Effect of Pre-Slaughter Practises and Early Post-Mortem Interventions on Sheep Meat Tenderness and Its Impact on Microbial Status

Tenderness, together with flavour, is the main quality trait that defines consumer acceptance of sheep meat. The factors affecting tenderness can be grouped as those influenced before slaughter, in the early post-mortem intervention and, finally, during the aging period. These factors have been extensively studied with respect to tenderness, but the impact of early post-mortem interventions and subsequent aging on the microbial quality of the final products has not been broadly reviewed to date. In this review, the authors summarize the most recent knowledge on lamb meat tenderness management and how such practices may impact the final meat quality, especially its microbial status. The impacts of pre-slaughter factors (age, sex, diet, genotype and transport) and post-mortem interventions (chilling regime, electrical stimulation, or hanging method), are described and comprehensively discussed.

Assessment of the microbial status of internal environment objects in second cleanliness class health care facilities

Objective. To assess internal environment objects ofsecond cleanliness class health care facilities according to microbiological standards.Materials and methods. The methods of swabbing, direct seeding, membrane filtration and instrumental aspiration were used for sampling. The microbial status was analyzed by cultural and biochemical methods on nutrient, differential and diagnostic media with species identification using the microbiological analyzer. The phenotypic features were studied in vitro by the standard biochemical and microbiological methods in accordance with the principles of good laboratory practice.Results. The microbiological testing of indoor air and internal environment objects of second cleanliness class health care facilities (dental offices) was done to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of the microbiota. As a result of the taxonomic identification, it has been found that the most common representatives of the air microbiota are Staphylococcus, Micrococcus and Kocuria bacteria, which are true residents of the human dermis.Conclusion. The obtained data provide material for the study of the phenomenon of the modification of phenotypic properties and its use at the stages of hazard detection and profiling and for the minimization of uncertainty within the concept of microbial risk analysis.

The presence of microbial contamination and biofilms at a beer can filling production line

Contamination of beer arises in 50% of all events at the late stages of production, the filling area. Hereby, biofilms, being consortia of microorganisms embedded in a matrix composed of extracellular polymeric substances, play a critical role. To date, most studies have focused on the presence of (biofilm forming) microorganisms within this filling environment. Our aim was to characterize the microbial status as well as the presence of possible biofilms at a can filling line for beer by determining the presence of microorganisms and their associated matrix components (carbohydrates, proteins and extracellular DNA (eDNA)). Targeted qPCR confirmed the presence of microorganisms at ten sites during operation and three after cleaning (from 23 sites respectively). The evaluation of carbohydrates, eDNA and proteins showed that 16 sites were positive for at least one component during operation and four after cleaning. We identified one potential biofilm hotspot, namely the struts below the filler, harboring high loads of bacteria and yeast, eDNA, carbohydrates and proteins. The protein pattern was different than that of beer. This work deepens our understanding of biofilms and microorganisms found at the filling line of beer beverages at sites critical for production.

The co-effect of ampicillin and multi-walled carbon nanotubes on activated sludge in sequencing batch reactors: microbial status, microbial community structure and ARGs propagation

The co-occurrences of ampicillin and multi-walled carbon nanotubes showed a lower cytotoxicity to activated sludge compared to individual ones, but enhanced the relative abundances of antibiotic resistance genes.

Microbiological monitoring of poultry products in Dnipropetrovsk Region (Ukraine)

The aim of the work was to analyze the microbial status of poultry products in Dnipropetrovsk Region in 2019. The author summarizes the results of studies of three groups of potentially dangerous microbiological factors. It was found that 0.9–2.9% of the studied samples had higher quantity of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (QMAFAnM), while in 0.5–2.9% of cases coliform bacteria were isolated, in 13.23% of samples — Salmonella spp., in 0.37–0.70% — cocci, in 0.18–0.28% — Proteus spp., in 0.18–0.55% — Listeria monocytogenes. During the work, violations of the safety criteria for raw materials and poultry products were found, as evidenced by the isolation of pathogens Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes. Geographical serotype predisposition is shown in the occurrence and development of salmonellosis infection in the region, which is caused by the dominance of Salmonella group D among poultry in Dnipropetrovsk Region. The most intensive contamination with microorganisms (in 2.9% of samples) was observed in minced meat and meat of mechanical deboning from poultry

Effects of Ozone Treatment on Microbial Status and the Contents of Selected Bioactive Compounds in Origanum majorana L. Plants

This study presents the effects of ozone treatment on microbial status and contents of selected bioactive compounds in marjoram plants. Origanum majorana L. is a widely used plant which in the course of production is affected by microbial infections. One of the ways to reduce microbial load involves application of a strong oxidant, such as ozone. In order to determine the effects of ozonation, a number of analyses were carried out including microbiological tests (aerobic colony count, yeast and mould count, and mesophilic lactic acid bacteria count) and chemical tests assessing total antioxidant potential, total polyphenols, and volatile fraction composition. Ultimately, the findings showed considerable (6-log) reduction in microbial load, with unchanged composition of headspace volatile compounds. Furthermore, the raw material obtained presented elevated the contents of the selected bioactive compounds. It was shown that the most beneficial effects are achieved when ozone treatment is applied at a rate of 1 ppm for a duration of 10 min.

PCR and RT-PCR in the Diagnosis of Laboratory Animal Infections and in Health Monitoring

Molecular diagnostics (PCR and RT-PCR) have become commonplace in laboratory animal research and diagnostics, augmenting or replacing serological and microbiologic methods. This overview will discuss the uses of molecular diagnostics in the diagnosis of pathogenic infections of laboratory animals and in monitoring the microbial status of laboratory animals and their environment. The article will focus primarily on laboratory rodents, although PCR can be used on samples from any laboratory animal species.

General Perspectives on Water- and Fluid Borne Microorganisms in Bangladesh

Clinical complications especially diarrhoea and other enteric diseases have long been taking place in the comparatively densely populated regions with the general lack of knowledge on hygiene as well as lack of facilities/amenities. Water and the street vended juices, including the carbonated beverages, are frequently triggering sickness especially among the children. The potential bacteria, viruses and parasites residing within the different sources of waters and in a wide range of liquid products have long been investigated worldwide for the maintenance of public health sustainability. On the basis of previous literature and reports, the present review focused on the pathogenic microorganisms with particular emphasis on microbial status of water and the commonly available drinks consumed by the mass people in Bangladesh. The possible events applicable to ensure the microbiological quality is also discussed.