销售期间鲜切蔬菜的安全性评价

以超市销售的21种鲜切蔬菜为材料,对其菌落总数、大肠菌群、单增李斯特、亚硝酸盐、亚硫酸盐、防腐剂等安全指标进行检测。结果显示,鲜切蔬菜的菌落总数及大肠菌群数距即食要求明显偏高,某些鲜切蔬菜检出单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌、苯甲酸、山梨酸,表明市场销售的鲜切蔬菜存在一定的安全性问题,多数产品不符合直接食用要求。     

2016—2020年上海市市售即食食品微生物污染状况分析及评价

目的 了解上海市市售即食食品中微生物污染情况,及时发现食品安全隐患,为即食食品风险评估、管理和标准制定提供科学依据。方法 2016-2020 年共采集上海市即食食品20类共10 521份食品样品,对菌落总数、大肠埃希氏菌计数2种卫生指示菌和副溶血性弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、致泻大肠埃希氏菌、沙门氏菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌、单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌（以下简称单增李斯特菌）6种食源性致病菌进行定量或定性检验,并分析卫生指示菌和食源性致病菌污染水平及关联性。结果 凉拌米面制品、沙拉、中式凉拌菜的指示菌污染水平较高,菌落总数均值分别为（5.13±1.43）lgCFU/g、（4.56±1.13）lgCFU/g、（4.26±1.75）lgCFU/g;大肠埃希氏菌计数分别为（1.20±1.00）lgCFU/g、（1.47±1.41）lgCFU/g、（1.18±1.06）lgCFU/g。冷锅串串、沙拉、中式凉拌菜、熟肉制品中单增李斯特菌检出率较高,分别为6.27%、3.36%、2.71%、2.69%;副溶血性弧菌仅在生食动物性水产品（3.65%）、中式凉拌菜（2.58%）、熟肉制品（0.42%）中检出;米面制品中蜡样芽孢杆菌（7.51%）显著高于寿司（0.53%）（P<0.05）。菌落总数均值与大肠埃希氏菌计数均值呈极显著正相关（P<0.001）;菌落总数均值与致病菌样品阳性率呈显著正相关（P<0.05）。结论 上海市生食食物、凉拌、夹心等最后一步加工工艺非加热的即食食品,卫生指示菌和致病菌污染水平较高,食源性致病风险较高,应重点防范。固体即食食品菌落总数计数水平与食源性致病菌污染状况存在相关性。     

北京五城区零售鲜切果蔬中重要食源性致病菌污染与耐药性研究

目的 为探究鲜切果蔬中食源性致病菌污染及耐药现状,采集北京五城区零售鲜切果蔬样品进行重要食源性致病菌检测及耐药性研究。方法 本研究采用食品微生物检验国家标准方法,分别检测金黄色葡萄球菌、沙门氏菌、单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌和大肠埃希氏菌,对目标菌分离株进行耐药性测定,并通过荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(PCR)方法筛查致泻大肠埃希氏菌。结果 北京市五城区零售326份鲜切果蔬样品中,金黄色葡萄球菌、单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌、沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌和肠道集聚性大肠埃希氏菌的污染率分别为15.34%、1.84%、0%、 9.51%和1.23%。本研究分离所得50株金黄色葡萄球菌主要对青霉素和苯唑西林耐药,耐药率分别是90.00%和48.00%,31株大肠埃希氏菌主要对复方新诺明和氨苄西林耐药,耐药率为67.74％和64.50％,4株肠道集聚性大肠埃希氏菌均呈现多重耐药现象,而6株单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌对10种受试抗生素全部敏感。结论 本研究初步掌握了北京五城区零 售鲜切果蔬中重要食源性致病菌污染和耐药现状,可为制定食源性疾病防控策略提供科学的实验依据。     

