Rhizospheric and endophytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa in edible vegetable plants share molecular and metabolic traits with clinical isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading opportunistic pathogen causing hospital-acquired infections is predominantly present in agricultural settings. There are minimal attempts to examine the molecular and functional attributes shared by agricultural and clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. This study aims to investigate the presence of P. aeruginosa in edible vegetable plants (including salad vegetables) and analyze the evolutionary and metabolic relatedness of the agricultural and clinical strains. Eighteen rhizospheric and endophytic P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from cucumber, tomato, eggplant, and chili directly from the farms. The identity of these strains was confirmed using biochemical, and molecular markers and their genetic and metabolic traits were compared with clinical isolates. DNA fingerprinting analyses and 16S rDNA-based phylogenetic tree revealed that the plant- and human-associated strains are evolutionarily related. Both agricultural and clinical isolates possessed plant-beneficial properties, including mineral solubilization (phosphorous, potassium, and zinc), ammonification, and the ability to release extracellular siderophore and indole-3 acetic acid. These findings suggest that rhizospheric and endophytic P. aeruginosa strains are genetically and functionally analogous to the clinical isolates. This study highlights the edible plants as a potential source for human and animal transmission of P. aeruginosa.

INOVASI PENGOLAHAN PEPAYA MENJADI SWIR PEPAYA GORENG SEBAGAI UPAYA PENINGKATAN NILAI EKONOMI

ABSTRAK Proposal ini membahas tentang inovasi baru dalam menambah nilai serta manfaat dari buah pepaya. Buah pepaya sangat familiar oleh masyarakat terutama di Indonesia, merupakan buah yang memiliki ciri fisik yaitu berwarna orange ketika sudah masak dan berwarna hijau ketika masih mentah. Pepaya merupakan buah yang mengandung banyak vitamin A dan C. Pada umumnya pepaya hanya dimanfaatkan untuk dijadikan rujak,sayur dan dimakan secara langsung. Kegunaan pepaya sebagai sumber vitamin A yang mana vitamin A bermanfaat untuk membantu proses reproduksi dan kesehatan pada mata. Selain itu pepaya juga mengandung vitamin C yang bermanfaat untuk memperbaiki jaringan sel kulit dan mengurangi resiko serangan jantung.Tentunya hal ini sangat bermanfaat bagi tubuh manusia termasuk mahasiswa. Oleh karena itu, untuk menambah daya tarik dari buah pepaya, kini diciptakan alternative baru agar masyarakat tertarik untuk mengonsumsinya, yakni dengan membuat inovasi buah pepaya menjadi swir pepaya goreng sebagai peningkatan mutu nilai ekonomi buah pepaya. Kata Kunci: pepaya, inovasi, nilai ekonomi ABSTRACT This proposal discusses new innovations in adding value and benefits to the papaya fruit. Papaya fruit is very familiar to people, especially in Indonesia, is a fruit that has physical characteristics, namely orange when it is ripe and green when it is still raw. Papaya is a fruit that contains lots of vitamins A and C. In general, papaya is only used for salad, vegetables and eaten directly. The use of papaya as a source of vitamin A which vitamin A is useful for helping the reproductive process and eye health. In addition, papaya also contains vitamin C which is useful for repairing skin cell tissue and reducing the risk of heart attack. Of course this is very beneficial for the human body, including students. Therefore, to increase the attractiveness of papaya fruit, a new alternative is being created so that people are interested in consuming it, namely by making papaya fruit innovation into self-fried papaya as an increase in the quality of the economic value of papaya. Keywords: papaya, innovation, economic value

An In Vitro Study on the Effects of Selected Natural Dietary Fiber from Salad Vegetables for Lowering Intestinal Glucose and Lipid Absorption

Background: Salad vegetables are good sources of dietary fiber and are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Therefore, these plants have the potential to be developed as functional foods. Objective: Using an in vitro model, this study investigated the physical properties and intestinal glucose and lipid absorption capacities of dry dietary fiber from vegetables typically consumed in salads (types of lettuce, including red oak, red coral, green oak, butterhead, and cos). Method: Fiber was prepared from each type of lettuce using an enzymatic method and then characterized. Physical properties, including solubility and water-binding, swelling, cation-exchange, and oil-binding capacities, and antihyperglycemic and antihypercholesterolemic effects of fiber were investigated. Results: The hydration capacity of total dietary fiber and insoluble fiber from the majority of sources was significantly different from that of cellulose. Adsorption and diffusion of glucose were directly proportional to incubation time, and the diffusion rate was significantly lower in the treatments containing fiber compared to the cellulose control. Fiber from these vegetables also inhibited amylase and alpha-glucosidase activities. Moreover, fiber from all sources exhibited significantly higher sodium cholate and cholesterol-binding capacity compared to cellulose, and also retarded pancreatic cholesterol esterase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that natural dietary fiber from salad vegetables can reduce glucose and lipid absorption and breakdown rates, thus preventing increases in postprandial blood glucose and cholesterol levels, which can be beneficial to human health.

