Gillian Gardiner - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Gillian Gardiner

Journal of Food Protection, Dec 1, 2004

Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to t... more Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to the spread of human disease. Thus, the efficient and reliable testing of farm animals for bacteria such as Salmonella is an important aspect of any efficient control strategy. Serological analysis of 15 meat juice samples detected antibodies against Salmonella in some. but not all, of the animals identified bacteriologically as harboring the pathogen, indicating a lack of correlation between the bacteriological and serological methods used for Salmonella detection. The results suggest that testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is appropriate at the herd level, with culture methods preferable for individual animal analysis. A novel culture protocol detected Salmonella in the cecal contents of 15 pigs, whereas a method based on the European Standard identified only 9 pigs as being Salmonella-positive. During the study, an unusual finding was the relatively high incidence of Salmonella London carriage in the pigs tested.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Aug 1, 2017

Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. A... more Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. As the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in energy harvest, it is likely to influence FE. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the intestinal microbiota of pigs ranked as low, medium, and high residual feed intake ([RFI] a metric for FE), where genetic, nutritional, and management effects were minimized, to explore a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE. Eightyone pigs were ranked according to RFI between weaning and day 126 postweaning, and 32 were selected as the extremes in RFI (12 low, 10 medium, and 10 high). Intestinal microbiota diversity, composition, and predicted functionality were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although no differences in microbial diversity were found, some RFI-associated compositional differences were revealed, principally among members of Firmicutes, predominantly in feces at slaughter (albeit mainly for low-abundance taxa). In particular, microbes associated with a leaner and healthier host (e.g., Christensenellaceae, Oscillibacter, and Cellulosilyticum) were enriched in low RFI (more feed-efficient) pigs. Differences were also observed in the ileum of low RFI pigs; most notably, Nocardiaceae (Rhodococcus) were less abundant. Predictive functional analysis suggested improved metabolic capabilities in these animals, especially within the ileal microbiota. Higher ileal isobutyric acid concentrations were also found in low RFI pigs. Overall, the differences observed within the intestinal microbiota of low RFI pigs compared with that of their high RFI counterparts, albeit relatively subtle, suggest a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE in pigs.

Journal of Dairy Science, Jul 1, 1999

Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enter... more Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enterococcus faecium (Fargo 688 ® ; Quest Int., Naarden, The Netherlands) to the gastrointestinal tract. This strain had previously been shown to possess properties required of a probiotic microorganism including the ability to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. The strain was found to survive to high numbers in Cheddar cheese during ripening at 8°C for 15 mo (4 × 10 8 cfu/g) and in yogurt during storage at 4°C for 21 d (4 × 10 7 cfu/g). In an in vitro model system, Cheddar cheese was found to have a greater protective effect than yogurt upon exposure of the probiotic culture to porcine gastric juice at pH 2. Subsequently, a feeding trial involving 8 pigs per group was performed in which a rifampicin-resistant variant of the probiotic strain was fed for 21 d at a mean daily intake of 1.3 × 10 10 cfu/d from Cheddar cheese or 3.7 × 10 9 cfu/d from yogurt. During the feeding period, Cheddar cheese yielded a significantly higher mean fecal probiotic count (2 × 10 6 cfu/g of feces) than did yogurt (5.2 × 10 5 cfu/g of feces). These data indicate that mature Cheddar cheese compares very favorably with fresh yogurt as a delivery system for viable probiotic microorganisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Jun 1, 1998

