Effectiveness of neutral electrolyzed water in inactivating HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 on the surfaces of plastic and the medicinal plant Centella asiatica (L.) urban.

Concerns have been raised about viral contamination, including in crops due to the recent coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Limited evidence is available to support the use of sanitizing agents for human coronavirus-contaminated medicinal plants. Thus, we aimed to investigate the persistence of infectious human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) as a SARS-CoV-2 surrogate in storage conditions and the capability of neutral electrolyzed water (NEW) to inactivate coronavirus, including in fresh plants such as C. asiatica. The levels of infectious HCoV-OC43 and the triterpenoid content of C. asiatica were quantified using a plaque assay and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The results showed that the persistence of HCoV-OC43 on C. asiatica leaves is identical to that on inert polystyrene. When covered and kept at room temperature with high humidity (>90% RH), HCoV-OC43 can be stable on C. asiatica leaves for at least 24 h. NEW with 197 ppm of available chlorine concentration (ACC) was effective in inactivating both infectious HCoV-OC43 and SARS-CoV-2 in suspension (≥3.68 and ≥4.34 log reduction, respectively), and inactivated dried HCoV-OC43 on the surfaces of C. asiatica leaves (≥2.31 log reduction). Soaking C. asiatica leaves for 5 min in NEW with 205 ppm of ACC or water resulted in significantly higher asiaticoside levels (37.82 ± 0.29 and 35.32 ± 0.74 mg/g dry weight, respectively), compared to the unsoaked group (29.96 ± 0.78 mg/g dry weight). These findings suggest that although coronavirus-contaminated C. asiatica leaves can pose a risk of transmission, NEW could be an option for inactivation.

Effects of electrolysed water and levulinic acid combination on microbial safety and polysaccharide nanostructure of organic strawberry.

This study aimed to better understand the effects of acidic electrolysed water (AEW, 4 mg/L) and levulinic acid (LA, food grade, 2%) combination on organic strawberry over 7 days. This combined method reduced the population of strawberry's natural microbiota by 1-2 log CFU/g and kept the level of inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella below the detection limit (2 log CFU/g) during the whole storage period. Meanwhile, AEW + LA did not affect the physicochemical qualities of strawberries significantly, maintaining most texture and biochemical attributes at an acceptable level (e.g., firmness, colour, soluble solids content and organic acid content). Atomic force microscopy further revealed that the treatment containing LA preserved the sodium carbonate soluble pectin (SSP) nanostructure best by maintaining their length and height, and slowed the breakdown of SSP chains by promoting acid-induced bonding and soluble pectin precipitation. These results demonstrated that low concentration AEW and LA combination is a promising sanitising approach for organic strawberry preservation.

Combined effect of silicon and non-thermal plasma treatments on yield, mineral content, and nutraceutical proprieties of edible flowers of Begonia cucullata.

Edible flowers are becoming popular as a nutraceutical and functional food that can contribute to human nutrition with high antioxidant molecules and mineral elements. While comparative studies between different flower species have been performed, less is known about the best agronomical practices to increase yield and nutraceutical proprieties of blooms. Silicon stimulates plant resistance against stress and promotes plant growth while non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology has been applied for the disinfection and decontamination of water, as well as for increasing plant production and quality. The application of silicon and NTP technology through nutrient solution and spraying was investigated in edible flowers given that the combination of these treatments may play a role in promoting their nutritional and nutraceutical proprieties. The treatments were applied on two varieties of Begonia cucullata Willd. (white and red flowers) to explore their effects on different flower pigmentations. Plants with red flowers showed higher nutraceutical proprieties than the white ones but yielded a lower flower number. While the NTP treatment did not improve flower yield and quality, the silicon treatment increased anthocyanins and dry weight percentage in red flowers. NTP treatment increased zinc concentration, while it decreased potassium, magnesium, and manganese, and increased silicon concentration in white flowers. The combination of silicon and NTP showed negative effects on some nutraceutical proprieties of red flowers thus highlighting that the two treatments cannot be combined in edible flower production. In conclusion, the positive effect of silicon use in edible flower production has been demonstrated while the NTP technology showed contrasting results and its use should be explored in greater depth, including a consideration of its role in biotic attack prevention and reduced chemical input.

Transmission modes of COVID-19 disease pandemic in the light of ancient wisdom of Ayurveda medicine: a review.

