Anti-Listeria activity of lactic acid bacteria in two traditional Sicilian cheeses

<em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> is a pathogen frequently found in dairy products, and its growth is difficult to control. Bacteriocinlike inhibitory substances (BLIS), produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), having proven <em>in vitro</em> anti-<em>Listeria</em> activity, could provide an innovative approach to control <em>L. monocytogenes</em>; however, this application needs to be evaluated <em>in vivo</em>. In this study, twenty LAB strains isolated from different Sicilian dairy environments were tested for control of growth of <em>L. monocytogenes</em> in three different experimental trials. First, raw and UHT milk …

Transformation of raw ewes' milk applying “Grana” type pressed cheese technology: development of extra-hard “Gran Ovino” cheese

Abstract This work was carried out to pursue a double objective: to improve the hygienic safety of cheeses produced from raw ewes' milk; and to produce a new typology of raw ewes' milk through the application of “Grana” technology for which the name “Gran Ovino” was chosen. With this in mind, raw milk from an individual farm was transformed under controlled conditions at a dairy pilot plant. The production technology included the partial skimming of the evening and morning milk mixture by cream surfacing and the addition of a natural whey starter cultures (NWSC) prepared with four selected Streptococcus thermophilus strains (PON6, PON244, PON261 e PON413). Ten microbial groups were investig…

Effect of Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage Edible Coating in Combination with Ascorbic Acid, on Strawberry Fruit Quality during Cold Storage

Strawberry fruit is a nonclimacteric fruit and is one of the most consumed berries in the world. It is characterized by high levels of vitamin C, folate, vitamin E, β-carotene, and phenolic constituents as well asanthocyanins that are strictly related to health benefits. Strawberries are highly perishable fruit with a very short postharvest life due to their susceptibility to mechanical injury, rapid texture softening, physiological disorders, and infection caused by several pathogens (yeast and mold) that can rapidly reduce fruit quality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the application of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage in combination with ascorbic acid, as edible …

The migratory birds: novel ecological niche of fungal diversity?

Francesca et al (2010) studied the ecology of wine yeasts associated to birds caught in vineyards. The same authors were able to prove that migratory birds might carry living pro-technological yeasts for about 12 hours from the ingestion of inoculated feed (Francesca et al 2012). In subsequent studies, they tried to demonstrate that microorganisms are not only transported for a short period by birds, but microorganisms might be adapted to the specific conditions (body temperature about 42 °C and low pH) of the intestinal tract of birds. Hence, it was demonstrated that the majority of isolates carried by birds are thermotolerant. The most interesting results were the isolation of two new spe…

Characteristics of sourdoughs and baked pizzas as affected by starter culture inoculums

Previous investigations on pizza dough lactic acid bacteria (LAB) revealed that facultative heterofermentative species (FHS) were more represented than obligate heterofermentative species (OHS) within the Lactobacillus genus. Thus, the main hypothesis of this work was that facultative and obligate heterofermentative Lactobacillus species can impact differently the appreciation of baked pizza. The performances of different Lactobacillus, including L. sanfranciscensis, L. brevis and L. rossiae among OHS and L. plantarum, L. graminis and L. curvatus among FHS were tested in single or multiple combinations during pizza production. The values of pH, total titratable acidity and LAB levels indica…

Effects of Tray-Drying on the Physicochemical, Microbiological, Proximate, and Sensory Properties of White- and Red-Fleshed Loquat (Eriobotrya Japonica Lindl.) Fruit

Loquat fruits, highly valued by consumers for their characteristic aroma and pleasant taste, have a short post-harvest life and are susceptible to mechanical damage, loss of firmness, and initial organoleptic characteristics. The aim of this work was to develop a drying method suitable for storing loquat fruits in polyamide/polyethylene (PA/PE) bags containing two gaseous mixtures (treatments): MAPN2 (100% N2) and MAPP (21% O2 and 0.04% CO2), at room temperature (20 ± 1 °C) for at least 2 months. The effects of these conditions on the physico-chemical, microbiological, proximate, and sensory properties of fruit stored over a 50-day time interval were studied. The results showed that convect…

Enteric bacteria of food ice and their survival in alcoholic beverages and soft drinks

This study aimed to evaluate the levels of enteric bacteria in ice cubes produced in different environments (home-made, prepared in bars and pubs with ice machines and produced in industrial plants) and to determine their survival in different alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Members of the Enterobacteriaceae family were found in almost all samples analysed. All industrial and the majority of home-made samples did not contain coliforms. Enterococci were not identified in domestic samples while they were detected in two industrial and three bar/pub samples. The samples collected from bars and pubs were characterized by the highest levels of enteric bacteria. Fourteen strains representing…

Microbiological Profile and Bioactive Properties of Insect Powders Used in Food and Feed Formulations

Microbiological, nutritional and bioactive properties of edible powders obtained from Acheta domesticus (house cricket) and Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) were investigated. Except for the enterobacteria, viable bacteria were at a higher concentration in mealworm flour. The diversity evaluation carried out using MiSeq Illumina that mainly identified Citrobacter and Enterobacteriaceae in mealworm powder and members of the Porphyromonadaceae family in house cricket powder. Enterococci were identified and characterized for their safety characteristics in terms of the absence of antibiotic resistance and virulence. Both powders represent a good source of proteins and lipids. The fatty acid profile…

Evolution of indigenous starter microorganisms and physicochemical parameters in spontaneously fermented beef, horse, wild boar and pork salamis produced under controlled conditions

Abstract The present work was carried out to evaluate the microbiological and physicochemical composition of salamis produced with the meat of beef, horse, wild boar and pork. Salami productions occurred under controlled laboratory conditions to exclude butchery environmental contaminations, without the addition of nitrate and nitrite. All trials were monitored during the ripening (13 °C and 90% relative humidity) extended until 45 d. The evolution of physicochemical parameters showed that beef and pork salamis were characterized by a higher content of branched chain fatty acids (FA) and rumenic acid than horse and wild boar salamis, whereas the last two productions showed higher values of …

Effect of Three Different Aloe vera Gel-Based Edible Coatings on the Quality of Fresh-Cut “Hayward” Kiwifruits

In recent years, the market for minimally processed fruit has increased. Fresh-cut fruits are characterized by a short shelf life due to the processing phases that accelerate the ripening courses. The aim of this work is to analyze the effect on the quality of fresh-cut Hayward kiwis of three different edible coatings based on (1) Aloe vera gel, (2) Aloe vera gel + hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and (3) Aloe vera gel + lemon essential oil. Fruit firmness, weight loss, color, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, microbial load and sensory analysis were evaluated as fresh after 2, 4, 7 and 10 days. Aloe vera gel and Aloe vera gel + lemon essential oil maintained the best values, as they…

Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance and virulence of enterococci from equipment surfaces, raw materials and traditional cheeses

Forty enterococci isolated along the production chains of three traditional cheeses (PDO Pecorino Siciliano, PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belìce, and Caciocavallo Palermitano) made in Sicily (southern Italy) were studied for the assessment of their antibiotic resistance and virulence by a combined phenotypic/genotypic approach. A total of 31 Enterococcus displayed resistance to at least one or more of the antimicrobials tested. The strains exhibited high percentages of resistance to erythromycin (52.5%), ciprofloxacin (35.0%), quinupristin–dalfopristin (20.0%), tetracycline (17.5%), and high-level streptomycin (5.0%). The presence of tet(M), cat(pC221), and aadE genes for resistance to tetr…

Development of an ad hoc natural whey starter culture for the production of Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheese

This work was aimed to characterize the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheeses, produced in several dairy factories, for the development of an ad hoc starter culture preparation for the production of this cheese. To this purpose, winter and spring productions were analysed, in order to isolate LAB adapted to perform the fermentation at low temperatures. Plate counts showed the total microbial counts (TMC) till levels of 9 -1almost 10 CFU g and all cheese samples were dominated by coccus LAB. Not all samples were positive for the presence of enterobacteria, but when they were found their concentrations were at similar levels in both seasons. A…

An Investigation of the Shelf-life of PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belice Cheese Subjected to Different Packaging Systems Alternative to Vacuum

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different packaging systems alternatives to vacuum that is commonly applied for PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belice (VdB) cheese, a tipical pasta filata cheese, made with raw ewes’ milk. After production following the traditional cheesemaking protocol, VdB cheeses were packaged as follows: vacuum, paraffin wax and two different Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) consisting of a gas mixture of 70% CO2-30% N2 (MAP1) and 100% N2 (MAP2). Cheeses were stored at 4°C and analyzed (25 g) at time 0 and after 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 days. All the samples were subjected to microbiological analyses for the evaluation of total mesophilic aerobic b…

Influence of the early bacterial biofilms developed on vats made with seven wood types on PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheese characteristics

Early vat bacterial biofilms developed spontaneously through contact with whey have been characterized on seven wood types (Castanea sativa Miller, Cedrus libani, A. Rich., Prunus avium L., Fraxinus ornus L., Juglans regia L., Pinus nigra J.F. Arnold and Populus nigra L.). The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of these biofilms on the microbiological, chemical, physical and sensory characteristics of PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce (VdB) cheese, processed traditionally from raw ewe's milk using wooden tools. To this purpose, the experimental cheeses after 15 d of refrigerated storage were examined. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) populations dominated the microbial community of a…

APPLICATION OF SELECTED LACTIC ACID BACTERIA FOR THE YEAR-ROUND PRODUCTION OF VASTEDDALIKE CHEESE

Biological control of Listeria monocytogenes in soil model systems by Enterococcus mundtii strains expressing mundticin KS production

