The Role of Biofilms in the Development and Dissemination of Microbial Resistance within the Food Industry

The Role of Biofilms in the Development and Dissemination of Microbial Resistance within the Food Industry
Author: Efstathios Giaouris
Publisher: MDPI
Total Pages: 100
Release: 2020-12-15
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3039435515

Biofilms are multicellular sessile microbial communities embedded in hydrated extracellular polymeric matrices. Their formation is common in microbial life in most environments, whereas those formed on food-processing surfaces are of considerable interest in the context of food hygiene. Biofilm cells express properties that are distinct from planktonic ones, in particular, due to their notorious resistance to antimicrobial agents. Thus, a special feature of biofilms is that once they have developed, they are hard to eradicate, even when careful sanitization procedures are regularly applied. A large amount of ongoing research has investigated how and why surface-attached microbial communities develop such resistance, and several mechanisms can be acknowledged, such as heterogeneous metabolic activity, cell adaptive responses, diffusion limitations, genetic and functional diversification, and microbial interactions. The articles contained in this Special Issue deal with biofilms of some important food-related bacteria (including common pathogens such as Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as spoilage-causing spore-forming bacilli), providing novel insights into their resistance mechanisms and implications, together with novel methods (e.g., use of protective biofilms formed by beneficial bacteria, enzymes) that could be used to overcome resistance and thus improve the safety of our food supply and protect public health.

Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance

Mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
Author: Jun Lin
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Total Pages: 226
Release: 2015-06-01
Genre: Antibiotics
ISBN: 2889195260

Antibiotics represent one of the most successful forms of therapy in medicine. But the efficiency of antibiotics is compromised by the growing number of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Antibiotic resistance, which is implicated in elevated morbidity and mortality rates as well as in the increased treatment costs, is considered to be one of the major global public health threats (www.who.int/drugresistance/en/) and the magnitude of the problem recently prompted a number of international and national bodies to take actions to protect the public (http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/health_consumer/docs/road-map-amr_en.pdf: http://www.who.int/drugresistance/amr_global_action_plan/en/; http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/carb_national_strategy.pdf). Understanding the mechanisms by which bacteria successfully defend themselves against the antibiotic assault represent the main theme of this eBook published as a Research Topic in Frontiers in Microbiology, section of Antimicrobials, Resistance, and Chemotherapy. The articles in the eBook update the reader on various aspects and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. A better understanding of these mechanisms should facilitate the development of means to potentiate the efficacy and increase the lifespan of antibiotics while minimizing the emergence of antibiotic resistance among pathogens.

Molecular Food Microbiology

Molecular Food Microbiology
Author: Dongyou Liu
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 525
Release: 2021-04-11
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1351120379

The elucidation of DNA double helix in 1953 and the publication of DNA cloning protocol in 1973 have put wings under the sail of molecular biology, which has since quietly revolutionized many fields of biological science, including food microbiology. Exploiting the power and versatility of molecular technologies, molecular food microbiology extends and greatly improves on phenotypically based food microbiology, leading to the development of better diagnostics for foodborne infections and intoxications, and contributing to the design of more effective therapeutics and prophylaxes against foodborne diseases. Forming part of the Food Microbiology series, Molecular Food Microbiology provides a state of art coverage on molecular techniques applicable to food microbiology. While the introductory chapter contains an overview on the principles of current DNA, RNA and protein techniques and discusses their utility in helping solve practical problems that food microbiology is facing now and in the future, the remaining chapters present detailed moleuclar analyses of selective foodborne viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Key Features: Contains a state of art overview on moleuclar techniques applicable to food microbiology research and development Presents in-depth molecular analysis of selective foodborne viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites Highlights the utility of molecular tecniques for accurate diagnosis and effective control of foodborne diseases Includes expert contributions from international scientists involved in molecular food microbiology research Represents a highly informative textbook for students majoring in food, medical, and veterinary microbiology Offers a contemporary reference for scholars and educators wishing to keep abreast with the latest developments in molecular food microbiology With contributions from international scientists involved in molecular food microbiology research, this book constitutes an informative textbook for undergraduates and postgraduates majoring in food, medical, and veterinary microbiology; represents an indispensable guide for food, medical, and veterinary scientists engaged in molecular food microbiology research and development; and offers a contemporary update for scholars and educators trying to keep in touch with the latest developments in molecular food microbiology.

Microbial Biofilms

Microbial Biofilms
Author: Dharumadurai Dhanasekaran
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 526
Release: 2016-07-13
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9535124358

In the book Microbial Biofilms: Importance and applications, eminent scientists provide an up-to-date review of the present and future trends on biofilm-related research. This book is divided with four subdivisions as biofilm fundamentals, applications, health aspects, and their control. Moreover, this book also provides a comprehensive account on microbial interactions in biofilms, pyocyanin, and extracellular DNA in facilitating Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation, atomic force microscopic studies of biofilms, and biofilms in beverage industry. The book comprises a total of 21 chapters from valued contributions from world leading experts in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Serbia, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey. This book may be used as a text or reference for everyone interested in biofilms and their applications. It is also highly recommended for environmental microbiologists, soil scientists, medical microbiologists, bioremediation experts, and microbiologists working in biocorrosion, biofouling, biodegradation, water microbiology, quorum sensing, and many other related areas. Scientists in academia, research laboratories, and industry will also find it of interest.

