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Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is considered the primary foodborne pathogen because of its diverse virulence factors, including staphylococcal enterotoxins that can lead to food poisoning in humans that are eating contaminated and undercooked food, such as raw milk and undercooked ground beef. Iraqi traditional meat products like basturma are made to preserve meat. Forty-five samples of locally made basturma were gathered from various local shops located throughout the city of Mosul. The study's original April 2023 deadline was extended to June 2023. This project depended on the classical methods and PCR method for detecting the spa, nuc, and mecA genes in S. aureus. The results of our investigation demonstrated that S. aureus could be identified in local basturma samples using conventional microbiological techniques and PCR methods at a rate of 3 out of 45 (6.7%). The mecA gene (100%), with a molecular weight of 147 bp, was discovered to be present in all S. aureus isolates that referred to all isolates as MRSA. The spa type of all S. aureus isolated was t213. Three novel S. aureus sequences are registered in the NCBI Genbank and have the accession numbers PP388962.1, PP388963.1, and PP388964.1. Extremely comparable S. aureus isolates from this investigation. Additionally, the S. aureus sample revealed a tight association with another S. aureus isolates from throughout the globe.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) has been detected in Türkiye. Only limited information is available on its dissemination in the central regions of the country. This study describes the first epidemiological characterization of VRE clinical isolates detected in patients in a hospital in the province of Aksaray. In this one-year study conducted between 2021 and 2022, stool samples from intensive care unit patients were screened for VRE using the phenotypic E-test method, and the antibiotic sensitivity test was analyzed by using the VITEK® 2 system. A molecular assay for confirmation of species level was carried out by 16S rRNA gene-based sequencing and testing for antibiotic resistance (vanA or vanB) and virulence factor-encoding genes (esp, asa1, and hyl). Further, genotypic characterization was determined by macro-restriction fragment pattern analysis (MRFPA) of genomic DNA digested with SmaI restriction enzyme. Of the total 350 Enterococcus positive patients from different hospital intensive care units, 22 (6.3%) were positive for VRE using the phenotypic E-test method. All isolates showed resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, vancomycin, and teicoplanin and positive amplification for the vanA gene. However, none of the isolates was positive for the vanB gene. The most prevalent virulence gene was esp. The results indicate that the isolates are persistent in the hospital environment and subsequently transmitted to hospitalized patients, thus representing challenges to an outbreak and infection control. These study results would also help formulate more effective strategies to reduce the transmission and propagation of VRE contamination in various hospital settings.

Methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can harm public health as they can cause widespread food poisoning and resistance to multiple antibiotics. Hence, our objective was to examine the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA among fish shops, utensils, and workers' hands in Mosul City. We were able to find the nuc and mecA genes in S. aureus and MRSA isolates, respectively, via the PCR approach. In March and April of 2023, one hundred samples randomly selected from fish and various other store surfaces in Mosul were taken for this inquiry. S. aureus isolates the nuc gene, which can be identified in 19% of the samples. The worker hand samples had eight of the top isolates, in contrast to the fish's three isolates out of twenty. Additionally, because the mecA gene existed in 12 of the 19 S. aureus isolates (63.2%), methicillin resistance was shown. The hand samples of the workers had a higher percentage of methicillin-resistant S. aureus isolates 75% (6/8) than other samples. According to the study, a significant amount of S. aureus was showing in fish and associated utensils, revealing that the fishing industry was not suitably subsequent food safety laws. Based on this study, a significant amount of S. aureus was discovered in fish and associated utensils, revealing that the fishing industry was not appropriately following food safety laws.

Abstract Trueperella pecoris was described as a new species of the genus Trueperella in 2021 and might be pathogenic to various animal species. However, the lack of a suitable diagnostic test system stands in the way of epidemiological surveys to clarify possible causalities. In this study, a Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and validated that was highly specific for T. pecoris. The assay provided an analytical sensitivity of 0.5 pg/25 µL and showed 100% inclusivity and exclusivity for 11 target and 33 non-target strains, respectively. Three different DNA extraction methods were evaluated to select the most LAMP-compatible method for cell disruption in pure and complex samples. Using an on-site applicable single-buffer DNA extraction with additional heating, the cell-based detection limit was 2.3 CFU/reaction. Finally, the LAMP assay was validated by means of artificially contaminated porcine lung tissue samples in which minimal microbial loads between 6.54 and 8.37 × 103 CFU per swab sample were detectable. The LAMP assay established in this study represents a suitable diagnostic procedure for identifying T. pecoris in clinical specimens and will help to collect epidemiological data on the pathogenicity of this species.

