Microbial community dynamics during the Scamorza Altamurana cheese natural fermentation.

The growth dynamics of the natural microbial community responsible for the fermentation of Scamorza Altamurana, a typical Southern Italian cheese made using backslopping, was investigated applying a polyphasic approach combining 1) microbial enumeration with culture media, 2) randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting of microbial communities, 3) sequencing of partial 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) genes, and 4) physiological tests. Viable cell counts on different culture media showed that the cocci community prevailed during the 18 h of curd fermentation and the 6 d of cheese ripening. RAPD fingerprinting made it possible to isolate 25 different strains identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as belonging to five species of Lactobacillus, three species of Streptococcus, one species of Weissella, and one species of Enterococcus. The physiological analyses of all lactic acid bacteria strains revealed that the isolates belonging to Streptococcus genus were the most acidifying, whereas lactobacilli were most proteolytic. Streptococcus thermophilus C48W and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus B15Z dominated all through the fermentation process. Furthermore, they seemed to be stable in a subsequent whey sample analyzed after 7 mo. The recovery of strains endowed with interesting technological features, such as acidifying and proteolytic activities, and surviving in natural whey could allow the upscaling of cheese processing safeguarding the organoleptic characteristics of Scamorza Altamurana and could possibly improve other fermented dairy products

The treatment of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) as a possible source of micro- and nano-plastics and bioplastics in agroecosystems: a review

AbstractPlastics fragmentation into smaller debris, namely, micro- and nano-plastics (MPs and NPs), is a matter of global concern because of their wide distribution in terrestrial and marine environments. The latest research has focused mainly on aquatic ecosystems, and fragmentation of bioplastics into micro- and nano-particles (MBPs and NBPs) is not considered. The distribution, concentration, fate and major source of MPs, NPS, MBPs and NBPs in agroecosystems still need to be understood. The use of composts and sewage sludge from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) treatment plants as soil amendments is likely to represent a major input of these debris. The present review provides insights into the current evidence of pollution from micro- and nano-particles of both fossil- and bio-origin in the OFMSW treatment, and aims at evaluating if the recycling of organic waste and its application as a soil fertilizer outweigh the risk of pollution in terrestrial environments. Huge unpredictability exists due to the limited numbers of data on their quantification in each source of possible solution. Indeed, the major hurdles arise from the difficult to quantify the micro-, especially the nano-, particles and subsequently assess the concentrations in the environments, as well as bioaccumulation risks, and toxic effects on organisms. Graphical Abstrac

Genome sequence of Azospirillum brasilense REC3, isolated from strawberry plants

The genome sequence of a plant growth-promoting bacterium and biocontrol agent, Azospirillum brasilense REC3, isolated from strawberry roots, is reported here. The A. brasilense REC3 total genome contains 7,229,924 bp and has a G C content of 68.7 mol%.EEA FamailláFil: Fontana, Cecilia Alejandra. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Salazar, Sergio Miguel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Bassi, Daniela. Università Cattolica del Saco Cuore. Istituto di Microbiologia; ItaliaFil: Puglisi, Edoardo. Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore. Centro Ricerche Biotecnologiche. Istituto di Microbiologia; ItaliaFil: Lovaisa, Nadia. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Toffoli, Lucia Mercedes. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Famaillá; ArgentinaFil: Pedraza, Raúl Osvaldo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Agronomía y Zootecnia; ArgentinaFil: Cocconcelli, Pier Sandro. Università Cattolica del Saco Cuore. Istituto di Microbiologia; Itali

Selective bacterial colonization processes on polyethylene waste samples in an abandoned landfill site

The microbial colonization of plastic wastes has been extensively studied in marine environments, while studies on aged terrestrial wastes are scarce, and mostly limited to the isolation of plastic-degrading microorganisms. Here we have applied a multidisciplinary approach involving culturomics, next-generation sequencing analyses and fine-scale physico-chemical measurements to characterize plastic wastes retrieved in landfill abandoned for more than 35 years, and to assess the composition of bacterial communities thriving as biofilms on the films’ surfaces. All samples were characterized by different colors but were all of polyethylene; IR and DSC analyses identified different level of degradation, while FT-Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence further assessed the degradation level and the presence of pigments. Each plastic type harbored distinct bacterial communities from the others, in agreement with the differences highlighted by the physico-chemical analyses. Furthermore, the most degraded polyethylene films were found to host a bacterial community more similar to the surrounding soil as revealed by both α- and β-diversity NGS analyses. This work confirms the novel hypothesis that different polyethylene terrestrial waste samples select for different bacterial communities, and that structure of these communities can be correlated with physico-chemical properties of the plastics, including the degradation degree

Safety assessment of the process DY Polymer, based on PET direct iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

[EN] The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process DY Polymer (EU register number RECYC197), which uses the Starlinger PET direct iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post-consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The flakes are extruded to pellets, which are then crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid-state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the three steps, extrusion, crystallisation and SSP, are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, gas flow, pressure and residence time. The challenge test demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 ¿g/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long-term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.Lambré, C.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Bolognesi, C.; Chesson, A.; Cocconcelli, PS.; Crebelli, R.; Gott, DM.... (2021). Safety assessment of the process DY Polymer, based on PET direct iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials. EFSA Journal. 19(8):1-13. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6797S11319

Safety assessment of the process Marmara PET Levha, based on Starlinger deCON technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

