Microbiological Control Research Articles

Salmonella and Salmonellosis: An Update on Public Health Implications and Control Strategies

Salmonellosis is globally recognized as one of the leading causes of acute human bacterial gastroenteritis resulting from the consumption of animal-derived products, particularly those derived from the poultry and pig industry. Salmonella spp. is generally associated with self-limiting gastrointestinal symptoms, lasting between 2 and 7 days, which can vary from mild to severe. The bacteria can also spread in the bloodstream, causing sepsis and requiring effective antimicrobial therapy; however, sepsis rarely occurs. Salmonellosis control strategies are based on two fundamental aspects: (a) the reduction of prevalence levels in animals by means of health, biosecurity, or food strategies and (b) protection against infection in humans. At the food chain level, the prevention of salmonellosis requires a comprehensive approach at farm, manufacturing, distribution, and consumer levels. Proper handling of food, avoiding cross-contamination, and thorough cooking can reduce the risk and ensure the safety of food. Efforts to reduce transmission of Salmonella by food and other routes must be implemented using a One Health approach. Therefore, in this review we provide an update on Salmonella, one of the main zoonotic pathogens, emphasizing its relationship with animal and public health. We carry out a review on different topics about Salmonella and salmonellosis, with a special emphasis on epidemiology and public health, microbial behavior along the food chain, predictive microbiology principles, antimicrobial resistance, and control strategies.

Non-Sterile Gloves as a Source of Radiation-Tolerant Microorganisms.

Radiation methods are widely used for disinfection and sterilization applications. Microorganisms demonstrate known, variable tolerance levels to inactivation with lower doses of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation based on multiple mechanisms of resistance in their structures and nucleic acid repair mechanisms. The radiation dose required to ensure microbial inactivation during sterilization is typically based on the understanding and routine monitoring of the natural population and resistance of microorganisms on products exposed to radiation sterilization processes. This report describes the isolation of Roseomonas mucosa in a device manufacturing environment that was detected during routine device bioburden and dose verification monitoring. Sources of Gram-negative bacteria in the environment were investigated. Non-sterile examination gloves used during manufacturing were found to be a persistent source of R. mucosa and other microbial contaminants. The source of contamination was determined to be from the glove manufacturing process. Maintenance and routine microbiological controls during glove manufacturing, including water systems, are required to reduce the risks of gloves being a source of unexpected microbiological contamination.

A Novel, Closed-Line Mini Extracorporeal Photopheresis (ECP) Technique Using the Therakos TM CellEx TM Photopheresis System, Developed for Patients with Contraindications Against Conventional ECP Therapy

