The continued and improper use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic resistance (AR). The dissemination of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms occurs via a multitude of pathways, including the food supply. The failure to comply with the regulatory withdrawal period associated with the treatment of domestic animals or the illicit use of antibiotics as growth promoters has contributed to the proliferation of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in meat and dairy products. It was demonstrated that not only do animal and human pathogens act as donors of antibiotic resistance genes, but also that lactic acid bacteria can serve as reservoirs of genes encoding for antibiotic resistance. Consequently, the consumption of fermented foods also presents a potential conduit for the dissemination of AR. This review provides an overview of the potential for the transmission of antibiotic resistance in a range of traditional and novel foods. The literature data reveal that foodborne microbes can be a significant factor in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance.

Pathogenic strains of E.coli and Salmonella are common causes of foodborne illness and have been frequently isolated from inadequately heat-treated milk products in Mansoura city. The current study was performed to explore the prevalence of E.coli and Salmonella spp. in heattreated milk products intended for consumption in Mansoura university hospitals and hostels, as well as, to investigate their serotypes and virulence potential. Seventyfive samples of heat-treated milk products (Soft cheese, yoghurt, and processed cheese, 25 of each) were randomly gathered and directed to further investigation using conventional and molecular microbiology. Result revealed that 3(12%) of soft cheese samples harbored E.coli O146:H21, O26:H11 and O128:H2 serotypes and 2(8%) of yoghurt samples were contaminated with O128:H2 and O121:H7 serotypes while 3(12%) of processed cheese samples were positive for non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) serovars (Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Essen). Virulence gene profiling reported that all E.coli isolates harbored eaeA gene and only E.coli O26:H11 and O121:H7 encoded stx2 (verotoxin) gene. Further, all Salmonella isolates harbored invA and stn genes, while only Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Infantis encoded spvC gene. This study confirmed the existence of highly pathogenic verotoxogenic E.coli (VTEC) and NTS in investigated milk products which could be hazardous for public health and resident in Mansoura hospitals and hostels. Hence, the implementation of good hygienic practices together with hazard analysis, and risk-based preventive control measures are rigorously required in the process of HACCP plan to eliminate the risk of contamination that may occur during the manufacturing process.

The spread of superbugs in dairy products can jeopardize global public health. To date, information on the incidence rates of virulent and β-lactams-resistant (BLR) Salmonella in cheeses from rural areas of Egypt has been lacking. Biochemical, serological, antibiotic susceptibility, and multiplex PCR (M-PCR) tests were performed to identify and characterize Salmonella isolates. In this study, 44 (15.71%) Salmonella isolates of eight different serotypes were recovered from 280 samples of Rumi and pasteurized Kariesh cheeses across the Nile Delta region of Egypt. The most predominant serotypes were S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, and S. Infantis. The virulence genes (invA, stn, and hilA) were identified in all isolates. However, spvC was only detected in S. Typhimurium. The highest resistance was developed against Erythromycin and Clindamycin (90.91%), followed by Ceftazidime and Cephalothin (84.09%). Meropenem and colistin were the most effective antibiotics. A high proportion (79.55%) of multi-drug resistance (MDR) isolates carried narrow spectrum (NS), extended-spectrum (ES), and AmpC-BLR genes. The bla_OXA-1, bla_OXA-2, bla_TEM-1, bla_CTX-M, bla_CMY-1, and bla_CMY-2 BLR genes were positive in 37.04%, 29.63%, 25.93%, 14.81%, 37.04%, and 3.70% of isolates, respectively. In conclusion, a high prevalence of virulence and BLR genes harboring Salmonella strains in Egyptian cheeses is considered a great threat to public health.

Striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, has recently emerged as a promising candidate for Egyptian aquaculture owing to its rapid growth; however, under intensive culture, it is vulnerable to Aeromonas hydrophila. The efficacy of dietary supplementation with effective probiotic microorganisms (EPMs) in enhancing growth performance, feed utilization, physiological health, and disease resistance of P. hypophthalmus against A. hydrophila challenge was evaluated. A 90-day feeding trial was conducted with 300 fish randomly distributed into four triplicate groups (25 fish per replicate) reared in 12 indoor fiberglass tanks: a control and three groups receiving EPMs at inclusion levels of 1.5%, 3%, and 4.5%. The results showed significant, dose-dependent improvements across all EPMs-supplemented groups in survival, growth rates, feed utilization, and hematological parameters (RBC, Hb, PCV, WBC, and lymphocytes). Dietary EPMs led to significant improvements (p ≤ 0.001) in digestive efficiency, protein and lipid metabolism, antioxidant enzyme activity, immune performance, and the ability of striped catfish to withstand A. hydrophila infection. Hepatobiliary enzyme activities (ALT, AST, and ALKP), glucose levels, lipid profile markers, and hepatic MDA exhibited a significant linear decrease (p ≤ 0.0001) with increasing EPMs levels. The gut microbial composition showed a dose-dependent increase in beneficial lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and a reduction in TAPC, pathogenic coliforms (TFCC), and Vibrio spp. (TVC). These results demonstrate the dose-dependent effects of EPMs on enhancing aquafeed efficiency, overall health, and innate immunity in striped catfish.

Microalgae (predominantly unicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes) has been recognized as a “protein bio-factory” because they may produce up to 70% of protein (dry basis). Advantageous aspects of proteins from microalgae compared to conventional animal- and plant-based proteins were proven. Numerous review articles have addressed the effects of composition of cultivation medium and operational parameters to obtain high protein yield from microalgae. Nevertheless, several critical limitations remain for the industrial expansions of the production of proteins from microalgae. Presently, process intensification is considered a strategic approach for the scalable production of proteins from microalgae, achieved by implementing mutagenic and recombinant strains, increasing productivity through high-cell-density cultivation strategies, using cold-adapted microalgae and minimizing equipment footprint via integrating multiple unit operations into a more efficient and compact system. Different strategies of random mutagenesis (chemical: ethyl methane sulfonate-mediated, physical: heavy-ion irradiation-mediated and ultraviolet-mediated) have been employed to get the desired phenotype of microalgae for higher protein yield. Emerging genetic engineering approaches, including the design of expression vectors, identification of genetic regulatory elements, and genetic transformation methods, along with bioinformatics algorithms, have been employed to develop recombinant strains of microalgae with higher protein yield. Combined cultivation systems, such as sequential heterotrophic-autotrophic system, switching of nitrogen-rich cultivation medium from nitrogen-deficient medium and mixotrophic system have come to the forefront. In this review article, process intensification strategies for the production of proteins from microalgae are comprehensively discussed, with special emphasis on the development of mutant and recombinant strains, strategies of cultivation and decisive operational parameters of bioreactor operation.

Background: Rayeb milk and yogurt provide lasting energy and maintain hydration during fasting. The surge in demand during Ramadan (the holiest month of the year across the Islamic world) increases production to meet consumer needs, potentially compromising strict adherence to safety standards. Data on the prevalence and characterization of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in fermented dairy products during Ramadan, a model of increased batch turnover, remain to be investigated. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the AMR profile and molecularly characterize the AMR and virulence traits of E. coli isolates prevalent in fermented milk products. Methods: A total of 34 E. coli isolates, representing eight distinct serotypes, were recovered from 150 fermented milk samples; rayeb milk (n = 75) and yogurt (n = 75) collected from densely populated towns in the Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Results: The most prevalent serotypes were O153:H2, O125:H21, and O119:H6, followed by O111:H2, O26:H11, and O127:H6. The virulence genes stx1 and stx2 were detected in 76.47% of isolates, while eaeA and hlyA were found in O26:H11, O119:H6, and O55:H7 serotypes. In total, 73.53% (25/34) of E. coli isolates were classified as MDR, while 26.47% (9/34) exhibited XDR. Resistance was most prevalent against penicillin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin, kanamycin, chloramphenicol, and trimethoprim. The kan, dfrA, blaOXA-1, tetA(A), and van(A) AMR genes were positive in 70.59%, 67.65%, 61.76%, 100%, and 47.06% of isolates, respectively. Conclusions: Identified E. coli AMR and virulence panels reflect that production pressure can challenge strict adherence to hygiene control measures and cold-chain maintenance. Subsequently, authorities must enforce proper quality assurance protocols to minimize the risk of food poisoning.