Microbial and chemical contamination is one of the biggest environmental problems since exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, such as food poisoning bacteria and their biological by-products, are often associated with disease and allergic reactions. Paenibacillus lautus is an aerobic or facultative anaerobic opportunistic bacterial pathogen, which is found in a variety of sources. In this study, we isolated and characterized P. lautus from Niğde Province, which is a wastewater disposal area and therefore presents a great source of contamination. The bacterial isolate was grown, colony morphology and Gram-reactions were observed. Bacteria were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing analysis, which was performed using DNA samples isolated from pure cultures and amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sequencing results were compared against known bacterial strains using BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) across databases. Antibiotic resistance against 20 different antibiotics and heavy metal resistance against different concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, cobalt, chromium and silver containing compounds were tested via disk diffusion method. Inhibition zones were examined and minimum inhibitory concentrations were recorded. Our results indicated that P. lautus was resistant to a certain set of antibiotics, while it was sensitive against others. Similarly, the bacteria were resistant against high concentrations of most metals tested. In summary, this study provided the first data regarding the isolation and characterization of Paenibacillus lautus strain from a local source in Turkey, which will account as preliminary data and guide our future efforts to fight against microbial contaminations.

This study investigated the prevalence and concentration of antibiotic residues in twenty brands of milk. Determination and quantification of antibiotic residues was done using High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Aerobic plate count was carried out and the associated bacteria isolated. Identification of bacteria was done using standard microbiological methods. Molecular characterization and identification of bacterial isolates was done using 16S rRNA gene sequencing method. Antibiotic sensitivity was carried out on bacterial isolates using disc diffusion method. Plasmid profile of drug resistant isolates was done using alkaline analysis method. Comparison of means was done using Analysis of Variance. Antibiotic residues were detected in 10 (50%) of the 20 milk brands analyzed. The residual levels of tetracycline, oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline ranged between 5ng/kg and 1569ng/kg while none of the samples had doxycycline residues. The prevalence of tetracycline residues in evaporated milk brands and powdered milk samples were 100 and 23 % respectively. The aerobic plate counts ranged from 2.5 × 102 to 6.5 × 102 CFU∕mL for evaporated milk and 2.5 × 101 to 6.0 × 101 CFU∕mL for powdered milk. A total of ten bacterial species were isolated and identified. Susceptibility result showed that 95% of the isolates were sensitive to erythromycin, cefuroxime and gentamycin; 12.5% were resistant to tetracycline and ampicillin, 10% were resistant to ofloxacin and 7.5% to doxycycline and penicillin. Five of the bacterial isolates were resistant to more than one class of antibiotics. Resistant isolates subjected to plasmid profiling had detectable plasmids with estimated sizes between 120bp and 1000bp. The obtained results provide evidence that the presence of antibiotic residues in evaporated and powdered milk is an indication that the public is exposed to the harmful effects of the residues.

In Afghanistan food safety is managed by several ministries including Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Commerce and municipalities. There is no food law but multiple ministerial decrees which ensure if GMP is implemented well. There is no legal requirement to get food safety certification. Hazard analysis and critical control point (HACCP) is recognized as a key part of food safety management practice in the global food industry and can be applied at any stage of the food supply chain. This article discusses accepted approaches to the application of HACCP principles for the development, implementation, and maintenance of HACCP plan. It is intended as an introduction to food safety system in Afghanistan, giving propositions to government on how to apply the principles in a stepwise approach, and showing how HACCP benefit public and private sector and also suggesting ways how to adapt this approach in the food businesses.

More than ninety percent of the ruminant livestock in Nigeria lies in the hands of herders who keep them under extensive and semi-intensive management systems, whereby the animals rely only on natural pasture and crop residues for survival. In this work, the mycoflora and aflatoxin levels of ten farms were determined by sampling crop residues on farms grazed by cattle. Samples of the remains of farm harvest were surface-disinfected and cultured using standard microbiological techniques while aflatoxins in the left over harvest were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection. Fungal counts in leftover harvest ranged from 1.2 x 106 to 3.8 x106cfu/g. Aspergillus flavus, A. terreus, A.parasiticus, Rhizopus sp and a yeast, Candida sp were most prevalent on all the investigated crop residues. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on the crop residues ranged between 3.0 and 13.30 μg/Kg, while the levels of AFG1 were between 2.30 and 4.50 μg/Kg. Results of the present study is indicative that the accumulation of these doses of AFB1 can lead to transfer of AFB1 into cattle and subsequently into milk. So there is an urgent need to control the feeding pattern of cattle in order to protect the health of the consuming public.

A survey of 200 farmers in the Mampong Municipality in the Ashanti region was conducted between June and October 2016. It was to determine their knowledge of different pests and disease control methods employed, access to extension services, pesticides use and other pests control methods. The study relied on data collected from respondents, 12 key informants (pesticides dealers, vegetable buyers and local chief farmers), field surveillance and observation as well as the reports of the Directorate of Agriculture in the Municipality. Data were captured and analyzed using MS Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPPS) version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) and interpreted into simple percentages on tables and charts. The result showed that farmers are above 20 years and 18% were female. The majority (74%) have at least basic education with six (6) or more years’ of experience in tomato production. Sixty-four percent (64%) had no access to extension services due to poor contact with the agricultural extension agents (AEAs). Most respondents (70%) lacked education on pesticides and alternative (e.g., integrated pests’ management) control. Nine-two percent acknowledged the dangers of pesticides to public health. Sixty-four percent practice bi-weekly calendar spraying while 30 % and 6% practice weekly and occasional spraying respectively. Forty-four percent of farmers throw used containers or leave them on the farm. More education is needed to ensure safe use of pesticides and wholesome tomatoes for the public.