Food and Beverage Analysis – News and Features

Listeria monocytogenes becomes dormant with environmental stress, making it undetectable by the tests commonly used in the food industry and hospitals, thus representing a major health risk. Researchers have now uncovered the reason why.

Researchers have profiled the microbial communities in sourdough starters, revealing that acetic acid bacteria contribute to a loaf's sourness.

Two new techniques pioneered by researchers at Cranfield University could help name and shame the fake honey on supermarket shelves.

Researchers discovered that bacteria can perform DNA inversions within single genes, altering their genetic coding. This finding challenges traditional genetic understanding and may lead to novel applications in synthetic biology.

A study led by scientists at Stanford Medicine has shown that inversions, which cause a physical flip of a segment of DNA and change an organism’s genetic identity, can occur within a single gene, challenging a central dogma of biology.

A new study suggests pigs may function as a transmission vehicle for a strain of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) common in rats that has recently been found to infect humans.

Researchers have utilized machine learning and genomics to identify genetic traits in Vibrio cholerae linked to severe cholera symptoms. Their findings could lead to better treatments and preventive measures.

First used in the 1940s to monitor for polio, wastewater surveillance proved to be a powerful disease-monitoring tool. Researchers have now shown that domestic sewage monitoring is useful for foodborne pathogens.

A new method analyzes wastewater to identify sources of harmful bacteria and antimicrobial resistance. The study enhances understanding of urban health risks and supports public health efforts to prevent disease outbreaks.

Researchers in Germany have developed a method to produce protein and vitamin B9 using yeast fed with hydrogen, CO2, and acetate. This process, driven by renewable energy, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional agriculture.