Machine learning models for prediction of Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth in raw ground beef at different storage temperatures.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) can be life-threatening and lead to major outbreaks. The prevention of STEC-related infections can be provided by control measures at all stages of the food chain. The growth performance of E. coli O157:H7 at different temperatures in raw ground beef spiked with cocktail inoculum was investigated using machine learning (ML) models to address this problem. After spiking, ground beef samples were stored at 4, 10, 20, 30 and 37 °C. Repeated E. coli O157 enumeration was performed at 0-96 h with 21 times repeated counting. The obtained microbiological data were evaluated with ML methods (Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR)) and statistically compared for valid prediction. The coefficient of determination (R2) and mean squared error (MSE) are two essential criteria used to evaluate the model performance regarding the comparison between the observed value and the prediction made by the model. RF model showed superior performance with 0.98 R2 and 0.08 MSE values for predicting the growth performance of E. coli O157 at different temperatures. MLR model predictions were obtained further from the observed values with 0.66 R2 and 2.7 MSE values. Our results indicate that ML methods can predict of E. coli O157:H7 growth in ground beef at different temperatures to strengthen food safety professionals and legal authorities to assess contamination risks and determine legal limits and criteria proactively.

Microplastic pollution of drinking water in a metropolis.

This study was conducted to identify microplastics (MPs) in drinking water from various sources in Istanbul that are known to pose potential health risks. One hundred drinking water samples were analysed. Samples were filtered with a glass filter (Ø: 1.0 µm). After filtration, microscopy was used, followed by SEM-EDS and ATR-FTIR identification to characterise MPs. Two shapes (fibers and fragments) and eight polymer types of MPs (ethylene propylene, neoprene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, vinyl chloride vinyl acetate copolymer) with sizes of 12-4892 µm (548 ± 777 µm) were detected. These MPs abundances ranged from 10 to 390 MP L-1 (134 ± 93 MP L-1). In the identification of MPs detected in filters by FTIR spectroscopy, bisphenol A, which is used in the production of various plastics and described as an important public health problem, was detected in 9.74% of MPs. Within the scope of the Sustainable Development Goals, UNEP has a specific objective of ensuring access to safe, affordable drinking water (SDG 6). With a clear statement, it should be emphasised that MPs are a significant barrier to the provision of safe drinking water, and a comprehensive plan for overcoming this barrier should be developed.

Characterization of lactic acid bacteria postbiotics, evaluation in-vitro antibacterial effect, microbial and chemical quality on chicken drumsticks.

The aims of this study were to characterize postbiotics, and to evaluate their antibacterial effects in-vitro and on chicken drumsticks. Postbiotics [Pediococcus. acidilactici (PA), Latilactobacillus sakei/Staphylococcus xylosus (LS)] exhibited strong antioxidant activity, and their total phenolic contents were found as 2952.78 ± 0.4 and 1819.44 ± 0.39 mg GAE/L, respectively (P < 0.05). A total of 19 different phenolic and flavonoids were determined in the postbiotics. The results of the study revealed that 5% and 10% postbiotics + EDTA decreased the number of L. monocytogenes nearly 5.0 log10 in 6 h in TSB. S. Typhimurium count in the chicken drumstick decontaminated with 10% PA was found as 2.1 log10 lower than the control group on day 0. L. monocytogenes counts in the chicken drumstick decontaminated with 10% Postbiotics+1% LA groups were found to be 1.1 log10 lower than the control group (P < 0.05). The lowest total mesophilic aerobic bacteria counts in the chicken drumsticks were found in the 10% Postbiotics+1% LA samples, and postbiotics did not change the color properties of the drumstick samples on day 0 (P > 0.05). In conclusion, postbiotics and their combinations with natural preservatives may be an alternative approach to reduce the food-borne pathogens and to extend the shelf-life of poultry meat and meat products.

