The fungicidal efficacy of various commercial disinfectants used in the food industry

The antifungal effects of eight commercial disinfectants namely alcohol, peracetic acid, iodophors, aldehydes, quaternary amine compounds (QAC, a, b and c), and a chlorine-based agent were assessed at different concentrations. The time taken for these disinfectants to kill different microorganisms was used to assess their efficacy. The microorganisms tested were six yeasts,Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum, Kloeckera apiculata, Candida oleophila, Metschnikowia fructicola, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and two moulds,Aspergillus niger (5 strains) andPenicillium roqueforti (5 strains). The disinfectants QAC (a) and QAC (c) were the most effective against all the microorganisms tested. The chlorine-based disinfectant worked most efficiently against the moulds at all concentrations used (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0%). Peracetic acid and alcohol based disinfectants were most effective against the yeasts than mould. Tested yeasts were more resistant to the aldehyde and iodophors base disinfectants than the others.     

氰戊菊酯在茶叶和茶汤中的残留动态及最大残留限量评价

在生长均匀的茶园喷施氰戊菊酯(fenvalerate),采摘施药后2 h和1 h、2 h、3 h、5 h、7 h、9 h、14 h、21天的茶树鲜叶加工成绿茶,用气相色谱法测定成茶、茶汤和茶渣中反式氰戊菊酯和顺式氰戊菊酯的含量,研究了氰戊菊酯在成茶、茶汤中的残留动态。结果表明:反式氰戊菊酯和顺式氰戊菊酯在成茶中的残留水平随施药间隔天数的增加呈下降趋势,20 mL/667 m2施药剂量下,分别由施药当天2 h的9.40 mg/kg和17.51 mg/kg减小到第21天的1.07 mg/kg和1.53 mg/kg,消解幅度为88.62%和91.26%,40 mL/667 m2施药剂量下,分别由施药当天2 h的20.37 mg/kg和38.67 mg/kg减小到第21天的1.94 mg/kg和3.06 mg/kg,消解幅度为90.49%和92.09%。茶汤中氰戊菊酯含量(y)与成茶中氰戊菊酯含量(x)呈二项式函数关系,反式氰戊菊酯的函数关系为y=-0.0007x2 0.0242x,顺式氰戊菊酯的函数关系为y=-0.0002x2 0.0114x。按我国标准饮茶摄入的氰戊菊酯占每日允许摄入量的0.049%,足以达到保护人体健康水平的要求。而按欧盟的标准,饮茶摄入的氰戊菊酯占每日允许摄入量的0.0019%,即在10-5水平上,这样的风险水平已接近对非阈效应化学物质的风险控制水平(10-6)。     

An implementation of the HACCP system in the production of food-packaging material

The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) system according to the Codex Alimentarius model was applied to the processes of five paper and paperboard mills and four plants further converting paper or board intended for contact with foodstuffs. The generalised flow diagrams of the processes are presented. Each of the overall processes contained 40–150 process steps. Normally three to five sessions with HACCP teams and additional private negotiations were needed for each mill or plant. Hazards leading to critical control points (CCPs) were microbiological (handling/storage, circulation water, starch, process environment) and physical (process environment) in mills, and microbiological (storage, lacquers or glues, packaging and process environment), chemical (printing) and physical (storage of products, packaging and process environment) in plants. Specifications, critical limits (e.g., based on different kinds of reports and instructions), monitoring methods (microbiological and visual) and frequency, responsibilities and corrective actions of the processes are presented. Most of the improvements focused on improving the process environment. In five cases, hygiene training was included in the implementation of the HACCP system. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 213–218 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000233 Received 04 April 2001/ Accepted in revised form 06 December 2001     

A comparison of the bactericidal efficacy of 18 disinfectants used in the food industry against Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at 10 and 20 degrees C

