Difference between chitosan and oligochitosan in growth of Monilinia fructicola and control of brown rot in peach fruit

Chitosan (CS) and oligochitosan (OCS), as natural antifungal agents, have been primarily used as alternatives to synthetic chemical fungicides to control postharvest diseases of fruits. The effectiveness of these two agents on the growth of Monilinia fructicola to control brown rot has not yet been reported. Both spore germination and mycelial growth of M. fructicola were strongly inhibited by CS and OCS treatments in this study. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of both agents was more obvious on mycelial growth than on spore germination. By comparison of the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each, OCS treatment conferred a little better inhibitory effect on fungal growth in vitro, but the effectiveness of both treatments on brown rot control in peach fruit stored at 25 °C was very similar. The integrity of the plasma membrane of CS- or OCS-treated spores was obviously lower than that of the control. Cytoplasm leakage was significantly higher in chitosan-treated mycelia than that of the control. These results suggest that both chitosan and oligochitosan used in this study are promising natural fungicides for control of brown rot of peach.     

Effect of Pichia membranaefaciens combined with salicylic acid on controlling brown rot in peach fruit and the mechanisms involved

BACKGROUND: Fruits are usually stored at low temperature to slow physiological metabolism, maintain quality and extend storage life. However, brown rot caused by Monilinia fructicola often occurs in peach fruit at low temperature, resulting in serious losses. As a promising alternative to the use of synthetic fungicides, the antagonistic yeast Pichia membranaefaciens showed a potential effect on controlling post‐harvest brown rot. To improve biocontrol efficacy of the yeast against fungal pathogen, the biocontrol efficacy of P. membranaefaciens combined with salicylic acid (SA) in inhibiting brown rot in peach fruit caused by M. fructicola was investigated. RESULTS: As compared to P. membranaefaciens used alone, the yeast combined with SA significantly reduced lesion diameter caused by M. fructicola, and increased the activities of chitinase, β‐1,3‐glucanase and peroxidase (POD), as well as enhanced the expressions of chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase genes in peach fruit. Moreover, SA at 2 mmol concentration did not affect yeast growth, but inhibited pathogen growth. CONCLUSION: The mechanism by which SA enhances the biocontrol efficacy of the antagonistic yeast against brown rot may be related to inducing biochemical defence responses in peach fruit, and a moderate inhibitory effect of SA on growth of M. fructicola. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fate of Escherichia coli in apple and reduction of its growth using the postharvest biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA‐1

BACKGROUND: Generally, acidic fruits and fruit juices are considered ‘safe’ from a microbiological point of view. However, some outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have been linked to the consumption of unpasteurised cider. The aim of this work was to study the survival of Escherichia coli in apple juice, wounds and flesh and on apple surfaces at different temperatures and to determine the effect of the fungal biocontrol agent Candida sake CPA‐1 against the colonisation of apple by E. coli. RESULTS: Trials were conducted with a mixture of five strains of E. coli isolated from apples. E. coli was unable to grow in apple juice at 5, 15 and 25 °C but survived. At 10 °C and above, E. coli thrived in fresh‐cut apple and wounds. At 5 °C it survived in apple wounds after 27 days of storage and after 21 days in fresh‐cut apples. When E. coli was inoculated in apple wounds together with the yeast antagonist C. sake, its growth was reduced by approximately 1 log cfu wound^?1 at 25 °C. At 5 °C no effect of the biocontrol agent was observed. CONCLUSION: Despite the low pH of apple, a rapid increase in the bacterial population is possible if the temperature is not kept low enough. The biocontrol agent C. sake, developed to prevent fruit decay during storage, could also reduce E. coli growth in wounded apples at abusive temperatures. This would represent an additional benefit of using this biocontrol agent when applied to control postharvest diseases. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Overcoming adverse effects of hailnets on fruit quality and microclimate in an apple orchard

