Search

Simple Summary: Salmonella poses a significant threat to poultry farming, as it can asymptomatically infect flocks, ultimately leading to foodborne illnesses when contaminated poultry products reach consumers. This review focuses on various strategies for controlling Salmonella colonization in commercial layer chickens at the pre-harvest level. The approaches discussed include enhancing farm biosecurity, using vaccines, incorporating feed additives, and improving genetic resistance to infection through selective breeding. Each of these approaches offers unique benefits, such as preventing the introduction of pathogens, enhancing immunity against Salmonella, and/or improving intestinal health to reduce Salmonella colonization. Therefore, a combined approach is essential for minimizing the risk of Salmonella, promoting food safety, and supporting sustainable poultry production. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections in poultry, particularly in commercial-layer chickens, pose a critical risk to food safety and public health worldwide. NTS bacteria can remain undetected in poultry flocks, contaminating products and potentially leading to gastroenteritis in humans. This review examines pre-harvest control strategies for NTS in layer chickens, including biosecurity protocols, vaccinations, feed additives, genetic selection, and environmental management. These strategies have substantially reduced Salmonella colonization and product contamination rates in the commercial layer industry. By evaluating these strategies, this review highlights the importance of integrated control measures to limit NTS colonization, reduce antimicrobial resistance, and improve poultry health. This review aims to provide producers, researchers, and policymakers with insights into effective practices to minimize Salmonella contamination and enhance both animal and human health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella spp. is one of the most important foodborne pathogens worldwide. Given the fact that poultry and poultry products are the main source of human infection, Salmonella control in these farms is of utmost importance. To better control this pathogen in farms, boot swabs are used to sample farm environments but the analysis of these swabs is mainly based on culture-dependent methods. In the present study, a novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method was developed for the rapid screening of Salmonella spp. in boot swab samples from broiler flock environments. Four different DNA extraction protocols were evaluated in depth, including a simple thermal lysis, a chelex-based protocol and two thermal lysis protocols followed by the purification of magnetic beads made of silica ("glass milk") in order to determine the most suitable alternative for potential on-site, farm analyses. The methodology evaluation included a blind interlaboratory assay and as a proof-of-concept, a naked-eye colorimetric assay was also included. Following the final methodology, it was possible to reach an LoD50 of 1.8 CFU/25 g of the samples, with a high relative sensitivity (95.7%), specificity (100%) and accuracy (96.6%) along with Cohen's kappa of concordance with respect to the ISO standard 6579-1:2017 of 0.9, with an RLOD of 1.3. In addition to this, due to the relevance of certain serotypes with the genus Salmonella spp., a serotype LAMP panel for the specific identification of S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Infantis, S. Hadar and S. Virchow was also developed. Even though some degree of cross-reactivity among the primers developed was observed, all the serotypes could be accurately identified based on their melt curve analysis profile. Taken together, in the present study, a rapid Salmonella spp. screening method, suitable for farm applications, was developed, along with a serotyping panel that could be used in a laboratory setup for the identification of the most relevant serotypes of the genus, taking advantage of real-time amplification followed by melt curve analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the presence of C. difficile in seafood, to identify the ribotype of isolates, to reveal the distribution of their toxinogenic genes and to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of C. difficile strains. For this purpose, a total of 755 seafood samples were analysed. Sixteen isolates were verified as C. difficile [14 (5.28%) bivalve molluscs and 2 (2.0%) shrimp] whereas none of the ribotypes detected were human pathogenic ribotypes. Among C. difficile isolates only one of the bivalve mollusc (RT003) was found to be toxigenic (A+B+CDT+) that had also toxin-producing ability. All isolates were sensitive to vancomycin and resistant to cefotaxime. Results of this study indicate that the rate of C. difficile in seafood is much lower than in meat or poultry products. However, consumption of raw or undercooked contaminated bivalve molluscs could be a potential source of C. difficile that may pose a risk to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effect of replacing maize with graded levels of banana (Musa acuminata) peels (BPs) on feed utilisation, physiological performance, and meat quality traits in Jumbo quail. In a completely randomised design, 341 one-week-old, unsexed quail chicks were randomly allocated to 30 cages and reared on five experimental diets containing 0 (BP0), 25 (BP25), 50 (BP50), 75 (BP75), and 100 g/kg BP (BP100) in a conventional grower diet. Dry matter, organic matter, and gross energy digestibility values linearly declined (p < 0.05) with BP levels. Feed intake in the 5th week linearly declined (p < 0.05) as BP levels increased. The BP0 diet promoted greater overall body weight gain than BP100. Similarly, birds on BP0 had a higher (p < 0.05) overall gain-to-feed ratio than birds on BP75 and BP100. Significant linear increases were observed for relative gizzard, and small and large intestine weights. There were negative quadratic effects (p < 0.05) for relative proventriculus weight, breast lightness, and thigh chroma as BP levels increased. Furthermore, thigh yellowness linearly decreased, while hue angle linearly increased with BP levels. The partial substitution of maize with BP in Jumbo quail diet compromised feed digestibility and performance parameters, stimulated visceral organ development, and altered some meat colour attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canthaxanthin and β-apo-8'-carotenoid ethyl ester are widely used as feed additives in poultry feed for enhancing the color of poultry products. The excessive intake of the two colorants can cause health damage. According to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the acceptable daily intake (ADI) of canthaxanthin and β-apo-8'-carotenoid ethyl ester are 0.03 mg/kg·bw and 0.015 mg/kg·bw, respectively. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detector (UPLC-DAD) was used to determine two colorants in chicken eggs and meat. A PRiME HLB solid-phase extraction cartridge was used to extract and clean-up the sample. BEH C18 column was used as the separation column, with water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.05 mg/kg, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.1 mg/kg. The recoveries were between 90% and 104%. The daily intake of two colorants in chicken eggs and meat was evaluated based on the detection data, food consumption data and weight data of the population. The mean estimated daily intake (EDI) values of canthaxanthin through chicken eggs and meat were 1.09 µg/(kg·bw·d) and 0.013 µg/(kg·bw·d), respectively. The mean EDI value of β-apo-8'-carotenoid ethyl ester through eggs was 0.44 µg/(kg·bw·d). The results showed that eggs were the main contributor to the daily intake of two colorants. The mean hazard quotients (HQ) values of two colorants through chicken eggs and meat was within a safe range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poultry products are an important source of foodborne Salmonella infections in humans. Amongst these, the prevalence of S. Infantis is rising. In this study, the protection efficacy of an authorized live-attenuated S. Typhimurium vaccine against S. Infantis, was examined using a seeder-bird model in broilers. Vaccinated birds displayed a significantly lower colonization of S. Infantis bacteria in the caeca compared to the non-vaccinated counterparts (P = 0.017), with no significant differences observed in the spleen among the groups, three days post-infection. Thirty-two days post-infection, the disparity in average S. Infantis concentration between all-vaccinated and non-vaccinated birds was significant in both caeca (P = 0.0003) and spleen (P = 0.0002). Interestingly, a third group, consisting of seeder birds that were not vaccinated but housed with vaccinated penmates, exhibited significantly lower S. Infantis levels in both caeca (P = 0.0014) and spleen (P < 0.0001) compared to the non-vaccinated group. These findings underscore the potential of a live-attenuated S. Typhimurium vaccine administered to 2-day-old chicks in conferring protection against S. Infantis in broilers up to slaughter age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to assess the digestible protein value of three novel poultry products (Pea/Lentil‐PM, Hen on Hen‐PM, and soybean meal (SBM)‐PM), then a growth trial with a 2 × 5 design was conducted where SBM‐PM was included at five levels: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 