Characterisation and antibiotic resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica from various meat categories, South Africa.

Yersinia enterocolitica infections impose a significant public health and socioeconomic burden on human population in many countries. The current study investigated the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance profile and molecular diversity of Y. enterocolitica in meat and meat products across various retail outlets in selected provinces of South Africa (SA). In a cross-sectional study, a total of 581 retail meat and meat products were collected from four cities across three provinces of SA. Samples were from beef and pork products, which included 292 raw intact, 167 raw processed, and 122 ready-to-eat (RTE) meats. Samples were analysed using classical microbiological methods for isolation, identification and biotyping of Y. enterocolitica. Conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed for confirmation, serotyping, screening of virulence (n = 11) and antimicrobial resistance (n = 18) genes. Phenotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles were determined against 12 antibiotics discs, using disc diffusion method. The overall prevalence of 12% (70/581) was reported across all cities with contamination proportion reported in samples collected from raw intact 15% (43/292), followed by raw processed 11% (18/167) and RTE meats 7% (9/122). All positive isolates were of biotype 1A with 7% (5/70) belonging to bioserotype 1A/O:8. Most of the isolates harboured ymoA, ystB, fepD, ail, fepA, invA and myfA virulence genes. High antimicrobial resistance frequency was observed for ampicillin (94%), cephalothin (83%) and amoxicillin (41%), respectively. Of the 18 tested antimicrobial resistance genes, blaTEM was the most predominant (40%) followed by cmlA (21%). This study reveals the presence of antimicrobial resistant Y. enterocolitica possessing virulent genes of public health importance in products of animal origin, therefore, health monitoring and surveillance of this pathogen is required.

Evaluation of Leaf Mineral, Flavonoid, and Total Phenolic Content in Spider Plant Germplasm.

Spider plant (Cleome gynandra L.) is an important leafy vegetable that grows naturally in many parts of the world. The leaves are highly nutritious and are used mainly for human consumption. The mineral content and phenolic compounds of 17 genotypes (local and exotic) of spider plant and four standards (swiss chard, jute mallow, cowpea, and pumpkin) were investigated. Leaf samples were harvested from plants raised at Thohoyandou, South Africa. Exotic genotypes were superior to local genotypes for most of the minerals. Swiss chard possessed significantly high levels of some minerals such as iron and manganese in comparison with exotic spider plant genotypes. The calcium content in the local ('MP-B-3-CG') and exotic ('GPS') genotypes was >30.0% and >60.0% higher than in swiss chard, respectively. Total phenolics among spider plant genotypes ranged from 9.86 to 12.21 mg GAE/g DW and were superior to pumpkin. In addition, the spider plant genotypes varied significantly in the antioxidant capacity as estimated by the 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl method and ferric-reducing antioxidant power. The main flavonoid in the leaves of spider plant genotypes was quercetin-3-rutinoside. Crotonoside (glycoside) was detected in all the spider plant genotypes and swiss chard. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and each of the three flavonoids. The PCA biplot associated exotic genotypes ('ML-SF-29', 'PS', 'TZ-1', and 'GPS') and local genotypes ('ML-3-KK', 'ML-13-SDM', and 'ML-12-TMP') with high Al, Fe, Zn, N, and TPC. Cluster analysis indicated high "distant groups" between exotic and local genotypes of spider plant. These results indicated that some of the local germplasm of spider plant was largely inferior to the exotic germplasm in terms of their mineral composition but contained considerable quantities of quercetin-3-rutinoside, particularly in the local genotypes 'MP-B-2-CG' and 'MP-B-1-CG'. There is a need for genetic improvement of the local germplasm in some of the minerals particularly to benefit the end-users.

Characterisation of Brucella species and biovars in South Africa between 2008 and 2018 using laboratory diagnostic data.

BACKGROUND: Brucellosis is an infectious zoonotic bacterial disease of humans and other animals. In the Republic of South Africa (RSA), animal brucellosis is widespread and the current available data on the prevalence of this disease rely solely on serological testing. The primary limitation of brucellosis serology is the lack of discriminatory powers to differentiate between Brucella species and biovars as well as the cross-reactivity observed with other Gram-negative bacteria. AIM: The aim of this study was to conduct a retrospective laboratory-based survey on Brucella species and biovars isolated from various animal species in SA between 2008 and 2018. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The isolation of Brucella species and biovar typing was performed using conventional microbiological techniques. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A total of 963 strains of Brucella species were included in this study with a frequency of detection for B. abortus (n = 883; 91.6%) followed by B. melitensis (n = 42; 4.4%), B. ovis (n = 29; 3.0%) and B. canis (n = 9; 0.9%). Of the 883 strains of B. abortus, 90.1% were typed as B. abortus biovar-1 while 5.7% as B. abortus biovar-2, and 3.3% and 0.5% were B. abortus S19 and B. abortus RB51 vaccine strains, respectively. Among the 42 B. melitensis strains, 71.4% were reported as B. melitensis biovar-1 and 26.2% as B. melitensis biovar-3 while 2.4% was B. melitensis biovar-2. CONCLUSION: A retrospective study, such as this one, provides useful information that can be critical in formulating policies and strategies for the control and eradication of brucellosis in animal populations in RSA.

Anthocyanins and polyphenols in Cabernet Franc wines produced with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Torulaspora delbrueckii yeast strains: Spectrophotometric analysis and effect on selected sensory attributes.

Grapes and wine contain phenolics divided into non-flavonoid and flavonoid classes. Yeast modulates the phenolics of wine by adsorption onto yeast cell walls. This may be advantageous for colour and quality. The effect of Torulaspora delbrueckii (654&M2/1) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (VIN13) on phenolics and sensory attributes of Cabernet Franc wines (2012/2013) were evaluated. Spectrophotometric analysis was used to determine the phenolic content. Sensory analysis was conducted by expert tasters to evaluate the wines. ANOVA showed that polyphenols and anthocyanins were higher in M2/1 + VIN13 wines (2012/2013) than 654 + VIN13 wines. Colour, fruitiness, mouthfeel, sweetness, astringency and quality were different between treatments. 654 + VIN13 wines (2012) were higher in polyphenols, acidity, astringency and mouthfeel than M2/1 + VIN13 wines. M2/1 + VIN13 (2012/2013) had increased colour and quality than 654 + VIN13 wines. Two treatments were identified for Cabernet Franc wines; M2/1 + VIN13 and 654 + VIN13, which resulted in wines with increased colour and wines with increased mouthfeel and astringency, respectively.