MicroRNA in breast milk
MicroRNAs were first found in breast milk in 2010. Their role is still unclear.
Link between biodiversity loss and the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases
A recently published study found a link between biodiversity loss and the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases. The study provides an overview of the complexity of the issue and possible solutions to reduce the spread of zoonoses.
Impact of climate change on soil-borne pathogens
Climate change may increase the proportion of soil-borne pathogens.
Botulinum neurotoxin-like toxin identified in Enterococcus faecium strain
A novel botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) gene cluster has been identified in Enterococcus faecium strains, raising several questions about microbial interactions and antibiotic resistance.
Edible flowers
The consumption of edible flowers in Europe has increased in recent years. For many wild or cultivated flowers proposed for food use, there is remarkably little chemical and toxicological data available.
Alternaria mycotoxins in tomato products
Alternaria species are capable of producing a number of mycotoxins, several of which have been shown to be genotoxic, carcinogens. As part of the German food safety monitoring plan, the toxins produced by Alternaria in food were tested for the first time in 2019.
Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia albertii
Escherichia albertii was first described in 2003. This newly described enteropathogen and avian pathogen is often misidentified as E. coli or other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family, as its biochemical characteristics are not well understood.
Patulin and chlorpyrifos - cumulative toxicological effect
A 2019 study has investigated the combined effects of the mycotoxin patulin and the pesticide chlorpyrifos, both of which are liver-damaging and often co-occur on crops.
Rapeseed protein as novel food
Protein can be produced from rapeseed or from the cake left over from the production of rapeseed oil. The rapeseed protein product BlackGrain, developed by the Finnish company Apetit, has received a favourable EFSA opinion as a novel food.
VSBV-1 - Squirrel-borne zoonotic bornavirus 1 strain
The strain is genetically close to mammalian bornavirus 1, which infects several mammalian species. The mode of transmission is still unknown, but direct transmission (scratching, biting) is most likely.