30% in both a fish meal (FM)‐based diet and a plant protein (PP)‐based diet. Thirty rainbow trout (initial size = 10.7 ± 0.15 g; Troutlodge Inc, Sumner, WA) per tank were stocked into a 15°C recirculating system. Fish in triplicate tanks were fed twice daily to apparent satiation for 12 weeks. SBM‐PM had no effect on final weight (p = 0.3665; FM 233 vs. PP 237) or growth rate (p = 0.4703; FM 2070% vs. PP 2097%). Significant interactions between dietary protein and SBM‐PM for both intake (p = 0.0080) and FCR (p = 0.0081) indicate increased intake of fish fed the plant protein‐based diet without SBM‐PM. Regression modeling of this effect yields a polynomial model with an R‐square of 0.78; p < 0.0001 explained by the relationships: PlantFCR=0.875−0.0087Inclusion+0.00062Inclusion2 and Plant intake=2.02−0.02Inclusion+0.0014Inclusion2, respectively. These values suggest that the SBM‐PM can be included up to 30% in rainbow trout feeds to reduce feed costs without negatively impacting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacter spp. is a major source of global gastrointestinal infections. Their enteric infections are linked to the consumption of undercooked poultry products, contaminated milk and water, and the handling of wild animals and birds. The detection of Campylobacter spp. in water and food samples mainly depends on culture-based techniques. Public Health England (PHE), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the International Standard Organization (ISO) have standardized Campylobacter spp. isolation and enumeration procedures for food and water samples, which involve the usage of selective agar media and enrichment broth. Different types of selective plating and enrichment media have been prepared for Campylobacter spp. detection and assessment during regular food surveillance and food poisoning. To date, culture media remains the standard option for microbiological food analysis and has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and World Health Organization (WHO). This review discusses the standard microbiological protocols for Campylobacter spp. isolation and enumeration in food and water and evaluates detection media (pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, and selective plating) for their rational applications. Moreover, it also elaborates on the advantages and disadvantages of recent chromogenic culture media in Campylobacter spp.-oriented food surveillance. This review also highlights the challenges of culture-based techniques, future developments, and alternative methods for Campylobacter spp. detection in food and water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The irrational use of antimicrobials has led to the emergence of resistance, impacting not only pathogenic bacteria but also commensal bacteria. Resistance against colistin, a last-resort antibiotic, mediated by globally disseminated plasmid-borne mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, has raised significant global concerns. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli (E. coli) and mobilised colistin resistance (mcr 1–5) genes from broiler meat. A total of 570 broiler samples (285 liver and 285 muscle) were collected from 7 supermarkets and 11 live bird markets (LBMs) in Chattogram metropolitan areas of Bangladesh. The isolation and identification of E. coli were carried out using standard bacteriological and molecular techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method, and colistin's minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by the broth microdilution (BMD) method. Colistin-resistant isolates were further tested for the presence of mcr (1–5) genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Out of the 570 samples, 311 (54.56%; 95% confidence interval: 50.46–58.60) were positive for E. coli. AST results showed the highest resistance to sulphamethoxazole–trimethoprim (89.39%), while the highest susceptibility was observed for cefalexin (62.70%). A total of 296 isolates (95.18%) were found to be multidrug-resistant (MDR), with the multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index ranging from 0.38 to 1. Additionally, 41 isolates (13.18%) exhibited resistance to five antimicrobial classes, with resistance patterns of CIP + SXT + AMP + DO + TE + CT. A total of 233 isolates (74.92%) were resistant to colistin (MIC > 2 mg/L). A strong correlation between colistin resistance and the presence of the mcr-1 gene was observed (r = 1). All phenotypic colistin-resistant E. coli isolates carried the mcr-1 gene, while no isolates were positive for mcr (2–5). The detection of mcr genes in E. coli strains from poultry sources poses a significant risk, as these resistance genes can be transferred to humans through the food chain. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and the mcr-1 gene in poultry products in Bangladesh presents a significant public health and food safety concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significance of Escherichia albertii as a foodborne pathogen is increasingly acknowledged, but the assessment of its occurrence and transmission remains challenging due to the lack of validation of selective isolation, detection, and identification methods. The aim of the present study was to examine its presence on various meat samples at the retail level in order to assess a potential foodborne transmission and its occurrence in clinical stool samples. First, the evaluation and selection of a selective enrichment broth and isolation medium, combined with an optimized identification by MALDI-TOF MS, as well as a suitable DNA extraction method and a PCR-based detection strategy were developed. After the evaluation of existing isolation strategies and the formulation of an adapted enrichment and isolation medium, 100% isolation specificity was not achieved. An identity confirmation of suspected colonies remains necessary. A total of 292 samples, including 45 beef fillet, 51 minced beef, 50 pork fillet, 30 minced pork, 30 chicken carcass, 51 chicken fillet, and 35 minced chicken samples were examined. Samples were all collected at the retail level, including supermarkets and local butcheries. Escherichia albertii was isolated from two chicken fillets (3.9%) and additionally detected in one minced chicken (4.5%) and two other chicken fillet (4.5%) samples by a PCR assay. All beef and pork samples tested negative for its presence, but transmission through these meat types cannot be excluded, as it potentially correlates with the level of fecal contamination that was significantly higher on poultry products. With other hygienic conditions and processing steps applied, the presence of E. albertii on food can therefore differ in other parts of the world. Escherichia albertii was present in 0.4% of the 2419 clinical stool samples examined. The future development of a chromogenic isolation medium, as well as further extensive epidemiologic approaches and a genomic comparison of human, food, and animal isolates, could enhance the assessment of the emerging pathogen status and its potential as a foodborne hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cold chain logistics and chilled poultry product marketing are widely used. Prolonged storage can affect meat quality, so ensuring the quality of chilled poultry meat has attracted worldwide attention. Non-targeted metabolomics can detect small chemical compounds associated with meat quality. This study identified 18 specific metabolites related to the breakdown of carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids as marker compounds. The results suggest new methods for assessing the freshness of goose meat, thus having the potential to improve food safety in domestic poultry products. Poultry represents a rich source of multiple nutrients. Refrigeration is commonly employed for poultry preservation, although extended storage duration can adversely affect the meat quality. Current research on this topic has focused on the analysis of biochemical indices in chilled goose meat, with limited information on changes in metabolites that influence the quality of the meat during storage. This study used non-targeted metabolomics and the random forest algorithm to investigate metabolite changes in goose meat over an extended storage period. The results showed a significant change in the composition of the meat as the duration of storage increased, with the identification of 121 distinct metabolites. Further analysis identified 18 metabolites that could be used as indicators of the degradation of carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, and lipids. These metabolites could be used as markers to monitor the deterioration process. These intermediate metabolites tended to be transformed into lower-level products involving pyruvate, acetyl coenzyme A, and fumaric acid, used in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, performing substance transformation. This comprehensive analysis of metabolites provides a valuable reference for monitoring the freshness of goose meat, potentially improving the safety of domestic poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various Salmonella serotypes have caused numerous foodborne outbreaks associated with food vehicles in different categories. This study provides evidence on the occurrence and inter-relations between Salmonella serotypes and the number of deaths mediated by the number of illnesses and hospitalizations. Confirmed foodborne outbreaks of Salmonella