Thirty-five strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated from artisanal raw milk cheese, presumptively identified and tested against one dairy Escherichia coli strain. Six lactobacilli, exhibiting antagonistic activity, were identified at the species level and their action was evaluated against four strains of Gram-foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O26, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. 1023, and Salmonella Typhimurium) and the control strain Escherichia coli ATCC 45922. The antagonistic activity was determined by spot method and the inhibition zones were measured by Autodesk AutoCAD 2007. Three strains, all Lactobacillus paracasei, were active against all the pathogens; the other strains, all Lactobacillus plantarum, showed antagonistic activity against some pathogens. This study highlights the intense and different antagonistic activity induced by lactobacilli against various foodborne pathogens thus demonstrating that using selected lactic acid bacteria strains as adjunct cultures could be an effective strategy to prevent the development of foodborne pathogens in artisanal raw milk cheeses, and thus improving their safety.

BACKGROUND The Italian meat supply chain is a large-scale industry typically characterized linked to circuit of DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) products. In this reality all workers are exposed to a wide range of biological agents that have developed antibiotic resistance and, therefore, represent a public and occupational health issue. METHODS An anamnestic semi-structured interview was performed to the study participants, in order to better define the risk exposure, which was followed by physical examination of the skin and skin appendages. Samples of nasal swabs were sown, within 24 hours, in Mannitol Salt Agar growth medium, specific for the detection of Staphylococcus Aureus. After an incubation period, we selected positive colonies for S. aureus in order to undergo genetic tests to detect the presence of MRSA. MRSA positive samples were analyzed, at last, with a specific PCR for the ST398, swine specific sequence type. RESULTS 162 workers joined the study, which was performed a physical examination of hand skin, a nasal swab and then given an anamnestic semi-structured interview. The sample was composed of 139 males and 23 females, mean age 45 years, with average seniority of 10 years. From 162 nasal swabs championships, a first analysis of culture media for Staphylococcus Aureus showed 35 positive (21.6%). The molecular analysis revealed only one MRSA sample, belonging to a butcher's meat processing company. (0.6%). The molecular analysis did not confirm the positivity for genotype 398, which characterizes the infection in pigs. CONCLUSION Recontamination with Staphylococcus Aureus occurs via surface treating machinery, as a result of fecal contamination at evisceration, or via increased human handling during meat processing. Our study revealed a low risk for MRSA, because of superficial heat treatments such as scalding and flaming that reduce significantly the burden of MRSA on the carcasses.

In mammals, the STAT proteins (signal transducers and activators of transcription) are a family of cytoplasmic transcription factors mediating the actions of many peptide hormones and cytokines within target cells. In particular, STAT5A is a crucial mediator in the lactogenic hormone response being a candidate marker for milk traits in farm animals. In the present paper, the T→C nucleotide polymorphism at position 12743 in exon 16 of the bovine STAT5A gene was analyzed with PCR-RFLP in a sample of Jersey cows. The purposes of this investigation were to determine the frequencies of the variant alleles and the genotypes of this SNP in Jersey cows and to verify its association with some milk production traits. All the three possible genotypes were identified in the studied population. The observed frequencies of C and T alleles were 0.147 and 0.853 repectively. The TT genotype was the most frequent followed by TC and CC ones. No significant differences between the TT and TC genotypes were found considering MY, FY PC and PY. On the other side, the difference concerning the fat content of milk produced by cows belonging to TC and TT groups was found significant at the statistical analysis: in particular, milk from TT animals had a higher fat content in comparison with that of TC ones (4.55 vs. 4.14%, respectively;P<0.05). However it may be necessary to carry out further investigations about this SNP to better clarify its role on milk production traits in cattle.

