Chemical composition and antifungal activity of essential oil from Cicuta virosa L. var. latisecta Celak

The essential oil extracted from the fruits of Cicuta virosa L. var. latisecta Celak was tested in vitro and in vivo against four foodborne fungi, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus oryzae, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria alternata. Forty-five different components accounting for 98.4% of the total oil composition were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major components were γ-terpinene (40.92%), p-cymene (27.93%), and cumin aldehyde (21.20%). Antifungal activity was tested by the poisoned food technique against the four fungi. Minimum inhibitory concentration against the fungi was 5 μL/mL and percentage inhibition of mycelial growth was determined at day 9. The essential oil had a strong inhibitory effect on spore production and germination in all tested fungi proportional to concentration. The oil exhibited noticeable inhibition on dry mycelium weight and synthesis of aflatoxin B? (AFB?) by A. flavus, completely inhibiting AFB(1) production at 4 μL/mL. The effect of the essential oil on inhibition of decay development in cherry tomatoes was tested in vivo by exposing inoculated and control fruit to essential oil vapor at a concentration of 200 μL/mL. Results indicated that the essential oil from C. virosa var. latisecta (CVEO) has potential as a preservative to control food spoilage.     

Streptomyces alboflavus TD-1产挥发性抑菌物质对黄曲霉菌生长及其毒素的抑制作用

利用双皿对扣和气相色谱-质谱法,研究白黄链霉菌TD-1（Streptomyces alboflavus TD-1）在不同葡萄糖浓度培养基中的生长和挥发性有机化合物（volatile organic compounds,VOCs）代谢规律,通过荧光显微镜、扫描电子显微镜及高效液相色谱等方法,研究1-辛烯-3-醇对黄曲霉菌的抑菌机制。结果表明,高浓度葡萄糖（500 mmol/L）培养条件下,白黄链霉菌TD-1的初始生长速率与VOCs产生能力受到明显抑制,当葡萄糖浓度降至50 mmol/L左右,抑制得到解除。利用气相色谱-质谱分析发现,白黄链霉菌TD-1所产生的有效抑菌VOCs包括己醛、1-辛烯-3-醇、2-正戊基呋喃、2-甲基异冰片和苯乙酮等。其中,食品级VOCs 1-辛烯-3-醇在用量15 μL/L时可完全抑制黄曲霉的生长,对黄曲霉菌丝体和孢子形态具有明显的致畸作用,可破坏线粒体膜,抑制黄曲霉毒素B1合成速率至31.98%。说明葡萄糖浓度会影响白黄链霉菌TD-1生长和VOCs产量;1-辛烯-3-醇具有抑制黄曲霉菌生长和黄曲霉毒素B1合成的作用。     

Effect of Soybean Volatile Compounds on Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production

ABSTRACT:  Soybean homogenates produced volatile compounds upon exposure to lipase. These induced volatiles were identified by SPME. Seventeen volatile compounds identified by SPME were chosen for determination of their ability to inhibit Aspergillus flavus growth and aflatoxin B₁ (AFB1) production in a solid media assay. These volatiles included aldehydes, alcohols, ketones, and furans. Of the tested compounds, the aldehydes showed the greatest inhibition of fungal growth and AFB1 production. These compounds inhibited up to 100% of the observed growth and AFB1 production as compared to the controls. The greatest activity by the aldehydes to disrupt growth was ranked as follows: 2,4 hexadienal > benzaldehyde > 2-octenal > ( E )-2-heptenal > octanal > ( E )-2-hexenal > nonanal > hexanal. The greatest activity by the aldehydes to reduce AFB1 was ranked as follows: ( E )-2-hexenal > 2,4 hexadienal > ( E )-2-heptenal > hexanal > nonanal. ( E )-2-hexenal and ( E )-2-heptenal were tested further in an A. flavus -inoculated corn kernel assay. Both compounds prevented colonization by A. flavus and eliminated AFB1 production when exposed to compound volumes < 10 μL as also shown in the solid media assay. The results suggest that soybeans react to lipase by production of potent antifungal volatiles.     

