Dieldrin accumulation, distribution in plant parts and phytoextraction potential for several plant species and Cucurbita pepo varieties.

Dieldrin, an organochlorine pesticide (OCP) widely used for crop protection in the second half of the 20th century till the 70's, is worldwide still present in arable soils. It can be transferred to crops, notably cucurbits, depending on plant species and cultivars. Finding strategies to decrease OCP bioavailability in soil is therefore a main concern. Phytomanagement strategies could provide (i) ready-to-use short term solution for maintaining the production of edible plant parts with dieldrin concentrations below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) and (ii) long-term solution for dieldrin phytoextraction reducing progressively its bioavailability in the soil. This field study aimed at determining dieldrin accumulation capacities and allocation pattern in 17 non-Cucurbitaceae species and 10 Cucurbita pepo varieties, and assessing the dieldrin phytoextraction potential of these plant species when grown to maturity in a historically dieldrin-contaminated soil. Out of the non-Cucurbitaceae species, vetiver was the only one able to accumulate significant amounts of dieldrin, which mainly remained in its roots. All C. pepo varieties were able to uptake and translocate high dieldrin amounts into the shoots, leading to the highest phytoextraction potential. Despite the intraspecific variability in dieldrin concentration in zucchini plant parts, mainly in the reproductive organs, the phytoextraction capacity for shoots and fruits was high for all tested varieties (147 to 275 µg dieldrin plant-1, corresponding to 5.6 % of the n-heptane extractable soil dieldrin), even for the one with low fruit dieldrin concentration. Both food safety and phytoextraction could be achieved by selecting productive zucchini varieties displaying low dieldrin concentration in fruits and high one in shoots.

Risk analysis for groundwater intakes based on the example of neonicotinoids.

Neonicotinoids are a class of broad-spectrum insecticides that are dominant in the world market. They are widely distributed in the environment. Understanding the sources, distribution, and fate of these contaminants is critical to mitigating their effects and maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. Contamination of surface and groundwater by neonicotinoids has become a widespread problem worldwide, requiring comprehensive action to accurately determine the mechanisms behind the migration of these pesticides, their properties, and their adverse effects on the environment. A new approach to risk analysis for groundwater intake contamination with emerging contaminants was proposed. It was conducted on the example of four neonicotinoids (acetamiprid, clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid) in relation to groundwater accessed by a hypothetical groundwater intake, based on data obtained in laboratory tests using a dynamic method (column experiments). The results of the risk analysis conducted have shown that in this case study the use of acetamiprid and thiamethoxam for agricultural purposes poses an acceptable risk, and does not pose a risk to the quality of groundwater extracted from the intake for food purposes. Consequently, it does not pose a risk to the health and life of humans and other organisms depending on that water. The opposite situation is observed for clothianidin and imidacloprid, which pose a higher risk of groundwater contamination. For higher maximum concentration of neonicotinoids used in the risk analysis, the concentration of clothianidin and imidacloprid in the groundwater intake significantly (from several to several hundred thousand times) exceeds the maximum permissible levels for drinking water (<0.1 µg/L). This risk exists even if the insecticides containing these pesticides are used according to the information sheet provided by the manufacturer (lower maximum concentration), which results in exceeding the maximum permissible levels for drinking water from several to several hundred times.

Urbanization effects on growth and otolith asymmetry in Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus and Oreochromis niloticus within tropical coastal lagoon watersheds.