BACKGROUND: With the increase of hailstorms as a possible result of global warming, fruit crops are increasingly grown under hailnets. This results in lesser fruit quality in terms of colouration, fruit mass, firmness, starch and taste, i.e. sugar and acid, and vitamin content under hailnet due to altered microclimate and light deprivation. Reflective mulches (Extenday and Daybright) were spread in autumn 2006 to improve fruit quality and light utilisation under hailnet at Klein‐Altendorf Research Station near Bonn, Germany. A monophosphate (Seniphos) was applied twice for the same purpose; untreated apple cv. ‘Elstar’ trees served as control. RESULTS: Under the translucent, ‘white’ hailnet, humidity was increased by ca. 6%, air temperature reduced by ca. 1.6 °C, soil temperature increased by ca. 0.5 °C and light reduced by 11–15% resulting in lesser fruit quality of 2.5% less sugar and less taste. The two reflective mulches increased light reflection at 45° and 90° angles by 2.5‐ to 6.3‐fold. No differences in fruit ripening and firmness were observed, but fruit from trees under hailnet with reflective mulch contained up to 2.4% (from 13.3 to 15.7%) more sugar than those of the control (uncovered grass alleys). A less negative normalised differential vegetation index (NDVI) of ? 0.3 on the red compared with ? 0.5 on the green fruit side indicated more chlorophyll in the outer, sun‐exposed, red side of the apples relative to the shaded side. Monophosphate‐treated fruits maintained the peel chlorophyll with a greener ground colour of 92–97° hue and a NDVI of ? 0.3 as in the grassed control. Fruit in the lower canopy with reflective mulch were darker red (a value 30; 22° hue) relative to the grassed control with a = 25 and 43° hue (light red), expressed in a 4‐fold increase in normalised anthocyanin index (NAI), but showed enhanced chlorophyll breakdown (NDVI from ? 0.2 to ? 0.5); similarly, the monophosphate increased the NAI by up to 2.5‐fold. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of both reflective mulch cloths was most pronounced on apple fruit in the lower canopy under hailnet, which developed large vitamin C contents and a dark red top colour relative to the grassed control with enhanced chlorophyll breakdown. Both reflective mulch cloths increased the percentage of class I fruit with > 25% colouration by 12% (from 82 to 94%) without and under hailnet by 23% (from 69 to 89%) relative to the grassed control resulting in financial net gains of up to 1300 € ha^?1 Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of benzyl isothiocyanate on tomato fruit infection development by Alternaria alternata

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) is known to be a strong antifungal compound in vitro against different fungi. The effectiveness of benzyl isothiocyanate to control Alternaria alternata growth in vitro and in vivo was tested. BITC in vitro activity was evaluated in A alternata growing on potato dextrose agar and exposed to 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 or 0.4 mg ml^?1. In vivo activity was evaluated by exposing A alternata‐inoculated tomato fruits for either 18 or 36 h to 0.28 or 0.56 mg ml^?1 BITC packed on low‐density polyethylene film (LDPF) bags. Additionally, the effect of BITC on post‐harvest physiology and tomato quality throughout storage at 20 °C was evaluated daily by monitoring respiration rate and ethylene production, whereas total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and fresh weight loss were measured every 3 days. Results showed that the minimal inhibitory concentration of BITC in vitro was 0.1 mg ml^?1. A combined use of 0.56 mg ml^?1 BITC with LDPF for 18 h was the optimum treatment to control Alternaria rot in packed tomato fruit. No effect of BITC on respiration rate, ethylene production, total soluble solids, pH, weight loss and titratable acidity was observed. Results suggest that BITC can be used as a post‐harvest treatment to control Alternaria rot in tomato fruit without detrimental effects on the tomato post‐harvest quality. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Original article: Effects of continuous dense‐phase CO2 system on antioxidant capacity and volatile compounds of apple juice

The effects of different operating conditions applied to a continuous dense‐phase carbon dioxide (DPCD) system on antioxidant capacity and volatile compounds of apple juice were compared with current heat pasteurisation method. Only the microbial tests required by Italian Regulation to assure microbiological safety to ‘fruit juices and vegetables’ were performed, and DPCD‐treated (15 MPa, 35 °C, 15 min; 25 MPa, 35 °C, 15 min), heat‐pasteurised (75 °C, 15 s) and untreated apple juice samples were considered. The DPCD processing carried out at 15 MPa resulted as effective as 25 MPa in reducing microbial cells. Trolox equivalent of DPCD treated at 25 MPa (0.41 mm ) resulted significantly (P < 0.05) lower than DPCD treated at 15 MPa (0.48 mm ). Head space analysis of volatile compounds indicated the lowest decrease in apple aroma compounds (59% esters and 59% aldehydes) in DPCD treated at 15 MPa.     

