Comprehensively Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, Improving Food Safety and Achieving the One Health Goals: Global Challenges

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 11745

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Vice Dean for Science & Teaching, Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Agronomy in Čačak, University of Kragujevac, Cara Dušana 34, 32000 Čačak, Serbia
Interests: design and production of healthier and functional food; meat technology; technology of milk and milk products; antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of natural bioactive compounds in food; veterinary medicine
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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Agronomy, University of Kragujevac, Cara Dušana 34, 32000 Čačak, Serbia
Interests: microbiological chemistry; chemistry of natural products; chemistry of carbohydrate foods; biochemistry of plants; biochemistry of primary and secondary metabolites; biotechnology; mechanisms of action of physiologically active substances; protection systems against oxidative damage and antioxidants

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Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Višegradska 33, 18106 Niš, Serbia
Interests: phytochemistry; chromatography; sample preparation; extraction
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Guest Editor
Department of Biomedicine, Technology and Food Safety Research and Development, Institute for Animal Husbandry, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: meat; meat products; chemical; technological and sensory quality
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue (SI) entitled "Comprehensively Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, Improving Food Safety and Achieving the One Health Goals: Global Challenges" is devoted to punctilious and pedantic written, scientifically and expertly based research papers, reviews, and communications.

The objective of this SI is to cover all critical aspects of mitigating the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) challenge and crisis in a comprehensive manner and with due diligence. We expect insightful, efficient, and effective solutions to the enigmatic connection between food safety and antibiotic resistance. We strongly encourage the submission of results of inter-, multi-, and transdisciplinary studies whose research leads to the development and application of strategies for the responsible use of antibiotics in order to prevent their uncontrolled use in veterinary medicine, animal feed production, and in the broadest sense of use in agriculture and aquaculture, assessing the impact of strategic activities on human health. Our goal is to facilitate and enable the implementation of the discussed strategies by nurturing a dynamic and interactive community of authors and readers. We expect and encourage lively debates on the latest research findings and strive to promote new innovative ideas and research paths.

This Special Issue, entitled "Comprehensively Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, Improving Food Safety and Achieving the One Health Goals: Global Challenges", will feature high-quality papers that will highlight the latest, innovative technologies and processes in the design, development, and application of safe conventional, improved, and novel food products.

By creating topics, we make it possible to combine different approaches to research, whose visions and time horizons are as far-reaching as possible. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Influence of AMR on food safety from farm to table;
  • Investigations of the application of antibiotics in the most diverse matrices and contexts of food design and production;
  • Molecular characterization of antibiotic-resistant (MDR, XDR, and PDR strains) in foodborne pathogens;
  • Role of alternatives to antibiotics in mitigating the antimicrobial resistance crisis;
  • Food safety through natural antimicrobials;
  • Probiotics and prebiotics: valuable tool in minimizing AMR;
  • One health approach: human and animal health surveillance and monitoring for multi-drug-resistant organisms; research on contemporary antimicrobial, infection-control, and preventive/therapeutic programs; development and approval of new AMA; and development of rapid diagnostic tests and new vaccines;
  • Training and capacity-building: creation and promotion of different levels of education on AMR and prevention of the uncontrolled, harmful use of antibiotics;
  • Use and misuse of antibiotics: development and spread of AMR;
  • Modern monitoring of antibiotic residues in animal products;
  • Consequences of infections and foodborne diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria;
  • Spread of resistant bacteria and resistance genes from food-producing animals to humans through the food chain;
  • National coordination and international cooperation in the prevention and containment of AMR in the food chain;
  • Regulations for reduced use of antibiotics in animal feed;
  • Dam for a growing problem: holistic intersector cooperation between policymakers and public health, agri-food, and veterinary authorities on food safety and the prevention and containment of AMR.

Manuscripts addressing additional aspects of "Comprehensively Addressing Antimicrobial Resistance, Improving Food Safety and Achieving the One Health Goals: Global Challenges" are also welcomed.