Cheddar cheese was manufactured with either Lactobacillus salivarius NFBC 310, NFBC 321, or NFBC ... more Cheddar cheese was manufactured with either Lactobacillus salivarius NFBC 310, NFBC 321, or NFBC 348 or L. paracasei NFBC 338 or NFBC 364 as the dairy starter adjunct. These five strains had previously been isolated from the human small intestine and have been characterized extensively with respect to their probiotic potential. Enumeration of these strains in mature Cheddar cheese, however, was complicated by the presence of high numbers (>10 7 CFU/g of cheese) of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria, principally composed of lactobacilli which proliferate as the cheese ripens. Attempts to differentiate the adjunct lactobacilli from the nonstarter lactobacilli based on bile tolerance and growth temperature were unsuccessful. In contrast, the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method allowed the generation of discrete DNA fingerprints for each strain which were clearly distinguishable from those generated from the natural flora of the cheeses. Using this approach, it was found that both L. paracasei strains grew and sustained high viability in cheese during ripening, while each of the L. salivarius species declined over the ripening period. These data demonstrate that Cheddar cheese can be an effective vehicle for delivery of some probiotic organisms to the consumer.

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2001

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. eBooks, Jan 28, 2005

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2001

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2003

varying from 18.57% to 46.02%. The greatest reduction in invasion (approximately 80%) was associa... more varying from 18.57% to 46.02%. The greatest reduction in invasion (approximately 80%) was associated with isolates of Lb. salivarius and Lb. murinus. Interestingly, Lb. acidophilus 4, which performed well in the previous assays, was the least effective at preventing Salmonella invasion. Conclusions: The results of the present study support the potential use of some porcine intestinal LAB as probiotics for the reduction of Salmonella carriage in the pig GIT.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2001

Functional foods as a marketing term was initiated in Japan in the late 1980s and is used to desc... more Functional foods as a marketing term was initiated in Japan in the late 1980s and is used to describe foods fortified with ingredients capable of producing health benefits. This concept is becoming increasingly popular with consumers because of a heightened awareness of the link between health, nutrition, and diet. Food manufacturers are enthusiastic about developing such products because the added ingredients give increased value to food. The global market for functional foods in the coming years is predicted to grow rapidly. Although Japan currently accounts for about one-half of this market, the fastest rate of growth is expected to be in the United States. Probiotic products represent a strong growth area within the functional foods group and intense research efforts are under way to develop dairy products into which probiotic organisms such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are incorporated. Such probiotic foods may modulate gut microbial composition, thereby leading to improved gut health, for example, through improved tolerance to lactose in lactose-intolerant individuals or improved resistance to pathogenic bacteria. Large numbers of viable microorganisms are likley to be required in the food product, which should be consumed regularly to experience the health effect. The probiotic market, especially dairy products such as yogurts and fermented milks, has experienced rapid growth in Europe. The long-term exploitation of probiotics as health promoters is dependent on several factors, including sound, scientifically proven clinical evidence of health-promoting activity; accurate consumer information; effective marketing strategies; and, above all, a quality product that fulfills consumer expectations.

Journal of Food Protection, 2004

Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to t... more Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to the spread of human disease. Thus, the efficient and reliable testing of farm animals for bacteria such as Salmonella is an important aspect of any efficient control strategy. Serological analysis of 15 meat juice samples detected antibodies against Salmonella in some, but not all, of the animals identified bacteriologically as harboring the pathogen, indicating a lack of correlation between the bacteriological and serological methods used for Salmonella detection. The results suggest that testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is appropriate at the herd level, with culture methods preferable for individual animal analysis. A novel culture protocol detected Salmonella in the cecal contents of 15 pigs, whereas a method based on the European Standard identified only 9 pigs as being Salmonella-positive. During the study, an unusual finding was the relatively high incidence of Salmonell...

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2017

Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. A... more Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. As the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in energy harvest, it is likely to influence FE. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the intestinal microbiota of pigs ranked as low, medium, and high residual feed intake ([RFI] a metric for FE), where genetic, nutritional, and management effects were minimized, to explore a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE. Eighty-one pigs were ranked according to RFI between weaning and day 126 postweaning, and 32 were selected as the extremes in RFI (12 low, 10 medium, and 10 high). Intestinal microbiota diversity, composition, and predicted functionality were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although no differences in microbial diversity were found, some RFI-associated compositional differences were revealed, principally among members of Firmicutes , predominantly in feces at slaughter (albeit mainly for low-abundance ...

