Environmental microbiology for public health: capturing international developments in the field

Environmental microbiology is an evolving science. This is in part driven by the development of new analytical techniques that are becoming more varied and powerful. Before they are applied, emerging techniques need to be critically evaluated by scientists, technical professionals, practitioners and students.

Microbiota assessment in optical shops: an ignored concern to public health

The presence of microorganisms in ophthalmic instruments and surfaces can lead to the exposure of patients to several infections. However, there is no information regarding fungal and bacteria contamination in optical shops. This study aims to characterize fungi and bacteria contamination in air and surfaces from 10 optical shops covering also ophthalmic instruments. Air samples were collected through an impaction method onto malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with chloramphenicol (0.05%) used for fungi and Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) supplemented with nystatin (0.2%) used for bacteria. Outdoor samples were also performed to be used as reference. Surface and equipment’s swab samples were also collected side-by-side. All the collected samples were incubated at 27ºC for 5 to 7 days (fungi) or at 30º for 7 days (bacteria). Regarding fungal distribution, thirteen different species/genera were found in the air, being the most common Alternaria sp. (62.0%). Eight different species/genera were identified in the surfaces, ranging from 2 to 5x104 CFU/m2, being the most common A. versicolor complex and Penicillium sp. (40.0%). The trial frames were the most contaminated equipment, since 50.0% of the collected samples were with countless colonies. The airborne bacterial population indicated higher concentrations in the contactology office (average: 133 CFU/m3) than in the client’s waiting rooms (average: 126 CFU/m3). The surface samples indicated bacterial concentrations ranging from 2x104 to 1x106 CFU/m2, pointing out the automatic refractometer as the surface with higher bacterial load.

Toxigenic fungi in coffee samples: a menace to public health

Introduction - Mycotoxin contamination was reported to occur in some food and commodities, such as coffee, particularly due to the presence of toxigenic fungi such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium spp. Aspergilli are known to produce high levels of mycotoxins, such as ochratoxin and aflatoxin. Aspergillus ochraceus has been proposed as the major cause of ochratoxin A contamination in coffee beans. Aim of the study - The aim of this work was to evaluate the prevalence of Aspergillus sections Circumdati, Flavi and Fumigati in 28 green coffee samples to be used by Portuguese coffee industry, from Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) species from different origins.

Fungal contamination in coffee samples: a public health concern

Introduction - Fungi are natural coffee contaminants and under certain environmental conditions have the potential to produce toxins. Many studies revealed that the important toxigenic fungal genera (Aspergillus and Penicillium) are natural coffee contaminants, and are present from the field to storage. Aspergilli from the Circumdati and Nigri sections are known to produce high levels of ochratoxin A, a mycotoxin known as nephrotoxic for animals and humans. This work aimed to evaluate fungal distribution and also the prevalence of Aspergillus sections Fumigati, Flavi, Nigri and Circumdati from Coffea arabica (Arabica coffee) and Coffea canephora (Robusta coffee) green samples.