Linum usitatissimum L is a widely used traditionally for multiple ailments. The present research was carried out to explore the antimicrobial, and anti-biofilm activity of crude extract of Linum usitatissimum L (Lu. Cr). Phytochemical and proximate analyses were performed. The bandages of diabetic foot patients were collected from the various hospitals. The bandages were cultured to isolate the bacterial strains present on it. The disc diffusion method was used to identify the antimicrobial potential whereas the minimum inhibitory concentration of the Lu.Cr were also determined. Proximate analysis confirms moisture content 8.33%, ash content 4.33%, crude protein 21.20%, crude fat 49.2% and crude fiber 5.63%. It was revealed that Gram-positive bacteria are most prevalent among all study groups. Lu.Cr possess significant bactericidal potential against S. aureus among all other microbes. Owing to this potential, linseed coated bandages can be used alternatively for the treatment of diabetic foot.

The present study describes the microbial examination of the samples of raw minced beef. Samples were tested for total viable count, mould and yeast count, sporeformers and coliforms. Bacterial count was highest in the raw minced beef as 319 × 10 3. Moulds were found present in all the samples while yeasts were found absent in all the samples. Among the sporeformers, aerobic sporeformers were found present in all the samples while anaerobic sporeformers were found absent in few samples. Coliforms were found present in all the samples. Fecal coliforms were found absent in few samples, while non-fecal coliforms were present in all the samples.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is an important edible leguminous oilseed crop. Diseases of groundnut act as the limiting factor to its economic production. Recently, the stem rot caused by Sclerotium rolfsii is becoming severe disease of groundnut in India. Crop Losses up to 59 per cent due to stem rot disease have been reported by many researchers. Hence, to get a preliminary an idea regarding the incidence level and pattern of prevalence of the disease in the agro-ecological condition of northern part of West Bengal, fixed plot and roving survey were conducted at different locations during the crop growing season of 2016-17 and 2017-18. The North Bengal part of West Bengal denotes Jalpaiguri Division (Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong) and Malda division (Uttar Dinajpur, Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda) together. It also includes parts of Darjeeling Hills. Traditionally, the Ganga River divides West Bengal into South Bengal and North Bengal, divided again into Terai and Dooars regions. The pooled analysis of two years data of survey revealed that disease incidence was ranged from 8.16 to 25.89 % and the Alipuduar district had maximum level of disease incidence ranging from 8.16 to 25.89 % followed by Jalpaiguri district 13.41 to 22.49 %, Coochbehar district 11.46 to 18.81%, Darjeeling district 8.25 to 16.26 %, Uttar Dinajpur district 9.36 to 14.71%, Dakhin Dinajpur district 8.91 to 13.67%,.However, Malda district was noticed with less incidence levels ranging from 8.16 to 12.37 %. This study provided an elementary idea about the percent disease incidence (PDI) as well as paved the path for developing location specific good agricultural practices (GAP).

Meat and meat products have been implicated in outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in most parts of the world. A total of 75 samples including 25 samples each of frozen chicken breast fillets, frozen chicken legs and minced frozen beef were randomly collected from retail supermarkets in Assiut, Egypt. In addition, 28 stool cultures collected from hospitalized children admitted in Assiut Pediatric University Hospital with history of diarrhea or fever. All were screened for the presence of E. coli especially E. coli O157:H7. E. coli was detected in 7 (28%), 9 (36%), 7 (28%) and 2 (7.14%) of chicken frozen fillet, chicken frozen leg, minced frozen beef and children stool samples, respectively. Two strains of E. coli O157:H7 were isolated one from each of chicken frozen fillet and chicken frozen leg samples, while it could not be detected in any of minced frozen beef or children stool samples. The two isolated strains were tested for antibiotic resistance. They were found to be resistant to seven antimicrobial agents (cephalexin, doxycycline, erythromycin, nalidixic acid, penicillin G, polymyxin B and rifampicin). The public health significance of this pathogen and consumer's safety were discussed.

Microbial examination of 50 samples of both packed and unpacked butter was carried out. The samples were examined for total viable count, mould and yeast count, spore formers and coliform. The microbial load in the unpacked sample of butter was highest i.e., 3.8 × 10 6 /gm-6.6 × 10 6 /gm. The coliform count was found maximum in unpacked sample and one of the packed sample of butter (Kausar brand) i.e., 39/ml. The unpacked sample of butter contained highest number of aerobic spore formers i.e., 280/gm. The anaerobic spore-formers were found absent in 20 samples of butter and the rest contained in the range of 0-170/gm. The yeast cultures were found only in the sample of Lyallpur and Kausar butter. The mould count of these samples ranged from 0-280/gm.