Functional genome analysis and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of a novel bacteriocinogenic Lactococcus sp. NH2-7C from Thai fermented pork (Nham).

Helicobacter pylori, linked to gastric diseases, is targeted for probiotic treatment through bacteriocin production. Bacteriocins have gained recognition for their non-toxic effects on host cells and their ability to combat a wide range of pathogens. This study aimed to taxonomically characterize and evaluate the safety and probiotic properties of the novel species of Lactococcus sp. NH2-7C isolated from fermented pork, as well as its bacteriocin NH2-7C, both in vitro and in silico. Comparative genotypic analysis revealed an average nucleotide identity of 94.96%, an average amino acid identity of 94.29%, and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 63.80% when compared to Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis JCM 5805T. These findings suggest that strain NH2-7C represents a novel species within the genus Lactococcus. In silico assessments confirmed the non-pathogenic nature of strain NH2-7C and the absence of genes associated with virulence and biogenic amine formation. Whole-genome analysis revealed the presence of the nisA gene responsible for nisin A production, indicating its potential as a beneficial compound with anti-Helicobacter pylori activity and non-toxic characteristics. Probiotic assessments indicated bile salt hydrolase and cholesterol assimilation activities, along with the modulation of interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α secretion. Strain NH2-7C demonstrated gastrointestinal tolerance and the ability to adhere to Caco-2 cells, affirming its safety and probiotic potential. Additionally, its ability to produce bacteriocins supports its suitability as a functional probiotic strain with therapeutic potential. However, further in vitro and in vivo investigations are crucial to ensure its safety and explore potential applications for Lactococcus sp. NH2-7C as a probiotic agent.

Development of chitin nanofiber coatings for prolonging shelf life and inhibiting bacterial growth on fresh cucumbers.

The widespread usage of petroleum-based polymers as single-use packaging has had harmful effects on the environment. Herein, we developed sustainable chitin nanofiber (ChNF) coatings that prolong the shelf life of fresh cucumbers and delay the growth of pathogenic bacteria on their surfaces. ChNFs with varying degrees of acetylation were successfully prepared via deacetylation using NaOH with treatment times of 0-480 min and defibrillated using mechanical blending. With longer deacetylation reaction times, more acetamido groups (-NHCOCH3) in chitin molecules were converted to amino groups (-NH2), which imparted antibacterial properties to the ChNFs. The ChNF morphologies were affected by deacetylation reaction time. ChNFs deacetylated for 240 min had an average width of 9.0 nm and lengths of up to several µm, whereas rod-like structured ChNFs with a mean width of 7.3 nm and an average length of 222.3 nm were obtained with the reaction time of 480 min. Furthermore, we demonstrated a standalone ChNF coating to extend the shelf life of cucumbers. In comparison to the rod-like structured ChNFs, the 120 and 240-min deacetylated ChNFs exhibited a fibril-like structure, which considerably retarded the moisture loss of cucumbers and the growth rate of bacteria on their outer surfaces during storage. Cucumbers coated with these 120 and 240-min deacetylated ChNFs demonstrated a lower weight loss rate of ⁓ 3.9% day-1 compared to the uncoated cucumbers, which exhibited a weight loss rate of 4.6% day-1. This protective effect provided by these renewable ChNFs holds promising potential to reduce food waste and the use of petroleum-based packaging materials.

Chitosan coating for the preparation of multilayer coated paper for food-contact packaging: Wettability, mechanical properties, and overall migration.

Cellulose-based paper is an alternative substitution for petroleum-based polymers for packaging applications, but its mechanical performance is poor when in contact with water. Herein, chitosan was applied on cellulose-based paper via a coating approach. The effects of chitosan coatings between none and five layers on the color properties, wettability, thermal properties, mechanical performance, and overall migration in food simulants of the paper were evaluated. After the application of chitosan, chitosan first filled cavities between cellulose fibers within a network, and the chitosan film was formed on the paper surface later. This resulted in a pronounced increase in wettability and mechanical properties associated with a loss of whiteness and an increase in yellowness of the coated paper. The chitosan-coated paper became hydrophobic with a water contact angle of 94.7 ± 2.8°, and a robust improvement of 156.4% for tensile strength and 114.8% for strain at break was observed for the paper coated with three layers of chitosan in wet conditions in comparison to the uncoated paper. A reduction in the migration of the low molecular residuals from the paper could be hindered by the chitosan coating. These enhanced features revealed that chitosan-coated paper could be used as a food-contact material.

Mechanical and antibacterial properties of the chitosan coated cellulose paper for packaging applications: Effects of molecular weight types and concentrations of chitosan.

Chitosan with low (25 kDa) and high molecular weight (2100 kDa) were used to enhance performances of paper made from steam-exploded bamboo fibers and nanofibrillated cellulose. Chitosan solutions with concentrations of 0-1.0 wt% were manually applied on paper surface using a facile coating approach with a wire bar. Effects of chitosan coatings on morphology, thermal stability, wettability, mechanical performances and antibacterial properties of the paper were investigated. The larger improvement in the mechanical properties and wettability of the chitosan coated paper was observed with increasing concentrations of chitosan due to the disappearance of empty pores between fibers within a cellulose network by the formed chitosan matrix. These improvements were significantly higher when high molecular weight chitosan was applied. Yet, the addition of chitosan slightly decreased the thermal stability of the coated paper, and the chitosan coating did not improve the antimicrobial properties of the paper. The antimicrobial activity of chitosan against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) was found to be diminished when a chitosan solution was entrapped within paper. Together with the overall migration of the paper in food simulants, the results suggested that the chitosan coated paper could be applied for non-food-direct-contact packaging materials.

Bacteriocins from lactic acid bacteria and their applications in meat and meat products.

Meat and meat products have always been an important part of human diet, and contain valuable nutrients for growth and health. Nevertheless, they are perishable and susceptible to microbial contamination, leading to an increased health risk for consumers as well as to the economic loss in meat industry. The utilization of bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a natural preservative has received a considerable attention. Inoculation of bacteriocin-producing LAB cell as starter or protective cultures is suitable for fermented meats, whilst the direct addition of bacteriocin as food additive is more preferable when live cells of LAB could not produce bacteriocin in the real meat system. The incorporation of bacteriocins in packaging is another way to improve meat safety to avoid direct addition of bacteriocin to meat. Utilization of bacteriocins can effectively contribute to food safety, especially when integrated into hurdle concepts. In this review, LAB bacteriocins and their applications in meat and meat products are revisited. The molecular structure and characteristics of bacteriocins recently discovered, as well as exemplary properties are also discussed.

Anti-listeria activity of poly(lactic acid)/sawdust particle biocomposite film impregnated with pediocin PA-1/AcH and its use in raw sliced pork.

A novel poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/sawdust particle (SP) biocomposite film with anti-listeria activity was developed by incorporation of pediocin PA-1/AcH (Ped) using diffusion coating method. Sawdust particle played an important role in embedding pediocin into the hydrophobic PLA film. The anti-listeria activity of the PLA/SP biocomposite film incorporated with Ped (PLA/SP+Ped) was detected, while no activity against the tested pathogen was observed for the control PLA films (without SP and/or Ped). Dry-heat treatment of film before coating with Ped resulted in the highest Ped adsorption (11.63 ± 3.07 µg protein/cm(2)) and the highest anti-listeria activity. A model study of PLA/SP+Ped as a food-contact antimicrobial packaging on raw sliced pork suggests a potential inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes (99% of total listerial population) on raw sliced pork during the chilled storage. This study supports the feasibility of using PLA/SP+Ped film to reduce the initial load of L. monocytogenes on the surface of raw pork.