Introduction: Conventional ECP has proven efficacy for treating several diseases, most significantly steroid-refractory chronic GVHD. Unfortunately, body weight and sufficient venous access limit the availability of this treatment modality. Children, in particular, usually have limited access to ECP. A simplified mini buffy coat ECP technique that allows treating small children and patients with apheresis contraindications has been tested in selected cases during the last 20 years. However, this method relies on an open-line system that requires a longer time and a cell processing laboratory, making this approach challenging. A new -closed-line- method, using the Therakos TM CellEx TM Photopheresis System, has been developed and evaluated in our Center. This method requires no processing laboratory or other special equipment and takes only 60-120 minutes, making the procedure potentially usable in routine practice. Design and methods: A 7-year-old girl had been treated at our Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit with grade IV chronic steroid-refractory GVHD (skin, and less severe liver involvement). As all other options were exhausted, ECP became a desirable form of treatment. However, the patient's low body weight and serious venous access problems hindered conventional ECP treatment. We developed a solution that requires 200-250 ml whole blood collection from the patient, takes less than 2 hours, does not need special cell processing equipment, and allows the ECP treatment to commence in the form of a regular autotransfusion. Consent forms were obtained from the patient's caregivers as well as from the local Ethical Committe. The patient's age at the start of treatment was seven years, and her body weight was 28 kg. A total of 17 mini-ECPs were performed weekly up until the submission of this abstract, and the number of treatments per patient was 33. The duration of mini-ECP treatment has been five months. 5 to 8 mL/kg of whole blood was drawn from the patient. Separation of the white blood cell (WBC) rich buffy coat of the patient's blood - with donor blood product supplementation as needed - was performed through an individualized use of the CellEx TM photopheresis kit and blood prime program. The buffy coat was ultraviolet A (UVA)-irradiated after adding 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) within the Therakos TM CellEx TM Photopheresis System and divided into two fractions under a laminar air flow cabinet. The autologous residual blood with the first fraction of the UVA irradiated buffy coat was transfused immediately. The second buffy coat fraction was stored at 4 °C and transfused the following morning through a peripheral vein. Results : The median volume of the collected whole blood was 250 mL (203-250 mL). The median volume was 72 ml (48-88 mL) for the first fraction of the irradiated buffy coat and 71 ml for the second fraction (48- 88 mL). Apoptosis and cell death were analyzed by annexin V staining; apoptosis and lymphocyte proliferation was measured by flow cytometry. UVA irradiation of the 8-MOP infused buffy coat resulted in significant induction of WBC apoptosis at 24 hours. No clinical side effects were observed during mini ECP treatment; all microbiological control tests were negative. Partial response was observed within three months (skin), and the tapering of systemic immunosuppression (methylprednisolone and ruxolitinib) began at five months. Conclusion: Mini whole blood ECP induces apoptosis and lymphocyte proliferation inhibition, both occurring after standard ECP. The closed-line method requires no special equipment and is not demanding for the patient, providing a viable solution to the technical difficulties children with the need for ECP treatment face.

Microbiological Control of Xanthomonas Induced Bacterial Leaf Streak Disease of Wheat via Phytocompounds and ROS Processing Enzymes Produced Under Biotic Stress

Microbiological Control of Xanthomonas Induced Bacterial Leaf Streak Disease of Wheat via Phytocompounds and ROS Processing Enzymes Produced Under Biotic Stress

Development and Evaluation of a Novel Anti-Ageing Cream Based on Hyaluronic Acid and Other Innovative Cosmetic Actives.

The importance of incorporating hyaluronic acid (HA) as a cosmetic ingredient in skin care formulations emerged lately because the amount of HA naturally found in the epidermis decreases with age, and when applied to the skin through cosmetic products, it confers hydration and reduces the appearance of wrinkles. Currently, the diversity of cosmetic products for mature skin and the use of various and innovative active ingredients supporting their anti-ageing effect represent ample proof that the cosmetic industry is currently relying on these actives. The main objective of this study was the development of an anti-ageing formulation, incorporating HA and different other active ingredients. The developed formulation contains a novel complex of natural waxes, with an essential role in the restoration of the skin's hydro-lipid barrier, in combination with innovative active ingredients-like low-molecular hyaluronic acid (LMW-HA), sodium hyaluronate (NaHA), ectoin, gold, and an anti-ageing botanical complex-contributing to optimal skin hydration specifically designed to reduce the visible signs of ageing. An important objective was represented by the skin compatibility and topography assessment after 28 days (D28) of regular application of the developed cream. Stability testing, physicochemical characteristics, and microbiological control, including efficacy testing of the used preservative (challenge test) were performed for the cosmetic formulation. In silico approaches were applied to demonstrate the safety of cosmetic-related substances and the risk assessment of the cosmetic formulation. Safety and instrumental evaluation were performed to demonstrate the skin tolerance-the compatibility and the efficacy, respectively-of the developed anti-ageing cream. As result, quality control of the developed cosmetic formulation evidenced an appropriate cosmetic preparation with desirable aspect and adequate physicochemical characteristics. The concentrations of restricted ingredients like preservatives and UV filters were in accordance with those recommended by the Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 and so were considered to be safe. Additionally, according to the margin of safety (MoS) calculation, cosmetic ingredients incorporated in the developed formulation could be considered safe. The developed formulation was very well tolerated, and wrinkle depth and length in the periorbital area were significantly reduced after 28-day cosmetic treatment. Subjects' assessment questionnaires revealed self-perceived benefits referring to the cosmetic qualities and efficacy of the anti-ageing cream. This study confirmed the skin tolerance and efficacy of the new complex anti-ageing cream incorporating HA, microencapsulated sodium hyaluronate, ectoin, and a botanical extract. The formulated cosmetic product could serve as a daily care for mature skin to alleviate the effects of skin ageing.