In this study, we investigated the growth dynamics and otolith shape asymmetry of two fish species, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus (CN) and Oreochromis niloticus (ON), within urbanized watersheds of the southern lagoon system, Nigeria. Using the von Bertalanffy growth model (VBGM), in addition to sediment metal concentration indices such as the average shale content, index of geoaccumulation (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk (PER) index, contamination levels were classified, and ecological risks were assessed. Notably, a lower growth potential (t0) was observed in CN at Ikorodu than at Epe, with similar trends for ON in the Epe during the dry season. Otolith asymmetry patterns, particularly in the CN at Ikorodu and ON in the Epe during the dry season, exhibited distinct ecological variations, indicating heightened stress levels at Ikorodu. Sediment analyses revealed moderate to strong contamination (Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr) in both Lagos Lagoon (Ikorodu) and Epe Lagoon, with Ikorodu exhibiting notably high to moderate contamination levels according to the CF index. Elevated PLI values for Cd and Pb in Ikorodu, in addition to greater PER, indicated increased risk, with Cd posing a high risk (61.42%) and Pb posing a moderate risk (49.50%). Additionally, the reduced asymptotic length in the Epe during the dry season suggests that Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus is adaptable to seasonal variations, while divergent growth patterns in both areas indicate the existence of trade-off mechanisms in response to changing conditions. Habitat-specific otolith asymmetry and metal contamination underscore species adaptability, with wider stressor variability in Lagos than in Epe. Furthermore, multidimensional scaling analysis highlights the intricate relationship between otolith shape variables and environmental factors, emphasizing the need for tailored conservation efforts in urbanized watersheds.

Smartphone microscopic method for imaging and quantification of microplastics in drinking water.

Analysis of microplastics in drinking water is often challenging due to smaller particle size and low particle count. In this study, we used a low cost and an easy to assemble smartphone microscopic system for imaging and quantitating microplastic particles as small as 20 µm. The system consisted of a spherical sapphire ball lens of 4 mm diameter attached to a smartphone camera as a major imaging component. It also involved pre-concentration of the sample using ZnCl2 solution. The spike recovery and limit of detection of the method in filtered distilled and deionized water samples (n = 9) were 55.6% ± 9.7% and 34 particles/L, respectively. Imaging performance of the microscopic system was similar to a commercial bright field microscopic system. The method was further implemented to examine microplastic particles in commercial bottled and jar water samples (n = 20). The particles count in bottled and jar water samples ranged from 0-91 particles/L to 0-130 particles/L, respectively. In both sample types, particles of diverse shape and size were observed. The particles collected from water samples were further confirmed by FTIR spectra (n = 36), which found 97% of the particles tested were made of plastic material. These findings suggested that the smartphone microscopic system can be implemented as a low-cost alternative for preliminary screening of microplastic in drinking water samples. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Ball lens based smartphone microscopic method was used for microplastic analysis. Particles of diverse shape and size were found in bottle and jar water samples.

Successful pregnancy with intracytoplasmic sperm injection after bacterial contamination of embryo culture in in vitro fertilization: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infection of embryo culture medium is rare but may be detrimental. The main source of embryo culture contamination is semen. Assisted reproduction centers currently lack consensus regarding the methods for preventing and managing embryo culture infection. In our recent case, a successful pregnancy was achieved with intracytoplasmic sperm injection after failed conventional in vitro fertilization owing to bacterial contamination. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case report of two consecutive in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles with photo and video documentation of the bacterial growth. A 36-year-old Hungarian woman and her 37-year-old Hungarian partner came to our department. They had two normal births followed by 2 years of infertility. The major causes of infertility were a closed fallopian tube and asthenozoospermia. Bacterial infection of the embryo culture medium was observed during in vitro fertilization and all oocytes degenerated. The source was found to be the semen. To prevent contamination, intracytoplasmic sperm injection was used for fertilization in the subsequent cycle. Intracytoplasmic bacterial proliferation was observed in one of the three fertilized eggs, but two good-quality embryos were successfully obtained. The transfer of one embryo resulted in a successful pregnancy and a healthy newborn was delivered. CONCLUSION: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be offered to couples who fail conventional in vitro fertilization treatment owing to bacteriospermia, as it seems to prevent infection of the embryo culture. Even if bacterial contamination appears, our case encourages us to continue treatment. Nevertheless, the development of new management guidelines for the prevention and management of bacterial contamination is essential.

Stable isotopic signature of cadmium in tracing the source, fate, and translocation of cadmium in soil: A review.

