Publications

jModelTest is a Java program for the statistical selection of models of nucleotide substitution with thousands of users around the world. For large data sets, the calculations carried out by this program can be too expensive for many users. Here we describe the port of the jModeltest code for Grid computing using DRMAA. This work should facilitate the use of jModelTest on a broad scale.

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris ( A. acidoterrestris ), a spore-forming bacterium, has become a main challenge and concern for the juices and acid beverage industry across the world due to its thermo-acidophilic characteristic. Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the active components derived from Nigella sativa seeds. The objective of this study was to investigate antibacterial activity and associated molecular mechanism of TQ against A. acidoterrestris vegetative cells, and to evaluate effects of TQ on A. acidoterrestris spores and biofilms formed on polystyrene and stainless steel surfaces. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of TQ against five tested A. acidoterrestris strains ranged from 32 to 64 μg/mL. TQ could destroy bacterial cell morphology and membrane integrity in a concentration-dependent manner. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy observation showed that TQ caused abnormal morphology of spores and thus exerted a killing effect on spores. Moreover, TQ was effective in inactivating and removing A. acidoterrestris mature biofilms. These findings indicated that TQ is promising as a new alternative to control A. acidoterrestris and thereby reduce associated contamination and deterioration in the juice and acid beverage industry.

During the last decades, the world’s population has been continuously increasing; consequently, so has the concern about the capability of the current food system for providing sufficient food for the 10 billion expected people in 30 years. Even though this challenge is considered feasible, some changes in the food production and consumption system are needed to achieve sustainability, reduce food loss waste, or contribute to a shift toward global healthier and more sustainable diets. Problems related to these three challenges include degradation of land ecosystems and agriculture practices, greenhouse gases associated with ruminant livestock, overexploitation of marine ecosystems, and the generation and accumulation of residues. In view of these problems, some solutions have been proposed such as the application of agroecology, the use of new alternative protein sources, the implementation of catch shares in fisheries management systems, and the revalorization of food loss waste. Furthermore, the transformation of current unhealthy dietary patterns to healthier ones entails other measures such as education on healthy diets or the development of new food products. This chapter diagnoses of the challenges and problems facing the current food system to provide for a growing world population while also ensuring the sustainability of the environment.