Browsing by Author "Planas Pont, Neus"

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    Detection and discrimination between ochratoxin producer and non-producer strains of Penicillium nordicum on a ham-based medium using an electronic nose
    (Mycotoxin Research, 2011-02-28T00:00:00Z) Camardo Leggieri, M.; Planas Pont, Neus; Battilani, P.; Magan, Naresh
    The aim of this work was to evaluate the potential use of qualitative volatile patterns produced by Penicillium nordicum to discriminate between ochratoxin A (OTA) producers and non-producer strains on a ham-based medium. Experiments were carried out on a 3% ham medium at two water activities (aw ; 0.995, 0.95) inoculated with P. nordicum spores and incubated at 25°C for up to 14days. Growing colonies were sampled after 1, 2, 3, 7 and 14days, placed in 30-ml vials, sealed and the head space analysed using a hybrid sensor electronic nose device. The effect of environmental conditions on growth and OTA production was evaluated based on the qualitative response. However, after 7days, it was possible to discriminate between strains grown at 0.995 aw, and after 14days, the OTA producer and non-producer strain and the controls could be discriminated at both aw levels. This study suggests that volatile patterns produced by P. nordicum strains may differ and be used to predict the presence of toxigenic contaminants in ham. This approach could be utilised in ham production as part of a quality assurance system for preventing OTA contamination
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    Ventilator associated pneumonia: analyses of volatile fingerprints for identification of causative microorganisms, assessment of anti-fungals and use of in vitro models for early clinical sample prediction
    (Cranfield University, 2011-02) Planas Pont, Neus; Magan, Naresh; Kendall, Catherine
    This study has involved the analysis of volatile fingerprints using a hybrid electronic nose (e-nose) to discriminate between and diagnose the microorganisms which cause ventilator–associated pneumonia (VAP), one of the most important infections in the hospital environment. This infection occurs in hospitalised patients with 48-72 hrs of mechanical ventilation. VAP diagnostics still remains a problem due to the lack of a precise diagnostic tool. The current tests are mostly based on quantitative cultures of samples from the lower lung airways with clinical findings, which do not often result in accurate diagnoses of the disease. Cont/d.