多重PCR联合同源加尾技术检测四种食源性致病菌

[目的]建立快速、准确检测食品中沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌0157、副溶血性弧菌、单增李斯特菌的多重荧光PCR方法。[方法]分别以沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌0157、副溶血性弧菌和单增李斯特菌的fimY、rfbE、ToxR和hly作为靶基因,将上下游引物采用同源加尾的方式,构建四重荧光PCR体系,分析该体系的特异性、灵敏度,并进行模拟污染实验,将该方法与国家标准检测方法进行方法比对实验。[结果]该体系成功地检测出了四种目标致病菌。初始菌浓度分别为2、3、8、1CFU／m1的沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌0157、副溶血性弧菌和单增李斯特菌增菌液,在增菌18h后均被检出。[结论]采用同源加尾的方法成功构建了同时检测四种致病菌的多重荧光PCR方法,该方法特异性强、灵敏度高。     

壳聚糖-普鲁兰多糖复合抗菌保鲜膜对冷鲜牛肉的保鲜效果

开发了一种适用于冷鲜牛肉保鲜的具有抗菌功能的可食性抗菌保鲜膜。将4 mg/mL的ε-聚赖氨酸(ε-PL)添加到壳聚糖-普鲁兰多糖溶液中,制备具抗菌功能的可食性复合抗菌保鲜膜,并验证该保鲜膜具有良好的理化特性和抗菌效果。冷鲜牛肉贮藏过程中优势致病菌(大肠O157:H7,单增李斯特菌和沙门氏菌)和菌落总数等指标检测结果表明,贮藏9天,对照组菌落总数就达到8.09 lg(CFU/g),而处理组增长较缓慢,第13天为5.94lg (CFU/g)。贮藏末期,处理组大肠O157:H7、单增李斯特菌和沙门氏菌较对照组分别减少了5.12,4.47 lg(CFU/cm2)和5.54 lg(CFU/cm2)。通过比较分析冷鲜牛肉贮藏过程中感官、质地、挥发性盐基氮(TVBN)、pH值、色度指标(a*/b*)等指标,表明该膜对于减缓冷鲜牛肉品质劣变具有显著效果。该保鲜膜对于控制牛肉品质劣变、延长货架期具有良好效果。     

茶多酚对三文鱼保鲜效果研究

三文鱼肉质鲜美,富含多不饱和脂肪酸,营养价值高。以菌落总数、金黄色葡萄球菌、副溶血弧菌、单核增生李斯特氏菌、沙门氏菌、大肠埃希氏菌菌落数为指标,研究茶多酚在4℃条件下对三文鱼生鱼片的保鲜效果。结果表明:茶多酚具有良好的抑菌作用,8 mg/m L浓度下,浸泡处理的三文鱼生鱼片的各项菌落指标均明显低于对照组,试验组的鱼片保鲜时间与对照组相比,可延长72 h以上,金黄色葡萄球菌和副溶血弧菌是引起三文鱼片变质的主要微生物。     

中央厨房熟肉制品的卫生状况调查分析

为了解广州及周边地区中央厨房熟肉制品的卫生状况,2017年对广州、佛山、东莞、中山、惠州和台山等6个区域的21家中央厨房企业单位共调查熟肉制品70批次,分别开展菌落总数、大肠埃希氏菌、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希氏菌O157和单核细胞增生李斯特氏菌6项微生物指标的检验。结果显示,本次调查的中央厨房熟肉制品卫生状况总体情况运行良好,但仍然存在着微生物污染等风险安全隐患问题,有必要持续对中央厨房熟肉制品实行监测管控。     

鲜切果蔬中食源性致病菌污染研究进展

鲜切果蔬是一种新型果蔬加工产品,通过分级、整理、清洗、切分、去皮（核）、修整、保鲜和包装等加工程序制成的即食食品,有“新鲜、营养、方便、安全”的特点。然而在加工过程中,机械加工手段易使鲜切果蔬受食源性致病菌侵染,导致食源性疾病的暴发,制约了鲜切产业的发展。本文旨在调查研究即食鲜切果蔬中主要引起食源性疾病的五种食源性致病菌,即：金黄色葡萄球菌、沙门氏菌、单核细胞增生性李斯特菌、大肠埃希菌、志贺氏菌属为目标菌的污染情况,对即食鲜切果蔬污染途径做出分析并提出防控措施建议,以保障鲜切果蔬食品安全,降低食源性致病菌的健康风险。     

