Naturally Occurring Biofilms on Alfalfa and Other Types of Sprouts†

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-632 ◽  
Author(s):  
WILLIAM F. FETT
Keyword(s):  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Retail Outlets ◽  
Alfalfa Sprouts ◽  
Bacterial Exopolysaccharides

Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the cotyledons, hypocotyls, and roots of alfalfa, broccoli, clover, and sunflower sprouts purchased from retail outlets as well as alfalfa sprouts grown in the laboratory using a tray system equipped with automatic irrigation. Biofilms were observed on all plant parts of the four types of commercially grown sprouts. Biofilms were also commonly observed on alfalfa sprouts grown in the laboratory by 2 days of growth. Rod-shaped bacteria of various sizes were predominant on all sprouts examined both as free-living cells and as components of biofilms. Occasionally, cocci-shaped bacteria as well as yeast cells were also present in biofilms. The microbes contained in the biofilms appeared to be attached to each other and to the plant surface by a matrix, most likely composed of bacterial exopolysaccharides. Biofilms were most abundant and of the largest dimensions on cotyledons, sometimes covering close to the entire cotyledon surface (approximately 2 mm in length). Naturally occurring biofilms on sprouts may afford protected colonization sites for human pathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7, making their eradication with antimicrobial compounds difficult.

scholarly journals Inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica Isolates on Spinach Leaf Surfaces Using Eugenol-Loaded Surfactant Micelles

Foods ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 575
Author(s):  
Songsirin Ruengvisesh ◽  
Chris R. Kerth ◽  
T. Matthew Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Surfactant Micelles ◽  
Leaf Surfaces ◽  
Spinach Leaf

Spinach and other leafy green vegetables have been linked to foodborne disease outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica around the globe. In this study, the antimicrobial activities of surfactant micelles formed from the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), SDS micelle-loaded eugenol (1.0% eugenol), 1.0% free eugenol, 200 ppm free chlorine, and sterile water were tested against the human pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Saintpaul, and naturally occurring microorganisms, on spinach leaf surfaces during storage at 5 °C over 10 days. Spinach samples were immersed in antimicrobial treatment solution for 2.0 min at 25 °C, after which treatment solutions were drained off and samples were either subjected to analysis or prepared for refrigerated storage. Whereas empty SDS micelles produced moderate reductions in counts of both pathogens (2.1–3.2 log10 CFU/cm2), free and micelle-entrapped eugenol treatments reduced pathogens by >5.0 log10 CFU/cm2 to below the limit of detection (<0.5 log10 CFU/cm2). Micelle-loaded eugenol produced the greatest numerical reductions in naturally contaminating aerobic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and fungi, though these reductions did not differ statistically from reductions achieved by un-encapsulated eugenol and 200 ppm chlorine. Micelles-loaded eugenol could be used as a novel antimicrobial technology to decontaminate fresh spinach from microbial pathogens.

scholarly journals Highlighting the Biotechnological Potential of Deep Oceanic Crust Fungi through the Prism of Their Antimicrobial Activity

Marine Drugs ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (8) ◽  
pp. 411
Author(s):  
Maxence Quemener ◽  
Marie Dayras ◽  
Nicolas Frotté ◽  
Stella Debaets ◽  
Christophe Le Meur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Oceanic Crust ◽  
Gene Clusters ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Biotechnological Potential ◽  
Fungal Isolates

Among the different tools to address the antibiotic resistance crisis, bioprospecting in complex uncharted habitats to detect novel microorganisms putatively producing original antimicrobial compounds can definitely increase the current therapeutic arsenal of antibiotics. Fungi from numerous habitats have been widely screened for their ability to express specific biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) involved in the synthesis of antimicrobial compounds. Here, a collection of unique 75 deep oceanic crust fungi was screened to evaluate their biotechnological potential through the prism of their antimicrobial activity using a polyphasic approach. After a first genetic screening to detect specific BGCs, a second step consisted of an antimicrobial screening that tested the most promising isolates against 11 microbial targets. Here, 12 fungal isolates showed at least one antibacterial and/or antifungal activity (static or lytic) against human pathogens. This analysis also revealed that Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Enterococcus faecalis CIP A 186 were the most impacted, followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. A specific focus on three fungal isolates allowed us to detect interesting activity of crude extracts against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, complementary mass spectrometry (MS)-based molecular networking analyses were performed to putatively assign the fungal metabolites and raise hypotheses to link them to the observed antimicrobial activities.

Use of Spent Irrigation Water for Microbiological Analysis of Alfalfa Sprouts

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 802-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. FU ◽  
D. STEWART ◽  
K. REINEKE ◽  
J. ULASZEK ◽  
J. SCHLESSER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Microbiological Analysis ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Salmonella Infection ◽  
Commercial Scale ◽  
Microbiological Testing ◽  
Rotary Drum ◽  
Alfalfa Sprouts

Numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness have been linked to the consumption of raw sprouts. Sprout producers have been advised by the Food and Drug Administration to include microbiological testing of spent irrigation water during production as part of an overall strategy to enhance the safety of sprouts. Alfalfa sprouts and irrigation water were analyzed to show the feasibility of using irrigation water for monitoring the microbiological safety of sprouts. Sprouts and water were produced and harvested from both commercial-scale (rotary drum) and consumer-scale (glass jars) equipment. Rapid increases of aerobic mesophiles occurred during the first 24 h of sprouting, with maximum levels achieved after 48 to 72 h. The counts in irrigation water were on average within approximately 1 log of their respective counts in the sprouts. Similar results were obtained for analysis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in irrigation water and sprouts grown from artificially inoculated seeds. Testing of spent irrigation water indicated the contamination status of alfalfa sprouts grown from seeds associated with outbreaks of Salmonella infection.