Formulation of an anthelmintic syrup based on the seeds of Carica papaya (Caricaceae)

In traditional medicine, of Carica papaya (Caricacea) seeds are used as a coarse powder, in maceration or as an aqueous decoction, for the management of helminthiasis. With the aim of contributing to the management of helminthiasis, this study set out to develop a syrup with anthelmintic properties based on Carica papaya L. seeds The aqueous fluid extract was prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening. A syrup based on this fluid extract was prepared and subjected to a physicochemical and microbiological stability control. To assess the effectiveness of the syrup, a pilot study was initiated. The stools of 441 children aged between 5 and 15 years were examined using Kato-katz technique. The secondary metabolites present in the fluid extract were polyphenols (1.2 g EAT/ml), alkaloids, catechic tannins, flavonoids and mucilages. The syrup prepared contained 15.15% of fluid extract and responded favorably to the pharmacotechnical and microbiological tests of the European Pharmacopoeia 9th edition. Only 43 children tested positive for helminth eggs. The syrup based on Carica papaya L fluid seeds extract proved to be comparable to Albendazole on Ascaris lumbricoides (97.46% reduction rate) and on Trichuris trichiura (100% reduction rate) after two administrations of 20 ml 14 days apart. The treatment was also effective against Necator americanus and Tenia sp; but the number of cases of these last two parasitoses was too low to allow any reliable conclusion. Ultimately, the 15.15% syrup of aqueous fluid extract of Carica papaya L. seeds proved a reliable solution for the management of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura helminthiasis.

Microbiological Skip Test: Fundamentals and Evaluation of Water Activity in Pharmaceutical Ingredients

Quality control is essential for Good Manufacturing Practices in the pharmaceutical industry. The time and costs associated with microbiological quality control are well known. It is proposed the reduction of traditional microbiological methods of counting the total number of microorganisms and research of specific pathogens using the water activity (Aw) method, a practice known as the skip test. The raw material selected as a prototype for this study met the criteria for the feasibility of reductions in analyses having synthetic origins, solid physical state, low or high pH in aqueous solution, and Aw results below 0.75 at a temperature of 25°C, and absence of nonconformity records. The risk management process was implemented using risk analysis with the mode, effect, criticality, failure analysis tool, and opening change control with the replacement of microbiological standard by Aw in 20 sequential batches after complete analysis of the first batch received in the year. It was possible to certify the microbiological quality of the selected pharmaceutical ingredients using the AW results, thereby confirming the feasibility of the skip test.

Dual-Temperature Microbiological Control of Cellular Products: A Potential Impact for Bacterial Screening of Platelet Concentrates?

