OBJECTIVE: To understand the status and problems of microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets in China.
METHODS: Microbial pollution in shopping malls and supermarkets was assessed by literature search, key information extraction and analysis. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats(SWOT) of risk control of pathogenic microorganisms in shopping malls and supermarkets were analyzed by SWOT analysis.
RESULTS: Common bacteria in the indoor air of shopping malls and supermarkets included staphylococcus and Bacillus, and common fungi include Aspergillus and Penicillium. The bacteria detected in dust samples, escalator surfaces and floor surfaces were mainly Proteobacteria and Actinomyces. The complete public places laws and regulations, standards and health supervision system were the advantages of the risk prevention and control countermeasures of microbial contamination in shopping malls and supermarkets. At the same time, it also had the disadvantages of incomplete microbial-related indexes in the premises, and insufficiently detailed countermeasures for prevention and control in the premises. There were opportunities for multi-sectoral participation and post-licensing risk prevention, and it was also facing challenges brought by many factors affecting the health microenviroment and over-disinfection.
CONCLUSIONS: The main sites for microbial risk prevention and control in superstore-type public places included high-frequency contact areas, key public supplies and utensils, indoor air, etc. , which could be prevented and controlled through a variety of measures such as controlling the release of the source, dilution and reduction, disinfection and denaturation, etc. , and exploring a comprehensive prevention and control system that involves the autonomy of the organization, industry self-regulation, collaboration of multi-government departments, and participation of the whole society.

The increasing use of synthetic biodegradable polymers, such as aliphatic polyesters, has led to a greater need to understand their behavior in an end-of-life scenario as food packaging materials. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect on composting of high to 10 wt% concentration of commercial polylactide packaging in food waste during a 98-day pilot-scale test. Members of the genera Bacillus, Geobacillus, Caldibacillus, Compostibacillus, Novibacillus, Planifilum and Aeribacillus accounted for 77 % of the bacterial community at the initial stage. Significant fragmentation of the polylactide packaging was observed after 14 days, and the appearance of low-molecular weight (approximately 5.4 kDa) hydrolytic degradation products led to an increase in biodiversity and a prolongation of the thermophilic stage by 12 days. The results obtained show the possibility of efficient disposal of food waste with high concentration of polylactide packaging under industrial composting conditions.

In recent decades, probiotics have become an acceptable aquaculture strategy for shrimp growth promotion and immune modulation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bacillus velezensis on Litopenaeus vannamei following a 60-day trial. L. vannamei (3 ± 0.4 g) were distributed into four groups with three replicates per group and fed an isonitrogenous diet supplemented with B. velezensis at 0, 1 × 107, 1 × 108, and 1 × 109 CFU/g, which were defined as the control, G1, G2, and G3 groups, respectively. B. velezensis significantly improved the growth, survival rate, and proximate body composition of L. vannamei (P < 0.05). All groups fed the B. velezensis diet showed significant increases in digestive enzymes (lipase, amylase, and protease), superoxide dismutase (SOD; G3), catalase (CAT; G3, G2, and G1), lysozyme activity (G3 and G2), immunoglobulin M (IgM), bactericidal activity BA%, alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and acid phosphatase (ACP) compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA), triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were significantly decreased in all groups fed B. velezensis diet compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The expression levels of SOD (G3), LZM, and serine proteinase genes were significantly higher in L. vannamei fed diets containing B. velezensis than in the control group (P < 0.05). This is the first study to address the effects of B. velezensis on the expression of the LZM and serine proteinase genes in L. vannamei. L. vannamei fed diet containing B. velezensis had more B and R cells in its hepatopancreas than did the control group. In conclusion, B. velezensis is a promising probiotic that can be safely added to the diet of L. vannamei with 1 × 109 CFU/g. Its application had a positive influence on the health status, survival rate, nutritional value, and immunity of L. vannamei.

The escalating interest in Bacillus velezensis as a biocontrol agent arises from its demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting both phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria, positioning it as a promising candidate for biotechnological applications. This mini review aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted properties of B. velezensis, with particular focus on its beneficial interactions with plants and its potential for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The molecular dialogues involving B. velezensis, plants, and phytopathogens are scrutinized to underscore the intricate mechanisms orchestrating these interactions. Additionally, the review elucidates the mode of action of B. velezensis, particularly through cyclic lipopeptides, highlighting their importance in biocontrol and promoting plant growth. The agricultural applications of B. velezensis are detailed, showcasing its role in enhancing crop health and productivity while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, the review extends its purview in the industrial and environmental arenas, highlighting its versatility across various sectors. By addressing challenges such as formulation optimization and regulatory frameworks, the review aims to chart a course for the effective utilization of B. velezensis. KEY POINTS: • B. velezensis fights phytopathogens, boosting biotech potential • B. velezensis shapes agri-biotech future, offers sustainable solutions • Explores plant-B. velezensis dialogue, lipopeptide potential showcased.

Thin layer chromatography-direct bioautography (TLC-DB) is a well-established bioassay used to separate and identify natural products (NPs) that are antagonistic against a target pathogen. It is a rapid, inexpensive, and simple option for the bioassay-guided isolation and identification of NPs that hinges on separation by TLC coupled with the direct application of a target pathogen to examine bioactivity. It is typically used for the analysis of bioactive plant extracts, detecting inhibitory activity against bacteria, fungi, and enzymes. That being said, it has great potential in bacterial NP discovery, particularly for evaluating bacterial NPs against pertinent agricultural pathogens, which is valuable for discovering and developing novel biopesticides for the agriculture industry. Furthermore, it is a tunable protocol that could be applied to other target pathogens or sources of NPs in research programs concerning the discovery and identification of bioactive compounds. Herein, we describe a model system for discovering and identifying biopesticide NPs using TLC-DB with Bacillus spp. and the agricultural pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum.

