Efficacy of chlorine dioxide gas as a sanitizer of lettuce leaves

Aqueous solutions of sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid are typically used to sanitize fresh fruits and vegetables. However, pathogenic organisms occasionally survive aqueous sanitization in sufficient numbers to cause disease outbreaks. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas generated by a dry chemical sachet was tested against foodborne pathogens on lettuce leaves. Lettuce leaves were inoculated with cocktail of three strains each of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella Typhimurium and treated with CLO2 gas for 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h in a model gas cabinet at room temperature (22 +/- 2 degrees C). After treatment, surviving cells, including injured cells, were enumerated on appropriate selective agar or using the overlay agar method, respectively. Total ClO2, generated by the gas packs was 4.3, 6.7, and 8.7 mg after 30 min, 1 h, and 3 h of treatment, respectively. Inoculated lettuce leaves exposed to ClO2 gas for 30 min experienced a 3.4-log reduction in E. coli, a 4.3-log reduction in Salmonella Typhimurium, and a 5.0-log reduction in L. monocytogenes when compared with the control. After 1 h. the three pathogens were reduced in number of CFU by 4.4. 5.3, and 5.2 log, respectively. After 3 h, the reductions were 6.9, 5.4, and 5.4 log, respectively. A similar pattern emerged when injured cells were enumerated. The ClO2, gas sachet was effective at killing pathogens on lettuce without deteriorating visual quality. Therefore, this product can be used during storage and transport of lettuce to improve its microbial safety.     

Alfalfa seed germination and yield ratio and alfalfa sprout microbial keeping quality following irradiation of seeds and sprouts.

Foods can be treated with gamma radiation, a nonthermal food process, to inactivate foodborne pathogens and fungi, to kill insects on or in fruits and vegetables, and to increase shelf life. Gamma irradiation is especially well suited for these treatments because of its ability to penetrate commercial pallets of foods. Irradiated fruits, vegetables, poultry, and hamburger have been received favorably by the public and are now available in supermarkets. The use of irradiation on fresh alfalfa sprouts was studied to determine its effect on keeping quality as related to aerobic microbial load. After an irradiation dose of 2 kGy, the total aerobic count decreased from 10(5-8) to 10(3-5) CFU/g, and the total coliform counts decreased from 10(5-8) to 10(3-0) CFU/g. The results showed that the sprouts maintained their structure after irradiation, and the keeping quality was extended to 21 days, which is an increase of 10 days from the usual shelf life. The effect of various doses of irradiation on alfalfa seeds as measured by percent germination and yield ratio (wt/wt) of sprouts was determined. There was little effect on the percent germination, but as the dose increased, the yield ratio of alfalfa sprouts decreased. As the length of growing time increased, so did the yield ratio of the lower dose irradiated seeds (1 to 2 kGy). The irradiation process can be used to increase the shelf life of alfalfa sprouts, and irradiating alfalfa seeds at doses up to 2 kGy does not unacceptably decrease the yield ratio for production of alfalfa sprouts.     

Occurrence of parasites on fruits and vegetables in Norway.

Between August 1999 and January 2001, samples of various fruits and vegetables obtained within Norway were analyzed by published methods for parasite contamination. Neither Cyclospora oocysts nor Ascaris (or other helminth) eggs were detected on any of the samples examined for these parasites. However, of the 475 samples examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts, 29 (6%) were found to be positive. No samples were positive for both parasites. Of the 19 Cryptosporidium-positive samples. 5 (26%) were in lettuce, and 14 (74%) in mung bean sprouts. Of the 10 Giardia-positive samples, 2 (20%) were in dill, 2 (20%) in lettuce, 3 (30%) in mung bean sprouts, 1 (10%) in radish sprouts, and 2 (20%) in strawberries. Mung bean sprouts were significantly more likely to be contaminated with Cryptosporidium oocysts or Giardia cysts than the other fruits and vegetables. Concentrations of Cryptosporidium and Giardia detected were generally low (mean of approximately 3 [oo]cysts per 100 g produce). Although some of the contaminated produce was imported (the majority, if sprouted seeds are excluded), there was no association between imported produce and detection of parasites. Crvptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were also detected in water samples concerned with field irrigation and production of bean sprouts within Norway. This is the first time that parasites have been detected on vegetables and fruit obtained in a highly developed. wealthy country, without there being an outbreak situation. These findings may have important implications for global food safety.     