山苍子精油抑制黄曲霉菌的生长和产毒作用研究

山苍子精油是一种纯天然植物精油,本文研究了其对黄曲霉生长、代谢和毒素产生的抑制作用,探讨了山苍子精油对黄曲霉菌的抑菌能力和作用机理。本研究将花生放置于自然环境染菌并分离纯化目标菌,采用形态学并结合ITS序列法进行菌株分类鉴定;结合抑菌圈、抑菌率和最低抑菌浓度(MIC)的测定探讨山苍子精油对黄曲霉菌的抑制能力;进行了山苍子精油影响黄曲霉孢子萌发率、生长曲线和黄曲霉毒素B1产生的实验研究;从细胞膜渗透性、细胞酶活性的变化探讨了山苍子精油抑制黄曲霉的作用机理。实验结果表明:从腐败花生中分离筛选出菌株HB₂,经ITS序列法鉴定为黄曲霉(Aspergillus flavus);黄曲霉素测定结果显示其含有黄曲霉素B1(AFB1),质量浓度为3.4×10³μg·kg^-1(纯湿菌体);抑菌圈随精油浓度的增大明显变大,对黄曲霉的最低抑菌体积分数(MIC)为0.800μL·mL^-1;孢子萌发率、牙管长度、黄曲霉菌体的生长量和AFB1的浓度随培养液中精油浓度的增大呈显著下降趋势,当山苍子精油浓度为0.100μL·mL     

Inhibition of aflatoxin-producing fungi by Welsh onion extracts.

Welsh onion ethanol extracts were tested for their inhibitory activity against the growth and aflatoxin production of Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus. The survival of spores of A. flavus and A. parasiticus depended on both the extract concentration and the exposure time of the spores to the Welsh onion extracts. The mycelial growth of two tested fungi cultured on yeast extract-sucrose broth was completely inhibited in the presence of the Welsh onion ethanol extract at a concentration of 10 mg/ml during 30 days of incubation at 25 degrees C. The extracts added to the cultures also inhibited aflatoxin production at a concentration of 10 mg/ml or permitted only a small amount of aflatoxin production with extract concentration of 5 mg/ml after 2 weeks of incubation. Welsh onion ethanol extracts showed more pronounced inhibitory effects against the two tested aflatoxin-producing fungi than did the same added levels of the preservatives sorbate and propionate at pH values near 6.5.     

利用监测CO_2方法预警储藏玉米中黄曲霉菌产毒

本文研究了玉米储藏期间真菌产生二氧化碳(CO2)气体的特点,试验结果表明,当灰绿曲霉等干生性真菌生长时,储藏容器中CO2浓度恒速升高;具有快速生长或产毒特点的真菌生长时则出现CO2产气率加速的过程,如玉米中以黄曲霉菌为优势菌时,储藏10 d后产生CO2气体的速率提高4.6倍。进一步研究玉米储藏期间不同原始优势菌、不同真菌生长速率及温度对产生CO2的影响,结果表明,在不同原始优势菌的玉米中均可出现黄曲霉菌的生长和产毒,黄曲霉菌为原始优势菌的AFB1产生量比其他试验组高3~7倍,它们均表现产气速率加速的特征;真菌生长速率及温度可影响储藏玉米中CO2和AFB1的产生量,但在产生AFB1的玉米中,均有CO2产气速率加速的现象。将储藏玉米中CO2产气速率变化与检出AFB1的时间相比,发现前者可提前7 d以上。因此,利用玉米储藏中真菌产生CO2的特征可预警黄曲霉毒素的污染。     

Inhibitory effects of eugenol and thymol on Penicillium citrinum strains in culture media and cheese

