The effect of lactic acid bacterial fermentation on sugars, organic acids, bio-transformation of phenolic compounds (anthocyanins and ellagic acid), and antioxidant activity was investigated in pomegranate juice. L. plantarum and L. acidophilus were used as probiotic starter organisms. Both bacteria were able to grow in the juice and their viable cells reached to 3.9×10⁸ CFU/mL after 72 h of fermentation. Fructose and glucose of the juice were significantly consumed by both probiotic starter cultures, and L. plantarum utilized more sugars in comparison with L. acidophilus. Glucose degradation rate was higher than fructose. The concentration of citric acid, as the main acid found in the juice, was significantly reduced by both bacteria through the first 48 h of the process (P < 0.05). Lactic acid was detected as the most abundant acidic metabolite (6.1 g/L) produced within the fermentation, especially by L. plantarum. LC/MS analysis of different anthocyanins, revealed that these compounds (except pelargonidin 3-glucoside) were significantly decreased in the pomegranate juice after fermentation. DPPH Radical scavenging studies showed that fermentation of pomegranate juice using selected probiotic starters increased the antioxidant activity significantly (P < 0.05). In addition, L. acidophilus improved the antioxidant activity of the juice more extensively than L. plantarum. The results of this study showed that fermentation of pomegranate juice by probiotic bacteria would enhance the health benefits of the juice.

The powdered formula market is large and growing, with sales and manufacturing increasing by 120% between 2012 and 2021. With this growing market, there must come an increasing emphasis on maintaining a high standard of hygiene to ensure a safe product. In particular, Cronobacter species pose a risk to public health through their potential to cause severe illness in susceptible infants who consume contaminated powdered infant formula (PIF). Assessment of this risk is dependent on determining prevalence in PIF-producing factories, which can be challenging to measure with the heterogeneity observed in the design of built process facilities. There is also a potential risk of bacterial growth occurring during rehydration, given the observed persistence of Cronobacter in desiccated conditions. In addition, novel detection methods are emerging to effectively track and monitor Cronobacter species across the food chain. This review will explore the different vehicles that lead to Cronobacter species’ environmental persistence in the food production environment, as well as their pathogenicity, detection methods and the regulatory framework surrounding PIF manufacturing that ensures a safe product for the global consumer.

Cronobacter sakazakii is an opportunistic pathogen linked to outbreaks in powdered infant formula (PIF), primarily causing meningitis and necrotizing enterocolitis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was used to characterize 18 C. sakazakii strains isolated from PIF (powdered infant formula) manufacturing plants (2011–2015). Sequence Type (ST) 1 was identified as the dominant sequence type, and all isolates carried virulence genes for chemotaxis, flagellar motion, and heat shock proteins. Multiple antibiotic resistance genes were detected, with all isolates exhibiting resistance to Cephalosporins and Tetracycline. A significant correlation existed between genotypic and phenotypic antibiotic resistance. The plasmid Col(pHAD28) was identified in the isolates recovered from the same PIF environment. All isolates harbored at least one intact phage. All the study isolates were compared with a collection of 96 publicly available C. sakazakii genomes to place these isolates within a global context. This comprehensive study, integrating phylogenetic, genomic, and epidemiological data, contributes to a deeper understanding of Cronobacter outbreaks. It provides valuable insights to enhance surveillance, prevention, and control strategies in food processing and public health contexts.