This study examined the effect of different crude protein (CP) levels in the diet on growth performance of broilers as well as the total aerobic mesophilic count (TAMC) and Escherichia coli count (ECC) isolated from chicken faeces. A total 150 day-old broilers (Hubbard) were allocated to three treatments with five replicates containing 10 birds. The dietary treatments consisted of three diets with different CP levels for 42 days: highprotein (HCP, 22.5%), medium-protein (MCP, 20.5%), and low-protein (LCP, 18.5%). Body weight and feed intake were determined and the feed conversion ratio was calculated. Faecal samples were collected at 14, 21 and 42 days. Dietary CP did not affect the growth performance of broilers. Reducing CP level was effective at beneficially modulating the composition of the faecal microflora, in particular TAMC and ECC concentrations (log10 CFU g–1) were significant lower for the LCP birds. During hot temperature conditions (33°C and 70% relative humidity) a low protein diet may help to control the characteristics of the faecal microbial community without negative effects on broiler performance

The aim of this work was to evaluate the concentration of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in fi sh muscle caught along the Calabrian coast, on the Tyrrhenian side. A total of 32 samples was collected from July to November 2010. In all samples, Pb and Cd contents were below legal limits set at 0.3 and 0.05 mg/kg in muscle, respectively. Hg resulted above the legal limits in four samples (12.5%), which are three Xiphias gladius (mean concentration 1.79 mg/ kg) and one Euthynnus alletteratus (1.57 mg/ kg) samples. This study shows that the ongoing monitoring of this fi shery area is necessary for proper risk evaluation and management, depending on the local consumption of seafood.

La “Scapece Gallipolina” è un prodotto ittico pugliese dell’area Salentina (Gallipoli) presente nell’elenco dei Prodotti Agroalimentari Tradizionali (PAT) della Regione Puglia, nella categoria “preparazioni di pesci, molluschi e crostacei e tecniche particolari di allevamento degli stessi” (D.L.vo 173/1998; Circolare Mi.P.A.F. n. 10 del 21 dicembre 1999) insieme a alici marinate, cozza tarantina, scapece di Lesina, polpo alla pignata, zuppa di pesce alla gallipolina e cuatara di Porto Cesareo. Nel presente lavoro si è voluto esaminare la qualità igienico-sanitaria e la composizione nutrizionale della Scapece Gallipolina confezionata in PET a chiusura non ermetica, al fine di stabilirne la shelf-life e di stilare un’etichetta completa di tutte le informazioni ai sensi del D.L.vo 109 del 1992 e s.m.i. come prodotto preconfezionato, in modo da creare un’immagine trasparente di questa preparazione alimentare tanto antica quanto ricercata

The increasing consumption of fishery products is the cause of the increasing risk of contracting a parasitic oonosis, due to Anisakidae larvae. The present study is aimed at defining the prevalence of Anisakidae larvae, the infestation intensity, the anatomical localization and the seasonal distribution of the parasites in fish caught in the FAO zone 37.2.2. The research has been conducted on 301 samples, 151 of “blu fish” (Trachurus spp., Sardina pilchardus, Engraulis encrasicolus) and 150 of “white fish” (Boops boops, Trisopterus minutus capelanus, Merluccius merluccius) from July 2009 to June 2010. The results have shown a total positivity of 53%. In two samples (1.2%) the parasites were detected also in the muscles. Parasitosis has shown a constant seasonal distribution. The results obtained showed the large diffusion of the parasites in the considered fishing area and the potential health hazard when risky food habits are adepte.

PCBs including “indicator” and “dioxin-like” congeners were measured in a marine gastropod, Hexaplex trunculus, from Mediterranean areas exposed to anthropogenic pressure, to evaluate their compliance with European Union (EU) legislation. Total PCB concentrations showed location-dependent variation, and were higher in samples from Ionian Sea-Taranto (1001 ng g−1 lipid weight) compared with those from Adriatic Sea-Bari (519 ng g−1 lipid weight) and Adriatic-Sea-Brindisi (253 ng g−1 lipid weight). All sample concentrations were compliant with EU regulation limits for the sum of six “indicator” PCBs (Ionian Sea-Taranto: 40.7 ng g−1 wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Bari: 24.0 ng g−1 wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Brindisi: 11.0 ng g−1 wet weight). Also “dioxin-like” PCBs content expressed as toxic equivalent (TEQ) values, in samples from Adriatic Sea (Adriatic Sea-Bari: 2.48 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight; Adriatic Sea-Brindisi: 2.14 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight), were below the limit, while the specimens from the Ionian Sea (Ionian Sea-Taranto: 3.53 pg WHO-TEQ/g wet weight) showed levels exceeding the maximum threshold.