In the present work we studied the antifungal effect of eugenol and thymol on the growth and production of citrinin from Penicillium citrinum (NRRL 2274 and NRRL 2269) in culture media and in different Spanish cheeses (Arzúa-Ulloa, Cebreiro and San Simón). The rate of growth was assessed by measuring colony diameters and the production of citrinin was measured using a rapid semi-quantitative fluorometric technique confirmed by RP-HPLC. A stronger inhibitory effect of eugenol than thymol was evident. 200 microg/ml of eugenol in solid culture medium increased the lag time of growth up to 9 days, and decreased the rate of colony growth. In liquid medium, a complete inhibition of fungal growth was observed. By contrast, thymol in the liquid culture medium only affected the growth rate. In Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, 200 microg/ml of eugenol fully inhibited fungal growth, while in Cebreiro cheese no effect was observed for this compound. Regarding the capacity to inhibit mycotoxin production 100 microg/ml eugenol delayed citrinin production until the sixth day, after which a limiting effect persisted. In Arzúa-Ulloa cheese, no citrinin was detected at a concentration of 150 microg/ml of eugenol, but citrinin was detected after 5 days in the case of thymol at the same concentration. In Cebreiro cheese, neither eugenol nor thymol prevented the production of citrinin at the concentrations applied.     

Evaluation of Chenopodium ambrosioides oil as a potential source of antifungal, antiaflatoxigenic and antioxidant activity

Essential oil extracted from the leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides Linn. (Chenopodiaceae) was tested against the aflatoxigenic strain of test fungus Aspergillus flavus Link. The oil completely inhibited the mycelial growth at 100 microg/ml. The oil exhibited broad fungitoxic spectrum against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Fusarium oxysporum, Sclerotium rolfsii, Macrophomina phaseolina, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Helminthosporium oryzae and Pythium debaryanum at 100 microg/ml. The oil showed significant efficacy in inhibiting the aflatoxin B1 production by the aflatoxigenic strain of A. flavus. During in vivo investigation it protected stored wheat from different storage fungi for one year. Chenopodium oil also exhibited potent antioxidant activity when tested by ABTS method. All these observations suggest the possible exploitation of the Chenopodium oil as potential botanical fungitoxicant in ecofriendly control of post harvest biodeterioration of food commodities from storage fungi.     

Aflatoxin residues in eggs of laying Japanese quail after long-term administration of rations containing low levels of aflatoxin B1.

The aim was to evaluate the excretion of residues of aflatoxin B(1) (AFB(1)), aflatoxin M(1) (AFM(1)), aflatoxin B(2a) (AFB(2a)) and aflatoxicol (AFL) in eggs of laying Japanese quail fed rations with low levels of aflatoxin B(1) for 90 days. The quail were randomly assigned into four experimental groups and given prepared rations containing either 0 (controls), 25, 50 or 100 microg AFB(1) kg(-1) feed. Thirty-two eggs per treatment were collected on days 1-7, 10, 20, 30, 60 and 90 of the aflatoxin treatment period, and submitted to aflatoxin analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography. Average egg production and feed consumption were not affected ( p > 0.05) by AFB(1). Egg weight was significantly lower ( p<0.05) only for groups exposed to 100 microg AFB(1) kg(-1). Residues of aflatoxins were detected in eggs at levels that ranged from 0.01 to 0.08 microg kg(-1) (AFB(1)), 0.03-0.37 microg kg(-1) (AFM(1)), 0.01-1.03 microg kg(-1)(AFB(2a)) and 0.01-0.03 microg kg(-1) (AFL). Results indicate that the excretion of aflatoxin residues in quail eggs might occur at relatively low concentrations under conditions of long-term exposure of quail to low levels of AFB(1).     

Aflatoxin B1 contamination in wheat grain samples collected from different geographical regions of India: A multicenter study

In a multicenter study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, 1,646 samples of wheat grain collected from rural and urban areas of 10 states representing different geographical regions of India were analyzed for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). AFB1 concentrations of > or = 5 microg kg(-1) were recorded in 40.3% of the samples, and concentrations above the Indian permissible regulatory limit of 30 microg kg(-1) were found in 16% of the samples. The proportion of samples with AFB1 concentrations above the Indian regulatory limit ranged from 1.7 to 55.8% in different states, with the minimum in Haryana and the maximum in Orissa. The variation in wheat contamination among states seems to be mainly the result of unsatisfactory storage conditions. Median AFB1 concentrations of 11, 18, and 32 microg kg(-1) were observed in samples from Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Orissa, respectively; concentrations in other states were <5 microg kg(-1). The maximum AFB1 concentration of 606 microg kg(-1) was observed in a sample from the state of Uttar Pradesh. The calculated probable daily intakes of AFB1 through consumption of contaminated wheat for the population in some states were much higher than the suggested provisional maximum tolerable daily intake. Human health hazards associated with such AFB1 exposure over time cannot be ruled out.     