serotypes (n = 2868) that occurred between 1998 and 2021 were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Outbreak Reporting System. Causal mediation analysis was performed based on 500 bootstrap samples. The serotypes and the Interagency Food Safety Analytics Collaboration (IFSAC) food categories as confounding effects were considered as categorical variables. A total of 106 single Salmonella serotypes were associated with foodborne outbreaks. Foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella serotypes resulted in 81,996 illnesses, 11,018 hospitalizations, and 115 deaths between 1998 and 2021 in the United States. The serotypes Enteritidis (815 outbreaks, 28.42%), Typhimurium (359 outbreaks, 12.52%), and Newport (220 outbreaks, 7.67%) accounted for almost half of Salmonella-linked outbreaks. Poultry products, "chickens", "eggs", and "turkey", were the leading IFSAC food categories, accounting for 14.02% of total outbreaks and 10.44% of total deaths. Certain serotypes had a significant effect on illness, hospitalization, and death counts. Two serotypes, Heidelberg and Saintpaul, and "fruits" as the food vehicle in IFSAC categories had a significant direct effect on the number of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths as outcomes of Salmonella outbreaks (p ≤ 0.05). There was strong evidence that illness and hospitalization counts played a key role in the pathway from serotype to death counts on foodborne outbreaks caused by Salmonella based on causal mediation analysis. The findings of this study can help outbreak investigations and lead to prevention and control measures by providing insightful information about the frequencies of Salmonella serotypes and the associated food vehicles causing foodborne diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-processing contamination of Listeria monocytogenes has remained a major concern for the safety of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products that are not reheated before consumption. Mathematical models are rapid and cost-effective tools to predict pathogen behavior, product shelf life, and safety. The objective of this study was to develop and validate a comprehensive model to predict the Listeria growth rate in RTE meat products as a function of temperature, pH, water activity, nitrite, acetic, lactic, and propionic acids. The Listeria growth data in RTE food matrices, including RTE beef, pork, and poultry products (731 data sets), were collected from the literature and databases like ComBase. The growth parameters were estimated using the logistic-with-delay primary model. The good-quality growth rate data (n = 596, R2 > 0.9) were randomly divided into 80% training (n = 480) and 20% testing (n = 116) datasets. The training growth rates were used to develop a secondary gamma model, followed by validation in testing data. The growth model's performance was evaluated by comparing the predicted and observed growth rates. The goodness-of-fit parameter of the secondary model includes R2 of 0.86 and RMSE of 0.06 (μmax) during the development stage. During validation, the gamma model with interaction included an RMSE of 0.074 (μmax), bias, and accuracy factor of 0.95 and 1.50, respectively. Overall, about 81.03% of the relative errors (RE) of the model's predictions were within the acceptable simulation zone (RE ± 0.5 log CFU/h). In lag time model validation, predictions were 7% fail-dangerously biased, and the accuracy factor of 2.23 indicated that the lag time prediction is challenging. The model may be used to quantify the Listeria growth in naturally contaminated RTE meats. This model may be helpful in formulations, shelf-life assessment, and decision-making for the safety of RTE meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this research, active packaging which was made of all-natural component hydrogels from nanocellulose composited with silver nanoparticles at various concentrations (AgH) was studied. The concentration of silver nanoparticles ranged from 0.0078 to 0.0624 phr. AgH was characterized in terms of basic properties, functional properties, and packaging applications. Biocompatibility testing with the Caco-2 cell line showed that higher concentrations of silver (higher than 0.0312 phr) provided a lower cell viability rate (lower than 70% cell viability). Here, 0.0156 phr of silver nanoparticle concentration was the maximum loading that is safe for the target cell (82% cell viability) and was thus selected for use as active packaging. The antimicrobial activity showed that AgH at all concentrations inhibited both Gram bacteria up to 99.99%. Total volatile basic nitrogen compound testing showed that chicken meat preserved by AgH had the lowest values, indicating that AgH can prolong the shelf life in freshness level 1 (15% TVB-N) for 6.2 days compared to 3.9 and 4.1 days of blank and neat cellulose hydrogel. In addition, all AgH were gradually degraded over time and eventually disappeared within 15–30 days in organic soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the worst zoonotic illnesses, avian influenza (AI), or commonly referred to as bird flu, is caused by viruses belonging to the genus Influenza viruses, which are members of the Orthomyxoviridae family. The harmful effects of AI illness can affect both human and animal health and cause financial losses. Globally, the AI virus lacks political purpose and is not limited by geographical limits. It has been isolated from poultry, wild birds, and captive birds in Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, and South America. Their virulence is divided into highly pathogenic AI (HPAI) and low pathogenic AI (LPAI). The AI virus can also be diagnosed in a laboratory setting using molecular tests like real-time polymerase chain reaction or serological tests like the hemagglutinin inhibition test, agar gel immunodiffusion, antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and other immunoassays. The type of AI virus and host species determines the clinical manifestations, severity, and fatality rates of AI. Human infection with AI viruses typically results from direct transmission from infected birds to humans. AI outbreaks in domestic and wild birds are uncommon; however, an infection can pose a significant threat to public, veterinary, and medical health. Successful vaccination reduces the probability of AI H5N1 virus infection in meat and other poultry products and prevents systemic infection in chickens. This review will provide information that can be used as a reference for recognizing the dangers of AI and for preventing and controlling the disease, considering its potential to become a serious pandemic outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced by fungi species belonging to the genera Aspergillus spp. and Penicillium spp. The proliferation of OTA-producing fungal species may occur due to inadequate practices during both the pre-harvest and post-harvest stages of feed. Consequently, poultry species may be exposed to high concentrations of this mycotoxin that can be transferred to animal tissues due to its carry-over, reaching dangerous concentrations in meat and meat products. Therefore, this review aims to propose a comprehensive overview of the effects of OTA on human health, along with data from global studies on the prevalence and concentrations of this mycotoxin in avian feeds, as well as in poultry meat, edible offal, and eggs. Moreover, the review examines significant gross and histopathological lesions in the kidneys and livers of poultry linked to OTA exposure. Finally, the key methods for OTA prevention and decontamination of feed are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food is one of the important elements for human life, like air and water. Nutrition rich in high-quality protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals is the basis of the body's development, immune system, intellectual and reproductive activity. The connective tissue in poultry meat is easily digestible (up to 80 %) by the human body due to the fact that it is composed of delicate muscle fibers. Bird eggs are also very useful for the body. However, in addition to the amount and chemical composition of food, its microbiological indicators should also be under strict control. Eggs, which have a rich biochemical composition and useful biological properties, can be a source of danger to human health if veterinary-sanitary and hygiene rules are not followed. That is, the fall of various disease-causing agents, chemical and biological toxic substances into food products can cause mass illness and poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella Minnesota has emerged in Brazil as the predominant serovar in poultry and poultry products, along with Salmonella Heidelberg. To understand the emergence of Salmonella Minnesota over the last few years in Brazil, we performed a comparative analysis between 69 selected S. Minnesota genomes from Pathogen Detection database and 65 clonal emergent genomes isolated from Brazil. We demonstrate the presence of multidrug resistance genes against tetracycline [tet(A)], sulfonamide (sul2), and AmpC beta-lactamase (blaCMY-2) in emergent genomes, along with the carriage of a megaplasmid of resistance and virulence (~210 kb), designated pESM (plasmid for emergent Salmonella Minnesota). pESM is an IncC/A2 plasmid predicted to increase S. Minnesota environmental tolerance to mercury (mer operon) and provide resistance to tetracycline