Bacteria in our guts play an important role in health. An imbalance in gut bacteria can be linked to everything from inflammatory bowel disease to reduced immunity, changes in behavior, and weight problems. A new study published in Nature finds that diet can rapidly alter our gut microbiome. An animal-based diet increases the abundance of … Read more
A study published in the Journal of Food Science found that extracts from pecan shells should protect meats against the growth of Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The University of Arkansas was the center of this study. Unroasted and roasted pecan shells produced antimicrobials tested against Listeria serotypes. Scientists found that the solvent-free extracts inhibited Listeria strains … Read more
Researchers at Kansas State University are studying how the E. coli O157:H7 bacteria blocks the human immune system to cause illness. The bacteria uses proteins to block the immune system, letting it multiply and release toxins into the bloodstream. Dr. Philip Hardwidge is the lead scientists for this study. He said, “in terms of infectious … Read more
A major five year research study is looking at E. coli bacteria in beef and how to control it in the food supply. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is heading up the study, along with scientists at Kansas State University and other institutions such as New Mexico State University and the University of California-Davis. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli … Read more
A research team working at the Institute of Food Research in the UK has been looking into coating chicken feathers with probiotics to combat pathogenic bacteria. The research is published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry. Lactobacillus johnsonii is applied to the coat and feathers of the chicken. Researchers discovered this then excludes Clostridium perfringens … Read more
New research from the Institute of Food Research has mapped chromosomes of Campylobacter. Scientists are trying to understand how this pathogenic bacteria controls its genes to develop new strategies to fight it. In the UK, Campylobacter is the most common cause of foodborne diarrheal illness. The chromosome map shows where all of the bacteria turns on … Read more
The European Network of Scientists for Social and Environmental Responsibility (ENSSER) has released a statement that there is “no scientific consensus on GMO safety.” The statement was signed by more than 90 scientists, academics, and doctors. The statement was issued in response to comments by some GM seed developers, scientists, and journalists who have said … Read more
A study by the Norwegian National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research has found that Listeria monocytogenes may be in that country’s salmon. A study of three companies that produce farmed salmon in various areas of that country identified fifteen types of the bacteria. Nine of the fifteen types were found in patients with listeriosis, … Read more
Researchers at North Dakota State University may have found a way to fight pathogenic E. coli bacteria. They discovered that B-phenylethylamine (PEA), a mood enhancer, reduces the number of E. coli cells in beef broth. PEA is the substance in chocolate that makes you feel good. PEA also reduced the amount of E. coli biofilm … Read more
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston have made a breakthrough in understanding how some antibiotic-resistant bacteria develop that resistance. The research was published in mBio journal. Food safety advocates are concerned about the increase of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on the foods we buy, especially raw meat. Many factory-farmed animals are fed sub-therapeutic … Read more