Multi-Drug Resistance Patterns in Bacteria Isolated from Various Sources upon Common Related Virulence Factors by PCR in Iran

Background: The current study was conducted to investigate the frequency of resistance in the bacteria isolated from various sources, in Shiraz, Iran. Acquisition of new resistance genes is an important factor in the increasing incidence of resistant strains. A critical feature of resistance gene transfer is their stability to adapt rapidly to a new host and make serious consequences. Methods: A total of 520 samples were chosen from human and animal sources in order to investigate the frequency of antibiotics resistance mobile genes using PCR assay. Results: The rates of 70%, 52%, 16.5%, 8.5%, 8%, 4%, 9.2% and 6.8% were confirmed for several genes including tetO, tetA, tetB, tetM, tetR, gyrA, blaz, and blaSHV, respectively. Our results have revealed a pool of mobile genetic elements in the bacteria isolated from various sources in Iran. Conclusion: Our findings indicated un-regulated use of antibiotics in the food production chains which require more investigation

Prevalence of Antibiotic Residues in Milk Consumed in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Improper use of antibiotics and not paying attention to withdrawal time causes antibiotics to enter the milk, which can cause allergies in humans and cause antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria in the long run, so quality and hygienic milk control is essential.Methods: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic residues in milk as a systematic review and metaanalysis from 2004 to 2021 for 15 years in Iran. The data were collected from four international search databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, and four Iranian databases, including SID, MagIran, Civilica, and IranDoc.Results: After reviews of 314 studies, 38 were finally selected, and the information was recorded and analyzed in Stata software. The results of this study show that the residual prevalence of antibiotics in milk using the screening method was 28% (CI: 0.34-0.22). The residual rates of antibiotics using enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods were 43% (CI: 0.26-0.59) and 27% (CI: 0.05-0.49), respectively.Conclusion: The data obtained from the meta-analysis show that despite various reports of a quantitative amount of antibiotic residue in milk, the average amount in the ELISA method was 16.98 ppm. Although the prevalence of antibiotics in Iran is relatively high, a quantitative amount is optimal. Also, since the use of antibiotics in livestock is almost inevitable, proper withdrawal time of antibiotics can play an important role in preventing the release of antibiotic residues in milk

The Concentration of Mercury, Cadmium and Lead in Muscular Tissue of Fishes in Khersan River

Background: Aquatic ecosystems including fish in rivers may be widely contaminated by heavy metals released into waters from industrial, agricultural and other human activities.This study aimed to investigate the level of contamination of theses heavy metals (mercury, cadmium and lead) in fish caught in Khersan river, the largest tributary of Karun river. Methods: The heavy metals level of mercury, cadmium and lead was investigated by atomic absorption spectrometry using Perkin Elmer 4100ZL in rainbow trout, pike and common carp species caught in Khersan river. Results: The average concentration of mercury, cadmium and lead in muscular tissue of trout, pike and common carp in all three breeding areas were (0.023,0.110, 1.12), (0.026, 0.162, 1.34) and (0.027, 0.155, 1.45) mg/kg, respectively and only lead metal was more than the level determined by the World Health Organization and European Commission regulations. The concentration of cadmium and lead in muscular tissue of caught fishes indicated an inverse and significant relationship with increasing weight and reducing fish metabolism (r=-0.568 and r=-0.517). The concentration of heavy metals of fishes in the river reduced by an increase in fish age, length and weight. Conclusion: The level of mercury and cadmium in fishes of Khersan river was shown not to be threatening for their consumers, but the increase for lead concentration reflects the fact that the entry of urban, rural and agricultural wastewater affects the concentration of heavy metals in fishes of the river that may be threatening for their consumers

Growth Rates of Bacillus Species Probiotics using Various Enrichment Media

Background: Probiotics are well-known as valuable functional foods to promote specific health benefits to consumers. Some Bacillus bacteria have been recently considered as probiotic and food additives. We aimed to investigate the growing rate of probiotic B. subtilis and B. coagulans using several enrichment media incubated at 37 °C for 24 hours. Methods: Various enrichment media including nutrient broth (NB), tryptic soy broth (TSB), double strength TSB, Mueller Hinton broth (MH), brain-heart infusion broth (BHIB), de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS), and nutrient yeast extract salt medium (NYSM) were used to enrich the probiotics and they were subsequently incubated for 18 h at 37 °C. The bacteria were then enumerated on TSA medium. Results: The results showed that B. subtilis ATCC 6633, B. subtilis PY79, and B. coagulans developed in TSB, double strength TBS, TSB yeast extract, BHIB and NYSM, respectively. Moreover, the formulas were achieved based on the optical density curve and the number of bacteria. Conclusion: Considering that the probiotics are significantly employed as food supplements, it is essential to identify appropriate enrichment media to proliferate these beneficial bacteria

Human Health Risks from Heavy Metals in Fish of a Fresh Water River in Iran

Background: Aquatic organisms as one of the most important source of human nutrition are widely exposed to heavy metals, which even at low concentrations causes harmful effects on human health. To assess the human health risks, estimating of nutritional exposure to metals through fish consumption and comparing these factors with the recommended values is of great importance. Methods: Measurement of mercury, lead and cadmium in edible tissues of three wild fresh water fish species (Esox Lucius, Oncorhynchus mykiss and Cyprinus carpio) was carried out by using the atomic absorption method with the help of Perkin Elmer 4100. By the handling of the mean concentration of heavy metals, factors such as estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ) and the maximum amount of consumption (CRlim and CRmm) were evaluated. Results: The level of EDI in the samples was far below the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Mercury showed the lowest levels of EDI and the lead had the highest level in all three fish species. The highest levels of THQ were found for lead (0.66) and the lowest for cadmium (0.014), which has not gone further of the hazard threshold of 1. Lead in all three species of fish showed the lowest and cadmium indicated the highest level of CRLim. Conclusion: Mercury and cadmium concentration and human health risk through fresh water fish consumption was lower than the recommended and reference values, but the evaluation of these factors in relation to the lead has not show a quite favorable condition

The prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract There are a number of reports indicating correlation between outbreaks of campylobacteriosis and the consumption of raw vegetables. This study is a meta-analysis on the prevalence of Campylobacter in fresh vegetables and fruits without any location limitation, which was performed through a documented review of the available resources. Relevant literature was reviewed by trained reviewers, who examined the results for the inclusion of articles in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of Campylobacter in raw vegetables, the sample source, the Campylobacter species, and the method of detection were extracted. The prevalence of Campylobacter in vegetables, fruits, and fresh produce were estimated to be 0.53%. Analysis of the various sample groups initially showed that the bean and sprouts group was the vegetable with the highest prevalence of Campylobacter (11.08%). The rate of contamination was higher when both the molecular and conventional methods were employed. The highest prevalence of Campylobacter was found in Asia (33.4%). Despite the low prevalence, consumption of raw vegetables is inherently risky because no treatment is used to inactivate the pathogens. Therefore, proper sanitation methods are recommended to treat the raw products

Identification of Tartrazine adulteration and evaluating exposure to synthetic dyes of sunset yellow and Quinoline yellow through consumption of food products among children

Abstract Excessive consumption of synthetic food dyes by children may raise concerns about their health. These dyes may aggravate the hyperactivity symptoms and exacerbate asthma in sensitive children. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of sunset yellow and quinoline yellow dyes, as well as tartrazine in dairy‐free fruit ice cream, freeze pop, jelly, and candy. Additionally, we evaluated the amount of two food dyes consumed by children. To do so, a total of 150 food samples, including 20 dairy‐free fruit ice creams, 25 freeze pops, 57 jelly products, and 48 types of candy were randomly selected from stores in Shiraz, Iran. Then, using the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method and an ultraviolet (UV) detector, we measured the amounts of sunset yellow and quinoline yellow dyes and identified the use of tartrazine. Also, the per capita consumption (grams per day) of the mentioned foods was calculated using a checklist in two groups of male and female primary schoolchildren aged 6–9 years and 10–13 years in Shiraz, Iran. According to the results, 11 (7.33%) samples contained only tartrazine and 107 (71.33%) samples contained quinoline yellow and sunset yellow synthetic dyes. In addition, of 107 samples that used quinoline yellow and sunset yellow, 102 (95.33%) contained unauthorized tartrazine. Only seven (6.54%) samples contained exceedingly high concentrations of authorized quinoline yellow and sunset yellow synthetic dyes. However, the exposure assessment showed that the intake of quinoline yellow and sunset yellow was at average levels and the 95th percentile in both age groups was less than the associated acceptable daily intake (ADI). For synthetic dyes, the target hazard quotient (THQ) and hazard index (HI) were less than one, indicating that ingestion of these two dyes via food products does not pose a risk to children's overall health

Dietary Intakes of Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Calcium, Phosphorus, and Sodium by the General Adult Population Aged 20–50 Years in Shiraz, Iran: A Total Diet Study Approach

In the present total diet study, the dietary intake of zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and sodium (Na) by healthy adults in Shiraz, Iran, was estimated from the foods as consumed. A total of 580 individual food items were collected, prepared, and pooled into 129 composite samples. The metal concentration was then evaluated using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry. The mean intakes of Zn (12.92 mg/d), Cu (3.80 mg/d), and Mg (412.68 mg/d) exceeded the estimated average requirements (EARs), but they were well below the upper limits. A high prevalence of inadequate intake was observed for Ca (91.6%) and P (89.7%), which was mainly due to nutritionally imbalanced diets. Sodium intake for average and high consumers (97.5th percentile) was 123.6% and 237.8% of the tolerable upper intake level of 2300 mg/d, respectively, with 70% of the participants having intakes higher than this threshold value. Nutrition education, nutritional rehabilitation, Ca supplementation, food fortification, mandatory reduction of salt content in processed foods, and discretionary salt use (in home cooking or at the table) are among the possible strategies that can be adopted to combat the health problems

Patulin contamination in apple products marketed in Shiraz, Southern Iran

Background and Purpose: Patulin is one of the important mycotoxins, produced by a wide range of molds, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Bysochlamys. Patulin is mainly found in the rotten parts of fruits and vegetables, such as apples, pears, peach, apricots, and grapes. Currently, the Codex Alimentarius and Food and Drug Administration have recommended a maximum level of 50 μg/L patulin for apple products. The purpose of this study was to investigate patulin contamination of apple juice and cans in 75 samples collected from 15 manufacturers in Shiraz, southern Iran. Materials and Methods: The detection of patulin was accomplished using a high-performance liquid chromatography with an ultraviolet detector. Results: A total of 38 apple juice samples (53%) and 17 apple cans (45%) were contaminated with patulin. Overall 50% and 3% of the apple juice and apple cans samples had a patulin level of > 3 μg/L. Conclusion: Although the maximum level of patulin in our samples was considerably lower than the permitted level established by the European ::::union:::: (i.e., 50 μg/L), the high incidence of this mycotoxin in our samples should be lessen by improving their good manufacturing practice