Impact of Ozonation Process on the Microbiological Contamination and Antioxidant Capacity of Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinum corymbosum L.) Fruit during Cold Storage

In the studies conducted, the impact of the innovative ozonation procedure on the microbial state and antioxidant potential of highbush blueberry (Vaccinum corymbosum L.) stored under cold storage conditions was assessed. Microbiological analysis was carried out to determine the total number of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and the total number of fungi during the storage experiment. In addition, changes in the flavonoid, anthocyanins, and vitamin C content and the total antioxidant capacity were monitored during the storage. The degree of fruit infection with gray mold and anthracnose was determined. It was found that daily ozonation of fruits with a dose of 15 ppm for 30 min, every 12 h, for 28 days effectively reduced the development of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and fungi. On the last day of storage, symptoms of the infection by gray mold were observed in 27.5% of the control fruit, while the absence of symptoms was observed in case of the ozonated fruit. On the other hand, ozone was ineffective in case of inhibiting the infection by anthracnose. Nevertheless, the ozonation process allowed maintaining a high antioxidant potential of the fruit and substantially reduced losses of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and vitamin C. The utilized procedure has proved to be effective, providing the possibility of extensive use of ozone as a factor allowing sustaining a high commercial and consumption value of the fruit over extended time.     

Microbial profile and bacterial characterisation of naturally debittered Hurma olives compared to non‐debittered Erkence variety during ripening period

Naturally debittered Hurma olive is grown in a specific area in Karaburun peninsula in Turkey. It is characterised by its sweet taste and it differs from other varieties by losing its bitterness caused by phenolic compounds during its maturation period on the tree. Therefore, Hurma olive does not require any further debittering process to be served as table olive. This study was particularly interested in the comparison of the microbial profile of Hurma olive during its 8 weeks of maturation period in two subsequent harvest years and Erkence (not naturally debittered) olive. In addition, main bacterial profile of both Hurma and Erkence olives were isolated and identified. Aerobic mesophilic microorganism (AMM), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococci, Micrococcaceae, yeasts and moulds (Y&Ms) were detected (counted and isolated) in the olive drupes during the maturation period. Isolated bacteria were identified as different spp. of Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Micrococcoceae and Pseudomonadaceae.     

Prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica from food and pigs in selected states of Malaysia

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Yersinia enterocolitica and its bioserotypes from food and pigs in Malaysia. Fifty-eight raw porcine (raw pork meat, internal organs and other parts) and 48 non-porcine food (raw beef, poultry products, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and pasteurised milk) from wet markets located in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak, and Pahang were examined for the presence of Y. enterocolitica. Specimens (nasal, oral and rectal swabs) from 165 pigs (from nine farms) located at central and northern parts of Malaysia were also collected for Y. enterocolitica detection. Presumptive isolates were characterised biochemically and further confirmed by PCR. Out of 58 raw porcine food, Y. enterocolitica was detected in 7 (12.1%) samples in which raw pork meat (whole meat) had the highest prevalence 5/21 (23.8%), followed by raw pork liver 1/5 (20.0%) and raw pork intestine 1/8 (12.5%). No Y. enterocolitica was isolated from the 48 non-porcine foods. Overall, two pathogenic (bioserotypes 3 variant/O:3 and 1B/O:8) and one non-pathogenic (bioserotype 1A/O:5) Y. enterocolitica strains were isolated from food. Out of 165 pigs examined, 3 (1.8%) pigs were carriers for Y. enterocolitica. All 3 pigs were asymptomatic grower pigs from Penang, carried Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 3 variant/O:3. Post-enrichment PCR approach gave a higher prevalence, 60.3%, 41.7% and 27.9% for porcine food, non-porcine food and pigs, respectively. Both pathogenic and non-pathogenic Y. enterocolitica were present in our domestic pigs and food. Improper food handling and processing may cause cross contamination of this pathogen to humans, affirms a potential risk for public health.     

应用型本科《微生物学》课程目标定位及任务驱动式教学

应用型本科是高等教育转型发展的产物,对普通本科教育是一种必要的补充。本文分析了《微生物学》教学工作者在应用型本科的前提下如何进行准确的课程目标定位,并探索了与之适应的任务驱动式教学模式。结果表明:任务驱动式教学能有效执行应用型本科《微生物学》课程目标定位,极大提高学生学习的积极性和主动性,取得良好的教学效果力。     

含砷废水处理研究进展

含砷废水的传统处理方法如物理法和化学法的不足之处是费用高、二次污染大、工程化程度小。微生物法在含砷废水处理方面的研究取得了显著进展,研究成果已投人工程应用。作者全面介绍了各种微生物方法,着重论述了活性污泥法处理含砷废水的可行性及其主要的影响因素,认为活性污泥法对含砷废水的处理有着广阔的应用前景。     

深化教学改革,培养应用型人才——工科微生物教学改革的探索与实践

以培养高质量创新型和应用型生物工程专业技术人才为目标,工科院校《微生物学》课程的教学应紧跟时代发展的步伐,满足社会发展的需求。文章采用一系列教学手段如案例教学、PBL(启发式)教学、动画库等的有机结合及从加强实践教学、基础知识与工业生产和科研有机结合等角度对《微生物学》课程的教学改革进行了探讨。     

Construction of microbial cell factories for industrial bioprocesses

The development of industrial microbial processes is gaining unprecedented momentum. Increased concern for environmental issues and the prospect of declining petroleum resources has shifted the industrial focus increasingly to microorganisms as biocatalysts. At the same time systems biology and synthetic biology supply industry and academia with new tools to design optimal microbial cell factories. Among the tools are systems biology approaches allowing the modelling of cellular networks for rational strain design, single cell analyses methods for gaining insight into population hetereogeneity, and an exciting combination of tools from structural biology and synthetic biology, permitting the catalysis of new (unnatural) enzymatic reactions or the production of new (unnatural) chemicals. This perspective article outlines recent advances and new developments within the field of microbial cell factory design. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

微生物传感器及其在食品工业中的应用

介绍了微生物传感器的工作原理，并对微生物传感器在食品工业中的应用和发展方向作了综述。     

Beach science in the Great Lakes

Monitoring beach waters for human health has led to an increase and evolution of science in the Great Lakes, which includes microbiology, limnology, hydrology, meteorology, epidemiology, and metagenomics, among others. In recent years, concerns over the accuracy of water quality standards at protecting human health have led to a significant interest in understanding the risk associated with water contact in both freshwater and marine environments. Historically, surface waters have been monitored for fecal indicator bacteria (fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci), but shortcomings of the analytical test (lengthy assay) have resulted in a re-focusing of scientific efforts to improve public health protection. Research has led to the discovery of widespread populations of fecal indicator bacteria present in natural habitats such as soils, beach sand, and stranded algae. Microbial source tracking has been used to identify the source of these bacteria and subsequently assess their impact on human health. As a result of many findings, attempts have been made to improve monitoring efficiency and efficacy with the use of empirical predictive models and molecular rapid tests. All along, beach managers have actively incorporated new findings into their monitoring programs. With the abundance of research conducted and information gained over the last 25 years, “Beach Science” has emerged, and the Great Lakes have been a focal point for much of the ground-breaking work. Here, we review the accumulated research on microbiological water quality of Great Lakes beaches and provide a historic context to the collaborative efforts that have advanced this emerging science.