation waters and food handling. Among oysters, human (MCPyV, 4.2%) and bovine (BPyV1, 8.4%) polyomaviruses were detected even with low counts of E. coli. Bacteriophages (n = 3) and Salmonella spp. (n = 1) were also found, while Vibrio spp. was not detected. These results may indicate that the contamination in oysters comes from human and animal excreta, probably present in breeding waters. Norovirus was not detected in any food sample. To our knowledge, this is the first description of SV40 in lettuces and MCPyV and BPyV1 in oysters. The detection of different viral contaminants encourages further studies to evaluate the need for including viral indicators in microbiological standards. The identification of possible sources and routes of contamination using viral markers during routine microbiological controls, such as the polyomaviruses used in this work, would be useful to focus attention on the most hazardous stages of the food production chain.

Antimicrobial potential of a bioactive coating based on chitosan incorporated with clove essential oil in hamburger-like meat product

The food industry is looking for strategies to prevent microbial growth in order to ensure food safety and shelf life. However, the use of synthetic preservatives, such as nitrate and nitrite in meat products, entails risks to human health. An alternative is the utilization of essential oils, widely known for their antimicrobial properties. This work aimed the antimicrobial potential of a bioactive coating based on chitosan incorporated with clove essential oil in in hamburger-like meat product. Through the analysis of antimicrobial activity by diffusion in agar and broth, there was an action against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Regarding Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was 3.74 mg/mL and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was 374.33 mg/mL for both. In the micro atmospheric diffusion test, CEO reduced by up to 70 and 76% of the E. coli and S. aureus bacteria development, respectively. CEO was applied as an active component in chitosan-based coatings in hamburger-like meat, in which it was able to promote the control of microbial proliferation of Total Coliforms, Coliforms at 45 ⁰C and Coagulase-Positive Staphylococcus throughout 7 days of storage under refrigeration. It is concluded that the bioactive coating based on chitosan incorporated with clove essential oil promotes microbiological control in hamburger-like meat product.

Contaminants and Where to Find Them: Microbiological Quality Control in Axenic Animal Facilities.

The use of axenic animal models in experimental research has exponentially grown in the past few years and the most reliable way for confirming their axenic status remains unclear. It is especially the case when using individual ventilated positive-pressure cages such as the Isocage. This type of cage are at a greater risk of contamination and expose animals to a longer handling process leading to more potential stress when opened compared to isolators. The aim of this study was to propose simple ways to detect microbial contaminants with Isocages type isolator resulting by developing, validating and optimizing three different methods (culture, microscopy, and molecular). These three approaches were also tested in situ by spiking 21 axenic mice with different microorganisms. Our results suggest that the culture method can be used for feces and surface station (IBS) swabs exclusively (in Brain Heart Infusion for 7 days at 25°C and 37°C in aerobic conditions, and at 30°C in anaerobic conditions), while microscopy (wet mounts) and molecular method (quantitative PCR) were only suitable for fecal matter analyses. In situ results suggests that the culture and molecular methods can detect up to 100% of bacterial contamination events while the microscopy approach generates many erroneous results when not performed by a skilled microscopist. In situ results also suggest that when an axenic mouse is contaminated by a microbial agent, the microorganism will colonize the mouse to such an extent that detection is obvious in 4 days, in average. This report validates simple but complimentary tests that can be used for optimal detection of contaminants in axenic animal facilities using Isocage type isolators.

Sanitary condition of soil in the territory of Astrakhan state technical university and nearby territories of higher educational institutions

Objective. The authors of this article studied and analyzed the sanitary condition of the soil in the territory of Astrakhan State Technical University and the nearby territories of higher educational institutions. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in May June 2019 on the basis of the laboratory of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology of Astrakhan State Medical University and the laboratory of the Department of Applied Biology and Microbiology of Astrakhan State Technical University. Thirty soil samples were taken from these territories. The studies of soil samples for parasitological indicators were performed according to the guidelines "Control Methods. Biological and Microbiological Factors. Methods of Sanitary and Parasitological Research", for microbiological indicators "Methods of Soil Microbiological Control". Results. The following results were obtained: the sanitary-parasitological condition of the soil in parks near higher educational institutions in Astrakhan remains very tense as evidenced by positive findings of geohelminthoses; when assessing the degree of epidemic hazard of soil, there were identified nematode eggs and adult worm Strongyloids, that corresponds to the indicators of moderately hazard soil; the presence of live strongylid larvae in the studied samples indicates contamination of the soil with feces of infested animals, and the presence of Ascaris eggs indicates contamination of the soil with sewage or feces of infested children walking and resting in these territories; the total microbial number on average gave indicators for evaluating the selected soil samples as a slightly polluted soil. Conclusions. The sanitary and parasitological state of soil in parks of Astrakhan higher educational institutions remains rather tense as evidenced by positive findings of geohelminthoses.