Enhanced inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by lysozyme and chelators

This study examined the effects of three chelating agents (EDTA, disodium pyrophosphate [DSPP], and pentasodium tripolyphosphate [PSTPP]) on the inhibition of the growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 by lysozyme. The objective of this study was to identify replacement chelators that exhibit synergistic properties similar to those of EDTA. The inhibitory effects of EDTA at 300 to 1,500 microg/ml and of DSPP and PSTPP at 3,000 to 15,000 microg/ml in combination with lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml for up to 48 h at pHs of 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0 on four strains of E. coli O157:H7 was studied with the use of a microbroth dilution assay. The addition of EDTA enhanced lysozyme's inhibitory effect on strains of E. coli O157:H7. EDTA at > or = 300 microg/ml combined with lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml was sufficient to inhibit the growth of the strains at pHs of 6.0 and 8.0. At pH 7.0, lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml and EDTA concentrations of > or = 1,000 microg/ml were effective in inhibiting three of the four strains. DSPP at pH 6.0 was inhibitory at > or = 10,000 microg/ml when combined with lysozyme at 200 to 300 microg/ml. In contrast, PSTPP increased the inhibitory activity of lysozyme more effectively at pH 8.0. Lysozyme at 200 to 600 microg/ml was effective against two strains of E. coli O157:H7 when used in conjunction with PSTPP at > or = 5,000 microg/ml. The remaining strains were inhibited by PSTPP at > or = 10,000 microg/ml. Our results indicate that inhibition occurred with each lysozyme-chelator combination, but the concentrations of phosphates required to increase the antimicrobial spectrum of lysozyme against E. coli O157:H7 were higher than the EDTA concentrations required to achieve the same effect.     

木犀草素与叶酸对黄曲霉毒素B1致食管上皮细胞毒性及MTHFR基因高甲基化的影响

目的：研究木犀草素（luteolin,LUT）与叶酸（folic acid,FA）对黄曲霉毒素B1（aflatoxin B1,AFB1）诱导损伤的人正常食管上皮细胞（human normal esophageal epithelial cells,HEEC）MTHFR基因甲基化的影响。方法：不同浓度（0、13、25、50、100、200 μmol/L）AFB1染毒HEEC 24、48、72 h,CCK-8法检测细胞活力;将HEEC分为空白对照组、AFB1染毒组（200 μmol/L）、LUT干预组（160 μmol/L）、FA干预组（20、200 μmol/L）以及联合干预组（160 μmol/L LUT＋20 μmol/L FA、160 μmol/L LUT＋200 μmol/L FA）,处理24 h后CCK-8法检测细胞活力,流式细胞术检测细胞周期及凋亡,Western blot检测MTHFR蛋白的表达水平,MassARRAY甲基化检测MTHFR基因启动子区甲基化的情况。结果：不同浓度的AFB1染毒HEEC 24、48、72 h均可以抑制细胞增殖,而经LUT和FA干预后,与AFB1染毒组相比,LUT及联合干预组细胞周期阻滞显著减少（P＜0.05）,细胞抑制率及凋亡率显著降低（P＜0.05）,MTHFR蛋白表达上调有所改善（P＜0.05）。且LUT与FA及二者联合对MTHFR基因启动子区高甲基化水平均有降低作用（P＜0.05）。结论：AFB1对HEEC有毒性作用,表现在增殖抑制、周期阻滞,促进凋亡,上调了MTHFR蛋白的表达,LUT干预可减弱这些损伤,对AFB1所致毒性起到一定的保护作用。AFB1提高了MTHFR基因启动子区甲基化水平,导致表观遗传的改变。LUT与FA及联合作用可以降低该甲基化水平,改善该表观遗传的改变。     