An experimental study by the Paul-Ehrlich Institute (PEI) demonstrated that temperatures between 35 and 37 °C are too high for the growth of some bacterial strains (e.g., Pseudomonas fluorescens), leading to false negative results. Thus, the question of whether it is necessary to adapt incubation temperatures for the microbiological control of blood products, especially platelet concentrates (PCs), to enhance safety and regulatory compliance has arisen. In order to further elucidate this issue, the growth capability of different bacterial strains of interest in PCs and the detection efficacy of cultivation of these at different incubation temperatures must be taken into account. Therefore, we inoculated PCs with 46 different strains (3-6 PCs from different donors per strain) from different origins (PC isolates, reference strains) and stored PCs at 20-22 °C under constant agitation. On day three of storage, the inoculated PCs were sampled; aerobic and anaerobic culture bottles (BacT/Alert AST/NST) were each inoculated with 5 mL of sample, and culture bottles were incubated at 25 and 35 °C using the automated BacT/Alert Dual-temperature system. Bacterial proliferation was enumerated using a colony-forming assay. All strains of Enterobacteriacae (n = 5), Staphy-lococcus spp. (n = 11), Streptococcus spp. (n = 5), and Bacillus spp. (n = 4) and most Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains (4 of 5) tested showed the capability to grow in most inoculated PCs, revealing a faster time to detection (TTD) at an incubation temperature of 35 °C. The tested Pseudomonas putida (n = 3) strains showed a noticeably reduced capability to grow in PCs. Nonetheless, those with a notable growth capability revealed a faster TTD at an incubation temperature of 35 °C. Only one of the four Pseudomonas fluorescens strains tested (strain ATCC 13525) was able to grow in PCs, showing a faster TTD at an incubation temperature of 25 °C but also detection at 35 °C. The commonly detected bacteria involved in the bacterial contamination of PCs showed a superior TTD at 35 °C incubation. Only one P. fluorescens strain showed superior growth at 25 °C; however, the microbiological control at 35 °C did not fail to identify this contamination. In conclusion, the use of PC screening using a dual-temperature setting for microbiological control is presently not justified according to the observed kinetics.

Effectiveness of manual cleaning in a line of oral suspensions

The microbiological control of production equipment in the pharmaceutical industry is essential to achieve quality medicines. This is achieved through proper control of the cleaning and disinfection processes of the equipment. Samples were taken by the rinsing method and for the count of microorganisms, the poured plate method containing soy tryptone agar was used. The samples were incubated according to the physiological needs of the microorganisms for a period of 48h at a temperature of 35 ° C. Selective media and gram stain were used for the identification of microorganisms and the Poisson distribution was used to calculate the usual working interval and the alert and action limits respectively.The cleaning and disinfection of the equipment is done manually, associated with this, the large volumes of the same and the places of difficult access can promote microbial growth, the arithmetic means of isolate microorganisms ranged from 7.62 cfu / mL in the transfer pump to 69.28ufc / Ml in the plastic container, which was eliminated from the production process due to the formation of pores that can accommodate microcolonies. Alert, action, and work interval limits were determined for each individual computer taking into account the volume of each. The determination of these limits allows preventive and corrective actions to be taken to reduce the microbial load, thus avoiding the possibility of contamination of the finished product.

Application of Photodynamic Therapy in Pediatric Dentistry: Literature Review.

Microbiological control of dental pathologies presents a significant clinical challenge for dental surgeons, particularly considering drug-resistant microorganisms. To address this issue, Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) has emerged as an effective and complementary technique for microbial reduction. This therapy involves the application of a photosensitizer dye (PS) either topically or systemically, followed by exposure to low-power lasers with appropriate visible light wavelengths. PDT has found a valuable place in dentistry across various specialties, including surgery, periodontics, endodontics, dentistry, implantology, orthodontics, and pediatrics. In the realm of pediatric dentistry, managing microorganisms during dental treatments has become a major challenge. Considering its promising results and ease of application, Photodynamic Therapy presents an interesting alternative for clinical practice. However, it is important to note that specific protocols must be followed for each application, encompassing the type of photosensitizer, concentration, pre-irradiation time, light type, wavelength, energy, power, and mode of light delivery. Researchers have been steadily refining these protocols to facilitate PDT's integration into clinical practice. The objective of this review is to describe in which procedures and oral health problems in children PDT can be applied. In this sense, we list what the literature brings about the possibilities of applying PDT in a pediatric dentistry clinic.

Costs of purchase, maintenance, microbiological control, and reprocessing of a reusable duodenoscope.

