Influence of Resistant Starch-Added Meat Analogs on the Resistome of Fecal Fermentations Using Human Gut Microbiota.

Meat analogs are emerging as a sustainable alternative to meat products, and novel meat analog products could potentially offer additional health benefits. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a serious threat to global human health. Dietary choices affect the composition of bacteria in the human gut microbiome and can influence the carriage of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs).

Manifoldron: Direct Space Partition via Manifold Discovery.

A neural network (NN) with the widely-used ReLU activation has been shown to partition the sample space into many convex polytopes for prediction. However, the parametric way a NN and other machine learning models use to partition the space has imperfections, e.g.

Exploring the Frontiers of Nanopore Sequencing in Food Safety and Food Microbiology.

Foodborne illnesses are a significant global public health challenge, with an estimated 600 million cases annually. Conventional food microbiology methods tend to be laborious and time consuming, pose difficulties in real-time utilization, and can display subpar accuracy or typing capabilities. With the recent advancements in third-generation sequencing and microbial omics, nanopore sequencing technology and its long-read sequencing capabilities have emerged as a promising platform.

Machine learning-enabled colorimetric sensors for foodborne pathogen detection.

In the past decade, there have been various advancements to colorimetric sensors to improve their potential applications in food and agriculture. One application of growing interest is sensing foodborne pathogens. There are unique considerations for sensing in the food industry, including food sample destruction, specificity amidst a complex food matrix, and high sensitivity requirements.

Differential microbiota shift on whole romaine lettuce subjected to source or forward processing and on fresh-cut products during cold storage.

Romaine lettuce in the U.S. is primarily grown in California or Arizona and either processed near the growing regions (source processing) or transported long distance for processing in facilities serving distant markets (forward processing).

Surveillance of pathogenic bacteria on a food matrix using machine-learning-enabled paper chromogenic arrays.

Global food systems can benefit significantly from continuous monitoring of microbial food safety, a task for which tedious operations, destructive sampling, and the inability to monitor multiple pathogens remain challenging. This study reports significant improvements to a paper chromogenic array sensor - machine learning (PCA-ML) methodology sensing concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted on a species-specific basis by pathogens by streamlining dye selection, sensor fabrication, database construction, and machine learning and validation. This approach enables noncontact, time-dependent, simultaneous monitoring of multiple pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E.

The effect of mixed culture fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. diastaticus on fermentation parameters and flavor profile.

Belgian Saisons and Lambics are two well-known examples in the brewing industry of mixed fermentations, combination of two or more yeast and/or bacteria strains. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact different pitch rates of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (traditional brewing yeast) and S. cerevisiae var.

Uncovering Interactions between Plant Metabolism and Plant-Associated Bacteria in Huanglongbing-Affected Citrus Cultivars Using Multiomics Analysis and Machine Learning.

Huanglongbing (HLB) is a highly destructive disease that inflicts significant economic losses on the citrus industry worldwide but with no cure available. However, microbiomes formulated by citrus plants may serve as disease antagonists, increasing the level of HLB tolerance. This study established an integrated analysis of untargeted metabolomics and microbiomics data for different citrus cultivars, providing critical insights into the interactions between plant metabolism and plant-associated bacteria in the development of HLB.

Nondestructive and multiplex differentiation of pathogenic microorganisms from spoilage microflora on seafood using paper chromogenic array and neural network.

Non-destructive detection of human foodborne pathogens is critical to ensuring food safety and public health. Here, we report a new method using a paper chromogenic array coupled with a machine learning neural network (PCA-NN) to detect viable pathogens in the presence of background microflora and spoilage microbe in seafood via volatile organic compounds sensing. Morganella morganii and Shewanella putrefaciens were used as the model pathogen and spoilage bacteria.

Zinc Exposure Promotes Commensal-to-Pathogen Transition in Leading to Mucosal Inflammation and Illness in Mice.