Expression analysis of endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase genes during aril breakdown of harvested longan fruit

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression profiles of three endo‐1,4‐β‐glucanase (EGase, EC 3.2.1.4) genes during aril breakdown of longan fruit stored at room temperature (25 °C), low temperature (10 °C) or on transferring fruit stored at 10 °C for 20 days to 25 °C. RESULTS: Three longan full‐length cDNAs, designated Dl‐EGase1, Dl‐EGase2 and Dl‐EGase3, were isolated and characterized. EGase activity in aril tissues of longan fruit increased with the appearance of aril breakdown symptoms, while RNA gel blot analysis revealed that the accumulations of three Dl‐EGase genes exhibited differential characteristics with the occurrence of aril breakdown. Dl‐EGase2 may be involved in the aril breakdown in longan fruit at the later stage of storage at room temperature. Conversely, expression of Dl‐EGase3 could be mainly involved in aril breakdown of fruit stored at 10 °C. In addition, Dl‐EGase3 and Dl‐Egase2 were related to the aril breakdown of fruit transferred from low temperature to room temperature. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this study indicate that Dl‐EGase genes are involved in the aril breakdown of longan fruit and that considerable variation exists between expression patterns of individual members of the EGase gene family. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Combined use of UV‐C irradiation and heat treatment to improve postharvest life of strawberry fruit

The effects of UV‐C (4.1 kJ m^?2) and heat treatment (45 °C, 3 h in air) either separately or combined on the quality of strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa cv Seascape) at the 75 or 50% surface red ripening stage were assessed, the latter stage being used only in the firmness test. In addition, the development of surface fungal infections was followed and in vitro germination assays on conidia of Botrytis cinerea and Rhizopus stolonifer performed. Both heat and combined treatments, decreased hue and delayed changes of the L* parameter. All treatments reduced the accumulation of anthocyanins. Control fruit softened most while fruit treated by the combined method were the firmest. The combined treatment reduced fungal infections and delayed in vitro germination of Botrytis cinerea conidia. After 2 days at 20 °C, treated fruit had lower amount of phenolics than the control. Neither the heat nor UV‐C irradiation modified the total sugar content, although the combined treatment decreased it slightly relative to the control. Titratable acidity increased through storage at 20 °C in all fruit, but no differences between control and treated fruit were detected. The combination of UV‐C and heat treatments enhanced the benefits of applying each treatment separately, and could be useful to improve and extend strawberry fruit postharvest life. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Suppression of postharvest blue mould of apple fruit by Cryptococcus laurentii and N6‐benzyladenine

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus laurentii is a well‐known postharvest yeast antagonist. N⁶‐benzyladenine (6‐BA), a cytokinin plant hormone, has a role in retarding ripening and senescence of harvested produce. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of C. laurentii and 6‐BA in reducing the blue mould disease of apple fruit. RESULTS: The combination of C. laurentii with 6‐BA (20 µg mL^?1) was more effective in suppressing the Penicillium expansum infection in apple fruit wounds than C. laurentii alone, although 6‐BA (20 µg mL^?1) alone neither affected the growth of C. laurentii nor reduced the incidence of the blue mould disease in vivo. Moreover, treatment of apple fruit with C. laurentii and 6‐BA (20 µg mL^?1) resulted in stimulation of superoxide dismutase activity but in inhibition of the increase in peroxidase activity. CONCLUSION: 6‐BA (20 µg mL^?1) could enhance the efficacy of C. laurentii in reducing the postharvest blue mould disease of apple fruit, which offered great potential in minimizing the postharvest decay of apple fruit in an integrated pest management strategy. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Potent Antibrowning Agent from Pine Needles of Cedrus deodara: 2R,3R‐Dihydromyricetin

This article focuses on finding the novel antibrowning agents from the pine needles of Cedrus deodara and studying its antibrowning effect. By bioassay guide of tyrosinase inhibitory activity, the main active compound was isolated and purified from 50% methanol extract of pine needles of C. deodara through macroporous resin Diaion HP‐20 column chromatography and high‐performance liquid chromatography. Based on mass and nuclear magnetic resonance data, the active compound was identified as 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin, which showed the potent monophenolase and diphenolase inhibitory activities. Moreover, 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin exhibited a strong ABTS radical scavenging activity with a dose‐dependent manner. The antibrowning efficacy of 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin was evaluated by monitoring the changes of L*, a*, and b* values and total color difference (△E) on fresh‐cut apple slices. It was found that 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin was effective in inhibiting the browning of apple slices treated with a concentration as low as 0.05% at 25 °C for 24 h. Its antibrowning effect was significantly better than ascorbic acid (0.5%) alone. Furthermore, 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin showed a good synergistic antibrowning effect with ascorbic acid. This is the first report that 2R,3R‐dihydromyricetin from pine needles of C. deodara may be used as a potential antibrowning agent in protecting against food browning.     

