The composition of intestinal microbiota is widely believed to not only affect gut health but also influence behaviour. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic characteristics, antioxidant activity, and antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95. This strain showed probiotic properties such as resistance in a simulated gastric tract model and survival at different concentrations of NaCl and bile salts. Moreover, antioxidant activity of LL95 was demonstrated through DPPH radical scavenging activity, scavenging of ABTS^•+ radical and ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Female C57BL/6 mice received LL95 orally at a dose of 10⁹ UFC/day for 28 days. LL95 improved depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour, demonstrated by decreased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swim test and increased per cent of time spent in the open arms on the elevated plus maze. These findings indicate the potential antioxidant activity of LL95 and its role in behaviour, suggesting that probiotic may have therapeutic applications.

Antimicrobial resistance in foodborne pathogens represents a critical global health challenge, with food handlers serving as key contributors in their transmission. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance patterns of three major pathogens, Staphylococcus spp., Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp., among food handlers worldwide. Analysis of studies across diverse geographical regions reveals considerable variation in colonization rates, with Staphylococcus spp. prevalence ranging from 19.5% to 95.0%, Escherichia coli from 2.8% to 89.3%, and Salmonella spp. from 0.07% to 9.1%. Resistance profiles demonstrate alarming trends, including widespread β-lactam resistance and emerging resistance to last-resort antibiotics like carbapenems. Particularly concerning is the high occurrence of multidrug resistant (MDR) strains and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producers in low- and middle-income countries. This review identified inadequate handwashing, poor hygiene infrastructure, and asymptomatic carriage as critical factors facilitating the transmission of antimicrobial resistant strains. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance systems, targeted decolonization strategies, improved hygiene protocols, and food handler education to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens through the food chain.

This work demonstrates the application of an electronic nose (e-nose) for discrimination between authentic and adulterated honey. The developed e-nose is based on electrodes covered with ionogel (ionic liquid + gelatin + Fe₃O₄ nanoparticle) films. Authentic and adulterated honey samples were submitted to e-nose analysis, and the capacity of the sensors for discrimination between authentic and adulterated honey was evaluated using principal component analysis (PCA) based on average relative response data. From the PCA biplot, it was possible to note two well-defined clusters and no intersection was observed. To evaluate the relative response data as input for autonomous classification, different machine learning algorithms were evaluated, namely instance based (IBK), Kstar, Trees-J48 (J48), random forest (RF), multilayer perceptron (MLP), naive Bayes (NB), and sequential minimal optimization (SMO). Considering the average data, the highest accuracy was obtained for Kstar: 100% (k-fold = 3). Additionally, this algorithm was also compared regarding its sensitivity and specificity, both being 100% for both features. Thus, due to the rapidity, simplicity, and accuracy of the developed methodology, the technology based on e-noses has the potential to be applied to honey quality control.

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of adenovirus (AdV), rotavirus (RV), and hepatitis E virus (HEV) in beef, pork, and chicken meat cuts in retail trade in the city of Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil. A total of 131 meat products were collected (beef, n = 55; chicken, n = 47; pork, n = 29) from 18 commercial establishments (supermarkets, n = 7; butchers, n = 7; markets/grocery stores, n = 4). All samples were evaluated for AdV, RV, and HEV. The genomes of RV and AdV were identified in 29% (n = 38) and 5.34% (n = 7) of the samples, respectively. HEV was not identified in any of the samples. Chicken cuts had a higher frequency of AdV and RV isolates compared to beef and pork (P < 0.05). Among the categories of commercial establishments evaluated, all revealed at least one positive sample for AdV and RV; however, supermarkets showed a higher frequency of RV than others (P < 0.05). The genetic material of AdV and RV was identified simultaneously in 2.29% (n = 3) of samples from supermarkets (n = 2) and grocery stores (n = 1). This is the first report on detection of enteric viruses in meat cuts in the western region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and the presence of AdV and RV in these products may indicate flaws during the process of handling these foods, especially in places where commercialization provides important public health issues.