干燥型荧光PCR试剂盒检测食源性致病菌研究

目的研究干燥型荧光PCR试剂盒检测副溶血性弧菌、大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7和单增李斯特菌3种食源性致病菌的灵敏度、特异性和检测人工污染样品情况。方法目标菌和非目标菌接种至血平板, 36℃培养过夜,目标菌比浊至0.5 McF(麦氏单位), 10倍连续稀释后提取DNA,进行灵敏度研究;非目标菌直接提取DNA后检测,进行特异性研究;用高、中、低3个浓度目标菌液人工污染食品样品,按国标方法培养后用干燥型荧光PCR试剂盒检测。结果副溶血性弧菌、大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7和单增李斯特菌的最低检测浓度分别为140、380和7900 CFU/mL。3种目标菌人工污染食品样品的最低检测浓度分别为1.2 CFU/25 g、5.1CFU/25 g、10 CFU/25 g。每种试剂盒仅对目标菌株的检测结果呈阳性,非目标菌株均呈阴性。结论新型干燥型荧光PCR检测试剂盒具有较好的灵敏度和良好的特异性,适用于食品中副溶血性弧菌、大肠埃希氏菌O157:H7和单增李斯特菌的检测。     

加工和贮藏期间鲜切生菜品质变化研究

目的探索鲜切生菜加工贮藏期间品质和安全性随加工过程和贮藏时间的变化,为鲜切生菜安全性评价提供参考。方法本实验以生菜为材料,鲜切后顺序采用自来水、150 mg/L和50 mg/L NaClO进行多级清洗处理,沥干包装后分别贮藏于4℃和25℃,检测贮藏期间微生物(菌落总数、大肠菌群、单增李斯特氏菌)、生理生化(呼吸强度、色差、抗坏血酸、丙二醛、超氧阴离子)和品质(亚硝酸盐)等因子,探索它们随加工过程和贮藏时间的变化。结果研究显示,减灭菌处理有效地降低了鲜切生菜微生物总数;4℃低温能有效地抑制微生物的增长、控制鲜切生菜的呼吸强度、延缓衰老腐败、显著降低了亚硝酸盐、超氧阴离子和丙二醛等产生。结论 NaClO多级清洗能有效减少微生物总数,低温有利于鲜切生菜的保鲜和安全性保持。     

Comparison of the attachment of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella typhimurium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens to lettuce leaves

Attachment of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Pseudomonas fluorescens on iceberg lettuce was evaluated by plate count and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). Attachment of each microorganism (approximately 10(8) CFU/ml) on the surface and the cut edge of lettuce leaves was determined. E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes attached preferentially to cut edges, while P. fluorescens attached preferentially to the intact surfaces. Differences in attachment at the two sites were greatest with L. monocytogenes. Salmonella Typhimurium attached equally to the two sites. At the surface, P. fluorescens attached in greatest number, followed by E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium. Attached microorganisms on lettuce were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate and visualized by CSLM. Images at the surface and the cut edge of lettuce confirmed the plate count data. In addition, microcolony formation by P. fluorescens was observed on the lettuce surface. Some cells of each microorganism at the cut edge were located within the lettuce tissues, indicating that penetration occurred from the cut edge surface. The results of this study indicate that different species of microorganisms attach differently to lettuce structures, and CSLM can be successfully used to detect these differences.     

A survey of iceberg lettuce for the presence of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in Japan

No information has been available on the prevalence of pathogens in fresh produce in Japan. In the present study, information was collected on the occurrence of contamination by Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in iceberg lettuce in a Japanese retail store. A total of 419 samples of lettuce that had been harvested in different districts and/or by different producers from July 2008 to March 2009 were examined. A multiplex PCR method was used to simultaneously identify the three bacterial pathogens. No pathogenic bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes, were detected from any of the samples with this highly sensitive and validated procedure. The aerobic bacteria plate counts and coliform bacteria counts in lettuce throughout the examination period did not show any seasonal trends, and the numbers were comparable to those reported by others from around the world. Based on the results of this study, we concluded that none of the three major pathogens were present in this limited survey of iceberg lettuce sold by a retailer in Japan.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serotype enteritidis,and Listeria monocytogenes on lettuce by hydrogen peroxide and lactic acid and by hydrogen peroxide with mild heat