and ampicillin due to the presence of tet(A) and blaCMY-2, respectively. Moreover, pESM carries the yersiniabactin siderophore (high-pathogenicity island of Yersinia) related to the iron uptake. The temporal inference demonstrated that the most recent common ancestor dated from ~1978 and that the clonal emergent genomes carrying the pESM belong to a completely different lineage of S. Minnesota. Our results indicate that the presence of pESM likely contributes to the emergence of S. Minnesota and is precisely related to the successful spread of this particular clonal lineage in Brazil. IMPORTANCE Salmonella Minnesota has emerged in Brazil as one of the leading serovars related to human and animal infection, presenting high virulence and antibiotic resistance to drugs classified as the highest priority for clinical treatment in humans. This study performed whole-genome sequencing, temporal analysis, and phylogenetics to understand the genetic insights related to the emergence of Salmonella Minnesota in Brazil. Long-read sequencing has led to the identification and characterization of a unique megaplasmid carrying virulence, antibiotic resistance, and heavy-metal tolerance genes, which may play a central role in S. Minnesota’s successful emergence in Brazil and possibly worldwide. The potentially high transmissibility of this plasmid between clones and serovars represents a risk to public health since its acquisition may increase Salmonella’s fitness, virulence, resistance, and persistence. Understanding the genetic aspects related to the emergence of serovars can help devise measures to mitigate the spread of hazardous multidrug-resistant strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for chicken meat has surged globally due to its status as a primary protein source in human diets. However, ensuring high‐quality meat products has become an increasingly important subject to consumers. In this study, 21 articles from PubMed and Web of Science databases published between 2005 and 2023 were examined to assess the influence of probiotic supplementation on broiler meat quality. The meta‐analysis revealed significant findings across various meat quality parameters. Specifically, probiotics were found to significantly affect meat colour parameters, including redness, yellowness, and lightness, in both breast and thigh meat samples. Moreover, significant differences were observed in parameters such as water‐holding capacity (p < 0.001), cook loss (p = 0.047), and shear force (p = 0.025) between control and probiotic groups. However, it's essential to note the considerable heterogeneity among the studies, emphasising the need for a cautious interpretation of the results. Despite this variability, the study underscores the potential of probiotics to positively influence broiler meat quality, highlighting avenues for further research and standardisation in poultry production practices. These findings also contribute to a better understanding of probiotics' role in improving meat quality and meeting consumer preferences for nutritious and high‐quality poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Environmental & Social Management Journal / Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental is the property of Environmental & Social Management Journal and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract In this research, active packaging which was made of all-natural component hydrogels from nanocellulose composited with silver nanoparticles at various concentrations (AgH) was studied. The concentration of silver nanoparticles ranged from 0.0078 to 0.0624 phr. AgH was characterized in terms of basic properties, functional properties, and packaging applications. Biocompatibility testing with the Caco-2 cell line showed that higher concentrations of silver (higher than 0.0312 phr) provided a lower cell viability rate (lower than 70% cell viability). Here, 0.0156 phr of silver nanoparticle concentration was the maximum loading that is safe for the target cell (82% cell viability) and was thus selected for use as active packaging. The antimicrobial activity showed that AgH at all concentrations inhibited both Gram bacteria up to 99.99%. Total volatile basic nitrogen compound testing showed that chicken meat preserved by AgH had the lowest values, indicating that AgH can prolong the shelf life in freshness level 1 (15% TVB-N) for 6.2 days compared to 3.9 and 4.1 days of blank and neat cellulose hydrogel. In addition, all AgH were gradually degraded over time and eventually disappeared within 15–30 days in organic soil.

Introduction: Consumer demand for pasture raised, antibiotic‐free poultry products has led to an increase in pastured poultry operations within the United States. Given the level of environmental interaction and the potential increase in exposure to foodborne pathogens in these settings, a greater understanding of the prevalence and diversity of Campylobacter populations inherent within pastured poultry flocks is needed. Methods: To achieve this, 40 pastured poultry flocks from nine farms were sampled using a farm‐to‐fork strategy, and Campylobacter was isolated and characterised from preharvest (faeces, soil) through postharvest (caeca, whole carcass rinse) to the final product the consumer would purchase (whole carcass rinse). Results: Campylobacter was isolated from 872 of 1820 samples, showing an overall prevalence of 47.91%. The caeca showed the highest (p < 0.05) Campylobacter load (4.64 log10 CFU/mL) and prevalence (95.5%), while the final product whole carcass rinses had the lowest (p < 0.05) Campylobacter load (0.32 log10 CFU/mL) and prevalence (15.45%), suggesting that the Campylobacter load in the caeca may not be indicative of the Campylobacter load on the final product. Of the 872 positive samples, 337 Campylobacter isolates were selected for further characterisation. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli comprised 74.18% (250/337) and 21.95% (74/337) of the selected isolates respectively. While the Campylobacter isolates displayed resistance to several antibiotics, the most common resistance for both C. jejuni and C. coli was against tetracycline (55.86% and 70.31% respectively). Multidrug resistance phenotypes (≥ 3 antibiotic classes) were relatively low for both C. jejuni (2.80%) and C. coli (9.45%). Conclusions: Campylobacter load, prevalence and diversity were more affected by farm location than by the type of sample from which the Campylobacter was isolated. Overall, these results indicated a need for farm‐specific Campylobacter mitigation strategies to ensure the safety of these increasingly in‐demand poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacteriosis is one of the most prevalent foodborne bacterial diseases. Infected chickens and poultry products are a possible source of this illness in people all over the world. Therefore, the ob-jective of this current meta-analysis was to summarise the available data on the prevalence of thermo-tolerant Campylobacter species in poultry and their products. A systematic literature search was con-ducted to gather pertinent articles from 2000 to 2021, using globally recognised four electronic data-bases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. The mean prevalence of cam-pylobacteriosis in poultry species and their products (meat, eggs, and offal) was 44% (95% CI: 39–50%) with the highest prevalence in Australia (67%). Among the European countries, France had the maximum prevalence rate of 76%, while Japan had recorded 61% as the peak among Asian countries. Prevalence rates of 43% and 56% were calculated in United States and Brazil representing the Ameri-can region. In the species-wise results, the mean prevalence rates of Campylobacter jejuni and Cam-pylobacter coli were 29% and 16%, correspondingly. In case of live birds, chickens and turkeys pos-sessed maximum prevalence rates of 47% and 40%, whereas 46% and 63% were recorded from poul-try meat and liver. Besides, categorising the difference sources of contamination, the maximum preva-lence rate of 62% was found in the poultry processing plants followed by 54% from supermarkets and 38% from farms. According to the current meta-analysis, Campylobacter jejuni was the most com-mon bacterium worldwide, and poultry meat – the most frequent source of human infection. The predominance of Campylobacter species is a threat for public health, and national authorities must undertake strategies to control this disease in each country with the goal of establishing adequate risk management measures.