Antibiofilm Agents

Antibiofilm Agents
Author: Kendra P. Rumbaugh
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 495
Release: 2014-05-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642538339

This book provides a survey of recent advances in the development of antibiofilm agents for clinical and environmental applications. The fact that microbes exist in structured communities called biofilms has slowly become accepted within the medical community. We now know that over 80% of all infectious diseases are biofilm-related; however, significant challenges still lie in our ability to diagnose and treat these extremely recalcitrant infections. Written by experts from around the globe, this book offers a valuable resource for medical professionals seeking to treat biofilm-related disease, academic and industry researchers interested in drug discovery and instructors who teach courses on microbial pathogenesis and medical microbiology.

Pathogenic Bacteria

Pathogenic Bacteria
Author: Sahra Kırmusaoğlu
Publisher: BoD – Books on Demand
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2020-12-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1789859875

Pathogenic bacteria are the main problem in hospital- and community-acquired infections. As bacteria continue to develop more resistance to antibiotics, it is imperative to develop antibacterial treatment strategies. Written by experts from all over the world, this book examines pathogenic bacteria and their link to multidrug resistance. Over thirteen chapters, it presents examples of pathogenesis, virulence factors, and treatment strategies.

Microplastic in the Environment: Pattern and Process

Microplastic in the Environment: Pattern and Process
Author: Michael S. Bank
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 364
Release: 2021-10-09
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030786277

This open access book examines global plastic pollution, an issue that has become a critical societal challenge with implications for environmental and public health. This volume provides a comprehensive, holistic analysis on the plastic cycle and its subsequent effects on biota, food security, and human exposure. Importantly, global environmental change and its associated, systems-level processes, including atmospheric deposition, ecosystem complexity, UV exposure, wind patterns, water stratification, ocean circulation, etc., are all important direct and indirect factors governing the fate, transport and biotic and abiotic processing of plastic particles across ecosystem types. Furthermore, the distribution of plastic in the ocean is not independent of terrestrial ecosystem dynamics, since much of the plastic in marine ecosystems originates from land and should therefore be evaluated in the context of the larger plastic cycle. Changes in species size, distribution, habitat, and food web complexity, due to global environmental change, will likely alter trophic transfer dynamics and the ecological effects of nano- and microplastics. The fate and transport dynamics of plastic particles are influenced by their size, form, shape, polymer type, additives, and overall ecosystem conditions. In addition to the risks that plastics pose to the total environment, the potential impacts on human health and exposure routes, including seafood consumption, and air and drinking water need to be assessed in a comprehensive and quantitative manner. Here I present a holistic and interdisciplinary book volume designed to advance the understanding of plastic cycling in the environment with an emphasis on sources, fate and transport, ecotoxicology, climate change effects, food security, microbiology, sustainability, human exposure and public policy.

Science and Technology Against Microbial Pathogens

Science and Technology Against Microbial Pathogens
Author: A. M‚ndez-Vilas
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 447
Release: 2011
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9814354856

The aim of this book is to disseminate the most recent research in science and technology against microbial pathogens presented at the first edition of the ICAR Conference Series (ICAR2010) held in Valladolid, Spain, in November 2010. This volume is a compilation of 86 chapters written by active researchers that offer information and experiences and afford critical insights into anti-microbe strategies in a general context marked by the threat posed by the increasing antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms. "Anti" is here taken in a wide sense as "against cell cycle, adhesion, or communication," and when harmful for the human health (infectious diseases, chemotherapy etc.) and industry or economy (food, agriculture, water systems etc.) The book examines this interesting subject area from antimicrobial resistance (superbugs, emerging and re-emerging pathogens etc.), to the use of natural products or microbes against microbial pathogens, not forgetting antimicrobial chemistry, physics and material science. Readers will find in a single volume, up-to-date information of the current knowledge in antimicrobial research. The book is recommended for researchers from a broad range of academic disciplines that are contributing in the battle against harmful microorganisms, not only those more traditionally involved in this research area (microbiologists, biochemists, geneticists, clinicians etc.), but also experimental and theoretical/computational chemists, physicists or engineers.

Bioaugmentation for Groundwater Remediation

Bioaugmentation for Groundwater Remediation
Author: Hans F. Stroo
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 421
Release: 2012-10-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1461441153

​This volume provides a review of the past 10 to 15 years of intensive research, development and demonstrations that have been on the forefront of developing bioaugmentation into a viable remedial technology. This volume provides both a primer on the basic microbial processes involved in bioaugmentation, as well as a thorough summary of the methodology for implementing the technology. This reference volume will serve as a valuable resource for environmental remediation professionals who seek to understand, evaluate, and implement bioaugmentation.