[EN] The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Marmara PET Levha (EU register number RECYC222), which uses the Starlinger deCON technology. The input material is hot washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes originating from collected post-consumer PET containers, e.g. bottles, including no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The flakes are preheated before being submitted to solid-state polycondensation (SSP) in a continuous reactor at high temperature under vacuum and. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the preheating (step 2) and the decontamination in the SSP reactor (step 3) are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, pressure, residence time and. It was demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure a level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 lg/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not considered to be of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long-term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave or conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation. (C) 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Lambré, C.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Bolognesi, C.; Chesson, A.; Cocconcelli, PS.; Crebelli, R.; Gott, DM.... (2021). Safety assessment of the process Marmara PET Levha, based on Starlinger deCON technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials. EFSA Journal. 19(10):1-12. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6868S112191

Safety assessment of the process Omorika Recycling, based on PET direct iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials

[EN] The EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids (CEP) assessed the safety of the recycling process Omorika Recycling (EU register number RECYC224), which uses the Starlinger PET direct iV+ technology. The input is hot caustic washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post-consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non-food consumer applications. The flakes are extruded to pellets, which are then crystallised, preheated and treated in a solid-state polycondensation (SSP) reactor. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the three steps, extrusion, crystallisation and SSP are critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of these critical steps are temperature, gas flow, pressure and residence time. The challenge test demonstrated that this recycling process is able to ensure that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.1 mu g/kg food. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs for long-term storage at room temperature, with or without hotfill. The final articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation. (C) 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Lambré, C.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Bolognesi, C.; Chesson, A.; Cocconcelli, PS.; Crebelli, R.; Gott, DM.... (2021). Safety assessment of the process Omorika Recycling, based on PET direct iV+ technology, used to recycle post-consumer PET into food contact materials. EFSA Journal. 19(10):1-13. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6872S113191

Updated safety evaluation of the food enzyme isoamylase from the Dyella sp. strain MU 1174

[EN] The food enzyme isoamylase (glycogen ¿-1,6-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.68) is produced with Dyella sp. strain MU 1174 by Hayashibara Co. Ltd. In a previous opinion, the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes and Processing Aids of EFSA could not conclude on the safety of this food enzyme due to uncertainties about the presence of a gene conferring resistance to antimicrobials in the genome of the production strain and its potential transfer to the food enzyme. New whole genome sequence data provided by the applicant showed that the production strain Dyella sp. MU 1174 does not contain antimicrobial resistance genes of concern. Based on the new data provided and the evaluation of the data previously submitted, the Panel concludes that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.Lambre, C.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Bolognesi, C.; Cocconcelli, PS.; Crebelli, R.; Gott, DM.; Grob, K.... (2021). Updated safety evaluation of the food enzyme isoamylase from the Dyella sp. strain MU 1174. EFSA Journal. 19(10):1-7. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6871S17191

Safety evaluation of the food enzyme rennet paste from the abomasum of suckling goats, lambs and calves

[EN] The food enzyme rennet paste containing chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4), pepsin A (EC 3.4.23.1) and triacylglycerol lipase (triacylglycerol acylhydrolase, EC 3.1.1.3) is prepared from the abomasum of suckling goats, lambs and calves by Caglificio Clerici S.p.A. The food enzyme is intended to be used in milk processing for cheese production. As no concerns arise from the animal source of the food enzyme, from its manufacture, and based on the history of safe use and consumption, the Panel considers that toxicological data were not required and no exposure assessment was necessary. On the basis of literature data, the Panel considers that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic sensitisation and elicitation reactions by dietary exposure could not be excluded, but the likelihood is considered to be low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concludes that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.Lambré, C.; Barat Baviera, JM.; Bolognesi, C.; Cocconcelli, PS.; Crebelli, R.; Gott, DM.; Grob, K.... (2021). Safety evaluation of the food enzyme rennet paste from the abomasum of suckling goats, lambs and calves. EFSA Journal. 19(12):1-11. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.7006S111191

Safety evaluation of the food enzyme α-amylase from the genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain DP-Dzb52

[EN] The food enzyme alpha-amylase (1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase; EC 3.2.1.1) is produced with the genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain DP-Dzb52 by Danisco US Inc. The production strain contains multiple copies of an antimicrobial resistance gene. However, based on the absence of viable cells and DNA from the production organism in the food enzyme, this is not considered to be a risk. The alpha-amylase is intended to be used in starch processing for the production of glucose syrups, brewing processes and distilled alcohol production. Since residual amounts of the food enzyme are removed by the purification steps applied during the production of glucose syrups and distillation, no dietary exposure was calculated. Based on the maximum use levels recommended for the brewing processes and individual data from the EFSA Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database, dietary exposure to the enzyme-total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.145 TOS/kg body weight per day in European populations. The toxicity studies were carried out with another alpha-amylase from B. licheniformis strain DP-Dzb54, considered by the Panel as a suitable substitute. Toxicological tests indicated that there was no concern with respect to genotoxicity or systemic toxicity. A no observed adverse effect level was identified in rats which, compared with the dietary exposure, results in a margin of exposure of at least 750. A search for similarity of the amino acid sequence to known allergens was made and one match was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic sensitisation and elicitation reactions can be excluded in distilled alcohol production and is considered low when the enzyme is used in starch processing and brewing. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use. (C) 2021 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by John Wiley and Sons Ltd on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.Claude Lambré; Barat Baviera, JM.; Claudia Bolognesi; Pier Sandro Cocconcelli; Riccardo Crebelli; David M Gott; Konrad Grob... (2021). Safety evaluation of the food enzyme α-amylase from the genetically modified Bacillus licheniformis strain DP-Dzb52. EFSA Journal. 19(4):1-17. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2021.6564S11719