The synthesis and structural characterization of mixed ligand metal complexes from terephthalaldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazone) (TPTSC) (L1) and alanine (L2) by using ultrasonication are reported. The ligand and their transition metal complexes were characterized on the basis of their elemental, FT-IR, magnetic moment, molar conductance, mass spectra, and SEM analysis. The mixed ligand complexes are in the ratio 2:1:2 [M:L1:L2] ratio as found from the elemental analyses and found to have the formulae [M2L1(L2)2].nH2O where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Zn(II), L1 = TPTSC and L2 = alanine. The molar conductance data show that complexes are non-electrolytes. FT-IR spectra show that the Schiff base is coordinated to the metal ions in a bidentate manner with N and S donor sites of the terephthalaldehyde bis(thiosemicarbazone) and second ligand alanine coordinated to the metal ions via its N and O of amino acid. The geometrical structure of these complexes is found to be tetrahedral. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized Schiff base ligand and mixed-ligand metal complexes have been screened against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and two fungi species were tested. Mixed ligand complexes exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Klebsiella Pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Enterococcus Faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. Further, these compounds have been screened for their anticancer activity using Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231.

Subclinical mastitis in cattle is a pathological condition that causes a financial burden on the dairy industry. In addition, it puts the public sector at risk when pathogens of animal origin are present in unpasteurized milk and dairy products that may enter the human food chain and cause serious illnesses. Our study aimed to determine the percentage of pathogenic Escherichia coli causing subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in Mosul city by confirming the existence of Stx1 and Stx2 genes. Eighty milk samples were obtained from cows suffering from subclinical mastitis using sterile procedures from November 2018 to October 2019. Escherichia coli was isolated, characterized, and confirmed using culture and PCR. According to our research, the pathogenic Escherichia coli in milk samples was 36.3% (29/80). Moreover, molecular screening for a specific Escherichia coli gene revealed that all isolates 100% carried the uidA gene. PCR revealed that 27/29 (93.1%) isolates had both Stx1 + Stx2 genes, and all the isolates 100% possessed the Stx2 gene. No significant relationship was found between the percentage of pathogenic E. coli and the seasons. Even though there were more isolates in the winter than in the summer, this increase was not statistically significant. This study's findings may help pay attention to one of the leading causes of subclinical mastitis, which benefits the private sector in controlling the disease.

In this study, changes in hepatitis E virus (HEV) contamination in the production of liver sausage from naturally contaminated pork liver were investigated. Furthermore, the potential effectiveness of individual production parameters in reducing viral loads was measured. When processing moderately contaminated liver (initial Cq-value 29), HEV RNA persisted in the finished sausages, even after heating for 90 min at 75 °C. A matrix-specific standard curve was created using a spiking experiment to accurately quantify HEV RNA in a particularly challenging matrix like liver sausage. Variations in product-specific production parameters, including mincing and heating times, showed some reduction in contamination levels, but even prolonged heating did not render all finished products HEV negative. The persistence of HEV contamination underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring in the pig population and raw materials to enhance food safety measures and reduce the likelihood of transmission through pork consumption. The detection of HEV RNA within all processing stages of pork liver in the production of liver sausage suggests that further research into the risk of infection posed by this detection and vigilance in managing HEV risks in the food chain, particularly in pork products, are required to protect public health.

The excessive and uncontrolled application of antibiotics in the fish farming industry, coupled with a lack of health monitoring and medication practices, is a driving force behind the escalating development of antimicrobial resistance. The present study assessed and compared qualitative field diffusion (QFD) and disk diffusion (DD) assays for the detection of antimicrobial residues (ARs) in diverse freshwater aquaculture fish. A total of 380 freshwater aquaculture fish (160 fresh and 180 frozen) samples were systematically collected between January and June 2021 from various retail stores located in Erbil Governorate, Iraq. Based on QFDA results, overall, ARs were detected (52; 15.3%) at a relatively lower frequency with comparatively higher frequency (21; 31.1%) in fresh than (31; 17.2%) frozen fish samples. On the other hand, DDA also revealed a comparable (45; 13.2%) prevalence rate of ARs. However, a low detection was observed more in fresh (17; 10.6%) than frozen (28; 15.6%) fish samples. Moreover, no statistically significant disparity (χ2 = 0.069; p = 0.79) between two assays and types of fish was recorded. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that detecting a considerable frequency of ARs in these fish samples raises concerns about potential threats to public health. This underscores the necessity for understanding antibiotic application in aquaculture and its potential connection to antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens. Such comprehension is pivotal for formulating and implementing effective control and farm management strategies to address this pressing issue.