1. Recent research has shown that encapsulated raspberry powder (RP) is a natural colourant for foodstuffs. However, no research has been conducted on its use in chicken nuggets. In addition, the effect of RP on products with and without phosphate addition is unknown. This study assessed the effects of RP (control, 0.5%, 1.0%) and phosphate (0.0%, 0.3%) on the pH and colour quality properties of nuggets. 2. In the production of RP, red raspberry (Rubus ideaus L.) juices were encapsulated using maltodextrin in a spray-dryer. Antioxidant activity, total anthocyanin, total phenolics, colour, moisture and pH analyses of the RP were performed. 3. Nuggets were packaged in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 40%CO2 + 60%N2) and were stored at 2.0 ± 0.5°C for 120 d. The pH and external and internal surface colour (L*, a*, b*, C* and h) values were measured on d 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105 and 120 of storage. 4. The addition of phosphate increased the pH in the samples, while these decreased with the addition of RP (p < 0.05). During storage, the highest pH were seen in the phosphate samples and the lowest in the nuggets with 1.0% RP addition (p < 0.05). 5. With the addition of phosphate, the external surface a* value of nuggets increased (p < 0.05). Depending on the level of RP added to the nuggets, the external surface L* value decreased and a* and b* values increased (p < 0.05). After d 30 of storage, the a* value increased in the samples with RP addition and this increase was higher in the with phosphate nuggets (p < 0.05). 6. The internal surface a* value increased with the addition of RP during nugget production (p < 0.05). The increase in a* value was greater in samples with added phosphate (p < 0.05). During storage, the highest a* values were seen in nuggets treated with phosphate + 0.1% RP (p < 0.05). The addition of RP to chicken nugget emulsion improved redness, colour stability and shelf life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As global demand increases for poultry products, innovative feeding strategies that reduce resource efficiency and improve food safety are urgently needed. This paper explores the potential of alternative sustainable poultry feeding strategies aimed at achieving SDG2 (Zero Hunger) while increasing production performance and food quality, focusing on the potential recycling of by-products, plants, and food waste derived from fruits, vegetables, and seeds, which account for up to 35% annually. The paper provides a review analysis of the nutritional (protein, fat, fiber, and ash) and minerals (i.e., calcium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, and iron) content as well as the bioactive compounds (polyphenols, antioxidants, carotenoids, fatty acids, and vitamins) of alternative feed ingredients, which can contribute to resource efficiency, reduce dependency on conventional feeds, and lower production costs by 25%. The nutritional benefits of these alternative feed ingredients, including their effects on poultry production and health, and their potential for improving poultry product quality, are presented. Carrot, paprika, rosehip, and some berry waste represent a great source of carotenoids, polyphenols, and vitamins, while the seed meals (flax, rapeseed, and sea buckthorn) have been reported to enhance the essential fatty acid composition in eggs and meat. Numerous plants (basil, sage, rosemary, and lettuce) are natural reservoirs of bioactive compounds with benefits for both animal and food products. Some challenges in implementing these alternative sustainable feeding strategies, including inconsistencies in quality and availability, the presence of anti-nutrients, and regulatory barriers, are also explored. In conclusion, future research directions in sustainable poultry feeding with alternative feed ingredients should be considered to achieve SDG2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Salmonella is an important zoonotic pathogen, of which poultry products are important reservoirs. This study analyzed the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and characterization of Salmonella from broiler and laying hen sources in China. Methods: A total of 138 (12.27%) strains of Salmonella were isolated from 1125 samples from broiler slaughterhouses (20.66%, 44/213), broiler farms (18.21%, 55/302), and laying hen farms (6.39%, 39/610). Multiplex PCR was used to identify the serotypes. Antibiotic susceptibility testing to a set of 21 antibiotics was performed and all strains were screened by PCR for 24 selected antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In addition, 24 strains of Salmonella were screened out by whole-genome sequencing together with 65 released Salmonella genomes to evaluate phylogenetic characteristics, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and plasmid carriage percentages. Results: A total of 11 different serotypes were identified, with the dominance of S. Enteritidis (43/138, 31.16%), S. Newport (30/138, 21.74%), and S. Indiana (19/138, 13.77%). The results showed that S. Enteritidis (34.34%, 34/99) and S. Newport (51.28%, 20/39) were the dominant serotypes of isolates from broilers and laying hens, respectively. The 138 isolates showed the highest resistance to sulfisoxazole (SXZ, 100%), nalidixic acid (NAL, 54.35%), tetracycline (TET, 47.83%), streptomycin (STR, 39.86%), ampicillin (AMP, 39.13%), and chloramphenicol (CHL, 30.43%), while all the strains were sensitive to both tigacycline (TIG) and colistin (COL). A total of 45.65% (63/138) of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains, and most of them (61/63, 96.83%) were from broiler sources. The results of PCR assays revealed that 63.77% of the isolates were carrying the quinolone resistance gene qnrD, followed by gyrB (58.70%) and the trimethoprim resistance gene dfrA12 (52.17%). Moreover, a total of thirty-four ARGs, eighty-nine virulence genes, and eight plasmid replicons were detected in the twenty-four screened Salmonella strains, among which S. Indiana was detected to carry the most ARGs and the fewest plasmid replicons and virulence genes compared to the other serotypes. Conclusions: This study revealed a high percentage of multidrug-resistant Salmonella from poultry sources, stressing the importance of continuous monitoring of Salmonella serotypes and antimicrobial resistance in the poultry chain, and emergency strategies should be implemented to address this problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chicken liver pate is a smooth and spreadable product made from chicken meat, chicken livers, fat, seasoning and other optional ingredients (such as hydrocolloids). Hydrocolloids (polysaccharides or proteins) are commonly used in spreadable meat/poultry products (such as chicken liver pâté) to improve texture, stability and moisture retention, resulting in a product with desired functional and organoleptic properties. In general, the chicken liver pâté samples showed their highest hardness and viscoelastic moduli values when κ-carrageenan and furcellaran were used. Suggestions for producing a softer chicken liver pâté consistency involve utilizing ι-carrageenan at a level between 0.25% and 0.75% (w/w) or furcellaran at a 0.25% w/w concentration. We can conclude that the use of hydrocolloids in the manufacturing of chicken liver pâté could be an effective solution leading to the development of products with desired techno-functional properties. Hydrocolloids are used in spreadable meat or poultry products to improve consistency, emulsion stability and water retention, resulting in products with desired functional and organoleptic properties. The scope of the work was to evaluate the addition of three divergent algal hydrocolloids (κ-carrageenan, ι-carrageenan, furcellaran) at four different concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00% w/w) on the physicochemical, textural, rheological and organoleptic properties of model chicken liver pâté (CLP) samples. Overall, the highest hardness and viscoelastic moduli values of the CLP samples were reported when κ-carrageenan and furcellaran were utilized at a concentration of 0.75% w/w (p < 0.05). Furthermore, increasing the concentrations of the utilized hydrocolloids led to increase in the viscoelastic moduli and hardness values of CLP. Compared to the control sample, an increase in spreadability was reported in the CLP samples with the addition of hydrocolloids. Finally, the use of algal hydrocolloids proved to be an effective way to modify the techno-functional properties of CLP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are a highly nutritious food; however, those are also fragile and susceptible to cracks, which can lead to bacterial contamination and economic losses. Traditional methods for detecting cracks, particularly in processed eggs, often fall short due to changes in the eggs' physical properties during processing. This study was aimed at developing a novel device for detecting egg cracks using electric discharge phenomena. The system was designed to apply a high-voltage electric field to the eggs, where sparks were generated at crack locations due to the differences in electrical conductivity between the insulative eggshell and the more conductive inner membrane exposed by the cracks. The detection apparatus consisted of a custom-built high-voltage power supply, flexible electrode pins, and a rotation mechanism to ensure a complete 360-degree inspection of each egg. Numerical simulations were performed to analyze the distribution of the electric field and charge density, confirming the method's validity. The results demonstrated that this system could efficiently detect cracks in both raw and processed eggs, overcoming the limitations of existing detection technologies. The proposed method offers high precision, reliability, and the potential for broader application in the inspection of various poultry products, representing a significant advancement in food safety and quality control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are β-lactamase enzymes produced by Gram-negative bacterial pathogens that harbor the ESBL genes. In addition, most ESBL genes are plasmid-mediated and usually encode a broader spectrum of antimicrobial resistance, especially to penicillins, first-generation, second-generation, and third-generation cephalosporins, as well as monobactam, such as