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19 pages, 2047 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Carcass Lesion Severity and Pre-Slaughter Conditions in Heavy Pigs: A Prospective Study at a Commercial Abattoir in Northern Italy

by Martina Zappaterra, Barbara Padalino, Laura Menchetti, Agnese Arduini, Vincenzo Pace and Leonardo Nanni Costa

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031078 - 20 Jan 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2586

Abstract

Pre-slaughter conditions and their effects on carcass quality have been largely addressed for pigs of 90–100 kg live weight, while few studies consider the effects of pre-slaughter conditions on the quality of the carcasses obtained from heavy pigs intended for Protected Designation of [...] Read more.

Pre-slaughter conditions and their effects on carcass quality have been largely addressed for pigs of 90–100 kg live weight, while few studies consider the effects of pre-slaughter conditions on the quality of the carcasses obtained from heavy pigs intended for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) production. A total of 1680 heavy pigs were transported in 72 batches from a farm to a commercial abattoir on 16 different days, avoiding mixing unfamiliar animals. Slaughterhouse conditions, animal behaviors, and human–animal interactions were annotated at unloading and during the race toward the stunning cage. Carcass lesions on the rear, middle, and shoulder parts of the carcasses were scored. The prevalence of carcasses with severe lesions was 6.92%, 11.87%, and 6.83%, for the rear, middle, and shoulder parts, respectively. Among the pre-slaughter events, waiting before unloading and improper handling practices at the abattoir were the major factors affecting carcass lesion severity. Lairage pen space allowance was also found to affect severe rear and shoulder lesions, and the batches that were transported in the trailer had an increased prevalence of severe shoulder lesions. Our results suggest waiting time before unloading should be shortened as much as possible, and educational programs to train operators for more careful management of animals in the abattoir are greatly required to avoid improper animal handling practices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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12 pages, 2336 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Prevalence of Anisakis Larvae in Different Fish Species in Southern Albania: Five-Year Monitoring (2016–2020)

by Enkeleda Ozuni, Ani Vodica, Marta Castrica, Gabriele Brecchia, Giulio Curone, Stella Agradi, Dino Miraglia, Laura Menchetti, Claudia M. Balzaretti and Egon Andoni

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11528; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311528 - 5 Dec 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 4376

Abstract

Anisakidae are nematodes that commonly parasitize in the coelomic cavity and viscera of several fish species. They can be found in flesh, which is why they have an important economic and public health impact. The aim of the current work was to assess [...] Read more.

Anisakidae are nematodes that commonly parasitize in the coelomic cavity and viscera of several fish species. They can be found in flesh, which is why they have an important economic and public health impact. The aim of the current work was to assess the presence and prevalence of Anisakis larvae in fish species caught in the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula in Vlora Bay (Albania). A total of 856 of wild teleosts and 219 specimens of farmed fish were collected over a 5-year period (from 2016 to 2020). The results showed that out of a total of 1075 analyzed samples, 361 (33.58%) were parasitized with L3 larvae. In particular, only Solea vulgaris returned negative results, while Sparus aurata, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Sardinella aurita showed the lowest prevalence (4.55%, 9.17%, and 10.53%, respectively) and mean abundance (0.84, 1.19, and 0.92, respectively). Conversely, Scomber japonicus and Scomber scombrus showed the highest prevalence (74.07% and 68.00%, respectively) and mean abundance (188.24 and 249.82, respectively). The data suggest that the coastal area of the Karaburun Peninsula (southern Albania) may be a high-risk area for zoonotic diseases, and the consumption of raw or undercooked fish caught in the Vlora district could result in the acquisition of human anisakiasis. For these reasons, it is necessary to improve the surveillance plan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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12 pages, 4298 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Lactation Characteristics in Alpine and Nera di Verzasca Goats in Northern Italy: A Statistical Bayesian Approach

by Stella Agradi, Alessia Libera Gazzonis, Giulio Curone, Massimo Faustini, Susanna Draghi, Gabriele Brecchia, Daniele Vigo, Maria Teresa Manfredi, Sergio Aurelio Zanzani, Luisa Pulinas, Majlind Sulce, Albana Munga, Marta Castrica and Laura Menchetti

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(16), 7235; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167235 - 5 Aug 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2591

Abstract

In the last three decades, we assisted in a shift in the dairy product preferences in developed countries, with an increase in goat-derived products consumption. As already seen in the bovine sector, the diffusion of goat milk consumption has led to an abandonment [...] Read more.