Human-to-human transmission of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurs most often when people are in the incubation stage of the disease or are carriers and have no symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 transmission on different levels showed that the cold and dry climate, hot wind and relative humid wind, maximum wind speed, turbulent wind, intensified recirculating flow were causing transmission higher than factors. The role of environmental factors described in Ayurveda like air, water, soil, season, frequent earthquakes, sunlight exposure, frequent thunderstorm with lightening, and factors from arthropods were revalidated in perspective of COVID-19 transmission. The authors searched the information regarding epidemic diseases in Ayurveda textbooks. Pubmed, Science Direct, Wikipedia, Elsevier, Lancet, and Springer were approached for the latest knowledge relating to SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Google Scholar search engine was thoroughly checked upon for scientific evidence regarding the Ayurveda drugs. Various environmental factors like soil, air, water, frequent earthquake disasters, wildlife animals, aquatic birds, space, inevitable disastrous factors, weather or seasonal hazards, violent thunderstorm with lightning, intermediate hosts, sunlight exposure etc. were considered for their role in the genesis of the disease. The Ayurvedic concepts behind the etiology and development of epidemics are the same as modern epidemiological theories. The mysteries of many aspects of the current pandemic might be deciphered by traditional medicine knowledge and thus adding upon to the integrative medicine concept.

Control of septage sanitization by limes and lactic acid fermentation.

Considering low-cost and effective fecal sludge (FS) treatment alternatives is essential to avoid risk to human health and to ensure safe disposal in landfills and soils. This research assesses optimal pH adjustment of two techniques for sanitizing de-watered FS from a septic sewage-treatment plant. The preliminary analysis evaluated the efficiency of lactic acid fermentation (LAF) by two lactic acid strains: Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus acidophilus. The homofermentative strain was chosen to evaluate three supplementary sugars: smashed carrot, sugarcane-derived molasses, and anhydrous dextrose. Lime treatment was examined using two materials, CaO, 105% calcium carbonate equivalent (CCE), and Ca(OH)2, 75% CCE. Four samples were retrieved from a passive thermal drying bed, two characterized by its available nutrient content; all samples were analyzed for the pathogenic profile, and total coliforms (TC) were selected as indicators. For LAF, an inoculating rate of Lactobacillus casei 10 g/100 g sludge was found effective in decreasing the pH below 4.0 after 30 days of fermentation, using 22% w/w dextrose/septage and 20% w/w molasses/septage, where molasses contains 20.7% of soluble sugars. In the case of lime treatment, the pH was fitted by a power-law relationship to the rate of lime applied in a septage with an initial pH lower than 7.0. A Langmuir type equation fitted better the liming of two septages with initial pHs above 7.0. The rate of lime CaO 10% w/w was observed to increase the pH above critical value, 12, after 1 h and 24 h. Analysis confirmed the total elimination of TC in samples with pH < 4.0 and pH > 12, contrasting the respective controls. Rates of CaO considering the initial pH of the FS are recommended in order to reach pH 12. Septage sanitization can be completed using either CaO or lactic acid fermentation with molasses; selecting the ideal method will rely on cost-benefit analysis. Sanitization can be considered as well to improve safety soil nutrient recycling practices.

Water UV-C treatment alone or in combination with peracetic acid: A technology to maintain safety and quality of strawberries.

Disinfection of fruits is one of the most important steps since they are going to be eaten fresh-or minimally-processed. This step affects quality, safety, and shelf-life of the product. Despite being a common sanitizer in the fruit industry, chlorine may react with organic matter leading to the formation of toxic by-products. Alternative sustainable disinfection strategies to chlorine are under study to minimize environmental and human health impact. Water-assisted UV-C light (WUV-C) is proposed here as an alternative sanitizing method for strawberries. In this study, strawberries were washed for 1 or 5 min in a tank with 2 or 4 lamps on, each emitting UV-C light at 17.2 W/cm2, or in a chlorine solution (200 ppm, pH 6.5). Moreover, trials with 4 lamps on, together with a washing solution consisting on peracetic acid at 40 or 80 ppm, were carried out. Overall, quality and nutritional parameters of strawberries after treatments were maintained. Changes in color were not noticeable and fruits did not lose firmness. No major changes were observed in antioxidant activity, organic acid, anthocyanin, vitamin C, and total phenolic content. Yeasts and molds were not affected by the WUV-C treatment, and 5 min were needed to significantly reduce total aerobic mesophylls population. However, reductions of artificially inoculated Listeria innocua and Salmonella Typhimurium after WUV-C treatments were comparable to those obtained with chlorine-wash, which were 3.0 log CFU / g. Moreover, WUV-C light was effective to minimize microorganisms remaining in washing water, avoiding cross-contamination and thus, allowing water recirculation. This effect was improved when combining the action of UV-C light with peracetic acid, showing the suitability of this combined treatment, understood as an alternative to chlorine sanitation, for sanitizing strawberries and keeping the populations of pathogenic bacteria in washing water lower than 0.6 ±â€¯0.1 log CFU / mL.

Application of Process Intensification in the Treatment of Pit Latrine Sludge from Informal Settlements in Blantyre City, Malawi.