Abstract The agricultural practices applied in pre-harvest greatly influence the presence and the levels of microorganisms in fresh produce. Among these, Listeria monocytogenes represents one of the most lethal foodborne pathogens associated with vegetables. The main hypothesis of this work is that bacteriocin producer Enterococcus mundtii strains can be effective against L. monocytogenes in soil. To this purpose, bacteriocin production by E. mundtii WFE3, WFE20 and WFE31, three strains showing a strong bacteriocin activity in terms of inhibitory power and inhibition spectra, was evaluated in sterile extracts from agricultural soil and peat moss, in organic nutrient solution (ONS) and miner…

Combining carvacrol and nisin in biodegradable films for antibacterial packaging applications

Abstract In this work, the feasibility of antibacterial biopolymeric films containing carvacrol (CRV) and a nisin commercial formulation (Nis) for potential food packaging applications was investigated. As polymer matrix, a commercial biodegradable polymer formulation of Mater-Bi (MB) was chosen due to its significant food packaging applications. CRV and Nis were chosen due to their well-established antibacterial properties and their potential synergistic effect. MB/CRV, MB/Nis, and MB/CRV/Nis systems were produced by melt mixing and compression molding. The mechanical properties of the films were evaluated by tensile tests. Differential scanning calorimetry was assessed aiming at investiga…

Polyphasic Characterization of Microbiota of “Mastredda”, a Traditional Wooden Tool Used during the Production of PDO Provola dei Nebrodi Cheese

The biofilms of the wooden tables used for the acidification of the curd were investigated for PDO Provola dei Nebrodi cheese, a traditional stretched cheese made in eastern Sicily (southern Italy) from raw cows’ milk. To this purpose the wooden tables of four dairy facilities were analysed for their microbiota by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and a combined culture-independent and -dependent microbiological approach. SEM inspection showed an almost continuous biofilm formation. MiSeq Illumina analysis identified 8 phyla, 16 classes, 25 orders, 47 families and 50 genera. Corynebacterium, Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were detected in all samples. In particular…

Microbial interactions in food model systems: In situ antilisterial activity of mundticin KS producing strains

It is known that microbial interactions are important for the success of food fermentations, as well as for the establishment of the safety of the final products. In this study, we characterized extensively three enterococci (WFE3, WFE20 and WFE31) of flour origin, which were found to be active against Listeria monocytogenes, in order to investigate on their ability to produce bacteriocins in complex food model systems for their future industrial/food applications. The identification of the three bacterial isolates was performed by means of a combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex PCR approach. Two isolates belonged unequivocally to the species E. mundtii, while one isolate could n…

Use of Hanseniaspora uvarum and a novel strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolated from manna ash to produce loquat beer

Technological screening and application of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from fermented honey by-products for the sensory improvement of Spiritu re fascitrari, a typical Sicilian distilled beverage

“Spiritu re fascitrari” is a Sicilian alcoholic beverage obtained through distillation of a decoction of spontaneously fermented honey by-products (FHP). The production process often leads to sensorial defects due to the unstable alcoholic fermentation. The objective of this work was to select Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains from FHP to be used as starter in decoction fermentation. Based on chemical, microbiological and technological data, from a total of 91 strains three S. cerevisae were selected for further testing to produce FHP at laboratory scale level. After FHP distillation, the analysis of volatile organic compounds showed a complex mixture of sensory active molecules, mainly alco…

Selenium bio-enrichment of Mediterranean fruit juices through lactic acid fermentation.

Abstract This work was carried out to elaborate selenium (Se) bio-enriched fermented Mediterranean fruit juices. To this purpose, pomegranate and table red grape juices were added with sodium selenite (Na2SeO3) and fermented by Levilactobacillus brevis CRL 2051 and Fructobacillus tropaeoli CRL 2034 individually or combined. To better evaluate the effect of selenite addition and starter strain inoculums on the total bacterial community of the fruit juices, fermentation trials were performed with raw and pasteurized fruit juices. No statistical significant differences were observed for total mesophilic microorganisms (TMM) and rod-shaped lactic acid bacteria (LAB) levels among raw and pasteur…

Formation and Characterization of Early Bacterial Biofilms on Different Wood Typologies Applied in Dairy Production

ABSTRACT The main hypothesis of this work was that Sicilian forestry resources are suitable for the production of equipment to be used in cheese making and indigenous milk lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are able to develop stable biofilms providing starter and nonstarter cultures necessary for curd fermentation and cheese ripening, respectively. Hence, the present work was carried out with deproteinized whey to evaluate LAB biofilm formation on different woods derived from tree species grown in Sicily. Microbiological and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed minimal differences in microbial levels and compositions for the neoformed biofilms. The specific investigation of Salmonella spp.…

The Wine: typicality or mere diversity? The effect of spontaneous fermentations and biotic factors on the characteristics of wine

Abstract Wine is probably one of the main fermented beverages for which the recognition of the “territoriality” is fundamental for its appreciation. The sensory profile of wine is significantly affected by microbial activities, and indigenous microorganisms may significantly contribute to the expression of wine typicality. The microbial ecology of wines is complex and includes several species and strains of yeasts, bacteria and molds. Several works showed the positive effects of spontaneous fermentations on the quality of wine as a consequence of the growth of different species and/or strains together at high levels. Furthermore, a new style of “natural” winemaking is gaining importance, si…

Identification, typing, and investigation of the dairy characteristics of lactic acid bacteria isolated from 'Vastedda della valle del Belìce' cheese

Traditional cheeses made without starter cultures can be characterised by the attribute of instability. The addition of autochthonous starter cultures can ensure stability without compromising the characteristics of the final product. This study aimed to characterise the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) population in “Vastedda della valle del Belice” cheeses, which have a protected designation of origin (PDO) status, in order to develop an ad hoc starter culture to be used in its future production. Winter and spring productions were analysed to ensure isolation of specific LAB that had adapted to perform fermentation at low temperatures. Plate counts revealed total microbial numbers…

Influence of Citrus Essential Oils on the Microbiological, Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Primosale Cheese

The aim of this study was to produce a fresh ovine pressed cheese within Pecorino “Primosale” typology with the addition of citrus essential oils (EOs). For this purpose, ewe’s pasteurized milk was added with EOs from the peel of lemons, oranges and tangerines. Seven cheese productions were performed at the pilot plant scale level, including one control production (CP) without the addition of EOs and six experimental productions obtained by the addition of two EO concentrations (100 and 200 µL/L) to milk. The acidification process was obtained by means of the starter cultures Lactococcus lactis CAG4 and PON36. All cheeses showed levels of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) a…

Microbiological and physicochemical profile of sugar added ewe’s Ricotta during storage

The microbiological and physicochemical traits of fresh ewe’s Ricotta made with (40% w/w) and without sucrose were investigated. Sugar added Ricotta (SAR) andcontrol Ricotta (CTR) were packaged and stored at 4°C for 90 d. Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes,Escherichia coli, coagulase positive staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, Pseudomonas, yeasts, moulds and clostridia were undetectable during the entire monitoring. Total mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms and mesophilic cocci lactic acid bacteria increased over time,but their development was limited in SAR production. The acidificationwas observed only for CTR. Water activity was consistently low(0.897 on av…

Ecology of Vastedda della valle del Belìce cheeses: A review and recent findings to stabilize the traditional production

The increasing request for classic foods has led to a higher demand for cheeses enjoying a “recognition of quality” status. This phenomenon has also affected Sicilian dairy products, in particular protected designation of origin (PDO) “Vastedda della valle del Belìce” (VdB), a cheese traditionally available only during the summer season, but requested year round. The variations of the microbial populations of raw milk among the seasons influence the microbiological quality of the cheeses produced. This review article reports the historical importance of cheeses and the traditional equipment used for dairy productions in Sicily with a specific focus on VdB. The microbial ecology of this chee…

Evaluation of the variations in chemical and microbiological properties of the sourdoughs produced with selected lactic acid bacteria strains during fermentation

This research aimed to analyze variations in chemical properties, microbiological characteristics and generated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile during sourdough fermentation. Sourdoughs were collected from different cities in Turkey at two different times and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the samples were identified with culture-independent and culture-dependent molecular methods. According to culture-dependent methodology, thirteen LAB species were identified. Lactobacillus spp. were identified as the major group according to MiSeq Illumina analysis. Technological potential of commonly isolated LAB species was evaluated. Due to high frequency of isolation, Fructilactobacillus san…

Selected lactic acid bacteria as a hurdle to the microbial spoilage of cheese: Application on a traditional raw ewes' milk cheese

To evaluate the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to improve the hygienic safety of a traditional raw milk cheese, the raw ewes’ milk protected denomination of origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano cheese was used as a model system. Different Pecorino Siciliano curds and cheeses were used as sources of autochthonous LAB subsequently used as starter and non-starter LAB. These were screened for their acidification capacity and autolysis. Starter LAB showing the best performance were genotypically differentiated and identified: two strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis were selected. From the nonstarter LAB, Enterococcus faecalis, Lactococcus garvieae and Streptococcus macedonicus strains…

Phytochemical Profile and Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, and Antimicrobial Properties of Rubus idaeus Seed Powder

In the context of the contemporary research on sustainable development and circular economy, the quest for effective strategies aimed at revaluation of waste and by-products generated in industrial and agricultural production becomes important. In this work, an ethanolic extract from red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) seed waste (WRSP) was evaluated for its phytochemical composition and functional properties in term of antioxidative, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial activities. Chemical composition of the extract was determined by both HPLC-ESI-MS/MS and spectrophotometric methods. Phytochemical analysis revealed that flavan-3-ols and flavonols were the major phenolic compounds contained in W…

Microbial dynamics in durum wheat kernels during aging

In the present work the microbial dynamics in wheat kernels were evaluated over time. The main aim of this research was to study the resistance of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts associated to unprocessed cereals used for bread making during long term conservation. To this purpose four Triticum durum Desf. genotypes including two modern varieties (Claudio and Simeto) and two Sicilian wheat landraces (Russello and Timilia) were analysed by a combined culture-independent and -dependent microbiological approach after one, two or three years from cultivation and threshing. DNA based MiSeq Illumina technology was applied to reveal the entire bacterial composition of all semolina samples. T…

Effects of adding solid and molten chocolate on the physicochemical, antioxidant, microbiological, and sensory properties of ewe's milk cheese.