In the last three decades, we assisted in a shift in the dairy product preferences in developed countries, with an increase in goat-derived products consumption. As already seen in the bovine sector, the diffusion of goat milk consumption has led to an abandonment of the local breeds in favor of the more productive cosmopolitan breeds, with an intense reduction in the livestock biodiversity. However, in several studies, it has been shown that local breeds present unique features such as a robust behavior towards the local climate and a high quality of their dairy products. This study aims to assess the differences between the basic lactation variables (milk yield, fat %, protein %, lactose % and somatic cell count) in the Alpine goat and the local breed Verzasca goat from a Bayesian point of observation. Results indicate that the Nera di Verzasca goat has overall lactation characteristics similar toa cosmopolite breed such as the Alpine goat, except for the milk daily yield reduced with respect to Alpine goats (1.68 ± 0.84 and 2.14 ± 1.03, respectively). Moreover, the Verzasca goat showed a tendency to maintain a lower level of somatic cell count along with lactation (798 ± 1734 and 1216 ± 2828, respectively). These findings help to increase the knowledge about the Italian local goat breeds and are important in the optic of biodiversity conservation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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15 pages, 282 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Methylglyoxal (MGO) in Italian Honey

by Valentina Terio, Giancarlo Bozzo, Edmondo Ceci, Alessandra Emilia Savarino, Roberta Barrasso, Angela Di Pinto, Anna Mottola, Patrizia Marchetti, Giuseppina Tantillo and Elisabetta Bonerba

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(2), 831; https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020831 - 17 Jan 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5377

Abstract

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is recognized as being the bioactive component responsible for the antibacterial activity of mānuka honey. MGO content was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), in isocratic elution, to assess the occurrence of this compound in mono- and multi-floral honey samples representative [...] Read more.

Methylglyoxal (MGO) is recognized as being the bioactive component responsible for the antibacterial activity of mānuka honey. MGO content was investigated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC-UV), in isocratic elution, to assess the occurrence of this compound in mono- and multi-floral honey samples representative of different botanical and geographic origins in Italy. Specifically, 110 honey samples from sweet cherry tree (Prunus avium L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), almond tree (Prunus amygdalus L.), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis L.), coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), cornflower (Centaurea cyanus L.), thistle (Silybum marianum L.), acacia (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), citrus, honeydew and multifloral honey were considered. The amount of MGO found in different types of honey was ranging from 0.4 to 24.1 mg/kg. This study provides, for the first time, data on MGO levels in Italian cherry and almond honey, which showed higher concentrations of MGO compared to honeys from other botanical species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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10 pages, 2353 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Antibacterial Effect of an Active Absorbent Pad on Fresh Beef Meat during the Shelf-Life: Preliminary Results

by Marta Castrica, Dino Miraglia, Laura Menchetti, Raffaella Branciari, David Ranucci and Claudia M. Balzaretti

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(21), 7904; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10217904 - 7 Nov 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3824

Abstract

Nowadays, active packaging plays a key role in the food sector, improving the safety and quality of food and, at the same time, extending its shelf life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy that an active absorbent pad has [...] Read more.

Nowadays, active packaging plays a key role in the food sector, improving the safety and quality of food and, at the same time, extending its shelf life. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy that an active absorbent pad has in limiting microbial growth during the shelf-life of fresh bovine meat. The experiment was carried out on 50 slices of eye of round (semitendinosus muscle) of an adult bovine, packaged in two different packs, one containing the conventional pad (C: Control group) and the other containing the active pad (PAD group). The analyses, performed at 0, 3 and 6 days of refrigeration storage (4 °C), concerned the pH, color, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and microbiological parameters. The packaging with the active pad had no noticeable effect on the pH, but with regard to the color coordinates, the meat at day 6 was lighter than the control group (p < 0.01). The innovative pad was able to delay the growth of all the microorganisms investigated, but only at day 3 (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the TVBN values were lower than the control ones at both the third (p = 0.036) and sixth (p < 0.01) day of analysis. All samples were negative for coagulase positive staphylococci, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. In conclusion, following a preliminary examination, the packaging with the active pad was potentially effective in delaying microbial growth and it positively affected the color and TVBN of beef meat. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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14 pages, 432 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impacts of Killing Process on the Nutrient Content, Product Stability and In Vitro Digestibility of Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) Larvae Meals

by Yongkang Zhen, Pipatpong Chundang, Yu Zhang, Mengzhi Wang, Wanwipa Vongsangnak, Chantima Pruksakorn and Attawit Kovitvadhi

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(17), 6099; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10176099 - 2 Sep 2020

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 4571

Abstract

The black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) is considered a potential sustainable insect alternative source of protein for animal feed. The quality of a BSF meal is greatly influenced by the killing method and the purpose of this article is to compare [...] Read more.

