Sultana Solaiman | University of Maryland, College Park (original) (raw)

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Papers by Sultana Solaiman

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Indicator Bacteria and Aeromonas spp. in Surface and Non-traditional Irrigation Water: A Conserve Study

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal Dynamics, Antimicrobial Resistance and Phylogenetic Relationships of Bacterial Taxa in Irrigation Water Sources and Relevance to Food Safety

As climate change continues to stress freshwater resources, we have a pressing need to identify a... more As climate change continues to stress freshwater resources, we have a pressing need to identify alternative (nontraditional) sources of microbially safe water for irrigation of fresh produce. Unfortunately, open water sources are often contaminated with many known human pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria and unknown/understudied pathogens such as Aeromonas that are associated with foodborne outbreaks. To facilitate the adoption of microbiologically safe irrigation water sources, a comprehensive study on the prevalence and virulence potential of human pathogens and their transferability to fruit and fresh produce vegetables was conducted. The effect of irrigation water types on crop surface microbial community structure, presence of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance were investigated to evaluate the potential of transfer of pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria in humans. Initially, the prevalence of indicator bacteria was determined using culture methods and then microbiological water quality profiles (MWQP) was created to identify water sources that complied with the U.S Food Safety Modernization Act water standards. Next, using culture and molecular methods, investigation of the antimicrobial resistance profile of one known foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli retrieved over a two-year period was done. E. coli resistance against widely prescribed antibiotics, extended spectrum β-lactams, was determined phenotypically and genetically. The diversity, distribution and potential for pathogenesis of one understudied pathogen, Aeromonas, prevalent in a variety of typical or potential irrigation water sources and collected over a one-year period was investigated. The study revealed spatial and temporal patterns in species richness, evenness, virulence gene carriage and attachment behaviors on both biotic and abiotic surfaces, of this bacterial taxon. Finally, the effect of using highly treated reclaimed water and pond water on lettuce surface microbiomes was investigated. The stud [...]

Research paper thumbnail of Future of Organic Farming: Bringing Technological Marvels to the Field

Safety and Practice for Organic Food, 2019

Science and technology, in various forms, have always played a significant role in solving human ... more Science and technology, in various forms, have always played a significant role in solving human problems and have exclusively been utilized for the development of novel strategies, methods, tools, and products. Advancements in science and technology have shown promise to revolutionize organic food systems and agriculture, and this view has been justified by constant advancement of engineered devices to address major farm problems. The first step in creating a successful organic farm model is to collect comprehensive data on the characteristics of technology-farm productivity association. Reliable baseline data from a vast geographic region will let the policy-makers know what each of the farmers are able to bear, the risk factors, how much resources can be allocated, and what constraints should be addressed. Overall, there are large scopes for boosting the role of agricultural technology in organic farming that will potentially improve organic farming productivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Microbiological quality assessment of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain in a developing country setting

International journal of food microbiology, Jan 2, 2018

The main objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of milk at different st... more The main objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain from farm to the factory in Bangladesh. A total of 438 raw milk samples (387 from primary producers, 32 from collectors, 15 from chilling plants, 4 from local restaurants) and 95 commercially processed milk samples were collected from northern part of Bangladesh. Almost 72% (n = 280) of samples at producer level and 100% from both collectors (n = 32) and chilling plants (n = 15) were contaminated with coliforms while 57% (n = 220) of samples from producers, 91% (n = 29) of samples from collectors and 100% (n = 15) from chilling plants were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Around 31% (n = 119) of samples from producers were positive for E. coli whereas >60% (n = 20) and 100% (n = 15) samples from collectors and chilling plants, respectively were positive for E. coli. One quarter of samples from collectors were positive for B. cereus and coagulase positiv...

Research paper thumbnail of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Activity and Cephalosporin Resistance in Escherichia coli from U.S. Mid-Atlantic Surface and Reclaimed Water

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria, that are resistant to a broad range of a... more Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria, that are resistant to a broad range of antimicrobial agents, are spreading in the environment but data remain scarce. ESBL-producing Escherichia coli infections in the community are on the rise.

Research paper thumbnail of Aeromonas spp. diversity in U.S. mid-Atlantic surface and reclaimed water, seasonal dynamics, virulence gene patterns and attachment to lettuce

Science of The Total Environment

Research paper thumbnail of Levels of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in Alternative Irrigation Water Vary Based on Water Source on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

Microbiology Spectrum

In the last several decades, Maryland’s Eastern Shore has seen significant declines in groundwate... more In the last several decades, Maryland’s Eastern Shore has seen significant declines in groundwater levels. While this area is not currently experiencing drought conditions or water scarcity, this research represents a proactive approach.

Research paper thumbnail of Longitudinal Assessment of the Dynamics of Escherichia coli, Total Coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and Aeromonas spp. in Alternative Irrigation Water Sources: a CONSERVE Study

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Increasing demands for fresh fruit and vegetables, a variable climate affecting agricultural wate... more Increasing demands for fresh fruit and vegetables, a variable climate affecting agricultural water availability, and microbial food safety goals are pressing the need to identify new, safe, alternative sources of irrigation water. Our study generated microbial data collected over a 2-year period from potential sources of irrigation (rivers, ponds, and reclaimed water sites). Pond water was found to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) microbial standards for irrigation of fruit and vegetables. Bacterial counts in reclaimed water, a resource that is not universally allowed on fresh produce in the United States, generally met microbial standards or needed minimal mitigation. We detected the most seasonality and the highest microbial loads in river water, which emerged as the water type that would require the most mitigation to be compliant with established FSMA standards. This data set represents one of the most comprehensive, longitudinal analyses of alternative irrigatio...