Iceberg lettuce is a major component in vegetable salad and has been associated with many outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. In this study, several combinations of lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide were tested to obtain effective antibacterial activity without adverse effects on sensory characteristics. A five-strain mixture of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes was inoculated separately onto fresh-cut lettuce leaves, which were later treated with 1.5% lactic acid plus 1.5% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at 40 degrees C for 15 min, 1.5% lactic acid plus 2% H2O2 at 22 degrees C for 5 min, and 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C for 60 or 90 s. Control lettuce leaves were treated with deionized water under the same conditions. A 4-log reduction was obtained for lettuce treated with the combinations of lactic acid and H2O2 for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis, and a 3-log reduction was obtained for L. monocytogenes. However, the sensory characteristics of lettuce were compromised by these treatments. The treatment of lettuce leaves with 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C was effective not only in reducing pathogenic bacteria but also in maintaining good sensory quality for up to 15 days. A < or = 4-log reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis was achieved with the 2% H2O2 treatment, whereas a 3-log reduction of L. monocytogenes was obtained. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between pathogen population reductions obtained with 2% H2O2 with 60- and 90-s exposure times. Hydrogen peroxide residue was undetectable (the minimum level of sensitivity was 2 ppm) on lettuce surfaces after the treated lettuce was rinsed with cold water and centrifuged with a salad spinner. Hence, the treatment of lettuce with 2% H2O2 at 50 degrees C for 60 s is effective in initially reducing substantial populations of foodborne pathogens and maintaining high product quality.     

Evaluation of gaseous chlorine dioxide as a sanitizer for killing Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and yeasts and molds on fresh and fresh-cut produce

Gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) was evaluated for effectiveness in killing Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut lettuce, cabbage, and carrot and Salmonella, yeasts, and molds on apples, peaches. tomatoes, and onions. Inoculum (100 microl, ca. 6.8 log CFU) containing five serotypes of Salmonella enterica, five strains of E. coli O157:H7, or five strains of L. monocytogenes was deposited on the skin and cut surfaces of fresh-cut vegetables, dried for 30 min at 22 degrees C, held for 20 h at 4 degrees C, and then incubated for 30 min at 22 degrees C before treatment. The skin surfaces of apples, peaches, tomatoes, and onions were inoculated with 100 microl of a cell suspension (ca. 8.0 log CFU) containing five serotypes of Salmonella, and inoculated produce was allowed to dry for 20 to 22 h at 22 degrees C before treatment. Treatment with ClO2 at 4.1 mg/liter significantly (alpha = 0.05) reduced the population of foodborne pathogens on all produce. Reductions resulting from this treatment were 3.13 to 4.42 log CFU/g for fresh-cut cabbage, 5.15 to 5.88 log CFU/g for fresh-cut carrots, 1.53 to 1.58 log CFU/g for fresh-cut lettuce, 4.21 log CFU per apple, 4.33 log CFU per tomato, 1.94 log CFU per onion, and 3.23 log CFU per peach. The highest reductions in yeast and mold populations resulting from the same treatment were 1.68 log CFU per apple and 2.65 log CFU per peach. Populations of yeasts and molds on tomatoes and onions were not significantly reduced by treatment with 4.1 mg/liter ClO2. Substantial reductions in populations of pathogens on apples, tomatoes, and onions but not peaches or fresh-cut cabbage, carrot, and lettuce were achieved by treatment with gaseous ClO2 without markedly adverse effects on sensory qualities.     

Evaluation of a polymerase chain reaction-based system for detection of Salmonella enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria spp., and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh fruits and vegetables

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based detection system, BAX, was evaluated for its sensitivity in detecting Salmonella Enteritidis, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria sp., and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh produce. Fifteen different types of produce (alfalfa sprouts, green peppers, parsley, white cabbage, radishes, onions, carrots, mushrooms, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, apples, and oranges) were inoculated, in separate studies, with Salmonella Enteritidis, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes down to the predicted level of 1 CFU per 25-g sample. Detection by BAX was compared to recovery of the inoculated bacteria by culture methods according to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM). BAX was essentially as sensitive as the culture-based method in detecting Salmonella Enteritidis and L. monocytogenes and more sensitive than the culture-based method for the detection of E. coli O157:H7 on green pepper, carrot, radish, and sprout samples. Detection of the pathogenic bacteria in samples spiked with a predicted number of less than 10 CFU was possible for most produce samples, but both methods failed to detect L. monocytogenes on carrot samples and one of two mushroom and onion samples spiked with less than 100 CFU. Both BAX and the culture method were also unable to consistently recover low numbers of E. coli O157:H7 from alfalfa sprouts. The PCR method allowed detection of Salmonella Enteritidis, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes at least 2 days earlier than the conventional culture methods.     

INHIBITION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES AND OTHER BACTERIA BY A PLANT ESSENTIAL OIL (DMC) IN SPANISH SOFT CHEESE

The inhibitory effects of a mixture of plant essential oils (DMC) were tested in culture media and Spanish soft cheese. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined in plate count agar and tryptose broth, with pH adjusted to 6.5, against Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Staphylococcus aureus, Lactobacillus brevis, Micrococcus luteus, Salmonella cholerasuis, Escherichia coli O157:H7 , Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens. The mixture of essential oils inhibited all Gram-positive bacteria tested at 40 ppm, but higher concentrations were needed to inhibit Gram-negative bacteria, and no inhibitory effect was found against Ps. fluorescens. The effects of DMC against L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were evaluated in Spanish soft cheese (Queso Fresco, pH=6.5) stored at 7C. DMC had a bacteriostatic effect against L. monocytogenes at concentrations of 2500 ppm but was ineffective to control the growth of E. coli O157:H7 .     

Antimicrobial activity of plant extracts against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh lettuce

Plant extracts have been found to be effective in reducing microorganisms. This study evaluated antimicrobial activity of 12 plant extracts against Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes by using a disk diffusion assay, and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) showed the highest inhibitory effect. To investigate the efficacy of clove extract that inactivates pathogens on lettuce, inoculated lettuce with S. Typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes was treated with diluted clove extracts or distilled water for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 10 min. Clove extract treatment significantly reduced populations of the 3 tested pathogens from the surface of lettuce. Practical Application: This result indicated that clove extract is a useful antimicrobial agent to reduce the microbial level of foodborne pathogens on fresh lettuce. It also might be a natural antimicrobial for reducing or replacing chemical sanitizers in food preservation.     

Microbiological quality of fresh, minimally-processed fruit and vegetables, and sprouts from retail establishments

A survey of fresh and minimally-processed fruit and vegetables, and sprouts was conducted in several retail establishments in the Lleida area (Catalonia, Spain) during 2005-2006 to determine whether microbial contamination, and in particular potentially pathogenic bacteria, was present under these commodities. A total of 300 samples--including 21 ready-to-eat fruits, 28 whole fresh vegetables, 15 sprout samples and 237 ready-to-eat salads containing from one to six vegetables--were purchased from 4 supermarkets. They were tested for mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic counts, yeasts and moulds, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, presumptive E. coli and Listeria monocytogenes counts as well as for the presence of Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, Yersinia enterocolitica and thermotolerant Campylobacter. Results for the fresh-cut vegetables that we analyzed showed that, in general, the highest microorganism counts were associated with grated carrot, arugula and spinach (7.8, 7.5 and 7.4 log cfu g(-1) of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms; 6.1, 5.8 and 5.2 log cfu g(-1) of yeast and moulds; 5.9, 4.0 and 5.1 log cfu g(-1) lactic acid bacteria and 6.2, 5.3 and 6.0 log cfu g(-1) of Enterobacteriaceae). The lowest counts were generally associated with fresh-cut endive and lettuce (6.2 and 6.3 log cfu g(-1) of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms; 4.4 and 4.6 log cfu g(-1) of yeast and moulds; 2.7 and 3.8 log cfu g(-1) lactic acid bacteria and 4.8 and 4.4 log cfu g(-1) of Enterobacteriaceae). Counts of psychrotrophic microorganisms were as high as those of mesophilic microorganisms. Microbiological counts for fresh-cut fruit were very low. Sprouts were highly contaminated with mesophilic (7.9 log cfu g(-1)), psychrotrophic microorganisms (7.3 log cfu g(-1)) and Enterobacteriaceae (7.2 log cfu g(-1)) and showed a high incidence of E. coli (40% of samples). Of the samples analyzed, four (1.3%) were Salmonella positive and two (0.7%) harboured L. monocytogenes. None of the samples was positive for E. coli O157:H7, pathogenic Y. enterocolitica or thermotolerant Campylobacter.     

