Beneficial Properties of Enterococcus faecium Strains Isolated From Bats' Fecal Samples.

The principal objective of current study was to isolate and characterize Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) strains from the fecal samples of Nyctalus noctula bats and to evaluate their probiotic potential and antimicrobial properties. Fecal samples were collected from bats in a rehabilitation center, and bacterial isolates were screened for antimicrobial activity against Listeria monocytogenes.

Development of Gelatin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Incorporated with Blueberry Extracts for Freshness Detection of Shrimp.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal, and topological properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and gelatin (GL) films after incorporating three different fractions of blueberry extract: crude extract (EB, without purification), phenolic portion (EF), and concentrated anthocyanins (EA). Additionally, the study aimed to analyze the efficiency of these colorimetric indicator films in monitoring the freshness quality of shrimp. The experiment followed a completely randomized design with one factor-different types of films-studied at six levels: film incorporated with crude blueberry extract (FB), film incorporated with phenolic extract (FF), and film incorporated with anthocyanin extract (FA), in addition to the control films: the plasticized blend containing glycerol, PVA, and GL (FC), the pristine gelatin film (FG), and the pristine PVA film (FPVA).

Molecular Detection of Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in -Positive Gastric Samples from Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with Gastric Biopsy in Algarve, Portugal.

: () is a common gastric pathogen linked to gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses challenges for effective treatment and has prompted the WHO to classify as a high-priority pathogen. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of AMR genes in -positive gastric samples from patients in Algarve, Portugal, where regional data is scarce.

Beyond White-Nose Syndrome: Mitochondrial and Functional Genomics of .

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has devastated insectivorous bat populations, particularly in North America, leading to severe ecological and economic consequences. Despite extensive research, many aspects of the evolutionary history, mitochondrial genome organization, and metabolic adaptations of its etiological agent, , remain unexplored. Here, we present a multi-scale genomic analysis integrating pangenome reconstruction, phylogenetic inference, Bayesian divergence dating, comparative mitochondrial genomics, and refined functional annotation.

Managing Boar Taint: Issues, Prevention Strategies, and Detection Methods.

Managing boar taint involves addressing welfare concerns related to castration, understanding the compounds causing the taint, and developing reliable detection methods. Surgical castration of piglets is common but raises welfare issues, prompting calls for alternatives. The European Union has seen slow progress in banning castration without pain relief, with varying national approaches.

Prevalence and Diagnostic Comparison of and Non- Infections in Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with Gastric Biopsy in Algarve, Portugal.

infects over half of the global population and is associated with various gastric and extra-gastric diseases. Other species, such as zoonotic non- Helicobacters (NHPHs), have shown similar associations with gastritis and MALT lymphoma and -negative cases with gastric disease have been identified, including gastric MALT lymphoma, chronic gastritis, and gastroduodenal ulcers. Accurate identification of these species is of great relevance but remains challenging using conventional diagnostic methods.

High-Value Brown Algae Extracts Using Deep Eutectic Solvents and Microwave-Assisted Extraction.

Utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) combined with microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) provides a sustainable method for extracting bioactive compounds from the macroalgae and . Two DES formulations, choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA) and sodium acetate/lactic acid (AcNa/LA), were evaluated under varying extraction conditions. For , ChCl/LA at 150 °C for 10 min yielded a total phenolic content (TPC) of 15.

Coxiella burnetii detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks collected in Portuguese autochthonous livestock.

Coxiella burnetii is a bacterium that causes coxiellosis in animals and Q fever in humans. While ruminants are the main reservoirs, the role of ticks in their transmission is still uncertain. This study looked for C.

A Large Fraction of Soil Microbial Taxa Is Sensitive to Experimental Warming.

Global warming is expected to significantly impact the soil fungal and bacterial microbiomes, yet the predominant ecological response of microbial taxa-whether an increase, decrease, or no change-remains unclear. It is also unknown whether microbial taxa from different evolutionary lineages exhibit common patterns and what factors drive these changes. Here, we analyzed three mid-term (> 5 years) warming experiments across contrasting dryland and temperate-boreal ecosystems, encompassing over 500 topsoil samples collected across multiple time points.

Kombucha: An Old Tradition into a New Concept of a Beneficial, Health-Promoting Beverage.

Kombucha is an ancient, fermented beverage that has gained increasing popularity worldwide due to its potential health benefits. Its origins trace back to China, from where it spread across Asia and Europe before reaching the modern global market. The fermentation of kombucha is mediated by a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts (SCOBY), comprising yeasts, acetic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria.

New Food Ingredients: The Challenge of Potential New Pathogens and Spoilage Issues.

The UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger) highlights the need to produce sufficient food commodities to meet the world's population demands and combat hunger, while also respecting the environment and adhering to sustainability principles. Since the beginning of the 21st century, new ideas, ingredients, and technologies have emerged that could significantly transform the food industry. These transformations may alter the rules of food production by integrating traditional knowledge with new technologies and scientific advancements.

Acute Leptospirosis Outbreak in Cattle: A Case Report.

