Understanding spoilage microbial community and spoilage mechanisms in foods of animal origin

The increasing global population has resulted in increased demand for food. Goods quality and safe food is required for healthy living. However, food spoilage has resulted in food insecurity in different regions of the world. Spoilage of food occurs when the quality of food deteriorates from its original organoleptic properties observed at the time of processing. Food spoilage results in huge economic losses to both producers (farmers) and consumers. Factors such as storage temperature, pH, water availability, presence of spoilage microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, initial microbial load (total viable count—TVC), and processing influence the rate of food spoilage. This article reviews the spoilage microbiota and spoilage mechanisms in meat and dairy products and seafood. Understanding food spoilage mechanisms will assist in the development of robust technologies for the prevention of food spoilage and waste192311331The authors acknowledge the financial support for editing of the manuscript provided by National Scientific Program “Healthy Foods for a Strong Bio‐Economy and Quality of Life” approved by DCM No. 577/17.08.2018, funded by Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Scienc

DNA Based Tools to Deter Fraudulent Incidents in Fishery Sector: An Update on the Bulgarian Market Survey

Species substitution represents a major issue in fishery resulting in economic and public health consequences. Therefore, European Union set a regulatory framework for seafood traceability encouraging the use of DNA-based methods for deterring fraudulent incidents. A first DNA barcoding survey on labelling compliance of seafood sold on the Bulgarian market, highlighted a mislabelling rate of 17.7% plausibly due to both food business operators improper training on species identification and labeling and few major deliberate substitutions of high-value with less valuable white fish species. This considered, a second survey on labelling compliance was performed between 2019 and 2020 and 147 products (white fish N=100; cephalopods N=28, molluscs bivalves N=16 and gastropods N=3) were collected. A COI gene fragment was amplified and sequenced using universal primers. In case of failure of species allocation by COI, a 16SrRNA gene fragment was applied as alternative target. The sequences were queried against reference databases. Molecular species identity was univocally assigned for identity percentage rates > 98% for COI gene and =100% for the 16SrRNA gene. Finally, a RFLP analysis on the non-repetitive region of the nuclear Polyphenolic Adhesive Foot Protein (PAP) was included in the study for the identification of 13 mollusk bivalve products belonging to Mytilus sp. Within fish and cephalopods products were generally allocated at species level confirming COI effectiveness in species discrimination. As fish, an overall mislabelling rate of 14% was found due to substitutions of Gadus chalcogrammus, Gadus morhua or Merluccius productus with less valuable Gadiformes species. Within cephalopods category, a mislabelling rate of 10.7% was highlighted due to the replacement of Ommastrephes bartramii and Todarodes pacificus with Dosidicus gigas known as a frequent substituent species. As regards molluscs bivalves, the use of a multi-target approach and RFLP analysis allowed the univocal species identification of all the products highlighting a final mislabelling rate of 18%. No mislabelling incidents were highlighted for gastropods. The overall mislabelling rate of 13.6% (20/147) emphasize the relevance of the application of molecular tools for verifying the products’ identity to protect both seafood supply chain and consumers’ rights

Seafood labelling at National level: strength and weaknesses of the new official Bulgarian list of seafood trade names. 17th Online International Scientific Conference "Traditions and modernity in the veterinary medicine"

The EU seafood labelling system Reg.EU No. 1379/2013 imposes a products’ codified trade name consisting of a commercial designation (CD) and the associated scientific name (SN) and delegates Member States to the draw up and update official lists of trade names accepted in their territory. The first Bulgarian official list (Ordinance No. 4 of 13.01.2006) has been recently abrogated and a new list (Ordinance No. 13 30.11.2021) is currently in force. In the study the correctness and compliance of the new list against the Bulgarian market's trend are presented. The SNs records validity was checked against FAO's reference official information systems. The list's evolution was assessed through a comparison with the repealed list and data available on the National market (Tinacci et al 2018-2020). List description: 81 records are identifiable against the 61 included in the original list with an apparent total increase in the number of species considered, although still below the number of species listed by other EU Member States. Fish category contributes for 86.4% (N=70). A relevant percentage of records (9.9%) still appear obsolete and not valid. List’s compliance to market demand: the analysis highlights the will of the national Legislator to enhance local caught and cultured species largely represented by freshwater species. Nevertheless, the list revision led to the disappearance of 30 SN mainly belonging to imported marine fish species extensively demanded and available at retail. Major issues related to the SN validity and the non-adherence to the market demand highlight the need of a second urgent list revision by merging the two lists produced so far, and including an additional number of species already widely spread and consumed

Nationwide survey of the Bulgarian market highlights the need to update the official seafood list based on trade inputs

An extensive survey of the Bulgarian seafood market was conducted to assess the diversity of fish products available and to compare the provided commercial designations (CDs) and scientific names (SNs) on the products with those on the Bulgarian official seafood designations list, in light of the requirements of Regulation (EU) No. 1379/2013 on seafood labelling. The survey was conducted in 15 different towns belonging to three different geographical macro-areas: North, North-east/South-east and South/South-west. Seventy-one points of sale, including both large and local retailers, were included in the study. In total, 1611 different products were recorded on the market, mostly comprising fresh, frozen and canned fish. Analysis of the product designations showed the presence of 110 different CDs, most of which (n = 43, 39.1%) were not associated with any SN. Forty-seven (42.7%) of the 110 CD were compliant with the current EU legislation on seafood labelling, reporting a descriptive common name. A highly significant difference was found in the percentages of non-compliant designations of fresh (57.3%) and frozen (3.9%) product categories (p-value < 0.00001). Overall, the main concerns highlighted regarded the presence on the market of CDs and SNs not included in the official list, thus highlighting the ineffectiveness of the list in supporting fish traceability. CDs already accepted at retail and currently applied throughout the country could represent a starting point to propose an update of the list based on trade inputs, as established by the Regulation (EU) No. 1379/2013