Suitability of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus plantarum as Probiotics Intended for Fruit Juices Containing Citrus Extracts

A strain of Lactobacillus plantarum and 4 strains of bifidobacteria were inoculated in apple juice and in a commercial beverage labeled as “red‐fruit juice,” containing citrus extracts as natural preservatives; the suitability of the probiotics was evaluated in relation to their resistance to 2 kinds of citrus extracts (biocitro and lemon extract), survival in juices at 4 and 37 °C, and inhibition of Zygosaccharomyces bailii. Cell count of L. plantarum and bifidobacteria over time was fitted through the Weibull equation, for the evaluation of the first reduction time (δ), death time, and microbiological shelf life (the break‐point was set to 7 log cfu/mL). Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis experienced the highest δ‐value (23.21 d) and death time (96.59 d) in the red‐fruit juice at 4 °C, whereas L. plantarum was the most promising strain in apple juice at 37 °C. Biocitro and lemon extract did not exert a biocidal effect toward probiotics; moreover, the probiotics controlled the growth of Z. bailii and the combination of L. plantarum with 40 ppm of biocitro reduced the level of the yeast after 18 d by 2 log cfu/mL.     

Postharvest response of ‘Brown Turkey’ figs (Ficus carica L.) to the inhibition of ethylene perception

The potential use of 1‐methylcyclopropene (1‐MCP) alone or as a supplement to cold storage to delay the softening of ‘Brown Turkey’ figs (Ficus carica L.) was studied. Figs were treated with 0, 0.25, 0.5 or 5 µl l^?1 1‐MCP at 25 °C for 8 h and stored at 20 °C until evaluated. Figs treated with 0.5 or 5 µl l^?1 1‐MCP had higher ethylene production and respiration rates but slower softening than untreated fruit and those treated with 0.25 µl l^?1 1‐MCP. Early‐harvested firm figs and late‐harvested soft figs were untreated or treated with 0.5 or 5 µl l^?1 1‐MCP at 25 °C and stored at 0 °C for 19 days. Firm figs treated with 1‐MCP showed an early peak in ethylene synthesis, higher respiration rate and were firmer than control fruit. In contrast, soft figs did not respond to 1‐MCP except for a late increase in respiration rates of fruit treated with 5 µl l^?1 1‐MCP. 1‐MCP appeared to have a relatively limited effect on slowing ripening of ‘Brown Turkey’ figs and its effect was influenced by ripening stage. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

A combination of hot air treatment and nano‐packing reduces fruit decay and maintains quality in postharvest Chinese bayberries

BACKGOUND: Chinese bayberry is susceptible to microbial decay during postharvest handling and storage. To search for effective alternatives to currently used fungicides for disease control, the efficacy of hot air (HA) treatment at 48 °C for 3 h alone or in combination with nano‐packing (NP) containing nano‐TiO₂ and nano‐Ag in controlling green mould decay caused by Penicillium citrinum and natural decay, and their effects on fruit quality in harvested Chinese bayberries were investigated in this study. RESULTS: The combined treatment of HA and NP resulted in a remarkably improved control of green mould and natural decay in Chinese bayberries compared with treatment of HA or NP alone. The in vitro growth of P. citrinum was significantly inhibited by individual HA or NP. In addition, HA in combination with NP showed interactive effect on inhibiting fruit respiration, ethylene production and membrane lipid peroxidation, and maintained higher fruit firmness and DPPH radical scavenging activity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that a combination of HA treatment and NP may be a useful technique to reduce fruit decay and maintain quality in Chinese bayberries during postharvest storage and retail conditions. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Enhancing disease resistance in peach fruit with methyl jasmonate

