Detection of Bacterial Internalization in Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) Leaves Grown in Aquaponic Systems with Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Under Microbial Challenge
The findings indicate that conventional culture-based methods may produce false-positive results and highlight the importance of molecular confirmation. Notably, pathogenic bacteria associated with tilapia were detected and appeared capable of disseminating through the system and internalizing into lettuce tissues. This result highlights the need for biosecurity measures, contamination monitoring, and the combined use of conventional and molecular diagnostic tools to ensure accurate pathogen detection and compliance with international food safety standards.
Authors
- Brunno da Silva Cerozi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3520-0793)
- Sebastian Wilson Chenyambuga (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1045-0083)
- Angélica Adiação Jossefa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3879-1816)
- Leonildo dos Anjo Viagem (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3719-5502)
- Karoline Moreira Barbuio
Institutions
- Eduardo Mondlane University (MZ)
- Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
- Lúrio University (MZ)
- Southern African Centre for Infectious Disease Surveillance (TZ)
- Sokoine University of Agriculture (TZ)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Biology
- Published
- 2026-03-31
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/biology15070559
- Primary Topic
- Innovations in Aquaponics and Hydroponics Systems
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Carnegie Corporation of New York
- Universidade de São Paulo