A field study of the microbiological quality of fresh produce

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that foodborne disease outbreaks associated with fruits and vegetables increased during the past decade. This study was conducted to characterize the routes of microbial contamination in produce and to identify areas of potential contamination from production through postharvest handling. We report here the levels of bacterial indicator organisms and the prevalence of selected pathogens in produce samples collected from the southern United States. A total of 398 produce samples (leafy greens, herbs, and cantaloupe) were collected through production and the packing shed and assayed by enumerative tests for total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, total Enterococcus, and Escherichia coli. These samples also were analyzed for Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7. Microbiological methods were based on methods recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For all leafy greens and herbs, geometric mean indicator levels ranged from 4.5 to 6.2 log CFU/g (aerobic plate count); less than 1 to 4.3 log CFU/g (coliforms and Enterococcus); and less than 1 to 1.5 log CFU/g (E. coli). In many cases, indicator levels remained relatively constant throughout the packing shed, particularly for mustard greens. However, for cilantro and parsley, total coliform levels increased during the packing process. For cantaloupe, microbial levels significantly increased from field through packing, with ranges of 6.4 to 7.0 log CFU/g (aerobic plate count); 2.1 to 4.3 log CFU/g (coliforms); 3.5 to 5.2 log CFU/g (Enterococcus); and less than 1 to 2.5 log CFU/g (E. coli). The prevalence of pathogens for all samples was 0, 0, and 0.7% (3 of 398) for L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella, respectively. This study demonstrates that each step from production to consumption may affect the microbial load of produce and reinforces government recommendations for ensuring a high-quality product.     

USE OF MALIC ACID AND OTHER QUALITY STABILIZING COMPOUNDS TO ASSURE THE SAFETY OF FRESH-CUT "FUJI" APPLES BY INACTIVATION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES, SALMONELLA ENTERITIDIS AND ESCHERICHIA COLI O157:H7

The effectiveness of malic acid in combination with physicochemical quality stabilizing compounds to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7 inoculated in fresh-cut "Fuji" apples packaged in air and stored at 5C was evaluated. Apple pieces were immersed for 1 min in solutions containing 1% w/v N-acetyl-L-cysteine, 1% w/v glutathione and 1% w/v calcium lactate with and without 2.5% w/v D-L malic acid to control apple browning, softening and reduce the populations of pathogenic microorganisms. Fresh-cut apples dipped in each solution were then inoculated with L. monocytogenes, S. Enteritidis or E. coli O157:H7 . The use of malic acid in combination with physicochemical quality stabilizing compounds caused more than 5 log₁₀ cfu/g of L. monocytogenes, S. Enteritidis and E. coli O157:H7 counts. The results obtained in this work pointed out the potential use of malic acid in combination with physicochemical quality stabilizing compounds as a good alternative for safety assurance of fresh-cut apples.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The use of organic acids such as malic acid, as well as physicochemical quality stabilizing compounds such as N-acetyl-L-cysteine, glutathione and calcium lactate on fresh-cut fruits can benefit the fresh-cut products industry, since they can assure the safety and quality of these products. The main reason for their suitability is their natural origin, thus resulting in fruits that are both attractive and healthy for the consumers who demand fresh-like products.