Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques

This paper aims to present the phenotypic characteristics, such as length, width, circular diameter, volume, surface area to cross-sectional area ratio, surface uniformity, and surface texture, of the foodborne pathogens <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Agona, <i>Salmonella enter...

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Main Authors: Ladees Al Hafi, Anthony James Franco, Kaily Kao, Evangelyn C. Alocilja
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Encyclopedia
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/5/2/47
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author Ladees Al Hafi
Anthony James Franco
Kaily Kao
Evangelyn C. Alocilja
author_facet Ladees Al Hafi
Anthony James Franco
Kaily Kao
Evangelyn C. Alocilja
author_sort Ladees Al Hafi
collection DOAJ
description This paper aims to present the phenotypic characteristics, such as length, width, circular diameter, volume, surface area to cross-sectional area ratio, surface uniformity, and surface texture, of the foodborne pathogens <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Agona, <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Enteritidis, <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>. It is a novel “field-guide” presentation of the observable morphological characteristics of these four species in the form of a Dichotomous Key. Phenotypic values of the pathogens were measured using a high-accuracy, nano-level-resolution 3D laser confocal scanning microscope. All samples were fixed with glutaraldehyde and stained with methylene blue, ensuring morphological preservation. The images of the pathogens were captured under various imaging modes, including 3D, laser, and transmission electron microscopy resolutions. Results show that these pathogens exhibit distinct morphological and surface properties, with <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> showing unique features. The dichotomous key shows a simplified way of classifying selected foodborne pathogens from their morphometric properties. The morphometric measurements, in many instances first reported in the literature, and images provide a readily observable way to identify and classify microorganisms, allowing researchers to potentially study evolutionary relationships, assess species diversity, and understand how organisms interact with their environment, especially when genetic information is limited or difficult to obtain.
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spelling doaj-art-5f8c8bb9fe154ff89b945a4ed3d66e112025-08-20T03:27:01ZengMDPI AGEncyclopedia2673-83922025-04-01524710.3390/encyclopedia5020047Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging TechniquesLadees Al Hafi0Anthony James Franco1Kaily Kao2Evangelyn C. Alocilja3Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, Room 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, Room 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, Room 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USADepartment of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Michigan State University, 524 S. Shaw Lane, Room 115 Farrall Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824, USAThis paper aims to present the phenotypic characteristics, such as length, width, circular diameter, volume, surface area to cross-sectional area ratio, surface uniformity, and surface texture, of the foodborne pathogens <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Agona, <i>Salmonella enterica</i> serovar Enteritidis, <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i>, and <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i>. It is a novel “field-guide” presentation of the observable morphological characteristics of these four species in the form of a Dichotomous Key. Phenotypic values of the pathogens were measured using a high-accuracy, nano-level-resolution 3D laser confocal scanning microscope. All samples were fixed with glutaraldehyde and stained with methylene blue, ensuring morphological preservation. The images of the pathogens were captured under various imaging modes, including 3D, laser, and transmission electron microscopy resolutions. Results show that these pathogens exhibit distinct morphological and surface properties, with <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> showing unique features. The dichotomous key shows a simplified way of classifying selected foodborne pathogens from their morphometric properties. The morphometric measurements, in many instances first reported in the literature, and images provide a readily observable way to identify and classify microorganisms, allowing researchers to potentially study evolutionary relationships, assess species diversity, and understand how organisms interact with their environment, especially when genetic information is limited or difficult to obtain.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/5/2/47foodbornepathogensphenotypeslengthwidthsurface texture
spellingShingle Ladees Al Hafi
Anthony James Franco
Kaily Kao
Evangelyn C. Alocilja
Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
Encyclopedia
foodborne
pathogens
phenotypes
length
width
surface texture
title Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
title_full Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
title_fullStr Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
title_full_unstemmed Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
title_short Field Guide: Morphometric Visualization and Characterization of Selected Foodborne Pathogens Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
title_sort field guide morphometric visualization and characterization of selected foodborne pathogens using advanced imaging techniques
topic foodborne
pathogens
phenotypes
length
width
surface texture
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8392/5/2/47
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AT kailykao fieldguidemorphometricvisualizationandcharacterizationofselectedfoodbornepathogensusingadvancedimagingtechniques
AT evangelyncalocilja fieldguidemorphometricvisualizationandcharacterizationofselectedfoodbornepathogensusingadvancedimagingtechniques