Background and study aims The costs of reusable endoscope reprocessing have been evaluated, yet external validity of the findings remains challenging. The aim of this study was to assess the costs of purchase, maintenance, microbiological control, and reprocessing of a reusable duodenoscope per endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in France. Study findings exclude the costs of infection, downtime due to breakdown, reprocessing single-use material disposal, and device disposal, all of which should also be considered. Materials and methods The study encompassed both observational and theoretical approaches. Observational data were collected in four hospitals, from December 2019 to December 2020, with an ad hoc survey, based on 2016 and 2018 national guidelines for duodenoscope reprocessing. Costs were modeled, using the same guidelines, assuming a mean workload of 223 ERCP/duodenoscope/year. Results The mean observed cost of purchase, maintenance, microbiological control, reprocessing (human resources and consumables), and overhead (additional 35%) with a reusable duodenoscope was €80.23 (standard deviation €3.77) per ERCP. The corresponding mean theoretical cost was €182.71 for manual reprocessing without endoscope drying cabinet (EDC), €191.36 for manual reprocessing with EDC, €235.25 for automated endoscope reprocessing (AER) without EDC, and €253.62 for AER with EDC. Conclusions Because procedures, equipment, volume activity, number of duodenoscopes, human resources, and internal work organizations are hospital-dependent, observed costs varied between hospitals. Theoretical costs were higher than observed costs, showing that the theoretical approach is not sufficient. Hypotheses to explain the difference between the two approaches include failing to measure some costs in the survey and challenges in guideline implementation.

Evaluation of the Quality of Sanitary Napkins Sold on the Market of the City of Yaounde

Objective: To assess the quality of sanitary napkins marketed in the city of Yaounde. Methodology: This was an experimental study associated with a survey of women who used sanitary pads from March to September 2021 in the city of Yaoundé. The physico-technical parameters and the microbiological quality of the selected towel brands were respectively determined and checked at the multidisciplinary laboratory of Galenic Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Legislation of the FMSB-UY1. The data was collected and saved in an electronic database and its analysis was carried out by the Microsoft Excel software version 2019. Results: Among the116 women who consented to participate in the study, 51.73% were between the ages of 21 and 30, the majority were pupils and singles. We had identified a total of 32 brands of sanitary napkins sold in the city of Yaoundé including “Hygiénix” (53%), “Always” (35%), “Amie” (35%) and “Nana” (29%). The organoleptic characters have been rendered, 100% of the labels were non-compliant and 100% of the towels had a pH between [6 – 6.95] after 4 hours of exposure. The test for the presence of Escherichia coli in the samples was negative for all samples. Conclusion: several brands of sanitary napkins are sold in the city of Yaoundé. Their labels were non-compliant, the pH was slightly acidic and microbiological control revealed an absence of E. coli.

Phase change materials for portable isothermal incubators as a solution to shorten effective analysis times in microbiological quality control of drinking water.

The microbiological quality control of water for human consumption of parameters relevant as E.coli and total coliforms does not start on the field despite the existence of test methods that could make it possible. One of the things that makes this difficult is the possibility of initiating an effective and reliable incubation at the sampling site. The appearance of isothermal media with phase change materials solves this limitation. When phase change materials combine a relatively high melting heat with a suitable melting temperature adapted to the application temperature, they become excellent materials for thermal protection and for thermal energy storage. Starting the test at the same sampling point means that the effective times to obtain a result are shorter, improving water quality control. On the other hand, operationally, it also allows longer sampling routes. Both aspects are essential for managers responsible for controlling water quality for human consumption. In this work, the evidence that demonstrates the feasibility of this approach is presented.