Abstract: A novel dairy product, namely “chocolate cheese”, was produced with two typical Sicilian food products: Pecorino cheese, processed from ewe's milk, and Modica chocolate. The cheese, manufactured with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% (w/w) solid or molten chocolate, was evaluated after 0, 2, 4, and 6 weeks of vacuum storage for its nutritional and health properties. The addition of chocolate reduced the pH, protein, fat, and ash; the addition of 5% or 10% molten chocolate reduced hardness (N/mm2). The addition of either solid or molten chocolate resulted in a slight increase (P < 0.1038) in the total polyphenol content, a higher oleic acid content, and less oxidative stability. The microbio…

Effects of different yeast strains, nutrients and glutathione-rich inactivated yeast addition on the aroma characteristics of Catarratto wines

Catarratto is one of the most common non-aromatic white grape varieties cultivated in Sicily (Southern Italy). In order to improve the aromatic expression of Catarratto wines a trial was undertaken to investigate the effect of yeast strain, nutrition and reduced glutathione. Variables included two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, an oenological strain (GR1) and one isolated from honey by-products (SPF52), three different nutrition regimes (Stimula Sauvignon Blanc™ (SS), Stimula Chardonnay™ (SC) and classic nutrition practice), and a specific inactivated yeast rich in reduced glutathione to prevent oxidative processes [Glutastar™ (GIY)] ensuing in ten treatments (T1-T10). Microbiological an…

Microbial Activation of Wooden Vats Used for Traditional Cheese Production and Evolution of Neoformed Biofilms.

ABSTRACT Three Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris strains were used to develop ad hoc biofilms on the surfaces of virgin wooden vats used for cheese production. Two vats (TZ) were tested under controlled conditions (pilot plant), and two vats (TA) were tested under uncontrolled conditions (industrial plant). In each plant, one vat (TA1 and TZ1) was used for the control, traditional production of PDO Vastedda della Valle del Belìce (Vastedda) cheese, and one (TA2 and TZ2) was used for experimental production performed after lactococcal biofilm activation and the daily addition of a natural whey starter culture (NWSC). Microbiological and scanning electron microscopy analyses showed differenc…

Insights Into the Cultivable Microbial Ecology of “Manna” Ash Products Extracted From Fraxinus angustifolia (Oleaceae) Trees in Sicily, Italy

Microbial communities characterizing a specific food matrix, generally, strongly contribute to both its composition, and properties for food applications. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the cultivable microbial ecology of Sicilian "Manna" ash products in order to acquire new information on the hygienic quality, shelf-life and potential application of this traditional food. To this purpose, several manna samples belonging to different commercial categories were collected and subjected to the analysis of bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi. Furthermore, an investigation of the sugar content and physicochemical parameters was performed. The results of our study fo…

Effects of combinational use of controlled atmosphere, cold storage and edible coating applications on shelf life and quality attributes of fresh-cut persimmon fruit

Abstract Background Persimmon fruits are cherished for their unique flavor and high nutrient content. In the present study, the effects of Aloe vera-based edible coatings (EC) added with 1% ascorbic acid, 1% citric acid and 5% calcium chloride in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and their impact on shelf-life quality of fresh-cut persimmon fruit, were investigated. The experimental design consisted of four treatments 1) Aloe vera edible coating + modified atmosphere packaging (EC + MAP), 2) untreated fruit packaged with MAP (CTR + MAP); 3) Aloe vera-based edible coating in passive atmosphere (EC PASSIVE); 4) untreated fruit in passive atmosphere (CTR PASSIVE). Persimmon fruit were stored…

Valorization of indigenous dairy cattle breed through salami production

The aim of the research was to produce salami manufactured with meat of three different commercial categories of bovine breed: cow on retirement, beef and young bull. A total of six experimental productions, at small-scale plant, were carried out with and without starter culture inoculums. The evolution of physico-chemical parameters in all trials followed the trend already registered for other fermented meat products. Several LAB species were found during process with different levels of species diversity and frequency of isolation among inoculated (mainly Pediococcus pentosaceus and Staphylococcus xylosus) and uninoculated (mainly Enterococcus devriesei, Lactobacillus curvatus and Lactoba…

Behavior of four main dairy pathogenic bacteria during manufacturing and ripening of pecorino siciliano cheese

Background: Consumption of raw cheese may be associated with different diseases. This study aimed to evaluate behavior of four pathogenic bacteria during manufacture and ripening of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano cheese.
 Methods: The experimental cheese groups were inoculated with pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The cheese making processes were monitored from milk curdling until 3 months ripened cheeses and the levels of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and the four dairy pathogens were evaluated by plate counts. Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-Polymerase Chai…

Identification and evaluation of antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from raw ewes’ and cows’ milk collected in western Sicily: a preliminary investigation

The present work was carried out to investigate the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) of enterococci isolated from raw ewes’ and cows’ milk. The samples were collected from eighteen semi-extensive dairy sheep and cow farms throughout western Sicily. Plate counts, carried out on Rapid Enterococcus Agar commonly used to detect food enterococci, revealed a maximal enterococcal concentration of approximately 4.58 Log Colony Forming Unit (CFU)/mL. Colonies were isolated and differentiated based on genetic analysis by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Thirty-eight different strains were identified. Analysis by a species-specific multiplex PCR assay grouped the strains into three Enteroc…

Effect of opuntia ficus-indica mucilage edible coating on quality, nutraceutical, and sensorial parameters of minimally processed cactus pear fruits

Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.) is a non-climacteric fruit with a relatively short postharvest life span, being very sensitive to water loss, darkening and decay. Cactus pear is a spiny fruit, and the presence of glochids limits fruit consumption and diffusion

In vitro Antifungal Activity of Biopolymeric Foam Activated with Carvacrol

Background: Active packaging represents a defining strategy to improve food quality and safety of the packaged foods. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro ability of commercial biopolymeric foams, namely Mater-Bi (MB), activated with 20% of carvacrol, to develop a completely biodegradable and compostable packaging to inhibit the growth of spoilage and pathogenic yeasts.
 Methods: MB foams, with and without carvacrol, were produced by melt mixing and the foaming process was performed in a laboratory press. The antifungal activity of foams containing carvacrol was tested applying the disk diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done using XLStat software version 7.5.2 for Excel.&…

Monitoring Commercial Starter Culture Development in Presence of Red Grape Pomace Powder to Produce Polyphenol-Enriched Fresh Ovine Cheeses at Industrial Scale Level

Red grape Nero d’Avola cultivar grape pomace powder (GPP) was applied during fresh ovine cheese production in order to increase polyphenol content. Before cheeses were produced, the bacteria of a freeze-dried commercial starter culture were isolated and tested in vitro against GPP. Two dominant strains, both resistant to GPP, were identified. Thestarter culture was inoculated in pasteurized ewe’s milk and the curd was divided into two bulks, one added with 1% (w/w) GPP and another one GPP-free. GPP did not influence the starter culture development, since lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts were 109 CFU/g in both cheeses at 30 d. To exclude the interference of indigenous LAB, the pasteurized m…

A large factory-scale application of selected autochthonous lactic acid bacteria for PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese production

The main hypothesis of this study was that the autochthonous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) selected for their dairy traits are able to stabilize the production of PDO (Protected Denomination of Origin) Pecorino Siciliano cheese, preserving its typicality. The experimental plan included the application of a multi-strain lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture, composed of starter (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis CAG4 and CAG37) and non starter (Enterococcus faecalis PSL71, Lactococcus garviae PSL67 and Streptococcus macedonicus PSL72) strains, during the traditional production of cheese at large scale level in six factories located in different areas of Sicily. The cheese making processes were foll…

Microbiological Characteristics of Wild Edible Mushrooms and Effect of Temperature during Storage of Morchella conica

Background: The continuous worldwide increase of consumption of fresh mushrooms has registered in the recent years. The major goal of this study was to determine the microbiological characteristics of wild edible mushrooms and effect of temperature during storage of Morchella conica.
 Methods: Wild mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Cantharellus cibarius, and Leccinum aurantiacum were collected in a mixed forest of Picea abies, Betula pendula, and Pinus sylvestris located in Tartu territory, Estonia. Faecal indicators, potential pathogens, spoilage bacteria, and microfungi (yeasts and moulds) were evaluated. M. conica was microbiologically investigated for 24 days under different…

Antibacterial biopolymeric foams: Structure–property relationship and carvacrol release kinetics

Abstract In this work, the feasibility of antibacterial biopolymeric foams containing carvacrol (CRV) for potential food packaging applications was investigated. Sodium bicarbonate (SB) was chosen as foaming agent and a commercial biodegradable polymer, Mater-Bi® (MB), as a matrix. MB/SB and MB/SB/CRV systems were prepared by melt mixing and the foaming process was conducted in a laboratory press. The influence of foaming agent and antibacterial additive content was investigated. The foamed samples were characterized through morphological analysis, mechanical tests and measurements of CRV release kinetics. Moreover, a mathematical model, i.e. power law model, was used to fit the release dat…