Cadmium (Cd), one of the most severe environmental pollutants in soil, poses a great threat to food safety and human health. Understanding the potential sources, fate, and translocation of Cd in soil-plant systems can provide valuable information on Cd contamination and its environmental impacts. Stable Cd isotopic ratios (δ114/110Cd) can provide "fingerprint" information on the sources and fate of Cd in the soil environment. Here, we review the application of Cd isotopes in soil, including (i) the Cd isotopic signature of soil and anthropogenic sources, (ii) the interactions of Cd with soil constituents and associated Cd isotopic fractionation, and (iii) the translocation of Cd at soil-plant interfaces and inside plant bodies, which aims to provide an in-depth understanding of Cd transport and migration in soil and soil-plant systems. This review would help to improve the understanding and application of Cd isotopic techniques for tracing the potential sources and (bio-)geochemical cycling of Cd in soil environment.

Comprehensive physiology and proteomics analysis revealed the resistance mechanism of rice (Oryza sativa L) to cadmium stress.

Cadmium contamination can lead to a decrease in crop yield and quality. However, Cd-tolerant rice can improve rice resistance genes, improve crop tolerance to heavy metals, and protect plants from oxidative damage. In this study, Japonica rice: Chunyou 987 and Indica rice: Chuanzhong you 3607 were used to reveal the molecular response mechanism of Cd-tolerant rice under cadmium concentration of 3 mg/kg through comparative experiments combined with physiology and proteomics. The results showed that compared with indica rice, japonica rice showed more robust resistance to Cd stress and effectively retained many Cd ions in roots. Moreover, it enhanced its enzymatic and non-enzymatic anti-oxidative stress mechanism, which increased the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) by 47.37%, 21.75%, and 55.42%, respectively. The contents of non-enzymatic antioxidant substances ascorbic acid (AsA), glutathione (GSH), cysteine (Cys), proline (PRO), anthocyanins (OPC), and flavonoids were increased by 25.32%, 42.67%, 21.43%, 50.81%, 33.23%, and 72.16%, respectively. Through proteomics analysis, it was found that in response to the damage caused by cadmium stress, Japonica rice makes Photosynthesis functional proteins (psbO and PetH), Photosynthesis antenna proteins (LHCA and ASCAB9), Carbon fixation functional proteins (PEPC and OsAld), Porphyrin metabolism functional proteins (OsRCCR1 and SE5), Glyoxylate and dicarboxylate The expression of metabolism functional proteins (CATC and GLO4.) and Glutathione metabolism functional proteins (APX8 and OsGSTU13) were significantly up-regulated, which stimulated the antioxidant stress mechanism and photosynthetic system, and constructed a robust energy supply system to ensure the normal metabolic activities of life. Strengthening the mechanisms of plant homeostasis. In summary, this study revealed the molecular mechanism of tolerance to Cd stress in japonica rice, and the results of this study will provide a possible way to improve Cd-resistant rice seedlings.

Heavy metals in afforested mangrove sediment from the world's largest delta: Distributional mapping, contamination status, risk assessment and source tracing.

This study aims to assess seasonal and spatial variations, contamination status, ecological risks, and metal sources (Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, Mn, and Zn) in human-afforested mangrove sediments in a deltaic region. Five sampling locations were sampled during dry and wet seasons. Heavy metal concentrations followed the order: Mn > Zn > Ni > Cr > Cu > Pb. Metal loads, except Cu and Pb, were higher during the dry season, aligning with national and international recommendations. Sediment quality guidelines, contamination factor, geoaccumulation index, enrichment factors, and pollution load index indicated uncontaminated sediment in both seasons. Potential ecological risk assessment showed low risk conditions in all sites. However, modified hazard quotient indicated moderate pollution risk from all metals except Pb. Analysis suggests anthropogenic sources, particularly evident near shipbreaking yards in Sitakunda. While initially uncontaminated, ongoing metal influx poses a potential risk to mangrove ecosystems.

