Non-typhoidal Salmonella enterica is a leading cause of foodborne illness in humans, primarily transmitted through contaminated eggs. This study investigated the prevalence and serovar distribution of Salmonella in commercial layer farm environments and day-old chicks in Korea. Salmonella were identified in 26 (65.0%) of 40 farms and 47 (62.7%) of 75 flocks, and the prevalence of Salmonella in farms and flocks was highest in environmental dust (57.4% and 54.7%), followed by feces (42.5% and 34.7%) and feed inside house (20.5% and 34.7%) (p < 0.05). Moreover, Salmonella were detected in two (8.7%) of 23 external silo feeds. In chick box papers, Salmonella were identified in 14 (66.7%) flocks. The most significantly observed serovar in environmental dust was S. Thompson (16.0%), followed by S. Colindale (12.0%), and most common serovar in feces was S. Colindale (9.3%), followed by S. Agona (6.7%) and S. Thompson (5.3%). Interestingly, S. Colindale was also detected in one (1.4%) of 23 external silo feeds. The most prevalent serovar in chick box papers was S. Colindale (28.6%), followed by S. Senftenberg (14.3%). In particular, S. Colindale was detected in chick box papers of flocks derived from three of 6 hatcheries (10.0%-75.0%) and two of 4 breeds (25.0% and 66.7%), and S. Thompson was detected in chick box papers of one (4.8%) of 21 flock. S. Enteritidis was detected in environmental dust from one (1.3%) flock, and S. Typhimurium was not detected.
This study evaluated the virucidal efficacy of a Bacillus complex composed of Bacillus subtilis YBK-70, Bacillus atrophaeus YBK-W4, and Bacillus circulans YBK-04 (1:1:1, v/v/v) against porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV). Virucidal efficacy was assessed by measuring the infectivity of PEDV in Vero cells after exposure of the virus to the Bacillus complex culture medium (BCCM) (4×10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL). PEDV was exposed to the BCCM in the presence of either hard water (HW) or an organic matter suspension (OM). Under HW conditions, PEDV was inactivated by a 50-fold dilution of the BCCM. In the presence of OM, the disinfectant exhibited virucidal activity at a 10-fold dilution. Because BCCM possesses virucidal activity against PEDV, it may serve as an effective reagent for limiting the spread of animal viral diseases.
Quail meat is increasingly consumed worldwide, yet information on optimal antimicrobial interventions during processing remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of chlorine concentration (0-40 ppm) in processing water and an additional 2°C overnight exposure at 40 ppm on the microbial load of quail carcasses. Total viable counts (TVC) were enumerated using standardized dilution and plating methods, and results were expressed as log10 CFU/mL. Across 0-40 ppm, no statistically significant differences were observed by one-way ANOVA (p > 0.05), although a numerical decrease was noted at 40 ppm. In contrast, carcasses treated with 40 ppm chlorine and held at 2°C overnight showed markedly lower counts compared with both the 0 ppm control and the 40 ppm immediate-processing group. These findings suggest that the antimicrobial impact of chlorine is strongly influenced by contact time and temperature, and that low-temperature holding may enhance the practical efficacy of chlorine sanitation during quail processing.
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system and plays a critical role in maintaining normal neuronal function. However, excessive extracellular accumulation of glutamate under pathological conditions induces excitotoxicity, which is closely associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent neuronal cell death. S-allyl cysteine (SAC) is a compound derived from aged garlic, known for its antioxidant and potential cardioprotective properties. The present study investigated the neuroprotective effects of SAC against glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. HT22 cells were exposed to glutamate to establish an in vitro oxidative neurotoxicity model. SAC was administered 2 h prior to glutamate exposure to evaluate its protective potential. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and glutamate-induced morphological changes were examined by phase-contrast microscopy. Glutamate treatment significantly reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner and induced characteristic neuronal damage, including cell shrinkage, dendritic loss, and decreased cell density. SAC treatment alone did not affect cell viability, indicating that SAC is non-cytotoxic within the tested concentration range. Notably, pretreatment with SAC significantly attenuated glutamate-induced cytotoxicity and improved glutamate-induced morphological alterations, thereby preserving neuronal structure and reducing cellular damage. In conclusion, SAC exerts significant protective effects against glutamate-induced oxidative neurotoxicity in HT22 cells. These findings suggest that SAC may serve as a promising neuroprotective agent for excitotoxicity-related neurological disorders.
Mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae) are increasingly used as alternative protein sources in livestock feed due to their high nutritional value. Recently, interest has expanded to darkling beetle larvae capable of biodegrading polystyrene through gut-associated microbial activity. However, information regarding the safety of incorporating such styrofoam-biodegrading mealworms into poultry diets remains limited. This study evaluated the toxicological and physiological effects of replacing soybean meal with conventional mealworms (CMW) or styrofoam-biodegrading eco-mealworms (EMW) in broiler diets. Seven dietary treatments were tested in a 35-day feeding trial: a control diet without mealworms and diets containing 5%, 10%, or 15% CMW or EMW. Broilers fed diets containing 15% mealworms showed higher average daily feed intake than the control, suggesting improved feed palatability. No apparent toxicological or physiological abnormalities were observed across treatments. Organ weights, hematological indices, serum biochemical parameters, androgen levels, and tissue histopathology were within normal physiological ranges, and no significant differences were detected between CMW and EMW groups. However, as this study represents a pilot-scale evaluation with limited sample size, the statistical power to detect subtle differences may have been constrained. Thus, the absence of significant differences should not be interpreted as definitive evidence of equivalence. Within these limitations, EMW showed a safety profile comparable to CMW at dietary inclusion levels up to 15% for 35 days. Further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm these findings.
This study was conducted to re-establish the withdrawal time (WT) of ivermectin (IVM) in goats in accordance with the implementation of the positive list system (PLS). Thirty-four healthy goats were topically administered IVM at doses of 0.5 mg/kg body weight (BW) (IVM-1, n = 16) or 1.0 mg/kg BW (IVM-2, n = 16) as a single treatment. Tissue samples were collected from four goats at 3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-administration. Residual concentrations of IVM in edible tissues were determined using LC-MS/MS based on a previously validated analytical method. In the IVM-1 group, IVM concentrations in all edible tissues were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) by day 3 post-administration. In the IVM-2 group, IVM concentrations in muscle, liver, kidney, and fat were below the LOQ by days 7, 3, 3, and 7 post-administration, respectively. WTs were estimated in accordance with the European Medicines Agency guideline on the determination of withdrawal periods. The calculated WTs for IVM-1 and IVM-2 were 12 and 19 days, respectively. In conclusion, the estimated WT of IVM in edible goat tissues was shorter than the currently recommended withdrawal period of 28 days.
This study was conducted to re-establish the withdrawal time (WT) for ivermectin (IVM) in pigs as part of the introduction of the positive list system (PLS) program. Forty-two healthy pigs were orally administered IVM at doses of 2.4 mg/kg feed (IVM-1, n = 20) and 4.8 mg/kg feed (IVM-2, n = 20) once daily for 7 days. After treatment, tissue samples were collected from four pigs at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 14 days post-administration. Based on a previously established analytical method, residual IVM concentrations in pig tissues were determined using LC-MS/MS. In the IVM-1 group, IVM levels in muscle, liver, kidney, and fat were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) on days 7, 7, 7, and 14 after the final administration, respectively. In the IVM-2 group, IVM levels in muscle, liver, kidney, and fat were below the LOQ on days 7, 14, 7, and 14 after the final administration, respectively. According to the European Medicines Agency guideline on the determination of withdrawal times, the WTs for IVM-1 and IVM-2 in edible pig tissues were established as 8 and 11 days, respectively. In conclusion, the estimated WT of IVM in swine edible tissues was shorter than the currently recommended WT of 14 days for IVM.