二氧化氯气体处理对果蔬采后生理代谢及质量安全的影响

二氧化氯（ClO₂）气体是国际上公认的安全、无毒绿色消毒剂,其具有杀菌性强、扩散性和穿透性好、不发生氯的替代反应、无毒副作用等优点,已在农业、食品、医药等领域应用广泛。近年来,ClO₂在果蔬保鲜领域得到很好的应用,成为研究热点。本文论述了ClO₂气体对采后果蔬中乙烯和呼吸、膜脂、苯丙烷类、能量等生理代谢及果蔬失水软化、外观和营养等贮藏品质方面的影响,并讨论了ClO₂气体对果蔬致病、致腐微生物的杀菌机理及其杀菌效果,同时分析了ClO₂气体在果蔬保鲜中的应用限制,最后,根据目前的应用研究现状对存在的问题进行总结,并对其未来的应用前景进行了展望,旨在为拓宽ClO₂气体在果蔬保鲜领域的广泛应用提供参考。     

Survival and growth of foodborne pathogens in minimally processed vegetables at 4 and 15 °C

Abstract: We conducted this study to investigate the survival and growth of pathogens on fresh vegetables stored at 4 and 15 °C. Vegetables (romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce, perilla leaves, and sprouts) were inoculated with 4 pathogens (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and stored at 2 different temperatures for different periods of time (3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 d at 4 °C and 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 d at 15 °C). Populations of the 4 pathogens tended to increase on all vegetables stored at 15 °C for 7 d. Populations of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium increased significantly, by approximately 2 log₁₀CFU/g, on loose and head lettuce stored at 15 °C for 1 d. No significant differences were observed in the growth of different pathogens on vegetables stored at 4 °C for 15 d. E. coli O157:H7 did not survive on sprouts stored at 15 or 4 °C. The survival and growth of food pathogens on fresh vegetables were very different depending on the pathogen type and storage temperature. Practical Application: Survivals and growth of pathogens on various vegetables at 4 and 15 °C were observed in this study. Survivals and growth of pathogens on vegetables were different depending on the pathogen type and storage temperature. Therefore, vegetables should be stored under refrigerated conditions (below 4 °C) prior to consumption. This recommendation may vary depending on the type of vegetable.     

气体二氧化氯在果蔬杀菌保鲜方面的研究与应用

二氧化氯是一种国际上公认的性能优良、安全无公害的杀菌消毒剂和食品保鲜剂。国内关于二氧化氯在果蔬保鲜领域的研究多局限于液体二氧化氯,气体二氧化氯在果蔬保鲜方面的研究相对较少。气体二氧化氯较液体二氧化氯有许多优势,在果蔬杀菌保鲜方面有更加广阔的应用前景。本文综述了二氧化氯的杀菌保鲜机理及气体二氧化氯的特性与优点,总结了近年来国内外关于气体二氧化氯在果蔬杀菌保鲜方面的研究,并对其应用前景进行了展望。      

Microbial survey of selected Ontario-grown fresh fruits and vegetables

Recent produce-related outbreaks have been receiving heightened media coverage, which has increased public concern toward the safety of fresh fruits and vegetables. In response, the microbial contamination of Ontario-grown fresh fruits and vegetables was evaluated by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs during the summer of 2004. Prior to this survey, information specific to the microbial contamination of Ontario-produced fruits and vegetables was limited. This nonregulatory survey had two objectives: (i) to obtain a general microbiological profile of selected fruits and vegetables produced in Ontario and (ii) to use the information and knowledge gained from this survey to direct and support future on-farm food safety research and food safety programs to manage potential risks. In all, 1,183 samples, including muskmelon (151), scallions and green onions (173), leaf lettuce (263), organic leaf lettuce (112), head lettuce (155), parsley (127), cilantro (61), and fresh market tomatoes (141), were collected and analyzed. Samples were analyzed for Salmonella, Shigella, and generic E. coli. Enrichment cultures positive for E. coli were further assessed for verotoxigenicity. One sample each of Roma tomato and organic leaf lettuce were positive for Salmonella, with no samples yielding Shigella or verotoxigenic E. coli. The E. coli prevalence was highest in parsley (13.4%), followed by organic leaf lettuce (11.6%), leaf lettuce (6.5%), scallions (6.4%), cilantro (4.9%), muskmelon (1.3%), head lettuce (0%), and fresh market tomatoes (0%). These findings, in combination with foodborne illness data, will help target those commodities that require more focused risk mitigation efforts.     

植物精油的抑菌活性及在鲜切果蔬中的应用

鲜切果蔬由于具有营养、新鲜、方便等优点,受到越来越多消费者的喜爱。鲜切果蔬中致病菌和致腐菌是影响鲜切果蔬品质的重要因素,植物精油作为天然来源的抑菌物质,对鲜切果蔬产品具有防腐保鲜、维持品质等作用。本文介绍了植物精油的抑菌活性及作用机理,并综述植物精油对鲜切果蔬产品防腐、品质控制等方面的研究进展,同时对其在鲜切果蔬应用中存在的问题和应用前景进行了展望,为植物精油保鲜剂的开发提供了理论依据。      