A number of proprietary disinfectant products (18) used in the food industry were tested for their bactericidal efficacy against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli O157:H7 at 20 and 10 degrees C according to the BS EN 1276 (1997) quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. At 20 degrees C, 13 products passed at their in-use concentration (under clean and dirty conditions) against Ps. aeruginosa and 15 passed against E. coli O157:H7. The number of products passing the test at 10 degrees C was 11 and 14 for Ps. aeruginosa and E. coli O157:H7, respectively. The products exhibiting reduced efficacy at the lower temperature were amphoterics and quaternary ammonium compounds although some of these types of products were effective at both temperatures. Products that passed against Ps. aeruginosa generally also passed against E. coli O157:H7. Taking all the results together, only 11 of the total of 18 products achieved a pass result under all the parameters tested. This work demonstrates the need for final verification of disinfectant efficacy by undertaking field trials in the food-processing environment in which the product is intended for use.     

Disinfection and hygiene in the field of food of animal origin

The cleaning/disinfection procedure should minimize the usually high number of microorganisms (10⁷–10⁸ cm²) on surfaces to reasonably low levels of about one log per cm². Aseptic conditions are normally not achieved.Most commerical disinfectants are mixed preparations. The agents used in disinfectants should not provoke changes, neither in chemical pattern, nor in sensoric properties of the food. They should not be the cause for deposition of unhealthy residues or for corrosive influences on premises. The efficacy must be warranted. The disinfection should include bactericidal, fungicidal and possibly virucidal activities with only minimal static effects. The efficacy should be based on a short-term effect even at lower temperatures (about 10°C).Mostly in use are QACs, amphoteric surfactants and biguanides which are combined in many variations. Aldehydes in mixtures are used very seldomly and only in small amounts due to sensoric, corrosive or toxicological reactions. Alcohols are suitable for quick applications but they are flammable. Organic acids and peroxygens will deliver no residues but may be aggressive to tools and man. Alkylamines will have higher static effects and chlorine active compounds will suffer from protein load and pH deviations.In daily practice the efficacy has to be proved by microbiological monitoring, e.g. by cultural or, indirectly, by bioluminescence-techniques (with or without somatic ATP).Residue levels will remain low on premises if the disinfection is performed correctly, in adequate concentrations and with fresh water rinsing in sufficient amounts (about 8 liters per m²).     

A novel 5-Fluorocuracil multiple-nanoemulsion used for the enhancement of oral bioavailability in the treatment of colorectal cancer

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is a drug of choice for colorectal-cancer. But oral therapeutic efficacy of 5-FU is restricted due to their very little bioavailability because of poor membrane permeability and GIT-absorption. We have developed a multiple nanoemulsion (w/o/w i.e. 5-FU-MNE) in which 5-FU incorporated to improve their oral-absorption. Globule-size of opt-5-FU-MNE was 51.64 ± 2.61 nm with PDI and ZP 0.101 ± 0.001 and −5.59 ± 0.94, respectively. In vitro 5-FU-release and ex vivo permeation studies exhibited 99.71% release and 83.64% of 5-FU from opt-nanoformulation. Cytotoxic in vitro studies-exhibited that 5-FU in opt-5-FU-MNE was 5-times more potent than 5-FU-S on human-colon-cancer-cell-lines (HT-29). The enhanced C_max with AUC_0-8h with opt-5-FU-MNE was shown extremely significant (p < 0.001) in wistar rat’s plasma in the comparison of oral and i.v. treated group of 5-FU-S by PK-observations. Furthermore, opt-5-FU-MNE was showed much more significant (p < 0.001) results as compared to 5-FU-S (free) on cell lines for human colon cancer (HT-29).     