Assessing the stability and sporicidal efficacy of oxidising disinfectants.

The role of the healthcare environment in the transmission of clinical pathogens is well established. We investigated the chemical stability and sporicidal efficacy of oxidising disinfectant products in the presence of simulated clean and medical dirty conditions. Performance of chlorine-releasing agents (sodium dichloroisocyanurate, chlorine dioxide and hypochlorous acid) was concentration-dependent, with 1000 ppm chlorine showing reduced stability and efficacy in dirty conditions. In contrast peracetic acid product demonstrated stability and consistently achieved efficacy in dirty conditions. These results have implications for clinical practice, as ineffective environmental decontamination may increase the risk of transmission of pathogens that can cause healthcare-associated infections.

Occurrence of pharmaceutically active compounds in groundwater and their effects to the human health.

Groundwater contamination by pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) has been considered a public health concern worldwide. Alongside the potential toxicological risk of these organic substances, many countries still rely on groundwater for drinking water supply. Thus, this study identified a priority list of seven licit PhACs, comprising acetaminophen (ACT), tramadol (TRA), carbamazepine (CBZ), erythromycin (ERY), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), metformin (MET), and oxazepam (OXZ). Consumption, concentration, and human toxicity in silico results were collected from open access databases. These three indicators were analyzed separately and grouped through a general risk index. The consumption index (data from the USA and Brazil) indicated that ACT, TRA, and MET are the most consumed. Monitoring samples from the USA and Europe (n = 816) indicated that OXZ and ERY stand out as the higher occurrence index considering both regions, but the ranking for each region showed considerable differences. When assessing toxicological risk, an index ≥ 0.5 was attributed to CBZ, MET, OXZ, SMX, and TRA. The general risk indicated the need to be attentive to MET, OXZ, and TRA as they presented ≥ 0.5 index values for at least two indicators.

Unveiling the Future of Meat Packaging: Functional Biodegradable Packaging Preserving Meat Quality and Safety.

Meat quality and shelf life are important parameters affecting consumer perception and safety. Several factors contribute to the deterioration and spoilage of meat products, including microbial growth, chemical reactions in the food's constituents, protein denaturation, lipid oxidation, and discoloration. This study reviewed the development of functional packaging biomaterials that interact with food and the environment to improve food's sensory properties and consumer safety. Bioactive packaging incorporates additive compounds such as essential oils, natural extracts, and chemical substances to produce composite polymers and polymer blends. The findings showed that the incorporation of additive compounds enhanced the packaging's functionality and improved the compatibility of the polymer-polymer matrices and that between the polymers and active compounds. Food preservatives are alternative substances for food packaging that prevent food spoilage and preserve quality. The safety of food contact materials, especially the flavor/odor contamination from the packaging to the food and the mass transfer from the food to the packaging, was also assessed. Flavor is a key factor in consumer purchasing decisions and also determines the quality and safety of meat products. Novel functional packaging can be used to preserve the quality and safety of packaged meat products.

Determination of threshold values and heavy metal pollution assessment of soils in an industrial area in Ghana.

Industrial activities have the potential to pollute soils with a wide variety of heavy metals (HMs). In Ghana, however, assessment of HM pollution of soils in industrial areas remains limited. Accordingly, HM soil pollution in one of the industrial areas in Accra, Ghana was assessed. Soil samples were taken and analysed for HMs, including Fe, Zr, Zn, Ti, Sr, Rb, Mn, Pb, Cu, and Co, using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF). HM geochemical threshold values (GTVs) were determined to establish soil HM pollution levels and identify areas needing remediation. Furthermore, risk assessments were conducted to evaluate the potential ecological and human health risks associated with these metals. The mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Zr, Ti, Mn, Co, Cu, and Pb in the soils were: 27133.83, 147.72, 16.30, 95.95, 307.11, 4663.66, 289.85, 418.54, 44.97, and 112.88 mg/kg, respectively. Generally, the concentrations of HMs decreased with depth, although some lower layers exhibited elevated HM levels. Soil pollution levels were categorized as low for Fe, Rb, Zr, Ti, Mn, Co, and Cu; moderate for Sr and Zn; and considerable for Pb. Notably, the northwestern part of the study area displayed a considerable to very high degree of HM contamination. While HMs in the soils posed low ecological risk, the human health risk assessment indicated potential health effects from Co, particularly in children. The presence of HMs in the soils was noted to originate from both natural geological phenomena and human activities, including industrial operations, agricultural practices, landfill activities, and vehicular emissions.