Prof. Dr. Vladimir Kurćubić
Dr. Pavle Mašković
Prof. Dr. Milan Mitić
Dr. Nikola Stanišić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • food safety
  • foodborne pathogens
  • antibiotic residues
  • natural antimicrobials
  • one health

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 281 KB  
Article
Advancing Social Impact in the Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance: Lessons from the Infection Diagnosis Workshop
by Thomas Mayers, C. Kiong Ho, Yuri Ushijima, Le Thuy Thi Nguyen, Le Quang Luan, Nguyen Van Thuan, Osamu Ohneda and Kazuya Morikawa
Antibiotics 2026, 15(1), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15010064 - 7 Jan 2026
Viewed by 739
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat that reduces antibiotic effectiveness and increases healthcare burdens. Countries in the Asia–Pacific region face a particularly high AMR burden, necessitating international collaboration, education, and practical training to combat this growing crisis. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat that reduces antibiotic effectiveness and increases healthcare burdens. Countries in the Asia–Pacific region face a particularly high AMR burden, necessitating international collaboration, education, and practical training to combat this growing crisis. This study describes the design, implementation, and educational outcomes of the Infection Diagnosis Workshop, a short-term international program primarily targeting undergraduate medical sciences students that integrates AMR-focused hands-on clinical microbiology training and lectures, alongside cross-cultural collaboration and scientific English communication. Methods: The Infection Diagnosis Workshop was implemented as a four-day program combining lectures with hands-on laboratory activities. Training emphasizes the detection and analysis of antibiotic-resistant bacteria through environmental sampling, bacterial culturing, phenotypic and genotypic resistance detection, and species identification, core components that have remained consistent since the workshop’s establishment. Students also attended lectures on AMR science, global impact, and management strategies. Group discussions and collaborative tasks encouraged interdisciplinary learning. A thematic analysis of student feedback essays from previous workshop cohorts was conducted to identify key concepts, learning outcomes, and shared experiences. All participants provided informed consent for the use of their written feedback. Results: Thematic analysis revealed key learning outcomes categorized into three themes: (1) Knowledge, Awareness, and Technical Skills; (2) Cultural Understanding and Cross-Cultural Collaboration; and (3) English Language and Communication Skills. Students reported increased AMR knowledge, improved laboratory proficiency, enhanced cultural adaptability, and greater confidence in English communication. They also expressed a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary and international approaches to AMR. Conclusions: The Infection Diagnosis Workshop effectively integrated practical laboratory training with international and cross-cultural engagement. The program strengthened student competencies and contributed to building global partnerships essential for combating AMR. Full article
16 pages, 3895 KB  
Article
Analysis of the Antibiotic-Potentiating Activity, Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) and the Molecular Docking Properties of Phytol Against Multi-Drug-Resistant (MDR) Strains
by José Weverton Almeida-Bezerra, Saulo Almeida Menezes, José Thyálisson da Costa Silva, Simone Galdino de Sousa, Daniel Sampaio Alves, Gabriel Gonçalves Alencar, Isaac Moura Araújo, Ewerton Yago de Sousa Rodrigues, Cícera Datiane de Morais Oliveira-Tintino, Rafael Pereira da Cruz, Janaína Esmeraldo Rocha, Saulo Relison Tintino, José Maria Barbosa-Filho, Maria Flaviana Bezerra Morais-Braga, Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes, António Raposo and Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
Antibiotics 2024, 13(12), 1171; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13121171 - 4 Dec 2024
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3172
Abstract
Background: Phytol is a diterpene from the long-chain unsaturated acyclic alcohols, known for its diverse biological effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Present in essential oils, phytol is a promising candidate for various applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. This study aimed [...] Read more.
Background: Phytol is a diterpene from the long-chain unsaturated acyclic alcohols, known for its diverse biological effects, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. Present in essential oils, phytol is a promising candidate for various applications in the pharmaceutical and biotechnological sectors. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial and drug-potentiating effects of phytol against multidrug-resistant bacteria and to evaluate its in silico properties: ADME and molecular docking. Methods: The in vitro antibacterial activity of phytol and the phytol combined with conventional drugs was evaluated by microdilution tests against standard and resistant bacterial strains. Finally, the SwissADME platform was employed to analyse the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic characteristics of phytol. Results: Phytol significantly reduced the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of norfloxacin and gentamicin required to inhibit multidrug-resistant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Additionally, ADME analysis revealed that phytol exhibits low toxicity and favourable pharmacokinetic properties; in addition, it is revealed through molecular docking that phytol showed a relevant affinity with the proteins 6GJ1 and 5KDR, however, with values lower than the drugs gentamicin and ampicillin. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings suggest that phytol holds potential as an effective adjuvant in combating antimicrobial resistance. Full article
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25 pages, 1319 KB  
Article
