Norovirus GII and astrovirus in shellfish from a mangrove region in Cananéia, Brazil: molecular detection and characterization.

In recent years, annual cases of gastroenteritis have been reported in the world at high rates, suggesting an association with the consumption of shellfish with enteric viruses in their tissues. Anthropic activities are considered a source of environmental pollution and the main responsible for contamination by pathogenic microorganisms in aquatic environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate, by RT-semi-nested PCR, the presence of astrovirus (AstV) and norovirus genogroup II (NoV GII) in mussels (Mytella falcata) and oysters (Crassostrea brasiliana) collected in two sites of the Lagunar Complex of Cananéia, State of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 150 samples of mussels and oysters (75 samples each) were analyzed. AstV was not identified in any shellfish sample. NoV GII was detected in 21 samples (14%), 8 mussel samples (38%), and 13 oyster samples (62%). From the 21 positive samples, 16 were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing. The molecular characterization revealed that Brazilian samples were grouped into clades along with other sequences from Brazil, Japan, and Mexico. There was 93.8-100% amino acid sequence similarity among the samples in this study and > 94.9% when compared with the strains isolated from clinical cases in Brazil. The screening of shellfish for the presence of health-significant enteric viruses can help prevent outbreaks among consumers and contribute to the improvement of the estuarine environment.

Microencapsulated jabuticaba (Myrciaria cauliflora) extract added to fresh sausage as natural dye with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

The aim was to evaluate the addition of microencapsulated jabuticaba extract (MJE) to fresh sausage as natural dye with antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Fresh sausages without dye, with cochineal carmine and with addition of 2% and 4% MJE were evaluated for chemical, microbiological and sensory properties during 15days of refrigerated storage. TBARS values were lower (P<0.05) throughout the storage period in sausages with 2% and 4% MJE (below 0.1mg of malondialdehyde/kg sample) than in control and carmine treatments (from 0.3 to 0.6mg of malondialdehyde/kg sample). T2% and T4% also showed lower microbial counts on storage days 4 and 15 for APCs. The addition of 4% MJE negatively influenced (P<0.05) sensory color, texture and overall acceptance attributes. On the other hand, T2% presented similar (P>0.05) sensory acceptance to control and carmine treatments in most of the attributes evaluated except for a decrease in color. Thus, addition of 2% MJE to fresh sausage can be considered as a natural pigment ingredient.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of bovine astrovirus in Brazil.

Bovine astrovirus (BoAstV) is associated with gastroenterical disorders such as diarrhea, particularly in neonates and immunocompromised animals. Its prevalence is >60 % in the first five weeks of the animal's life. The aim of this study was to detect and perform a phylogenetic analysis of BoAstV in Brazilian cattle. A prevalence of 14.3 % of BoAstV in fecal samples from 272 head of cattle from different Brazilian states was detected, and 11 samples were analyzed by nucleotide sequencing. The majority of positive samples were obtained from diarrheic animals (p < 0.01). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Brazilian samples were grouped in clades along with other BoAstV isolates. There was 74.3 %-96.5 % amino acid sequence similarity between the samples in this study and >74.8 % when compared with reference samples for enteric BoAstV. Our results indicate, for the first time, the occurrence of BoAstV circulation in cattle from different regions of Brazil, prevalently in diarrheic calves.