Leptospirosis is a globally distributed re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by Leptospira species. In cattle, the clinical course varies from a subclinical-chronic infection, commonly found in adult animals, to a severe acute syndrome mostly found in calves. The present study reports an outbreak of acute leptospirosis, following favourable climacteric conditions.

A Global Survey on the Perception of Conservationists Regarding Animal Consciousness.

Human perceptions of animal consciousness have evolved over time, influencing how they are treated. This study aimed to assess perceptions of animal consciousness in people working in conservation. An online survey of 87 participants evaluated their perceptions of animals' capabilities across 10 dimensions of consciousness, including self-consciousness, learning, and reasoning.

Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Dopamine Polymerization on the Surface of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Its Reinforcing Properties in Cellulose Acetate Films.

The study of natural materials inspires sustainable innovations, with biomimetics excelling in surface modification. Polydopamine (PDA) offers a promising approach for modifying cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), enhancing their compatibility with hydrophobic polymers by improving interfacial adhesion. In this work, the modification of CNC with PDA (CNC@PDA) significantly enhanced the compatibility between the nanocargoes and the cellulose acetate (CA) matrix.

An insight into brucellosis in wild boar and domestic pigs in Europe: A systematic review.

In some European countries, animal brucellosis is a concern that requires a comprehensive understanding of its distribution, hosts and transmission routes, particularly involving wild species, in which the disease is still neglected. This systematic review was designed to summarize the current knowledge on the epidemiology of brucellosis in wild boar and domestic pigs in Europe. A systematic search was conducted in four databases to identify relevant original research articles.

Phenolic Compounds and Bacteriocins: Mechanisms, Interactions, and Applications in Food Preservation and Safety.

Beneficial properties of different natural antimicrobials are topics of scientific curiosity for improving safety and extending the shelf life of food commodities. In this regard, phenolic compounds, natural molecules known for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties can be right choice. Moreover, bacteriocins, antimicrobial peptides produced by various microorganisms, capable of inhibiting the growth of other bacteria, particularly closely related species can be genuine alternative.

Impact of Polysorbate 80 on the Antimicrobial Activity of Oregano and Thyme.

Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) possess significant antimicrobial potential against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. However, their efficacy can vary depending on the test method, making it difficult to standardise results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polysorbate 80, a common surfactant used to emulsify EOs, on antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determinations.

A Systematic Review on the Advancements in Remote Sensing and Proximity Tools for Grapevine Disease Detection.

Grapevines ( L.) are one of the most economically relevant crops worldwide, yet they are highly vulnerable to various diseases, causing substantial economic losses for winegrowers. This systematic review evaluates the application of remote sensing and proximal tools for vineyard disease detection, addressing current capabilities, gaps, and future directions in sensor-based field monitoring of grapevine diseases.

Dairy Cattle and the Iconic Autochthonous Cattle in Northern Portugal Are Reservoirs of Multidrug-Resistant .

Animals destined for human consumption play a key role in potentially transmitting bacteria carrying antibiotic resistance genes. However, there is limited knowledge about the carriage of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in native breeds. We aimed to characterize the phenotypic profiles and antibiotic resistance genes in isolated from bovines, including three native Portuguese bovine breeds.

Beneficial and Safety Properties of a Bacteriocinogenic and Putative Probiotic subsp. 2a Strain.

This work aimed to evaluate some of the probiotic features and safety of the bacteriocin-producing subsp. 2a. The effect of selected commercial drugs from different generic groups and antibiotics on the growth of subsp.

The Role of Lactic Acid Bacteria in Meat Products, Not Just as Starter Cultures.

Lactic acid bacteria (LABs) are microorganisms of significant scientific and industrial importance and have great potential for application in meat and meat products. This comprehensive review addresses the main characteristics of LABs, their nutritional, functional, and technological benefits, and especially their importance not only as starter cultures. LABs produce several metabolites during their fermentation process, which include bioactive compounds, such as peptides with antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory properties.

Ethnobotanical Inventory of Plants Used by Mountainous Rural Communities in NW Portugal.

Mountains matter. Rural subsistence communities living in areas with high biodiversity, such as mountains, are hotspots of ecological knowledge. However, modern lifestyles may threaten this unique cultural heritage.

Smells Like Anthelmintic Resistance-Gastrointestinal Prevalence, Burden and Diversity in Dogs from Portugal.

Anthelmintic resistance has been documented worldwide, but few cases have been reported in dogs. Shelter dogs are a great opportunity to study intestinal helminths and assess their potential resistance to anthelmintic compounds. With these two goals in mind, 361 faecal samples were collected from dogs in 18 municipalities in Portugal, from 19 shelters and 11 private tutors.

Use of corncob and pineapple peel as associated substrates for biosurfactant production.

Biosurfactants are amphiphilic biomolecules with promising tensoative and emulsifying properties that find application in the most varied industrial sectors: environment, food, agriculture, petroleum, cosmetics, and hygiene. In the current work, a 2 full-factorial design was performed to evaluate the effect and interactions of pineapple peel and corncob as substrates for biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis LMA-ICF-PC 001. In a previous stage, an alkaline pretreatment was applied to corncob samples to extract the xylose-rich hydrolysate.