Disruption of N -acyl-homoserine lactone-specific signalling and virulence in clinical pathogens by marine sponge bacteria

In recent years, the marine environment has been thesubject of increasing attention from biotechnologicaland pharmaceutical industries. A combination ofunique physicochemical properties and spatial niche-specific substrates, in wide-ranging and extremehabitats, underscores the potential of the marine envi-ronment to deliver on functionally novel bioactivities.One such area of ongoing research is the discovery of compounds that interfere with the cell–cell signallingprocess called quorum sensing (QS). Described asthe next generation of antimicrobials, these com-pounds can target virulence and persistence ofclinically relevant pathogens, independent of anygrowth-limiting effects. Marine sponges are a richsource of microbial diversity, with dynamic popula-tions in a symbiotic relationship. In this study, wehave harnessed the QS inhibition (QSI) potential ofmarine sponge microbiota and through culture-baseddiscovery have uncovered small molecule signal mim-ics that neutralize virulence phenotypes in clinicalpathogens. This study describes for thefirst time amarine spongePsychrobactersp. isolate B98C22 thatblocks QS signalling, while also reporting dual QS/QSI activity in thePseudoalteromonassp. J10 andParacoccusJM45. Isolation of novel QSI activities hassignificant potential for future therapeutic develop-ment, of particular relevance in the light of the pend-ing perfect storm of antibiotic resistance meetingantibiotic drug discovery decline.European Commissio

Hygienic quality of dehydrated aromatic herbs marketed in Southern Portugal

Dehydrated aromatic herbs are highly valued ingredients, widely used at home level and by food processing industry, frequently added to a great number of recipes in the Mediterranean countries. Despite being considered low-moisture products and classified as GRAS, during pre and post-harvesting stages of production they are susceptible of microbial contamination. In Europe an increasing number of food recalls and disease outbreaks associated with dehydrated herbs have been reported in recent years. In this study the microbial quality of 99 samples of aromatic herbs (bay leaves, basil, coriander, oregano, parsley, Provence herbs, rosemary and thyme) collected from retails shops in the region of Algarve (Southern Portugal) was assessed. All the samples were tested by conventional methods and were assayed for the total count of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, coagulase-positive staphylococci and filamentous fungi. Almost 50 % of the herbs did not exceed the aerobic mesophilic level of 104 CFU/g. The fungi count regarded as unacceptable (106 CFU/g) was not found in any of the tested herbs, while 84 % of the samples ranged from ≤102 to 104 CFU/g. No sample was positive for the presence of Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and staphylococci. The results are in compliance with the European Commission criteria although they point out to the permanent need of surveillance on the good standards of handling/cooking practices as well as the importance of avoiding contamination at production, retailing and distribution. The microbiological hazards associated with the pathogenic and toxigenic microbiota of dried herbs remain as a relevant public health issue, due to the fact that they are added to foods not submitted to any following lethal procedure. Control measures should be adopted in order to ensure that all phases of their supply chain respect the food safety standards.FCT: UID/BIA/04325/2019.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio