Survival of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium DT104 in egg powders as affected by water activity and temperature.

A study was done to determine if a four-strain mixture of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104) cells and a four-strain mixture of S. typhimurium non-DT104 cells differed in ability to survive in whole egg powder, whole egg powder supplemented with corn syrup solids (38%) and salt (1.9%), egg yolk powder, and egg white powder as affected by a(w)(0.29-0.37 and 0.51-0.61) during storage at 13 or 37 degrees C for 8 weeks. Rates of inactivation of S. typhimurium DT104 and non-DT104 cells were similar within each set of test parameters. With the exception of whole egg powder supplemented with corn syrup solids and salt, death was enhanced at a(w) 0.29-0.37 compared to a(w) 0.51-0.61 when powders were stored at 13 degrees C. Survival of cells in whole egg powder supplemented with corn syrup solids and salt was significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher compared to survival in other egg powders stored at 13 degrees C. The opposite trend occurred in powders at a(w) 0.5-0.61 stored at 37 degrees C. Survival of S. typhimurium DT104 and non-DT104 cells at initial populations of 5.01-5.39 log10 cfu/g of egg white powder containing 4.9, 6.1, or 8.2% moisture at 54 or 82 degrees C for 7 days or 8 h, respectively, was determined. Rates of inactivation of DT104 and non-DT104 cells did not differ. Both cell types were detected in egg white powder containing 4.9% moisture but not in powder containing 8.2% moisture when held at 54 degrees C for 7 days. Heating at 82 degrees C for 8 h failed to eliminate 5 log10 S. typhimurium per g of egg white powder, regardless of the moisture content.     

PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND SENSORY ANALYSES ON EGG POWDER IRRADIATED TO INACTIVATE SALMONELLA AND REDUCE MICROBIAL LOAD

Egg powder was treated with 0, 2, 5 and 10 kGy of gamma radiation at 20C to inactivate Salmonella and to stabilize its microbial load. Microbial, physicochemical and sensory determinations were performed during 4 months of storage to select the optimal radiation dose to attain the objective without significantly reducing egg quality. Microbial results show that 2.0 kGy inactivated Salmonella and reduced microbial load to levels below those stipulated by the Argentine regulations. Physicochemical determinations of egg powder extracts for peroxide number, spectrophotometric measurements in the visible and ultraviolet regions, functional properties on sponge cakes made with egg powder (height, comprssion-relaxiation cycle parameters), foam stability and viscosity showed that gamma radiation at the dose of 2 kGy, did not cause significant changes in these parameters. Higher radiation doses (5 and 10 kGy) did increase rancidity, pigment loss and protein chain scission. Sensory determinations performed on egg powder, and on cakes manufactured with it, agreed with the physicochemical results. After 110 storage days, 2 kGy was the most suitable of the tested doses .     

Hyperbaric storage of egg white at room temperature: Effects on hygienic properties,protein structure and technological functionality

Fresh hen (Gallus gallus domesticus) egg white was submitted to hyperbaric storage at 200 MPa at room temperature for up to 28 days. Control samples were stored at 4 °C and 0.1 MPa. Storage conditions were compared for antimicrobial capacity towards inoculated (circa 4 log CFU g⁻¹) Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella enterica, and changes in physical, structural and functional properties. S. enterica was completely inactivated within 3 h of hyperbaric storage. Prolonged hyperbaric storage promoted slight egg white yellowing, probably due to non-enzymatic browning or riboflavin-protein decomplexation, and induced minor changes in egg white protein structure. Partial conversion of ovalbumin into S-ovalbumin led to slightly decreased gelling capacity. Pressurized egg white proteins also resulted slightly compressed and electrically stabilized, becoming more prone to solvent interactions. Based on these effects, viscosity of egg white increased almost 4-fold and foaming capacity increased by circa 35%. Our work demonstrated for the first time that hyperbaric storage guarantees safety and hygiene of egg white without detriment to its technological functionality.Industrial relevanceHyperbaric storage could represent an interesting alternative to refrigeration due to its capability to preserve food hygienic properties. Concomitantly, it could be used to pasteurize and even enhance technological functionality of protein-rich food ingredients. These goals could be achieved with negligible energetic consumption if working units were made viable for industrial application.     