aztreonam. Escherichia coli has become an opportunistic pathogen, especially in poultry, and has been implicated in zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to humans, resulting in public health problems. Poultry can act as carriers of ESBL-producing E. coli (ESBL-EC) bacteria to humans through poultry meat that is contaminated by waste products, feces, and excretions. The ESBL gene CTX-M type was identified as the main cause of infection in humans and was detected in poultry as a cause of infection accompanied by clinical symptoms. Several studies have also shown a link between E. coli and ESBL gene transfer from birds to humans. Controlling the spread of ESBL-EC involves maintaining the cleanliness of poultry products, especially meat, and eliminating contaminant sources from poultry. Likewise, maintaining the environmental cleanliness of poultry slaughterhouses and poultry farms must be taken as a precautionary measure to curtail the increasing spread of ESBL-EC into the environment. This review aimed to explain the spread of ESBL-producing E. coli in poultry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maize forms a key component in poultry feed formulation in Ghana. Nonetheless, there is an existing challenge of low-quality maize due to insect infestation and mycotoxin contamination resulting in poor chicken growth and performance including diminished egg laying. This study compared the effectiveness of ZeroFly® Hermetic (ZFH) storage bags to polypropylene (PP) bags to mitigate insect pest and mycotoxin levels over a 6-month storage period. The study was conducted in threelayer poultry farms in Dormaa Ahenkro, Bono Region, Ghana. One storehouse was used in each poultry farm. In each storehouse, there were thirty-two 100-kg-capacity ZFH and same number of 100-kg PP bags, each containing 100 kg of maize, that is, altogether sixty-four 100-kg-capacity bags in each storehouse. The experiment was set up in a Randomized Complete Block Design with two treatments (ZFH and PP bags), three replications (storehouses), and two sub-replications. In each storehouse, two bags in each treatment were destructively sampled monthly. After 6 months of storage, the predominant insects found were Sitophilus spp. and Sitotroga cerealella, and a larger mean number of insects (live and dead) per 500-g sample was found in the PP bags (149.67 ± 8.67), compared to ZFH bags; 4.67 ± 0.73. The percentage of insect damaged kernels after 6 months was significantly higher in PP bags (67.67 ± 2.62) than ZFH bags (5.00 ± 0.50). Weight loss in the PP bags was > 30%, compared to < 0.3% in ZFH bags. Aflatoxin and fumonisin levels of maize in both types of bags were below the recommended safe threshold of 15 ppb and 4 ppm, respectively. The moisture content of maize in ZFH bags was maintained over the 6-month period whereas that of maize in PP bags increased. Also, crude protein, crude fat, and carbohydrate levels in maize were higher in ZFH bags than PP bags. Data showed ZFH bags conserved maize quality better than the PP bags thereby making maize wholesome for food and feed. Further research to compare the growth and performance of layer poultry in terms of egg laying related to diets of feed from maize stored in ZHF and PP bags is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experiment was conducted to determine the apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn) of defatted black soldier fly larvae meal (BSM), full-fat dry larvae meal (BSL), and larvae fat (LF) for broiler chickens. The BSM, BSL, and LF contained on a g/kg basis, respectively, crude protein, 459, 399, 0; crude fat, 171, 240, 923; dry matter, 963, 940, 997; neutral detergent fiber, 210, 333, 0; acid detergent fibers, 95, 93, 0; and gross energy (MJ/kg), 22.04, 22.78, 38.16. An AME bioassay was performed wherein broilers were fed four experimental diets (a maize–wheat–soy basal diet and three test diets containing 100 g/kg BSM, BSL, or LF, respectively). The AME of BSM, BSL, and LF was calculated based on the differences between the AME values of basal and test diets (substitution method). The AME and AMEn for BSM, BSL, and LF were determined to be 18.20 and 17.40; 17.60 and 16.50; and 36.50 and 35.60 MJ/kg DM, respectively. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between nutrient retention coefficients of dry matter, N, and fat. The results showed that the examined products from black soldier fly larvae are a good source of available energy and crude protein (BSL and BSM) and can be incorporated in broiler diets as alternative protein and energy sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tahiti lemon juice (Citrus aurantifolia) was evaluated for its antibacterial activity. For this purpose, microbiological parameters were assessed in vitro (measurement of the inhibition potential of bacteria using the disk diffusion method) and in vivo (the number of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae on the eggshell). Tahiti lemon juice inhibited Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with larger halos for pure juice. The values were 14.33 ± 0.58 mm for E. coli and 16.00 ± 1.00 mm for S. aureus. Compared with the load of mesophilic bacteria in the shells of non-sanitized eggs (5.49 ± 0.12 log10 CFU/mL), Tahiti lemon juice significantly reduced this bacterial group on the eggshell (2.07 ± 0.18 log10 CFU/mL). Combining the characteristics inherent to Tahiti lemon juice and the sanitization processes of poultry products proved helpful in guaranteeing the bacterial quality of eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is known as a crucial zoonotic food-borne pathogen. The main virulence factor of STEC is the production of Shiga toxins 1 and 2. A total of 400 poultry faecal samples were collected from different poultry farms in and around Tirupathi, Andhra Pradesh. The samples were cultured in selective and differential culture media, and the virulence genes of E. coli isolates were analyzed by PCR assay. Out of 400 poultry faecal samples, 170 isolates were isolated and confirmed as E. coli by different biochemical tests with an overall prevalence of 42.5%. Out of 170 E. coli isolates 154 (90.5%) were found positive by targeting uspA gene with an amplification of 884 bp. All the 154 PCR confirmed E. coli isolates subjected to multiplex PCR for the detection of virulent genes targeting eae A, stx 1 and stx 2 and obtained an amplification products, respectively at 384 bp, 180 bp and 254 bp. Out of 154 E. coli isolates, 54 (35.06%) isolates had eae A gene, 36 (23.37 %) had stx 1 gene, 41 (26.62 %) isolates had stx 2 gene, 16 (3.89 %) isolates had both eae A & stx 2, and 12 (7.79%) isolates had both stx 1 & stx 2. By avoiding contact with contaminated faeces and by maintaining proper hygienic measures at farm, contamination of poultry and poultry products may be avoided which in turn may safeguard the health of public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Campylobacteriosis is one of the most prevalent foodborne bacterial diseases. Infected chickens and poultry products are a possible source of this illness in people all over the world. Therefore, the objective of this current meta-analysis was to summarise the available data on the prevalence of thermotolerant Campylobacter species in poultry and their products. A systematic literature search was conducted to gather pertinent articles from 2000 to 2021, using globally recognised four electronic databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus. The mean prevalence of campylobacteriosis in poultry species and their products (meat, eggs, and offal) was 44% (95% CI: 39-50%) with the highest prevalence in Australia (67%). Among the European countries, France had the maximum prevalence rate of 76%, while Japan had recorded 61% as the peak among Asian countries. Prevalence rates of 43% and 56% were calculated in United States and Brazil representing the American region. In the species-wise results, the mean prevalence rates of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli were 29% and 16%, correspondingly. In case of live birds, chickens and turkeys possessed maximum prevalence rates of 47% and 40%, whereas 46% and 63% were recorded from poultry meat and liver. Besides, categorising the difference sources of contamination, the maximum prevalence rate of 62% was found in the poultry processing plants followed by 54% from supermarkets and 38% from farms. According to the current meta-analysis, Campylobacter jejuni was the most common bacterium worldwide, and poultry meat - the most frequent source of human infection. The predominance of Campylobacter species is a threat for public health, and national authorities must undertake strategies to control this disease in each country with the goal of establishing adequate risk management measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to identify changes in the production and export of poultry from Poland and the factors influencing the development of this market. The main methods used to achieve the aim of the study are comparative analysis over time, structure analysis, and correlation coefficient. The study mainly used annual data collected by the Ministry of Finance and Statistics Poland. During the period under study, Poland was self-sufficient in poultry production, which increased, except for 2021, when it decreased, which was primarily caused by the very dynamic transmission of avian influenza in poultry. A progressive process of production