Prevalence and quantification of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. in Italian retail poultry meat: Analysis of influencing factors.

Retail poultry meat is a crucial vehicle for consumers' exposure to Campylobacters, but no official controls are currently applied in Italy. The aim of this study was the evaluation of Campylobacter contamination of a wide range of poultry meats marketed in Italy. N. 472 chicken and turkey meat samples (sectioned meats, offal, meat preparations and products) were taken from slaughterhouses, deboning plants and different retailers and submitted to detection/enumeration of Campylobacter spp. The isolates were identified by phenotypic and biomolecular techniques. Campylobacter spp. was detected in 34.1% of the samples, with general low counts. Higher values were observed in offal (especially liver) and sectioned meats, with significantly higher rates in skin-on samples (86.8% vs 32.7%). Minced meat preparations showed lower prevalence (22.4% vs 58.3%) and counts than whole pieces. Decreasing rates were observed among slaughterhouses (80%), deboning plants (49%), butcher's shops (37%) and large scale retailers (25%). Sectioned chicken meats were significantly more contaminated than turkey meats. Almost all the isolates were identified as C. jejuni or C. coli, with similar prevalences (18.4% and 20.5%, respectively); C. jejuni was predominant only in samples from slaughterhouses/deboning plants. For setting future control programs, meat typology should be considered the main critical factor.

Exposure to Anisakis extracts can induce inflammation on in vitro cultured human colonic cells.

Anisakis spp. is a parasitic nematode whose infective third-stage larvae may be found within the flesh of fish species commonly consumed by humans. Thorough cooking or freezing should render the fish safe for consumption; furthermore, marinating solutions containing biocidal agents might have a significant action against Anisakis larvae. Some studies suggest a relationship between some parasitic infections and development of inflammatory bowel disorders, and Anisakis infection might be a risk factor for stomach or colon cancer. The aim of our study was to investigate if crude extracts (CEs) obtained from Anisakis larvae marinated in a solution with added allyl isothiocyanate (ACE-AITC) and frozen, or from frozen only Anisakis larvae (ACE), can induce an inflammatory effect on in vitro differentiated colonic Caco-2 cells exposed or not to LPS. Caco-2 exposure to the two CEs induced a marked COX-2 expression and potentiated LPS-induced COX-2 overexpression, confirming that substances present in Anisakis larvae can induce an inflammatory response in the intestinal epithelium, possibly also exacerbating the effects of other inflammatory stimuli. ACE induced a marked decrease in caspase-3 activation, while AITC-ACE increased its activation. However, LPS-induced caspase-3 activation appeared lower in cells treated with ACE and with the lower concentration of AITC-ACE. Thus, it is evident that Anisakis CEs may affect various cell pathways crucial not only in the inflammatory process but also in cell growth and death. Thus, CEs obtained from nonviable Anisakis larvae retain or are otherwise provided with noxious properties able to induce a strong inflammation response in intestinal epithelial cells. Furthermore, their influence may persist also following pretreatment with the biocidal agent AITC, indicating that the harmful substances contained in crude extracts from Anisakis larvae are resistant to the thermal or biocidal agent treatments.

Use of Matrix-Assisted and Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Technology in the Identification of Aeromonas Strains Isolated from Retail Sushi and Sashimi.

The genus Aeromonas includes well-known pathogenic species for fishes and humans that are widely distributed in the aquatic environment and foods. Nowadays, one of the main issues related to wild Aeromonas isolates is their identification at the species level, which is challenging using classical microbiological and biomolecular methods. This study aims to test MALDI-TOF MS technology in the identification of Aeromonas strains isolated from n. 60 retail sushi and sashimi boxes using an implemented version of the SARAMIS software V4.12. A total of 43 certified Aeromonas strains were used to implement the SARAMIS database by importing the spectra obtained from their identification. The original SARAMIS version (V4.12) failed to recognize 62.79% of the certified strains, while the herein-implemented version (V4.12plus) allowed the identification of all the certified strains at least to the genus level with a match of no less than 85%. Regarding the sushi and sashimi samples, Aeromonas spp. was detected in n. 18 (30%) boxes. A total of 127 colonies were identified at the species level, with A. salmonicida detected as the most prevalent species, followed by A. bestiarum and A. caviae. Based on the results of the present study, we could speculate that MALDI-TOF technology could be a useful tool both for the food industry to monitor product contamination and for clinical purposes to make diagnoses effectively and quickly.

Microsporidian heavy infection in a batch of salted and dried cod.

