Microbiological contamination in genetically modified animals and proposals for a microbiological test standard for national universities in Japan.

The Biosafety Committee of the Japanese Association of Laboratory Animal Facilities of National Universities (JALAN) investigated recent episodes of microbiological contamination in genetically modified mice (GMM), and the countermeasures taken when the contaminated GMM were introduced into animal facilities, by questionnaires addressed to 53 animal facilities belonging to JALAN and serological tests. Although almost all of the contaminated GMM were accepted with conditions such as rederivation after or before reception and housing in designated rooms, contamination with a spectrum of microorganisms was demonstrated in GMM transferred domestically and from abroad. In serological tests, Mycoplasma pulmonis, mouse parvovirus, and mouse encephalomylitis virus were detected in GMM transferred from domestic facilities and from abroad. The present results of the questionnaires and serological tests suggest that GMM are highly and widely contaminated with microorganisms compared with mice from commercial breeders. Thus, we propose a microbiological requirement, including microbiological status--excellent, common, and minimum--as a guide for the transfer and procurement of mice and rats in Japan.     

Application of molecular genetic and microbiological techniques in ecology and biotechnology of cyanobacteria

The review discusses the advances and problems in biotechnology and ecology of cyanobacteria and considers the possibilities of molecular genetic and microbiological techniques in this field. Due to the ease of cultivation, high growth rate, availability of synchronous cultures, and existence of numerous molecular genetic and microbiological techniques for various cyanobacterial strains, cyanobacteria—prokaryotic organisms that are ancient relatives of the chloroplasts—are model organisms in the studies of photosynthesis, dinitrogen fixation, cell division, hydrogen production, and in a number of other areas of basic and applied science. These techniques make possible deeper understanding of the role of cyanobacteria in various ecosystems and utilization of their potential in numerous applied projects, including production of molecular hydrogen, phycobiliproteins, and cyanophycin; formation of nanoparticles; removal of heavy metals from the environment; substrate biodegradation; manufacture of products for medicine and food industry; and solution of the problem of cyanobacterial toxins in freshwater and marine environments.     

微生物学检测技术在食品抗生素残留检测的研究应用

抗生素的普遍应用使得其在食品中广泛残留,对人体健康造成严重危害。目前,用于食品抗生素残留检测方法较多,微生物法是常用的筛选方法之一,具有简便、经济、高通量、特异性及灵敏度好等优点。本研究综述了微生物法在检测食品中抗生素残留的优缺点和影响因素等应用情况。     

Genotype matrix mapping: searching for quantitative trait loci interactions in genetic variation in complex traits.

In order to reveal quantitative trait loci (QTL) interactions and the relationship between various interactions in complex traits, we have developed a new QTL mapping approach, named genotype matrix mapping (GMM), which searches for QTL interactions in genetic variation. The central approach in GMM is the following. (1) Each tested marker is given a virtual matrix, named a genotype matrix (GM), containing intersecting lines and rows equal to the total allele number for that marker in the population analyzed. (2) QTL interactions are then estimated and compared through virtual networks among the GMs. To evaluate the contribution of marker combinations to a quantitative phenotype, the GMM method divides the samples into two non-overlapping subclasses, S(0) and S(1); the former contains the samples that have a specific genotype pattern to be evaluated, and the latter contains samples that do not. Based on this division, the F-measure is calculated as an index of significance. With the GMM method, we extracted significant marker combinations consisting of one to three interacting markers. The results indicated there were multiple QTL interactions affecting the phenotype (flowering date). GMM will be a valuable approach to identify QTL interactions in genetic variation of a complex trait within a variety of organisms.     

PCR detection of genetically modified soya and maize in foodstuffs

The detection of genetically modified foodstuffs is becoming both a food sales and legal necessity. This study reports a rapid DNA extraction/PCR-based method for the detection of genetically modified soya (GMS) and maize (GMM) in mixed samples of transgenic and unmodified soybeans and maize kernels, and a variety of processed samples including soya flour, soya protein isolates, extruded defatted soya, acid- and alcohol-precipitated soya concentrates, soya lecithin, maize grits, seasoned corn puffs and salted corn chips. The presence of GMS DNA was determined with two pairs of primers directed towards different GMS target sequences and GMM by one primer pair. In addition, a multiplex PCR reaction which utilises an internal positive control was developed for both genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Results indicated that the methods are sensitive and specific enough to detect GMS down to a level of 0.01% dry weight in single-product PCRs and 0.1% in multiplex PCRs and GMM down to 0.001% dry weight in single-product PCRs and 0.01% in multiplex PCR. The methods are considered to represent a viable route for the commercial detection of GMS and GMM in foodstuffs.     