Comprehensive strategies for controlling Listeria monocytogenes biofilms on food-contact surfaces.

Listeria monocytogenes biofilms formed on food-contact surfaces within food-processing facilities pose a significant challenge, serving as persistent sources of cross-contamination. In this review, we examined documented cases of foodborne outbreaks and recalls linked to L. monocytogenes contamination on equipment surfaces and in the food production environment, provided an overview of the prevalence and persistence of L. monocytogenes in different food-processing facilities, and discussed environmental factors influencing its biofilm formation. We further delved into antimicrobial interventions, such as chemical sanitizers, thermal treatments, biological control, physical treatment, and other approaches for controlling L. monocytogenes biofilms on food-contact surfaces. This review provides valuable insights into the persistent challenge of L. monocytogenes biofilms in food processing, offering a foundation for future research and practical strategies to enhance food safety.

Mapping soil trace metal distribution using remote sensing and multivariate analysis.

Trace metal soil contamination poses significant risks to human health and ecosystems, necessitating thorough investigation and management strategies. Researchers have increasingly utilized advanced techniques like remote sensing (RS), geographic information systems (GIS), geostatistical analysis, and multivariate analysis to address this issue. RS tools play a crucial role in collecting spectral data aiding in the analysis of trace metal distribution in soil. Spectroscopy offers an effective understanding of environmental contamination by analyzing trace metal distribution in soil. The spatial distribution of trace metals in soil has been a key focus of these studies, with factors influencing this distribution identified as soil type, pH levels, organic matter content, land use patterns, and concentrations of trace metals. While progress has been made, further research is needed to fully recognize the potential of integrated geospatial imaging spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analysis for assessing trace metal distribution in soils. Future directions include mapping multivariate results in GIS, identifying specific anthropogenic sources, analyzing temporal trends, and exploring alternative multivariate analysis tools. In conclusion, this review highlights the significance of integrated GIS and multivariate analysis in addressing trace metal contamination in soils, advocating for continued research to enhance assessment and management strategies.

Updating risk remediation-endpoints for petroleum-contaminated soils? A case study in the Ecuadorian Amazon region.

In Ecuador, the regulatory framework for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soils is based on predefined concentration endpoints for a selected range of petroleum hydrocarbon compounds. However, such approach may lead to over or under-estimation of the environmental risk posed by contaminated soils. In this study, the end-point remediation criteria according to Ecuadorian Environmental legislation were evaluated using different approaches. The first one was based on Total Extractable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TEPH) and the second one on Total Bioavailable Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TBPH). Both were compared with ecotoxicological determinations using EC50 -Microtox® bioassay at 5 and 15 min of exposure. The correlation (R2) between EC50 values vs TEPH was of 0.2 and 0.25 for 5 and 15 min, respectively. Meanwhile, R2 between EC50 and TBPH was of 0.9 and 0.65 for 5 and 15 min, respectively, demonstrating a stronger correlation. Our results suggest that a contaminated site where the concentration of the TEPH is higher than the relevant regulatory concentrations may be deemed to present an acceptable risk even though their concentrations exceed the target values in soils. The results also challenge the notion that hormesis is associated with TEPH, contrary to some literature. This study is the first in Ecuador to propose incorporating bioavailability into environmental regulations, highlighting the need for further research to establish realistic and achievable remediation goals based on toxicity studies involving various trophic levels.

