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The present study was carried out with the objectives to determine the occurrence of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in raw milk and identification of associated risk factors from three different types of animal farming systems. A total of 189 pooled raw milk samples were tested for AFM1 with enzyme linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) as screening and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) as confirmatory techniques. AFM1 was found positive in 58% pooled milk samples with the mean level of 0.917 µg/L, while 50.8% and 36.5% samples were found above the legal limits set by European Commission (EC) and Food safety and standard authority of India (FSSAI), respectively for AFM1 in milk. Among all investigated risk factors, feeding of readymade concentrate feed and leftover household cereals, longer feed storage duration and feed storage quality were found significantly associated with presence of AFM1 in farm milk. High prevalence as well as levels of AFM1 in farm milk poses a health risk to the consumers especially children. Therefore, efforts are urgently required to create awareness among dairy farmers about aflatoxins contamination of feed and milk, to improve farm management practices and to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a toxic and carcinogenic metabolite secreted in milk of dairy animals which have consumed the aflatoxin B1 contaminated feedstuff. In this study, 230 different types of milk samples comprising raw, pasteurized and ultra-high temperature treated milk were collected from three different geographical sites of Punjab during different seasons and analysed for the presence of AFM1 by using ELISA as screening, and HPLC with fluorescence detection as confirmatory method. Of total, 51% samples were detected positive for AFM1, while 45% and 38% samples were found with AFM1 levels higher than the tolerance limits established by the European commission and Food safety and standard authority of India respectively. Results of study indicated a high incidence and levels of AFM1 in different types of milk during all seasons. Owing to this, there is a potential risk of liver cancer in people of Punjab, India especially children due to milk consumption. Therefore, strict regulatory actions are urgently required to control AFM1 level in milk below the legal standard limits. There is need to initiate routine examination of dairy animal feeds for aflatoxins to reduce animal and consequently human exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present investigation was conducted to isolate and characterize Salmonella Gallinarum from an outbreak of fowl typhoid in layer birds. Materials and Methods: Clinically ill and dead layer birds from an outbreak were investigated. History, clinical signs, and postmortem lesions were suggestive of fowl typhoid. Postmortem samples including heart blood, intestinal contents, pieces of ovary, and liver were collected and processed immediately for bacterial culture, serotyping and antibiotic sensitivity tests. Isolates were further screened for the presence of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) (blaTEM) gene by polymerase chain reaction. Results: On the basis of cultural, staining and biochemical characteristics; three bacterial isolates were confirmed as S. Gallinarum. On serotyping, somatic antigen O: 9 and 12 with nonflagellated antigen were detected in all three isolates. Isolates were intermediate sensitive to amoxycillin, amoxyclav, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin and resistant to most of the antibiotics including chloramphenicol, ampicillin, ceftazidime, cefexime, cefepime, azithromycin, nalidixin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, and streptomycin. Two isolates were found to harbor ESBL (blaTEM) gene. Conclusion: Beta lactamase producer S. Gallinarum was confirmed as cause of increased mortality in layer birds during present investigation. Existence of multi drug resistant Salmonella poses serious threat to poultry industry in Chhattisgarh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm-forming methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an emerging pathogen that adversely affects animal and human health. World Health Organization (WHO) has designated MRSA as a high-priority pathogen for research and development. In this study, we have investigated the pathogenic potential of MRSA recovered from mastitic milk of cow. The MRSA was initially characterized for coagulase, haemolytic and DNase activity followed by its biofilm forming ability. Further, an intravenous murine model of MRSA was developed using multiparameter approach comprising of disease activity score, viable bacterial count in blood and tissues; and, detection of biofilm mass in tissue. Infection was successfully established in mice following intravenous inoculation of 3 × 108 colony forming unit (CFU) per mL of MRSA. Fifty percent of MRSA-challenged mice died after infection whereas mice survived exhibited disease activity score >25. Significantly higher MRSA count was recorded in blood, liver and kidney of MRSA-challenged mice as compared to healthy mice (P <0.05). Gram staining revealed the presence of varied size of multiple clusters of Gram-positive biofilm mass in the liver and kidney of MRSA-challenged mice. This study on pathogenesis of MRSA in mice would be useful in not only controlling the MRSA infection, but also in the development of effective therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was envisaged to develop kodo millet incorporated chicken meat nuggets and to explore the effect of kodo millet flour on the shelf life of chicken meat nuggets. The chicken meat nuggets were developed by using kodo millet flour (KMF) at three different levels (T1-6%, T2-8% and T3-10%) by replacing lean meat. Appearance/colour and flavour score, juiciness and overall palatability were found significantly higher (P < 0.05) for T1. On the basis of sensory scores, control and T1 were selected for further comparison and storage studies in refrigerated temperature for 28 days and assessed for microbial analysis at regular interval of 7 days. Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and standard plate count (SPC) values increased significantly (P < 0.05) in both variants during storage. These values were found lower in treatment. Results of sensory evaluation studies during storage also revealed decrease in sensory scores in almost all occasions. T1 (treatment containing 6 % KMF) was rated higher for flavour, texture, juiciness and overall palatability throughout the storage period. It was concluded that functional chicken nuggets could be developed by replacing the chicken meat in standardized formulation at the level of 6 % kodo millet flour. The developed product maintains better physiochemical, microbiological and sensory qualities during refrigerated storage and was acceptable up to 14 days of storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic residues in chicken meat pose health risks to consumers and affect the economics of the poultry industry due to an export ban. The present cross-sectional study aimed to determine the occurrence of antibiotic residues in marketed chicken meat collected under different agro-climatic conditions in Chhattisgarh, India, and assess human health risks by Monte Carlo Simulation. Analyses of 336 chicken meat samples by validated high-performance liquid chromatography revealed that 147 (43.7%) were found positive for antibiotic residues and 60 (17.8%) exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs). Statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the mean levels of antibiotic residue detected among different agro-climatic zones. Antibiotic residues were more frequently detected in chicken meat samples from the Northern hills (50.8%), followed by the Chhattisgarh plain (42.8%), and the Bastar plateau (37.5%). The mean probabilistic estimated daily intake (EDI: μg/kg body weight/day) of antibiotic residues among the consumers due to consumption of chicken meat was between 0.066 and 0.166. Among the different age groups of consumers, the quantities of antibiotic residues consumed per day through chicken meat were higher in "age group 1'. The Hazard quotient (HQ) value of individual antibiotics followed the order of enrofloxacin > ciprofloxacin > tetracycline > sulfamethazine > oxytetracycline. Higher HQ values were noted for age group 1 and enrofloxacin showed the highest HQ among all the antibiotics. The HQ values of individual antibiotics were reported to be negligible in toxicological health risk for adults and children. However, values for children are on the higher side. Hence, current findings highlight the importance of vigilant antibiotic monitoring, as well as farmer education programmes to encourage good poultry farming practices and adherence to withdrawal periods for antibiotics, in order to meet food safety standards and protect human health. • HPLC-PDA for the detection of antibiotic residues in chicken meat. • HAC and PCA used to determine the predominant antibiotic residues. • Deterministic and probabilistic models were used for health risk assessment. • Toxicological health risks to children were calculated on the higher side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim:The study was carried out to investigate the microbiological quality of packaged drinking water marketed in Jaipur city. Material and Methods: In the present study 'twenty' drinking water samples (15 water bottles and 5 sachets) of different brands purchased randomly, were evaluated to access the water quality on the basis of different bacteriological parameters. Result: Out of twenty, 50% samples were found unsatisfactory in standard plate count. Psychrophillic, coliforms, E. coli and staphylococcal counts revealed that 25%, 45%, 20%, and 5% samples respectively were found unfit for human consumption as per Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) of drinking water. On the basis of results of overall microbiological assessment 55% of samples proved to be unfit for consumption. All brands of water sachet (100%) had high coliforms count which indicates faecal contamination. Amongst those sachets two brands (40%) had presence of E. coli and all the sachet water brands fell below drinking water standards while out of fifteen brands of bottled water 6 samples contained higher microbiological value hence unfit for human consumption. Conclusion: Local brands of packaged drinking water were found unfit for human condumption. So it is suggested that government should intensify the efforts in the monitoring of activities in this rapidly expanding industry with a view to supply potable and wholesome water to the public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]