Journal of Dairy Science, 1999

Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enter... more Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enterococcus faecium (Fargo 688 ® ; Quest Int., Naarden, The Netherlands) to the gastrointestinal tract. This strain had previously been shown to possess properties required of a probiotic microorganism including the ability to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. The strain was found to survive to high numbers in Cheddar cheese during ripening at 8°C for 15 mo (4 × 10 8 cfu/g) and in yogurt during storage at 4°C for 21 d (4 × 10 7 cfu/g). In an in vitro model system, Cheddar cheese was found to have a greater protective effect than yogurt upon exposure of the probiotic culture to porcine gastric juice at pH 2. Subsequently, a feeding trial involving 8 pigs per group was performed in which a rifampicin-resistant variant of the probiotic strain was fed for 21 d at a mean daily intake of 1.3 × 10 10 cfu/d from Cheddar cheese or 3.7 × 10 9 cfu/d from yogurt. During the feeding period, Cheddar cheese yielded a significantly higher mean fecal probiotic count (2 × 10 6 cfu/g of feces) than did yogurt (5.2 × 10 5 cfu/g of feces). These data indicate that mature Cheddar cheese compares very favorably with fresh yogurt as a delivery system for viable probiotic microorganisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes, 2015

The objective of this study was to examine Salmonella survival in pig manure and its separated fr... more The objective of this study was to examine Salmonella survival in pig manure and its separated fractions during storage. Salmonella declined, but significant reductions were not observed in the manure and liquid until day 56, whereas counts in the solids were lower by day 7. The Salmonella inoculum initially impacted counts but not after days 28-56. By day 112 Salmonella was undetectable in the manure and liquid but was recovered from the solids. There was no clear dominance of particular serotypes and antibiotic resistance transfer was not found. Storage duration and pH impacted Salmonella counts in all samples, with duration having the greatest effect. Of the nutrients, nitrate had the greatest impact in the manure and, together with phosphate, it also affected counts in the liquid fraction. This study demonstrates that if pig manure or its separated fractions are stored under controlled conditions at 10.5°C for 84-112 days Salmonella is reduced or eliminated, irrespective of the ...

Dairy Microbiology Handbook, 2005

... the human intesti-nal microbial ecosystem (SHIME), which aim to mimic complex phy-siological ... more ... the human intesti-nal microbial ecosystem (SHIME), which aim to mimic complex phy-siological and physicochemical in vivo reactions, may also be of value in strain selection, being less expensive than human trials and not having the associated ethical drawbacks (Molly et al ...

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a novel antimicrobial seaweed wound dressing. The seaw... more The objective of this study was to develop a novel antimicrobial seaweed wound dressing. The seaweed extract was active against nine clinically-relevant wound pathogens. A hydrogel formulation was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), followed by addition of 1% seaweed extract. The antimicrobial properties of the novel dressing were tested using agar diffusion assays, with release-profiles examined using gel leaching and gel transfer assays. The dressing was found to be effective against the same microbial strains as the seaweed extract, with similar efficacy to the commonly used silver-based dressing, Acticoat ®. Antimicrobial release-profile assays revealed that the dressing was effective in inhibiting 70-90% of the bacterial population within the first 30 min, followed by a long, sustained released up to 97 h, without leaving a residue following five subsequent transfers of the dressing. Antimicrobial activity was stable for up to 6 months of storage at 4 • C, but activity was reduced slightly after 15 weeks. Following autoclave sterilization, the dressing displayed a slower release profile compared to a non-autoclaved counterpart. Hence, the seaweed dressing may have commercial applications, potentially competing with silver-based dressings at a lower cost per-application. This is the first report of development of a seaweed-based antimicrobial dressing.