Novel Chitosan-Based Barrier Materials for Environmental Containment: Synthesis, Characterization, and Contaminant Removal Capacities and Mechanisms.

This study critically appraises employing chitosan as a composite with bentonite, biochar, or both materials as an alternative to conventional barrier materials. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the studies reporting chitosan-bentonite composite (CBC), chitosan amended biochar (CAB), and chitosan-bentonite-biochar composite (CBBC) for effective removal of various contaminants. The study aims to review the synthesis of these composites, identify fundamental properties affecting their adsorption capacities, and examine how these properties affect or enhance the removal abilities of other materials within the composite. Notably, CBC composites have the advantage of adsorbing both cationic and anionic species, such as heavy metals and dyes, due to the cationic nature of chitosan and the anionic nature of montmorillonite, along with the increased accessible surface area due to the clay. CAB composites have the unique advantage of being low-cost sorbents with high specific surface area, affinity for a wide range of contaminants owing to the high surface area and microporosity of biochar, and abundant available functional groups from the chitosan. Limited studies have reported the utilization of CBBC composites to remove various contaminants. These composites can be prepared by combining the steps employed in preparing CBC and CAB composites. They can benefit from the favorable adsorption properties of all three materials while also satisfying the mechanical requirements of a barrier material. This study serves as a knowledge base for future research to develop novel composite barrier materials by incorporating chitosan and biochar as amendments to bentonite.

Potential effects of the discharge of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in benthic communities: evidence from three distinct WWTP systems.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents can be sources of environmental contamination. In this study, we aimed to understand whether effluents of three different WWTPs may have ecological effects in riverine recipient ecosystems. To achieve this, we assessed benthic phytobenthos and macroinvertebrate communities at three different locations relative to the effluent discharge: immediately upstream, immediately downstream and 500-m downstream the effluent discharge. Two approaches were employed: the ecological status classification as defined in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) based on biological indicators; constrained multivariate analysis to disentangle the environmental drivers (physicochemical variables and contaminants, namely metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products) of ecological changes across the study sites. The results showed inconsistencies between the WFD approach and the multivariate approach, as well as between the responses of macroinvertebrates and diatoms. The WWTP effluents impacted benthic communities in a single case: macroinvertebrates were negatively affected by one of the WWTP effluents, likely by the transported pharmaceuticals (other stressors are essentially homogeneous among sites). Given the findings and the scarcity of consistent evidence on ecological impacts that WWTP effluents may have in recipient ecosystems, further research is needed towards more sustainable regulation and linked environmental protection measures.

Long-term impact of wastewater effluent discharge on groundwater: Identification of contaminant plume by geochemical, isotopic, and organic tracers' approach.

Infiltration of effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) into groundwater can be a source of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs), such as pharmaceutical compounds, that are not fully removed during the treatment processes. A multi-tracer approach, based on hydrogeochemical, isotopic, and organic tracers, is applied in the Vistrenque Aquifer (Gard, France) to assess the dispersion of such unintentional plumes and its potential implication on groundwater quality for CECs in a small catchment area. In this area, a point source of WWTP effluent causes contaminant infiltration and unintentional transfer to the aquifer. This strong impact of an urban effluent was revealed from the Br/Cl ratio, boron concentrations and δ11B isotopic signature of the groundwater in the direct vicinity of the infiltration point. With increasing distance from that point, dilution with groundwater rapidly attenuates the urban signal from these hydrogeochemical and isotopic tracers. Nevertheless, a gadolinium anomaly, resulting from discharges of urban wastewater containing the contrast agents used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), highlights the presence of a wastewater plume further along the flow line, that comes with a series of organic molecules, including pharmaceutical residues. Monitoring persistent or reactive molecules along the plume provides a more detailed understanding of the transfer of CECs into groundwater bodies. This highlights the relevance of pharmaceutical compounds as co-tracers for WWTP plume delineation. The present multi-tracer approach for groundwater resource vulnerability towards CECs allows a more in-depth understanding of contaminant transfer and their fate in groundwater.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of major foodborne pathogens isolated from pangas and tilapia fish sold in retail markets of Dhaka city, Bangladesh.