The aim of this work is the description and characterization of a severe microsporidian infection in a batch of salted and dried cod. Particularly, the case involves a batch of approximately 800 kg obtained from Gadus macrocephalus (Food and Agriculture Organization Zone 61 - Northwest Pacific Ocean), which, after rehydration and sectioning operations, underwent routine company checks before packaging. In about 20% of the samples, the presence of whitish nodules with a diameter ranging from 1 to 2 mm was observed on the surface of the fillets and in cross-section. The lesions ranged from a few units to 10 per cm2. Some samples were subjected to fresh microscopic observation with the stereomicroscope, confirming the nodular nature of the lesions, which were often confluent, alternating with empty spaces, giving the tissue a honeycombing aspect. The histological examination at low magnification allowed us to observe the heavy vacuolization of nodular lesions irregularly surrounded by a spongy-like wall. The observation at higher magnification of other sections allowed us to identify intra-myofibrillar cists containing presumptive microsporidian elements. The tissue damage derived from the technological processes and gravity of lesions did not allow a morphological characterization of presumptive protozoans. The molecular examination of the nodular lesions and the analysis of the sequence of an 897 bp fragment of the small subunit 16S rRNA revealed 100% identity with Microsporidium theragrae (GenBank accession number MT928885-89) first isolated from the skeletal muscles of Gadus chalcogrammus specimens from the Sea of Okhotsk. This finding confirms the importance of selecting suppliers and raw materials in the seafood industry, as well as the usefulness of an effective traceability system.

Quantitative Detection of Viable but Nonculturable Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Frozen Bivalve Molluscs.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a foodborne pathogen diffusely distributed in the marine environment and often isolated from raw seafood belonging to different species, mostly shellfish. Ingestion of under- or uncooked seafood contaminated by V. parahaemolyticus can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms in humans. Due to its ability to withstand low temperatures, Vibrio spp. could survive in frozen seafoods for long periods by entering the viable but nonculturable state (VBNC) and may constitute an unrecognized source of food contamination and infection. In the present study, seventy-seven frozen bivalve molluscs (35 mussels; 42 clams) were subjected to the detection and enumeration of viable V. parahaemolyticus using standard culture methods. VBNC forms were detected and quantified by applying an optimized protocol based on Propidium Monoazide (PMA) and Quantitative PCR (qPCR). All samples were negative for both the detection and enumeration of V. parahaemolyticus by the standard culture methods. VBNC forms were detected in 11.7% of the samples (9/77), with values ranging from 1.67 to 2.29 Log CFU/g. Only clam samples were positive for the detection of VBNC forms. The results of this study highlighted that VBNC V. parahaemolyticus may be present in frozen bivalve molluscs. Further data on the prevalence of VBNC V. parahaemolyticus in frozen seafood are needed in order to perform a robust risk assessment.

Nile Red staining for detecting microplastics in biota: Preliminary evidence.

Nile Red is a lipophilic, metachromatic and solvatochromic dye used as an alternative or complementary method to aid identification of microplastics in routine analysis of biological samples. It was rarely used in biota since organic residues after the digestion step can be co-stained with possible overestimation of microplastics. The limits of using Nile Red in biota were investigated in marine mussels experimentally contaminated with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics. Stained particles were detected through magnified images obtained by stitching together thirty photographs of the filter surface of each sample. LDPE particles appeared yellowish and fluorescent and could be confused with certain organic residues. The smaller the fragments, the greater the difficulty in recognizing them. In particular, it was difficult to recognize LDPE particles based on their fluorescence if <180 µm in size. Regardless of the size, fluorescence of the items aids the operator in LDPE particles identification also in biota.

Odor Emissions from Raw Meat of Freshly Slaughtered Cattle during Inspection.

Raw meat of Freshly Slaughtered Cattle (FSC) is characterized by a very weak odor defined as slightly sweet, which could interfere in off-odor assessment during post-mortem inspection by an official veterinarian. Despite this, no information is reported in the literature on the volatiles which are emitted by FSC meat. Thus, this research aimed to study the volatile profile of raw cattle meat at different times within 24 h of slaughtering. Volatiles were analyzed and quantified using HS-SPME-GC-MS. γ-Butyrolactone, acetoin, and to a lesser extent, acid acetic were found to be the odor-active compounds of raw meat from freshly slaughtered cattle. Quantitative differences were observed up to 24 h; since the lowest levels of the odor-active compounds were reached between two and three hours from slaughtering, this period could be the most suitable for the post-mortem inspection process.