Occurrence of Aspergillus spp. and aflatoxin B1 in Malaysian foods used for human consumption

Malaysian population widely consumes the cereal-based foods, oilseeds, nuts, and spices in their daily diet. Mycotoxigenic fungi are well known to invade food products under storage conditions and produce mycotoxins that have threat to human and animal health. Therefore, determining toxigenic fungi and aflatoxin B(1) (AFB1) in foods used for human consumption is of prime importance to develop suitable management strategies and to minimize risk. Ninety-five food products marketed in Penang, Malaysia were randomly collected from different supermarkets and were analyzed for presence of Aspergillus spp. by agar plate assay and AFB1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A. flavus was the dominant fungi in all foods followed by A. niger. Fifty-five A. flavus strains were tested for their ability to produce aflatoxins on rice grain substrate. Thirty-six (65.4%) strains out of 55 produced AFB1 ranging from 1700 to 4400 μg/kg and 17 strains (31%) produced AFB2 ranging from 620 to 1670 μg/kg. Natural occurrence of AFB1 could be detected in 72.6% food products ranging from 0.54 to 15.33 μg/kg with a mean of 1.95 μg/kg. Maximum AFB1 levels were detected in peanut products ranging from 1.47 to 15.33 μg/kg. AFB1 levels detected in all food products were below the Malaysian permissible limits (<35 μg/kg). Aspergillus spp. and AFB1 was not detected in any cookies tested. Although this survey was not comprehensive, it provides valuable information on aflatoxin levels in foods marketed in Malaysia.     

槲皮素抑制黄曲霉毒素产生的机制初探

研究发现茶叶中的茶多酚单体普遍具有抑制黄曲霉毒素B1(AFB1)产生的活性,而槲皮素的抑毒活性要高于等浓度下儿茶素类茶多酚。为了解槲皮素抑制黄曲霉毒素产生的分子机制,对黄曲霉菌的抗氧化系统、毒素产生的相关基因进行了分析。试验结果显示槲皮素处理能后降低黄曲霉菌内的ROS水平,降低MDA含量。RT-PCR结果证实槲皮素能够激活抗氧化系统转录因子Yap1,导致黄曲霉体内的抗氧化酶系统活性的增加,POD、CAT、SOD都得到了显著的提高,这很可能是槲皮素抑制AFB1产生的关键因素;槲皮素能同时下调AflR与AflS的表达,而AflS能够通过结合AflR调控产毒基因的表达,这很可能是槲皮素抑制AFB1产生的核心分子机制,这种机制也与其激活抗氧化系统缓解菌体内氧化胁迫的作用相对应。以上结果表明槲皮素作为一种高效的黄曲霉毒素合成抑制剂,将对提高食品安全保障具有较高的应用价值。     

Kinetics of adsorption and desorption of aflatoxin B1 by viable and nonviable bacteria

The reactions involved in the binding (adsorption) and release (desorption) of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) to and from the surface of bacteria were investigated. Viable and heat-killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC-705, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii JS were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline containing variable concentrations (0.0017 to 13.3 microg/ml) of AFB1. The relationship between the bacterial surface hydrophobicity and the AFB1 adsorption affinity was also investigated. A linear relationship was observed between the specific rate of AFB1 adsorption and the AFB1 concentration for all bacteria. The nature of desorption of adsorbed AFB1 was investigated by repetitive aqueous washes. A linear relationship was observed between the natural log value of the concentration of AFB1 adsorbed and the number of washes for all bacteria studied. The desorption constants were strain-dependent and were lower for heat-killed bacteria than for viable bacteria. Heat treatment appears to alter the surface properties of the bacteria rather than expose new adsorption sites. No correlation was found between the hydrophobicity and the AFB1 adsorption affinity.     