Plant and Animal Sources, 2013

British Journal of Nutrition, 2012

A total of twenty-four sows and their offspring were used in a 20-week study to investigate the e... more A total of twenty-four sows and their offspring were used in a 20-week study to investigate the effects of feeding GM maize on maternal and offspring health. Sows were fed diets containing GM or non-GM maize from service to the end of lactation. GM maize-fed sows were heavier on day 56 of gestation (P< 0·05). Offspring from sows fed GM maize tended to be lighter at weaning (P= 0·08). Sows fed GM maize tended to have decreased serum total protein (P= 0·08), and increased serum creatinine (P< 0·05) and γ-glutamyltransferase activity (P= 0·07) on day 28 of lactation. Serum urea tended to be decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows (P= 0·10) and in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). Both platelet count (P= 0·07) and mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC;P= 0·05) were decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows; however, MCHC tended to be increased in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). There was a minimal effect of feeding GM maize to sows during gestation and lactation o...

PLoS ONE, 2012

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential long-term (110 days) and age-sp... more Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential long-term (110 days) and age-specific effects of feeding genetically modified Bt maize on peripheral immune response in pigs and to determine the digestive fate of the cry1Ab gene and truncated Bt toxin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Forty day old pigs (n = 40) were fed one of the following treatments: 1) isogenic maizebased diet for 110 days (isogenic); 2) Bt maize-based diet (MON810) for 110 days (Bt); 3) Isogenic maize-based diet for 30 days followed by Bt maize-based diet for 80 days (isogenic/Bt); and 4) Bt maize-based diet (MON810) for 30 days followed by isogenic maize-based diet for 80 days (Bt/isogenic). Blood samples were collected during the study for haematological analysis, measurement of cytokine and Cry1Ab-specific antibody production, immune cell phenotyping and cry1Ab gene and truncated Bt toxin detection. Pigs were sacrificed on day 110 and digesta and organ samples were taken for detection of the cry1Ab gene and the truncated Bt toxin. On day 100, lymphocyte counts were higher (P,0.05) in pigs fed Bt/isogenic than pigs fed Bt or isogenic. Erythrocyte counts on day 100 were lower in pigs fed Bt or isogenic/Bt than pigs fed Bt/isogenic (P,0.05). Neither the truncated Bt toxin nor the cry1Ab gene were detected in the organs or blood of pigs fed Bt maize. The cry1Ab gene was detected in stomach digesta and at low frequency in the ileum but not in the distal gastrointestinal tract (GIT), while the Bt toxin fragments were detected at all sites in the GIT. Conclusions/Significance: Perturbations in peripheral immune response were thought not to be age-specific and were not indicative of Th 2 type allergenic or Th 1 type inflammatory responses. There was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or Bt toxin translocation to organs or blood following long-term feeding.

PLoS ONE, 2011

We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on imm... more We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on immune responses and growth in weanling pigs and determined the fate of the transgenic DNA and protein in-vivo. Pigs were fed a diet containing 38.9% GM or non-GM isogenic parent line maize for 31 days. We observed that IL-12 and IFNc production from mitogenic stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased (P,0.10) following 31 days of GM maize exposure. While Cry1Abspecific IgG and IgA were not detected in the plasma of GM maize-fed pigs, the detection of the cry1Ab gene and protein was limited to the gastrointestinal digesta and was not found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, muscle, heart or blood. Feeding GM maize to weanling pigs had no effect on growth performance or body weight. IL-6 and IL-4 production from isolated splenocytes were increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize while the proportion of CD4 + T cells in the spleen decreased. In the ileum, the proportion of B cells and macrophages decreased while the proportion of CD4 + T cells increased in GM maize-fed pigs. IL-8 and IL-4 production from isolated intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes were also increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize. In conclusion, there was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or protein translocation to the organs and blood of weaning pigs. The growth of pigs was not affected by feeding GM maize. Alterations in immune responses were detected; however, their biologic relevance is questionable.

