Microbial-based Biocontrol Solutions for Fruits and Vegetables: Recent Insight, Patents, and Innovative Trends.

BACKGROUND: Fruits and vegetables are susceptible to colonisation by undesired microflora, which, in pre- and post-harvest conditions, negatively impact the quality of these products, leading to a reduction of yield, shelf-life, and marketability. In the few last years, the use of microbial Biological Control Agents (BCAs) has assumed international relevance in order to control harmful microorganisms, as a promising alternative to chemical interventions. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this review is to discuss the microbial-based solutions applicable for the biocontrol of the main microbial spoilers, phytopathogens, and human food-borne pathogens affecting fruits and vegetables during their production and storage. RESULTS: A comprehensive overview of the scientific literature investigating the effectiveness of BCA-based products available on the market is provided, as well as of the most recent patents protecting biotechnological applications in this field. Innovative trends are discussed, with a particular focus on the integration of BCAs to minimise spoilage phenomena and microbiological risks adopting combined approaches. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the growing interest about biocontrol strategies to counteract the growth of spoilage and/or pathogenic microorganisms indicating that in the next years a considerable increase of commercial products and patents will be developed worldwide to exploit innovative biotechnological solutions in the sector.

Aspectos tecnológicos e sanitários de pescados congelados industrializados / Technological and sanitary aspects of frozen industrialized fish

Pescados congelados industrializados (PCIs), são tratados por processos adequados de congelamento, em temperatura inferior a -25ºC. Nesse trabalho avaliou-se parâmetros tecnológicos, sanitários e nutricionais, e informações obrigatórias de rotulagem, quanto às formas de conservação e origem. Foram coletadas 57 amostras de PCIs em redes de supermercados na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, de maio à agosto de 2018. A verificação dos critérios estabelecidos para a rotulagem, em normas sanitárias permitiu avaliar o nível de conformidade das informações dos rótulos e das condições de exposição desses alimentos. Conclui-se que a segurança do consumidor do estado do Rio de Janeiro está comprometida, já que 70,2% das amostras encontraram-se fora do padrão em relação à temperatura de conservação e 7,08% não especificaram sua origem.

Qualidade dos peixes comercializados na feira livre do município de Formiga-MG / Quality of the fish marketed in the free fair of the municipality of Formiga-MG

O Brasil apresenta cerca de 12% de água doce e 8 mil quilômetros de litoral, com potencial para se tornar um dos maiores produtores de pescado. Para garantir a qualidade do pescado, é preciso respeitar as temperaturas de conservação, os equipamentos devem estar protegidos e serem de material liso. O trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a qualidade dos peixes comercializados na feira livre do município de Formiga-MG, sendo avaliado a forma de conservação, temperatura, características organolépticas e presença de resto de vísceras. O trabalho foi realizado na feira livre e os peixes adquiridos foram transportados e analisados no laboratório da UNIFOR-MG. No ato da compra foram avaliadas, a forma de conservação e temperatura. As características organolépticas e a presença de resto de vísceras foram avaliados conforme o RIISPOA. Foi verificado que a comercialização dos peixes não estava de acordo com as legislações, sendo de extrema importância a ação da vigilância sanitária nestes locais.

Delitos alimentarios y protección penal de la salud pública / Food offenses and criminal protection of public health / Delictes alimentaris i protecció penal de la salut pública

Se plantea la relevancia y legitimidad de sancionar penalmente la llamada responsabilidad por el producto, con independencia de la posible imputación por homicidios, lesiones o/y estafa. Se utiliza un ejemplo de fraude alimentario como evidencia de la estructura, relevancia y legitimidad de la responsabilidad penal por el producto. La responsabilidad penal requiere que el producto sea nocivo e idóneo para afectar la seguridad en el consumo

The main question of legality and relevance for criminal product liability regardless of judgment for homicide, injuries or/and fraud. Case of massive «fraud» is used as evidence for structure, relevance and legality of criminal product liability. Criminal liability requires a product, which is a threat to people's health

Es planteja la rellevància i legitimitat de sancionar penalment l'anomenada responsabilitat pel producte, amb independència de la possible imputació per homicidis, lesions o/i estafa. S'utilitza un exemple de frau alimentari com a evidència de l'estructura, rellevància i legitimitat de la responsabilitat penal pel producte. La responsabilitat penal requereix que el producte sigui nociu i idoni per afectar la seguretat en el consum

The application of carbon monoxide in meat packaging needs to be re-evaluated within the EU: An overview.

