Applications of Medicinal Herbs and Essential Oils in Food Safety

In the last few years, more and more studies on the biological properties of essential oils (EOs) especially antimicrobial and antioxidant properties in vitro and food model have been published in all parts of the world. But so far no comprehensive reports of these studies have been reported in food model from Iran. The focus of this overview lies in the using of EOs from some indigenous medicinal plants of Iran (including Mentha longifolia, Cuminum cyminum, Teucrium polium, Pimpinella anisum and Allium ascalonicum) in probiotic dairy products (especially cheese, yoghurt and Aryan) in recent years. Recently, consumers have developed an ever-increasing interest in natural products as alternatives for artificial additives or pharmacologically relevant agents. Among them, EOs have gained great popularity in the food, cosmetic as well as pharmaceutical industries. Despite the reportedly strong antimicrobial activity of EOs against food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms, their practical application as preservatives is currently limited owing to the undesirable flavour changes they cause in food products. Nonetheless, more studies are necessary to the applicability of various EOs on other food models in Iran and other countries

Lead concentration in the muscles of slaughtered buffalos in northwest regions of Iran

Background: The topic of food safety has become a major public health issue worldwide. Over recent decades, the growing concern for food safety has brought about greater research regarding the risks associated with the consumption of produce that has been contaminated by pesticides, heavy metals and/or toxins. Objective: The study was conducted to determine the concentration of Pb in the muscle of buffalos slaughtered in the northwest regions of Iran (Ardabil, Urmia and Tabriz cities). Methods: The present was a descriptive cross-sectional study in the northwest regions of Iran during 2013 to 2014. A total of 30 muscle samples from individual buffalos were analyzed for Pb concentrations using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (ASS). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 17.0. All results were computed as mean standard deviation and subjected to one-way analysis of variance to establish whether the differences in Pb concentrations in meat samples from different cities were significant or not. The Statistical significance was determined at p<0.05. Results: The results showed that the mean concentration of Pb in muscle samples were measured 0.043±0.035 ppm. The highest Pb concentration (0.11 ppm) was detected in the buffalo muscle samples from Urmia city. In total, 25 muscle samples (80.33%) were contaminated with Pb and concentration of Pb in 3.33% of contaminated samples exceeded the permissible limits advised by the European Commission (EC) (0.1 ppm). Conclusion: We recommend identifying Pb sources in order to eliminate or control Pb contamination of food, and monitor environmental exposures and hazards to prevent lead poisoning

Effect of Packaging Material on Color Properties of Catsup Tomato Sauce

Catsup and tomato sauce products currently are one of the most popular and commercially available table sauces particularly consumed by young people and families around the world in recent decades. In this study colorimetric properties of catsup sauce samples including L*, a* and b* values in different packaging materials including PP, PE, PET, Glass and Sachet have been investigated during and after 180 days storage time at 22̊ C (environmental temperature). Hunter Lab system has been used to evaluate the color values of sauce samples. According to obtained results of experimental measurements and sensory evaluations, PP and PE packaging materials affected significantly color properties of catsup sauce samples during and after the storage time that it because of interaction between packaging material and lycopene components in catsup sauce samples. Finally, According to consumer prefers to darker tomato and catsup sauce products, PP and PE are not suitable for packaging of catsup sauce production

Antibiotic Resistance and Molecular Characterization of Cronobacter sakazakii Strains Isolated from Powdered Infant Formula Milk

Background: Cronobacter sakazakii is a new emerging foodborne bacterial pathogen associated with severe lethal diseases such as meningitis, necrotizing enterocolitis, and septicemia in infants and neonates. Powdered infant formula milk (PIFM) has been recognized as one of the main transmission vehicles and contaminated sources of this pathogen. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence rate, genotypic and phenotypic antibiotic resistance profile, and clonal relatedness of C. sakazakii strains isolated from 364 PIFM samples collected from Tehran city, Iran. Methods: Culture-based methods, Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion antibiotic resistance testing, conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR) assays were used in this study to detect and characterize the C. sakazakii isolates. Results: We isolated 25 C. sakazakii strains from PIFM samples (6.86%). The isolates were highly resistant to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, amoxicillin, ampicillin, cefoxitin, cefepime, erythromycin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol and susceptible to gentamicin, tetracycline, norfloxacin, and azithromycin antibiotics. The blaCTX-M-1 gene was detected in 96% of the isolates. The isolates were categorized into eight distinct clonal types using the ERIC-PCR method, showing a high genetic diversity among the isolates. However, there was a significant correlation between the genotypic and phenotypic antibiotic resistance properties of the isolates. Conclusions: Novel microbial surveillance systems for detecting multi-drug-resistant C. sakazakii are required to control the contamination of this foodborne pathogen in infant foods

Phylogenetic analysis and antibiotic resistance of Shigella sonnei isolates

Shigellosis is one of the most important gastric infections caused by different species of Shigella, and has been regarded as a serious threat to public health. Lineage/sublineage profile of Shigella sonnei is strongly associated with the antibiotic resistance and population structure of this pathogen. In this study, we determined the phylogeny and antibiotic resistance profiles of S. sonnei strains, isolated from 1246 stool and 580 food samples, using multiplex PCR-HRMA genotyping and Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion methods, respectively. A total of 64 S. sonnei strains were isolated (13 food and 51 clinical isolates). Multiplex PCR-HMR assay was able to differentiate the lineages II and III, and sublineages IIIb and IIIc strains successfully considering the definite melting curves and temperatures. Lineage I and sublineage IIIa strain were not isolated in this study. We also demonstrated that most of the S. sonnei strains isolated from both food and clinical samples clustered within the lineage III and sublineage IIIc. Resistance against trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, and streptomycin antibiotics were the most prevalent phenotypes among the S. sonnei lineage III and sublineage IIIc strains