Prevalence of Balantidium coli (Malmsten, 1857) infection in swine reared in South Italy: A widespread neglected zoonosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Balantidiasis, caused by Balantidium coli (syn. Neobalantidium coli or B. coli), represents a neglected parasitic infection of zoonotic significance affecting a variety of hosts, including domestic pigs that are the main reservoir. B. coli has a direct life cycle with a fecal-oral route transmission that occurs mainly by the ingestion of food and water contaminated with cysts. The ingestion of meat contaminated during inappropriate slaughtering processes may represent a new potential route of transmission. Only a few studies have investigated the prevalence of B. coli in domestic pigs in Italy, despite its high prevalence and zoonotic significance. This study aimed to improve the knowledge on B. coli prevalence in domestic swine reared both in intensive and "en plein air" breeding systems in the south of Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The infection rate of B. coli in pigs bred in 15 different pig farms and regularly slaughtered in South Italy, in the Calabria region, was investigated. From 2017 to 2019, 177 terminal parts of the rectums of pigs, of which 91 commercial hybrids and 86 autochthonous (Nero Calabrese), reared, respectively, in intensive and "en plein air" breeding system, were tested for parasite detection. After the slaughtering, the terminal part of the rectum was sampled and transported to the laboratories and immediately processed. For the detection of trophozoites, fresh smears of feces were examined at light microscopy. Moreover, flotation was performed using a sodium chloride solution, then smears of feces were dispersed on microscope slides and examined at light microscopy. The observed parasites were identified at the species level using morphological characteristics. RESULTS: B. coli was detected in a total of 83 (i.e., 46.89%) pigs, with a significantly higher prevalence (p<0.0001) found in commercial hybrid (i.e., 59/91-64.84%) pigs rather than in autochthonous ones (i.e., 24/86-27.91%). It follows that the infection was more common in pigs reared in the intensive breeding system than in "en plein air" ones (p<0.0001). The infection prevalence was higher in males than in females and lower in elder animals than in younger ones (p=0.012 and p<0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: The breeding system is likely the main discriminant for the parasite spread as well as the hygienic condition of the farms. Good manufacturing and hygiene practices along the food production chain are crucial in preventing human balantidiasis transmission by meat consumption. The high B. coli prevalence, the wide spectrum of host species, and its zoonotic significance push toward a greater public interest.

Microplastics in vacuum packages of frozen and glazed icefish (Neosalanx spp.): A freshwater fish intended for human consumption.

It is widely accepted that human is exposed to microplastics through food consumption, however data occurrence in foodstuffs are still little and basically limited to seafood. In this study, the presence of microplastics was investigated in icefish (Neosalanx spp.) samples sourced from various mass-market retailers in Italy, supplied as frozen, glazed and vacuum-packed product. Icefish is a small freshwater fish widely imported in Europe from China as surrogate of other fish species subjected to commercial restriction, consumed whole after cooking in several culinary preparation. The samples (~10 g of icefish from each of the 40 packs tested) were digested using a solution of 10% potassium hydroxide and filtered through a 5 µm pore-size filter. Filters of the samples were observed under a stereomicroscope and the chemical composition of the items detected were analysed by FTIR spectroscopy. A total of 163 items were counted in 37 (92.5%) samples with a mean value of 0.42±0.28 items/g w.w. Fibers were the most detected morphotype and several plastic polymers, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene, were identified by FT-IR analysis. As store-bought samples, the sources of microplastics could be substantially related to contamination during food processing. However, an intravital exposure to microplastics present in the surroundings waters cannot be ruled out. More foodstuffs need to be investigated for microplastic presence. In this study, microplastic occurrence was reported in freshwater biota intended for human consumption sampled directly from supermarket contributing to the risk assessment of human exposure to microplastics via food consumption.

First description of the male of Philometra filiformis (Nematoda: Philometridae), a gonad-infecting parasite of the marine fish Pagellus erythrinus (Sparidae) in Mediterranean.

The male of the gonad-infecting nematode Philometra filiformis (Stossich, 1896) (Philometridae) is for the first time described, based on specimens from the ovary of the marine fish Pagellus erythrinus (Linnaeus) from the Tyrrhenian Sea off Sicily, Italy. It is mainly characterized by the testis extending anteriorly nearly to the anterior end of body, the oesophagus without a usual anterior inflation, the absence of a dorsal barb or distinct transverse lamellae on the tip of the gubernaculum, the measurements of the spicules and the gubernaculum, and a fairly long body.