Research paper thumbnail of Assessment of Indicator Bacteria and Aeromonas spp. in Surface and Non-traditional Irrigation Water: A Conserve Study

Research paper thumbnail of Temporal Dynamics, Antimicrobial Resistance and Phylogenetic Relationships of Bacterial Taxa in Irrigation Water Sources and Relevance to Food Safety

As climate change continues to stress freshwater resources, we have a pressing need to identify a... more As climate change continues to stress freshwater resources, we have a pressing need to identify alternative (nontraditional) sources of microbially safe water for irrigation of fresh produce. Unfortunately, open water sources are often contaminated with many known human pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella and Listeria and unknown/understudied pathogens such as Aeromonas that are associated with foodborne outbreaks. To facilitate the adoption of microbiologically safe irrigation water sources, a comprehensive study on the prevalence and virulence potential of human pathogens and their transferability to fruit and fresh produce vegetables was conducted. The effect of irrigation water types on crop surface microbial community structure, presence of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance were investigated to evaluate the potential of transfer of pathogenic and antimicrobial resistant bacteria in humans. Initially, the prevalence of indicator bacteria was determined using culture methods and then microbiological water quality profiles (MWQP) was created to identify water sources that complied with the U.S Food Safety Modernization Act water standards. Next, using culture and molecular methods, investigation of the antimicrobial resistance profile of one known foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli retrieved over a two-year period was done. E. coli resistance against widely prescribed antibiotics, extended spectrum β-lactams, was determined phenotypically and genetically. The diversity, distribution and potential for pathogenesis of one understudied pathogen, Aeromonas, prevalent in a variety of typical or potential irrigation water sources and collected over a one-year period was investigated. The study revealed spatial and temporal patterns in species richness, evenness, virulence gene carriage and attachment behaviors on both biotic and abiotic surfaces, of this bacterial taxon. Finally, the effect of using highly treated reclaimed water and pond water on lettuce surface microbiomes was investigated. The stud [...]

Research paper thumbnail of Future of Organic Farming: Bringing Technological Marvels to the Field

Safety and Practice for Organic Food, 2019

Science and technology, in various forms, have always played a significant role in solving human ... more Science and technology, in various forms, have always played a significant role in solving human problems and have exclusively been utilized for the development of novel strategies, methods, tools, and products. Advancements in science and technology have shown promise to revolutionize organic food systems and agriculture, and this view has been justified by constant advancement of engineered devices to address major farm problems. The first step in creating a successful organic farm model is to collect comprehensive data on the characteristics of technology-farm productivity association. Reliable baseline data from a vast geographic region will let the policy-makers know what each of the farmers are able to bear, the risk factors, how much resources can be allocated, and what constraints should be addressed. Overall, there are large scopes for boosting the role of agricultural technology in organic farming that will potentially improve organic farming productivity.

Research paper thumbnail of Microbiological quality assessment of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain in a developing country setting

International journal of food microbiology, Jan 2, 2018

The main objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of milk at different st... more The main objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of milk at different stages of the dairy value chain from farm to the factory in Bangladesh. A total of 438 raw milk samples (387 from primary producers, 32 from collectors, 15 from chilling plants, 4 from local restaurants) and 95 commercially processed milk samples were collected from northern part of Bangladesh. Almost 72% (n = 280) of samples at producer level and 100% from both collectors (n = 32) and chilling plants (n = 15) were contaminated with coliforms while 57% (n = 220) of samples from producers, 91% (n = 29) of samples from collectors and 100% (n = 15) from chilling plants were contaminated with fecal coliforms. Around 31% (n = 119) of samples from producers were positive for E. coli whereas >60% (n = 20) and 100% (n = 15) samples from collectors and chilling plants, respectively were positive for E. coli. One quarter of samples from collectors were positive for B. cereus and coagulase positiv...

Research paper thumbnail of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase Activity and Cephalosporin Resistance in Escherichia coli from U.S. Mid-Atlantic Surface and Reclaimed Water

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria, that are resistant to a broad range of a... more Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria, that are resistant to a broad range of antimicrobial agents, are spreading in the environment but data remain scarce. ESBL-producing Escherichia coli infections in the community are on the rise.

Research paper thumbnail of Aeromonas spp. diversity in U.S. mid-Atlantic surface and reclaimed water, seasonal dynamics, virulence gene patterns and attachment to lettuce

Science of The Total Environment

Research paper thumbnail of Levels of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in Alternative Irrigation Water Vary Based on Water Source on the Eastern Shore of Maryland

Microbiology Spectrum

In the last several decades, Maryland’s Eastern Shore has seen significant declines in groundwate... more In the last several decades, Maryland’s Eastern Shore has seen significant declines in groundwater levels. While this area is not currently experiencing drought conditions or water scarcity, this research represents a proactive approach.

Research paper thumbnail of Longitudinal Assessment of the Dynamics of Escherichia coli, Total Coliforms, Enterococcus spp., and Aeromonas spp. in Alternative Irrigation Water Sources: a CONSERVE Study

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Increasing demands for fresh fruit and vegetables, a variable climate affecting agricultural wate... more Increasing demands for fresh fruit and vegetables, a variable climate affecting agricultural water availability, and microbial food safety goals are pressing the need to identify new, safe, alternative sources of irrigation water. Our study generated microbial data collected over a 2-year period from potential sources of irrigation (rivers, ponds, and reclaimed water sites). Pond water was found to comply with Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) microbial standards for irrigation of fruit and vegetables. Bacterial counts in reclaimed water, a resource that is not universally allowed on fresh produce in the United States, generally met microbial standards or needed minimal mitigation. We detected the most seasonality and the highest microbial loads in river water, which emerged as the water type that would require the most mitigation to be compliant with established FSMA standards. This data set represents one of the most comprehensive, longitudinal analyses of alternative irrigatio...