Mozzarella cheese stretching is a thermomechanical treatment influenced by factors such as pH, acidity, stretching time and temperature. The aim of this minireview is to provide information about the stretching step and the effect of the main factors on the functional properties of mozzarella. The presented studies show that stretching under higher temperatures promotes more interactions in the protein matrix, and changes occur in the calcium balance throughout the storage period that influence water mobility, proteolysis and lead to changes in mozzarella properties. Therefore, the information presented in this minireview may facilitate the production of mozzarella cheese with specific functional properties.

Enterococcus spp., including E. faecalis and E. faecium, pose risks to dairy farms as opportunistic pathogens. The study evaluates antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence characteristics of Enterococcus spp. isolated from bovine milk. Bile esculin agar was used to assess 1471 milk samples, followed by colony identification, gram staining, catalase tests, and 45 °C incubation. PCR analysis targeted E. faecalis and E. faecium in characteristic Enterococcus spp. colonies, with MALDI-TOF used for negative samples. Multiple tests, including disk diffusion, chromogenic VRE agar for vancomycin resistance, Vancomycin Etest^® for MIC determination, and PCR for virulence factors (cylA, esp, efaA, ace, asa1, gelE, and hyl genes), were performed. Out of 100 identified strains, E. durans (30.66%), E. faecium (26.28%), and E. faecalis (18.25%) were predominant. AMR in Enterococcus spp. varied, with the highest rates against rifampicin (27%), tetracycline (20%), and erythromycin (18%). Linezolid (5%), vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and teicoplanin (3% each) had lower prevalence. E. faecium and E. faecalis showed high AMR to rifampicin, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Thirty-two strains (18.98%) grew on VRE Chromoselect agar, while 4 (2 E. faecalis and 2 E. faecium) showed vancomycin resistance by MIC values. E. faecalis carried gelE (45.5%) and asa1 (36%), and E. gallinarum had 9.1% with the asa1 gene. Detecting resistant Enterococcus in bovine milk supports control strategies for enterococci on dairy farms, highlighting AMR concerns in the food chain.

This review presents a bibliometric analysis of the research landscape on cactus mucilage and its application in biodegradable films for food packaging. The objective was to identify scientific trends, key contributors, and emerging research areas from 2012 to 2022. Original scientific and review articles were retrieved from the Web of Science database and analyzed using VOSviewer software to map co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and country collaboration networks. The analysis revealed that Tunisia, the United States, Germany, and Luxembourg, along with their research institutions, are among the most productive contributors in this field. The study also identified leading authors and journals that focus on the development of cactus-based biodegradable films. Common research topics included extraction methods, film formulation, and evaluations of physical, chemical, and functional properties relevant to food packaging. The results emphasize the growing scientific interest in cactus mucilage as a renewable and sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers. This review provides insights into the current state of the field and highlights opportunities for innovation and collaboration in the development of environmentally friendly food packaging technologies.