Rapid and improved identification of drinking water bacteria using the Drinking Water Library, a dedicated MALDI-TOF MS database

According to the European Directives (UE) 2020/2184 and 2009/54/EC, which establishes the sanitary criteria for water intended for human consumption in Europe, water suitable for human consumption must be free of the bacterial indicators Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Enterococcus spp. Drinking water is also monitored for heterotrophic bacteria, which are not a human health risk, but can serve as an index of bacteriological water quality. Therefore, a rapid, accurate, and cost-effective method for the identification of these colonies would improve our understanding of the culturable bacteria of drinking water and facilitate the task of water management by treatment facilities. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is potentially such a method, although most of the currently available mass spectral libraries have been developed in a clinical setting and have limited environmental applicability. In this work, a MALDI-TOF MS drinking water library (DWL) was defined and developed by targeting bacteria present in water intended for human consumption. This database, made up of 319 different bacterial strains, can contribute to the routine microbiological control of either treated drinking water or mineral bottled water carried out by water treatment and distribution operators, offering a faster identification rate compared to a clinical sample-based library. The DWL, made up of 96 bacterial genera, 44 of which are not represented in the MALDI-TOF MS bacterial Bruker Daltonics (BDAL) database, was found to significantly improve the identification of bacteria present in drinking water.

Determination of microbial recovery for some pharmaceutical raw materials and passive monitoring at production area and microbiology laboratory at Egyptian pharmaceutical company

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the validity of pharmaceutical raw materials obtained from an Egyptian pharmaceutical factory to ensure the accuracy of the examination findings before they are used in the manufacturing process. On the other hand, it also aims to determine the environmental microbial count at the microbiology laboratory and production areas to prevent microbial contamination during production and during microbiological analysis. Methods: Assessment of microbiological quality control according to pharmacopeia as plate method by using TSB media with a concentration of 0.1% tween 80, for passive monitoring using settled plate (TSA) media. Results: the percentage of microbial recovery for lactose monohydrate was 89%, 85%, 94%, 92%, 91%, and 91%, while Croscarmellose recorded 81%, 85%, 85%, 85%, and 88%, Mannitol recorded 86%, 85%, 91%, 83%, 86%, and 88%, Magnesium stearate recorded 91%, 85%, 94%, 89%, and 91%, and finally, Talc Powder recorded 94%, 85%, 94%, 91%, 87% and 85% for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans, Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli respectively for each pharmaceutical raw material. Methods of analysis recorded under acceptance criteria in the selected pharmaceutical factory according to pharmacopeia. On the other hand, the microbial quality of air for the production area selected by an Egyptian pharmaceutical company was under acceptance limits. Conclusion: All quality control methods and assessments of pharmaceutical raw materials, laboratories, and production areas must be performed to measure and control microbial contamination in the pharmaceutical industry and then produce high-quality pharmaceutical products free of microbial contamination, and methods of analysis must be recorded under acceptance criteria in the selected pharmaceutical factory according to pharmacopeia. On the other hand, the microbial quality of the air for the production area and microbiology laboratory that was selected by an Egyptian pharmaceutical company was under accepted limits. All quality control methods and assessments of pharmaceutical raw materials, laboratories, and production areas must be performed to measure and control microbial contamination in the pharmaceutical industry and then produce high-quality pharmaceutical products free of microbial contamination.

Performance of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (Isoplex CRE-ART) to detect common carbapenemase-encoding genes in Gram-negative bacteria.

Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB) are a major source of nosocomial infections worldwide. In this study, the ability of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based method (Isoplex CRE-ART) to rapidly detect carbapenemase-encoding genes bla OXA-48-like, bla OXA-23-like, bla OXA-24-like, bla KPC, bla VIM, bla NDM and bla IMP in 231 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii isolates was investigated. The accuracy of the LAMP test was compared to results of molecular isolate characterization using a Laboratory Developed Test multiplex carbapenemase PCR assay. The LAMP test correctly identified the presence of on-panel carbapenemases with a sensitivity of 99.16 % [95 % confidence interval (CI): 95.39-99.96 %] and a specificity of 98.21 % (95 % CI: 93.72-99.68 %) in 60 min. Our findings suggest that the Isoplex CRE-ART assay is able to rapidly identify carbapenemase genes in CR-GNB and improves options for pathogen characterization in the context of clinical microbiological and infection control diagnostics.