Identification by SDS PAGE of green seaweeds ( Ulva and Enteromorpha) used in the food industry

SDS PAGE was tested as an analytical tool for the identification of fourgreen algae (Ulva rigida, U. rotundata, Enteromorphaintestinalis, E. compressa) used as food ingredients. A referencepattern composed of the bands present all year long was performed foreach species. The pattern for Ulva rotundata consists of 7 bandslocated between 69.9 and 15.5 kDa with the presence of triplicate bandsat 29.5, 26.3 and 22.9 kDa. The pattern for Ulva rigida is consistsof three bands with apparent molecular weights of 68.5, 56.4 and 44.7kDa. The Enteromorpha compressa pattern is characterised by sixbands located between 65.8 and 19.8 kDa. A double band withmolecular weights of 23.1 and 23.9 distinguished this pattern from theothers. Six bands situated between 66.4 and 19.4 kDa with a specifictriplicate band of 25.9, 23.9 and 22.5 kDa constituted the specific patternof Enteromorpha intestinalis. SDS PAGE appears to be suitable forthe identification of green seaweed foods.     

Morphological aspects of the hypothalamic-hypophyseal system

Summary Enzyme-histochemical methods were used to study the metabolic activity of specialized ependyma of the ventrolateral walls and floor of the third ventricle in young male and female rats during the critical period of sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus (one week after birth). Histochemical tests were conducted for glutamic dehydrogenase, lactic dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and NADH₂-dehydrogenase. Enzyme activity was judged by cytospectrophotometry. All the data were treated statistically.It was found that the specialized ependyma of the ventrolateral wall and floor of the third ventricle (median eminence) in rats differed in their enzyme behaviour in males and females during the critical period of sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus. At the level of the arcuate nucleus ( ²-tanycytes) and the medial part of the median eminence ( ²-tanycytes) the ependyma was characterized by similar indices of metabolic activity in males and females in the decisive terms of the critical period (days 3, 5, and 7). On day 5 metabolic activity of these cells was reduced both in the males and in the females. Prominent sexual differences in the intensity of the enzyme reactions studied were noted in the ependyma of the lateral parts of the median eminence ( ¹-tanycytes) in the critical period. On day 5 metabolic activity of ¹-tanycytes was reduced in males and increased in females. It is suggested that these differences are caused by the receptor nature of ¹-tanycytes and suggest their implication in the mechanisms of sexual differentiation of the hypothalamus.     

Heterogeneity in the efficacy of dental chemical disinfectants on water-derived biofilms in vitro

Abstract

Conditions in dental unit waterlines are favourable for biofilm growth and contamination of dental unit water. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of several chemical disinfectants on bacteria in a biofilm model. Water-derived biofilms were grown in a static biofilm model (Amsterdam Active Attachment model), using two growth media. Biofilms were challenged with Alpron/Bilpron, Anoxyl, Citrisil, Dentosept, Green & Clean, ICX and Oxygenal in shock dose and maintenance doses. The concentration and the composition of the chemical disinfectants influenced the number of culturable bacteria in the biofilms. The application of a single shock dose followed by a low dose of the same chemical disinfectants resulted in the greatest suppression of viable bacteria in the biofilms. Exposure to Citrisil and ICX consistently resulted in failure to control the biofilms, while Alpron/Bilpron had a substantial and relevant effect on the number of bacteria in the biofilms.     

Maximum likelihood ratio tests for comparing the discriminatory ability of biomarkers subject to limit of detection

Summary .   In this article, we consider comparing the areas under correlated receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of diagnostic biomarkers whose measurements are subject to a limit of detection (LOD), a source of measurement error from instruments' sensitivity in epidemiological studies. We propose and examine the likelihood ratio tests with operating characteristics that are easily obtained by classical maximum likelihood methodology.     

Methodology for a comparative evaluation of sensitivity to fouling and cleanability of floor materials used in the food industry

Samples of floor materials used at present in different types of food plants were studied for their sensitivity to fouling and for their cleaning properties. A cleaning procedure close to that used in industry was carried out on seven different floor samples fouled with six industrial soils (e.g. green salad soil, reconstituted milk, and meat) and inoculated with spores of Bacillus stearothermophilus var. calidolactis as tracer. Sensitivity to fouling and the cleanability of the different floor materials were measured, and the results showed a significant difference between them. These differences were dependent upon the type of soil. Sensitivity to fouling and cleanability were not correlated with their slipping resistance characteristics.     

