Food security
Millions of people are undernourished globally and with the population growing, food security is a major concern. Food security is multifaceted, requiring advancements in food safety, ensuring products have a good shelf life, reducing spoilage and providing dietary additions to improve the nutrient intake of the population. The application of microbiology is far reaching, and new approaches are required to maintain food security. Through an improved understanding of plant-microbe interactions, it is possible to forecast and mitigate food shortages.
News
Barley plants fine-tune their root microbial communities through sugary secretions
Different types of barley recruit distinct communities of soil microbes to grow around their roots by releasing a custom mix of sugars and other compounds, according to a new study.
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NewsWorld’s chocolate supply threatened by devastating virus
A rapidly spreading virus threatens the health of the cacao tree and the dried seeds from which chocolate is made, jeopardizing the global supply of the world’s most popular treat.
NewsLivestock abortion surveillance could protect livelihoods and detect emerging global pathogens
A study suggests timely reporting and investigating of livestock abortions is feasible in rural areas and can provide insights into emerging infectious diseases.
NewsSalmonella rates more prevalent in commercial poultry farm samples vs backyard farms
In a comparison of differently sized poultry farms, researchers at North Carolina State University found that rates of Salmonella in fecal and environmental samples were more prevalent on larger commercial farms than on smaller backyard farms.
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News
The consumption of certain food additive emulsifiers could be associated with the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
Researchers studied the relationships between the dietary intakes of emulsifiers, assessed over a follow-up period of maximum 14 years, and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in a large study in the general population.
NewsScientists probe influence of soil microbes on spiciness of mustard
Scientists ran one of the first experiments to figure out if soil microorganisms like bacteria and fungi influence the flavor of a crop.
NewsImpact of COVID-19-related nonpharmaceutical interventions on diarrheal diseases and zoonotic salmonella
The results showed that while the detection rate of most foodborne pathogens declined in China during the pandemic there was an abnormal increase in the detection rate of non-typhoidal Salmonella.
CareersDIY beeswax food wraps could be a lifesaver in conflict regions like Ukraine
Home-made antimicrobial beeswax food wraps containing locally sourced herbs could provide low cost food storage in areas of Ukraine where the power supply has been disrupted by the Russian invasion.
NewsScientists deploy bacteria to detect sake fraud in Japan
Researchers from Japan have identified a novel method to authenticate the source of and differentiate between sake breweries, by measuring the oxygen and nitrogen stable isotopes in nitrates within sake using denitrifying bacteria first.
NewsMicroplastics, algal blooms, seafood safety are public health concerns addressed by new US Oceans and Human Health Centers
The NIH and the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) are jointly funding four new Centers for Oceans and Human Health and renewing two centers as part of a marine-related health research program.
NewsResearch reveals probiotic potential of Nigerian fermented foods
Nigerian fermented foods contain a rich array of Lactobacillus species, offering the possibility of harnessing their health benefits as probiotics, a study being presented at the Letters in Applied Microbiology ECS Research Symposium this May reveals.
NewsGreen-to-red transformation of Euglena gracilis using bonito stock and intense red light
Scientists investigate a simple and sustainable method to increase the growth and carotenoid content ratio of an edible microalga.
NewsResearchers deploy fungus to extract useful proteins from beer-brewing leftovers
Researchers have created a method that extracts over 80 per cent of the available protein in grain leftovers from brewing beer, commonly known as brewers’ spent grain.
NewsResearchers introduce microbial food as a strategy food production of the future
The global food crisis is increasing due to rapid population growth and declining food productivity to climate change. Moreover, today’s food production and supply system emit a huge amount of carbon dioxide, reaching 30% of the total amount emitted by humanity, aggravating climate change. Sustainable and nutritious microbial food is ...
NewsProcess discovered to undermine bacterial viral Salmonella infection
Study results provide a new understanding of how mammalian hosts defend against pathogenic organisms, as well as implications for better treating Salmonella.
FeaturesThe threat of porcine circovirus in Nigerian pig farms
AMI New Lecturer Research Grant recipient explores the need for surveillance and mitigation of PCV2 in agricultural settings.
NewsChemists share secrets of faster, better kombucha fermentation
Chemists are investigating ways to reliably minimize alcohol, tailor taste profiles and speed up the kombucha fermentation process to help home and commercial producers optimize their funky brews.
NewsEngineered yeast strain can selectively overproduce carotenoids
To meet the increasing demand for cost-effective natural compounds in carotenoid synthesis, researchers have developed an engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strain capable of selectively overproducing carotenoids.
NewsHigher bacterial counts detected in single-serving milks
Scientists have detected higher bacterial counts in commercial, paperboard single-serving containers two weeks after processing than milk packaged in larger containers from the same facilities.
NewsMarine algae implants could boost crop yields
Scientists have discovered the gene that enables marine algae to make a unique type of chlorophyll. They successfully implanted this gene in a land plant, paving the way for better crop yields on less land.
CareersIn search of probiotics for the non-dairy market
Student Christo Opperman investigated non-dairy carriers for probiotics as part of a Summer studentship with Applied Microbiology International - and here’s what happened.
NewsDetection kit homes in on pathogen in baby formula
Researchers have unveiled a novel bioinformatics-based detection kit for identifying Cronobacter sakazakii in powdered infant formula, offering a more effective approach to detecting this pathogen, commonly linked to severe infant illnesses.
NewsMagnetic resonance imaging shows how infection progresses in strawberry crown
Researchers from the Department of Technical Physics and the Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland have used magnetic resonance imaging, MRI, to investigate how the pathogen Phytophthora cactorum affects the growth and development of strawberry plants. This pathogen causes crown rot in strawberries and ...