scholarly journals Advances in Antarctic Research for Antimicrobial Discovery: A Comprehensive Narrative Review of Bacteria from Antarctic Environments as Potential Sources of Novel Antibiotic Compounds Against Human Pathogens and Microorganisms of Industrial Importance

Antibiotics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kattia Núñez-Montero ◽  
Leticia Barrientos
Keyword(s):  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Bacterial Strains ◽  
Antarctic Bacteria ◽  
Recent Emergence

The recent emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a critical public health problem. It is also a concern for industries, since multidrug-resistant microorganisms affect the production of many agricultural and food products of economic importance. Therefore, discovering new antibiotics is crucial for controlling pathogens in both clinical and industrial spheres. Most antibiotics have resulted from bioprospecting in natural environments. Today, however, the chances of making novel discoveries of bioactive molecules from various well-known sources have dramatically diminished. Consequently, unexplored and unique environments have become more likely avenues for discovering novel antimicrobial metabolites from bacteria. Due to their extreme polar environment, Antarctic bacteria in particular have been reported as a potential source for new antimicrobial compounds. We conducted a narrative review of the literature about findings relating to the production of antimicrobial compounds by Antarctic bacteria, showing how bacterial adaptation to extreme Antarctic conditions confers the ability to produce these compounds. We highlighted the diversity of antibiotic-producing Antarctic microorganisms, including the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes, which has led to the identification of new antibiotic molecules and supports the belief that research on Antarctic bacterial strains has important potential for biotechnology applications, while providing a better understanding of polar ecosystems.

scholarly journals Air Ambulance: Antimicrobial Power of Bacterial Volatiles

Antibiotics ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Alexander Lammers ◽  
Michael Lalk ◽  
Paolina Garbeva
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antimicrobial Activities ◽  
Chemical Diversity ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Interspecies Interactions ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Exciting Source ◽  
Antimicrobial Volatiles ◽  
Bacterial Volatiles

We are currently facing an antimicrobial resistance crisis, which means that a lot of bacterial pathogens have developed resistance to common antibiotics. Hence, novel and innovative solutions are urgently needed to combat resistant human pathogens. A new source of antimicrobial compounds could be bacterial volatiles. Volatiles are ubiquitous produced, chemically divers and playing essential roles in intra- and interspecies interactions like communication and antimicrobial defense. In the last years, an increasing number of studies showed bioactivities of bacterial volatiles, including antibacterial, antifungal and anti-oomycete activities, indicating bacterial volatiles as an exciting source for novel antimicrobial compounds. In this review we introduce the chemical diversity of bacterial volatiles, their antimicrobial activities and methods for testing this activity. Concluding, we discuss the possibility of using antimicrobial volatiles to antagonize the antimicrobial resistance crisis.

scholarly journals Plastic, nutrition and pollution; relationships between ingested plastic and metal concentrations in the livers of two Pachyptila seabirds

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren Roman ◽  
Farzana Kastury ◽  
Sophie Petit ◽  
Rina Aleman ◽  
Chris Wilcox ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Hazard ◽  
Dietary Exposure ◽  
The Body ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Seabird Species ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Plastic Metal ◽  
Liver Concentration ◽  
New Evidence

Abstract Naturally occurring metals and metalloids [metal(loid)s] are essential for the physiological functioning of wildlife; however, environmental contamination by metal(loid) and plastic pollutants is a health hazard. Metal(loid)s may interact with plastic in the environment and there is mixed evidence about whether plastic ingested by wildlife affects metal(loid) absorption/assimilation and concentration in the body. We examined ingested plastic and liver concentration of eleven metal(loid)s in two seabird species: fairy (Pachyptila turtur) and slender-billed prions (P. belcheri). We found significant relationships between ingested plastic and the concentrations of aluminium (Al), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the liver of prions. We investigated whether the pattern of significant relationships reflected plastic-metal(loid) associations predicted in the scientific literature, including by transfer of metals from ingested plastics or malnutrition due to dietary dilution by plastics in the gut. We found some support for both associations, suggesting that ingested plastic may be connected with dietary dilution / lack of essential nutrients, especially iron, and potential transfer of zinc. We did not find a relationship between plastic and non-essential metal(loid)s, including lead. The effect of plastic was minor compared to that of dietary exposure to metal(oid)s, and small plastic loads (< 3 items) had no discernible link with metal(loid)s. This new evidence shows a relationship between plastic ingestion and liver metal(loid) concentrations in free-living wildlife.

Acrobeloides buetschlii as a potential vector for enteric pathogens

Nematology ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yulia Kroupitski ◽  
Riky Pinto ◽  
Patricia Bucki ◽  
Edward Belausov ◽  
Liliane Ruess ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enteric Pathogens ◽  
Suitable Model ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Relevant Model ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Potential Vector ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Food Borne Pathogens ◽  
Food Borne ◽  
Agricultural Setting

The objective of the present study was to assess ifAcrobeloides buetschlii, an opportunistic species common across many soils, can be employed as a suitable model for interactions between free-living soil nematodes and enteric human pathogens.Acrobeloides buetschliiwas exposed to mCherry-taggedSalmonella entericaandEscherichia coliO157:H7 and its vector potential was assessed.Salmonellacells were more readily ingested by the nematodes compared toE. coliO157:H7. Adult nematodes ingested more bacteria compared to juveniles.Salmonellasurvived internally for at least 7 days without affecting the viability of nematodes. Bacterial ingestion byA. buetschliidid not vary for three testedSalmonellaserovars but was significantly lower forE. coliO157:H7. Considering the ubiquitous nature of pathogen and vector, these findings suggest thatA. buetschliican serve as a relevant model for studying nematode-Salmonellainteractions in an agricultural setting and as potential transport for food-borne pathogens from soil to crops.

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