Validation and verification of LAMP, ISO, and VIDAS UP methods for detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in different food matrices.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the most important food-borne pathogens to threaten public health. Cultural methods are used as a gold standard while they are laborious and time-consuming. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method is an alternative method that became widely used for the detection of food-borne pathogens. The aim of this study was to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of LAMP method for detection of E. coli O157:H7, also to compare detection performances with VIDAS UP and ISO (International Organization for Standardization) methods in different food matrices (beef meat, minced lamb meat, milk, cheese, apple puree, and soybean sprouts). E. coli O157:H7 were spiked in three different levels (high 4.58; medium 2.32; low 0.30 log10 CFU/g-ml) to food matrices. Although there were no significant differences in terms of the specificity and sensitivity values among the three methods (p ≥ .05), it was determined that the highest specificity and sensitivity values obtained from the LAMP method. Sensitivity and specificity values of LAMP method were found as 0.997 and 0.988, for the ISO method were 0.989 and 0.971, and for the VIDAS UP method were 0.980 and 0.963, respectively. In milk samples, sensitivity and specificity values of the VIDAS UP method were significantly lower than LAMP and ISO methods (p < .05). However, there were no significant differences found for the other food matrices among the three methods (p > .05). It can be summarized from this study that specificity and sensitivity values of the LAMP method are equal or higher and less time-consuming than ISO and VIDAS UP methods. In conclusion, using a simple, fast, and inexpensive detection method, such as LAMP, especially in endemic regions or in an outbreak to control spreading of pathogens, is very important for public health.

Effects of Ankaferd Hemostat on Helicobacter pylori strains and antibiotic resistance

Background/aim: Ankaferd hemostat (ABS; Ankaferd blood stopper, Istanbul, Turkey) is a folkloric medicinal plant extract. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Ankaferd hemostat (ABS) on the fate of Helicobacter pylori strains. The study also aims to determine alterations in the antimicrobial resistance of three different H. pylori strains in response to ABS exposure. Materials and methods: H. pylori Strain 1 was obtained from the culture collection ATCC 43504 and passaged three times for viability. Strain 2 was isolated from a gastric ulcer patient and Strain 3 was isolated from a gastritis patient. 1% of ABS was added to all of the strains and antimicrobial susceptibility was observed on 30 and 60 min after application. Results: The efficacy of ABS solutions in achieving significant logarithmic reduction in foodborne pathogens of H. pylori was observed in this study. This study showed that ABS has antibacterial (Anti-H. pylori) effects. Conclusion: Our present study indicated, for the first time, that ABS could act against H. pylori. ABS is clinically used for the management of GI bleeding due to benign and malignant GI lesions. Thus, the possible anti-H. pylori effect of ABS shall expand the therapeutic spectrum of the drug in GI lesions in relation to H. pylori infection such as peptic ulser disease (PUD) and lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomagenesis.

Development and evaluation of a novel Campylobacter spp. enrichment medium.

Although rapid detection kits continue to be developed and used, the classical culture method is still accepted as a gold standard. Therefore accelerating the classical culture methods safely is important for the detection of Campylobacter. The aim of this study is to design and compare a novel developed medium with other confirmed media in naturally and experimentally contaminated food matrices. Besides classical culture methods, it is subjected to qPCR and FISH methods. In this study, Campylobacter counts are investigated in spiked milk, chicken breast meat, cumin, minced beef meat, celery and tomato puree. Also to evaluate the enrichment medium in naturally contaminated samples, Campylobacter detection is performed in 20 chicken neck skin samples obtained from different sales points. The study showed that the novel broth provides a faster detectable number of Campylobacter. It was found to provide detectable Campylobacter counts after eight hours of inoculation. The results have shown that there is a significant increase on Campylobacter count in the detection performed using the spiked foods. Furthermore, the entire natural contaminated chicken neck skin samples are found to be positive the same as the other mediums. As a result of the study, in the classic culture methods, designed enrichment medium is faster than the currently used enrichment mediums. It is an important point of view to develop fast and reliable diagnostic methods for assuring adequate public health.