Rapid growth of Salmonella enteritidis in egg white reconstituted from industrial egg white powder.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of the egg white-drying process on egg white ability to limit Salmonella Enteritidis growth in addition to the elucidation of the factors involved. We observed rapid growth of Salmonella Enteritidis inoculated in egg white reconstituted from industrial powder in comparison with that observed in liquid egg white collected in the laboratory: Salmonella cell counts rose from 10(3) to 10(8) cells/ml of egg white from powder during 24 h incubation at 30 degrees C. This rapid growth was observed in powder from all egg-breaking factories investigated, and it was comparable to that observed in optimum medium (tryptone soy broth). In view of the mechanism of egg white resistance and the major role played by iron availability and by ovotransferrin, we investigated several hypotheses to explain this rapid growth: iron provided during the drying process and/or denaturation of protein (especially ovotransferrin). The rapid growth observed in egg white reconstituted from powder was in relation to egg white protein denaturation and especially ovotransferrin denaturation during powder pasteurization that enhanced the availability of iron necessary for Salmonella growth. The major role played by ovotransferrin and iron deficiency on Salmonella growth in egg white was illustrated in this study.     

Improving functionality of whole egg powder by the addition of gelatine, lactose, and pullulan

The addition of gelatine (G), lactose (L), pullulan (P), and their mixtures at equal ratios (gelatine + lactose [GL] and gelatin + pullulan [GP]) to whole egg prior to drying was studied. Their effects on the functional properties (emulsion and gelling ability, water holding capacity of gel, foaming, color) and soluble protein content of spray dried egg powder during the 6 mo of storage at 20 °C and 50% relative humidity were investigated. It was demonstrated that the emulsion and foaming stability, water holding capacity of gel, and color change were significantly affected by the storage time, whereas storage time did not affect the strength of gel texture prepared by egg powders. Gelatine and pullulan improved the foaming stability and water holding capacity. Lactose caused a decrease in emulsion and foaming stability values. The maximum color change was observed for the plain egg powder, showing that mixing whole egg with carbohydrate- and/or protein-based additives before the drying process preserved the color of egg powder. Adding carbohydrate and/or protein caused significant changes in functional properties of egg powder.     

Optimization of dry heat treatment of egg white in relation to foam and interfacial properties

The properties of foams processed with reconstituted egg white were investigated as a function of the denaturation undergone by the proteins during the pasteurization stage in dry state. Various time-temperature tables were applied on the original egg white powder, ranging from 1 to 7 days, and from 60 to 80 °C. Differential Scanning Calorimetry was used to determine the denaturation degree of each EWP induced by the dry heat treatment. The rheological properties of the interface, using the drop tensiometer method, were shown to be significantly affected by the denaturation and to be a relevant parameter for foamability, stability and foam texture. The bulk properties of the foams were interrelated with interfacial properties by using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (HCA). The resulting classification of the heat treatments reveals that mild treatment offers a good compromise between the heating cost and the functional properties of the foams.     

Effects of ohmic heating on technological properties of whole egg

The aim of this work was to study the effects of different ohmic heating conditions on color, rheology, foaming, and gelling properties of whole egg. Industrial products treated by conventional heat pasteurization and the corresponding raw materials were also evaluated. Ohmic treatments accomplished in a static cell (65.5 °C × 3 min, 70 °C × 1 min, and 67 °C × 4.5 min) increased whole egg apparent viscosity (up to 190%), but also foam overrun (up to 28%) and gel hardness (up to 15%). The performance improvement was confirmed by treatments carried out in a continuous pilot plant (71 °C × 0.6 min, 68 °C × 1.4 min) and the products resulted stable during storage at 4 °C for 30 days. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ohmic heating is a suitable alternative to conventional pasteurization. Low temperature treatments are preferable to avoid possible rheological issues due to protein denaturation.Industrial relevanceWhole egg is a protein ingredient with multiple technological properties, used in many foods. Due to safety reasons, food manufacturers often use pasteurized liquid egg products, microbiologically safer and easier to handle with respect to shell eggs. In order to satisfy the required sanitary levels for liquid egg products, thermal pasteurization treatments are needed. However, since egg proteins are very sensitive to high temperatures, attention must be paid to avoid coagulation entailing deleterious effects against egg quality. In this study, different ohmic heating treatments were evaluated as milder alternatives to conventional pasteurization. The lab- and pilot-scale experiments and the subsequent statistical analyses of the obtained results contributed to assess the effects of the different ohmic treatments on technological features (e.g. color, rheology, foaming, and gelling properties) of liquid whole egg. This study demonstrated that ohmic heating is a suitable technology for whole egg treatment, paving the way for new opportunities in order to produce safe food ingredients with improved technological functionalities.     