BACKGROUND: Essential oils have important antibacterial activities and can successfully replace antibiotics, which show their inefficiency, especially against fungi and multi-resistant bacteria.
OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of our research was to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of essential oils from fifteen plants harvested in the Taroudant region.
METHODS: In this work, the essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The method of disc diffusion in agar medium (aromatogram) is the one used to evaluate the activity of these essential oils against four pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus sp., and Enterococcus cloacae) and two yeasts (Candida albicans and Cryptococcus neoformans).
RESULTS: Our findings, show that all of the plants\' leaves yielded extremely aromatic essential oils that differed in look and color. Furthermore, the 93.33% of the fifteen essential oils that were evaluated proved to be effective against at least one kind of bacteria or fungus. This suggests that the proportion of essential oils with no antibacterial action was rather low, at around 7%. Our data also showed that the freshness or dryness of the plant at the time of harvest could affect the extraction rate of essential oils. This screening showed us that these essential oils present inhibitory activities towards the studied Gram+ bacteria, as well as a resistance against Gram-, in particular Enterococcus cloacae.
CONCLUSIONS: These essential oils can therefore be used in the prevention and treatment of certain infectious diseases and to fight against bacteria that are multi-resistant to the usual antibiotics.

The beneficial effects of feeding probiotic Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 (BS) and Bacillus velezensis CECT 5940 (BV) to chickens in vivo are well-documented, with potential immune modulation as a key mechanism. In this study, we investigated the direct interactions of chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with BS or BV in vitro through whole transcriptome profiling and cytokine array analysis. Transcriptome profiling revealed 20 significantly differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in response to both Bacillus treatments, with twelve DEGs identified in BS-treated PBMCs and eight in BV-treated PBMCs. Pathway analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) indicated significant regulation of immune-related pathways by both BS and BV. Notably, BS treatment upregulated genes associated with immune cell surface markers (CD4, CD25, CD28), anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5), while downregulating the gene encoding pro-inflammatory IL-16. BV treatment similarly affected genes associated with immune cell surface markers, IL-16, and CCL5, with no impact on the gene encoding IL-10. Both treatments induced higher expression of the gene encoding the avian β-defensin 1 (AvBD1). The results of this in vitro study indicate an immunomodulatory effect of BS and BV in chicken PBMCs by regulating genes involved in anti-inflammatory, bacteriostatic, protective, and pro-inflammatory responses. Consequently, BS and BV may serve to augment the immune system\'s capacity to defend against infection by modulating immune responses and cytokine expression. Thus, the administration of these probiotics holds promise for reducing reliance on antimicrobials in farming practices.

Fermentative features of doenjang-meju, a traditional Korean soybean brick, were investigated over 45 days via genome-centered metatranscriptomics. The pH value rapidly decreased within 10 days and successively increased after 20 days, along with an initial bacterial growth, including lactic acid bacteria, and subsequent fungal growth, suggesting their association. Polysaccharides and lipids underwent degradation, and amino acids, free sugars, and organic acids increased during the early stage. Metagenome analysis identified Aspergillus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus, and Leuconostoc as major microbes, which were isolated and genome-sequenced. Metatranscriptomic analysis revealed the major roles of Bacillus and Enterococcus during the early period, shifting to Aspergillus dominance after 10 days. Metabolic pathway reconstruction and transcriptional analysis reveal that Aspergillus primarily decomposed polysaccharides to free sugars; Aspergillus and Bacillus metabolized lipids, free sugars, and organic acids generated by Enterococcus; and Aspergillus and Bacillus were instrumental in amino acid metabolism: their contributions varied by compounds and pathways.

The demand for probiotics is increasing, providing opportunities for food and beverage products to incorporate and market these foods as a source of additional benefits. The most commonly used probiotics belong to the genera of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and traditionally these bacteria have been incorporated into dairy products, where they have a wider history and can readily survive. More recently, there has been a desire to incorporate probiotics into various food products, including baked goods. In recent years, interest in the use of Bacillus species as probiotics has greatly increased. The spores of various Bacillus species such as Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis, have significantly improved viability and stability under harsher conditions during heat processing. These characteristics make them very valuable as probiotics. In this review, factors that could affect the stability of Bacillus probiotics in food products are highlighted. Additionally, this review features the existing research and food products that use Bacillus probiotics, as well as future research opportunities.

Microbes used for the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from mining wastewater indicated traces of Escherichia coli (E. coli, 2149.6 μg/g), Bacillus sphaericus (1636.6 μg/g), Bacillus mycoides (1469.3 μg/g), and Bacillus cereus (1083.9 μg/g). Of these, E. coli showed an affinity for REEs than non-REEs (Mn and Zn). The amount of heavy REEs adsorbed (1511.1 μg/g) on E. coli was higher than light REEs (638.0 μg/g) due to the process of increasing adsorption with decreasing ionic radius. Additionally, E. coli demonstrated stability in the recovery of REEs from mining wastewater, as evidenced by 4 cycles. SEM-EDS, XPS and FTIR showed that REEs had a disruptive effect on cells, REEs absorbed and desorbed on the cell surface including ion exchange with ions such as Na+, ligand binding with functional groups like -NH2. Finally, the cost assessment confirmed the economically feasible of E. coli in recovery of REEs from mining wastewater.