8 research outputs found
Effect of culling management practices on the seroprevalence of Johne’s disease in Holstein dairy cattle in central Italy
A study was performed in Umbria, central Italy, to find out whether different culling strategies
adopted by farms to control Johne’s disease (JD) infection exerted effects on the seroprevalence
in dairy cattle. Fifty Fresian dairy herds in the Perugia and Assisi districts were visited and an audit
of herd management was conducted. Among the 50 herds, 20 were selected for the consistency of
management practices and, according to the culling strategy, two groups were created: group A
(aggressive culling protocol, with average herd productive life <1100 days) and group B (lower culling
rate, with productive life greater than 1500 days). The presence of antibodies to Mycobacterium avium
subspecies paratuberculosis (Map) in the serum was determined using a commercial enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. It was found that 3.3% (n = 14) of the cows of group B (n = 422,
from 17 herds) were positive for Map antibodies, in comparison with 5.7% (n = 21) of the cows from
group A (n = 366, from three herds). The odds ratio from multiple logistic regression (adjusted
odds ratio 2.446, 95% confidence interval 0.412 to 14.525) showed that Johne’s disease prevalence in
herds with a greater productive life was not higher than in herds with typical modern management
characterized by more aggressive culling. This is a significant finding, indicating that aggressive
culling may not be necessary. Current JD control recommendations are derived from data obtained in
high-prevalence paratuberculosis areas (northern Europe, including northern Italy), while methods
of information transfer to dairy farms in low-prevalence areas should be reassessed to ensure that
the correct measures, including basic calving management and calf-rearing practices, are thoroughly
implemented. Using the manufacturer’s suggested cut-off for a positive ELISA test and the sensitivity
and specificity claimed, the overall true prevalence in Umbria dairy cattle was calculated as 7% (95%
confidence interval 5.2% to 8.8%).European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)https://www.mdpi.com/journal/vetsciam2023Paraclinical Science
Two screening assays to detect vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp.
Enterococci have become major nosocomial pathogens. An increasing number of these
infections are as a result of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Accurate detection of vancomycinresistant
enterococci (VRE) is important, so that appropriate therapy and infection control measures
may be instituted, including veterinary surveillance. Two screening assays to detect vancomycin
resistance in enterococci are proposed. Barnes Basal Medium agar (Ba) and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI)
broth (plus 1% TTC-2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) with several concentrations of vancomycin
were used in this work. Five Enterococcus casseliflavus strains with low-level resistance to vancomycin
(4 g/mL) were used. Both media were able to quickly detect the breakpoint of the vancomycinresistant
strains used in this work, and also provided insight into the dynamics of the antibiotic effect
at a low concentration on the tested bacterial suspensions.European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microbiolresam2023Paraclinical Science
Evolution and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from Pecorino and goat cheese manufactured on-farm in an area facing constraints as per EU Regulation 1305/2013 in Umbria, Italy
The latest EU regulation on geographical indications (EU Regulation No. 1151/2012) has introduced a set of new tools for the protection and enhancement of food products in rural areas, under the group name of optional quality term (OQT). The Commission Delegated EU Regulation, No. 665/2014, regulated the conditions for the use of the optional quality term mountain product (MP), to support the implementation of a mountain value chain. This new tool is aimed at promoting local development, maintaining the economic activities in mountain areas, and redistributing wealth, whilst, at the same time, promoting the territory. Pecorino and goat cheeses are typical Italian cheeses made usually with whole raw ewe’s or raw goat’s milk, without starter culture addition. In an attempt to characterize these productions, the aim of this study was to investigate the evolution of enterococci during the production and ripening of Pecorino cheese made in three different farms, located in Umbria, Italy in areas facing natural or other specific constraints as stipulated by Regulation 1305/2013 on support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). Enterococci are enteric organisms which are commonly isolated from ewe and goat’s milk production in Umbria, Italy. Counts of enterococci in raw milk ranged from 1.75 for ovine milk to 3.62 for ewe milk and a marked reduction was observed after thermization especially in ovine milk. Out of 100 isolates, 69 were E. faecium, 23 E. durans, 8 E. faecalis and 2 E. casseliflavus and the distribution of species between farms and between samples showed a prevalence of E. faecium in ovine farms and E. durans in ewes farms, with an equal distribution between samples. High percentages of susceptible isolates were found for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, sulphamethoxazole, sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, ticarcillin, vancomycin. A high prevalence of resistant strains (>30%) was observed for amikacin, ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone, kanamycin, tetracycline. A comparison of this results with those of previous works on similar dairy products revealed high levels of resistance to antimicrobials which needs to be addressed.European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).https://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/ijfsam2023Paraclinical Science
Hygienic characteristics and detection of antibiotic resistance genes in crickets (Acheta domesticus) breed for flour production
During the last ten years, the worldwide interest in using insects as food and feed has
surged. Edible insects fall within the category of novel foods, i.e., the category of food not consumed
in significant amounts in the European Union before 15 May 1997 (the date of entry into force of
Regulation (EC) No. 258/1997, later repealed by Regulation (EU) No. 2283/2015). One of the most
promising insect species to be raised for food is the house cricket (Acheta domesticus). In this study,
the rearing of a stock of house crickets was studied over a period of four months. The microbiological
quality of the farm was studied using swabs on the surface of the rearing boxes to analyze the
trend over time of different populations of microorganisms (total aerobic mesophilic microbiota,
Lactobacillus spp., enterococci, Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, Pseudomonas
spp. and molds). The presence of four antimicrobial resistance genes (aph, blaZ, sul1, and tetM) was
investigated by polymerase chain reaction. A production scheme was also developed in order to
obtain a cricket-based flour, which was analyzed for its microbiological and chemical-centesimal
profile. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that the contamination increases with time
and that a proper management of the farming system for insects is of the utmost importance, as it is
for conventional farm animals such as ungulates, poultry, and rabbits. The old-fashioned adage “all
full, all empty” for the farming system summarizes the need for proper cleaning and disinfection of
the structures at the end of each production cycle.European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)https://www.mdpi.com/journal/microbiolresam2022Paraclinical Science
Effect of packaging and storage conditions on some quality traits of bovine meat
Packaging is considered one of the most
interesting technological aspects of food
production and is a constantly evolving subject
in food production. The type of packaging
is important for the quality and safety of
the product and for the visual appearance of
the product to be immediately evaluated by
consumers. The purpose of this study was to
investigate the effect of four different types
of modified atmosphere packaging (ATM)
and vacuum packaging (VP) currently used
by a company in central Italy, on the main
qualitative characteristics of beef. For these
two traditional and two new solutions with
reduced environmental impact and compostable
were evaluated. For each type of
packaging, two different products were analyzed:
steaks and hamburgers. The samples,
immediately after production, were transported
to the laboratory in refrigerated containers.