Laying season and egg shell cracks on the growth of Salmonella enteritidis in the egg albumen during storage

We studied the effects of laying seasons and egg shell cracks on the ability of egg albumen to support the growth of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) in eggs. Hens eggs used were those laid in February, June, and October in a farm in Japan and stored at 10, 20, and 30 degrees C, and at 30 degrees C after storage at 10 degrees C, immediately after receipt or after cracking the shell. At several-day intervals during storage, the egg contents were poured into a dish, SE was inoculated into albumen, and then the growth of SE during 3 days incubation at 18 degrees C was measured. The results demonstrated that storage temperature and laying season affected the growth of SE in the egg albumen. The proportion of eggs upon which albumen allowed the growth of SE was higher in the eggs stored at 30 degrees C than those stored at 10 degrees C. The growth of SE in eggs was lowest in the following order of laying: February, October, and June. SE grew preferably in albumen of cracked eggs than intact eggs.     

Reduction of Salmonella by two commercial egg white pasteurization methods

The effect of pH, processing temperatures, and preheating steps in two commercial egg white pasteurization procedures (Armour and Standard Brands methods) were evaluated using a five-strain cocktail of Salmonella. We devised a benchtop pasteurization system that would more closely resemble the two commercial processes than could the traditional capillary tube method. The pasteurization methods both require hydrogen peroxide to be metered into the egg white stream between a required initial preheat step and the main heating regimen. Both processes were evaluated at three pH levels (pH 8.2, 8.6, 9.0), at four temperatures (51.7 degrees C/125 degrees F, 53.1 degrees C/127.5 degrees F, 54.4 degrees C/130 degrees F, 55.8 degrees C/132.5 degrees F), and over four residence times to allow calculation of D-values at each temperature. When compared at the minimum allowable time and temperatures for each process, our results showed at least a 1-log greater log reduction (P < 0.05) for the Standard Brands method than the Armour method in 10 of 12 of the pH and temperature combinations tested. Almost all runs at any given temperature showed more reduction at pH 9.0 than at pH 8.2 except for the Standard Brands method at 54.4 degrees C and 55.8 degrees C, which showed the most consistent reduction across all three pH levels tested. Analysis of the preheat portion of the two methods showed that there was no contribution (P > 0.05) toward Salmonella reduction when compared with the identical process without the preheating step. We generally observed a greater reduction of Salmonella with egg white at pH 9.0 that is typical of older, off-line processing than with low pH egg white (i.e., 8.2) that is typical of modern in-line processing facilities. This difference was as much as 3.5 log cycles depending on the processing conditions. The data has been used to make recommendations for minimum processing conditions for hydrogen peroxide-based egg white pasteurization.     

Effect of moderate spray drying conditions on functionality of dried egg white and whole egg

ABSTRACT:  Dried egg and egg-derived proteins have a range of applications in baking, dressings, and confectionery products. Egg powder was produced under high time–temperature scales (approximately 160 °C), which led to many changes in egg components, resulting in different functional properties of eggs after reconstitution. In this study, moderate operating conditions were selected to dry egg white and whole egg using a pilot-scale spray dryer. Functional properties changes were evaluated with an appropriate statistical technique. Major finding supports that spray drying of egg white at moderate conditions (air inlet temperature ranged from 110 to 125 °C) resulted in a product that enhanced considerably the water holding capacity of produced gels. Moreover, gel prepared with the dried samples was firmer than that of the fresh samples. Drying at a moderate scale allowed not only the increasing of the foaming capacity and the stability of foam but also an increase in their emulsifying capacity and stability of the emulsions.     