Prediction of Potential Geological Distribution of Asarum in China by Maxent Model

Genus Asarum contains several plant species that are mostly used as precious drug resources. In this study, 126 distribution records of 3 Asarum species and relevant 28 environmental factors data were collected, then a geographical distribution model of the genus medicinal plants in China was made by Maxent and the ArcGIS spatial analysis technique. The results showed that the 3 Asarum species have a wide potential distribution region. High suitable region and suitable region were 3125km2 and 276042km2 respectively. Among the environmental factors, 3 precipitation factors (annual precipitation, precipitations in the most dry season and the most warm season) are the main ones that can affect the distribution of the 3 Asarum medicinal plants. This study can provide a useful reference for the collection and cultivation of Asarum medicinal plants.     

Structural aspects of chaperone-mediated peptide loading in the MHC-I antigen presentation pathway

Recognition of foreign and dysregulated antigens by the cellular innate and adaptive immune systems is in large part dependent on the cell surface display of peptide/MHC (pMHC) complexes. The formation of such complexes requires the generation of antigenic peptides, proper folding of MHC molecules, loading of peptides onto MHC molecules, glycosylation, and transport to the plasma membrane. This complex series of biosynthetic, biochemical, and cell biological reactions is known as “antigen processing and presentation”. Here, we summarize recent work, focused on the structural and functional characterization of the key MHC-I-dedicated chaperones, tapasin, and TAPBPR. The mechanisms reflect the ability of conformationally flexible molecules to adapt to their ligands, and are comparable to similar processes that are exploited in peptide antigen loading in the MHC-II pathway.     

International Actions Against IUU Fishing and the Adoption of National Plans of Action

This article examines the National Plans of Action (NPOAs) adopted by selected States to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Despite some minor differences between States’ NPOAs, the NPOAs generally are similar to what was envisioned in the International Plan of Action to Prevent, Deter, and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing adopted in 2001.     

Functional aspects of hemoglobin evolution in the mammals

Summary Comparative studies of red cell 2,3 Diphosphoglycerate (DPG) and its effect on hemoglobin oxygen affinity from a taxonomically diverse set of mammals indicate two anomalous groups: members of the superfamilies Bovoidea (Actiodactyla) and Feloidea (Carnivora). In both taxa all of the individuals assayed had very low or unmeasurable quantities of DPG and red cell lysates with little, if any, DPG effect as measured by the change in oxygen affinity in the absence and presence of the phosphate. However, in both groups compensatory changes have occurred in hemoglobin structure and function so as to reduce the native oxygen affinity and thus cause them to resemble the hemoglobins of DPG-utilizing mammals as they occur in the setting of the red cell. We conclude that this parallelism of function is the result of convergent evolution.     

Potential of antimicrobial treatment of linear low-density polyethylene with poly((tert-butyl-amino)-methyl-styrene) to reduce biofilm formation in the food industry

Antimicrobial surfaces are one approach to prevent biofilms in the food industry. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of poly((tert-butyl-amino)-methyl-styrene) (poly(TBAMS)) incorporated into linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) on the formation of mono- and mixed-species biofilms. The biofilm on untreated and treated LLDPE was determined after 48 and 168 h. The comparison of the results indicated that the ability of Listeria monocytogenes to form biofilms was completely suppressed by poly(TBAMS) (Δ_168 h 3.2 log₁₀ cfu cm^?2) and colonization of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was significantly delayed, but no effect on Pseudomonas fluorescens was observed. The results of dual-species biofilms showed complex interactions between the microorganisms, but comparable effects on the individual bacteria by poly(TBAMS) were identified. Antimicrobial treatment with poly(TBAMS) shows great potential to prevent biofilms on polymeric surfaces. However, a further development of the material is necessary to reduce the colonization of strong biofilm formers.     