Reducing the risk of non-sterility of aseptic handling in hospital pharmacies, part C: applying risk assessment and risk control in practice

ObjectivesTo describe the application of the model described in part A and part B of this series of articles for risk assessment (RA) and risk control (RC) of non-sterility during...

Management tools applied to milk quality in cattle farming in the Western Amazon

This study aimed to analyze the applicability of management tools such as SWOT matrix, GUT matrix, Brainstorming, PDCA, Ishikawa diagram, and 5W2H in improving milk quality in rural properties for family labor. The survey was conducted in 18 properties in the municipality of Senador Guiomard, State of Acre, Brazil, during the period from January to December 2019. The properties were divided into two groups (treatment group-TG and control group-CG) and the data obtained through a form with 255 questions for diagnosis and analysis (LQL-GO) for somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC) were tabulated in spreadsheets (Excel®) and subjected to statistical analysis by the Wilcoxon test. Nineteen weaknesses were obtained through the GUT matrix. The implementation of milking practices using tools obtained an average reduction of 31.4% for SCC and 63% for TBC in TG and a reduction of 39.3% for SCC and an increase of 33.7% for TBC in CG. Thus, the management tools applied to milk quality are capable of generating positive results (p < 0.05) in microbiological control, facilitating quick decision-making, aiming at the correction of weaknesses, and, consequently, an increase in profitability.

Legionnaires’ disease in dental offices: Quantifying aerosol risks to dental workers and patients

Legionella pneumophila is an opportunistic bacterial respiratory pathogen that is one of the leading causes of drinking water outbreaks in the United States. Dental offices pose a potential risk for inhalation or aspiration of L. pneumophila due to the high surface area to volume ratio of dental unit water lines—a feature that is conducive to biofilm growth. This is coupled with the use of high-pressure water devices (e.g., ultrasonic scalers) that produce fine aerosols within the breathing zone. Prior research confirms that L. pneumophila occurs in dental unit water lines, but the associated human health risks have not been assessed. We aimed to: (1) synthesize the evidence for transmission and management of Legionnaires’ disease in dental offices; (2) create a quantitative modeling framework for predicting associated L. pneumophila infection risk; and (3) highlight influential parameters and research gaps requiring further study. We reviewed outbreaks, management guidance, and exposure studies and used these data to parameterize a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) model for L. pneumophila in dental applications. Probabilities of infection for dental hygienists and patients were assessed on a per-exposure and annual basis. We also assessed the impact of varying ventilation rates and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Following an instrument purge (i.e., flush) and with a ventilation rate of 1.2 air changes per hour, the median per-exposure probability of infection for dental hygienists and patients exceeded a 1-in-10,000 infection risk benchmark. Per-exposure risks for workers during a purge and annual risks for workers wearing N95 masks did not exceed the benchmark. Increasing air change rates in the treatment room from 1.2 to 10 would achieve an ∼85% risk reduction, while utilization of N95 respirators would reduce risks by ∼95%. The concentration of L. pneumophila in dental unit water lines was a dominant parameter in the model and driver of risk. Future risk assessment efforts and refinement of microbiological control protocols would benefit from expanded occurrence datasets for L. pneumophila in dental applications.

REVIEW OF MICROBIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF DRINKING WATER FOR ANIMALS IN THE REPUBLIC OF SRPSKA (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA) DURING THE PERIOD 2018-2020.

One of the major challenges for all in the 21st century is safe drinking water and the microbiological control of drinking water should be the norm everywhere. Many infectious diseases of animals and humans are transmitted by water contaminated with human and animal excrements. The production and distribution of microbiologically safe drinking water should be a non-negotiable goal for water companies with the prospect of providing the same water quality to all consumers. This can only be achieved by adequate monitoring and control of microbial processes during water treatment and distribution. The material represented drinking water samples originating from animal farms at the territory of the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) collected in the period of 2018-2020. A total of 645 samples were examined. The aim of this study was to determine the microbiological status of drinking water for animals intended for human consumption in the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), in order to analyse the risks to animal health. BAS EN ISO 6222, BAS EN ISO 7899-2 and BAS EN ISO 9308-1/A1 methods were used for microbiological analyses of drinking water samples. The obtained results showed that one quarter of drinking water for animals are microbiologically incorrect. The analysis revealed a significantly higher number of unsatisfactory samples of well water in relation to the water supply system. The obtained results indicate fecal contamination of water, especially with intestinal enterococci and coliforms, and less with E. coli.