Effect of hot water and hydrogen peroxide treatments on survival of salmonella and microbial quality of whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe

Cantaloupe melon has been associated with outbreaks of salmonellosis. Contamination might be introduced into the flesh from the rind by cutting or by contact of cut pieces with contaminated rinds. Our objectives were to investigate the efficacy of hot water or hot 5% hydrogen peroxide treatments in reducing the population of native microflora and inoculated Salmonella on cantaloupe rind and transfer to fresh-cut tissue during cutting. Whole cantaloupes, inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella serovars to give 4.6 log CFU/cm2 and stored at 5 or 20 degrees C for up to 5 days, were treated with hot water (70 or 97 degrees C) or 5% hydrogen peroxide (70 degrees C) for 1 min at 0, 1, 3, or 5 days postinoculation. Aerobic mesophilic bacteria and yeast and mold on treated whole melon and fresh-cut pieces were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced by all three treatments. Treatments with hot water (70 and 97 degrees C) caused a 2.0- and 3.4-log CFU/cm2 reduction of Salmonella on whole cantaloupe surfaces irrespective of days of postinoculation storage prior to treatment up to 5 days at 5 or 20 degrees C, respectively. Treatment with 5% hydrogen peroxide (70 degrees C) caused a 3.8-log CFU/cm2 reduction of Salmonella. Fresh-cut pieces prepared from untreated inoculated melons and those treated with 70 degrees C hot water were positive for Salmonella. However, fresh-cut pieces prepared from inoculated whole melon dipped in water (97 degrees C) or hydrogen peroxide (70 degrees C) for 60 s were negative for Salmonella, as determined by dilution plating onto agar medium, but were positive after enrichment at days 3 and 5 of storage at 5 degrees C. The ability to detect Salmonella in fresh-cut pieces was dependent on the initial level of inoculation. The results of this study indicate that the use of hot water (97 degrees C) or heated hydrogen peroxide to reduce the population of Salmonella on contaminated whole cantaloupes will enhance the microbial safety of the fresh-cut product.     

蛋清蛋白质热处理改性及其热聚集行为的 研究进展

蛋清蛋白质的热处理改性有助于提高其功能特性及生物有效利用率, 从而拓宽其在食品工业中作为配料的应用范围。热处理主要通过对蛋清蛋白质热聚集行为的影响, 从而影响其在食品体系中的应用, 而对蛋白质聚集行为的研究将有助于改善食品体系中蛋白质的功能性质。蛋清粉是许多食品加工中的重要原料, 也是很好的蛋白质体系, 是食品蛋白质热聚集行为和功能性构效关系的理想研究对象。对蛋清蛋白质聚集机制的研究将有助于功能性蛋制品的开发。因此, 本文主要对蛋清蛋白质热聚集行为的研究进行综述, 希望能为相关科研人员及企业提供一定的借鉴。     

Enhanced inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella enteritidis in meat by combinations of sodium lactate and diacetate

The antimicrobial activities of sodium lactate (SL) and sodium acetate (SA) are well documented, but there is limited information on the effect of their combination or of the combination of SL and sodium diacetate (SDA) on survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and salmonellae in meat. Effects of SL (1.8 and 2.5%), SDA (0.1 and 0.2%), or SA (0.2%) and their combinations on the behavior of L monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis were investigated in sterile comminuted beef (pH 6.3, 79% moisture) during storage at 5 and 10 degrees C. Although L. monocytogenes grew faster than Salmonella Enteritidis in control samples at 10 degrees C, numbers of both pathogens increased from 3.5 to approximately 8.0 log CFU/g after 20 days. SL (1.8%) decreased the growth rate of both L. monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. SDA (0.2%) was more effective than SL in decreasing the growth rate of L monocytogenes, and it caused a more than 1 log CFU/g decline in initial numbers of Salmonella Enteritidis during storage for 25 days at 10 degrees C. Synergy was observed by combinations of SL and SDA. Combinations of 2.5% SL and 0.2% SDA were bacteriostatic to L. monocytogenes and bactericidal to Salmonella Enteritidis after 20 days at 10 degrees C. At 5 degrees C, a listeriostatic effect was produced by 1.8% SL + 0.1% SDA, whereas numbers of Salmonella Enteritidis were less than 10 cells/g after refrigeration for 30 days. Although SA was consistently and significantly less inhibitory than SDA, its mixtures with SL also demonstrated synergistic activity against both pathogens. Combinations of 2.5% SL and 0.2% SDA can be expected to greatly enhance the safety of refrigerated and temperature-abused ready-to-eat meats.     