Qualitative investigation of meat species in meat products by real time polymerase chain reaction

Identification of meat species in processed meat products is a major problem in meat technology to produce safe and standard meat products. The aim of this study was identification of meat species in meat processed products including sausages and burgers. The study was carried out by targeting a conserved region of mitochondrial DNA and by using Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Sampling procedure consisted of different types of commercial meat products including susages, burgers, and salamis which were collected from different stores in Qazvin province-Iran. After DNA extraction, RT-PCR assay was performed to detect specific DNA sequences of animal species in meat product samples. Specific DNA sequences for chicken, horse, camel, beef, and turkey meat were detected successfully in collected samples. Consequently, we found in this study that RT-PCR method is a very powerful and easy method for monitoring commercial meat products based on conserved region of mitochondrial DNA. Practical applications Recently, adulteration in formulation of meat products such as burger and sausages is the principle problem in this industry. Meat species used in this category of products are varied according to type of adulteration and final product. Separately, safety of meat products is dependent on the formulation and the raw materials including meat species used for manufacturing of formulated meat products. In this study, identification of meat species in burger and sausage samples collected from different local stores in Qazvin Province, Iran was performed by Real-Time PCR. This molecular method is a very practical, rapid, precise, sensitive, and useful method for identification of meat species in these products. Chicken, horse, camel, beef, and turkey meat were detected successfully in the collected samples. Also, the quality and adulteration of the collected meat product samples have been determined for the future development of health and quality strategies and investigations

Near Points of Convergence and Accommodation in a Population of University Students in Iran

Purpose: To determine the distribution of the near point of convergence (NPC) and near point of accommodation (NPA) in a young student population in Iran. Methods: The subjects were selected using a cluster sampling method. All students underwent optometry tests, including visual acuity measurement, refraction, and cover test, as well as ophthalmic examinations. The NPC and NPA were measured using an accommodative target (near Snellen chart). Results: Of 1,595 students, the data of 1,357 were analyzed. The mean NPC and NPA in the total sample were 7.25 cm (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.02 to 7.48) and 9.99 cm (95% CI, 9.69 to 10.29), respectively. Older age was associated with an increase in the NPC, which increased from 6.98 cm in 18–20 years olds to 9.51 cm in those over 30 years. The NPA was significantly associated with age and refractive errors in the multiple linear regression model, increasing from 9.92 cm in 18–20 years olds to 11.44 cm in those over 30 years (P = 0.003). Hyperopic eyes had lower NPA than myopic and emmetropic eyes (P = 0.001). In younger age groups, the mean accommodation amplitude was lower than the mean Hofstetter value. Moreover, with age, especially after 30 years, the mean values surpassed those determined using the Hofstetter formula. Conclusion: The NPC values in this study were lower than those previously reported for identical age groups. The Hofstetter formula is not always an accurate predictor of the accommodation amplitude in the Iranian adult population

Activation of apoptosis and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest along with inhibition of melanogenesis by humic acid and fulvic acid: BAX/BCL-2 and Tyr genes expression and evaluation of nanomechanical properties in A375 human melanoma cell line

Objective(s): Humic acid (HA) and Fulvic acid (FA) are major members of humic substances, which are extracted from organic sources including soil and peat. The pro-apoptotic and anti-melanogenic effects of HA and FA at the cellular and molecular levels in the A375 human melanoma cell line were examined in this study. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxicity effect of HA and FA were evaluated by cell viability assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was carried out to measure the expression of BAX, BCL-2, and Tyr genes. Moreover, the changes in nanomechanical properties were determined through atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results: It was found that HA and FA decrease cell viability with an IC50 value of 50 µg/ml (dosedependent) for 14 hr, arrested cells in the G0/G1 phase, and increased the sub-G1 phase (induce apoptosis). Based on the AFM analysis, Young’s modulus and adhesion force values were increased, also ultrastructural characteristics of cells were changed. Results of Real-time PCR revealed that HA and FA lead to a decrease in the expressions of BCL-2 and Tyr genes, and increase the BAX gene expression. Conclusion: These results exhibited that HA and FA possess pro-apoptotic effects through increasing the BAX/ BCL-2 expression in A375 cells. These molecular reports were confirmed by cellular nanomechanical assessments using AFM and flow cytometry. In addition, HA and FA inhibited melanogenesis by decreasing the expression of the Tyr gene. It is worthwhile to

Expression of virulence factor genes in co-infections with Trueperella pyogenes isolates and other bacterial pathogens; an in vivo study

Trueperella pyogenes is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen causing several infectious diseases, including metritis, mastitis and abscesses in domestic animals such as dairy cattle. Several virulence proteins are released by T. pyogenes strains contributing to the pathogenic and causing disease potential of this pathogen. So far, many aspects of T. pyogenes pathogenesis are unknown. In this study, expression levels of plo, fimA, nanH and cbpA genes encoding pyolysin, fimbriae, neuraminidase and collagen-binding protein, respectively in T. pyogenes isolated from totally 15 metritis, mastitis and cutaneous abscesses convenience samples in response to co-culture with other pathogens including E. coli, St. dysgalactiae, S. aureus, F. necrophorum and L. plantarum strains in mice study model have been investigated. We found that expression levels of plo, fimA, nanH and cbpA genes in T. pyogenes isolates in response to co-culture with F. necrophorum and E. coli were significantly increased; however, no significant changes was seen in the level of expression of these genes in the isolates in response to co-culture with St. dysgalactiae and S. aureus. Notably, expression of all virulence factor genes was suppressed in T. pyogenes in response to co-culture with L. plantarum. We observed that L. plantarum might be used to prevent infectious diseases caused by T. pyogenes