concentration is observed in the sector. The share of farms keeping the smallest flocks of broiler chickens decreased, and the share of farms keeping the largest flocks increased. Imports of poultry products in relation to exports were small. Production was much higher than domestic market demand. About half of the production was exported. Between 2014 and 2022, poultry meat and offal had the largest share in the export structure. One of the challenges for market development is the greater intensity of avian influenza, which directly or indirectly affects various participants in the supply chain. Therefore, there is a need to create plans for dealing with the appearance of avian influenza in poultry. In the case of export, the consequence of the occurrence of avian influenza in poultry may be the need to change some geographical export directions, which should be included in such plans. It is also necessary to prepare a plan for the management of surplus poultry in the event of a ban on ritual slaughter. The development scale creates a need for systematic research of this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contamination of poultry products by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STm) is a major cause of foodborne infections and outbreaks. This study aimed to assess the diversity and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) carriage of STm in three chicken processing plants using genomic sequencing. It also aimed to investigate whether any particular strain types were associated with cases of human illness. Multilevel genome typing (MGT) was used to analyze 379 STm isolates from processed chicken carcasses. The diversity of chicken STm sequence types (STs) increased from MGT1 (2 STs) to MGT9 (257 STs). STs at MGT5 to MGT9 levels that were unique to one processing plant and shared among the processing plants were identified, likely reflecting the diversity of STm at their farm source. Fifteen medium resolution MGT5 STs matched those from human infections in Australia and globally. However, no STs matched between the chicken and human isolates at high resolution levels (MGT8 or MGT9), indicating the two STm populations were phylogenetically related but were unlikely to be directly epidemiologically linked. AMR genes were rare, with only a blaTEM-1 gene carried by a 95 kb IncI1 Alpha plasmid being identified in 20 isolates. In conclusion, subpopulations that were widespread in processing plants and had caused human infections were described using MGT5 STs. In this STM population, AMR was rare with only sporadic resistance to a single drug class observed. The genomic analysis of STm from chicken processing plants in this study provided insights into STm that contaminate meat chickens early in the food production chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The widespread use of antibiotics in poultry production has raised public concerns about food safety and meat quality. This study investigated the effects of early ciprofloxacin use on Xueshan chickens, focusing on growth, meat quality, and metabolic changes. It was found that, while ciprofloxacin treatment did not affect overall chicken growth, it significantly altered meat quality characteristics, which may affect meat texture and preservability. Although ciprofloxacin residues were not detected in muscle, metabolic analyses revealed significant metabolic alterations, particularly in microbial and amino acid metabolism pathways. These findings emphasize that antibiotic use may have far-reaching effects on poultry product quality, involving not only direct meat quality changes but also complex metabolic reactions. This study provides new perspectives for understanding the role of antibiotics in poultry production, which is important for optimizing antibiotic-use strategies and ensuring food safety. The results may be an important reference for poultry producers, food safety regulators and consumers. To investigate the effects of early administration of ciprofloxacin (CIP) on Xueshan chickens, in this study Xueshan chickens were measured for growth performance, tested for drug residues, evaluated for meat quality, and muscle metabolism changes were explored using a non-target metabolomics approach. Experimental findings revealed that early CIP use did not significantly impact the overall growth rate of Xueshan chickens (p > 0.05). However, notable alterations in meat quality were observed: the CIP-treated group exhibited a significant decrease in muscle pH (pH1 and pH24) and a marked increase in drip loss and moisture content (p > 0.05). No CIP residues were detected in muscle tissue. Untargeted metabolomics analyses unveiled significant alterations in the metabolic profile of market-age chickens following CIP treatment. Both functional enrichment and metabolic network analyses indicated significant effects on the ko01120 (microbial metabolism in diverse environments) and ko00350 (tyrosine metabolism) pathways, implying that CIP treatment may influence chicken meat quality by modulating microbial communities and amino acid metabolism. This study provides a crucial foundation for understanding the impact of antibiotics on meat quality and metabolism in poultry production, offering scientific insights for optimizing antibiotic-use strategies and safeguarding poultry product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is the most predominant serovar in poultry and eggs, and it poses a significant threat to public health worldwide as it is a leading cause of salmonellosis in humans, which is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated poultry products like eggs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of S. Enteritidis in household chicken eggs collected from Erzurum Province, Türkiye. A total of 168 household chicken eggs were collected from 168 small family poultry farms. Salmonella spp. was not isolated from any of the examined egg internal contents; however, successful isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. were achieved in 4 of the shell samples. Further characterization of the identified Salmonella spp. isolates was performed at the serovar level using 16S rDNA sequence analysis, and all 4 isolates were identified as S. Enteritidis. In conclusion, this study highlights the inherent risk of S. Enteritidis contamination in household chicken eggs and emphasizes the vital significance of implementing stringent food safety measures to safeguard consumer well-being and ensure the protection of public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: For alternative meat products to gain more traction, it is crucial to determine the differences in sensory and nutritional properties between animal and alternative meat food products currently available in the market. The present work compared 27 food products from poultry, pork, and seafood (i.e. three main categories with nine sub‐groups consisting of one animal‐based and two alternative meat products). Results from both the sensory evaluation and instrumental texture analysis indicate that there were distinct differences between the animal meat and their alternative meat counterparts. The alternative meat products tested in this study were divided into five clusters using agglomerative hierarchical clustering, with various clusters associated with different sensory attributes. Differences in the denseness of structure, ingredient interactions, and moisture content contributed to the varied textural properties. The lysine and methionine content in at least one of the alternative meat products was lower than that of their animal meat counterpart for all meat and seafood categories, except for prawn. Alternative meat products containing higher levels of carbohydrates, fibres, and fats resulted in poorer protein digestibility. These findings provide information on the sensorial (both taste and texture) and nutritional gaps that need to be overcome when developing next‐generation alternative meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole genome sequencing is replacing traditional laboratory surveillance methods as the primary tool to track and characterize clusters and outbreaks of the foodborne and zoonotic pathogen Salmonella enterica (S. enterica). In this study, 438 S. enterica isolates representing 35 serovars and 13 broad vehicle categories from one hundred epidemiologically confirmed outbreaks were evaluated for genetic variation to develop epidemiologically relevant interpretation guidelines for Salmonella disease cluster detection. The Illumina sequences were analyzed by core genome multi-locus sequence typing (cgMLST) and screened for antimicrobial resistance (AR) determinants and plasmids. Ninety-three of the one hundred outbreaks exhibited a close allele range (less than 10 allele differences with a subset closer than 5). The remaining seven outbreaks showed increased variation, of which three were considered polyclonal. A total of 16 and 28 outbreaks, respectively, showed variations in the AR and plasmid profiles. The serovars Newport and I 4,[5],12:i:-, as well as the zoonotic and poultry product vehicles, were overrepresented among the outbreaks, showing increased variation. A close allele range in cgMLST profiles can be considered a reliable proxy for epidemiological relatedness for the vast majority of S. enterica outbreak investigations. Variations associated with mobile elements happen relatively frequently during outbreaks and could be reflective of changing selective