BACKGROUND: Peaches are susceptible to microbial decay during postharvest distribution at ambient temperature. To search for effective alternatives to currently used fungicides for disease control, in this study the effect of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) on disease resistance and fruit decay of peaches after harvest in response to pathogen attack was investigated. RESULTS: Freshly harvested peaches were treated with 1 µmol L^?1 MeJA vapour at 20 °C for 24 h. At 0, 12, 24 and 36 h after this treatment, both treated and untreated fruits were artificially wounded and inoculated with Penicillium expansum, Botrytis cinerea or Rhizopus stolonifer spore suspension (1 × 10⁵ spores mL^?1) and then incubated at 20 °C for 6 days. MeJA treatment significantly reduced the postharvest diseases. Incubation for 12 h was the optimal length of time after MeJA treatment, resulting in the lowest disease incidence and lesion diameter for all pathogens. The activities of defence enzymes including chitinase, β‐1,3‐glucanase, phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were enhanced by MeJA treatment, and the level of total phenolics in MeJA‐treated fruit was also higher than that in control fruit. In addition, MeJA affected hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)‐metabolising enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase and induced a higher level of H₂O₂ during incubation, which might serve as a signal to induce resistance against P. expansum. CONCLUSION: MeJA was effective in reducing decay and might enhance disease resistance in peach fruit by increasing levels of antipathogenic proteins and antimicrobial phenolic compounds. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Preparation and use of apple skin polyphenol extracts in milk: enhancement of the viability and adhesion of probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus (ATCC 1643) bacteria

This study explored the feasibility of using apple skin as a source for generating antioxidant extracts, that is ethanolic or aqueous apple skin polyphenol extract (ASPE) and examined the effects of such ASPEs and six purified polyphenols (PPs), that is rutin, epicatechin, phlorizin, cholorogenic acid, quercetin and p‐coumaric acid on the viability of probiotic bacteria (PB) Lactobacillus acidophilus in a PP‐enhanced milk drink at 4 °C and the in vitroPB adhesion to hydrophilic tissue culture microtitre plates (TCMPs) at 4 °C or 37 °C. The two ASPEs differed slightly in antioxidant activity, PP composition and total extracted PP, vitamin C and uronic acid contents. PB. had over 10× better viability in milk with added PPs than without over a 50‐day storage at 4 °C, while the aqueous extract was more effective than any of the pure PPs, except rutin. PB exhibited significantly greater potential adhesion to intestinal cells in the presence of the aqueous ASPE than the ethanolic ASPE or purified PP, while temperature (4 °C or 37 °C) had a negligible effect on adhesion. Use of apple skin as a source of PPs for enhancing PB functionality in dairy foods may offer a means of deriving value from this waste stream.     

Effect of deficit irrigation on apricot fruit quality at harvest and during storage

The effect of different irrigation strategies on the fruit quality at harvest and during storage at 1 °C of 'Búlida' apricots (Prunus armeniaca L.) was studied. Irrigation treatments consisted of a control irrigated at 100% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc) throughout the season, and two deficit irrigation treatments consisting of continuous irrigation at 50% of control, and regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) at 100% of ETc during the critical periods (second rapid fruit growth and early post‐harvest) and at 25% during the rest of the season. Fruits at harvest from both deficit irrigation treatments showed higher values of total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity and hue angle (h°) than control fruits, whereas their diameter, fresh weight, firmness and maturity index values were similar to those in the control. During the first 10 days of the 30‐day chilling storage period, higher TSS and h° values were found in deficit irrigated fruits, whilst the other parameters were similar for all treatments. Weight loss and fungal attacks (mainly Rhizopus sp. and Monilinia sp.) during a subsequent retail sale period of 4 days at 13 °C were the lowest in RDI. Deficit irrigation was demonstrated to be commercially advantageous for keeping fruit quality, saving considerable amounts of water. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of nano‐ZnO‐coated active packaging on quality of fresh‐cut ‘Fuji’ apple

A novel nanopackaging was synthesised by coating polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film with nano‐ZnO powder, and its effects on the preservation quality of fresh‐cut ‘Fuji’ apple were investigated at 4 °C for 12 days. Compared with the control (PVC film), nanopackaging significantly reduced the fruit decay rate (P < 0.05), as well as decreased the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) from 74.9 nmol g^?1 in the control to 53.9 nmol g^?1 in the nanopackaging. Cutting caused an increase in ethylene level, suggesting wound‐induced ethylene production, which was suppressed in nanopackaging. Both the polyphenoloxidase and pyrogallol peroxidase activities were decreased in nanopackaging fruit. The initial appearance of apple slices was retained, and the browning index was prevented in nanopackaging samples, which was only 23.9, much lower than the control of 31.7 on day 12. These results indicated that nano‐ZnO active packaging could be a viable alternative to common technologies for improving the shelf‐life properties of ‘Fuji’ apples as a fresh‐cut product.     