As an international and zoonotic cause of hepatitis, hepatitis E virus (HEV) poses a significant risk to public health. However, the frequency of occurrence and the degree of contamination of food of animal origin require further research. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a highly sensitive quantitative RT-qPCR assay for the detection and quantification of HEV contamination in porcine liver and food. The focus was on genotype 3, which is most common as a food contaminant in developed countries and Europe. The selected assay has its target sequence in the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) of the HEV genome and showed good results in inclusivity testing, especially for HEV genotype 3. The developed assay seems to show high efficiency and a low intercept when compared to other assays, while having a comparable limit of detection (LOD). In addition, a standard curve was generated using artificially spiked liver to provide more accurate quantitative results for contamination assessment and tracking in this matrix. Application of the assay to test 67 pig livers from different origins resulted in a positivity rate of 7.5%, which is consistent with the results of numerous other prevalence studies. Quantitative detection of the viral genome in the food chain, particularly in pig livers, is essential for understanding the presence and evolution of HEV contamination and thus ensures consumer safety.

The aim of this study was a histopathological evaluation of the effects of nano magnesium oxide and platelets-rich fibrin on induced radial fracture bone healing in local stray dogs. We used 18 adult animals weighing 17.5±0.6 kg and aged 2.0±0.1 years; these experimental animals were divided into three main equal groups. In the first group (Control), the fracture was left without treatment of any bioactive materials; in the second group (nano magnesium oxide), the fracture line was injected with 20µg of nano magnesium oxide, the third group (platelets rich fibrin) the fracture line was surrounded by platelet-rich fibrin. The bone specimens were taken from all experimental animals 6 and 10 weeks after the surgical operation. A Colorimetric method was used for measuring the alkaline phosphatase enzyme and calcium concentrations in all trial animals. The histopathological results at the 6th and 10th weeks showed that the best response was in the platelets-rich fibrin group, then the nano magnesium oxide group, and lastly, the control group according to the formation of fibrocartilaginous tissue, trabeculae, and woven bone. The concentration rates of alkaline phosphatase enzyme and calcium were increased in the weeks that followed the surgical operation. In conclusion of this study, platelets-rich fibrin and nano-magnesium oxide accelerated the healing of the radial fracture.

This project evaluated the effects of nano magnesium oxide versus platelets rich fibrin on induced radial fracture bone healing. Eighteen males and nonpregnant females of adult local stray dogs, weighing 17.6±0.85 kg and aged 2.08±0.13 years, were used. These trials animals were randomly divided into three groups of equal numbers. In the first group, Control group (C), a transverse radial fracture was induced then immobilized by external fixation as gypsum. In this group, the fracture line was not treated with any bioactive material. In the second group, platelets rich fibrin group (PRF), the fracture line was treated by adding platelets rich fibrin. In the third group, nano magnesium oxide (NMO), the fracture line was treated by adding a suspension of nano magnesium oxide. The radiographic results showed that the fractured bone healing was faster in the second group than in the first and third groups, while the third group was better than the first group. The concentration rates of serum calcium and alkaline phosphatase were increased in the weeks followed the surgical operation. Depending on the radiographic pictures and serial rates of alkaline phosphatase, the second PRF and the third NMO groups were the better-fractured bone healing than the first one. In conclusion, this study revealed that using each platelets rich fibrin and nano magnesium oxide enhanced and improved the healing of the induced radial fracture.

Streptococcus (S.) suis presents a serious threat to the pig industry as well as food safety and public health. Although several LAMP assays have been developed for the identification of S. suis, no universal assay is so far available for the field-suitable examination of clinical pig specimens. Based on the thrA housekeeping gene, a new loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and validated for the detection of S. suis in the brain and joints of pigs. For this LAMP assay, two different methods for the extraction of DNA from brain and joint swabs were compared. Using the LPTV boiling method, the detection limit of LAMP was 1.08 CFU/reaction, while the detection limit was 53.8 CFU/reaction using a commercial DNA extraction kit. The detection limits of thrA-LAMP in combination with the LPTV boiling method were 104–105 CFU/swab in the presence of brain tissue and 103–104 CFU/swab in the presence of joint tissue. The diagnostic quality criteria of LAMP were determined by the examination of 49 brain swabs and 34 joint swabs obtained during routine diagnostic necropsies. Applying the LPTV boiling method to brain swabs, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of thrA-LAMP were 88.0, 95.8, 95.7, and 88.5% using cultural investigation as a reference method, and 76.7, 100, 100, and 73.1% using real-time PCR as a reference method. Based on these results, the thrA-LAMP assay combined with the LPTV boiling method is suitable for rapid detection of S. suis from brain swabs.