Fungi, aflatoxins, and cyclopiazonic acid associated with peanut retailing in Botswana

Peanuts are important food commodities, but they are susceptible to fungal infestation and mycotoxin contamination. Raw peanuts were purchased from retail outlets in Botswana and examined for fungi and mycotoxin (aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid) contamination. Zygomycetes were the most common fungi isolated; they accounted for 41% of all the isolates and were found on 98% of the peanut samples. Among the Zygomycetes, Absidia corymbifera and Rhizopus stolonifer were the most common. Aspergillus spp. accounted for 35% of all the isolates, with Aspergillus niger being the most prevalent (20.4%). Aspergillus flavus/parasiticus were also present and accounted for 8.5% of all the isolates, with A. flavus accounting for the majority of the A. flavus/parasiticus identified. Of the 32 isolates of A. flavus screened for mycotoxin production, 11 did not produce detectable aflatoxins, 8 produced only aflatoxins B1 and B2, and 13 produced all four aflatoxins (B1, B2, G1, and G2) in varying amounts. Only 6 of the A. flavus isolates produced cyclopiazonic acid at concentrations ranging from 1 to 55 microg/kg. The one A. parasiticus isolate screened also produced all the four aflatoxins (1,200 microg/kg) but did not produce cyclopiazonic acid. When the raw peanut samples (n = 120) were analyzed for total aflatoxins, 78% contained aflatoxins at concentrations ranging from 12 to 329 microg/kg. Many of the samples (49%) contained total aflatoxins at concentrations above the 20 microg/kg limit set by the World Health Organization. Only 21% (n = 83) of the samples contained cyclopiazonic acid with concentrations ranging from 1 to 10 microg/kg. The results show that mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi are common contaminants of peanuts sold at retail in Botswana.     

Antibacterial effect of protamine in combination with EDTA and refrigeration.

The antimicrobial effect of protamine (clupeine) on a range of gram-positive and gram-negative foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria, was evaluated using an agar dilution assay and a broth dilution assay with Alamar Blue as growth indicator. Protamine was tested alone at concentrations from 0 to 10,000 microg/ml, and in combination with EDTA (0.9 mM). Assays were performed at 5 degrees C, 10 degrees C, 18 degrees C and 30 degrees C to test the effect of temperature. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranged from 10 microg/ml for Brochothrix thermosphacta to no inhibition at 10,000 microg/ml for bacteria such as Aeromonas hydrophila, proteolytic strains of Clostridium botulinum, Hafnia alvei and Morganella morganii. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were generally higher than MICs. In combination with EDTA, MICs of protamine decreased for gram-negative test strains, whereas EDTA alone inhibited gram-positive strains. The effect of assay incubation temperature was variable and not clear for most strains. Concentrations of 100-750 microg/ml protamine inhibited the five non-proteolytic C. botulinum strains, while none of the eight proteolytic strains was inhibited, indicating the possible role of proteolytic enzymes in protecting cells from protamine. Clearing zones, indicative of proteolytic activity, were observed in the opaque TSB-agarose around colonies of some but not all protamine-resistant bacteria, suggesting that this is not the only resistance mechanism. Addition of 5% (w/v) gelatin to study the effect of an increased protein concentration in the agar dilution assay showed that electrostatic interactions between protamine and the protein decreased the antimicrobial efficacy of the peptide.     

Evaluation of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, and a peroxyacetic acid-based sanitizer for effectiveness in killing Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis spores in suspensions, on the surface of stainless steel, and on apples