Radiation emission dose from patients administered 90Y-labelled radiopharmaceuticals: comparison of experimental measurements versus Monte Carlo simulation.

AIM: To estimate the radiation dose delivered from patients injected with yttrium-90 (Y)-labelled tiuxetan (Zevalin) to parents and the general population, comparing different techniques. METHODS: The radiation dose delivered from a group of eight patients injected with Y-Zevalin to treat recurrent lymphoma was measured. The data obtained with the Monte Carlo simulation test were compared with the experimental measurements obtained with an ionization chamber detector and with a crystal NaI(Tl) detector. RESULTS: A good correlation was found between the Monte Carlo simulation test and the ionization chamber detector results: the air kerma dose rate was 4.2+/-0.1 and 4.4+/-0.8 microGy/h, respectively (r=0.9, P<0.01). Moreover, more than 99.7% of the air kerma dose rate measured with the ionization chamber detector was because of the contribution of electrons, whereas the contribution of photons was less than 0.3%. In contrast, the air kerma dose rate measured with the crystal NaI(Tl) detector was significantly lower (0.76+0.12 microGy/h) in comparison with the Monte Carlo simulation test. This underestimation was related to the limited crystal NaI(Tl) detector response to low energy rates at variance with the ionization chamber detector. The effective radiation dose released by patients treated with Y-labelled tiuxetan to parents and the general population was approximately 0.1 mSv per treatment cycle. CONCLUSION: Using the Monte Carlo model as a benchmark to compare the experimental measurements obtained by the two different detectors, we found that the ionizing chamber detector was more accurate than the crystal Na(Tl) detector for measuring the exposure radiation dose delivered from patients administered with Y-labelled radiopharmaceuticals. Moreover, the effective radiation dose released by these patients to their parents and the general population is significantly lower than the value recommended by international reports and regulations.

Quality assessment of Zeus faber (Peter's fish) ovaries regularly commercialized for human consumption.

In the last few years, the consumption of fish eggs has increased rapidly, finding widespread use also in mass catering. This increase has involved also those of the Peter's fish (Zeus faber). Females of this species, by their reproductive characteristics, have highly developed gonads in different periods of the year, making the raw material easy to find. The aim of the present study was to perform a quality assessment of Zeus faber ovaries regularly commercialized for human consumption. A total number of 34 samples, divided in fresh (11) and frozen (23), were processed for microbiological characterization, parasitological and histological evaluations. Fresh and frozen samples have significant (P<0.01) differences in total bacterial charge, with values of 4.75±0.5 Log CFU/g and 3.65±0.7 Log CFU/g respectively. The mean value of Enterobacteriaceae was 2.58±0.7 Log CFU/g in fresh products, while 52.17% (12) of frozen samples reported loads of <1 Log CFU/g. No Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were found. Aeromonas spp. was detected in two frozen sample (with loads of 2.2 and <1 Log CFU/g) and in 5 fresh ovaries with value ranged from 1.70 to 3.48 Log CFU/g. Vibrio spp. was found in 4 (36.36%) and 3 (13.04%) of fresh and frozen samples respectively, with loads always <1 Log CFU/g. All 31 Vibrio strains isolated, were identified as Vibrio alginolyticus, and 61.29% (19) of them was positive for the ToxRS factor and 6.45% (2) for ToxR. The 47.06% (16) of total samples showed infestations by larvae of Anisakis Type 1 in the serous and inside the ovary. In this last case, histologically it was found to be free larvae. This study attested satisfactory hygiene conditions for Zeus faber ovaries currently marked for human consumption. The presence of potentially pathogenic strains of V. alginolyticus and Aeromonas spp., but above all the frequent infestation by Anisakis larvae, represent a potentially hazard for the consumer.

Study on microbial communities in domestic kitchen sponges: Evidence of Cronobacter sakazakii and Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria.