Burrata cheese is a popular typical Italian food product, produced in Puglia (an administrative region of southern Italy), and this study investigated the microbiological quality of 404 samples of this cheese. The samples were analyzed in order to quantify Escherichia coli and to detect the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. No sample exceeded the values of E. Coli set by EC Regulation 1441/07 for some dairy products, while 15 (3.7%) samples tested coagulasepositive staphylococci positive, with values greater than 103 CFU/g. One strain of S. aureus was identified and characterized from each of these positive samples, and of these strains, 7 (46.6%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxin A, 5 (33.3%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxin C, 2 (13.3%) produced staphylococcal enterotoxin D, and 1 (6.6%) produced both staphylococcal enterotoxins A and D. All strains were mecA negative. The 15 S. aureus isolates were tested for their antimicrobial resistance patterns, and all analyzed strains showed antimicrobial resistance properties for at least one of the tested antibiotics. Testing for the other pathogens mentioned above gave negative results. The results of our study mean that the microbiological quality of Burrata cheese can be assumed to be good, although care must be taken with raw materials and good hygiene during processing in order to guarantee greater food safety. © International Association for Food Protection.

Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a pathogen spread not only in the hospital environment but also in the community and amongst livestock (LA-MRSA). LA-MRSA can be transmitted to humans that live in close contact with MRSA-colonized animals, and human colonization and/or infection has been reported worldwide, particularly among those involved with livestock farming. In this study the authors evaluated the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA among healthy carriers who worked in the food industry in Apulia, Southern Italy.

Radio frequency (RF) applications to food process are well known due to the possibility of quickly and uniformly heating food matrix (1). Fresh stuffed pasta conventional production technology consists of a first steam pasteurization for a period varying from 2 to 10 min depending on pasta size and weight, initial microbial density and wet steam or superheated steam, followed by a drying phase with forced hot air at a temperature not exceeding 65°-70°C to increase pasta consistency and stabilize the shape. Fresh semolina pasta RF pasteurization/pre-drying process is already used by some companies a reduction of microbiological parameters, reduced time pasteurization, a better cooking bheavior, keeping g a great intensity taste and aroma the typical of fresh semolina pasta. Fresh stuffed pasta production has several healthy and technology problems with respect to fresh semolina pasta, thus RF pasteurization/pre-drying process requires a proper implementation and evaluation of effects on different types of products. In this study we have examined three different types of fresh stuffed pasta, cappelletti stuffed with ham, fagottini stuffed with cheese and tortellini stuffed with meat. Three different RF treatments were carried out: 3 kV were applied to fresh pasta stuffed with ham and meat and 2 kV to fresh pasta stuffed with ricotta cheese for a total time of 10 and 8 min, respectively. RF plant consists of a single steel tunnel, in which electrodes are placed and kept at 27.12 MHz, were simultaneously pre-drying and pasteurization of fresh pasta occurs (2). Microbiological analysis of fresh stuffed pasta different samples, pre-and postpasteurization, were made by the Tempo® System (bioMériux, France). Preliminary results in different types of fresh stuffed pasta show that RF pasteurization/ pre-drying process cause reduction of some microbiological parameters.