Возможности и ограничения анализа смывов с поверхностей для контроля контаминации объектов высокотоксичными органическими соединениями

Wipe sampling is widely used for microbiological control purposes. Sanitary and chemical studies also include analysis of samples wiped from the work surfaces during routine and periodic working conditions safety inspections at chemical facilities. The analysis also allows assessing the toxicity and hazard of items/structures that could be in contact with highly toxic substances. This study aimed to investigate the capabilities and limitations of the surface wipe sample analysis method in control of residual contamination of equipment and building structures of a former chemical weapons destruction facilities (CWDF) with sulfur mustard and O-isobutyl-S(2-diethylaminoethyl) methylphosphonothioate (VR), as well as their degradation products. Gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) enabled identification of the sulfur mustard markers, high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) allowed identifying VR markers. An assessment of the matrix influence on the results of GC-MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS analysis was carried out. The matrix effect was established to affect the results the most in case of HPLC-MS/MS analysis: for GC-MS/MS analysis of target substances, the matrix factor averaged at 60–80%, for HPLC-MS/ MS it was less than 40%. The average percent sulfur mustard recoveries from three types of surfaces (PVC tiles, laminate and metal plates) was 9 ± 2%, 0.13 ± 0.02% and 0.10 ± 0.03%; in case of VR, the recoveries was 2.7 ± 0.5%, 11.8 ± 0.3% and 0.8 ± 0.1%, respectively. The limits of detection for sulfur mustard by GC-MS/MS and VR by HPLC-MS/MS were established at 0.001 MPL and 0.02 MPL, respectively. The developed approaches were applied to the analysis of wipe samples from the surfaces of the equipment and engineering structures of the former CWDF.

Development of an antimicrobial stewardship module in an electronic health record: Options to enhance daily antimicrobial stewardship activities.

DisclaimerIn an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.PurposeThe purpose of this manuscript is to describe our experience developing an antimicrobial stewardship (AS) module as a clinical decision support tool in the Epic electronic health record (EHR).SummaryClinical decision support systems within the EHR can be used to decrease use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, improve antibiotic selection and dosing, decrease adverse effects, reduce antibiotic costs, and reduce the development of antibiotic resistance. The Johns Hopkins Hospital constructed an AS module within Epic. Customized stewardship alerts and scoring systems were developed to triage patients requiring stewardship intervention. This required a multidisciplinary approach with a team comprising AS physicians and pharmacists and Epic information technology personnel, with assistance from clinical microbiology and infection control when necessary. In addition, an intervention database was enhanced with stewardship-specific interventions, and workbench reports were developed specific to AS needs. We herein review the process, advantages, and challenges associated with the development of the Epic AS module.ConclusionCustomizing an AS module in an EHR requires significant time and expertise in antimicrobials; however, AS modules have the potential to improve the efficiency of AS personnel in performing daily stewardship activities and reporting through a single system.

Antimicrobial activity of poultry hatch baskets containing copper inserts

Commercial poultry hatcheries provide ideal conditions for the multiplication and spread of microorganisms. Formaldehyde is widely used as a disinfectant; however, it is harmful to human health and can cause abnormal morphology in chicks. An alternative microbiological control is the use of copper, a metallic antimicrobial agent for contact surfaces. The antimicrobial efficacy of copper surfaces has been established in healthcare environments. However, its use in the poultry chain is still limited. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of common polypropylene hatch baskets with hatch baskets composed of copper (polypropylene hatch baskets covered by copper hatch baskets; polypropylene hatch baskets with solid copper plates on the bottom; polypropylene hatch baskets covered by copper hatch baskets and with solid copper plates on the bottom). To simulate a hatching environment with high contamination, the eggs and hatching cabinet were not fumigated. Microbiological analysis of the hatching cabinet environmental, surface of hatch basket, and fluff were performed. The results indicated that the absence of bottom holes resulted in a higher volume of organic matter that interfered with the copper's antimicrobial activity. The presence of copper in the hatch baskets did not decrease microbial contamination under the conditions evaluated, confirming that the metal should only be used as a complement to standard hygiene and not as a substitute for surface disinfectants. Further analysis will evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hatch baskets composed only of copper and the ability of nanoparticles to remove the biofilms formed by bacteria isolated from the poultry environment.