Microbiological interactions with cold plasma

There is a diverse range of microbiological challenges facing the food, healthcare and clinical sectors. The increasing and pervasive resistance to broad‐spectrum antibiotics and health‐related concerns with many biocidal agents drives research for novel and complementary antimicrobial approaches. Biofilms display increased mechanical and antimicrobial stability and are the subject of extensive research. Cold plasmas (CP) have rapidly evolved as a technology for microbial decontamination, wound healing and cancer treatment, owing to the chemical and bio‐active radicals generated known collectively as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. This review outlines the basics of CP technology and discusses the interactions with a range of microbiological targets. Advances in mechanistic insights are presented and applications to food and clinical issues are discussed. The possibility of tailoring CP to control specific microbiological challenges is apparent. This review focuses on microbiological issues in relation to food‐ and healthcare‐associated human infections, the role of CP in their elimination and the current status of plasma mechanisms of action.     

PCR-DGGE fingerprinting: novel strategies for detection of microbes in food

Polymerase chain reaction denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) fingerprinting was recently introduced into food microbiology. This paper describes the technique and reports on the state-of-the-art application of this technique to food and food-related ecosystems. Applications of PCR-DGGE in several fields of food microbiology are reviewed: the identification of microorganisms isolated from food, the evaluation of microbial diversity during food fermentation, and microbiological and commercial food quality assessment. Potentials and limitations of this culture-independent approach in food microbiology are indicated and future perspectives are discussed.     

Microbes in food processing technology

Abstract: There is an increasing understanding that the microbial quality of a certain food is the result of a chain of events. It is clear that the microbial safety of food can only be guaranteed when the overall processing, including the production of raw materials, distribution and handling by the consumer are taken into consideration. Therefore, the microbiological quality assurance of foods is not only a matter of control, but also of a careful design of the total process chain. Food industry has now generally adapted quality assurance systems and is implementing the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) concept. Rapid microbiological monitoring systems should be used in these cases. There is a need for rapid and simple microbiological tests which can be adapted to the technology and logistics of specific production processes. Traditional microbiological methods generally do not meet these high requirements. This paper discusses the tests, based on molecular biological principles, to detect and identify microbes in food-processing chains. Tests based on DNA technology are discussed, including in vitro DNA amplification like the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and identifications based on RFLP, RAPD and DNA fingerprinting analysis. PCR-haled methodology can be used for the rapid detection of microbes in food manufacturing environments. In addition, DNA fingerprinting methods are suitable for investigating sources and routes of microbial contamination in the food cycle.     

Bacteriolytic enzymes produced by actinomycetes. II. Biosynthesis and areas of practical application

The data on physiological conditions of the bacteriolytic enzyme formulation of actinomycetes, the population structure of producing cultures, the search of producers of enzymes able to hydrolyze the peptidoglycan of cellular walls of bacteria are reviewed. The fields of application of lytic enzymes in fundamental and applied microbiological investigations are pointed out. These enzymes are of considerable interest as potentially useful chemotherapeutics and food preservatives. They may be successfully used in biochemical and genetic investigation, in the study of peptidoglycan structure. The ability of bacteriolytic enzymes to cause the lysis of microorganisms resistant to the lysozyme action is of special importance. The application of these enzymes allows to work out gentle methods of lysis of bacterial cells used in various fields of microbiology.     

遗传重组微生物的环境监测

遗传重组微生物 (GMM)的环境监测作为生物安全性评价的重要内容之一,正越来越得到广大科研工作者的密切关注。综述了目前遗传工程菌和重组DNA的环境监测的主要方法。一是基于培养的方法,包括利用选择性培养技术,报告基因,基因探针和PCR,免疫监测等;一是基于免培养的方法,包括显微镜观测法,荧光原位杂交技术 (FISH),基于直接提取微生物总DNA的分子生物学方法等。重点介绍了目前常用的几种报告基因和基于直接提取总DNA的DGGE TGGE方法,同时指出我国应加强GMM遗传监控的分子生物学方法的研究及应用。     

Mapping of quantitative trait loci based on growth models

An approach called growth model-based mapping (GMM) of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) is proposed in this paper. The principle of the approach is to fit the growth curve of each individual or line with a theoretical or empirical growth model at first and then map QTLs based on the estimated growth parameters with the method of multiple-trait composite interval mapping. In comparison with previously proposed approaches of QTL mapping based on growth data, GMM has several advantages: (1) it can greatly reduce the amount of phenotypic data for QTL analysis and thus alleviate the burden of computation, particularly when permutation tests or simulation are performed to estimate significance thresholds; (2) it can efficiently analyze unbalanced phenotype data because both balanced and unbalanced data can be used for fitting growth models; and (3) it may potentially help us to better understand the genetic basis of quantitative trait development because the parameters in a theoretical growth model may often have clear biological meanings. A practical example of rice leaf-age development is presented to demonstrate the utility of GMM.     

