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Sun Kim B, Ko EJ, Choi J, Chang Y, Bai J. Isolation, characterization, and application of a lytic bacteriophage SSP49 to control Staphylococcus aureus contamination on baby spinach leaves. Food Res Int 2024; 192:114848. [PMID: 39147476 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus, a major foodborne pathogen, is frequently detected in fresh produce. It often causes food poisoning accompanied by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. Additionally, the abuse of antibiotics to control S. aureus has resulted in the emergence of antibiotics-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin resistant S. aureus. Therefore, bacteriophage, a natural antimicrobial agent, has been suggested as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, a lytic phage SSP49 that specifically infects S. aureus was isolated from a sewage sample, and its morphological, biological, and genetic characteristics were determined. We found that phage SSP49 belongs to the Straboviridae family (Caudoviricetes class) and maintained host growth inhibition for 30 h in vitro. In addition, it showed high host specificity and a broad host range against various S. aureus strains. Receptor analysis revealed that phage SSP49 utilized cell wall teichoic acid as a host receptor. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the genome size of SSP49 was 137,283 bp and it contained 191 open reading frames. The genome of phage SSP49 did not contain genes related to lysogen formation, bacterial toxicity, and antibiotic resistance, suggesting its safety in food application. The activity of phage SSP49 was considerably stable under various high temperature and pH conditions. Furthermore, phage SSP49 effectively inhibited S. aureus growth on baby spinach leaves both at 4 °C and 25 °C while maintaining the numbers of active phage during treatments (reductions of 1.2 and 2.1 log CFU/cm2, respectively). Thus, this study demonstrated the potential of phage SSP49 as an alternative natural biocontrol agent against S. aureus contamination in fresh produce.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bong Sun Kim
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University, 621, Hwarangro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01797, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Jin Ko
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University, 621, Hwarangro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01797, Republic of Korea
| | - Jieun Choi
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjee Chang
- Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Science and Technology, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewoo Bai
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul Women's University, 621, Hwarangro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01797, Republic of Korea.
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McKay FH, Zinga J, van der Pligt P. Could commercial meal kits be part of the solution to food insecurity during pregnancy? An Australian exploratory study. Nutr Diet 2024; 81:228-236. [PMID: 37845189 DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore the nutritional content of meal kits from two main Australian companies over a 6-week period against healthy eating guidelines for pregnancy. METHOD Across the 6-week period, weekly meal kits from both Provider 1 and Provider 2 were purchased, 36 individual meals were assessed. All data were analysed for the development of a macronutrient and micronutrient profile of meals. Extracted data were macronutrient, vitamin, and mineral composition, which were compared against the healthy eating guidelines for pregnant women in Australia and New Zealand. RESULTS Meal kits include higher levels of sodium, and lower levels of dietary fibre, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, thiamin, riboflavin, grains, and dairy when compared against the guidelines for healthy eating for pregnant women in Australia and New Zealand. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Meal kits may increase meals prepared and consumed in the home, and thanks to the clear instructions and pre-portioned ingredients, may reduce stress related to food preparation. They have the potential to provide nutritionally adequate meals to pregnant women as a way to mitigate food insecurity or hunger during pregnancy and may provide some nutritional benefits and have the potential to remove some of the challenges with maintaining an adequate diet when pregnant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona H McKay
- Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development/Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julia Zinga
- Faculty of Health, School of Health and Social Development/Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paige van der Pligt
- Faculty of Health, The Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN) and School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
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Chiong R, Salas J, Kohn J, St John E, Figueroa R. A Formative Evaluation of an Online Meal Kit and Grocery Platform for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Recipients. JOURNAL OF NUTRITION EDUCATION AND BEHAVIOR 2024; 56:43-53. [PMID: 37999697 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2023.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the barriers and facilitators to online food purchasing through a meal kit and grocery shopping website titled NY SNAP Express among Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries. METHODS A purposive sample of SNAP-eligible adults residing in New York State participated in interviews guided by the Capabilities, Opportunities, Motivations, and Behaviors Model. RESULTS Barriers to online food purchasing among participants (n = 32) include physiological and health conditions, the weight of food, technology, language, the price of foods, transportation challenges, the stigma associated with SNAP, and concerns regarding the quantity and quality of meal kits. Facilitators include health and nutrition improvements, knowledge and skills, saving money, culturally relevant meals, increased efficiency in food purchases and preparation, and customization. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Online platforms such as NY SNAP Express have the potential to increase nutritious food access and resources among SNAP recipients; however, improvements are necessary to meet the needs of its audience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reah Chiong
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY.