Antibacterial Activities of Ankaferd Hemostat (ABS) on Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli and Other Pathogens Significant in Foodborne Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: Ankaferd hemostat (Ankaferd Blood Stopper®, ABS)-induced pharmacological modulation of essential erythroid proteins can cause vital erythroid aggregation via acting on fibrinogen gamma. Topical endoscopic ABS application is effective in the controlling of gastrointestinal (GI) system hemorrhages and/or infected GI wounds. Escherichia coli O157:H7, the predominant serotype of enterohemorrhagic E. coli, is a cause of both outbreaks and sporadic cases of hemorrhagic colitis. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of ABS on 6 different Shiga toxigenic E. coli serotypes including O26, O103, O104, O111, O145, and O157 and on other pathogens significant in foodborne diseases, such as Salmonella Typhimurium, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes, were also assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All strains were applied with different amounts of ABS and antimicrobial effect was screened. S. Typhimurium groups were screened for survival using the fluorescence in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS: The relative efficacy of ABS solutions to achieve significant logarithmic reduction in foodborne pathogens E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 serogroups and other emerging foodborne pathogens is demonstrated in this study. ABS has antibacterial effects. CONCLUSION: Our present study indicated for the first time that ABS may act against E. coli O157:H7, which is a cause of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and hemorrhagic colitis. The interrelationships between colitis, infection, and hemostasis within the context of ABS application should be further investigated in future studies.

Qualitative/Chemical Analyses of Ankaferd Hemostat and Its Antioxidant Content in Synthetic Gastric Fluids.

INTRODUCTION: Ankaferd hemostat (ABS) is the first topical haemostatic agent involving the red blood cell-fibrinogen interactions. The antihemorrhagic efficacy of ABS has been tested in controlled clinical trials. The drug induces the formation of an encapsulated complex protein web with vital erythroid aggregation. The aim of this study is to detect the essential toxicity profile and the antioxidant molecules inside ABS. METHODS: The pesticides were analyzed by GC-MS and LC-MS. The determination by ICP-MS after pressure digestion was performed for the heavy metals. HPLC was used for the detection of mycotoxins. Dioxin Response Chemically Activated Luciferase Gene Expression method was used for the dioxin evaluation. TOF-MS and spectra data were evaluated to detect the antioxidants and other molecules. RESULTS: TOF-MS spectra revealed the presence of several antioxidant molecules (including tocotrienols, vitamin E, tryptophan, estriol, galangin, apigenin, oenin, 3,4-divanillyltetrahydrofuran, TBHQ, thymol, BHA, BHT, lycopene, glycyrrhetinic acid, and tomatine), which may have clinical implications in the pharmacobiological actions of ABS. CONCLUSION: The safety of ABS regarding the presence of heavy metals, pesticides, mycotoxins, GMO and dioxins, and PCBs was demonstrated. Thus the present toxicological results indicated the safety of ABS. The antioxidant content of ABS should be investigated in future studies.

Antimicrobial resistance of emerging foodborne pathogens: status quo and global trends.

Emerging foodborne pathogens are challenging subjects of food microbiology with their antibiotic resistance and their impact on public health. Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella spp. and Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) are significant emerging food pathogens, globally. The decrease in supply and increase in demand lead developed countries to produce animal products with a higher efficiency. The massive production has caused the increase of the significant foodborne diseases. The strict control of food starting from farm to fork has been held by different regulations. Official measures have been applied to combat these pathogens. In 2005 EU declared that, an EU-wide ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed would be applied on 1 January 2006. The ban is the final step in the phasing out of antibiotics used for non-medical purposes. It is a part of the Commission's strategy to tackle the emergence of bacteria and other microbes resistant to antibiotics, due to their overexploitation or misuse. As the awareness raises more countries banned application of antibiotics as growth promoter, but the resistance of the emerging foodborne pathogens do not represent decrease. Currently, the main concern of food safety is counter measures against resistant bugs.