The Potential of Adjuvants Used with Microbiological Control of Insect Pests with Emphasis on Organic Farming

Biological plant protection is a crucial component of integrated pest management strategies. It is considered a safer alternative to chemical plant protection, with reduced risks to human health and the environment. The significance of biological plant protection has been on the rise, driven by the European Union’s mandate to decrease the reliance on chemical pesticides, the discontinuation of certain chemical active substances, and their limited availability. Microbiological plant protection products find application in organic farming systems. Among these, mycoinsecticides are prominent examples, utilizing insecticidal fungi such as Beauveria bassiana, Cordyceps fumosoroseus, C. farinosa, and Metarhizium anisopliae complex. Due to the high sensitivity of these organisms to unfavorable weather and environmental conditions, their use in the protection of field crops may not bring the desired effect. The enhancement of their efficacy may be accomplished through the use of adjuvants. Adjuvants are substances incorporated into plant protection products, including microbial insecticides, or used alone to enhance their effectiveness. They can play a pivotal role in improving the performance of mycoinsecticides by ensuring better coverage on plant surfaces and increasing the likelihood of successful pest control, thereby contributing to the overall success of biological methods of pest control. Consequently, it becomes imperative to investigate the impact of various adjuvants on the survival and effectiveness of microorganisms. Furthermore, there is no officially approved list of adjuvants for use in organic farming, the use of inadequate adjuvant may result in failure to obtain an organic certificate. The origin of adjuvants determines their classification, which significantly impacts for employment in organic farming practices. Included tables provide a list of adjuvants and additives known to enhance the efficacy of pest and disease control.

Public health implementation of pathogen genomics: the role for accreditation and application of ISO standards.

Pathogen genomics has transitioned rapidly from the research setting into a powerful tool now routinely used in public health microbiology, for surveillance, outbreak investigations and disease control. As these investigations can have significant public health, treatment and legal impacts, we must ensure the accuracy of these results through validation of testing processes. For laboratories working in this space, it is important to approach this work with a quality and accreditation framework in mind, working towards implementation of quality systems and test validation that meet international regulatory standards. Here we outline the key international standards and processes that lead toward accreditation for pathogen genomics.

Microbiological and Clinical Evaluation of Efficacy of Locally Delivered Tetracycline in Conjunction with Scaling and Root Planning.

Chronic periodontitis is an infectious disease which is multifactorial in etiology. The red complex bacteria have an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing the synthetic trypsin substrate, N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-napthylamide (BANA). Tetracycline as a bacteriostatic agent is used in the treatment of periodontitis. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinically and microbiologically the efficacy of tetracycline fibers in conjunction with scaling and root planning in chronic periodontitis patients. A Split mouth clinical and microbiological randomized control study was done to compare the clinical effects of subgingivally delivered antimicrobial bioabsorbable controlled release 2 mg tetracycline fibers as an adjunct to scaling and root planning on one side and comparing the other side treated only with scaling and root planning only. Showed both scaling and root planning and the use of tetracycline an adjunct with scaling and root planning are equally effective. It can be concluded that Scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without use of adjunct local drug delivery agent like tetracycline is effective in treating chronic periodontitis.

Logical analysis of sample pooling for qualitative analytical testing

When the prevalence of positive samples in a whole population is low, the pooling of samples to detect them has been widely used for epidemic control. However, its usefulness for applying analytical screening procedures in food safety (microbiological or allergen control), fraud detection or environmental monitoring is also evident.The expected number of tests per individual sample that is necessary to identify all ‘positives’ is a measure of the efficiency of a sample pooling strategy. Reducing this figure is key to an effective use of available resources in environmental control and food safety. This reduction becomes critical when the availability of analytical tests is limited, as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic showed.The outcome of the qualitative analytical test is binary. Therefore, the operation governing the outcome of the pooled samples is not an algebraic sum of the individual results but the logical operator ’∨’ (‘or’ in natural language). Consequently, the problem of using pooled samples to identify positive samples naturally leads to proposing a system of logical equations. Therefore, this work suggests a new strategy of sample pooling based on: i) A half-fraction of a Placket-Burman design to make the pooled samples and ii) The logical resolution, not numerical, to identify the positive samples from the outcomes of the analysis of the pooled samples.For a prevalence of ‘positive’ equal to 0.05 and 10 original samples to be pooled, the algorithm presented here results in an expected value per individual equal to 0.37, meaning a 63% reduction in the expected number of tests per individual sample.With sensitivities and specificities of the analytical test ranging from 0.90 to 0.99, the expected number of tests per individual ranges from 0.332 to 0.416, always higher than other pooled testing algorithms. In addition, the accuracy of the algorithm proposed is better or similar to that of other published algorithms, with an expected number of hits ranging from 99.16 to 99.90%.The procedure is applied to the detection of food samples contaminated with a pathogen (Listeria monocytogenes) and others contaminated with an allergen (Pistachio) by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR, test.