Chlorine (10 to 200 microg/ml), chlorine dioxide (10 to 200 microg/ml), and a peroxyacetic acid-based sanitizer (40 and 80 microg/ ml) were evaluated for effectiveness in killing spores of Bacillus cereus and Bacillus thuringiensis in suspensions and on the surface of stainless steel and apples. Water and 5% horse serum were used as carriers for spore inoculum applied to the surface of stainless steel coupons, and 5% horse serum was used as a carrier for inoculum applied to apples. Inocula were dried on stainless steel for 5 h and on apples for 22 to 24 h before treating with sanitizers. At the concentrations of sanitizers tested, sensitivities of planktonic B. cereus and B. thuringiensis spores were similar. A portion of the spores surviving treatment with chlorine and, more markedly, chlorine dioxide had decreased tolerance to heat. Planktonic spores of both species were more sensitive to sanitizers than were spores on the surface of stainless steel or apples. At the same concentrations, chlorine was more effective than chlorine dioxide in killing spores in suspension and on stainless steel. The lethality of chlorine dioxide was markedly reduced when inoculum on stainless steel coupons was suspended in 5% horse serum as a carrier rather than water. Chlorine and chlorine dioxide at concentrations of 10 to 100 microg/ml were equally effective in killing spores on apples. Significant reductions of > or = 3.8 to 4.5 log CFU per apple were achieved by treatment with 100 microg/ml of either of the two sanitizers. The peroxyacetic acid sanitizer (40 and 80 microg/ml) was ineffective in killing Bacillus spores in the test systems investigated. Results provide information on the effectiveness of sanitizers commonly used in the food processing industry in killing Bacillus spores in suspension, on a food-contact surface, and on a ready-to-eat food.     

阿魏植物精油对紫色杆菌群体感应的影响

本研究采用肉汤微量稀释法对阿魏精油的抗菌活性进行了研究,同时使用紫色杆菌作为细菌模型对阿魏精油的群体抑制剂活力进行了评估。结果表明:阿魏可作为与食品有关微生物和群体感应的抑制剂。阿魏精油的最小抑菌浓度(MIC)值为0.25 mg/m L,可以抑制所有被测细菌的生长。对于阪崎肠杆菌/大肠杆菌/鼠伤寒沙门菌/李斯特菌,其最小杀菌浓度(MBC)值分别为0.25、0.50、0.48、0.48 mg/m L。此外,含浓度为6.25和12.5 mg/m L的阿魏精油纸片显著的抑制紫色杆菌(Chromobacterium violaceum)色素的产生,但不影响紫色杆菌的生长。当浓度被提升到25 mg/m L,既抑制色素的产生也抑制细菌的生长。同样地,所有浓度的阿魏精油抑制了紫色杆菌素的产生,即使最低浓度的阿魏精油0.13 mg/m L,也使色素产物减少38%以上;浓度为0.13、0.50和1.0 mg/m L的阿魏精油不影响紫色杆菌的生存能力,只有最高浓度2.0 mg/m L抑制了细菌的生长,在培养后使细菌数量减少1.37 log CFU/m L。这些结果表明阿魏精油作为一种新型的群体感应抑制剂可有效影响紫色杆菌的群体感应机制。     

The influence of divalent cations and chelators on aflatoxin B1 degradation by Flavobacterium aurantiacum

The influence of divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+) and chelators (EDTA and 1,10-phenanthroline) on aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) degradation by Flavobacterium aurantiacum was determined in an effort to elucidate the possible manner by which this organism degrades AFB1. AFB1 (10 microg/ml) was added to 72-h cultures of F. aurantiacum that had been washed and resuspended in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). High-performance liquid chromatography was used to determine AFB1 concentration in these cultures. Incubating cells with 0.1, 1, and 10 mM Ca2+ for 48 h significantly increased AFB1 degradation by 11.8, 13.5, and 14.0%, respectively, compared with F. aurantiacum cells alone. Likewise, incubation with 0.1, 1, and 10 mM Mg2+ for 48 h significantly increased AFB1 degradation by 13.8, 13.3, and 13.1%, respectively. Incubating the bacterium with either divalent cation for 16 and 24 h did not significantly affect AFB1 degradation (P < or = 0.05). Addition of 0.1, 1, and 10 mM EDTA and 0.1 and 1 mM 1,10-phenanthroline resulted in significant increases in AFB1 degradation after 24 h. Significantly less AFB1 degradation was observed using 10 mM 1,10-phenanthroline after 24-h incubation. These results suggest the involvement of Mg2+ and Ca2+ cations in AFB1 degradation by F. aurantiacum.