Enhancing Food Safety in Animal Farms: Advanced Pathogen Detection and Management through Microbial Source Tracking

Microbial epidemiology and food safety are interlinked areas that are crucial in safeguarding agriculture and public health. Farm environments are breeding grounds for a variety of pathogenic microorganisms, including endemic zoonotic bacteria as well as viruses and parasites that significantly impact animal farming systems. The main challenge faced by farmers is the prevention and limitation of zoonotic diseases despite following biosafety protocols.
The field of Microbial Source Tracking (MST) emerges as a promising frontier in detecting and managing the pathways through which harmful pathogens are transmitted within farm environments. Molecular techniques in MST have made major improvements in identifying specific routes of transmission for pathogens, pivotal for mitigating foodborne diseases and animal epidemics. Recent advancements in leveraging open-source big data and web-based analytic platforms further accentuate their potential.

This Research Topic aims to provide an integrative overview of the use of MST analytical methods in farm environments, notably focusing on its application to manage pertinent public health risks.
The primary objective is to advance the understanding and application of MST by exploring how molecular markers, such as specific DNA sequences, can enhance detection and cataloging of species causing contamination. Overcoming current limitations of DNA degradation and contamination issues in sampling and testing, alongside evaluating labor-intensive culture-based methodologies, is vital in expanding its use. Emphasis will be placed on practical insights for farmers and food producers in implementing MST tools to preemptively monitor pathogens prevalence and enable timely interventions, ultimately refining their management practices to promote food safety.

To gather further insights in the confluence of MST techniques and farm-specific challenges, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

o Innovations in DNA-based MST methodologies for pathogen detection.
o MST implementation in diverse farming systems.
o Comparative analysis of molecular versus culture-based pathogen detection.
o Development of user-friendly web-based MST analytic platforms.
o Strategies to mitigate DNA degradation and samples’ contamination effects in MST applications
o Impact of Farm Contaminants on Food Quality and Safety
o Data-Driven Approaches (Artificial Intelligence) in Farm Pathogen Management

We invite authors worldwide to submit articles to advance the understanding and implementation of Microbial Source Tracking techniques in animal farming settings. By sharing diverse insights and innovative methodologies, submissions will play a pivotal role in refining analytical practices to ensure safer farming and food processes.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Microbial Epidemiology, Food Safety, Zoonotic Diseases, Microbial Source Tracking, MST, Molecular Pathogen Detection, Animal Farming Systems

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.