Introduzione La filiera della carne è una grande realtà industriale in Italia, caratterizzata dal circuito Denominazione di Origine Protetta (DOP).Tutti i lavoratori sono esposti a una vasta gamma di agenti biologici che hanno sviluppato antibiotico resistenza e, di conseguenza, rappresentano un problema di salute pubblica ed occupazionale. Obiettivi Valutare il rischio biologico da MRSA in lavoratori della filiera delle carni. Metodi Sono stati reclutati, previo consenso, 162 lavoratori della filiera delle carni del Sud Italia.Tutti i partecipanti hanno risposto ad una intervista semi-strutturata , sono stati sottoposti ad esame obiettivo della cute ed a prelievo di un tampone nasale.Il questionario ha indagato la storia clinica e professionale, storia residenziale, la presenza di animali domestici, il contatto extra-professionale con animali d’allevamento e sul consumo di carne cruda o poco cotta.Eventuali infezioni respiratorie e/o cutanee, dissenteria, malattie infettive, stato immunodepressivo, recenti interventi chirurgici e ricoveri ospedalieri, infortuni, assunzione di antibiotici, sono stati considerati criteri di esclusione ai fini della valutazione del tampone nasale.I campioni di tamponi nasali sono stati seminati, entro 24 ore, in terreno di crescita Mannitol Salt Agar, specifica per il rilevamento di Staphylococcus Aureus. Dopo un periodo di incubazione, sono state selezionate colonie positive per S. Aureus sulle quali sono stati ricercati i geni 447bp NUC, che codifica per la nucleasi, e il gene mecA, che codifica per la sequenza della meticillino-resistenza, utilizzando la procedura Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction (MPCR).I campioni positivi per MRSA sono stati analizzati, infine, con una PCR specifica per la ST398, sequenza specifica per la specie suina. Risultati Sono stati reclutati 139 maschi e 23 femmine, con età media di 45 anni ed anzianità lavorativa media di 10 anni. Dalla semina dei 162 tamponi nasali, una prima analisi ha mostrato positività per lo Staphylococcus Aureus in 35 campioni (21,6%).L'analisi molecolare ha rivelato un solo campione positivo per MRSA (0,6%), in un lavoratore addetto alla trasformazione della carne..L'analisi molecolare non ha confermato la positività per il genotipo ST398, caratteristico dell'infezione nei suini. Conclusioni Il nostro studio ha rivelato un basso rischio per MRSA, condizionato dall’uso di antibiotici in ambito veterinario e dai trattamenti termici superficiali effettuati sulle carcasse, come scottature e flambature, che riducono significativamente la presenza di MRSA. La ricontaminazione con S. Aureus, tuttavia, potrebbe verificarsi a seguito di contaminazione fecale durante l’eviscerazione, tramite una maggiore manipolazione delle carni da parte degli operatori durante la lavorazioni ed, infine, attraverso il contatto con le superfici potenzialmente infette dei macchinari. Bibliografia 1. Colosio C. et al. Linee Guida per la Sorveglianza Sanitaria in agricoltura. 2012 SIMLII 2. Il rischio biologico nei luoghi di lavoro (2011) INAIL 3. Livermore, Antibiotic resistance in staphylococci, International Journal of Antimicrobial Agent 16 (2000) S3 – S10

Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are traditionally human pathogens capable of causing foodborne intoxications and several type of infections. s. aureus could enter the pork production chain during the slaughter process. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and the enterotoxigenic characteristics of S. aureus and MRSA isolated from pigs at slaughterhouses. Overall, 60 (63.8%) of the 94 superficial swabs analyzed, resulted positive. From these 13 strains of S. aureus were isolated, of which 7 (53.8) resulted enterotoxigenic, and 47 strains of MRSA. The authors emphasize the need to raise the standards of the hygiene process in order to reduce the foodborne risk linked to the consumption of pork contaminated with the investigated microorganisms.

Mercury, cadmium, and lead concentrations were determined in various fishery products (fishes, cephalopod molluscs, and crustaceans) imported into Italy from many European and non-European coastal countries. Considerable differences were found in the concentrations of these metals among the products tested. The highest mean Hg concentration was found in fishes (0.21 μg g -1 wet weight), whereas cephalopods had the highest mean Cd concentration (0.35 mg g21 wet weight). Swordfish (0.80 μg g -1 wet weight), longtail tuna (0.53 μg g -1 wet weight), and thornback ray (0.52 μg g -1 wet weight) had the highest concentrations of Hg, whereas maximum Cd concentrations were found in samples of common cuttlefish (0.85 μg g -1 wet weight) and common octopus (0.64 μg g -1 wet weight). The majority of the samples analyzed were in compliance with European Union legislation, except for a few cases. The calculated mean weekly intakes of Hg, Cd, and Pb through consumption of the fishery products tested were all below the legislated respective provisional tolerable weekly intakes. In general, the samples analyzed were considered safe to eat with regard to the metal concentrations found and the allowable intakes based on legislation. Nevertheless, the consumption of some species may be of significant importance for consumer health. Copyright ©, International Association for Food Protection.