Microbial Biological Control of Fungi Associated with Grapevine Trunk Diseases: A Review of Strain Diversity, Modes of Action, and Advantages and Limits of Current Strategies.

Grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) are currently among the most important health challenges for viticulture in the world. Esca, Botryosphaeria dieback, and Eutypa dieback are the most current GTDs caused by fungi in mature vineyards. Their incidence has increased over the last two decades, mainly after the ban of sodium arsenate, carbendazim, and benomyl in the early 2000s. Since then, considerable efforts have been made to find alternative approaches to manage these diseases and limit their propagation. Biocontrol is a sustainable approach to fight against GTD-associated fungi and several microbiological control agents have been tested against at least one of the pathogens involved in these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathogens responsible, the various potential biocontrol microorganisms selected and used, and their origins, mechanisms of action, and efficiency in various experiments carried out in vitro, in greenhouses, and/or in vineyards. Lastly, we discuss the advantages and limitations of these approaches to protect grapevines against GTDs, as well as the future perspectives for their improvement.

Preparation of gelatin/carboxymethyl cellulose/guar gum edible films enriched with methanolic extracts from shallot wastes and its application in the microbiological control of raw beef

In this study, agricultural wastes from red onions or shallots were utilized to incorporate into edible film formulation from gelatin/carboxymethyl cellulose/guar gum for the preservation of fresh beef tenderloin. Shallot tunic extract (STE) was rich in phenolics (2613.54 ± 28.96 mg gallic acid equivalent/L) and anthocyanins (69.72 ± 0.72 mg cyanidin-3-glucoside/L) with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against eleven pathogenic microorganisms (Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi), especially Citrobacter freundii, Proteus mirabilis, and Listeria monocytogenes. According to the physical characterization (SEM, XRD, FT-IR), the addition of STE into film formulation led to a more identical microstructure, lower intensity peak at 2θ of 20°, and increase in the vibration of NCO group. Regarding the microbiological quality, total plate counts of beef coated with STE-containing edible films were controlled equivalent to the uncoated beef during storage. It is noticeable that E. coli, Coliforms and Staphylococcus aureus were effectively inhibited up to seven days by coating with STE-containing films, as illustrated by their significant lower counts compared to control samples. The lipid oxidation products were maintained at levels similar to those found in the original beef (0.17–0.27 mg malondialdehyde/kg of meat) owing to the STE-enriched films' ability to inhibit lipid oxidation.

MALDI-TOF as a tool for microbiological monitoring in areas considered aseptic.

To maintain asepsis in production environments, contamination must be constantly controlled. To this end, microbiological monitoring is constantly used with the objective of evaluating the incidence of microorganisms prevalent in the sampling of air, surface, and people, in the area of an environment considered aseptic, isolated, and identified using the rapid and automated phenotypic microbiological methodology, highlighting the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry analysis technique (MS), being identified at the level of genus and/or species. For that purpose, microbiological control of environmental monitoring of environments considered aseptic in a pharmaceutical industry was conducted for 12months. The isolated microorganisms were identified using the mass spectrometry identification method (MALDI-TOF). In area classification A, the most prevalent microorganisms were bacteria in the sampling person. The microbial population was composed of bacteria of the genus Micrococcus sp. and Staphylococcus sp. Based on the results, it is possible to observe that in an environment where the process requires human operations, possible microbial contamination is inevitable and requires the identification of microorganisms at least at the level of species and/or genus. The microorganisms identified and found in the sampling of the aseptic environment must be evaluated with frequency to ensure that the productive environment guarantees the quality of the product produced.