The objective of this study was to find an efficient, rapid, simple, and cost-effective method of pretreating raw milk samples to produce PCR-ready DNA for subsequent microbial detection using the strains of eight bacterial species. A total of 17 in-house protocols and three commercial kits were evaluated in three steps from scientific, practical, and economic perspectives. The results showed that an in-house procedure involving Triton X-100-based pretreatment and an inhibitor removal resin was superior to all other methods tested in terms of DNA yield, sensitivity, ease of sample handling, time efficiency, and cost per sample. Overall, this simplified preanalytical protocol was shown to have a great potential for use in rapid detection of dairy-related bacterial species, thereby enabling early intervention in the food chain and thus reducing the risk of negative economic and health outcomes.

Systematic studies on 70 MACC isolates previously identified as ‘Chlamydomonas’, a unicellular flagellate, were carried out based on partial 18S rRNA. The aim of this study was to determine the phylogenetic affiliations of Chlamydomonas strains in the MACC collection. The study found that most of the strains were not Chlamydomonas. Nine clusters of phylogenetically similar taxa were identified. The previous determinations were completed with their new phylogenetic affiliations (partly due to changes in green algae classification). Molecular data revealed that 3 of the 70 strains are from Arenicolinia, 14 are members of the phylogroup Stephanosphaerinia, 11 are Oogamochlamydinia, 1 is Chloromonadinia, 19 are Reinhardtinia, 2 are Polytominia, 9 are Scenedesmaceae, 5 are Moewusinia, and 6 are Chlorella. Clades were established by 18S rRNA similarity and p-distances. This study reveals the need to revise established culture collections whose isolates are solely identified with morphology.

Study on 37 MACC isolates previously identified as “Anabaena,” a freshwater filamentous heterocytous taxon, were carried out using the 16S rRNA. The study found that most of the strains were misidentified at genus level. Three clusters of phylogenetically and morphologically similar taxa were identified. The previous determinations were amended with their new taxonomic classifications (partly due to changes in cyanobacterial classification). Some morphological structures could not be found in the cultures (e.g. akinetes). Molecular data revealed that 6 of the 37 strains are Desmonostoc, 8 are members of the genus Nostoc, 19 strains bear genetic resemblance to the genus Trichormus and 4 strains remain unresolved. Clades were established by 16S rRNA similarity and p-distances. The goal of this study was to amend the strain designations in this collection. This study reveals the necessity to revisit established culture collections that originally used only morphological classifications for species identification.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a highly variable arterivirus that causes major economic losses in swine production and requires reliable molecular diagnostics for surveillance and eradication programs. We developed and validated a one-step multiplex RT-qPCR assay for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of Betaarterivirus europensis (PRRSV-1), Betaarterivirus americense (PRRSV-2), and the highly pathogenic L8 lineage of PRRSV-2, together with an RNA internal control in a single reaction. Short LNA-modified probes were designed to target conserved yet discriminatory sequence motifs, improving specificity and supporting multiplex detection. Analytical performance was evaluated using spiked swine serum, naturally positive samples, and independent laboratory testing against a commercial comparator. The assay showed excellent linearity across all channels (R² = 0.99) and low detection limits of 13–26 copies per reaction at 95% detection probability. Robustness testing, including 2 h bench exposure and a 3°C thermocycler shift, produced negligible Cq changes, while a 1,000-fold competitor challenge indicated minimal cross-reactivity. Intra- and inter-assay variability were low, qualitative agreement with the comparator was 100%, and reagents remained stable for 30 weeks and after up to 10 freeze–thaw cycles. This LNA-based multiplex RT-qPCR assay provides a sensitive, specific, and operationally convenient tool for PRRSV surveillance and control programs.