Escherichia coli is one of the foodborne pathogens associated with several cases of human sickness. Duck meat is an excellent source of animal-derived high quality proteins. This study was undertaken to investigate the possible transmission of diarrheagenic E. coli from consumption of duck meat and giblets. Additionally, expression of some virulence-associated genes in the isolated E. coli serotypes was examined using polymerase chain reaction. Finally, antibiogram of the identified E. coli serotypes was also investigated.E. coli could be isolated from the examined duck meat and giblets. Five serogroups could be identified, including E. coli O86, O127, O114, O26 and O78. Liver harbored the highest incidence of E. coli followed by gizzard, heart, spleen and muscle. Isolated E. coli serogroups harbored different virulent factors responsible for diarrhea and hemorrhage. Additionally, isolated E. coli serogroups showed marked low sensitivity or even resistance to the most common used antibiotics in Egypt. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSThe results of this study declare that duck meat and giblets may be a possible source for transmission of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to human. The isolated E. coli serotypes harbored various virulence-associated genes, in particular those responsible for hemorrhage and toxin production. Additionally, the isolated serotypes showed variable degrees of antibiotic resistance. Accordingly, adoption of strict hygienic measures should be followed during preparation of ducks for human consumption. Additionally, efficient cooking of ducks and duck giblets must be considered before serving to human.

Quail meat is an emerging source of high-quality animal protein. Quails are exposed to a wide range of xenobiotics such as heavy metals. In this study, residual concentrations of four toxic metals, of significant public health importance, including cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and nickel (Ni), were determined in edible tissues of quails. In addition, metal loads were measured in water, feed, and litter samples collected from same quail farms as possible sources for quail exposure to heavy metals. The possible use of metallothionein (MT) and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as molecular biomarkers of exposure to heavy metals was further investigated. Furthermore, the dietary intake and the potential risk assessment of the examined heavy metals among children and adults were calculated. The edible tissues of quails contained high concentrations of four heavy metals (contents (ppm/ww) ranging from 0.02 to 0.32 in Cd, 0.05 to 1.96 in Pb, 0.002 to 0.32 in As, and 1.17 to 3.94 in Ni), which corresponded to the high contents of these metals in the feeds, water, and litter. MT and Hsp70 mRNA expressions showed positive correlations with the concentrations of heavy metals in tissues indicating the possibility to use these proteins as biomarkers for quail's exposure to toxic metals. Dietary intake of quail meat and risk assessment revealed potential risks especially for children after prolonged exposure to the examined metals. Thus, legislations should be established and continuous screening of metal residues should be adopted in order to reduce the toxic metal concentrations in feeds and drinking water for quails. Reduction of exposure to heavy metals subsequently would lead to minimization of exposure of such toxicants through consumption of quail meat.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important foodborne pathogen that constitutes a major health hazard. This study was undertaken to investigate the potential health hazard of chicken products including giblets as a source of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The prevalence of coagulase‐positive multidrug‐resistant S. aureus in chicken breast meat, wings, giblets (livers and gizzards), and wastewater samples was investigated. Furthermore, expression of mecA in the identified isolates was screened using PCR. In addition, the expression of staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) coding genes (A, B, C, and D) was investigated. The antibiogram of isolated S. aureus was further tested using the disk diffusion method. Results obtained showed that a 14% prevalence of S. aureus among the examined samples. Interestingly, all isolates were confirmed to be MRSA. SEA had the highest frequency among SEs in MRSA isolates. 78.57% of MRSA isolates showed multidrug resistance profiles.Practical applicationsThis study demonstrated that chicken giblets and wastewater samples are potential sources for transmission of methicillin‐resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and the heat‐resistant staphylococcal enterotoxins to people. Additionally, the isolated MRSA showed variable degrees of antibiotic resistance. Accordingly, strict hygiene protocols should be followed during preparation of chicken products including giblets for human consumption. Furthermore, thorough cooking of chicken meat and giblets must be considered before serving to people.

Pyrene is one of the major polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons formed during heat treatment of meat and in car exhausts; however, few studies have investigated pyrene-induced adverse effects on human cell lines. This study aimed at the investigation of pyrene-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in human liver HepG2 cells at environmentally relevant concentrations. Pyrene-induced changes in mRNA expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs), xenobiotic transporters, antioxidant enzymes, and inflammatory markers were investigated using real-time PCR. As a protection trial, the ameliorative effects of lycopene, a carotenoid abundantly found in tomato, were investigated. The possible mechanisms behind such effects were examined via studying the co exposure effects of pyrene and lycopene on regulatory elements including the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Air) and elytroid 2-related factor 2 (RF). The achieved results indicated that pyrene caused significant cytotoxicity at 50 n, with a clear production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a dose-dependent manner. Pyrene upregulated mRNA expression of phase I enzymes including CYP1A1, 1A2, and CYP1B1 and inflammatory markers including TNFα and Cox2. However, pyrene significantly downregulated phase II enzymes, xenobiotic transporters, and antioxidant enzymes. Interestingly, lycopene significantly reduced pyrene-induced cytotoxicity and ROS production. Moreover, lycopene upregulated detoxification and antioxidant enzymes, probably via its regulatory effects on Air- and RF-dependent pathways.

Continuous monitoring of Listeria spp., particularly Listeria monocytogenes, in foods is a mandatory task for food safety and microbiology sectors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of L. monocytogenes in milk and dairy products retailed in Egypt. Furthermore, an experimental trial was conducted to investigate the antilisterial effects of some phytochemicals. A total of 200 samples (market raw milk, Kareish cheese, Damietta cheese, and plain yoghurt, 50 each) were collected and examined for detection of Listeria spp. The results revealed that 8, 12, 1, and 0 samples of market raw milk, Damietta cheese, Kareish cheese, and plain yoghurt were contaminated with Listeria spp., respectively. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing revealed that all L. monocytogenes isolates (15) were resistant to streptomycin and erythromycin. Molecular analysis revealed that 86.67% of L. monocytogenes harbored hylA virulent gene. Use of rosmarinic acid, ascorbic acid, thyme, and clove essential oils significantly ( P < 0.05 ) reduced L. monocytogenes growth in soft cheese—artificially contaminated with L. monocytogenes throughout a 4-week incubation period. In conclusion, strict hygienic conditions should be adopted during the preparation and distribution of dairy products. In addition, rosmarinic acid, ascorbic acid, clove, and thyme essential oils are good candidates as food preservatives with antilisterial activities.