AmpC- and Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–Producing Enterobacteriaceae Detected in Fresh Produce in Central Ohio

ABSTRACT Salad vegetables purchased from farmer's markets and grocery stores in central Ohio during the summers of 2015 and 2016 were tested for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins and carbapenems, Salmonella contamination, and coliform bacterial counts. A total of 364 samples were collected from 36 farmers' markets and 33 grocery stores. Using selective media, we found 23 (6.3%) samples that produced Enterobacteriaceae expressing an AmpC β-lactamase phenotype, with 11 (3.0%) confirmed to contain blaCMY and 6 (1.6%) that produced Enterobacteriaceae with an extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) phenotype, 1 (0.3%) of which was confirmed to contain blaCTX-M. All blaCMY and blaCTX-M strains were isolated from leafy greens. No Salmonella spp. or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae were recovered from fresh produce samples. Adjusting for year, the geometric mean coliform count differed (P < 0.05) between produce types, with the count in tomatoes (15 CFU/mL) being lower than those in cucumbers (77.4 CFU/mL) and leafy greens (75.0 CFU/mL). The coliform counts also differed (P < 0.05) between years, with 19.6 CFU/mL in 2015 and 96.0 CFU/mL in 2016. There was no difference in coliform counts or the prevalences of Enterobacteriaceae expressing AmpC or ESBL phenotypes in produce purchased from farmers' markets and grocery stores. HIGHLIGHTS

Background and history of hydroponics and protected cultivation.

Along with new types of protected cropping structures, materials and technology, the range and diversity of hydroponic crops grown are also expanding. While the greenhouse mainstays of nursery plants, tomatoes, capsicum, cucumber, salad vegetables and herbs will continue to expand in volume, newer, speciality and niche market crops are growing in popularity. These include new cut flower species, potted plants and ornamental crops, and a growing trend in the commercial production of medicinal herbs using high-technology methods such as aeroponics. Exotic culinary herbs such as wasabi, dwarf fruiting trees and spices such as ginger and vanilla are now grown commercially in protected cropping structures, while many home gardeners continue to take up hydroponics and protected cropping as both a hobby and a means of growing produce. Protected cropping and hydroponic methods will further their expansion into hostile climates which never previously allowed the production of food.

Microbiological Quality and Antibiogram Assessment of Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Raw Salad Vegetable Samples of Kathmandu Valley

Most typical salad vegetables include carrots, cabbages, lettuces, bell peppers, cucumber, onions, tomatoes, coriander and radishes. The aim of this research was to study the microbiological quality of salad vegetables and perform antibiotic susceptibility of isolates. In this study, total viable count, total coliform count and yeast, mold count were calculated as CFU/ml within sample type and according to various sample sources. Total percentage of isolated bacteria and molds were calculated. Antibiotic sensitivity test of isolated bacteria was carried out by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to CLSI 2017 guideline. Average microbial count was ≤ 107 CFU/ml for all sample types. So, it revealed that the vast majority of samples failed to comply with international standards i.e. ≤104 CFU/ml. Total 172 isolates from raw salad vegetable Escherichia coli 14 (70%), K. pneumoniae 12 (60%) and P. aeruginosa 15 (75%) were found to be predominant. Whereas, Trichoderma spp 4 (20%) were most predominant amongst mold. Highest resistivity was against Amoxicillin/ Clavulanic acid and most sensitivity was against Gentamicin followed by Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol. This study showed that raw salad vegetable samples were heavily contaminated and the antimicrobial resistance pattern shown by the isolates is an indication that adequate measure need be taken to regulate drug use in both humans and animals in order to minimize the risk of increasing antimicrobial resistance.

Characterization of Multi-Drug Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Present in Fresh Leafy & Salad Vegetables in Dhaka, Bangladesh

This study was conducted to determine the microbiological quality of fresh raw and unwashed leafy and salad vegetables in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Six different types of samples (red amaranth, spinach, carrot, radish, tomato, and cucumber) were collected in pre-sterilized zip-lock bags from various local markets in Dhaka. All samples were transported to the Centre of Excellence for Global Health Research Laboratory of Primeasia University at earliest convenience. Samples were enriched in Nutrient Broth media and were then cultured on selective media for isolation purpose. Serial dilution was performed for the total viable count. Biochemical and carbohydrate profiling was conducted for the presumptive identification of the isolates. Commercial antibiotic discs were used for antibiogram by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar medium. The total microbial load ranged from 8x107 to 1.70x108. Total 36 isolates were identified, having 7 differentorganisms. The most predominant organism was Vibrio sp. (23%) followed by Klebsiella sp.(20%), Acinetobacter sp. (19%), Pseudomonas sp. (19%), Salmonella sp. (8%), Moraxella sp.(8%) and Escherichia coli (3%). 11% of the Vibrio sp. isolates were V. cholerae, found from 4 samples. No presence of V. cholerae was observed in the tomatosamples. E. coli was observed only in Carrot sample. Antibiotics from 7 different groups were tested against the organisms among which Imipenem showed the highest sensitivity (86%). Following Ceftriaxone (100%), Nitrofurantoin (94%), Erythromycin (89%) and Amoxicillin (83%) had the highest resistance against the isolated organisms. Moreover, most of the isolates showed a multi-drug resistance pattern where they were resistant to at least four drugs. Prevalence of pathogenic bacteria in raw unwashed vegetables can cause potential adverse health effects and therefore the consumers need to be conscious about the matter.