| | - Julio Salas
- Department of Sociology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
| | - Julia Kohn
- College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Emily St John
- College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
| | - Roger Figueroa
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Robinson-Oghogho JN, Palmer A, Davey-Rothwell M, Thorpe Jr. RJ. Evaluating a Washington DC Community-based meal-kit service aimed at mitigating dietary disparities: Results from the SouthEats pilot study. Prev Med Rep 2023; 36:102382. [PMID: 37744739 PMCID: PMC10511804 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vegetable consumption is known to reduce the risk of various chronic health conditions. Yet a small percentage of US adults consume enough vegetables to meet national dietary guidelines. The SouthEats community-led meal-kit service was developed in Washington DC to address known barriers to healthy eating and vegetable consumption among middle- and low-income households. Methods Using a series of online surveys, we conducted a pilot study to provide preliminary information on the influence of SouthEats on vegetable consumption and factors known to influence vegetable consumption. Wilcoxon matched-pair sign ranked tests were used to examine changes in key outcomes between baseline, midpoint and endpoint surveys. Results Among SouthEats customers who completed all pilot study surveys (n = 23) there was a significant decrease in the median amount of time spent on meal prep between baseline and midpoint. Between baseline and endpoint, participants also indicated increased feelings that they had enough time to meet their needs including cooking healthfully. Overall vegetable and fruit and vegetable consumption increased between the baseline and midpoint but then decreased between the midpoint and endpoint survey periods. However, there were no statistically significant changes in the outcomes of home eating behaviors, perceptions of neighborhood healthy food access, vegetable self-efficacy, or vegetable consumption. Conclusion Our results provide some preliminary evidence suggesting that the SouthEats meal-kit service could help reduce the amount of time spent on cooking, reduce feelings of time scarcity, and increase vegetable consumption in the short-term. Further research exploring this topic will require a larger study sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joelle N. Robinson-Oghogho
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Anne Palmer
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Melissa Davey-Rothwell
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Roland J. Thorpe Jr.
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Society, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Fraser K, Love P, Laws R, Campbell KJ, Spence A. Meal kit subscription services and opportunities to improve family vegetable consumption. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad155. [PMID: 37991401 PMCID: PMC10664410 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Popular commercial meal kit subscription services (MKSSs) may support families to overcome barriers to cooking and eating at home, and facilitate improved vegetable consumption. The global meal kit market has expanded rapidly creating a gap in our understanding of the health-promoting potential of MKSSs. This paper describes the contemporary MKSS market in Australia and provides a vegetable-specific content analysis of a sample of recipes. A 1-week subscription was purchased for all Australian-based MKSSs (n = 9) and websites were systematically reviewed to document key characteristics and recipe features. Vegetable content of all available recipes within a 1-week period were analysed. Our findings highlight the rapid expansion and evolution of MKSS market offerings over the past decade and their potential to support family vegetable consumption. Across all analysed recipes (n = 179), MKSSs provided a median of 2.5 vegetable serves per person (range 0.7-7.5 serves) and a median of 3 different types of vegetables from 2 vegetable subgroups (i.e. dark green, red and orange, starchy, legumes and all other vegetables). This suggests that MKSSs may support family vegetable consumption if families select recipes with a greater number and variety of vegetables. However, an opportunity remains for MKSSs to improve both vegetable quantity and variety to positively influence population health. Further research is required to describe how families use meal kits promoting a greater understanding of their potential to improve family nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Fraser
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Penelope Love
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Rachel Laws
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Karen J Campbell
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Alison Spence
- Faculty of Health, School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