Journal of Food Protection, Dec 1, 2004

Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to t... more Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to the spread of human disease. Thus, the efficient and reliable testing of farm animals for bacteria such as Salmonella is an important aspect of any efficient control strategy. Serological analysis of 15 meat juice samples detected antibodies against Salmonella in some. but not all, of the animals identified bacteriologically as harboring the pathogen, indicating a lack of correlation between the bacteriological and serological methods used for Salmonella detection. The results suggest that testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is appropriate at the herd level, with culture methods preferable for individual animal analysis. A novel culture protocol detected Salmonella in the cecal contents of 15 pigs, whereas a method based on the European Standard identified only 9 pigs as being Salmonella-positive. During the study, an unusual finding was the relatively high incidence of Salmonella London carriage in the pigs tested.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Aug 1, 2017

Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. A... more Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. As the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in energy harvest, it is likely to influence FE. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the intestinal microbiota of pigs ranked as low, medium, and high residual feed intake ([RFI] a metric for FE), where genetic, nutritional, and management effects were minimized, to explore a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE. Eightyone pigs were ranked according to RFI between weaning and day 126 postweaning, and 32 were selected as the extremes in RFI (12 low, 10 medium, and 10 high). Intestinal microbiota diversity, composition, and predicted functionality were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although no differences in microbial diversity were found, some RFI-associated compositional differences were revealed, principally among members of Firmicutes, predominantly in feces at slaughter (albeit mainly for low-abundance taxa). In particular, microbes associated with a leaner and healthier host (e.g., Christensenellaceae, Oscillibacter, and Cellulosilyticum) were enriched in low RFI (more feed-efficient) pigs. Differences were also observed in the ileum of low RFI pigs; most notably, Nocardiaceae (Rhodococcus) were less abundant. Predictive functional analysis suggested improved metabolic capabilities in these animals, especially within the ileal microbiota. Higher ileal isobutyric acid concentrations were also found in low RFI pigs. Overall, the differences observed within the intestinal microbiota of low RFI pigs compared with that of their high RFI counterparts, albeit relatively subtle, suggest a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE in pigs.

Journal of Dairy Science, Jul 1, 1999

Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enter... more Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enterococcus faecium (Fargo 688 ® ; Quest Int., Naarden, The Netherlands) to the gastrointestinal tract. This strain had previously been shown to possess properties required of a probiotic microorganism including the ability to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. The strain was found to survive to high numbers in Cheddar cheese during ripening at 8°C for 15 mo (4 × 10 8 cfu/g) and in yogurt during storage at 4°C for 21 d (4 × 10 7 cfu/g). In an in vitro model system, Cheddar cheese was found to have a greater protective effect than yogurt upon exposure of the probiotic culture to porcine gastric juice at pH 2. Subsequently, a feeding trial involving 8 pigs per group was performed in which a rifampicin-resistant variant of the probiotic strain was fed for 21 d at a mean daily intake of 1.3 × 10 10 cfu/d from Cheddar cheese or 3.7 × 10 9 cfu/d from yogurt. During the feeding period, Cheddar cheese yielded a significantly higher mean fecal probiotic count (2 × 10 6 cfu/g of feces) than did yogurt (5.2 × 10 5 cfu/g of feces). These data indicate that mature Cheddar cheese compares very favorably with fresh yogurt as a delivery system for viable probiotic microorganisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Jun 1, 1998

Cheddar cheese was manufactured with either Lactobacillus salivarius NFBC 310, NFBC 321, or NFBC ... more Cheddar cheese was manufactured with either Lactobacillus salivarius NFBC 310, NFBC 321, or NFBC 348 or L. paracasei NFBC 338 or NFBC 364 as the dairy starter adjunct. These five strains had previously been isolated from the human small intestine and have been characterized extensively with respect to their probiotic potential. Enumeration of these strains in mature Cheddar cheese, however, was complicated by the presence of high numbers (>10 7 CFU/g of cheese) of nonstarter lactic acid bacteria, principally composed of lactobacilli which proliferate as the cheese ripens. Attempts to differentiate the adjunct lactobacilli from the nonstarter lactobacilli based on bile tolerance and growth temperature were unsuccessful. In contrast, the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA method allowed the generation of discrete DNA fingerprints for each strain which were clearly distinguishable from those generated from the natural flora of the cheeses. Using this approach, it was found that both L. paracasei strains grew and sustained high viability in cheese during ripening, while each of the L. salivarius species declined over the ripening period. These data demonstrate that Cheddar cheese can be an effective vehicle for delivery of some probiotic organisms to the consumer.