The opportunistic pathogen () is associated gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation and illness; however, factors motivating commensal-to-pathogen transition are unclear. Excessive zinc intake from supplements is common in humans. Due to the fact that zinc exposure enhances colonization in vitro, we hypothesized zinc exposure broadly activates virulence mechanisms, leading to inflammation and illness.

Long-term quality retention and decay inhibition of chestnut using thymol loaded chitosan nanoparticle.

Thymol (TMO) was loaded into chitosan nanoparticles (CSNPs) to inhibit chestnuts decay during storage. Three chestnut treatments were evaluated, including the CK (uncoated control), CSNPs (coated with chitosan nanoparticles), and TMO-CSNPs (coated with thymol-loaded chitosan nanoparticles). Quality assessments of chestnuts were conducted periodically for up to 180 days, which included starch content, amylase activity, water content, respiration rate, weight loss rate, microbiological indicators, decay rate, and quality evaluation.

Nanopore Whole Transcriptome Analysis and Pathogen Surveillance by a Novel Solid-Phase Catalysis Approach.

The requirement of a large input amount (500 ng) for Nanopore direct RNA-seq presents a major challenge for low input transcriptomic analysis and early pathogen surveillance. The high RNA input requirement is attributed to significant sample loss associated with library preparation using solid-phase reversible immobilization (SPRI) beads. A novel solid-phase catalysis strategy for RNA library preparation to circumvent the need for SPRI bead purification to remove enzymes is reported here.

Effect of Protein Adsorption on Air Plastron Behavior of a Superhydrophobic Surface.

Protein fouling on critical biointerfaces causes significant public health and clinical ramifications. Multiple strategies, including superhydrophobic (SHP) surfaces and coatings, have been explored to mitigate protein adsorption on solid surfaces. SHP materials with underwater air plastron (AP) layers hold great promise by physically reducing the contact area between a substrate and protein molecules.

Nondestructive multiplex detection of foodborne pathogens with background microflora and symbiosis using a paper chromogenic array and advanced neural network.

We have developed an inexpensive, standardized paper chromogenic array (PCA) integrated with a machine learning approach to accurately identify single pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, or Escherichia coli O157:H7) or multiple pathogens (either in multiple monocultures, or in a single cocktail culture), in the presence of background microflora on food. Cantaloupe, a commodity with significant volatile organic compound (VOC) emission and large diverse populations of background microflora, was used as the model food. The PCA was fabricated from a paper microarray via photolithography and paper microfluidics, into which 22 chromogenic dye spots were infused and to which three red/green/blue color-standard dots were taped.

Machine learning-enabled non-destructive paper chromogenic array detection of multiplexed viable pathogens on food.

Fast and simultaneous identification of multiple viable pathogens on food is critical to public health. Here we report a pathogen identification system using a paper chromogenic array (PCA) enabled by machine learning. The PCA consists of a paper substrate impregnated with 23 chromogenic dyes and dye combinations, which undergo colour changes on exposure to volatile organic compounds emitted by pathogens of interest.

Direct Metatranscriptome RNA-seq and Multiplex RT-PCR Amplicon Sequencing on Nanopore MinION - Promising Strategies for Multiplex Identification of Viable Pathogens in Food.

Viable pathogenic bacteria are major biohazards that pose a significant threat to food safety. Despite the recent developments in detection platforms, multiplex identification of viable pathogens in food remains a major challenge. A novel strategy is developed through direct metatranscriptome RNA-seq and multiplex RT-PCR amplicon sequencing on Nanopore MinION to achieve real-time multiplex identification of viable pathogens in food.

Is "nano safe to eat or not"? A review of the state-of-the art in soft engineered nanoparticle (sENP) formulation and delivery in foods.

With superior physicochemical properties, soft engineered nanoparticles (sENP) (protein, carbohydrate, lipids and other biomaterials) are widely used in foods. The preparation, functionalities, applications, transformations in gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and effects on gut microbiota of sENP directly incorporated for ingestion are reviewed herein. At the time of this review, there is no notable report of safety concerns of these nanomaterials found in the literature.