Acrylamide is a neuro- and reproductive toxicant to humans and has carcinogenic effects in animal species which naturally forms in high-carbohydrate foods at high (≤121°C) temperatures. This study assessed acrylamide formation in various Iraqi bread types, including whole-wheat flatbread, white flatbread, stone-baked bread, whole-wheat baguette, and white baguette prepared in the selected local bread factories in Baghdad, Iraq, using HPLC assay. Among several types of bread, white flatbread is the most commonly consumed bread in Iraq; therefore, the impact of calcium carbonate (CaCO3), added to the flour at different concentrations: 240, 260, and 280 mg/100 g, in reducing acrylamide concentration only in white flatbread was assessed. Acrylamide was detected at various concentrations in each type of bread tested, with the highest concentration in whole-wheat flatbread (470.2 ± 6.7 μg/kg) followed by stone-baked bread (418.8 ± 6.4 μg/kg), whole-wheat baguette (408.3 ± 9.1 μg/kg), white flatbread (400.9 ± 7.4 μg/kg), and white baguette (362 ± 9.2 μg/kg), respectively. However, after supplementing CaCO3 in white flatbread, a significant p

Highlights 1. Assessment and detection of source of re-emergence of Peste des Petits Ruminants virus in goats. 2. High rate of mortality than morbidity in domestic and captive wild goat herds. 3. Identification of novel sub-types (I&II) of lineage IV. 4. Regular monitoring and strategies for improving on-site control and trade regulations enables mitigating risk of outbreaks.

The present study was designed to investigate Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) in dairy buffalo herds from six different geographical areas in Nineveh, Iraq. A total of 87 individual faecal samples from river buffaloes, representing 12 dairy herds, were investigated for detection of MAP using cultural, Ziehl‑Neelsen and MAP‑specific PCR‑based methods. Overall, MAP was detected at a higher frequency at herd‑level (4/12; 33%) compared to the total individual faecal samples (14/87; 16%) with a cell density ranging from 101 to 103 CFU g‑1. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher frequency (9/17; 53%) of MAP was observed in faecal samples collected from clinically diseased as compared to healthy (5/70; 7%) buffaloes selected for the study. However, no statistically significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) was observed in the frequency of MAP occurrence between clinical (9; 64%) and apparently healthy (5; 36%) cases. This report, which is the first MAP study based on data from Iraqi dairy buffalo herds suggests that MAP transmission is a significant health risk for grazing livestock. In conclusion, this study would help farm owners and regulatory authorities to realise the importance of developing and applying best farm management practices in order to prevent transmission of MAP to healthy animals and the environment. In addition, effective diagnostic tests should be taken into account when carrying out the screening tests.

The closely related members of the Bacillus cereus-group can mainly only be differentiated by whole genome sequencing. Among them, there are potentially toxin-producing bacteria. When consumed with food, these can cause vomiting or diarrhea and abdominal cramps. To date, although no EU-wide threshold exists, a bacterial count of 105 CFU/g can be regarded as critical. Specific and rapid detection of the bacteria is difficult due to their close relationship, and no loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay has been developed so far to detect potentially toxin-producing members of the B. cereus-group. Aim of this study was to develop a LAMP method to detect critical cell counts specifically and rapidly of potentially non-haemolytic enterotoxin (NHE)-producing cells of this group. A two-step LAMP assay was developed. First, the target sequence groEL was used to determine the representatives of the B. cereus-group. Second, since bacteria in which nheB is present are basically capable of producing enterotoxins, this gene was chosen for detection. The specificity of the developed assay was 100% for B. cereus-group isolates and 93.7% for the detection of nheB. The analytical sensitivity was 0.1 pg DNA/μl. Using simplified DNA extraction by boiling, cell-based sensitivity was determined. Targeting groEL and nheB, 11.35–27.05 CFU/reaction and 11.35–270.5 CFU/reaction were detectable, respectively. Artificially contaminated samples were investigated to prove the application in foods. Direct detection of the critical value of B. cereus-group cells was possible in 83.3% of samples and detecting the toxin-gene 50% thereof. After a 6-h incubation period, the detection rate increased to 100 and 91.7%, respectively. Additionally, 100 natively contaminated food samples were tested, also quantitatively and culturally. Samples with relevant contamination levels were reliably detected using groEL-LAMP. After a 6-h incubation period, isolates bearing the toxin gene nheB could also be reliably detected. In addition, colony material was boiled and used as a LAMP template for simple detection. Specificity for the B. cereus-group was 100 and 93.22% detecting nheB. The study demonstrated that screening of food samples with the groEL/nheB-LAMP assay can be performed within 1 day, making it possible to detect critical levels of potentially NHE-toxin-producing cells of the B. cereus-group.