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2001

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. eBooks, Jan 28, 2005

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2001

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2003

varying from 18.57% to 46.02%. The greatest reduction in invasion (approximately 80%) was associa... more varying from 18.57% to 46.02%. The greatest reduction in invasion (approximately 80%) was associated with isolates of Lb. salivarius and Lb. murinus. Interestingly, Lb. acidophilus 4, which performed well in the previous assays, was the least effective at preventing Salmonella invasion. Conclusions: The results of the present study support the potential use of some porcine intestinal LAB as probiotics for the reduction of Salmonella carriage in the pig GIT.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2001

Functional foods as a marketing term was initiated in Japan in the late 1980s and is used to desc... more Functional foods as a marketing term was initiated in Japan in the late 1980s and is used to describe foods fortified with ingredients capable of producing health benefits. This concept is becoming increasingly popular with consumers because of a heightened awareness of the link between health, nutrition, and diet. Food manufacturers are enthusiastic about developing such products because the added ingredients give increased value to food. The global market for functional foods in the coming years is predicted to grow rapidly. Although Japan currently accounts for about one-half of this market, the fastest rate of growth is expected to be in the United States. Probiotic products represent a strong growth area within the functional foods group and intense research efforts are under way to develop dairy products into which probiotic organisms such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species are incorporated. Such probiotic foods may modulate gut microbial composition, thereby leading to improved gut health, for example, through improved tolerance to lactose in lactose-intolerant individuals or improved resistance to pathogenic bacteria. Large numbers of viable microorganisms are likley to be required in the food product, which should be consumed regularly to experience the health effect. The probiotic market, especially dairy products such as yogurts and fermented milks, has experienced rapid growth in Europe. The long-term exploitation of probiotics as health promoters is dependent on several factors, including sound, scientifically proven clinical evidence of health-promoting activity; accurate consumer information; effective marketing strategies; and, above all, a quality product that fulfills consumer expectations.

Journal of Food Protection, 2004

Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to t... more Salmonella carriage in pigs represents a serious health problem that undoubtedly contributes to the spread of human disease. Thus, the efficient and reliable testing of farm animals for bacteria such as Salmonella is an important aspect of any efficient control strategy. Serological analysis of 15 meat juice samples detected antibodies against Salmonella in some, but not all, of the animals identified bacteriologically as harboring the pathogen, indicating a lack of correlation between the bacteriological and serological methods used for Salmonella detection. The results suggest that testing by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay is appropriate at the herd level, with culture methods preferable for individual animal analysis. A novel culture protocol detected Salmonella in the cecal contents of 15 pigs, whereas a method based on the European Standard identified only 9 pigs as being Salmonella-positive. During the study, an unusual finding was the relatively high incidence of Salmonell...

Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2017

Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. A... more Feed efficiency (FE) is critical in pig production for both economic and environmental reasons. As the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in energy harvest, it is likely to influence FE. Therefore, our aim was to characterize the intestinal microbiota of pigs ranked as low, medium, and high residual feed intake ([RFI] a metric for FE), where genetic, nutritional, and management effects were minimized, to explore a possible link between the intestinal microbiota and FE. Eighty-one pigs were ranked according to RFI between weaning and day 126 postweaning, and 32 were selected as the extremes in RFI (12 low, 10 medium, and 10 high). Intestinal microbiota diversity, composition, and predicted functionality were assessed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Although no differences in microbial diversity were found, some RFI-associated compositional differences were revealed, principally among members of Firmicutes , predominantly in feces at slaughter (albeit mainly for low-abundance ...

