iBET

Traceability and authenticity of food products

Food authenticity is in the research agenda, as it is necessary to develop advanced analytical techniques such as molecular biology based, and a range of classic physical, chemical and biological methods, to detect non-compliant products. These problems can reach groups of food products as diverse as fish, meat, cereals, fruit, edible oils and olive oil varieties. The ability to track any food, feed, food-producing animal or substance that will be used for consumption, through all stages of production, processing and distribution is under the scope of traceability and one the areas of interest of the group. The aim of the area is to devise microbiological/molecular biology tools to authenticate and trace foods products. Molecular biology methods are based on quantitative PCR, digital PCR and new generation sequencing. This work is performed in cooperation with Portuguese companies and international partners.

Selected Publications:

  1. A.R. Carlos, T. Semedo-Lemsaddek, M.T. Barreto Crespo and R. Tenreiro. 2010. Transcriptional analysis of virulence-related genes in enterococci from distinct origins. J. Appl. Microbiol. 108(5): 1563-1575
  2. T. Semedo-Lemsaddek, M.T. Barreto Crespo and R. Tenreiro. 2009. Occurrence of putative pathogenicity islands in enterococci from distinct species and differing origins. Appl. Env. Microbiol. 75 (22): 7217-7274
  3. A.C. Dourado, P.I. Alves, T. Tenreiro, E.M. Ferreira, R. Tenreiro, P. Fareleira, M.T. Barreto Crespo. 2009. Identification of Sinorhizobium medicae based on a specific genomic sequence unveiled by M13-PCR fingerprinting. Int. Microbiol. 12: 215-210
  4. A.R. Carlos, J. Santos, T. Semedo-Lemsaddek, M.T. Barreto Crespo and R. Tenreiro. 2009. Enterococci from artisanal dairy products show high levels of adaptability. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 129: 194-199
  5. M.F. Silva Lopes, T. Ribeiro, M. Abrantes, J.J. Figueiredo Marques, Rogério Tenreiro, M.T. Barreto Crespo. 2005. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of dairy and clinical isolates and type strains of enterococci. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 103: 191-198
  6. L. L. Pimentel, T. Semedo, R. Tenreiro, M.T. Barreto Crespo, M.M.E. Pintado, F. Xavier Malcata. 2007. Assessment of safety of enterococci isolated throughout traditional Terrincho cheesemaking – virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility. J. Food Prot. 70(9):2161-2167