分子生物学方法在食品微生物检测中的应用

近年来,食品安全受到广泛关注。及时、准确地检测出食品中的病原微生物是食品安全检测的重要内容,食品病原微生物的分子生物学检测技术因其特异性和灵敏性而备受瞩目。我们主要介绍了基因探针检测法、PCR检测法和基因芯片检测法的原理、开发及其在食品微生物检测中的应用。     

The Observation of Micro-organisms on Surfaces by Incident Fluorescence Microscopy

S ummary . Two methods of viewing surfaces by incident fluorescence microscopy are described for application in microbiological studies associated with food manufacture, agricultural research and dermatological investigations.     

Membrane filtration of food suspensions.

Factors affecting the membrane filtration of food suspensions were studied for 58 foods and 13 membrane filters. Lot number within a brand, pore size (0.45 or 0.8 micrometer), and time elapsed before filtration had little effect on filterability. Brand of membrane filter, flow direction, pressure differential, age (microbiological quality) of the food, duration of the blending process, temperature, and concentration of food in the suspension had significant and often predictable effects. Preparation of suspensions by Stomacher (relative to rotary blender) addition of surfactant (particularly at elevated temperature) and prior incubation with proteases sometimes had dramatic effects of filterability. In contrast to popular opinion, foods can be membrane filtered in quantities pertinent to the maximums used in conventional plating procedures. Removal of growth inhibitors and food debris is possible by using membrane filters. Lowering of the limits of detection of microorganisms by concentration on membrane filters can be considered feasible for many foods. The data are particularly relevant to the use of hydrophobic grid-membrane filters (which are capable of enumerating up to 9 X 10(4) organisms per filter) in instrumented methods of food microbiological analysis.     

Production and purification of protein hydrolysates (review)

Recent achievements in the technology of producing protein hydrolysates are reviewed. Approaches to describing the mechanism of hydrolysis and the possibility of purifying hydrolysates for their use in the food, medical, forage, and microbiological industries are discussed.     

Microbiological examination of ready-to-eat cold sliced meats and pâté from catering and retail premises in the UK

AIMS: To establish the microbiological quality of cold ready-to-eat sliced meats and paté from catering and retail premises, and investigate links hypothesized between foodborne Campylobacter infection and the consumption of cold sliced meats. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 4078 cold meat and paté samples were collected and examined according to a standardized protocol. Comparison with published microbiological guidelines revealed that most ready-to-eat meat and paté samples (75%) were of satisfactory/acceptable microbiological quality and 25% were of unsatisfactory/unacceptable quality. Two cold meat samples (<1%) were of unacceptable microbiological quality because of the presence of Campylobacter jejuni in 25 g and Listeria monocytogenes at 3.4 x 104 CFU g-1. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptable microbiological quality was associated with premises where the management was trained in food hygiene and those that had hazard analysis in place. Poor microbiological quality was associated with storage above 8 degrees C, presliced meats, infrequent cleaning of slicing equipment and poor control of practices that may lead to cross contamination. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides important information about the microbiological quality of cold ready-to-eat meats and paté. It also assists caterers, retailers, enforcement officers and policy makers to understand how different food safety practices affect microbiological quality.     

植物提取物微生物限量标准及检测技术进展

植物提取物的微生物检测是保证植物产品安全性的重要手段, 制定严格的植物提取物质量控制标准体系, 特别是功能性食品、食品添加剂和植物源日用化学品等产品中微生物的检测和控制, 对产品的质量及安全保证具有重要作用, 是影响植物提取业实现全面发展的关键问题。本文主要介绍了部分国家植物提取物的微生物限量标准和植物提取物微生物检测的国内外现状与发展趋势, 并就如何建立植物提取物微生物检测行业标准体系提出了若干建议。希望对我国植物提取业实现新时期跨越式发展提供参考。     

植物提取物微生物限量标准及检测技术进展

植物提取物的微生物检测是保证植物产品安全性的重要手段,制定严格的植物提取物质量控制标准体系,特别是功能性食品、食品添加剂和植物源日用化学品等产品中微生物的检测和控制,对产品的质量及安全保证具有重要作用,是影响植物提取业实现全面发展的关键问题.本文主要介绍了部分国家植物提取物的微生物限量标准和植物提取物微生物检测的国内外现状与发展趋势,并就如何建立植物提取物微生物检测行业标准体系提出了若干建议.希望对我国植物提取业实现新时期跨越式发展提供参考.     

肽核酸探针在微生物诊断领域的应用进展

肽核酸(Polyamide nucleic acid,PNA)是以中性酰胺键为骨架的脱氧核糖核酸(DNA)结构类似物,它可以特异性地与DNA杂交,且具有极高的生物稳定性.相比较传统的DNA探针技术,肽核酸探针以其特殊的结构和性质在食品、环境及临床等微生物快速诊断领域显示出独特的优势.就肽核酸探针在微生物诊断方面的应用进展做简要综述.