Seafood bacteria
A team of scientists from Spain has isolated a strain of the bacteria Streptococcus parauberis from spoiled vacuum-packed refrigerated seafood.
A team of scientists from Spain has isolated a strain of the bacteria Streptococcus parauberis from spoiled vacuum-packed refrigerated seafood.1S. parauberis causes mastitis in cows and produces streptococcosis in farmed fish, but it is not harmful to humans.
The team carried out a full characterization and found two bacterial isolates that were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Both isolates were also characterized by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF MS). Genetic and proteomic analysis was carried out and allowed for the identification of five mass peaks in the range of 2200–6000 m/z that was specific to the species S. parauberis. These results allow for the rapid identification of other pathogenic and spoilage bacteria that can potentially be present in seafood.
The team concluded that this was the first report of S. parauberis in seafood. In addition, they deduced that MALDI-TOF MS provides a rapid method for the identification of the bacteria.
1. J. Barros-Velazquez et al., Food Microbiology, 30(1), 91–97 (2012).
This story originally appeared in The Column. Click here to view that issue.
New TRC Facility Accelerates Innovation and Delivery
April 25th 2025We’ve expanded our capabilities with a state-of-the-art, 200,000 sq ft TRC facility in Toronto, completed in 2024 and staffed by over 100 PhD- and MSc-level scientists. This investment enables the development of more innovative compounds, a broader catalogue and custom offering, and streamlined operations for faster delivery. • Our extensive range of over 100,000 high-quality research chemicals—including APIs, metabolites, and impurities in both native and stable isotope-labelled forms—provides essential tools for uncovering molecular disease mechanisms and exploring new opportunities for therapeutic intervention.
New Guide: Characterising Impurity Standards – What Defines “Good Enough?”
April 25th 2025Impurity reference standards (IRSs) are essential for accurately identifying and quantifying impurities in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing. Yet, with limited regulatory guidance on how much characterisation is truly required for different applications, selecting the right standard can be challenging. To help, LGC has developed a new interactive multimedia guide, packed with expert insights to support your decision-making and give you greater confidence when choosing the right IRS for your specific needs.