Multitarget Phytocomplex: Focus on Antibacterial Profiles of Grape Pomace and Sambucus ebulus L. Lyophilisates Against Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Bacteria and In Vitro Antioxidative Power
by Vladimir S. Kurćubić, Vesna Đurović, Slaviša B. Stajić, Marko Dmitrić, Saša Živković, Luka V. Kurćubić, Pavle Z. Mašković, Jelena Mašković, Milan Mitić, Vladimir Živković and Vladimir Jakovljević
Antibiotics 2024, 13(10), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13100980 - 17 Oct 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Objectives: This study was conceived with the aim of translating the experience and knowledge of the research group into the design and creation of multi-active phytocomplex cocktails from lyophilised winery by-products (Grape Pomace—GP) and weeds (Sambucus ebulus L., Dwarf Elder—DE). Methods: Quantification [...] Read more.
Objectives: This study was conceived with the aim of translating the experience and knowledge of the research group into the design and creation of multi-active phytocomplex cocktails from lyophilised winery by-products (Grape Pomace—GP) and weeds (Sambucus ebulus L., Dwarf Elder—DE). Methods: Quantification of bioactive molecules was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Results: In the extract obtained from lyophilised GP, the most dominant component that was quantified was petunidin-3-glucoside. Prominent compounds that were quantified in DE extract were cyanidin derivatives. The total number of microorganisms in lyophilisates is low, but some of them still survive lyophilisation. Antibacterial activity was determined by microdilution, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the tested bacteria ranged from 0.78 mg/mL to 25.00 mg/mL. Antibacterial susceptibility testing (AST) revealed that Klebsiella spp. and Acinetobacter baumannii complex are extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Conclusions: The GP + DE cocktail showed very strong AB power against both tested XDR bacteria. The total phenolic content and antioxidative effect (determined spectrophotometrically) indicate their linear correlation. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 376 KB  
Review
Safe Meat, Smart Science: Biotechnology’s Role in Antibiotic Residue Removal
by Jovana Novakovic, Isidora Milosavljevic, Maria Stepanova, Galina Ramenskaya and Nevena Jeremic
Antibiotics 2025, 14(12), 1264; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14121264 - 15 Dec 2025
Viewed by 955
Abstract
The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming has led to the persistent issue of antibiotic residues in meat products, raising significant concerns for food safety and public health. These residues can contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a [...] Read more.
The widespread use of antibiotics in livestock farming has led to the persistent issue of antibiotic residues in meat products, raising significant concerns for food safety and public health. These residues can contribute to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global health threat recognized by the World Health Organization. While some regulatory bodies have imposed restrictions on non-therapeutic antibiotic use in animal agriculture, inconsistent global policies continue to hinder unified efforts to reduce AMR risks. This review explores the role of biotechnology in addressing this challenge by offering innovative tools for the detection, degradation, and removal of antibiotic residues from meat. Biotechnological approaches include the use of biosensors, high-throughput screening, enzymatic degradation, microbial bioremediation, genetically engineered bacteria, phage therapy, and phytoremediation. In addition, enabling technologies such as genomics, metagenomics, bioinformatics, and computational modeling support the rational design of targeted interventions. We further examine the integration of these biotechnological strategies within the broader “One Health” framework, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Case studies and recent applications demonstrate the potential of these methods to ensure safer meat production, reduce public health risks, and enhance consumer trust. By focusing on scalable, science-driven solutions, biotechnology offers a promising path toward mitigating antibiotic residues in the food supply and combating the long-term threat of AMR. Full article
18 pages, 331 KB  
Review
Antimicrobial Resistance in Diverse Ecological Niches—One Health Perspective and Food Safety
by Nedjeljko Karabasil, Milica Mirković, Ivan Vićić, Ivana Perić, Nevena Zlatković, Bojana Luković and Ina Gajić
Antibiotics 2025, 14(5), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14050443 - 28 Apr 2025
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3016
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multi-sectoral, systemic, and global issue worldwide. Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key factor in the selection of resistant bacteria within different ecological niches, from agriculture to food-producing animals to humans. There is a question regarding the extent to [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a multi-sectoral, systemic, and global issue worldwide. Antimicrobial use (AMU) is a key factor in the selection of resistant bacteria within different ecological niches, from agriculture to food-producing animals to humans. There is a question regarding the extent to which the use of antibiotics in livestock production and the primary food production sector influences the selection and transmission of resistant bacteria and/or resistant genes throughout the food chain and thus contributes to the complexity in the development of AMR in humans. Although the trends in the prevalence of foodborne pathogens have changed over time, the burden of ecological niches with resistance genes, primarily in commensal microorganisms, is of concern. The implementation of the harmonized surveillance of AMU and AMR would provide comprehensive insights into the actual status of resistance and further interventions leading to its reduction. Tracking AMR in different ecological niches by applying advanced genome-based techniques and developing shared AMR data repositories would strengthen the One Health concept. Full article
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