Colorectal cancer is a serious cancer with high mortality. Most of the recurrence usually occurred within two years after surgery. This study was conducted in Nineveh Medical Center and Al-Jammhorri Hospital to evaluate colorectal cancer patients in a follow up study for two years. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen, colonoscopy, ultrasound of the abdomen, and chest X rays were used for evaluation. One hundred and ninety-four patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study. The patients were diagnosed colorectal adenocarcinomas by histopathology and staged according to Duke’s classification. The patients were undergone surgical removal of the cancer. Chemotherapy was started to the patient after two weeks of the surgery. Blood samples were taken one week before and one week after surgery. Other blood samples were taken after chemotherapy and then every six months for two years. The blood samples were analyzed for serum carcinoembryonic antigen. The patients were also checked by colonoscopy, ultrasound for abdomen, and chest X ray every six months. Serum carcinoembryonic antigen in colorectal patients was higher than 5 ng/mL and decreased significantly after surgery but still higher than 5 ng/mL. After chemotherapy serum decreased significantly compared with that after surgery. During the two-year period serum carcinoembryonic antigen was not significantly different from that in patients after chemotherapy. Twenty-one patients died after two years of the study Serum carcinoembryonic antigen in the dead patients was much significantly higher than 5 ng/mL before surgery and decreased significantly after operation and after chemotherapy but still higher than 5 ng/mL. In conclusion, colorectal cancer is a significant disease in Iraq. The mortality rate is high due to lack of education of the community to that disease. Carcinoembryonic antigen marker is still acceptable test but should be used with other clinical assessments

Harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are the only native cetacean species in the German North and Baltic Seas and the final host of Anisakis (A.) simplex, which infects their first and second gastric compartments and may cause chronic ulcerative gastritis. Anisakis simplex belongs to the family Anisakidae (Ascaridoidea, Rhabditida) as well as the phocine gastric nematode species Pseudoterranova (P.) decipiens and Contracaecum (C.) osculatum. These nematode species are the main causative agents for the zoonosis anisakidosis. The taxonomy of these genus with life cycles including crustaceans and commercially important fish is complex because of the formation of sibling species. Little is known about anisakid species infecting porpoises in the study area. Mature nematodes and larval stages are often identifiable only by molecular methods due to high morphological and genetic similarity. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method is an alternative to sequencing and was applied to identify anisakid nematodes found in harbour porpoises from the North Sea, Baltic Sea and North Atlantic to species level for the first time. In the study areas, five gastric nematodes from different harbour porpoise hosts were selected to be investigated with restriction enzymes HinfI, RsaI and HaeIII, which were able to differentiate several anisakid nematode species by characteristic banding patterns. Anisakis simplex s. s. was the dominant species found in the North Sea and Baltic porpoises, identified by all three restriction enzymes. Additionally, a hybrid of A. simplex s. s. and A. pegreffii was determined by HinfI in the North Sea samples. Within the North Atlantic specimens, A. simplex s. s., P. decipiens s. s. and Hysterothylacium (H.) aduncum were identified by all enzymes. This demonstrates the value of the RFLP method and the chosen restriction enzymes for the species identification of a broad variety of anisakid nematodes affecting the health of marine mammals.

Abstract Background The present study was designed to characterize phenotypically and genotypically two Trueperella pyogenes strains isolated from an okapi (Okapia johnstoni) and a royal python (Python regius). Case presentation The species identity could be confirmed by phenotypic properties, by MALDI-TOF MS analysis and by detection of T. pyogenes chaperonin-encoding gene cpn60 with a previously developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay. Furthermore, sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, the 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region (ISR), the target genes rpoB encoding the β-subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase, tuf encoding elongation factor tu and plo encoding the putative virulence factor pyolysin allowed the identification of both T. pyogenes isolates at species level. Conclusions Both strains could be clearly identified as T. pyogenes. The T. pyogenes strain isolated in high number from the vaginal discharge of an okapi seems to be of importance for the infectious process; the T. pyogenes strain from the royal python could be isolated from an apparently non-infectious process. However, both strains represent the first isolation of T. pyogenes from these animal species.

