Journal of Food Safety and Hygiene
Volume:5 Issue: 4, Autumn 2019

The nanoliposome is a microscopic vesicle containing a phospholipid bilayer that surrounds a fluid space. The thickness of this bilayer lipid is usually between 3 and 6 nm, but the liposomes formed from them can have a diameter between 50 nm to 50 μm. Their unique properties have led to numerous applications in several scientific and technological fields. Nanoliposomes can cause controlled release of various biologically active agents, including food components and nutraceuticals at the right place and time. Therefore, nano-liposomes can increase the cellular uptake of encapsulated materials and increase their effectiveness. Food additives such as vitamins, enzymes, synthetic and natural antioxidants, synthetic and natural antibacterial, etc. can be converted to stable materials using nanoliposomes. As a result, this article reviews various aspects of nanoliposomes, including existing preparation techniques, and their various applications in food industry technology.

Tea is the most widely consumed and popular non-alcoholic beverage in the world. Reactive oxygen species may cause a wide range of damages to biological systems. The purpose of this study was to determine the total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic of different black tea samples in Iran. The FRAP (Ferric reducing antioxidant power) assay was used for antioxidant activity. The total phenolic content was measured based on the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The results showed that all samples had substantial antioxidant activity and total phenolic. Iranian tea samples had significantly the lowest 0.98 ± 0.15, 0.75±0.17 µmolL-1 and Kenya tea samples had significantly the highest 2.67 ± 0.61, 2.10±0.65 µmolL-1 amount of total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic, respectively. A linear positive relationship was observed between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content of the black tea samples. These findings suggest that black tea can be considered a natural source of antioxidant and total phenolic.

Chopping boards may harbor pathogenic microorganisms that cross-contaminate food products leading to food-borne illnesses. The present study aimed at comparing the microbial diversity of plastic, glass and wooden chopping boards. Microorganisms were recovered from chopping boards by swabbing and enumerated for mesophilic aerobic bacteria, Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp. and yeasts and molds. In addition, fungi recovered were identified by sequencing their ribosomal sequences, and phylogenetic analyses. E. coli was undetectable by the plating method on wooden chopping boards but was isolated from glass and plastic. The mean population density of Salmonella spp., Listeria spp. and C. perfringens recovered from plastic chopping boards was 2.3, 2.4 and 2.5 log cfu/cm2 respectively. Lastly, the population density of yeasts and molds was found to be higher on wooden boards (3.0 log cfu/cm2) compared to their plastic counterparts (2.2 log cfu/cm2). The isolated fungi were identified as Penicillium citrinum, Peyronellaea glomerata and Cladosporium halotolerans. To the best of our knowledge, this study is one of the few which has compared the microbiological status and diversity of different types of chopping boards, highlighting their cross-contamination potential.

The presence of antimicrobial resistant foodborne bacteria is a major food safety challenge for food that is consumed raw. Abuse and overuse of antibiotics in the agriculture sector have been identified as a contributory factor to the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. In many developing countries where milk is marketed and consumed raw through informal channels, the occurrence of bacterial contamination is high and poses a major public health risk. This situation is exacerbated when caused by antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Hence this study was conducted to determine the antimicrobial resistant pattern of bacteria in raw cow milk and milk products retailed in the Northern Region of Ghana. Antibiotic resistance profiles were established for 150 bacteria isolates (Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp. Shigella spp., and Proteus spp.) obtained from the culture of raw milk (n=210) and milk products (n=60) retailed within the Northern region of Ghana. Susceptibility to nine antimicrobials commonly used in veterinary and human medical practice was performed on all the isolates using the agar disc diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Isolates showed the highest resistance to Nalidixic acid followed by Chloramphenicol, Gentamicin, Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ceftriaxone but were most susceptible to was rec Ciprofloxacin and Ampicillin. About 25 – 47.6 % of Staphylococcus aureus showed resistance to Cefoxitin. Milk and milk products sold in the northern region of Ghana are contaminated with bacterial pathogens with high levels of antimicrobial resistance. A one health approach is required to curtail the threat of antibacterial resistant bacteria in the food chain.

Microbial contamination of vended foods is of public health importance due to the potential of becoming a reservoir of foodborne pathogens and resistant strains of bacteria. This study looked at the presence of pathogenic bacteria in a popular Ready-To-Eat (RTE) traditional food, Fufu in Ghana. Sixty (60) Fufu samples were obtained from various food joints categorized as Opened, Semi-closed and Closed or Restaurants. Samples were processed and analyzed using standard bacteriological methods. The susceptibility profiles of the isolates were obtained by using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method with the EUCAST guidelines with the five antibiotics. The prevalence of E. coli was 85% and Salmonella species was 68%. Microbial count of isolated E. coli ranged from 0 to 3×106 cfu/ml. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) among the different modes of operations. Fufu samples from Opened, Semi-closed and Closed joints were respectively contaminated with E. coli and Salmonella species as follows: 92%, 76%; 80%, 60% and 80%, 65%. The Salmonella species showed the highest resistance to erythromycin (58.5%) and E. coli species were commonly resistant to ceftazidime (88.2%) and ceftriaxone (94.1%). All isolates were susceptible to nitrofurantoin. Multidrug resistance was detected among 27.5% of E. coli strains and 14.6% of Salmonella species. Fufu from the different eating joints in the Tamale Metropolis was substantially contaminated with multidrug-resistant pathogens. The study recommends surveillance studies of resistant pathogens in foods, increased education and training of food vendors on sanitation, food handling and safety practices in the Region.