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Fraser K, Johnson BJ, Love P, Spence A, Laws R, Campbell KJ. Mapping the behaviour change potential of meal kits to positively influence parental food literacy. Public Health Nutr 2023; 27:e16. [PMID: 38037708 PMCID: PMC10825774 DOI: 10.1017/s136898002300263x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to examine the theoretical potential of meal kit subscription services in Australia to promote parental food literacy using the retrospective application of behaviour change frameworks. DESIGN A one-week subscription was purchased for all Australian-based meal kit subscription services (n 9) to access content and features available to subscribers. Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) identified in the subscription and meal planning features, meal kit delivery (i.e. ingredients and recipes) and website were coded using the behaviour change technique taxonomy (BCTTv1) and associated behaviour change frameworks. Identified BCTs were mapped to the theoretical domains framework to identify potential mechanisms of action for influencing parental food literacy development. SETTING Australia. RESULTS Thirty-five BCTs were identified across the nine meal kit services reviewed, ranging from nineteen to twenty-nine BCTs per company. Sixteen BCTs were common to all meal kits services, from the hierarchical clusters of 'goals and planning', 'shaping knowledge', 'social support', 'natural consequences', 'comparison of behaviour', 'repetitions and substitution', 'associations', 'reward and threat', 'antecedents' and 'regulation'. Across the meal kit services, the most frequently identified mechanisms of action were motivation (n 27) and capability (n 19). CONCLUSION These findings support the applicability of behaviour change frameworks to commercial meal kit subscription services and provide a theory-informed process for identifying BCTs that may be relevant for promoting parental food literacy within this context. Further research is required to explore how families engage with meal kit subscription services to determine the exposure and delivery of identified BCT content and to evaluate the potential influence on food literacy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Fraser
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
| | - Brittany J Johnson
- Caring Futures Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, Australia
| | - Penelope Love
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
| | - Alison Spence
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
| | - Rachel Laws
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
| | - Karen J Campbell
- School of Exercise & Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), Deakin University, Melbourne Burwood Campus, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, VIC3125, Australia
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Nikravech M, Langen N, van Herpen E, Schuster S, Speck M. Leftovers lovers vs. haters: A latent class analysis on dinner leftover management behaviours. Appetite 2023; 190:107019. [PMID: 37660945 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Leftovers are particularly at risk of being discarded, and therefore a main component of household food waste. This study provides insights into sources of heterogeneity in leftover management behaviours, with a particular focus on the use of meal kits providing matched portion and ingredient sizes, and identifies consumer segments via a latent class analysis. We investigate whether belonging to a segment with positive attitudes toward leftovers, and engagement in conscious leftover management behaviours decreases the amounts of dinner leftovers and food waste. Besides, we demonstrate that several food waste antecedents, emotions, personal norms, intention and dinner procurement routines elicit leftover management segment membership. In addition to examining such individual differences, we also investigate the role of meal-level determinants, in particular, whether meal kits heterogeneously affect dinner leftovers depending on the consumer's leftover management segment. Data was collected from 868 households from six countries, using an online survey and diaries. Results of the latent class analysis point towards five consumer segments. We found differences in dinner leftovers amount across classes and detected heterogeneous effects of meal kits. That is, meal kits were able to diminish leftovers in two segments, but not in the other segments. These results provide novel insights into consumer heterogeneity regarding the occurrence, antecedents, and potential solutions of leftovers and resulting household food waste. Implications for both theory and policy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Nikravech
- Institute of Vocational Education and Work Studies, Technische Universität Berlin, Marchstraße 23, 10587, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Nina Langen
- Institute of Vocational Education and Work Studies, Technische Universität Berlin, Marchstraße 23, 10587, Berlin, Germany
| | - Erica van Herpen
- Marketing and Consumer Behavior Group, Wageningen University and Research, Postfach 8130 6700EW, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Schuster
- Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH, Döppersberg 19, 42103, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Melanie Speck
- Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy gGmbH, Döppersberg 19, 42103, Wuppertal, Germany; Fakultät Agrarwissenschaften und Landschaftsarchitektur, Hochschule Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, Albrechtstr. 30, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
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