food safety – Page 4

Recent advances and role of melatonin in post-harvest quality preservation of shiitake (Lentinula edodes)

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Shiitake mushrooms are nutritious but spoil quickly after harvest due to their high water content and lack of protective skin. This review explores how melatonin and various preservation methods like proper cooling, special packaging, and drying can extend shelf life and maintain quality. Different techniques work by controlling moisture, slowing respiration, preventing browning, and controlling microbial growth. Combining multiple methods, such as vacuum cooling with special packaging, provides the best results for preserving the mushrooms’ taste, nutrition, and appearance.

Valorization of Mushroom Residues for Functional Food Packaging

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Mushrooms produce large amounts of waste during growth and processing, but these leftovers contain valuable compounds that can protect food and extend shelf life. Scientists are developing ways to extract these beneficial compounds and add them to eco-friendly packaging films, creating materials that fight bacteria and oxidation naturally. This approach transforms mushroom waste into useful products while reducing environmental pollution, making food packaging safer and more sustainable for consumers.

Pleurotus spp.—an effective way in degradation mycotoxins? A comprehensive review

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This review examines how oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus species) can break down mycotoxins—harmful compounds produced by molds in food and animal feed. These mushrooms produce special enzymes that can degrade toxins like aflatoxins and zearalenone, potentially reaching 30-100% degradation depending on conditions. This offers a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative to chemical detoxification methods currently used in the food industry.

Biocontrol of Cheese Spoilage Moulds Using Native Yeasts

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This research explores using naturally occurring yeasts found in cheese to prevent mould spoilage, offering a chemical-free alternative to current preservatives. Scientists tested 84 yeast strains and identified the most promising ones that can inhibit growth of three common spoilage moulds through different mechanisms like enzyme production and nutrient competition. Two yeast strains, Geotrichum candidum GC663 and Pichia jadinii PJ433, showed particularly strong potential for protecting cheese quality and extending shelf life when tested in actual cheese.

Edible Mushrooms as Functional Ingredients for Development of Healthier and More Sustainable Muscle Foods: A Flexitarian Approach

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This comprehensive review explains how edible mushrooms can be added to meat and fish products to make them healthier and more environmentally friendly. Mushrooms are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and natural compounds that fight disease and prevent spoilage. By replacing part of the meat with mushrooms, food makers can create products with better nutrition, longer shelf-life, and reduced salt content, while supporting those pursuing flexitarian diets.

Lactic acid bacteria: beyond fermentation to bio-protection against fungal spoilage and mycotoxins in food systems

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Mold and fungal toxins spoil food and threaten human health, costing billions globally. While chemical preservatives work, many consumers want natural alternatives. Lactic acid bacteria (the same organisms used in yogurt production) produce natural antimicrobial compounds that can prevent mold growth and neutralize harmful toxins, offering a safer, more natural way to keep food fresh longer.

Mushroom-Based Supplements in Italy: Let’s Open Pandora’s Box

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Researchers tested 19 mushroom supplement products sold in Italy and found serious quality problems. Many supplements didn’t actually contain the mushroom species listed on their labels. Some products also contained toxic substances or inconsistent amounts of beneficial compounds. The study highlights the need for better regulation and manufacturing standards to ensure these popular health products are safe and effective.

Emerging Nonthermal Technologies for the Production of Postbiotics

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Postbiotics are dead or inactivated beneficial microorganisms and their components that support human health without needing to survive in the gut. Traditional heat-killing methods damage these beneficial compounds. This comprehensive review explores six emerging technologies that can produce postbiotics while better preserving their health-promoting properties, making them more stable and effective for food and supplement applications.

Sustainable Innovations in Food Microbiology: Fermentation, Biocontrol, and Functional Foods

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This review explores how microorganisms can make food production more sustainable and healthier. It discusses traditional fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, modern biotechnology techniques to reduce food waste and create natural preservatives, and special food ingredients with beneficial bacteria that support digestive and mental health. The paper shows how applying microbial science could help address global food challenges while meeting consumer demands for natural, safe, and healthy products.

Identification of bacterial communities associated with needle mushroom (Flammulina filiformis) and its production environment

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Researchers studied the bacteria living in needle mushroom farms in China to understand which microbes help mushrooms grow well and which ones cause diseases. They found that farms in different regions have different bacterial communities, with some bacteria being beneficial while others cause rot and disease. By identifying these bacteria, the study provides information to help farmers grow healthier, safer mushrooms through better farming practices.

Research Keyword: food safety