Domestic environment, in particular, kitchen setting is a well-established source of microbial contamination. Kitchen sponges represent an important vehicle of microbial transmission and maintenance of spoilage bacteria and pathogenic strains responsible for food borne diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial communities of 100 'in-use' kitchen sponges, improving the knowledge on their role in cross-contamination in domestic environment and transmission of ESBLproducing strains. Sponges were processed for: aerobic mesophilic bacteria (AMB), Enterobacteriaceae (EB), yeasts and molds (YM), coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS), micrococci (MCC), anaerobic sulfite reducing bacteria (ASR), and for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp. and Yersinia enterocolitica. A total of 309 enterobacteria strains were identified and then processed for ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase) phenotypical expression. A high contamination level of kitchen sponges was observed (mean value AMB 8.25±1.1; EB 5.89±1.2; YM 5.57±1.1; MCC 4.82±0.1 log CFU/g). Identified enterobacteria strains revealed several opportunistic and pathogenic agents such as Enterobacter cloacae (28%), Citrobacter freundii (23.3%), Cronobacter sakazakii (14.6%) and other strains in lower percentage. Listeria monocytogenes was found in only one sponge (1%). A total of 69 (22.3%) enterobacteria resulted ESBL+, with the following prevalence: P. rettgeri (50%), L. adenocarboxilata (30%), K. pneumoniae (25%), K. oxytoca (25%), C. sakazakii (20%), E. cloacae (20.7%), C. freundii (20.1%). Results confirm the potential role of kitchen sponges as vehicle for food-borne pathogens such as, C. sakazakii for the first time, infectious agents and spoilage microorganisms. The observed high contamination level and the presence of several ESBLs opportunistic pathogens, stresses the necessity to improve a proper education of the consumers on the effective treatment to reduce their microbial loads.

A New Approach to Predict the Fish Fillet Shelf-Life in Presence of Natural Preservative Agents.

Three data sets concerning the behaviour of spoilage flora of fillets treated with natural preservative substances (NPS) were used to construct a new kind of mathematical predictive model. This model, unlike other ones, allows expressing the antibacterial effect of the NPS separately from the prediction of the growth rate. This approach, based on the introduction of a parameter into the predictive primary model, produced a good fitting of observed data and allowed characterising quantitatively the increase of shelf-life of fillets.

Activity of Tagetes minuta Linnaeus (Asteraceae) essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae type 1.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate in vitro effects of Tagetes minuta L. essential oil (TEO) on L3 Anisakis larvae type 1. METHODS: In order to evaluate the potential use of Tagetes minuta essential oil against L3 Anisakis larvae three different media were tested: 1) a saline solution (SS); 2) an industrial marinating solution (MS); 3) sunflower seeds oil (SO). For each media and concentrations of TEO (0.1%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 5.0% v/v), 20 parasites were introduced into plastic Petri dishes (diameter 90 mm) and maintained at room temperature. As controls, larvae were maintained without TEO under identical experimental conditions in SS, MS and SO. A total of 900 larvae were tested. The normalized mean viability, LT100, LT50 and the percentage of inactivation at 24 h were calculated. RESULTS: In vitro tests revealed a complete inactivation of parasites in saline solution after 2 h with 5% and 1% of TEO. In marinating solution, a complete inactivation of parasites was observed after 4 h at all concentrations used. A slower activity for all TEO concentration was reported in SO. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained, showing a strong activity against Anisakis larvae, confirm TEO as a larvicidal agent in the treatment of human anisakidosis and in the industrial marinating process.

Activity of R(+) limonene on the maximum growth rate of fish spoilage organisms and related effects on shelf-life prolongation of fresh gilthead sea bream fillets.

R(+)limonene (LMN) is the major aromatic compound in essential oils obtained from oranges, grapefruits, and lemons. The improvement of preservation techniques to reduce the growth and activity of spoilage microorganisms in foods is crucial to increase their shelf life and to reduce the losses due to spoilage. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of LMN on the shelf life of fish fillets. Its effectiveness was preliminarily investigated in vitro against 60 strains of Specific Spoilage Organisms (SSOs) and then on gilt-head sea bream fillets stored at 2±0.5°C for 15days under vacuum. LMN showed a good inhibitory effect against tested SSOs strains. On gilt-head sea bream fillets, LMN inhibited the growth SSOs effectively, and its use resulted in a shelf-life extension of ca. 6-9days of treated fillets, compared to the control samples. The LMN addition in Sparus aurata fillets giving a distinctive smell and like-lemon taste to fish fillets that resulted pleasant to panellists. Its use contributed to a considerable reduction of fish spoilage given that the fillets treated with LMN were still sensory acceptable after 15days of storage. LMN may be used as an effective antimicrobial system to reduce the microbial growth and to improve the shelf life of fresh gilt-head sea bream fillets.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity of Bergamot Essential Oils on Different Listeria Monocytogenes Strains.