Several parameters (color, pH, water
holding capacity, drip loss, and microbiological
characteristics) were evaluated at time 0
and after 7 (T7), 14 (T14) and 21 days (T21) of storage in the dark and at refrigeration
temperature (+4°C ± 2°C). The results
showed that the two types of packaging have
very similar effects on the water-retaining
capacity of the steaks. More noticeable differences
were recorded by the colorimetric
analysis: for both steaks and hamburgers,
the products packaged in the traditional
packaging appeared brighter and redder than
those packaged in the new alternatives. The
microbiological analysis of the steaks
showed higher values in the “new” packaging.
The formation of abundant ropy slime
was observed in one of the samples in the
“new” modified atmosphere package at T21.
The results of this study showed that the
technological characteristics (in particular,
the color) and the microbiological characteristics
of the steaks and hamburgers were better
in “old” packaging, with a better appearance
and a longer shelf life. The results
obtained show how the research for eco-sustainable
products for packaging must be
addressed, taking into account the effect of
the materials on the qualitative and hygienic-
sanitary characteristics of the meat.https://www.pagepressjournals.org/index.php/ijfsam2023Paraclinical Science
A study on the application of natural extracts as alternatives to sodium nitrite in processed meat
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : All the data that support the findings of this study are available in the manuscript itself.Consumers are increasingly interested in purchasing meat products with low food additives content or even without the, since these kind of foodstuffs are perceived as more natural and healthier. Nitrites are the most commonly used additives in the meat industry to prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria, keep red color (secondary effect on myoglobin = iron and oxygen-binding), and improve flavor. In this scenario, meat processors are challenged to produce nitrite-free products guaranteeing the microbial quality and sensory characteristics. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of various natural extracts against the color of thermal processed beef, manufactured without nitrites. A total of fourteen natural alternatives have been evaluated: capsicum extract liquid phase (capsanthin), paprika oleoresin liquid phase, monascus yellow powder (Monascus purpureus), red yeast rice powder (Monascus purpureus) from three different producers, lycopene powder, red beet juice powder (Beta vulgaris), rosemary extract (Rosmarinus officinalis), capsicum extract powder (capsanthin), carmine pigment powder (cochineal extract), sorghum red pigment powder (Sorghum bicolor), and two factory-supplied recipes. For the first trial, extracts were added at a concentration of 0.3% in canned meat without nitrite. Samples were analyzed by colorimetric measurements before and after sterilization. The aim was to find natural extracts that provide similar color characteristics as canned meat with nitrite (used as reference). After color analysis, the extracts that did not show statistically significant differences (p > .05) from the positive control were chosen for the second trial, consisted of sample preparation at three different concentrations of extract (0,1%, 0,2%, and 0,3%) following factory manufacture procedures to ensure that the results were as accurate as possible. Results showed that sorghum red pigment powder (Sorghum bicolor) provides stable pigments and can be added as a natural additive to the manufacture of traditional canned meat recipe to maintain a similar red/pink color as same as provided by sodium nitrite.This research was funded by NoNit srl and a major food Processor, joint agreement 2020. Open Access Funding provided by Universita degli Studi di Perugia within the CRUI-CARE Agreement.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jfpphj2023Paraclinical Science
Two Screening Assays to Detect Vancomycin-Resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> spp.
Enterococci have become major nosocomial pathogens. An increasing number of these infections are as a result of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Accurate detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is important, so that appropriate therapy and infection control measures may be instituted, including veterinary surveillance. Two screening assays to detect vancomycin resistance in enterococci are proposed. Barnes Basal Medium agar (Ba) and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth (plus 1% TTC-2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) with several concentrations of vancomycin were used in this work. Five Enterococcus casseliflavus strains with low-level resistance to vancomycin (4 µg/mL) were used. Both media were able to quickly detect the breakpoint of the vancomycin-resistant strains used in this work, and also provided insight into the dynamics of the antibiotic effect at a low concentration on the tested bacterial suspensions
Two Screening Assays to Detect Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus spp.
Enterococci have become major nosocomial pathogens. An increasing number of these infections are as a result of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Accurate detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is important, so that appropriate therapy and infection control measures may be instituted, including veterinary surveillance. Two screening assays to detect vancomycin resistance in enterococci are proposed. Barnes Basal Medium agar (Ba) and Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth (plus 1% TTC-2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride) with several concentrations of vancomycin were used in this work. Five Enterococcus casseliflavus strains with low-level resistance to vancomycin (4 µg/mL) were used. Both media were able to quickly detect the breakpoint of the vancomycin-resistant strains used in this work, and also provided insight into the dynamics of the antibiotic effect at a low concentration on the tested bacterial suspensions