The street-vended fruit beverages are considered as a source of disease causing microorganisms despite their high consumer demand and nutritional value. The study was conducted for the assessment of antibiotic resistance food-borne 29 pathogens in street-vended fruit beverages available in an industrial zone of Bangladesh. A total of 50 samples constituting five different types of street-vended fruit beverages were collected from Gazipur city of Bangladesh. All the samples were examined for total viable microbial count followed by isolation, identification and antibiogram profile of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The total viable microbial counts ranged from 2.3 to 8.9 log cfu/ml suggesting a significant bacterial load that exceeds the maximum permitted level of microbial load for freshly extracted fruit juices. Of the 50 samples, 29 (58.0%) appeared as Staphylococcus aureus positive and 24 (48.0%) samples were contaminated with Escherichia coli. Antibiogram profile revealed Staphylococcus aureus resistance to penicillin (82.8%), amoxicillin (75.9%) and oxacillin (17.2%). The resistance to β-lactam antibiotic like oxacillin indicates the presence of highly pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus which is obviously a potent public health issue. In the contrary, Escherichia coli isolates were resistant to amoxicillin (100%) and erythromycin (100%). All the isolates were found highly susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamicin. The antibiotic resistance pattern of the isolated organisms could complicate the treatment of food-borne illness in people. Development of a holistic approach and their effective application could ensure the hygienic quality of these beverages as well as the health standard of the consumers.

The campylobacter genus of bacteria is important in public health as it comprises many species causing diarrhea in humans. Poultry and its products are recognized as vital causes of campylobacteriosis in humans. For bacterial food-borne diseases, campylobacter is considered as the leading cause. Higher prevalence has been reported in developed countries. Our study was a cross-sectional study directed to determine the prevalence of campylobacter species in retail broiler meat in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from January 2018 to June 2018. A total of 200 poultry meat samples were collected from four different areas of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan that includes lakki gate, tanchi bazar, Bannu Township and mangal milla. Mueller-Hinton medium was used for the disc diffusion method to determine antibiotic resistance of campylobacter species. Amongst 200 broiler meat samples, 60 (30%) samples were found positive for campylobacter species. The highest prevalence was observed in samples from Bannu Township (50%) while the lowest prevalence (12%) was observed in samples from Mangal milla broiler meat samples. Amongst different types of meat samples, the highest prevalence was found in thigh meat (46%), while the lowest prevalence was observed in the cloacal swab (20%). The highest resistance was observed against Amoxicillin (AMX) 80% while the resistance observed against other antibiotics were Ampicillin (AMP) 70%, Tetracycline (TET) 65%, Sulphamethoxazole + Trimethoprim (SXT) 60%, Chloramphenicol (CHL) 56.66%, Clarithromycin (CLR) 50%, Streptomycin (STR) 40%, Gentamycin (GEN) 36.66%, Ofloxacin (OFX) 20%, Ciprofloxacin (CIP) 15%, Levofloxacin (LEV) 15% and Azithromycin (AZM) 10%. The lowest resistance was observed against Ceftriaxone (CRO) 5%. Our Study concludes that campylobacter species are prevalent highly in district Bannu, and it might be a hazard to public health.

There are limited studies on red offal condemnations and financial implications at high throughput abattoirs in Namibia. Causes of condemnation, temporal distributions and financial losses associated with red offal condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia from 2016 to 2018 were investigated. A total of 39157 red offal valued at N$6 422 586.00 (US$364 805) were condemned following the slaughter of 251697 cattle. Condemnations were dependent on year [X2(14) = 587.13, p<0.001], month [X2(77) = 1898.72, p<0.001] and season [X2(7) = 111.12, p<0.001] of study. Overall, 2016 had the most and 2018 the least condemnation of red offal (38.73% and 23.22%, respectively; p<0.05). Most red offal condemnations (13.34%, p<0.001) were recorded in June, with livers and lungs as the most condemned organs (54.32% and 29.88%, respectively; p<0.001). The highest condemnations were caused by miscellaneous causes (abscesses and hematomas) followed, in descending order, by inflammatory, parasitic and bacterial causes and contaminations (38.3%, 29.4%, 16.6% and 15.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Liver condemnations varied with the year and season of study [X2(20) = 1834.02, p<0.001 and X2(9) = 1010.43, p<0.001; respectively], as were lung condemnations according to pathological condition [X2(12) = 492.43, p<0.001 and X2(6) = 45.84, p<0.001; respectively]. The occurrence of hydatidosis in the summer and pneumonia in winter was greater than expected (15.1% and 4.3%; respectively, p<0.05). A substantial loss of revenue to the abattoir due to the condemnation of livers and lungs was determined. Meat inspection served as a control point for hydatidosis.