Facile and template-free solvothermal synthesis of mesoporous/macroporous metal-organic framework nanosheets.

A facile and template-free solvothermal method was developed as a bottom-up approach to synthesize mesoporous/macroporous MOF nanosheets in a simple and scalable way. It was found that starting coordination complexes of different copper(ii)-ligand compounds mediated the controlled growth and morphology of MOF crystals. By controlling the size and shape of the MOF crystals, the possibility to adjust and tailor the structure and performances of the assemblies was demonstrated.

An immune magnetic nano-assembly for specifically amplifying intercellular quorum sensing signals.

Quorum sensing (QS) enables intercellular communication after bacterial cells sense the autoinducers have reached or exceeded a critical concentration. Selectively amplifying specific bacterial "quorum" activity at a lower cell density is still a challenge. Here, we propose a novel platform of immune magnetic nano-assembly to amplify specific bacterial QS signaling via improving the bioavailability of autoinducers-2 (AI-2, furanosyl borate) from sender (wide-type, WT cells) to receiver (reporter cells).

Alternatives to carcinogenic preservatives in Chinese Sausage - Sorbic acid-loaded chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoparticles.

Preservatives in processed meat raise significant concerns associated with bowel cancer and diabetes, and implicate various public health issues. This introduces the need for safer preservatives to uphold public health standards. However, developing safer alternatives to these preservatives poses a significant challenge to food industry.

Focusing quorum sensing signalling by nano-magnetic assembly.

Quorum sensing (QS) exists widely among bacteria, enabling a transition to multicellular behaviour after bacterial populations reach a particular density. The coordination of multicellularity enables biotechnological application, dissolution of biofilms, coordination of virulence, and so forth. Here, a method to elicit and subsequently disperse multicellular behaviour among QS-negative cells is developed using magnetic nanoparticle assembly.

Investigation on chlorine-based sanitization under stabilized conditions in the presence of organic load.

Chlorine, the most commonly used sanitizer for fresh produce washing, has constantly shown inferior sanitizing efficacy in the presence of organic load. Conventionally this is attributed indirectly to the rapid chlorine depletion by organics leading to fluctuating free chlorine (FC) contents. However, little is known on whether organic load affects the sanitization process directly at well-maintained FC levels.

Association between bacterial survival and free chlorine concentration during commercial fresh-cut produce wash operation.

Determining the minimal effective free chlorine (FC) concentration for preventing pathogen survival and cross-contamination during produce washing is critical for developing science- and risk-based food safety practices. The correlation between dynamic FC concentrations and bacterial survival was investigated during commercial washing of chopped Romaine lettuce, shredded Iceberg lettuce, and diced cabbage as pathogen inoculation study during commercial operation is not feasible. Wash water was sampled every 30 min and assayed for organic loading, FC, and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria after chlorine neutralization.

Development of Metal-Organic Framework for Gaseous Plant Hormone Encapsulation To Manage Ripening of Climacteric Produce.

Controlled ripening of climacteric fruits, such as bananas and avocados, is a critical step to provide consumers with high-quality products while reducing postharvest losses. Prior to ripening, these fruits can be stored for an extended period of time but are usually not suitable for consumption. However, once ripening is initiated, they undergo irreversible changes that lead to rapid quality loss and decay if not consumed within a short window of time.

Self-assembly with orthogonal-imposed stimuli to impart structure and confer magnetic function to electrodeposited hydrogels.

A magnetic nanocomposite film with the capability of reversibly collecting functionalized magnetic particles was fabricated by simultaneously imposing two orthogonal stimuli (electrical and magnetic). We demonstrate that cathodic codeposition of chitosan and Fe3O4 nanoparticles while simultaneously applying a magnetic field during codeposition can (i) organize structure, (ii) confer magnetic properties, and (iii) yield magnetic films that can perform reversible collection/assembly functions. The magnetic field triggered the self-assembly of Fe3O4 nanoparticles into hierarchical "chains" and "fibers" in the chitosan film.