Many developing countries lack the infrastructure needed for the treatment of fecal sludge. One limitation in implementing available treatment options is the limited availability of land in the urban areas of these countries. This paper investigated the application of process intensification as a way of reducing the land area required to dewater and sanitize pit latrine sludge from informal settlements in Blantyre City, Malawi. The intensification of the sludge treatment process was achieved by enhancing dewatering through the application of additives and by combining the dewatering and sanitization stages. Nine combinations of sludge, lime and rice husk dosages, in addition to a control, were simultaneously loaded on unplanted drying bed units to dewater for 29 days. The study found a significant reduction of 21% to 73% in the land area required to dewater and sanitize pit latrine sludge. From the study, process intensification was shown to have the potential to significantly reduce the land area required to dewater and sanitize pit latrine sludge from informal settlements in Malawi cities. This makes it an option that can be implemented close to informal settlements, despite land limitation in these areas.

Use of glycerol and propylene glycol as additives in heat-treated goat colostrum.

This experiment aimed to evaluate the suitability of glycerol and propylene glycol to reduce microbial count and preserve immune properties in heat-treated goat colostrum. Colostrum samples from 11 goats were each divided into 9 aliquots. Different concentrations (2, 6, 10, and 14%; vol/vol) of either glycerol or propylene glycol were added to the aliquots. Phosphate buffer solution was added to one aliquot, which was set as the control (CG). After the respective additions, all colostrum samples were heat treated at 56°C for 1 h. After cooling, aerobic mesophilic bacteria were cultured. The samples were frozen until free fatty acid, IgG, IgA, and IgM concentrations and chitotriosidase activity were measured. No differences were found in aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts between either 10 or 14% glycerol and propylene glycol additives. These additions reduced bacterial count to a greater extent than CG, and 2 or 6% additions. Colostrum IgG concentration was not affected by either of the additives or their concentrations. The propylene glycol additive reduced IgA and IgM concentrations and chitotriosidase activity, compared with CG. Conversely, glycerol did not affect any of the studied immune variables. In conclusion, glycerol addition to goat colostrum before heat treatment is suitable to enhance bacterial reduction, whereas colostrum immune properties were not affected.

Effect of E-Beam Irradiation on Microbial Load, Stability of Active Components, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma.

To reduce microbial loads in medicinal herbs, Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma were subjected to electron-beam (e-beam) irradiation at doses (≤10 kGy) as permitted by the Korean Food Code. The effects of e-beam irradiation on the microbial load, stability of the active components, and anti-inflammatory activity of medicinal herbs were determined. We observed that the total aerobic bacteria (TAB; 4.0-7.0 log CFU/g), yeasts and molds (Y&M; 3.3-6.8 log CFU/g), and coliform counts (CC; 3.2-3.8 log CFU/g) in both herb samples were effectively reduced in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in acceptable levels of <3.0 log CFU/g in TAB and Y&M and negative in CC at 10 kGy irradiation. The concentration of the active components (0.87-4.22 mg/g) of Cnidii Rhizoma, including z-ligustilide, chlorogenic acid, senkyunolide A, and ferulic acid, in order of prevalence and those (0.86-2.76 mg/g) of Alismatis Rhizoma, including Alisol B acetate and Alisol B, were not changed at irradiation doses of ≤10 kGy. The extracts of e-beam irradiated Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma showed a reduced production of inflammation-related factors, such as nitric oxide, prostaglandin E2, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6, in a concentration-dependent manner, which was induced by lipopolysaccharide in RAW 264.7 cell. However, there was no significant difference observed at e-beam irradiation doses of 0, 1, 5, and 10 kGy. Thus, we confirm that e-beam irradiation up to 10 kGy was effective for the control of microbial load in Cnidii Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma without causing considerable changes in their major active components and anti-inflammatory activity. The results show the potential of e-beam application for sanitization of medicinal herbs.

Drying and decontamination of raw pistachios with sequential infrared drying, tempering and hot air drying.

Pistachio nuts have been associated with outbreaks of foodborne disease and the industry has been impacted by numerous product recalls due to contamination with Salmonella enterica. The current hot air drying of pistachios has low energy efficiency and drying rates, and also does not guarantee the microbial safety of products. In the study described herein, dehulled and water-sorted pistachios with a moisture content (MC) of 38.14% (wet basis) were dried in a sequential infrared and hot air (SIRHA) drier to <9% MC. The decontamination efficacy was assessed by inoculating pistachios with Enterococcus faecium, a surrogate of Salmonella enterica used for quality control in the almond industry. Drying with IR alone saved 105min (34.4%) of drying time compared with hot air drying. SIRHA drying of pistachios for 2h with infrared (IR) heat followed by tempering at a product temperature of 70°C for 2h and then by hot air drying shortened the drying time by 40min (9.1%) compared with drying by hot air only. This SIRHA method also reduced the E. faecium cell population by 6.1-logCFU/g kernel and 5.41-logCFU/g shell of pistachios. The free fatty acid contents of SIRHA dried pistachios were on par with that of hot air dried samples. Despite significant differences in peroxide values (PV) of pistachio kernels dried with the SIRHA method compared with hot air drying at 70°C, the PV were within the permissible limit of 5Meq/kg for edible oils. Our findings demonstrate the efficacy of SIRHA drying in achieving simultaneous drying and decontamination of pistachios.