5 research outputs found
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Optimization of a nanotechnology based antimicrobial platform for food safety applications using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS)
A chemical free, nanotechnology-based, antimicrobial platform using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) was recently developed. EWNS have high surface charge, are loaded with reactive oxygen species (ROS), and can interact-with, and inactivate an array of microorganisms, including foodborne pathogens. Here, it was demonstrated that their properties during synthesis can be fine tuned and optimized to further enhance their antimicrobial potential. A lab based EWNS platform was developed to enable fine-tuning of EWNS properties by modifying synthesis parameters. Characterization of EWNS properties (charge, size and ROS content) was performed using state-of-the art analytical methods. Further their microbial inactivation potential was evaluated with food related microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Listeria innocua, Mycobacterium parafortuitum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae inoculated onto the surface of organic grape tomatoes. The results presented here indicate that EWNS properties can be fine-tuned during synthesis resulting in a multifold increase of the inactivation efficacy. More specifically, the surface charge quadrupled and the ROS content increased. Microbial removal rates were microorganism dependent and ranged between 1.0 to 3.8 logs after 45 mins of exposure to an EWNS aerosol dose of 40,000 #/cm3
Inactivation of Foodborne Microorganisms Using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS)
Foodborne
diseases caused by the consumption of food contaminated
with pathogenic microorganisms or their toxins have very serious economic
and public health consequences. Here, we explored the effectiveness
of a recently developed intervention method for inactivation of microorganisms
on fresh produce, and food production surfaces. This method utilizes
Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS) produced by electrospraying
of water vapor. EWNS possess unique properties; they are 25 nm in
diameter, remain airborne in indoor conditions for hours, contain
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and have very strong surface charge
(on average 10e/structure). Here, their efficacy in inactivating representative
foodborne bacteria such as <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Salmonella enterica</i>, and <i>Listeria innocua</i>, on stainless steel surfaces and on organic tomatoes, was assessed.
The inactivation was facilitated using two different exposure approaches
in order to optimize the delivery of EWNS to bacteria: (1) EWNS were
delivered on the surfaces by diffusion and (2) a “draw through”
Electrostatic Precipitator Exposure System (EPES) was developed and
characterized for EWNS delivery to surfaces. Using the diffusion approach
and an EWNS concentration of 24 000 #/cm<sup>3</sup>, the bacterial
concentrations on the surfaces were reduced, depending on the bacterium
and the surface type, by values ranging between 0.7 to 1.8 logs. Using
the EPES approach and for an aerosol concentration of 50 000
#/cm<sup>3</sup> at 90 min of exposure, results show a 1.4 log reduction
for <i>E. coli</i> on organic tomato surfaces, as compared
to the control (same conditions in regards to temperature and Relative
Humidity). Furthermore, for <i>L. innocua,</i> the dose–response
relationship was demonstrated and found to be a 0.7 and 1.2 logs removal
at 12 000 and 23 000 #/cm<sup>3</sup>, respectively.
The results presented here indicate that this novel, chemical-free,
and environmentally friendly intervention method holds potential for
development and application in the food industry, as a “green”
alternative to existing disinfection methods
Biomarker correlates with response to NY-ESO-1 TCR T cells in patients with synovial sarcoma
Autologous T cells transduced to express a high affinity T-cell receptor specific to NY-ESO-1 (letetresgene autoleucel, lete-cel) show promise in the treatment of metastatic synovial sarcoma, with 50% overall response rate. The efficacy of lete-cel treatment in 45 synovial sarcoma patients (NCT01343043) has been previously reported, however, biomarkers predictive of response and resistance remain to be better defined. This post-hoc analysis identifies associations of response to lete-cel with lymphodepleting chemotherapy regimen (LDR), product attributes, cell expansion, cytokines, and tumor gene expression. Responders have higher IL-15 levels pre-infusion (p = 0.011) and receive a higher number of transduced effector memory (CD45RA- CCR7-) CD8 + cells per kg (p = 0.039). Post-infusion, responders have increased IFNγ, IL-6, and peak cell expansion (p < 0.01, p < 0.01, and p = 0.016, respectively). Analysis of tumor samples post-treatment illustrates lete-cel infiltration and a decrease in expression of macrophage genes, suggesting remodeling of the tumor microenvironment. Here we report potential predictive and pharmacodynamic markers of lete-cel response that may inform LDR, cell dose, and strategies to enhance anticancer efficacy