Carbon monoxide (CO) has many value-added benefits in meat packaging due to its colour stabilising effects and enhancement of meat quality attributes. The regulation of CO within meat packaging varies worldwide and remains a topical and controversial issue. CO is prohibited in the EU for use in meat packaging mainly due to fears it may mask spoilage therefore misleading consumers. The issue of consumer acceptance of CO was not considered. This article reviews the most pertinent literature to assess if the problems associated with the prohibition have been addressed. Applying CO pretreatments prior to vacuum packaging enhances colour while allowing discolouration to occur by the use-by-date, thereby addressing concerns about safety. Recent work showing European consumer acceptance of CO in meat packaging demonstrates its future potential within the EU. The information provided may support framing future policies intended to assure consumer protection, safety, choice and interest. Re-evaluation of permitting CO as a packaging gas within the EU may be warranted.

The Challenges of Eliminating or Substituting Antimicrobial Preservatives in Foods.

Consumers' criteria for evaluating food safety have evolved recently from considering the food's potential to cause immediate physical harm to considering the potential long-term effects that consumption of artificial ingredients, including antimicrobial preservatives, would have on health. As bacteriostatic and bactericidal agents to prevent microbial spoilage, antimicrobials not only extend shelf life, but they also enhance the product's safety. Antimicrobials and their levels that may be used in foods are specified by regulatory agencies. This review addresses the safety of antimicrobials and the potential consequences of removing those that are chemically synthesized or replacing them with antimicrobials from so-called natural sources. Such changes can affect the microbiological safety and spoilage of food as well as reduce shelf life, increase wastage, and increase the occurrence of foodborne illnesses.

Sulphur dioxide in meat products: 3-year control results of an accredited Italian laboratory.

Sulphiting agents are well-known food preservatives. The European legislation does not allow their addition in fresh meat preparations. Therefore this type of food products has often been verified. To high sulphite levels in food is a health safety risk, due to toxic effects that these compounds may exercise on humans. In this study the control activity as performed by an Italian accredited laboratory from 2013 to 2015, relating to determination of sulphites in meat products, is described. Six hundred and sixty-nine meat product samples were analysed. Both applied techniques, a screening method (malachite green test) and a confirmatory method (ion chromatography), were accredited. Forty-three samples resulted positive at screening test and nineteen of these samples showed high-sulphite concentrations, in the range 67.6-1437 mg kg-1. The non-negligible percentage of positives (6.4%) and the high concentrations verified confirmed that the control of sulphuring treatment of fresh meat preparations is an important task for organisations in charge of food inspections and control.

[Development of the system of dietary nutrition in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation].

The analysis of the existing system of organization dietary personnel in the Armed Forces has been done. The new system of improvement of dietary nutrition for military personnel was developed. This system is based on scientifically proven food rationings that provide a balance of nutrients and mechanical and chemical sparing of GI tract. For the purpose of evalution of the given system the research was conducted. Two test groups were formed. First group (control) got dietary nutrition according to the current system; second group (experimental) got dietary nutrition according to the developed system. In 3 months, experimental group showed the significant improvement of health record. Control group had no significant changes. Obtained results show the prospects of developed dietary nutrition.

Sorbic and benzoic acid in non-preservative-added food products in Turkey.

Sorbic acid (SA) and benzoic acid (BA) were determined in yoghurt, tomato and pepper paste, fruit juices, chocolates, soups and chips in Turkey by using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Levels were compared with Turkish Food Codex limits. SA was detected only in 2 of 21 yoghurt samples, contrary to BA, which was found in all yoghurt samples but one, ranging from 10.5 to 159.9 mg/kg. Both SA and BA were detected also in 3 and 6 of 23 paste samples in a range of 18.1-526.4 and 21.7-1933.5 mg/kg, respectively. Only 1 of 23 fruit juices contained BA. SA was not detected in any chips, fruit juice, soup, or chocolate sample. Although 16.51% of the samples was not compliant with the Turkish Food Codex limits, estimated daily intake of BA or SA was below the acceptable daily intake.

Inventions on baker's yeast storage and activation at the bakery plant.

Baker's yeast is the gas-forming ingredient in bakery products. Methods have been invented to properly handle baker's yeast and optimize its activity at the bakery plant. Over the years, incentives for inventions on yeast storage and activation have greatly changed depending on trends in the baking industry. For example, retailer's devices for cutting bulk pressed yeast and techniques for activating dry yeast have now lost their importance. Review of patents for invention indicates that activation of baker's yeast activity has been a very important issue for bakers, for example, with baking ingredients called yeast foods. In the recent years and especially for highly automated bakeries, interest has moved to equipments and processes for optimized storage of liquid cream yeast to thoroughly control dough fermentation and bread quality.

[Hexa-sabbath. Foreign matter and vital substances, experts and the critical consumer in the FRG during the 1950s and 1960s]. / Hexa-Sabbat. Fremdstoffe und Vitalstoffe, Experten und der kritische Verbraucher in der BRD der 1950er und 1960er Jahre.

