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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent gut disorder linked to changes in the gut microbiota, including lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, research on LAB biodiversity in IBS patients is limited. This study aimed to compare LAB microbiota in healthy individuals and those with IBS through biochemical and molecular techniques. Fecal samples from 15 IBS patients and 13 healthy individuals were collected, and LAB were isolated using biochemical methods. Fifty isolates were chosen based on Gram staining and catalase tests and identified through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. A phylogenetic tree was used to analyze strain diversity, and correlation diagrams and swarm plots were employed to explore variable relationships. The study revealed a significant difference in LAB numbers between IBS and healthy subjects, with average of 5.91 and 6.63, respectively. Most bacteria were Gram‐positive cocci or bacilli, with homofermentative characteristics, except for one heterofermentative sample from the healthy group. Both IBS and healthy groups exhibited strains from Lactobacillus and Enterococcus genera, with Enterococcus faecium being predominant in both. Demographic analysis showed higher IBS prevalence among individuals aged 20–40, with IBS‐C more common in women and IBS‐D in men. The study concluded that individuals with IBS had significantly lower LAB microbiota counts, potentially impacting intestinal defense function. Further exploration of LAB behavioral and immunomodulatory traits may enhance understanding of intestinal microbiota's role in IBS and aid in developing treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the increasing global demand for Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the food and pharmaceutical industries, the expression of the recombinant Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and its industrial production is currently requested. Culture conditions were optimized to increase the expression level of the recombinant enzyme in different pH, temperature, incubation time, aeration levels, inoculation concentrations, concentrations of IPTG, and several carbon sources using the RSM based on a central composite design. According to the results of the quadratic regression equation, recombinant Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) had the highest GAD expression at pH=7.2, aeration at about 120 rpm, inoculation concentrations of about 3% v/v, 2.25 mM IPTG, 37 °C, and 6 h of incubation time in the presence of 0.2% glucose. Using pure glucose as a carbon source on an industrial scale is not cost-effective for producing recombinant proteins. Therefore, using low-cost carbon sources such as corn syrup and molasses with concentrations of 1.5 and 5.65% (w/v) is an efficient method for the industrial production of recombinant GAD. The concentration of purified recombinant GAD in carbon sources of 0.2% glucose, 1.5 corn syrup and 5.65% molasses was 2.155, 2.07 and 1.96 mg/mL, respectively. In this way, the global need for GABA can be met by the industrial production of GAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant cause of flaviviral infections affecting the human central nervous system, primarily transmitted through tick bites and the consumption of unpasteurized milk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TBEV and identify new natural foci of TBEV in livestock milk. In this cross‐sectional study, unpasteurized milk samples were collected from livestock reared on farms and analysed for the presence and subtyping of TBEV using nested reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction , alongside the detection of anti‐TBEV total IgG antibodies using ELISA. The findings revealed that the highest prevalence of TBEV was observed in goat and sheep milk combined, whereas no TBEV was detected in cow milk samples. All identified strains were of the Siberian subtype. Moreover, the highest prevalence of anti‐TBEV antibodies was detected in sheep milk. These results uncover new foci of TBEV in Iran, underscoring the importance of thermal processing (pasteurization) of milk prior to consumption to mitigate the risk of TBEV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In response to the growing concern of transmitting pathogenic viruses through food, this research aimed to assess the impact of various factors on the commercial packaging of meat (chicken and beef) on the inactivation of bacteriophage MS2 which was scrutinised by examining the influence of packaging type, bacteriophage spiking levels, temperature, as well as the meat shape and type. The findings revealed that the recovery of bacteriophage MS2 from minced beef was lower in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) compared with air packaging (AP) at both storage times, spiking levels, and freezing and refrigerating temperatures. On the other hand, the recovery of the bacteriophage from chopped beef was lower in AP than in MAP in refrigerating conditions at both spiking levels during the 3 days of storage. According to our findings, the recovery levels of bacteriophage MS2 from chicken had statistically significant differences in both packaging types at different spiking levels. Storage conditions and packaging type were the most essential parameters in bacteriophage MS2 viability. The lowest bacteriophage viability belonged to MAP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have shown that natural colorants, in addition to their coloring attributes, have valuable biological effects such as antioxidant, anti‐inflammation, and anticarcinogenic properties. Moreover, their use as a food colorant can restrict the potential disadvantages of synthetic additives and turn foods into functional products. In this study, in vitro antimicrobial activities of two natural colorants of bixin and curcumin against some important foodborne pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Listeria innocua (L. innocua), and Escherichia coli (E. coli) were investigated by disk diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values were determined by agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The synergistic activity of the colorants against selected microorganisms was assayed by the checkerboard microdilution method. The results showed that the inhibitory effects of bixin against S. aureus were more pronounced than E. coli and L. innocua. The lowest concentration of curcumin (0.6 mg/mL) in the disk diffusion method was not inhibited by any tested bacteria. However, it was effective at the higher concentrations against three microorganisms, but its diameter of inhibition zones was lower than gentamicin in all concentrations. Synergetic effects were observed by curcumin and bixin combination against S. aureus (FICI ≤ 0.5), but they act as an antagonist against E. coli and L. innocua. The results of the synergy test were confirmed by the isobologram curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production and use of biodegradable films with appropriate physical and mechanical properties and replacing them with synthetic materials is an effective solution to reduce many environmental pollutions. In this study, with the aim of producing biodegradable consistent structure and durable composite films, starch, zein and PVA were mixed with different proportions according to mixture design and ternary composites were prepared. Physical and mechanical properties were compared and optimum formulation were determined. According to the results, adding PVA to starch improved the mechanical properties and adding zein to it reduced the water solubility of the composite films. The optimal formulation of the three-component composite was determined as %85 starch, %15 zein and %5 PVA with a desirability level equal to %98. The x-ray diffraction patterns of optimal film showed two specified peak at 2θ=17-19° and 2θ = 22-24°, this pattern indicated the amorphous and crystalline structure of the composite film. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry showed that the highest weight loss of composite film is 285/3-340°C equal to %48/2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) is one of the most important carcinogenic viruses genetically related to the human T-cell lymphotropic viruses (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2). The virus infects type B lymphocytes and creates lymph glands tumors. Recently, the association between the presence of this virus and breast cancer has been addressed in humans. Here, we studied the prevalence of BLV in the samples of raw milk of native Iranian and Iranian-foreign cows in traditional, semi-industrial and industrial dairy farms in rural and urban areas of Zanjan province. Raw milk samples of cows were collected manually in sterile tubes. The samples were tested by nested-PCR method. Forty samples (9.93%) out of 403 samples showed BLV contamination. In this study, nested-PCR was successfully applied to determine the level of contamination in raw milk samples from cows infected with BLV. Furthermore, a relatively high rate of BLV infection was found in dairy cows in Zanjan province, northwestern of Iran [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]