Artisanal cheeses can be sources of Listeria monocytogenes and cause disease in humans. This bacterial pathogen is a species of diverse genotypic and phenotypic characteristics. The aim of the study was to characterize 32 isolates of L. monocytogenes isolated in 2014–2018 from artisanal cheeses. The isolates were characterized using whole genome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. The artisanal cheese isolates resolved to four molecular groups: 46.9% of them to IIa (1/2a-3a), 31.2% to IVb (4ab-4b-4d-4e), 12.5% to IIc (1/2c-3c), and 9.4% to IIb (1/2b-3b-7). Two evolutionary lineages emerged: lineage II having 59.4% of the isolates and lineage I having 40.6%. The sequence types (ST) totaled 18: ST6 (15.6% of the isolates), ST2, ST20, ST26, and ST199 (each 9.4%), ST7 and ST9 (each 6.3%), and ST1, ST3, ST8, ST16, ST87, ST91, ST121, ST122, ST195, ST217, and ST580 (each 3.1%). There were 15 detected clonal complexes (CC): CC6 (15.6% of isolates), CC9 (12.5%), CC2, CC20, CC26, and CC199 (each 9.4%), CC7 and CC8 (each 6.3%), and CC1, CC3, CC14, CC87, CC121, CC195, and CC217 (each 3.1%). The isolates were varied in their virulence genes and the differences concerned: inl, actA, LIPI-3, ami, gtcA, aut, vip, and lntA.

Pig’s blood and liver are valuable edible slaughter by-products which are also the major ingredients of offal-derived foodstuffs. The aim of the study was an evaluation of the occurrence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) and porcine adenovirus (pAdV) as an index virus of faecal contamination in pig’s blood and liver for human consumption. In total, 246 samples of retail liver (n = 100) and pooled pig’s blood (n = 146) were analysed for the presence of HEV and pAdV. Blood samples were individually collected from 1432 pigs at slaughter age. Viral genomic material, including RNA of a sample process control virus was isolated from food samples using a QIAamp® Viral RNA Mini Kit. Virus-specific IAC-controlled real-time PCR methods were used for detection of target viruses. HEV RNA was found in 6 (2.4%; 95% CI: 0.9–5.2) out of 246 samples of tested foodstuffs. The virus was detected in pig’s blood (3.4%; 95% CI: 1.1–7.8) and liver (1.0%; 95% CI: 0.0–5.0) with no significant differences observed in the frequency of its occurrence between the two by-products (t = 1.33; p = 0.182 > 0.05); however PAdV was detected more frequently in pig’s blood than in liver (t = 4.65; p = 0.000 < 0.05). The HEV strains belonged to the 3f and 3e subtype groups and the pAdV strains were assigned to serotype 5. PAdV was detected in pigs regardless of the farm size from which they originated. The number of animals raised on the farm (the farm size) had no influence on the occurrence of HEV or pAdV infections in pigs (F = 0.81, p = 0.447 > 0.05 for HEV; F = 0.42, p = 0.655 > 0.05 for pAdV). Although HEV was detected in pig’s offal only sporadically, consumers cannot treat its occurrence with disregard as it demonstrates that HEV-contaminated pig tissues can enter the food chain.

In this study, the effect of soybean meal substitution by raw chickpea seeds on the thermal properties and fatty acid profile of subcutaneous fat tissue of broiler chickens was examined. The experiment, performed on Ross 308 chickens, lasted for 42 days. Tight subcutaneous fat tissue was analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements while the fatty acid composition of subcutaneous adipose tissue was determined chromatographically. There was no effect of soybean meal substitution on fat crystallization temperature or crystallization enthalpy. However, the total calorimetric enthalpy of the melting of low-melting monounsaturated and saturated triacylglycerols differed between groups. Fatty acid proportions in the subcutaneous fat tissue of broiler chickens were also altered. Among others, chickpea seed inclusion decreased the content of main saturated acid (palmitic acid) and increased the content of main monounsaturated (oleic) and tri-unsaturated (linolenic) acids. The results show that the soybean meal substitution by raw chickpea seeds in the feed can affect the structural properties of adipose tissue in broiler chickens, including the thermal transformation of unsaturated fatty acids. Due to the numerous physiological functions of subcutaneous fat tissue, understanding these mechanisms can promote the use of alternative protein both in poultry and human nutrition.