The black soldier fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) is considered a potential sustainable insect alternative source of protein for animal feed. The quality of a BSF meal is greatly influenced by the killing method and the purpose of this article is to compare the influences of different killing methods. BSFs at the 18-day-old prepupae stage were separated into six different killing methods with three replicates: 1. blending, 2. freezing, 3. CO₂ treatment, 4. vacuum, 5. blanching and 6. CO₂ plus blanching. After killing, BSF larvae meals were obtained by hot air oven drying and grinding. The chemical composition and in vitro digestibility calculated from sediments were not affected by the killing method, except that blending provided the worst BSF quality for all measured parameters (p < 0.05). The highest quality of BSF was obtained from the heat treatment procedures (blanching and the CO₂ plus blanching methods), as they produced lower acidity after killing, total viable counts, browning reaction (enzymatic and non-enzymatic), darkness, moisture, fat acidity, protein and lipid oxidation during storage compared with other killing procedures (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the highest free amino acids in the supernatant after in vitro digestibility of BSF samples was observed with the CO₂ plus blanching killing method (p < 0.05), whereas other parameters were similar to those obtained with blanching. The CO₂ plus blanching method did not produce clearly different outcomes to blanching; therefore, the selection of one of these techniques over the other should depend on the regulations in each country. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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9 pages, 240 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Norovirus Detection in Ready-To-Eat Salads by Propidium Monoazide Real Time RT-PCR Assay

by Valentina Terio, Patrizio Lorusso, Anna Mottola, Canio Buonavoglia, Giuseppina Tantillo, Elisabetta Bonerba and Angela Di Pinto

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(15), 5176; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10155176 - 28 Jul 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2851

Abstract

Ready-to-eat (RTE) salads have recently been associated with food-borne norovirus outbreaks, although these infections are mainly related to shellfish and berry consumption in the EU. A total of 135 bagged RTE vegetables were analyzed in order to investigate the occurrence of norovirus (NoV) [...] Read more.

Ready-to-eat (RTE) salads have recently been associated with food-borne norovirus outbreaks, although these infections are mainly related to shellfish and berry consumption in the EU. A total of 135 bagged RTE vegetables were analyzed in order to investigate the occurrence of norovirus (NoV) genotype I (GI) and II (GII) RNA and to differentiate between infectious and non-infectious viruses by using propidium monoazide (PMAxx) coupled with the real time Reverse Transcription (RT) PCR method. Initially, the PMAxx real time RT-PCR assay was optimized on NoV GI and GII suspensions, and proved capable of detecting significant (p < 0.05) differences between infectious and inactivated viruses. Our analysis conducted on RTE salads samples showed the presence of norovirus GII in 74.8% of samples, of which 37.6% were infectious. The samples tested for viral contamination came from only two RTE vegetable-processing plants. The findings in this study could also be due to virally-contaminated water used in food production, processing, or preparation. This study stresses the need for effective real-time RT-PCR tools capable of qualitative and quantitative detection of NoV RNA, as well as being able to measure virus infectivity, for risk assessment, which is crucial in several public health measures and food regulations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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15 pages, 716 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Listeria Monocytogenes in Soft Spreadable Salami: Study of the Pathogen Behavior and Growth Prediction During Manufacturing Process and Shelf Life

by Raffaella Branciari, Roberta Ortenzi, Rossana Roila, Dino Miraglia, David Ranucci and Andrea Valiani

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10(13), 4438; https://doi.org/10.3390/app10134438 - 27 Jun 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3081

Abstract

Recently, particular attention has been addressed to the control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat products, such as fermented salami, as a consequence of several listeriosis outbreaks associated with the consumption of these types of products. A short-ripened spreadable salami, typically produced in [...] Read more.

Recently, particular attention has been addressed to the control of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meat products, such as fermented salami, as a consequence of several listeriosis outbreaks associated with the consumption of these types of products. A short-ripened spreadable salami, typically produced in the Umbria region (Central Italy), was challenged with L. monocytogenes aiming to evaluate the pathogen’s growth dynamics and to define its growth potential during processing and storage time. The pathogen counts were stable in the inoculum level (2 Log CFU/g) during the production process and up to 30 days of storage time, decreasing thereafter. The growth potentials registered for process phase and storage time were 0.40 and −1.28, showing that the application of the hurdles technology principle successfully creates an unfavorable environment for L. monocytogenes growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Safety and Quality of Food of Animal Origin)

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