Plant Growth-Promoting Activities of Bacteria Isolated from an Anthropogenic Soil Located in Agrigento Province

Bacteria producers of plant growth-promoting (PGP) substances are responsible for the enhancement of plant development through several mechanisms. The purpose of the present work was to evaluate the PGP traits of 63 bacterial strains that were isolated from an anthropogenic soil, and obtained by modification of vertisols in the Sicily region (Italy) seven years after creation. The microorganisms were tested for the following PGP characteristics: indole acetic acid (IAA), NH3, HCN and siderophore production, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase activity (ACC) and phosphate solubilization. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Bacillus tequilensis SI 319, Brevib…

Persistence of a mixed lactic acid bacterial starter culture during lysine fortification of sourdough breads by addition of pistachio powder

Abstract Pistachio powder was added to flour or semolina to evaluate its contribution to increase the amount of lysine in bread. Bread production was carried out by sourdough technology using a selected 3-species (Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis/Leuconostoc citreum/Weissella cibaria) lactic acid bacterial (LAB) starter culture. All sourdoughs were subjected to a long-time fermentation (21 h) and showed levels of LAB around 109 CFU/g, indicating the suitability of pistachio powder for lactic fermentation. Yeasts were also detected, in particular in semolina trials. MiSeq Illumina technology was applied to investigate the bacterial composition of sourdoughs evidencing a different distribution …

Microbial strategies to improve the final quality of traditional Sicilian cheeses

Influence of indigenous Hanseniaspora uvarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae from sugar-rich substrates on the aromatic composition of loquat beer

The demand for unique and exclusive food products and beverages is constantly on the increase. One of the products that mostly evolved to encounter market dynamics in the last decade is craft beer. For a long time, craft breweries have included fruit in beer production to enrich flavour and aroma profile of different beer styles. In this study, for the first time, the use of Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast strains isolated from high -sugar matrices (manna and fermented honey by-products) were investigated to diversify fruit craft beer pro-duction, in order to improve the fermentation process and highlight the complexity of aroma profiles generated during alcoholic fermentation. Tw…

Aloe-Based Edible Coating to Maintain Quality of Fresh-Cut Italian Pears (Pyrus communis L.) during Cold Storage

Pear fruits are known for their antioxidant and nutritional characteristics. However, they are very susceptible to rapid decay. Edible coating (EC) represents a good strategy to maintain postharvest quality. The effects of two EC in slowing down the senescence processes in fresh-cut ‘Coscia’ pears were investigated: EC1 (A. vera gel, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose and pomegranate seeds oil (PSO), EC2 (A. vera gel and hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose). Weight loss, firmness and colour decrease more slowly in both EC-treated than in untreated (CTR) slices; soluble solid content increases faster in CTR, indicating a faster ripening process. The specific investigation of undesired microorganisms di…

Improving the Aromatic Profiles of Catarratto Wines: Impact of Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Glutathione-Rich Inactivated Yeasts

Catarratto is one of the most widely cultivated grape varieties in Sicily. It is an indigenous non-aromatic white grape variety. Despite its widespread use in winemaking, knowledge of the aroma and chemical and microbiological properties of Catarratto wines is quite limited. The influence of Metschnikowia pulcherrima combined with Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the aromatic expression of Catarratto wines was investigated with and without the addition of glutathione-rich inactivated yeast. The substance is a natural specific inactivated yeast with a guaranteed glutathione level used to limit oxidative processes. The aromatic profiles of the final wines were determined through analysis of the vo…

Inhibitory Activity and Chemical Characterization ofDaucus carotasubsp.maximusEssential Oils

The essential oils (EOs) of green seeds from Daucus carota subsp. maximus growing wild in Pantelleria Island (Sicily, Italy) were characterized. EOs were extracted by steam distillation, examined for their inhibitory properties against food-borne Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and analyzed for the chemical composition by gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS). Undiluted EOs showed a large inhibition spectrum against Gram-positive strains and also vs. Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) was in the range 1.25 – 2.50 μl/ml for the most sensitive strains. The chemical analysis indicated that D. carota subsp…

Design and Implementation of a Smart System to Control Aromatic Herb Dehydration Process

Drying is a process aimed at reducing the water content in plant materials below a limit where the activity of microbes and decomposing enzymes deteriorate the quality of medicinal and aromatic plants. Today, the interest of consumers towards medicinal and aromatic herbs has registered a growing trend. This study aims at designing a low-cost real-time monitoring and control system for the drying process of aromatic herbs and evaluating drying efficacy on the microbial community associated with the studied herbs. Hot-air drying tests of sage and laurel leaves were carried out in a dryer desiccator cabinet at 40 &deg

Influence of salt of different origin on the microbiological characteristics, histamine generation and volatile profile of salted anchovies (Engraulis encrasicolus L.)

Abstract The effect of six salts of different geographical areas on the quality of salted anchovies was evaluated. The crude salts were chemically characterized by determination of inorganic and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Salted anchovies, corresponding to six experimental trials, were subjected to microbiological, chemical (including histamine content) and sensory analysis during the entire period of ripening (150 days). The salts were characterized by marked differences in terms of major cations and trace element amounts. Among the 27 VOCs detected, octadecane was the most abundant compound and the main differences of the salts were registered for alkanes and alcohols. During matu…

Application of Hydrogen Peroxide to Improve the Microbiological Stability of Food Ice Produced in Industrial Facilities

This work was aimed to produce an “active” food ice to preserve its microbiological safety over time. With this in mind, ice cubes were processed with the addition of H2O2 to water before freezing. Four food ice productions were performed at the industrial level: one control trial without the addition of H2O2 (0OX) and three experimental trials obtained by adding 4, 8, and 12 mg/L of H2O2 (4OX, 8OX, and 12OX), respectively. After production, all food ice trials were artificially contaminated with 102 CFU/100 mL of water-borne pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enteroccus faecalis ATCC 29212, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) inoculated individually. Thawed ice samples we…

Effect of addition of Opuntia ficus-indica mucilage on the biological leavening, physical, nutritional, antioxidant and sensory aspects of bread

The addition of active compounds to enhance the functional properties of foods is a quite common practice. Recently, bread became one of the target foods to incorporate functional ingredients such as those deriving from Opuntia spp. So far, only Opuntia ficus-indica cladodes in powder has been tested. The addition of fresh O. ficus-indica mucilage (in substitution to water) did not influence the biological leavening of the doughs. The resulting breads showed a biological role of the cactus mucilage, because their antioxidant activity was higher than that of control wheat bread. The sensory analysis indicated a general appreciation of the breads enriched with O. ficus-indica mucilage by the …

Effect of the lemon essential oils on the safety and sensory quality of salted sardines (Sardina pilchardus Walbaum 1792)

The main aim of this research was to investigate the biopreservative effects of lemon essential oil (EO) micro-emulsions on salted sardines. The experimental design included two experimental trials, SR1 and SR2 carried out with 25 ml of lemon EO micro-emulsion at 0.3 and 1.0% (v/v), respectively, and a control trial performed without EO addition. Chemical analyses on salted sardines inoculated with the EOs clearly showed a substantial persistence of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) belonging to groups of monoterpene hydrocarbons, oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons derived from EOs during the entire period of ripening. In particular, the molecules mostly represen…

Valutazione in vitro di bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances prodotte da batteri lattici isolati da formaggi tradizionali siciliani

I batteri lattici (LAB) sono in grado di produrre differenti sostanze antimicrobiche tra cui le batteriocine, sostanze di natura proteica che stanno riscuotendo un crescente interesse per il loro possibile impiego come bio-conservanti per controllare e contenere i microrganismi indesiderati responsabili di contaminazioni e/o deterioramento delle matrici alimentari. Gli autori descrivono i risultati di uno screening volto all’identificazione di bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) prodotte da LAB isolati da processi produttivi di formaggi tradizionali siciliani utilizzando due metodi di screening e valutando la natura proteica delle sostanze antimicrobiche eventualmente prodotte, me…

Use of sequentially inoculation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Hanseniaspora uvarum strains isolated from honey by-products to improve and stabilize the quality of mead produced in Sicily

Mead is a beverage produced by alcoholic fermentation of honey-must. The starter yeasts that are commonly used for the alcoholic fermentation of honey-must are oenological Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. The objective of the present work was, for the first time, to apply yeasts of honey by-products origin to evaluate the influences the taste-olfactory attributes of mead. For this purpose, three experimental productions were set up, which included: (i) single inoculation of S. cerevisiae; (ii) single inoculation of Hanseniaspora uvarum; (iii) sequential inoculation of H. uvarum/S. cerevisiae. Two control trials were performed, using a commercial strain of S. cerevisiae of oenological origi…

Transfer, composition and technological characterization of the lactic acid bacterial populations of the wooden vats used to produce traditional stretched cheeses

The biofilms of 12 wooden vats used for the production of the traditional stretched cheeses Caciocavallo Palermitano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce were investigated. Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes were never detected. Total coliforms were at low numbers with Escherichia coli found only in three vats. Coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) were below the enumeration limit, whereas lactic acid bacteria (LAB) dominated the surfaces of all vats. In general, the dominance was showed by coccus LAB. Enterococci were estimated at high numbers, but usually between 1 and 2 Log cycles lower than other LAB. LAB populations were investigated at species and strain level and for thei…

In-Depth Investigation of the Safety of Wooden Shelves Used for Traditional Cheese Ripening

