This study aimed to investigate enterococci recovered from eight Portuguese cheeses made with raw ewe’s milk, regarding antibiotic resistance, virulence genes, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of benzalkonium chloride (BAC), biofilm formation capacity, and biofilm eradication (MBEC) by BAC. Antimicrobial resistance against seven antibiotics of five groups was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. The presence of the genes that encode resistance to the antibiotics penicillin (blaZ), erythromycin (ermA, ermB, and ermC), vancomycin (vanA and vanB), aminoglycoside (aac(6′)-Ie-aph(2″)-Ia), and β-lactam (pbp5) and the genes that encode virulence factors, frsB, cylA, gelE, esp, and agg, were investigated via multiplex PCR. The susceptibility of planktonic cells to BAC was evaluated by the MIC and MBC values of the isolates, using the broth microdilution method. To assess the biofilm-forming ability and resistance of biofilms to BAC, biofilms were produced on stainless steel coupons, followed by exposure to BAC. The results showed a high resistance to the antibiotics vancomycin (87.5%), erythromycin (75%), tetracycline (50%), and penicillin (37.5%). Multidrug resistance was observed in 68.8% of the isolates. Genes encoding the virulence factors FrsB (frsB) and gelatinase E (gelE) were detected in all isolates. The esp and cylA genes were found in 56.3% and 37.5% of the isolates, respectively. All isolates exhibited a biofilm-forming ability, regardless of incubation time and temperature tested. However, after 72 h at 37 °C, E. faecium and E. faecalis biofilms showed significant differences (p ≤ 0.05). Although most isolates (62.5%) were susceptible to BAC (MIC ≤ 10 mg/L), biofilms of the same isolates were, generally, resistant to the higher concentration of BAC (80 mg/mL) tested. This study using Enterococcus isolates from a ready-to-eat food, such as cheese, reveals the high percentages of vancomycin resistance and multidrug resistance, associated with the presence of virulence genes, in isolates also capable of producing biofilms resistant to BAC, an important active ingredient of many disinfectants. These results emphasize the need for effective control measures to ensure the safety and quality of dairy products.

Soil ecosystem perturbation due to agronomic practices can negatively impact soil productivity by altering the diversity and function of soil health determinants. Currently, the influence of rice cultivation and off-season periods on the dynamics of soil health determinants is unclear. Therefore, soil enzyme activities (EAs) and bacterial community compositions in rice-cultivated fields at postharvest (PH) and after a 5-month off-season period (5mR), and fallow-fields (5-years-fallow, 5YF; 10-years-fallow, 10YF and/or one-year-fallow, 1YF) were assessed in two agroecological regions of Mozambique. EAs were mostly higher in fallow fields than in PH, with significant (p < 0.05) differences detected for β-glucosidase and acid phosphatase activities. Only β-glucosidase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) different between PH and 5mR, suggesting that β-glucosidase is responsive in the short-term. Bacterial diversity was highest in rice-cultivated soil and correlated with NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺ and electrical conductivity. Differentially abundant genera, such as Agromyces, Bacillus, Desulfuromonas, Gaiella, Lysobacter, Micromonospora, Norcadiodes, Rubrobacter, Solirubrobacter and Sphingomonas were mostly associated with fallow and 5mR fields, suggesting either negative effects of rice cultivation or the fallow period aided their recovery. Overall, rice cultivation and chemical parameters influenced certain EAs and shaped bacterial communities. Furthermore, the 5-month off-season period facilitates nutrient recovery and proliferation of plant-growth-promoting bacteria.

Consumption of contaminated meat and meat by‐products has been associated with several foodborne outbreaks worldwide. Particularly in informal markets, poor hygiene during slaughter, transportation, and sale, as well as inadequate sanitation at points of sale and noncompliance with good hygiene practices, are major contributors. In this context, the five more representative markets in Luanda were selected (Catinton, Kifica, Benfica, Km30, and Kikolo). Three types of meat samples (beef, pork, and goat) were randomly collected in each market, totaling 130 meat samples. Meat was analyzed according to ISO guidelines for enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus , and Escherichia coli (hygiene indicator) and detection of Salmonella (food safety indicator). In the selected markets, the sellers were characterized using observational methods and through sociographic questionnaires based on short interviews. These approaches showed that 61.2% of the sellers were young (20–30 years old), with 58.6% not having completed elementary education. More than 75% of the sellers had been working in this sector for less than 5 years, and most did not adhere to appropriate food safety practices when handling fresh meat. Unsatisfactory microbiological quality was found in all types of meat and markets. In the Benfica market, the detection of Salmonella raised significant concerns, with 100% of beef, 90% of pork, and 60% of goat meat samples testing positive. In the other four markets (Catinton, Kifica, Km30, and Kikolo), the level of contamination with E. coli was the main factor, leading to unsatisfactory results. Significant differences in microbiological indicators were observed between markets. Overall, the Kikolo market exhibited the highest levels of contamination. To our knowledge, studies on the microbiological quality and safety of fresh meat sold in informal markets in Angola are few or nonexistent. Therefore, the findings of the present study provide critical insights that could contribute to mitigating the risk of contamination of fresh meat with pathogenic microorganisms, with the concomitant possibility of foodborne outbreaks in Luanda. There is an urgent need to invest in adequate infrastructure for the sale of fresh meat, such as covered buildings with piped drinking water, sewage, and refrigeration systems, as well as training sellers in good handling practices (GHPs) and good manufacturing practices (GMPs).