Fish sold at retail markets are often contaminated with harmful bacterial pathogens, posing significant health risks. Despite the growing aquaculture industry in Bangladesh to meet high demand, little attention has been paid to ensuring the safety of fish. The objective of this study was to evaluate the microbiological quality of tilapia and pangas fish sold in retail markets across Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Specifically, the study aimed to compare the quality of fish from traditional wet markets and modern supermarkets, as well as fish samples collected during morning and evening hours. A total of 500 raw cut-fish samples (250 tilapia and 250 pangas) were collected at the point of sale from 32 wet markets and 25 supermarkets. All samples were tested for Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing E. coli (ESBL-Ec), along with the foodborne pathogens Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, and Cryptosporidium spp. Bacterial isolates were characterized using antibiotic susceptibility tests (AST) and the presence of common virulence and antibiotic-resistant genes. Fish samples from retail markets had higher prevalence of tested bacteria including E. coli (92 %), V. cholerae (62 %), ESBL-Ec (48 %), and Salmonella spp. (24 %). There was a significant difference in the prevalence of E. coli (97 % vs. 71 %), ESBL-Ec (58 % vs. 8 %) and Salmonella spp. (28 % vs. 8 %) on the wet market samples compared to supermarket samples (p < 0.005). The mean concentration of E. coli on fish from the wet market was 3.0 ± 0.9 log10 CFU/g, while that from supermarkets was 1.6 ± 0.9 log10 CFU/g. The mean concentration of ESBL-Ec in fish from wet markets and supermarkets were 2.3 ± 0.8 log10 CFU/g and 1.6 ± 0.5 log10 CFU/g, respectively. AST revealed that 46 % of E. coli isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR), while 4 %, 2 % and 5 % of E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. isolates, respectively, were resistant to carbapenems. At least 3 % of total E. coli isolates were found to be diarrheagenic, while 40 % of Salmonella isolates harbored pathogenic genes (stn, bcfC, ssaQ, avrA and sodC1), and none of the V. cholerae isolates harbored ctxA and tcpA. Our research shows that raw-cut fish samples from retail markets are contaminated with pathogenic and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which could be a significant food safety concern. Public health interventions should be implemented to improve food safety and hygiene practices in the retail fish markets.

Diversity and functional traits of seed endophytes of Dysphania ambrosioides from heavy metal contaminated and non-contaminated areas.

Seed endophytes played a crucial role on host plants stress tolerance and heavy metal (HM) accumulation. Dysphania ambrosioides is a hyperaccumulator and showed strong tolerance and extraordinary accumulation capacities of multiple HMs. However, little is known about its seed endophytes response to field HM-contamination, and its role on host plants HM tolerance and accumulation. In this study, the seed endophytic community of D. ambrosioides from HM-contaminated area (H) and non-contaminated area (N) were investigated by both culture-dependent and independent methods. Moreover, Cd tolerance and the plant growth promoting (PGP) traits of dominant endophytes from site H and N were evaluated. The results showed that in both studies, HM-contamination reduced the diversity and richness of endophytic community and changed the most dominant endophyte, but increased resistant species abundance. By functional trait assessments, a great number of dominant endophytes displayed multiple PGP traits and Cd tolerance. Interestingly, soil HM-contamination significantly increased the percentage of Cd tolerance isolates of Agrobacterium and Epicoccum, but significantly decreased the ration of Agrobacterium with the siderophore production ability. However, the other PGP traits of isolates from site H and N showed no significant difference. Therefore, it was suggested that D. ambrosioides might improve its HM tolerance and accumulation through harboring more HM-resistant endophytes rather than PGP endophytes, but to prove this, more work need to be conducted in the future.