ABSTRACT The main goal of this research was to characterize the bacterial diversity of the wooden boards used for aging traditional Sicilian cheeses and to evaluate whether pathogenic bacteria are associated with these surfaces. Eighteen cheese dairy factories producing three traditional cheese typologies (PDO Pecorino Siciliano, PDO Piacentinu Ennese, and Caciocavallo Palermitano) were selected within the region of Sicily. The wooden shelf surfaces were sampled by a destructive method to detach wood splinters as well as by a nondestructive brushing to collect microbial cells. Scanning electron microscopy showed the presence of almost continuous bacterial formations on the majority of the s…

Functional bread supplemented with Pleurotus eryngii powder: A potential new food for human health

The purpose of this study was to develop functional breads with powdered Pleurotus eryngii. The breads were produced applying the traditional Italian style sourdough technology. P. eryngii powder was added to flour of tender wheat varieties (Grano Dei Miracoli, Inalettabile, Mentana, Gentilrosso, Ardito and a mix of Rieti, Verna, and Mentana) or semolina of durum wheat landrace (Saragolla) and subjected to sourdough fermentation. Sourdough inoculum was produced with selected strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) belonging to the species Levilactobacillus brevis, Weissella cibaria and Leuconostoc citreum. The addition of Pleurotus powdered (PP) (10% w/w) did not influence the fermentation pr…

Non-conventional yeasts from fermented honey by-products: Focus on Hanseniaspora uvarum strains for craft beer production

The increasing interest in novel beer productions focused on non-Saccharomyces yeasts in order to pursue their potential in generating groundbreaking sensory profiles. Traditional fermented beverages represent an important source of yeast strains which could express interesting features during brewing. A total of 404 yeasts were isolated from fermented honey by-products and identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Zygosaccharomyces bailii, Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Hanseniaspora uvarum. Five H. uvarum strains were screened for their brewing capability. Interestingly, Hanseniaspora uvarum strains showed growth in presence of ethanol and hop and a more rapid growth…

Performances of Different Metabolic Lactobacillus Groups During the Fermentation of Pizza Doughs Processed from Semolina

The main hypothesis of this work is that facultative and obligate heterofermentative Lactobacillus species can differently impact the final characteristics of pizza. The objective was to evaluate separately the behaviors of the obligate heterofermentative species (OHS), such as Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus rossiae, and the facultative heterofermentative species (FHS), including Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus curvatus, in the sourdoughs to be used for pizza production. The production of the experimental pizzas was carried out with semolina (Triticum turgidum L. ssp. durum). The acidification process—which was followed by pH, total titrat…

Optimised method for the analysis of phenolic compounds from caper (Capparis spinosa L.) berries and monitoring of their changes during fermentation

In this work, an ad hoc method to identify and quantify polyphenols from caper berries was developed on high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionisation source/mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS). The method was applied during fermentation carried out with Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 (Trial S) and without starter (Trial C). A total of five polyphenols were identified. All samples contained high concentrations of rutin. Epicatechin was found in untreated fruits, on the contrary quercetin was detected during fermentation. Trial S was characterised by a more rapid acidification and lower levels of spoilage microorganisms than Trial C. L. pentosus dominated among the microbial communi…

In vitro evaluation of bacteriocinlike inhibitory substances produced by lactic acid bacteria isolated during traditional sicilian cheese making

Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins produced by bacteria that inhibit with a bactericidal or bacteriostatic mode of action, the growth of other bacteria. Many lactic acid bacteria (LAB) produce a high diversity of different bacteriocins. Bacteriocinogenic LAB are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and useful to control the frequent development of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms; for this reason they are commonly used as starter cultures in food fermentations. In this study, the authors describe the results of a screening on 699 LAB isolated from wooden vat surfaces, raw milk and traditional Sicilian cheeses, for the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS), by …

Improvement of Raw Milk Cheese Hygiene through the Selection of Starter and Non-Starter Lactic Acid Bacteria: The Successful Case of PDO Pecorino Siciliano Cheese

This review article focuses on the technological aspects and microbiological critical points of pressed-cooked cheeses processed from raw ewe’s milk without the inoculation of starter cultures, in particular “Pecorino” cheese typology produced in Italy. After showing the composition of the biofilms adhering to the surface of the traditional dairy equipment (mainly wooden vat used to collect milk) and the microbiological characteristics of PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese manufactured throughout Sicily, this cheese is taken as a case study to develop a strategy to improve its hygienic and safety characteristics. Basically, the natural lactic acid bacterial populations of fresh and ripened chees…

Preliminary Investigation of Biogenic Amines in Type I Sourdoughs Produced at Home and Bakery Level

During a survey for isolating sourdough lactic acid bacteria (LAB), 20 dough samples produced at the bakery level (BL) or home-made (HM) were collected. An enzyme-based colorimetric method revealed a total biogenic amines (BAs) concentration in the range 41.4–251.8 ppm for six (three BL and three HM) sourdoughs characterised by unpleasant odours. Eight BAs generally investigated in foods were identified and quantified from these six samples by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS/MS). Only one HM sample contained almost all analysed BAs. Tryptamine was exclusively detected in HM sourdoughs (0.71–24.1 ppm). Putrescine, tryptamine, …

Fresh-Cut Mangoes: How to Increase Shelf Life by Using Neem Oil Edible Coating

The mango is the most widely cultivated tropical fruit. Fresh-cut mango is very useful, but it is very perishable. The purpose of this study was to highlight the effects of neem oil on fresh-cut mango fruits kept for 9 days at 4 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 5% relative humidity. The neem plant (Azadirachta indica) has numerous antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Despite this, very few studies have been carried out on neem oil added to edible coatings (EC) to retard ripening processes. Two formulations were tested: EC1 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose + CaCl2) and EC2 (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose + CaCl2 + neem oil), both compared with an untreated sample (control). Physicochemica…

A Multivariate Approach to Study the Bacterial Diversity Associated to the Wooden Shelves Used for Aging Traditional Sicilian Cheeses.

The present study was carried to correlate the microbial diversity of the biofilms developed on the wooden boards used for aging traditional Sicilian cheeses with cheese typology. To this end, the microbial diversity of the shelves in contact with the cheeses PDO Pecorino Siciliano, PDO Piacentinu Ennese, and TAP Caciocavallo Palermitano, during ripening, was evaluated by a multivariate statistical approach. The shelf biofilms of this study were previously analyzed for their microbial composition, but no correlation between biodiversity and cheese type was investigated. Canonical discriminant analysis confirmed a cheese typology effect on the microbial loads of the wooden shelves investigat…

Use of Different Nutrients to Improve the Fermentation Performances of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus OM13 during the Production of Sevillian Style Green Table Olives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the fermentation performance of the commercial starter Lactiplantibacillus pentosus OM13 with four nutrients (A, B, C, and D) that differed in the following ingredients: starch, sugars, maltodextrin, inactivated yeast, inactivated yeast rich in amino acids, inactivated yeast rich in mannoproteins, and salt (NaCl). For this purpose, six different experimental productions of Nocellara del Belice table olives were carried out. During transformation, the fermentation process was monitored by measuring pH and plate counts for lactic acid bacteria (LAB), yeasts, Enterobacteriaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Pseudodomondaceae populations. At the end of the produc…

Biodiversity and dairy traits of indigenous milk lactic acid bacteria grown in presence of the main grape polyphenols

ABSTRACT The present work was developed to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to be used as starter cultures in functional cheese production. The indigenous milk LAB populations were isolated from fermented raw ewes’ milks (four bulks) added with 0.5 mg/mL of nine polyphenols commonly found in winery by-products. After 48 h of fermentation, all milks were characterized by an increase of LAB levels of about 3–4 Log cycles. All different colonies were purified and characterized for the main physiological and biochemical traits and then differentiated genetically at strain level and identified. Ten species belonging to the LAB genera Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Leuconostoc and L…

Physical and antibacterial properties of PLA electrospun mats loaded with carvacrol and nisin

Functional, biopolymeric electrospun structures for the controlled release of antimicrobial agents are gaining in-creasing interest in food packaging applications. In this study, the physical and antibacterial performances of ternary systems composed of polylactic acid (PLA) electrospun mats loaded with 20 wt% of different relative amounts of carvacrol (CRV) and a commercial nisin formulation (Nis) were assessed. Scanning electron micrographs displayed micro-scaled fibers with different diameter size distributions depending on the relative concentrations of the additives. The PLA/CRV/Nis membranes??? wettability was affected by the relative amount of CRV and Nis loaded, switching from hydro…

Metagenomic, microbiological, chemical and sensory profiling of Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano cheese

In this study, Caciocavallo Podolico Lucano (CPL) cheese was deeply characterized for its bacterial community, chemical composition and sensory aspects. The entire cheese making process (from milk collection to ripened cheese) was performed by strictly applying the traditional protocol for CPL production in four dairy factories (A–D) representative of the production area. The vat made of wood represents the main transformation tool for CPL cheese production and the biofilms hosted onto the internal surfaces of all vats analyzed in this study were dominated by lactic acid bacteria. Total mesophilic microorganisms present in bulk milk (4.7–5.0 log CFU/ml) increased consistently after contact …

Effect of muscle type and animal category on fatty acid composition of bresaola made from meat of Cinisara cattle: preliminary investigation

The bresaola could represent an alternative commercial opportunity for autochthonous dairy cattle farms. Therefore, a study was carried out to investigate the fatty acid (FA) composition of bresaola made using Semimembranosus (SMm), Semitendinosus (STm), and Biceps brachii (BBm) muscles from grazing young bulls (GB), housed young bulls (HB) or grazing adult cows (AC) of Cinisara breed. Animal category, fat content, feeding system, and type of muscle influenced the FA composition of bresaola. Fatter products, made from AC and HB meat, or with STm and BBm muscles showed lower polyunsaturated/saturated FA ratio. The bresaola from young bulls fed pasture-based diet showed an increased polyunsat…