Abstract Objective This study aimed to determine the color, fat, viscosity, IgG concentration, %Brix and refractive index of fresh postpartum colostrum of German Holstein dairy cattle and assess the impact of different thermal treatments on the visual and dynamic viscosity, in association to IgG concentration, of colostrum that can be used for pasteurization process. Results Of the total 40 fresh postpartum colostrum, the color of colostrum (ranging from white-pale yellow to yellow and dark-yellowish), fat (1.4–8.2 100 g−1), IgG (4–116 mg mL−1), %Brix (8.5–35.4%), refractive index (1.3454–1.3905 nD), visual (ranging from watery to liquid and thick) and dynamic (4.9–219 cp) viscosity, were recorded. Statistical analysis between visual and dynamic viscosity of fresh colostrum showed significant correlation coefficients (r s = 634). Moreover, a significant correlation between viscosity and three IgG concentrations was also observed. Heat-treated colostrum showed dynamic viscosity ranged from 25 to 3066 cP, where dynamic viscosity of colostrum before- and after heat-treatment showed no significant correlation. Treated colostrum at 60 °C/60 min and 63.5 °C/30 min containing IgG concentration ≤ 80 mg mL−1 and ≤ 68 mg mL−1 showed no significant change in the viscosity and can successfully be applied for pasteurization of first postpartum colostrum.

Tuna is one of the most widely consumed fish on the European market, being available in various consumable options. Among them, Thunnus albacares, also called yellowfin tuna, is a delicacy and is consumed by millions of people around the world. Due to its comparatively high cost and demand, it is more vulnerable to fraud, where low-cost tuna or other fish varieties might be replaced for economic gain. In this study, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed and validated for targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene for fast and direct detection of Thunnus albacares, which is a valuable tuna species. The analytical specificity was confirmed using 18 target samples (Thunnus albacares) and 18 samples of non-target fish species. The analytical sensitivity of the LAMP assay was 540 fg DNA per reaction. In addition, a simple and direct swab method without time-consuming nucleic acid extraction procedures and the necessity for cost-intensive laboratory equipment was performed that allowed LAMP detection of Thunnus albacares samples within 13 minutes. Due to its high specificity and sensitivity, the LAMP assay can be used as a rapid and on-site screening method for identifying Thunnus albacares, potentially providing a valuable monitoring tool for food authenticity control by the authorities.

For almost a decade, edible insects have become promoted on a wider basis as one way to combat world hunger and malnourishment, although attempts to do so have a longer history. Contemporary researchers and consumers, particularly those without an entomophagous background, have been rising safety and sustainability concerns. The present contribution seeks a substantiated answer to the question posed above. The possible answer consists of different factors that have been taken into consideration. First, the species and its life cycle. It is mandatory to realize that what is labeled as “edible insects” stands for more than 2,140 animal species, not counting other edible, non-crustacean arthropods. Their life cycles are as diverse as the ecological niches these animals can fill and last between some days to several years and many of them may—or may not—be reproduced in the different farming systems. Second, the level of knowledge concerning the food use of a given species is important, be it traditional, newly created by research, or a combination of both. Third, the existence of a traditional method of making the use of the insect safe and sustainable, ideally from both the traditional and the modern points of view. Fourth, the degree of effectiveness of these measures despite globalization changes in the food-supplying network. Fifth, farming conditions, particularly housing, feeding (type, composition, and contaminants), animal health and animal welfare. Sixth, processing, transport, and storage conditions of both traditional and novel insect-based foodstuffs, and seventh, consumer awareness and acceptance of these products. These main variables create a complex web of possibilities, just as with other foodstuffs that are either harvested from the wild or farmed. In this way, food safety may be reached when proper hygiene protocols are observed (which usually include heating steps) and the animals do not contain chemical residues or environment contaminants. A varying degree of sustainability can be achieved if the aforementioned variables are heeded. Hence, the question if insects can be safe and sustainable can be answered with “jein,” a German portmanteau word joining “yes” (“ja”) and “no” (“nein”).