热改性蛋清粉的贮藏稳定性

为了解热改性蛋清粉的贮藏稳定性,文中对室温贮藏(12个月)的热改性蛋清蛋白功能性和分子特点进行了分析。研究表明:在贮藏期热改性蛋清粉的凝胶性、乳化性、泡沫性都有不同程度的降低,同时疏水性、巯基含量和分子柔性也有明显变化。相关性分析表明:热改性蛋清粉功能性的下降与分子结构的变化显著(P<0.05)相关。蛋白质分子特点是影响热改性蛋清粉的贮藏稳定性主要因素。     

Use of antioxidants to minimize rancidity in pressurized and cooked chicken slurries

Sodium chloride (5%) and some antioxidants (400 ppm rosemary extract; 2000 ppm acerola extract; 50 ppm ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA); 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 pm of sodium hexametaphosphate or 5 and 10% egg white powder) were added to minced chicken. From these mixtures, slurries were made by mixing with water (1:3) at 15,000 rpm for 30 s at 20?°C. Samples were pressurized (300, 500 and 900 MPa for 30 min at 20?°C) or cooked (90?°C for 15 min). Hexanal was quantified by solid phase microextraction at 1, 3, 6 and 9 days of 4?°C storage in contact with air. Hexanal values increased with pressure and storage time. Cooked slurries had higher hexanal contents than samples pressurized at 300 MPa, but lower than those treated at 500 and 900 MPa. Rosemary extract was an antioxidant for pressure-treated samples, but had little effect on cooked ones. Acerola extract was not an effective antioxidant, but EDTA strongly inhibited oxidation. Hexamethaphosphate also showed antioxidant ability. Egg white powder inhibited hexanal generation, which can be a new way for revalorizing egg constituents.     

Color and gelling properties of dried egg white: Effect of drying methods and storage conditions

Dried egg white is extensively used as a food ingredient due to its unique functional properties and extensive shelf life. This study investigated the effect of drying methods and storage conditions on the color and gelling properties of dried egg white. Egg white was dried with two drying methods; freeze drying and hot-air drying, then stored at 25 and 40°C for 4 months. The result showed that the color of hot-air-dried egg white, especially after storage at 40°C, was darker yellow than for freeze-dried egg whites. The gelling properties of both samples were altered during storage, however, substantial changes in the gelling properties were found in the gel made from stored hot-air-dried egg white. A decrease in the enthalpy of protein denaturation that indicated a partially unfolded protein conformation, an increase in exposed sulfhydryl and a decrease in the total sulfhydryl contents were found, especially in stored samples of hot-air-dried egg whites. The sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis pattern of proteins in the stored samples showed protein aggregation, and this was related to the increased glass transition temperature. This study revealed that drying egg white using hot-air drying and storage especially at high temperature induced changes in their color and protein conformation. These have contributed to protein aggregation which affected dried egg white’s gel properties.     

Colonization of tomatoes by Salmonella montevideo is affected by relative humidity and storage temperature

The influences of the relative humidity (RH) and storage temperature on the colonization of tomato surfaces by Salmonella Montevideo were studied. Red, ripe tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum) were spot inoculated in three separate trials with 100 pl (approximately 10(6) CFU) of Salmonella Montevideo and stored for 90 min at 22 degrees C under 97% RH to facilitate attachment of cells to the blossom end of tomato surfaces. Following this attachment step, tomatoes were washed to remove loosely adhered cells and then stored at 22 or 30 degrees C for up to 10 days under RH of 60, 75, 85, or 97%. At 0, 0.4, 1, 4, 7, and 10 days of storage, three tomatoes were individually hand massaged in 50 ml of 0.1% peptone water and the washes were separately analyzed to enumerate populations of Salmonella Montevideo. The number of Salmonella Montevideo cells attached after 90 min at 22 degrees C was 3.8 log CFU per tomato; this level was determined to be the initial colonizing population. After 10 days of storage at 30 degrees C, the Salmonella Montevideo population increased to 0.7, 1.0, 1.2, and 2.2 log CFU per tomato at 60, 75, 85, and 97% RH, respectively. A similar trend was observed at 22 degrees C, although populations were lower than at 30 degrees C. Scanning electron micrographs of tomato cuticles after storage revealed a well-defined biofilm containing bacteria. These findings reinforce the importance of maintaining stored tomatoes at temperatures that do not support growth of pathogenic bacteria and demonstrate the growth-promoting effects of high humidity.     