Journal of Dairy Science, 1999

Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enter... more Cheddar cheese was evaluated as a food carrier for the delivery of viable microorganisms of Enterococcus faecium (Fargo 688 ® ; Quest Int., Naarden, The Netherlands) to the gastrointestinal tract. This strain had previously been shown to possess properties required of a probiotic microorganism including the ability to relieve irritable bowel syndrome. The strain was found to survive to high numbers in Cheddar cheese during ripening at 8°C for 15 mo (4 × 10 8 cfu/g) and in yogurt during storage at 4°C for 21 d (4 × 10 7 cfu/g). In an in vitro model system, Cheddar cheese was found to have a greater protective effect than yogurt upon exposure of the probiotic culture to porcine gastric juice at pH 2. Subsequently, a feeding trial involving 8 pigs per group was performed in which a rifampicin-resistant variant of the probiotic strain was fed for 21 d at a mean daily intake of 1.3 × 10 10 cfu/d from Cheddar cheese or 3.7 × 10 9 cfu/d from yogurt. During the feeding period, Cheddar cheese yielded a significantly higher mean fecal probiotic count (2 × 10 6 cfu/g of feces) than did yogurt (5.2 × 10 5 cfu/g of feces). These data indicate that mature Cheddar cheese compares very favorably with fresh yogurt as a delivery system for viable probiotic microorganisms to the gastrointestinal tract.

Journal of environmental science and health. Part. B, Pesticides, food contaminants, and agricultural wastes, 2015

The objective of this study was to examine Salmonella survival in pig manure and its separated fr... more The objective of this study was to examine Salmonella survival in pig manure and its separated fractions during storage. Salmonella declined, but significant reductions were not observed in the manure and liquid until day 56, whereas counts in the solids were lower by day 7. The Salmonella inoculum initially impacted counts but not after days 28-56. By day 112 Salmonella was undetectable in the manure and liquid but was recovered from the solids. There was no clear dominance of particular serotypes and antibiotic resistance transfer was not found. Storage duration and pH impacted Salmonella counts in all samples, with duration having the greatest effect. Of the nutrients, nitrate had the greatest impact in the manure and, together with phosphate, it also affected counts in the liquid fraction. This study demonstrates that if pig manure or its separated fractions are stored under controlled conditions at 10.5°C for 84-112 days Salmonella is reduced or eliminated, irrespective of the ...

Dairy Microbiology Handbook, 2005

... the human intesti-nal microbial ecosystem (SHIME), which aim to mimic complex phy-siological ... more ... the human intesti-nal microbial ecosystem (SHIME), which aim to mimic complex phy-siological and physicochemical in vivo reactions, may also be of value in strain selection, being less expensive than human trials and not having the associated ethical drawbacks (Molly et al ...

International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2013

The objective of this study was to develop a novel antimicrobial seaweed wound dressing. The seaw... more The objective of this study was to develop a novel antimicrobial seaweed wound dressing. The seaweed extract was active against nine clinically-relevant wound pathogens. A hydrogel formulation was prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), followed by addition of 1% seaweed extract. The antimicrobial properties of the novel dressing were tested using agar diffusion assays, with release-profiles examined using gel leaching and gel transfer assays. The dressing was found to be effective against the same microbial strains as the seaweed extract, with similar efficacy to the commonly used silver-based dressing, Acticoat ®. Antimicrobial release-profile assays revealed that the dressing was effective in inhibiting 70-90% of the bacterial population within the first 30 min, followed by a long, sustained released up to 97 h, without leaving a residue following five subsequent transfers of the dressing. Antimicrobial activity was stable for up to 6 months of storage at 4 • C, but activity was reduced slightly after 15 weeks. Following autoclave sterilization, the dressing displayed a slower release profile compared to a non-autoclaved counterpart. Hence, the seaweed dressing may have commercial applications, potentially competing with silver-based dressings at a lower cost per-application. This is the first report of development of a seaweed-based antimicrobial dressing.