Essential oils are aromatic and volatile substances extracted from plants and characterized by antimicrobial activity. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity (agar disc-diffusion method) of seven different bergamot essential oils (BEOs) on eight Listeria monocytogenes strains. Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of most efficient BEOs was estimated. Extremely variable results for agar disc-diffusion method for L. monocytogenes strains were reported. One of the tested microorganisms resulted insensible to all the BEOs; 3 strains showed an inhibition from weak to null and the remaining 4 a variable susceptibility. Among the BEOs tested, one showed a strong activity against four pathogenic strains. Four BEOs revealed weak, moderate or null activity in all the 7 sensitive strains, while for two oils only a weak or no activity was reported. MIC values were 0.625 µL/mL for the most efficient BEO, 2.5 and 5 µL/mL for the other samples that showed moderate inhibition. Experiment results are significantly related to the strains tested (P<0.01), rather than the BEO employed (P>0.01). In conclusion, we can consider BEO as a natural technological hurdle for Listeria monocytogenes in combination with other preservation strategies. Finally, this study underlines the necessity to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of EOs on a significant strains number of the same bacteria.

Histology as a Valid Tool To Differentiate Fresh from Frozen-Thawed Marinated Fish.

European Commission Regulation (EU) 1276/2011 requires that fishery products intended for raw consumption be frozen at -20°C for not less than 24 h or at -35°C for at least 15 h in order to kill viable parasites other than trematodes. But because marinating processes are not always effective in destroying nematode larvae, raw marinated fish preparations should be frozen before consumption. This study evaluated the performance of a standardized histological method to distinguish between fresh and frozen-thawed raw marinated fish. Sixty anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus) fillets were sampled: 30 were marinated at +4°C for 24 h, and 30 were frozen at -20°C for 24 h before being marinated for 24 h. All 60 samples were fixed in formalin, processed for paraffin embedding, cut, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The slide preparations were examined microscopically by three independent histopathologists and classified as frozen-thawed or negative according to standard operating procedure criteria in use at our laboratory. Performance evaluation of the method showed 100% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 88.4 to 100%) and 100% specificity (95% CI, 88.4 to 100%), and the interrater agreement (Cohen's kappa) was 1 (95% CI, 0.85 to 1). Histology proved a valid and reliable tool to distinguish fresh from frozen-thawed marinated fish. It can be applied to deliver safe raw fishery products to consumers in order to minimize the risk of anisakidosis.

Preliminary Investigation on the Use of Allyi Isothiocyanate to Increase the Shelf-Life of Gilthead Sea Bream (Sparus Aurata) Fillets.

The aim of this work is to evaluate the activity of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) against fish spoilage bacteria (specific spoilage organisms; SSOs) as well as its possible use in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) fillets to extend their shelf-life. In this regard, in vitro tests are carried out in order to evaluate the inhibitory activity of AITC and its vapours on several strains of SSOs. The AITC effect on the shelf-life of sea bream fillets was made by putting them in plastic trays hermetically closed with the addition AITC. Microbiological and sensorial evaluations were made on fish fillets during storage. Treated fillets maintained microbial populations at a significantly lower level compared with the control samples during storage, showing better sensorial characteristics. Therefore, the use of AITC's vapours seems to be a new and interesting alternative way to increase fish product shelf-life.

Bacteriology of unshelled frozen blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus).

In this study, 45 (10 whole specimens and 35 frozen claws) frozen samples of Portunus pelagicus imported into Sicily (Italy) from the west coast of Africa were examined to assess their bacteriological characteristics and suitability for consumption. Bacteriological examination was performed on two subsamples for each whole crab. The first was the body and claw muscle; the second was a pool of viscera and gills. In the case of frozen claws, each muscle claw was a sample. An aerobic plate count at 30 degrees C (mesophilic aerobic plate count [MAPC]) and 18 degrees C (psychrotrophic aerobic plate count [PAPC]) for 3 days, sulfite-reducing anaerobes, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Aeromonas spp. were enumerated. Detection of halophilic Vibrio spp. was also performed using salt polymixin broth as an enrichment medium and thiosulfate citrate bile salts sucrose agar as a selective medium; a further morphological and biochemical identification of suspected colonies was performed. The bacterial load of muscle and viscera and gills was low. The MAPC ranged from 0.78 to 3.26 log CFU/g, and the PAPC ranged from 0.48 to 2.41 log CFU/g. Vibrio spp., Aeromonas spp., sulfite-reducing anaerobes, and E. coli were never isolated from muscles or viscera and gills. In contrast to the findings of others, this study showed good bacteriological quality of crabs imported into Sicily from the west coast of Africa. This study also demonstrated the positive influence of the characteristics of environment of origin and postharvest handling hygiene; these parameters could be useful in the context of the application of the hazard analysis critical control point system to this production.