Changes in the antigenic and immunoglobulin E-binding properties of hen's egg albumin with the combination of heat and gamma irradiation treatment

This study was carried out to evaluate the changes in the allergenic and antigenic properties of hen's egg albumin (ovalbumin [OVA]) with the combination of heat and gamma irradiation treatment. OVA solution samples were treated by (i) heating (sample 1), (ii) irradiation after heating (sample 2), and (iii) heating after irradiation (sample 3). Samples were isothermally heated and irradiated at the absorption dose of 10 kGy. Competitive indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed with blood serum to test the ability of treated OVA to bind to immunoglobulin E (IgE) and mouse murine monoclonal antibody (IgG). OVA's ability to bind to mouse IgG changed upon heating at 75 degrees C, and its ability to bind to egg-allergic IgE changed upon heating at 80 degrees C. The ELISAs showed that egg-allergic IgE did not recognize OVA very well when heated at > or = 80 degrees C, while mouse IgG retained better activity under these conditions. Egg-allergic IgE binding was low both for OVA samples treated by heating and for samples treated by irradiation followed by heating. These results show that allergies induced by OVA could be effectively reduced by the combination of heat and gamma irradiation treatment.     

Novel Radiofrequency‐Assisted Thermal Processing Improves the Gelling Properties of Standard Egg White Powder

Effect of radiofrequency (RF)‐assisted thermal processing on quality and functional properties of high‐foaming standard egg white powder (std. EWP, pH approximately 7.0) was investigated and compared with traditional processing (heat treatment in a hot room at 58 °C for at least 14 d). The RF‐assisted thermal treatments were selected to meet the pasteurization requirements and to improve the functional properties of the std. EWP. The treatment conditions were: RF heating to 60, 70, 80, and 90 °C followed by holding in a hot air oven at those temperatures for different periods ranging from 4 h at 90 °C to 72 h at 60 °C. The quality (color and solubility) and functional properties (foaming properties: foaming capacity and foam stability; and gelling properties: water holding capacity and gel‐firmness) of the std. EWP were investigated. RF‐assisted thermal processing did not affect the color and solubility of std. EWP at any of the treatment conditions. In general, the foaming and gelling properties of RF‐assisted thermally processed std. EWP increased with an increase in temperature and treatment duration. The optimal RF‐assisted treatment conditions to produce std. EWP with similar functional properties as the traditionally processed (hot room processed) std. EWP were 90 °C for ≥8 h. These optimal conditions were similar to those for high gel egg white powder (HG‐EWP, pH approximately 9.5). The RF‐assisted thermal pasteurization improved the gelling properties of std. EWP to the levels of HG‐EWP, leading to newer applications of this functionally improved safe product. The RF‐assisted thermal processing allows the processor to produce a HG‐EWP from std. EWP subsequent to processing while simultaneously pasteurizing the product, thus assuring the product safety.     

Survival of salmonella transformed to express green fluorescent protein on Italian parsley as affected by processing and storage

To study the effect of processing and storage parameters on the survival of Salmonella on fresh Italian parsley, parsley bunches were dipped for 3 or 15 min in suspensions that were preequilibrated to 5, 25, or 35 degrees C and inoculated with Salmonella transformed to express enhanced green fluorescent protein. Loosely attached and/or associated, strongly attached and/or associated, and internalized and/or entrapped Salmonella cells were enumerated over 0, 1, and 7 days of storage at 25 degrees C and over 0, 1, 7, 14, and 30 days of storage at 4 degrees C using surface-plating procedures. Leaf sections obtained from samples after 0, 1, and 7 days of storage were examined using confocal scanning laser microscopy. Temperature of the dip suspension had little effect on the attachment and survival of Salmonella cells on parsley. Regardless of the temperature or duration of dip, Salmonella was internalized. Immersion for longer times resulted in higher numbers of attached and internalized cells. Microscopic observations supported these results and revealed Salmonella cells near the stomata and within cracks in the cuticle. Storage temperature had the greatest impact on the survival of Salmonella cells on parsley. When stored at 25 degrees C, parsley had a shelf life of 7 days, and Salmonella populations significantly increased over the 7 days of storage. For parsley stored at 4 degrees C, numbers of Salmonella cells decreased over days 0, 1, and 7. After 7 days of storage, there were no viable internalized Salmonella cells detected. Storage temperature represents an important control point for the safety of fresh parsley.