Identification of lactic acid bacteria with anti-listeria activity. Characterization and application of a bacteriocinogenic strain in the control of Listeria monocytogenes in cheese.

The purpose of the research paper was firstly to identify bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria characterizing strains with anti-listeria activity and, secondly, to characterize bacteriocin evaluating its in vitro efficiency as a natural preservative and, thirdly, to evaluate the anti-listeria effect of the bacteriocinogenic strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum in cheeses and produce an edible film with anti-listerial effect. Of 355 lactic acid bacteria strains tested, two were able to produce bacteriocin against Listeria monocytogenes and were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lactiplantibacillus pentosus. A bactericidal effect of strain QS494 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) was observed in the first 8 h, with a reduction of 1.7 log, using cell-free supernatant with Listeria monocytogenes, where viable cells were counted on listeria selective agar. Both strains showed good technological characteristics and were without production of virulence factors. Changes in the pH of the cell-free supernatant obtained from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum did not affect its antimicrobial activity, which remained stable after heat treatments for up to 15 min at 121°C. Inhibitory activity was also observed after 12 weeks of storage at -20°C. In the evaluation of the anti-listeria effect in cheeses, a 3 log reduction in the Listeria monocytogenes count was observed in 120 h in cheeses produced with bacteriocinogenic lactic acid bacteria, while in cheeses produced with non-bacteriocinogenic culture, we observed a 2 log increase in the count. Edible films produced with the addition of precipitate from the cell free supernatant showed an antimicrobial effect against Listeria monocytogenes. Thus, the two strains studied have technological and biosafety potential.

X-ray diffraction has limited applicability in investigation of milk tampering.

The aim of this work was to use X-ray diffraction to identify substances used for adulteration of raw milk and to determine if crystallographic analysis can detect extraneous substances in milk. Two unknown substances were sent anonymously by employers linked to the dairy chain, who claimed that they were added directly in milk prior to water addition by truck drivers. The samples were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and submitted to physicochemical analysis. The first substance was identified by X-ray diffraction as sodium citrate, complying with its physicochemical attributes, such as the powerful ability to decrease the freezing point. The second substance was identified by X-ray diffraction as sucrose and this result was also in agreement with its ability to increase the density, decrease the freezing point and finally, to be positive for sucrose in the resorcinol qualitative test. To evaluate if X-ray diffraction can detect extraneous substances already mixed in milk, fresh raw milk samples tampered with urea, sodium hydroxide, sodium citrate and sucrose were freeze dried and analyzed by X-ray diffraction, with no detection of any extraneous substances at any percentage. This is the first report of attempted diagnosis of extraneous substances in milk by X-ray diffraction. However, this technique can be useful only when applied to identify substances used for adulteration prior to its dilution in milk, since the amorphous nature of milk seems to be a limitation for the accurate detection of extraneous substances.

Selection of Leuconostoc strains isolated from artisanal Serrano Catarinense cheese for use as adjuncts in cheese manufacture.

BACKGROUND: Serrano Catarinense cheese is a raw bovine milk cheese produced in the region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Twelve representative strains of Leuconostoc isolated from 20 samples of this artisanal cheese were selected and submitted for evaluation of the acidifying, proteolytic, autolytic, aminopeptidase and lipolytic activities, NaCl and acid resistance, production of dextran and biogenic amines and antimicrobial activity. The aim was to genetically and technologically characterize the Leuconostoc strains in order to use them in mixed starter cultures for cheese manufacture. RESULTS: Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides was the species that accounted for the largest proportion of isolates of Leuconostoc genus. Two leuconostoc isolates stood out in the acidifying activity, with reduction in pH of 1.12 and 1.04 units. The isolates showed low proteolytic and autolytic activity. Most of the isolates were dextran producers, presented good resistance to the salt and pH conditions of the cheese and showed antimicrobial activity against cheese pathogen bacteria, and none of them produced biogenic amines. CONCLUSION: These results allowed the selection of five strains (UEL 04, UEL 12, UEL 18, UEL 21 and UEL 28) as good candidates for use as adjunct cultures for cheese manufacture. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Preservatives and neutralizing substances in milk: analytical sensitivity of official specific and nonspecific tests, microbial inhibition effect, and residue persistence in milk / Sustâncias conservantes e neutralizantes no leite: sensibilidade analítica das provas oficiais específicas, provas inespecíficas, inibição microbiana e persistência de resíduos no leite

Milk fraud has been a recurring problem in Brazil; thus, it is important to know the effect of most frequently used preservatives and neutralizing substances as well as the detection capability of official tests. The objective of this study was to evaluate the analytical sensitivity of legislation-described tests and nonspecific microbial inhibition tests, and to investigate the effect of such substances on microbial growth inhibition and the persistence of detectable residues after 24/48h of refrigeration. Batches of raw milk, free from any contaminant, were divided into aliquots and mixed with different concentrations of formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite, chlorine, chlorinated alkaline detergent, or sodium hydroxide. The analytical sensitivity of the official tests was 0.005%, 0.003%, and 0.013% for formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and hypochlorite, respectively. Chlorine and chlorinated alkaline detergent were not detected by regulatory tests. In the tests for neutralizing substances, sodium hydroxide could not be detected when acidity was accurately neutralized. The yogurt culture test gave results similar to those obtained by official tests for the detection of specific substances. Concentrations of 0.05% of formaldehyde, 0.003% of hydrogen peroxide and 0.013% of sodium hypochlorite significantly reduced (P<0.05) the microbial counts in milk after 24 and 48h refrigeration. Formaldehyde and sodium hypochlorite remained detectable in milk after 48 and 24h of refrigeration, respectively; while hydrogen peroxide could not be detected after 24h. Official tests for the detection of milk fraud by the addition of preservatives and neutralizing substances present limitations and may be ineffective in detecting milk adulteration

Fraudes no leite têm sido um problema recorrente no Brasil, tornando importante conhecer o efeito dos conservantes e neutralizantes utilizados com maior frequência, e a capacidade de detecção das provas oficiais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a sensibilidade analítica de provas descritas pela legislação, das provas por inibição microbiana inespecífica, o efeito dessas substâncias na inibição do crescimento microbiano e a persistência de resíduos detectáveis após 48 horas de refrigeração. Lotes de leite cru, livres de sustâncias adulterantes, foram aliquotados e adicionados de diferentes concentrações de formaldeído, peróxido de hidrogênio, hipoclorito de sódio, cloro, detergente alcalino clorado e hidróxido de sódio. A sensibilidade analítica das provas oficiais foi: 0,005% para formaldeído; 0,003% para peróxido de hidrogênio e 0,013% para hipoclorito. Cloro e detergente alcalino clorado não foram detectados pelas provas oficiais. A prova de neutralizantes não detectou hidróxido de sódio quando a acidez foi neutralizada com precisão. A prova da cultura de iogurte apresentou resultados próximos ao das provas oficiais para substâncias específicas. Concentrações de 0,05% formaldeído, 0,003% de peróxido de hidrogênio e 0,013% de hipoclorito de sódio reduziram significativamente (P<0,05) a microbiota do leite após 24 e 48 horas de refrigeração. O formaldeído e hipoclorito de sódio permaneceram detectável no leite após 48 e 24 horas de refrigeração, respectivamente e o peróxido de hidrogênio não foi detectável após 24 horas. As provas oficiais para a pesquisa de fraudes por adição de conservantes e neutralizantes ao leite apresentam limitações e podem não ser capazes de detectar adulterações no leite