ICNP与SeqCode：组学时代原核生物命名面临的机遇与挑战

自1936年细菌学家Buchanan负责起草专门的细菌命名法规以来,国际原核生物命名法规(International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, ICNP)在不断发展和完善过程中,积极促进了原核生物分类学及相关学科的发展。随着组学技术在原核生物多样性研究中的应用,越来越多未培养的细菌和古菌新类群被发现,却因为ICNP要求活的生物材料作为命名模式(nomenclatural type),而无法获得生效名称(validly published name)。2022年,原核生物命名法规从序列数据描述原核生物命名法(Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes Described from Sequence Data, SeqCode)正式发布,以补充ICNP在未培养微生物类群命名方面的不足。SeqCode不希望和ICNP产生较大分歧,并尽可能保留在将来和ICNP合并的可能性。然而,作为两种独立运行的命名法规,尚不明确SeqCode和ICNP并存会对学术界产生怎样的影响。本文系统介绍了ICNP和SeqCode各自的发展历程和主要内容,分析了二者的优势和局限性,并呼吁微生物学相关领域的学者共同关注原核生物命名法规并应用于实践,以期构建更加合理、有效的原核生物名称系统。     

A lonely dot on the map: Exploring the climate signal in tree-ring density and stable isotopes of clanwilliam cedar,South Africa

Clanwilliam cedar (Widdringtonia cedarbergensis; WICE), a long-lived conifer with distinct tree rings in Cape Province, South Africa, has potential to provide a unique high-resolution climate proxy for southern Africa. However, the climate signal in WICE tree-ring width (TRW) is weak and the dendroclimatic potential of other WICE tree-ring parameters therefore needs to be explored. Here, we investigate the climatic signal in various tree-ring parameters, including TRW, Minimum Density (MND), Maximum Latewood Density (MXD), Maximum Latewood Blue Intensity (MXBI), and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes (δ¹⁸O and δ¹³C) measured in WICE samples collected in 1978. MND was negatively influenced by early spring (October-November) precipitation whereas TRW was positively influenced by spring November-December precipitation. MXD was negatively influenced by autumn (April-May) temperature whereas MXBI was not influenced by temperature. Both MXD and MXBI were negatively influenced by January-March and January-May precipitation respectively. We did not find a significant climate signal in either of the stable isotope time series, which were measured on a limited number of samples. WICE can live to be at least 356 years old and the current TRW chronology extends back to 1564 CE. The development of full-length chronologies of alternative tree-ring parameters, particularly MND, would allow for an annually resolved, multi-century spring precipitation reconstruction for this region in southern Africa, where vulnerability to future climate change is high.     

华东三省转Bt基因棉花种植对边际水体中Cry1Ab/c蛋白残留的影响

为调查转基因棉花种植地区边际水体中的Cry1Ab/c蛋白残留情况, 在华东地区的山东、江苏、安徽三省棉田设置采样点, 连续3年在棉花的花铃期和收获季节, 对棉区地块内部及周围边际水体随机采样, 进行去杂及纯化处理后, 利用ELISA (酶联免疫吸附测定)方法检测水样中的Cry1Ab/c蛋白含量。结果表明: (1)在花铃期和收获季前后两周, 分别在5个布控点边际水体中检出Cry1Ab/c蛋白, 其中1个布控点阳性蛋白残留浓度最高达到0.4 ppb, 另外4个布控点检测出的阳性蛋白量均在0.04 ppb以下; (2)距离棉田越近, 蛋白检出阳性率越高, 其中棉田内水渠阳性率为13.3%; (3)连续种植时间超过7年的田地周围水体中蛋白阳性率为12.4%。在所有取样时间点中, 与花铃期相比, 收获季更容易检测到阳性结果。这表明在转基因棉花产区, 应在收获季进行适当的指导和监控, 以预防和降低转基因棉花中Cry1Ab/c蛋白对边际水体的潜在影响。