Selection of amine-oxidizing dairy lactic acid bacteria and identification of the enzyme and gene involved in the decrease of biogenic amines

ABSTRACT Accumulation of biogenic amines (BAs) in cheese and other foods is a matter of public health concern. The aim of this study was to identify the enzyme activities responsible for BA degradation in lactic acid bacteria which were previously isolated from traditional Sicilian and Apulian cheeses. The selected strains would control the concentration of BAs during cheese manufacture. First, 431 isolates not showing genes encoding the decarboxylases responsible for BA formation were selected using PCR-based methods. Ninety-four out of the 431 isolates degraded BAs (2-phenylethylamine, cadaverine, histamine, putrescine, spermine, spermidine, tyramine, or tryptamine) during cultivation on …

Antibacterial activity and chemical characterization of almond (Prunus dulcis L.) peel extract

In this study, almond skin of Prunus dulcis L. variety Casteltermini was characterised for its chemical composition and for the inhibitory activity towards food associated microorganisms belonging to pathogenic (Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytgenes), spoilage (Pseudomonas poae and Brochotrix thermospacta) and useful (Levilactobacillus brevis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae) groups. The n-hexane extract of P. dulcis skin, investigated by GC–MS, evidenced linoleic, palmitic, and oleic acids as the main abundant compounds. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 33862 growth was strongly limited by n-hexane extract and the minimum inhibition concentration (…

Microbial Ecology of Retail Ready-to-Eat Escarole and Red Chicory Sold in Palermo City, Italy

Background: Ready-To-Eat (RTE) foods include any edible food that is commonly consumed raw. This study aimed at evaluation of microbial ecology of retail RTE escarole and red chicory sold in Palermo city, Italy. Methods: A total of 32 mono-varietal RTE samples, including escarole (n=16) and red chicory (n=16) samples were obtained from Palermo, Italy. Both RTE vegetables at expiry date were analyzed to quantify spoilage bacteria, pathogenic bacteria, and yeast. All different colonies were isolated and identified on the basis of phenotypic characteristics and genetic polymorphisms by random amplification of polymorphic DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and further genotype by sequencing th…

Effects of irrigation treatments on the quality of table olives produced with the Greek-style process

The irrigation of olive orchards is commonly applied to produce table olives with optimal size. No data have been published on the microbiological quality of drupes from irrigated olive groves during fermentation. The trials T100 and T50 (receiving a water amount equivalent to 100 % and 50 % of the required amount, respectively) and control T0 (rainfed trial) were monitored during two consecutive years. The results showed a significant increase of equatorial diameter and flesh:pit ratio of irrigated drupes. The decrease of pH and the numbers of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) registered for the irrigated trials during the fermentation were more consistent than those displayed by control T0. Lact…

Ability of soil bacterial composition as an indicator of levels of soil erosion in a badland

Calanchi (plural of calanco) are typical Italian badlands created by a combination of morphogenetic processes (rill and interrill erosion, gullying, piping, and mass movements) mainly originated by the effect of water. Calanchi are characterized by the sparse and patchy distribution of vegetation, and, in interplant areas, the soil surface is colonized by an association of organisms known as biological soil crust (BSC). A morphometric analysis of 45 basins in the studied calanchi area, based on a high-resolution digital elevation model, showed those basins are sediment removal systems characterized by rapid and relevant erosion processes. The goal of the current research is to evaluate the …

PRELIMINARY DATA ON HYDROLYTIC ACTIVITY OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA ON ß-LACTOGLOBULIN IN MILK

β-Lactoglobulin (β-lg) is the major whey milk protein and it represents the main allergen in cow and sheep milk (1). Microbial fermentation produces some proteolytic enzymes and leads to the degradation of milk protein allergens. In this study, the results of a screening on the ability of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from typical Sicilian cheeses to reduce the β-lg are shown. This screening was carried out through an indirect competitive ELISA. The lactic acid fermentation was found to be suitable for decreasing milk immunoreactivity. Twenty three strains of cheese LAB, belonging to six genera (Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Pediococcus and Streptococcus), wer…

Mucilage-Based and Calcium Ascorbate Edible Coatings Improve Postharvest Quality and Storability of Minimally Processed Cactus Pear Fruit Stored under Passive Atmosphere

The minimally processed fruit and vegetable industry showed rapid growth worldwide, primarily due to the increasing consumer need for ready-to-eat fresh products characterized by high nutritional, sensory and healthy value. The postharvest life of peeled cactus pear fruits is relatively short, due to the processing operations that affect fruit integrity and cause metabolic disfunctions, as well as pulp browning, microbial growth, loss of firmness, off-flavor development, and nutraceutical value loss. In this study, we investigated the effects of mucilage-based (OFI) and calcium ascorbate edible coating on minimally processed cactus pear summer-ripening fruit, cold stored under passive atmos…

Effect on the Antioxidant, Lipoperoxyl Radical Scavenger Capacity, Nutritional, Sensory and Microbiological Traits of an Ovine Stretched Cheese Produced with Grape Pomace Powder Addition

An innovative ovine cheese enriched with red grape pomace powder (GPP) was produced to improve the functional properties of Vastedda cheese typology. Vastedda cheese making was performed adding GPP and four selected Lactococcus lactis strains (Mise36, Mise94, Mise169 and Mise190). For each strain, 40 L of pasteurized ewe’s milk was divided into two aliquots representing control and experimental trials. Control cheese (CC) production did not contain GPP, while the experimental cheese (EC) production was enriched with 1% (w/w) GPP. GPP did not slow down starter development and acid generation. Plate counts and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR analysis confirmed the dominance of t…

Production of the Sicilian distillate “ Spiritu re fascitrari ” from honey by-products: An interesting source of yeast diversity

The “Spiritu re fascitrari” (SRF) is a typical Sicilian distillate obtained from the by-products of traditional process of honey production. Although some alcoholic fermentation of honey based products have been described, the present research represents the first investigation on the yeast ecology and the physico-chemical characteristics of honey by-products subjected to an alcoholic fermentation followed by distillation. All samples collected during manufacturing process were analysed for the count of total, osmophilic and osmotolerant yeasts. The honeycombs and equipment surfaces showed the presence of yeasts that was 1.7 and 1.1 Log (CFU/mL), respectively. After enrichment, yeast popula…

Use of fortified pied de cuve as an innovative method to start spontaneous alcoholic fermentation for red winemaking

Background and Aims: Some wineries, in order to promote the growth of yeasts able to ferment grape musts, traditionally produce wines using the ‘pied de cuve’ method. The aim of the present work was to study the performance of fortified pied de cuve (FPdC) prepared by addition of wine. Method and Results: Two FPdCs were prepared with the addition of wine at 1.5 and 3% (v/v) of ethanol to the musts and allowed to spontaneously ferment. The FPdCs were then added to fresh bulk musts in order to accelerate the spontaneous alcoholic fermentation (AF). Interestingly, several Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated during the pied de cuve preparation were detected at the highest concentration th…

Evaluation of the Fermentation Dynamics of Commercial Baker’s Yeast in Presence of Pistachio Powder to Produce Lysine-Enriched Breads

The present work was carried out to evaluate the microbiological, physicochemical, and sensory characteristics of fortified pistachio breads. Pistachio powder (5% w/w) was added to flour or semolina and fermented by a commercial baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Pistachio powder did not influence the biological leavening of the doughs. The kinetics of pH and total titratable acidity (TTA) during dough fermentation showed that the leavening process occurred similarly for all trials. The concentration of yeasts increased during fermentation and reached levels of 108 CFU/g after 2 h. Pistachio powder decreased the height and softness of the final breads and increased cell density…

Activation of wooden vats with selected lactic acid bacteria for the year-round production of traditional Vastedda-like cheese

Vastedda is a pasta filata cheese made from raw ewes’ milk without the addition of starter cultures. Cheese production is carried out in wooden vats characterized by microbial biofilms hosting lactic acid bacteria (LAB) responsible for the acidification of the curds. Vastedda cheese was traditionally produced during the summer season, but it is currently produced throughout the year. In order to minimize production variability, several LAB were isolated from Vastedda PDO cheeses, characterized for their technological potential (Gaglio et al., 2014a) and selected to obtain the best strain combination for the production (Gaglio et al., 2014b). In this study, the multiple strain culture compos…

The influence of the wooden equipment employed for cheese manufacture on the characteristics of a traditional stretched cheese during ripening

Abstract The influence of the wooden equipment used for the traditional cheese manufacturing from raw milk was evaluated on the variations of chemico-physical characteristics and microbial populations during the ripening of Caciocavallo Palermitano cheese. Milk from two farms (A, extensive; B, intensive) was processed in traditional and standard conditions. Chemical and physical traits of cheeses were affected by the farming system and the cheese making technology, and changed during ripening. Content in NaCl and N soluble was lower, and paste consistency higher in cheese from the extensive farm and traditional technology, whereas ripening increased the N soluble and the paste yellow and co…

Sourdough “ciabatta” bread enriched with powdered insects: Physicochemical, microbiological, and simulated intestinal digesta functional properties

Abstract Powdered mealworm (MW) and buffalo worm (BW) larvae were used to functionalize sourdough Italian-style breads. Sourdough inoculum was started with Levilactobacillus brevis, Weissella cibaria and Leuconostoc citreum. The doughs were SBS (semolina plus powdered BW larvae and sourdough) and SMS (semolina plus powdered MW larvae and sourdough) whose pHs (4.32 and 4.21, respectively) were higher than that of control (3.81). The highest fermentation quotient (lactate/acetate molar ratio) was recorded in SMS (4.46). LAB reached viable counts of about 109 CFU g−1 in almost all doughs. Insects impacted bread VOCs with dodecanal, 2.4-dodecadienal and 2-octenal-2-butyl. SBS and SMS increased …

