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The first approach will focus on the biopreservation and safety of food by protective strains and their metabolites. The use of bacteria as natural bioconservation agents (protective cultures), able to control the food ecosystem at the expense of unwanted species (pathogenic flora and spoilage), represents an emerging, innovative and complex technology. In addition to the selection of protective lactic acid bacteria, metabolites produced by them, including bacteriocins can be exploited for their inhibitory power. The impact of the protective cultures and / or their bacteriocins on the microbiota of these foods will be determined.

In the same way, sensory, organoleptic and physicochemical evaluations will also be carried out. Special attention will be paid to local products. In addition, under perfectly controlled biosecurity conditions, the risk of Clostridium botulinum in foods with reduced salt content and preservative-type food additives and the control of certain zoonotic agents (Clostridium perfringens and Vibrio sp) will be studied.

In a complementary manner the modulation of the intestinal microbiota and rational use of antibiotics in animal health will also be studied. This research project will aim to develop a porcine gastrointestinal model to study the impact of different co-products or microorganisms on the intestinal health of the piglet at weaning. This project will aim to provide alternatives to antibiotics in animal production, this in a concept of "One Health" to promote the fight against antimicrobial resistance and restore intestinal health.

Projects on the human gut microbiota will also be conducted to test the effect of probiotic bacteria and complex oligosaccharides of human or animal origin on the intestinal microbiota of young children, adults and seniors. In addition, novel concepts for the control of Escherichia coli strains resistant to polymyxines will be developed. These will be based on the use of active molecules generated in theme 1. The effectiveness of these molecules can largely be increased by nanoparticles, a technology that is increasingly popular in the treatment of bacterial infections.