Impact of Ionizing Radiation and Thermal Treatments on Furan Levels in Fruit Juice

The formation of furan in freshly prepared apple and orange juices as affected by ionizing radiation and thermal treatments was studied using a newly developed solid‐phase microextraction method coupled with gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). Results show that furan levels increased linearly as radiation dose increased from 0 to 5 kGy. Irradiation induced more furan in apple juice than in orange juice. During post‐irradiation storage at 4 °C, furan levels increased in both apple and orange juices, particularly in the 1st 3 d. On the other hand, irradiation degraded deuterated furan (d₄‐furan) spiked in water and fruit juices. The rate of degradation as a function of radiation dose was the highest in water and the lowest in orange juice. Submerging the juice samples in boiling water for 5 min induced higher amounts of furan in orange juice than in apple juice, but autoclaving (121 °C, 25 min) resulted in more furan formation in apple juice than in orange juice. Results reported here suggest that both ionizing radiation and thermal treatments induce furan formation in fruit juices.     

Reductionin Listeria monocytogenes,Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in vitro and on tomato by sophorolipid and sanitiser as affected by temperature and storage time

Increased consumption of produce by consumers has been attributed to perceived health benefits of postharvest produce. Pathogen control is crucial because periodic occurrences and contamination of tomato and leafy greens have exacerbated food safety risks for consumers. We investigated the effects of temperatures (5 and 25 °C), storage time (30 min and 24 h) for inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 by sophorolipid (SL‐p) produced fermentatively using palmitic acid as a co‐substrate at different concentrations in vitro. Reduction in pathogenic bacteria on grape tomato by SL‐p, sanitiser (Lovit) and combinations of SL‐p and sanitiser was determined. Temperature and storage time significantly (P < 0.05) affected pathogen inactivations by SL‐p as pathogen reductions were greater at 25 °C and 24 h than at 5 °C and 30 min of storage. L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive to SL‐p treatment as reductions of 5 log relative to untreated controls were attained at 0.12% of SL‐p. Significant reductions in S. enterica (1.91–3.85 logs) and E. coli O157:H7 (0.87–4.09 logs) were recorded at 2–5% of SL‐p. Lower populations of Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 were inactivated than L. monocytogenes. On grape tomato, pathogen populations inactivated increased at higher SL‐p levels at 25 °C. Sanitiser and sanitiser + SL‐p reduced bacterial populations on tomato by 5.29–5.76 logs and 0.71–3.3.66 logs, respectively. These results imply the interactions of temperature, storage time and SL‐p significantly (P < 0.05) affected pathogen strain reductions. The combination of SL‐p with sanitiser led to synergistic effect on E. coli O157:H7, but not L. monocytogenes and S. enterica.     

A feasibility study of Lactobacillus plantarum in fruit powders after processing and storage

The aim of this study was to develop fruit powders (apple, banana and strawberry) enriched with a probiotic strain (Lactobacillus plantarum 299v). Two methodologies were proposed: (i) drying of the fruit with probiotic culture incorporated (by convection) or (ii) drying of fruit (by convection) and addition of spray‐dried probiotic culture. In the first methodology, processing caused a notable reduction in probiotic viable counts in apple, but this reduction was lower during drying of banana and strawberry. A large reduction in viable cells was also recorded during storage. In the second methodology, the survival of L. plantarum 299v was considerably higher during spray‐drying, and fruit powders with a microbial content suitable for a probiotic food (10⁸–10⁹ cfu g^?1) were obtained. The fruit powders incorporating L. plantarum 299v can be stored at 4 °C or at room temperature, for at least 3 months. This preliminary study demonstrated that fruit powders are good carriers of probiotic cultures, but the techniques used to produce them should be carefully considered.