Diversity and technological potential of lactic acid bacteria of wheat flours

Abstract Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were analysed from wheat flours used in traditional bread making throughout Sicily (southern Italy). Plate counts, carried out in three different media commonly used to detect food and sourdough LAB, revealed a maximal LAB concentration of approximately 4.75 Log CFU g−1. Colonies representing various morphological appearances were isolated and differentiated based on phenotypic characteristics and genetic analysis by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR. Fifty unique strains were identified. Analysis by 16S rRNA gene sequencing grouped the strains into 11 LAB species, which belonged to six genera: Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Leucono…

Presence of pathogenic bacteria in ice cubes and evaluation of their survival in different systems

In this study, 60 samples of ice cubes produced at different levels (domestic, restaurant and industrial facilities), within a restricted geographical area, were investigated for their general microbiological characteristics through the analysis of populations other than enteric bacteria. Total mesophilic bacteria were in the range 1.01 × 102–9.55 × 103, 3.12 × 102–6.31 × 103and 1.30 × 102–3.99 × 103CFU/100 mL of thawed ice from domestic freezer (DF), stock boxes (SB) for self-production performed with ice machines in bars and pubs, and from sales packages (SP) of industrial productions, respectively. Some DF and SP samples were negative for the presence of total psychrotrophic…

Carvacrol activated biopolymeric foam: An effective packaging system to control the development of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria on sliced pumpkin and melon

Abstract A commercial biodegradable starch-based polymer (Mater-Bi) was activated with carvacrol to develop a biodegradable and compostable polymer to be used in food packaging. Based on previous tests, carvacrol was added at 20 % weight of foam. MB foams, with and without carvacrol, were tested for their morphological characteristics, mechanical tests and kinetics of carvacrol release under refrigerated storage conditions. Carvacrol slightly increased the porosity of the foams, induced a reduction of the compressive elastic modulus (Ecom) of foamed MB from 6 to ∼ 3.4 MPa and a decrease of the tensile elastic modulus from ∼70 MPa to ∼16.5 MPa. Carvacrol release from the foam at 4 °C was alm…

Yeasts and moulds contaminants of food ice cubes and their survival in different drinks

Aims To evaluate the levels of unicellular and filamentous fungi in ice cubes produced at different levels and to determine their survival in alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. Methods and Results Sixty samples of ice cubes collected from home level (HL) productions, bars and pubs (BP) and industrial manufacturing plants (MP) were investigated for the presence and cell density of yeasts and moulds. Moulds were detected in almost all samples, while yeasts developed from the majority of HL and MP samples. Representative colonies of microfungi were subjected to phenotypic and genotypic characterization. The identification was carried out by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) ana…

Reuse of almond by-products: Functionalization of traditional semolina sourdough bread with almond skin

Almond production generates large amounts of by-products rich in polyphenols. In this study, almond skin was explored as a valuable food ingredient in bread making. To this purpose, almond skin was used to produce functional products modifying a traditional sourdough bread recipe. The doughs were prepared replacing semolina with powdered almond skin (PAS) at 5 and 10 % (w/w). Sourdough inoculum was started with a mix of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and propagated in semolina until reaching pH 3.7. The pH of PAS added breads was higher than that of control (CTR) breads before and after fermentation. Plate counts showed a similar evolution of LAB and total mesophilic microorganisms, but members…

Influence of Cactus Pear Mucilage-Based Edible Coating on Marketability and Edibility Parameters of Minimally Processed Loquat Fruits

Loquat fruit, popular all over the world for its mild, subacid, and sweet taste, has been classified as a non-climacteric fruit with a very short postharvest life. The fruit decays quickly after harvest, and losses in titratable acidity, taste, and juiciness, and internal browning occurs rapidly during shelf life. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of cactus pear mucilage-based coating on quality, nutraceutical value, microbiological growth, and sensorial parameters of minimally processed white-flesh Martorana and orange-red-flesh Gigante Rossa loquat fruits during cold storage. The effect of mucilage edible coating on the postharvest life, qualitative attributes, and nutraceuti…

Production, stability, gene sequencing and in situ anti-Listeria activity of mundticin KS expressed by three Enterococcus mundtii strains

Three enterococci (WFE3, WFE20 and WFE31) selected as presumptive bacteriocin producers were found to be active against Listeria monocytogenes. In this study, due to their potential industrial/food applications, the three bacterial isolates were extensively characterized. Identification was performed by means of a combined 16S rRNA gene sequencing and multiplex PCR approach, and was confirmed with the sequencing of a partial region of a protein-encoding gene, namely pheS. The three isolates belonged unequivocally to the species Enterococcus mundtii. The randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis recognized three distinct strains. The supernatants were mainly active against Listeria …

Evolution of shelf life parameters of ready-to-eat escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolium) subjected to different cutting operations

Abstract The present work was carried out to investigate the microbiological and physicochemical parameters of minimally processed escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolium) subjected to two different transformation processes, a classic ready-to-eat process (cut leaves, CL) and a process that excluded the cutting operation (entire leaves, EL) as control trial. Both trials were monitored during the refrigerated (4 °C) storage extended until 15 d. Total mesophilic microorganisms, total psychrotrophic microorganisms and pseudomonads were detected at the highest cell densities in all samples. The genotypic characterization of the dominating microbial populations resulted in the identification…

Addition of selected starter/non-starter lactic acid bacterial inoculums to stabilise PDO Pecorino Siciliano cheese production

Abstract The present study was carried out to produce Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano cheese with a multi-species lactic acid bacteria (LAB) culture, composed of starter and non-starter strains in order to reduce the microbiological variability of the products derived without LAB inoculums. To this end, cheese samples produced in six factories located in five provinces (Agrigento, Catania, Enna, Palermo and Trapani) of Sicily, and previously characterised for physicochemical, microbiological and sensory aspects, have been investigated in this work for bacterial microbiome, fatty acid (FA) composition as well as volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles. Analysis of …

Biodiversity and dairy traits of lactic acid bacteria from foliage of aromatic plants before and after dehydration process monitored by a smart sensors system

ABSTRACT The main hypothesis of this work was to evaluate the presence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) intrinsically resistant to plant essential oils in sage (Salvia officinalis L.) and laurel (Laurus nobilis), for future applications in functional cheese production by addition of aromatic herbs. The effect of the drying process on the viability of LAB was evaluated with three biomass densities (3, 4 and 5 kg/m2). The drying densities did not affect weight loss, but influenced the levels of LAB of sage and laurel. A total of 10 different strains of Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus mundtii, Enterococcus raffinosus and Leuconostoc mesenteroides were identified from laurel, while sage did not…

Improvement of Oxidative Status, Milk and Cheese Production, and Food Sustainability Indexes by Addition of Durum Wheat Bran to Dairy Cows’ Diet

Durum wheat bran (DWB) is a by-product mostly used in feeding ruminants, contributing to decrease in the utilization of feeds suitable as foods for human consumption, thus improving the sustainability of livestock production. However, the potential benefits of DWB, due to its content in phenolic acids, mainly consisting of ferulic acid with antioxidant properties, have not been well clarified yet. Accordingly, in this experiment, 36 lactating cows divided into three groups received, over a period of 100 days, one of three concentrates including DWB at 0% (DWB0), 10% (DWB10), or 20% (DWB20). The concentrates were formulated to be isoproteic and isoenergetic and, to balance the higher fiber c…

Anti-Listeria activity of citrus essential oils in a fresh ovine cheese

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-Listeria activity of essential oils (EOs) extracted from the peel of lemons, oranges and tangerines in a fresh cheese produced with pasteurized ewe’s milk. Four cheesemaking trials were performed at the pilot plant scale level, including one control production without the addition of EOs and three experimental productions obtained by the addition of 200 μL/L of each EOs to milk. Before the addition of EOs, the milk of all trials was inoculated with 107 CFU/mL of the starter cultures (Lactococcus lactis NT1 and NT5) and 104 CFU/mL of pathogenic bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes ATCC19114). Plate counts confirmed the dominance of the starter cultu…

Use of fortified pied de cuve as an innovative method to start spontaneous alcoholic fermentation for red winemaking

Background and Aims Some wineries, in order to promote the growth of yeasts able to ferment grape musts, traditionally produce wines using the ‘pied de cuve’ method. The aim of the present work was to study the performance of fortified pied de cuve (FPdC) prepared by addition of wine. Method and Results Two FPdCs were prepared with the addition of wine at 1.5 and 3% (v/v) of ethanol to the musts and allowed to spontaneously ferment. The FPdCs were then added to fresh bulk musts in order to accelerate the spontaneous alcoholic fermentation (AF). Interestingly, several Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated during the pied de cuve preparation were detected at the highest concentration thro…

Evolution of lactic acid bacterial populations during lysine fortification of sourdough breads by addition of pistachio powder

Food fortification is a current practise to increase the bioavailability of certain nutrients. In this study, 5% (w/w) pistachio powder was added to tender wheat flour or durum wheat semolina to evaluate its contribution to augment the amount of lysine in bread. Bread production was carried out by sourdough technology using a selected 3-species lactic acid bacterial (LAB) starter culture (Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis PON100336, Leuconostoc citreum PON10079 and Weissella cibaria PON10030). In order to determine the influence of pistachio powder on the evolution of LAB, sourdough bread productions were compared with control trials obtained from flour or semolina and evaluated for the develo…

