Microorganism growth profiles during fermentation of Gayo Arabica wine coffee

Coffee is a non-alcoholic beverage that is consumed globally due to its specific flavour and functional properties. Nowadays coffee is diversified based on its coffee varieties, brewing methods, and bean processing techniques. Wine coffee is a commercial name for fermented coffee, a new coffee diversification product. Wine coffee is produced by fermenting coffee cherries for 30 to 60 days. As a new product, the process is not well studied. This research aims to explore the microorganisms’ activity and its profile growth during 30 days of fermentation. The documentation of pH and temperature, and microbial sampling during coffee cherry fermentation were conducted seven times, started at 0 days; 2 days; 4 days; 6 days; 8 days; 10 days; 12 days; 14 days; 16 days; 20 and 30 days. The results showed that pH decreases and temperature increases during fermentation. pH started from 5.0 and down to 3.9 when fermentation is terminated after 30 days, whilst the temperature slightly changes from 25°C to 30°C. The microorganism’s population shows the presence of yeast, lactic acid (LAB) and acetic acid bacteria (AAB) in wine coffee production. The yeast population increases in the mid fermentation as the cherries are damaged and provide suitable nutrition for the yeast. LAB also co-exists at a similar stage. Further research should be done, especially to understand the interaction mechanism between yeast and yeast, yeast and LAB, and yeast and AAB.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Aggregatibacter aphrophilus in a Kenyan Maasai Adolescent Population and Inhibition of Leukotoxic Activity by Herbal Plants Used as Part of Oral Hygiene Procedures

Background: A virulent genotype (JP2) of the periodonto-pathogen, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), is widespread in North and West Africa, while its presence in East Africa has not been thoroughly investigated. This JP2 genotype is associated with periodontitis in adolescents and has a high leukotoxicity. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of Aa and its JP2 genotype, the prevalence of the oral, commensal Aggregatibacter aphrophilus in a Maasai adolescent population, and the effect of herbal plants for inhibition of leukotoxicity. Methods: A total of 284 adolescents from Maasai Mara, Kenya, underwent an oral examination and microbial sampling. The presence of Aa and A. aphrophilus was analyzed by quantitative PCR and cultivation (the 58 samples collected at the last day of field study). The collected Aa strains were characterized and leukotoxin promoter typed. Additionally, herbal plants commonly used for oral hygiene were assessed for the inhibition of leukotoxicity. Results and Conclusions: The prevalence of Aa in stimulated whole saliva was high (71.8%), with the JP2 genotype detected in one individual, and A. aphrophilus in 99% of the sampled individuals. The commonly used herbal plant, Warburgia ugandensis, inactivated Aa leukotoxicity. The Aa virulence might be reduced through use of W. ugandensis and the high levels of A. aphrophilus.

Forensic Applications of Microbiomics: A Review

The rise of microbiomics and metagenomics has been driven by advances in genomic sequencing technology, improved microbial sampling methods, and fast-evolving approaches in bioinformatics. Humans are a host to diverse microbial communities in and on their bodies, which continuously interact with and alter the surrounding environments. Since information relating to these interactions can be extracted by analyzing human and environmental microbial profiles, they have the potential to be relevant to forensics. In this review, we analyzed over 100 papers describing forensic microbiome applications with emphasis on geolocation, personal identification, trace evidence, manner and cause of death, and inference of the postmortem interval (PMI). We found that although the field is in its infancy, utilizing microbiome and metagenome signatures has the potential to enhance the forensic toolkit. However, many of the studies suffer from limited sample sizes and model accuracies, and unrealistic environmental settings, leaving the full potential of microbiomics to forensics unexplored. It is unlikely that the information that can currently be elucidated from microbiomics can be used by law enforcement. Nonetheless, the research to overcome these challenges is ongoing, and it is foreseeable that microbiome-based evidence could contribute to forensic investigations in the future.

Transvaginal Drainage of Pelvic Abscesses and Collections Using Transabdominal Ultrasound Guidance

Objectives. To evaluate clinical outcomes following transvaginal catheter placement using transabdominal ultrasound guidance for management of pelvic fluid collections.Methods. A retrospective review was performed for all patients who underwent transvaginal catheter drainage of pelvic fluid collections utilizing transabdominal ultrasound guidance between July 2008 and July 2013. 24 consecutive patients were identified and 24 catheters were placed.Results. The mean age of patients was 48.1 years (range = 27–76 y). 88% of collections were postoperative (n=21), 8% were from pelvic inflammatory disease (n=2), and 4% were idiopathic (n=1). Of the 24 patients, 83% of patients (n=20) had previously undergone a hysterectomy and 1 patient (4%) was pregnant at the time of drainage. The mean volume of initial drainage was 108 mL (range = 5 to 570). Catheters were left in place for an average of 4.3 days (range = 1–17 d). Microbial sampling was performed in all patients with 71% (n=17) returning a positive culture. All collections were successfully managed percutaneously. There were no technical complications.Conclusions. Transvaginal catheter drainage of pelvic fluid collections using transabdominal ultrasound guidance is a safe and clinically effective procedure. Appropriate percutaneous management can avoid the need for surgery.