pressures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous research found that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and inulin synergistically affected the intestinal barrier and immune system function in chicks. However, does it promote the early immunity of the poultry gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT)? How does it regulate the immunity? We evaluated immune-related indicators in the serum, cecal tonsil, and intestine to determine whether FMT synergistic inulin had a stronger impact on gut health and which gene expression regulation was affected. The results showed that FMT synergistic inulin increased TGF-β secretion and intestinal goblet cell number and MUC2 expression on day 14. Expression of BAFFR, PAX5, CXCL12, and IL-2 on day 7 and expression of CXCR4 and IL-2 on day 14 in the cecal tonsils significantly increased. The transcriptome indicated that CD28 and CTLA4 were important regulatory factors in intestinal immunity. Correlation analysis showed that differential genes were related to the immunity and development of the gut and cecal tonsil. FMT synergistic inulin promoted the development of GALT, which improved the early-stage immunity of the intestine by regulating CD28 and CTLA4. This provided new measures for replacing antibiotic use and reducing the use of therapeutic drugs while laying a technical foundation for achieving anti-antibiotic production of poultry products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Necrotic enteritis is a serious disease in chickens caused by bacterium Clostridium perfringens, leading to high death rates, poor growth, and an economic loss of $6 billion annually worldwide. Currently, antibiotics are commonly used to treat the disease in chickens. However, the rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the growing demand for antibiotic-free poultry products highlights the need to explore sustainable alternatives. Our study investigated natural products of Nigella sativa (black cumin) and authentic kefir as sustainable options in reducing necrotic enteritis in chickens. An animal trial was conducted in which chickens were fed 5% black cumin seeds in their feed, 20% kefir in drinking water, and a combination of both during disease. The results showed that black cumin seeds, kefir, and their combination treatments did not have a detrimental impact on the growth of the chickens and successfully reduced infection and death rates, with the combination being the most effective. Therefore, Nigella sativa, kefir, and their combination can be used as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics in mitigating necrotic enteritis in chickens. Coccidiosis and necrotic enteritis (NE) are prevalent poultry ailments worldwide, leading to decreased live performance and elevated mortality rates without antibiotic usage. This study evaluated Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds (BCS) and kefir as alternatives to antibiotics for broilers. An in vivo study over a 28-day period, using 384 Cobb 500 male broilers organized into six treatment groups as part of a completely randomized block experimental design was conducted. Each treatment group included eight replicates, with each replicate containing eight birds. The treatments included positive control, negative control, antibiotic control, 5% BCS in feed, 20% kefir in drinking water, and a combination of 5% BCS and 20% kefir. NE was induced in broilers by administering ~5000 oocysts of Eimeria maxima orally on day 14, followed by inoculation with about 108 CFU/mL of Clostridium perfringens (Cp) (strain Cp#4) on days 19, 20, and 21. Live performance metrics including feed intake, body weight gain, and feed conversion were assessed in broilers. Additionally, NE disease outcomes such as lesion scores, mortality rates, and Cp populations in cecum were determined during the study. The BCS, kefir, and the combination had no detrimental effect on broiler live performance. BCS-treated and combination groups had lower NE scores (p > 0.05) in comparison to the positive control and exhibited no significant difference (p > 0.05) from antibiotic control. Additionally, treatment groups and antibiotic control were not significantly different (p > 0.05) in mortality, whereas the BCS and kefir combination significantly reduced (p < 0.05) mortality to 14.1% compared to 31.3% for the positive control. C. perfringens vegetative cells significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in treatments with BCS, kefir, and their combination on days 22 and 28 compared to the positive control. On day 22, Cp sores were significantly lower (p < 0.05) for the kefir and combination treatments compared to the positive control. In conclusion, BCS and kefir successfully reduced C. perfringens infection and mortality without any detrimental impact on broiler live performance with the combined treatment being the most effective. These results suggest that BCS and kefir could serve as potential alternatives to antibiotics in managing NE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis is the most commonly reported zoonosis within the EU, with poultry products regarded as the primary source of transmission to humans. Therefore, finding strategies to reduce Campylobacter colonization in broilers holds importance for public health. Recent studies suggest that supplementation of broiler feed with brown algal extracts, particularly laminarin, can provide beneficial effects on broiler gut health, growth performance, and gut microbiota. However, its effect on gut microbiota development and subsequent reduction of Campylobacter loads in broiler caeca during the later stages of the birds' lives remains unclear. Methods: Experimental colonization of Ross 308 broilers with two different strains of C. jejuni was conducted, with groups fed either a basal diet or the same basal diet supplemented with 725 ppm algal extract from Saccharina latissima to provide 290 ppm laminarin. Fecal samples were collected for bacterial enumeration, and caecal samples were obtained before and after the C. jejuni challenge for the determination of microbiota development. Results and discussion: No significant differences in fecal C. jejuni concentrations between the groups fed different diets or exposed to different C. jejuni strains were observed. This suggests that both strains colonized the birds equally well and that the laminarin rich algal extract did not have any inhibitory effect on C. jejuni colonization. Notably, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing revealed detailed data on the caecal microbiota development, likely influenced by both bird age and C. jejuni colonization, which can be valuable for further development of broiler feed formulations aimed at promoting gut health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-quality poultry meat products, characterized by freshness, flavor, and safety, are essential for consumer satisfaction and loyalty in the food industry. The consistent maintenance of quality standards in poultry meat products ensures not only consumer confidence but also contributes to their overall health and well-being. This paper aims to assess and verify the quality of turkey liver pate cans obtained within a poultry meat processing unit in the Moldova region, through organoleptic, physico-chemical, and microbiological analyses. The analysis of the chemical composition showed a content of 1.35% NaCl, protein content with an average value of 8.76%, and fat content with an average value of 24.6%. Also, microbiological analysis of the cans demonstrated the absence of pathogenic bacteria from the genera Salmonella and Escherichia coli. In conclusion, quality assurance of canned meat is achieved through the implementation of total supervision through the correct and impartial evaluation of all risk factors for the health of the final consumer. Hygiene must be ensured in all stages of production, starting from hygiene on the technological flow of canning, the hygiene of the storage space and the sale of preparations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salmonella is a common cause of human foodborne illness, which is frequently associated with consumption of contaminated or undercooked poultry meat. Serotype Infantis is among the most common serotypes isolated from poultry meat products globally. Isolates of serotype Infantis carrying the pESI plasmid, the most dominant strain of Infantis, have been shown to exhibit oxidizer tolerance. Therefore, 16 strains of Salmonella with and without pESI carriage were investigated for susceptibility to biocide chemical processing aids approved for use in US poultry meat processing: peracetic acid (PAA), cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite. Strains were exposed for 15 s to simulate spray application and 90 min to simulate application in an immersion chiller. All strains tested were susceptible to all concentrations of PAA, CPC, and sodium hypochlorite when applied for 90 min. When CPC, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hypochlorite were applied for 15 s to simulate spray time, strains responded similarly to each other. However, strains responded variably to exposure to PAA. The variation was not statistically significant and appears unrelated to pESI carriage. Results highlight the necessity of testing biocide susceptibility in the presence of organic material and in relevant in situ applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]