Shelf life evaluation of fresh-cut red chicory subjected to different minimal processes

Abstract Microbiological, chemical and physical parameters of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) subjected to two different transformation processes were investigated. A classic ready-to-eat (RTE) process (P1) and a production without cutting (P2) were monitored during refrigerated (4 °C) storage (15 d). Total mesophilic microorganisms, total psychrotrophic microorganisms and pseudomonads were detected at the highest cell densities in all samples. Presumptive Pseudomonas population dominated the cultivable microbial community of RTE red chicory and were characterized genetically. Twenty-two randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) types were investigated by 16S rRNA gen…

Evaluation of microbiological and physico‐chemical parameters of retail ready‐to‐eat mono‐varietal salads

An integrated microbiological and physico-chemical approach was applied to evaluate the decay of mono-varietal ready-to-eat escarole (Cichorium endivia var. latifolium) and red chicory (Cichorium intybus L. var. foliosum Hegi) during refrigeration. Total mesophilic microorganisms, including pseudomonads, and total psychrotrophic microorganisms were detected at high numbers in all samples just after packaging and at the expiry date. The dominant microbial populations analyzed by classical culture-dependent methods belonged to Pseudomonas and yeasts. Illumina sequencing identified Janthinobacterium lividum and Pseudomonas veronii as main species. Regarding the physico-chemical quality between…

Evaluation of different conditions to enhance the performances of Lactobacillus pentosus OM13 during industrial production of Spanish-style table olives.

The main objective was to set up a methodology to improve the high volume production of green table olives, cv. Nocellara del Belice. Lactobaccillus pentosus OM13 was applied during three different industrial processes of table olives as follows: trial one (IOP1) was subjected to an addition of lactic acid until a brine level of pH 7.0 was reached; trial two (IOP2) subjected to same addition of lactic acid as in trial one plus nutrient adjuvant; and trial three (IOP3) subjected to same addition of lactic acid as in trial one, but with the strain L. pentosus OM13 acclimatized in brine for 12 h before inoculation. These trials were compared against two untreated controls (spontaneously fermen…

Microbial diversity of traditional Sicilian cheeses

In the last years, the microbial characterisation of traditional Sicilian cheeses, such as Caciocavallo Palermitano, Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Pecorino Siciliano and PDO Vastedda della valle del Belìce have been the object of different studies conducted by our research group. To this purpose, the aim of the present study was to describe the microbial population of traditional Sicilian cheeses.

In vivo application and dynamics of lactic acid bacteria for the four-season production of Vastedda-like cheese.

article Twelve lactic acid bacteria (LAB), previously selected in vitro (Gaglio et al., 2014), were evaluated in situ for their potential to act as starter cultures for the continuous four-season production of Vastedda-like cheese, made with raw ewes' milk. The strains belonged to Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, Leuconostoc mesenteroides subsp. mesenteroides and Streptococcus thermophilus .L AB werefirst inoculated in multiple-strain combinations on the basis of their optimal growth temperatures in three process conditions which differed for milk treatment and medium for strain development: process 1, growth of strains in the optimal synthetic media and pasteu…

Valorisation of Dairy Wastes Through Kefir Grain Production

The main aim of this work was to investigate on kefir grains (KGs) increase using different dairy by-products. To this purpose, whey and deproteinized whey from cow, goat and sheep milk were compared to the pasteurized milk of the corresponding animal species. Each substrate was inoculated with 3% (w/v) of KGs cultivated in ultra-high temperature cow milk and evalu- ated for pH decrease, total titratable acidity increase and development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and yeasts released in the matrices after 24 h incubation at three different temperatures (20, 25 and 30 °C). The genotypic characterization of the dominating microbial populations resulted in the identification of two LAB belon…

Microbiological, chemical and sensory aspects of bread supplemented with different percentages of the culinary mushroom Pleurotus eryngii in powder form

Pleurotus eryngii (DC.) Quél. powder was used in bread production. Three dough trials (0, 5 and 10% of mushroom) were obtained with commercial baker's yeast. P. eryngii powder was first tested against several yeast species; 10% P. eryngii trial was characterised by the highest pH and total titratable acidity. P. eryngii did not influence negatively the fermentation process, since all trials reached yeast levels of 10 8 CFU g −1 . Mushroom powder decreased bread height and softness, increased crust redness and crumb void fraction and cell density and, although the breads were scored diverse, the overall assessment was comparable. The final breads provided higher concentrations of thiamin, ri…

Development of "Quadrello di Ovino", a Novel Fresh Ewe's Cheese.

This work was performed to produce a new soft ewe’s milk cheese, namely “Quadrello di ovino” (QdO) cheese, to enlarge ewe’s dairy product portfolio of South Italy, barely limited to Pecorino cheese typology. Cheese making was performed applying the technology for “Crescenza” cheese typology with some modifications. In particular, pasteurized ewes’ milk was inoculated with two commercial starter formulations (SF1 and SF2) of Streptococcus thermophilus to obtain two different productions (QdO-P1 and QdO-P2, respectively). Plate counts demonstrated the ability of both starter formulations to drive the fermentation process, since S. thermophilus counts reached 109 CFU/g in both productions. Gen…

The Use of Winery by-Products to Enhance the Functional Aspects of the Fresh Ovine “Primosale” Cheese

Fresh ovine “primosale” cheese was processed with the addition of grape pomace powder (GPP). Cheese making was performed using pasteurized ewes’ milk and four selected Lactococcus lactis strains (Mise36, Mise94, Mise169 and Mise190) inoculated individually. For each strain the control cheese (CCP) was not added with GPP, while the experimental cheese (ECP) was enriched with 1% (w/w) GPP. GPP did not influence the starter development that reached levels of 109 CFU/g in all final cheeses. The comparison of the bacterial isolates by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR showed the dominance of the added strains over indigenous milk bacteria resistant to pasteurization. GPP addition red…

Survey of antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas isolated from fresh cut red chicory (Cichorium intybus L., Asteraceae)

The present work was carried out to investigate the safety aspects of minimally processed red chicory (Cichorium intybus L., family Asteraceae) regarding the antibiotic resistance of Pseudomonas Migula, 1894 populations (Bacteria Pseudomonadaceae). The Pseudomonas strains tested for their characteristics were previously isolated from experimental monovarietal salads prepared with two different processes, a classic ready-to-eat (RTE) process and a process with entire leaves, and stored under refrigeration (4 °C) up to 15 days from production. Due to their dominance over the microbial community, Pseudomonas strains were better characterised for their undesirable features that might be exerted…

Mango siciliano di IV gamma: come aumentarne la shelf life con l’uso di film edibili di origine naturale.

Un nuovo edible coating, a base di olio di neem e gel di aloe, allunga la vita commerciale di frutti di mango in IV gamma senza alterarne il gusto

Bioaccumulation of selenium-by fruit origin lactic acid bacteria in tropical fermented fruit juices

Abstract Adequate fruit consumption helps to prevent several chronic age-related diseases. Selenium (Se) is an elemental micronutrient with antioxidant capacity. In general, fruits and Se ingest by humans are below the recommended daily intake value. Fresh fruits are highly susceptible to deterioration during storage. Fermentation can improve the storage period, sensory profile, and bioactive compound content of foods; moreover, some lactic acid bacteria can accumulate organic Se intracellularly. In this work, microbial growth and Se accumulation by Levilactobacillus brevis CRL2051 and Fructobacillus tropaeoli CRL2034 in tropical fruit juices were evaluated. The strains could grow 1–2 log c…

Molecular analysis of the dominant lactic acid bacteria of chickpea liquid starters and doughs and propagation of chickpea sourdoughs with selected Weissella confusa

Abstract Fermented chickpea liquid is used as a leavening agent in chickpea bread production. In the present study, traditional chickpea liquid starter and dough samples were collected from bakeries in Turkey and microbiologically investigated. Culture-independent analysis for microbiota diversity, performed by MiSeq Illumina, identified Clostridium perfringens as major group in all samples, while Weissella spp. Dominated LAB community. A culture-dependent methodology was applied and 141 isolates were confirmed to be members of the LAB group based on 16s rRNA gene sequence analysis. In particular, 11 different LAB species were identified confirming the high frequency of isolation of weissel…

Effect of saffron addition on the microbiological, physicochemical, antioxidant and sensory characteristics of yoghurt

The impact of added saffron on the characteristics of yoghurt was evaluated during storage. The fat content was lower in the saffron yoghurt. All colour variables were significantly affected by saffron and storage. From the 15th day of storage, bacterial numbers in the saffron yoghurt were higher than those of the control yoghurt. Sensory analysis data suggested that colour, odour and texture impacted consistently on the overall acceptability of the saffron yoghurt. Saffron addition significantly increased polyphenol content and antioxidant activity, providing evidence that the enrichment of natural yoghurt with saffron yields an innovative fermented product useful for supplementing antioxi…

Effect of grape pomace from red cultivar 'Nero d’Avola' on the microbiological, physicochemical, phenolic profile and sensory aspects of ovine Vastedda-like stretched cheese

Abstract Aims The purpose of this study was to functionalize an ovine stretched cheese belonging to 'Vastedda' typology with red grape pomace powder (GPP) of Nero d’Avola cultivar and to characterize the microbiological, physicochemical, phenolic profile and sensory characteristics of the final cheeses. Methods and Results Before cheeses production, GPP was characterized for its microbiological profile, antibacterial activity and polyphenolic content. No colonies of bacteria and yeasts were detected in the GPP. GPP showed a large inhibition spectrum against spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. Three classes of polyphenolic compounds belonging to flavan-3-ols, flavonol and phenolic acids were i…