In the late Fifties and early Sixties the regulation of food additives represented a remarkable turning point in German consumer politics, establishing a debate about decision making and policy advice, altering the discourse of purity and contamination, and inaugurating a new political actor, the organized critical consumer. The amendment of the Food Law in December 1958 functioned as a negotiation process between representatives of science, industry and the state, which was institutionalized in the Senate Commissions of the German Research Foundation. While these Commissions for preservatives, foreign matter and colorants worked behind closed doors, a public discourse about the "toxic condition" of modern life and the negative role of the pharmaceutical and chemical industry gained strength. The debate about the admission of hexamethylenetetramine (hexa) took part at a crucial moment. Hexa was used as a preservative in the fish industry. But its anti microbial effectiveness was caused by the decomposition of hexa to formaldehyde. Despite the commission's verdict against hexa, the lobbying activities of the industry granted it a reprieve. In the media, the case of hexa was seen as a touchstone for the capacity of negotiated decision making and the ability of rational scientists to resist the demands of industry. Finally, in 1963 it was the new political actor of the organized critical consumer, heir and successor to the housewife federations as well as to "purists" advocating life reform, who, supported by the media, enforced the prohibition of hexa as a preservative.

Nanomaterials for fresh-keeping and sterilization in food preservation.

Food sterilizing and antistaling technologies are very important to the public's health and safety and have been attracting more and more attentions. In the past several years, new development chance was created by the introduction of nanomaterials to this critical field. Nanomaterials possess lots of outstanding properties, such as unique quantum size effect, large surface area and catalytic properties, which jointly facilitate high effective fresh-keeping, and thus were considered as promising materials in food sterilization and antistale. This review article focuses on the patented applications of nanomaterials as food biocidal agents, bacteriostatic agents, catalysts and carriers for antistaling agents.

Use of edible films and coatings to extend the shelf life of food products.

The increased consumer demand for high quality, extended shelf life, ready to eat foods has initiated the development of several innovative techniques to keep their natural and fresh appearance as long as possible and at the same time render them safe. Packaging has been an important element in these preservation concepts for providing the appropriate (mechanical and functional) protection to the commodity. Since synthetic packaging materials contribute to the environmental pollution, edible coatings and packages have been proposed to replace or complement conventional packaging. Biodegradable and edible films and coatings are made from naturally occurring polymers and functional ingredients, and formed on the surface of food products. Edible films and coating have long been known to protect perishable food products from deterioration and reduce quality loss. These films should have acceptable sensory characteristics, appropriate barrier properties (CO(2), O(2), water, oil), microbial, biochemical and physicochemical stability, they should be safe, and be produced by simple technology in low cost. Also they can act as effective carrier for antioxidant, flavor, color, nutritional or anti-microbial additives. Patents on edible films and food products are also discussed in this article.

Irradiation in the production, processing and handling of food. Final rule.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is amending the food additive regulations to provide for the safe use of ionizing radiation for control of food-borne pathogens, and extension of shelf-life, in fresh iceberg lettuce and fresh spinach (hereinafter referred to in this document as "iceberg lettuce and spinach") at a dose up to 4.0 kilo Gray (kGy). This action is in partial response to a petition filed by The National Food Processors Association on behalf of The Food Irradiation Coalition.

Inhibition of Listeria innocua and Brochothrix thermosphacta in vacuum-packaged meat by addition of bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus curvatus CRL705 and its bacteriocins.

AIMS: To evaluate the inhibition effectiveness of Lactobacillus curvatus CRL705 used as a bioprotective culture and of its bacteriocins, lactocin 705 and lactocin AL705, against Listeria innocua, Brochothrix thermosphacta and indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in vacuum-packaged meat stored at 2 degrees C. METHODS AND RESULTS: The live culture of Lact. curvatus CRL705 as well as synthetic lactocin 705 and purified lactocin AL705 were shown to be similarly effective in preventing the growth of B. thermosphacta and L. innocua in meat discs in contrast to control samples in which these micro-organisms grew rapidly, their numbers increasing by 3.0- and 2.1-log cycles respectively. In addition, indigenous LAB population showed a lower growth rate in the presence of lactocin 705. Bacteriocin activity was detected in the meat discs during 36 days at 2 degrees C irrespective of the biopreservation strategy applied. Changes in pH were not significantly different in meat discs treated with the protective culture when compared with control samples. CONCLUSIONS: Lactobacillus curvatus CRL705 and the produced bacteriocins, lactocin 705 and lactocin AL 705, were effective in inhibiting L. innocua and B. thermosphacta. The use of the bioprotective culture in refrigerated vacuum-packaged fresh meat would be more feasible from an economic and legal point of view. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Establishment of biopreservation as a method to ensure the microbiological safety of vacuum-packaged fresh meat at 2 degrees C.