Plant and Animal Sources, 2013

British Journal of Nutrition, 2012

A total of twenty-four sows and their offspring were used in a 20-week study to investigate the e... more A total of twenty-four sows and their offspring were used in a 20-week study to investigate the effects of feeding GM maize on maternal and offspring health. Sows were fed diets containing GM or non-GM maize from service to the end of lactation. GM maize-fed sows were heavier on day 56 of gestation (P< 0·05). Offspring from sows fed GM maize tended to be lighter at weaning (P= 0·08). Sows fed GM maize tended to have decreased serum total protein (P= 0·08), and increased serum creatinine (P< 0·05) and γ-glutamyltransferase activity (P= 0·07) on day 28 of lactation. Serum urea tended to be decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows (P= 0·10) and in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). Both platelet count (P= 0·07) and mean cell Hb concentration (MCHC;P= 0·05) were decreased on day 110 of gestation in GM maize-fed sows; however, MCHC tended to be increased in offspring at birth (P= 0·08). There was a minimal effect of feeding GM maize to sows during gestation and lactation o...

PLoS ONE, 2012

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential long-term (110 days) and age-sp... more Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate potential long-term (110 days) and age-specific effects of feeding genetically modified Bt maize on peripheral immune response in pigs and to determine the digestive fate of the cry1Ab gene and truncated Bt toxin. Methodology/Principal Findings: Forty day old pigs (n = 40) were fed one of the following treatments: 1) isogenic maizebased diet for 110 days (isogenic); 2) Bt maize-based diet (MON810) for 110 days (Bt); 3) Isogenic maize-based diet for 30 days followed by Bt maize-based diet for 80 days (isogenic/Bt); and 4) Bt maize-based diet (MON810) for 30 days followed by isogenic maize-based diet for 80 days (Bt/isogenic). Blood samples were collected during the study for haematological analysis, measurement of cytokine and Cry1Ab-specific antibody production, immune cell phenotyping and cry1Ab gene and truncated Bt toxin detection. Pigs were sacrificed on day 110 and digesta and organ samples were taken for detection of the cry1Ab gene and the truncated Bt toxin. On day 100, lymphocyte counts were higher (P,0.05) in pigs fed Bt/isogenic than pigs fed Bt or isogenic. Erythrocyte counts on day 100 were lower in pigs fed Bt or isogenic/Bt than pigs fed Bt/isogenic (P,0.05). Neither the truncated Bt toxin nor the cry1Ab gene were detected in the organs or blood of pigs fed Bt maize. The cry1Ab gene was detected in stomach digesta and at low frequency in the ileum but not in the distal gastrointestinal tract (GIT), while the Bt toxin fragments were detected at all sites in the GIT. Conclusions/Significance: Perturbations in peripheral immune response were thought not to be age-specific and were not indicative of Th 2 type allergenic or Th 1 type inflammatory responses. There was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or Bt toxin translocation to organs or blood following long-term feeding.

PLoS ONE, 2011

We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on imm... more We assessed the effect of short-term feeding of genetically modified (GM: Bt MON810) maize on immune responses and growth in weanling pigs and determined the fate of the transgenic DNA and protein in-vivo. Pigs were fed a diet containing 38.9% GM or non-GM isogenic parent line maize for 31 days. We observed that IL-12 and IFNc production from mitogenic stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells decreased (P,0.10) following 31 days of GM maize exposure. While Cry1Abspecific IgG and IgA were not detected in the plasma of GM maize-fed pigs, the detection of the cry1Ab gene and protein was limited to the gastrointestinal digesta and was not found in the kidneys, liver, spleen, muscle, heart or blood. Feeding GM maize to weanling pigs had no effect on growth performance or body weight. IL-6 and IL-4 production from isolated splenocytes were increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize while the proportion of CD4 + T cells in the spleen decreased. In the ileum, the proportion of B cells and macrophages decreased while the proportion of CD4 + T cells increased in GM maize-fed pigs. IL-8 and IL-4 production from isolated intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes were also increased (P,0.05) in response to feeding GM maize. In conclusion, there was no evidence of cry1Ab gene or protein translocation to the organs and blood of weaning pigs. The growth of pigs was not affected by feeding GM maize. Alterations in immune responses were detected; however, their biologic relevance is questionable.