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen. A source of infection can be artisanal cheeses. Identification of the Listeria species is important for the protection of public health and the food industry. This study aimed to examine artisanal cheeses for the presence of L. monocytogenes and the effectiveness of the MALDI-TOF MS method in the identification of the L. monocytogenes isolates. A total of 370 samples of artisanal cheeses were examined. L. monocytogenes was found in 23 cheese samples (6.2%). The reliability of L. monocytogenes identification achieved by MALDI-TOF MS was varied, and the vast majority of the isolates (27/32) were identified only to the secure genus, probable species level. This study showed that (i) the occurrence of L. monocytogenes in the artisanal cheeses was at a higher level than that in the other EU countries, (ii) the standard of species identification of L. monocytogenes isolates from artisanal cheeses achieved by MALDI-TOF MS was not satisfactory and (iii) the presence of L. monocytogenes in artisanal cheeses remains a problem with regard to the food safety criterion and a potential public health risk.

This study investigated the effects of dietary glutamine (Gln) supplementation on the performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota of laying quail over a 12-week period, with analyses conducted after 6 and 12 weeks of supplementation. Seven-week-old dual-purpose female quails at the onset of laying were assigned to diets containing 0% (control), 0.5%, 1%, or 1.5% Gln. Performance metrics included laying rate, daily feed intake, and feed efficiency. Supplementation with 0.5% Gln significantly enhanced the laying rate after 12 weeks; daily feed intake and feed efficiency varied over time but were not consistently affected by Gln. Breast muscle weight was highest in quail supplemented with 1.5% Gln after 6 weeks. Blood serum analyses showed that total protein and albumin concentrations were highest in quail receiving 0% and 1% Gln after 12 weeks, while supplementation with 0.5% Gln decreased triacylglycerol levels after 12 weeks. Glucose and creatinine levels varied with Gln supplementation and between the two time points; enzyme activities (alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) were affected by both Gln dose and length of supplementation. Intestinal morphology was significantly influenced by Gln dose and supplementation period. The longest villi were observed in quail supplemented with 1% Gln after 6 weeks, decreasing by 12 weeks. The widest villi were recorded in quail receiving 1.5% Gln after 6 weeks, with villus width decreasing over time. Crypt depth varied significantly, with the deepest crypts observed at 6 weeks in quail supplemented with 1% and 1.5% Gln, becoming shallower after 12 weeks. Microbial analysis of digesta samples revealed Lactobacillaceae as the predominant bacterial family, followed by Enterobacteriaceae and genera including Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Overall, dietary Gln supplementation influenced performance, carcass characteristics, blood biochemical parameters, intestinal morphology, and gut microbiota composition in laying quail, with effects varying between 6 and 12 weeks of supplementation. These findings suggest that Gln supplementation has the potential to enhance quail performance and health over time.

For many years Poland has been a highly recognized producer and supplier of Cornu aspersum (Cornu aspersum aspersum, Cornu aspersum maxima) and Helix pomatia snails in European markets. Exports include both live snails and snail-derived food products such as snail meat and eggs. Slime, used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, is another economically significant snail-derived product. This paper presents standardized terminology for farm snails and outlines regulations concerning snail farming, trade, processing plants and snail meat obtained. The current results of microbiological studies of snail meat obtained in Poland are shown as well. The analysis conducted in this paper indicates the need to clarify legislation, especially with regard to snail farming, and to elaborate regulations on snail meat processing....