Photohydroionisation for disinfection of poultry litter

ABSTRACT 1. This study evaluated photohydroionisation efficiency on the disinfection of new shavings used as substrate for litter in the poultry industry, pre-inoculated with bacterial, fungal and viral agents. 2. Each replicate consisted of 250 g of new shavings sterilised by autoclaving, challenged with bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella enterica, serovar Abony), fungal (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and viral inoculum (Gumboro disease virus). The experiment consisted of six replicates at four times (0, 1, 5 or 10 min exposure) of photohydroionisation. The disinfection process was performed in a bench photohydroionisation device with four ultraviolet lamps. The agents inoculated in the shavings were analysed after the disinfection process. 3. The counts of enterobacteria and total bacteria showed a quadratic effect. In contrast, the counts of fungi and viruses showed a negative linear effect with an increase in the time of photohydroionisation. The enterobacteria showed a linear response plateau effect (LRP), with a minimum time point of 5.498 minutes at a minimum contamination of 0.666 CFU/g and a reduction of 82.27% of the pre-established inoculum. Total bacteria had an LRP effect with a minimum time point of 1.902 minutes at minimum contamination of 1.739 CFU/g and a reduction of 50.0% of the pre-established inoculum. An LRP effect was found for fungi, with a minimum time point of 7.931 minutes in minimum contamination of 3.380 CFU/g, and with a reduction of 11.0% of the pre-established inoculum. For viruses, there was an LRP effect with a minimum time point of 5.012 minutes in minimum contamination of 0.000 viral titre per 100 g of shavings, which was reduced by 100% of the pre-established inoculum. 4. Photohydroionisation in the disinfection of new shavings used as poultry litter has partial potential as a microbiological control tool, as a complete reduction occurred only for the viruses, whereas for bacteria and fungi only partial reductions of these microorganisms were observed.

The use of electrolyzed water as a disinfectant for fresh cut mango

The consumption of fresh-cut fruit is attributed to the health and convenience benefits of consumers. However, reports about associated-microorganism diseases have aroused the consumer's interest. Chlorine-based compounds are the classic method for the microbiological control. These compounds have been used to sanitize fruits and vegetables in the minimal processing industry worldwide, but they react with the organic matter present in the water that leads to the formation of potentially cancerous chlorinated compounds. Aiming to develop alternative technology to sodium hypochlorite, this study evaluated treatment with neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) on microbiology, quality and sensory parameters of fresh-cut mangoes. ‘Tommy Atkins’ mangoes were processed into cubes and treated by immersion in NEW solutions (0, 75, 150, 225 and 300 mg L−1) or chlorine-based product at 200 mg L−1, and then, stored at 3 ± 2 °C, 85 ± 5% RH for 0, 6 or 12 days. The microbiota of fresh-cut mangoes was reduced by NEW treatments similarly as observed by sanitization with commercial product. Nutritional components as vitamin C, carotenoids and phenolics were preserved by NEW treatments or commercial chlorine. Concerning the sensory aspects, the NEW at150 mg L−1 presented the same good acceptability as observed for commercial chlorine and even lower off-flavor intensity than this chlorine-based sanitizer. Fresh-cut mangoes treated with NEW at different concentrations showed equivalent microbiological and quality parameters to the mango treated with commercial sanitizer, which allow to provide that electrolyzed water is a viable alternative to chlorine-based compounds as a disinfectant, considering the lower adverse impact on the environment and possibly on human health.

Citric acid and clove essential oil as alternatives to chlorine compounds on sanitization of apples

Sanitization is a crucial step for the microbiological control of ready-to-eat fruits. Chlorinated compounds are commonly used, but there is concern with their replacement due to their adverse effects on the environment and on public health. The aim was to assess the effect of sanitization treatments (with 1% citric acid and 0.5% clove essential oil - applied in combination or in separate) on the microbiological and physicochemical quality of apples. The sanitization step consisted in immersing of apple (160 g) in 500 mL of sanitizer solutions for 5 minutes. 200 mg L-1 sodium hypochlorite solution was used as reference treatment. Non-sanitized apples formed the control group. The presence of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mold was analyzed, as well as pH, total titratable acidity and total soluble solids in apples after they were subjected to the treatments. Alternative treatments showed similar or better results for aerobic mesophilic bacteria, and yeast and mold reduction than sodium hypochlorite. The assessed physicochemical parameters did not evidence any impairment. The treatment combining citric acid 1% and clove essential oil 0.5% was the most efficient one among all the tested sanitizers and it showed the potential to be used during the sanitization.

"Investigation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Hospital Furniture Coated with Melamine Resin Endowed with Catalysts as In Situ Generated Biocides"

Guggenbichler S1, M Hell2 and Guggenbichler JP3* Author Affiliations 1Division for Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery of the University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Surgery, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Austria 2MEDILAB, Teaching Laboratory of the Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, Salzburg, Austria 3Department or Pediatrics, AmiSTec GMbH und Co KG, Kössen, Austria Received: May 03, 2021 | Published: May 10, 2021 Corresponding author: Guggenbichler JP, Department or Pediatrics, Univ. Erlangen, AmiSTec GMbH und Co KG, Kössen, Austria DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2021.35.005737