苏南某市叶类蔬菜含氯有机农药残留状况分析及风险评估

目的了解苏南某市叶类蔬菜中含氯有机农药的残留状况及其质量安全现状。方法利用气相色谱法对采集自该市农贸市场、大型超市、种植基地及散户的6种主要叶类蔬菜中5种代表性的含氯有机农药(百菌清、三唑酮、氟氯氰菊酯、氯氰菊酯和氰戊菊酯)进行定量检测分析,采用食品安全指数开展暴露风险评估。结果 5种含氯有机农药在蔬菜样本中均有不同程度的检出,平均检出率为13.8%,百菌清、氯氰菊酯2种农药在部分蔬菜样本中的残留超标,超标率分别为0.4%和0.9%。6种叶类蔬菜的农药安全指数平均值均小于1,说明被检蔬菜的安全状态可为消费者所接受。但百菌清在菠菜和生菜中的安全指数均大于1,表明百菌清对菠菜和生菜质量安全的影响风险超过了可接受的限度。结论该地区主要叶类蔬菜的整体质量较安全,被检农药的残留状况总体良好,但对菠菜和生菜生产中百菌清的使用需加大监督管理力度,确保消费者食用蔬菜的安全性。     

Maintaining Antioxidant Potential of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables After Harvest

The consumption of fruits and vegetables has increased in the past few years, not only because of their attractive sensorial properties, but also for their nutritional and health benefits. Antioxidants are compounds found in fresh fruits and vegetables, and evidence of their role in the prevention of degenerative diseases is continuously emerging. However, the antioxidants in some fruits and vegetables can be lost during handling after harvest, even during minimal processing and storage. In this sense, postharvest treatments are needed to preserve the quality and antioxidant potential of fresh produce. Postharvest treatments and technologic strategies (including ultraviolet light, controlled and modified atmospheres, heat treatments, and application of natural compounds, such as edible coatings, active packaging, microencapsulation, and nanoemulsion) have shown positive and promising results to maintain fruit and vegetable antioxidant potential. The purpose of this review is to analyze and propose the application of postharvest strategies to maintain, or even improve, the antioxidant status of fruits and vegetables, thus offering options to maximize health benefits to consumers.     

Fresh produce: a growing cause of outbreaks of foodborne illness in the United States, 1973 through 1997

Fresh produce is an important part of a healthy diet. During the last three decades, the number of outbreaks caused by foodborne pathogens associated with fresh produce consumption reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has increased. To identify trends, we analyzed data for 1973 through 1997 from the Foodborne Outbreak Surveillance System. We defined a produce-associated outbreak as the occurrence of two or more cases of the same illness in which epidemiologic investigation implicated the same uncooked fruit, vegetable, salad, or juice. A total of 190 produce-associated outbreaks were reported, associated with 16,058 illnesses, 598 hospitalizations, and eight deaths. Produce-associated outbreaks accounted for an increasing proportion of all reported foodborne outbreaks with a known food item, rising from 0.7% in the 1970s to 6% in the 1990s. Among produce-associated outbreaks, the food items most frequently implicated included salad, lettuce, juice, melon, sprouts, and berries. Among 103 (54%) produce-associated outbreaks with a known pathogen, 62 (60%) were caused by bacterial pathogens, of which 30 (48%) were caused by Salmonella. During the study period, Cyclospora and Escherichia coli O157:H7 were newly recognized as causes of foodborne illness. Foodborne outbreaks associated with fresh produce in the United States have increased in absolute numbers and as a proportion of all reported foodborne outbreaks. Fruit and vegetables are major components of a healthy diet, but eating fresh uncooked produce is not risk free. Further efforts are needed to better understand the complex interactions between microbes and produce and the mechanisms by which contamination occurs from farm to table.     

Nonthermal plasma for pesticide and microbial elimination on fruits and vegetables: an overview

Nonthermal plasma (NTP) is defined in terms of partly ionised gas which overall temperature is quite low because the stored energy is mostly in free electrons. Applications of NTP have been expanded to new areas of food applications such as the microbial inactivation and also the elimination of pesticide and toxic chemical residues in food such as fruits and vegetables while nutritional content and key characteristics are still preserved. Plasma treatment has successfully decreased the concentrations of pesticides by about 45‐71%. In this article, NTP technologies as well as investigations about applying of NTP for removing pesticide residues and improving microbial safety in fresh produce are described. Potential applications of NTP in food processing together with some of their challenges and limitations are also discussed.     

Behavior of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 on alfalfa sprouts during the sprouting process as influenced by treatments with various chemicals.

The behavior of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on alfalfa seeds subjected to conditions similar to those used commercially to grow and market sprouts as it is affected by applications of NaOCl, Ca(OCl)2, acidified NaClO2, acidified ClO2, Na3PO4, Vegi-Clean, Tsunami, Vortexx, or H2O2 at various stages of the sprouting process was determined. Application of 2,000 ppm of NaOCl, 200 and 2,000 ppm of Ca(OCl)2, 500 ppm of acidified ClO2, 10,000 ppm of Vegi-Clean, 80 ppm of Tsunami, or 40 and 80 ppm of Vortexx to germinated seeds significantly reduced the population of E. coli O157:H7. With the exception of acidified NaOCl2 at 1,200 ppm, spray applications of these chemicals did not significantly reduce populations or control the growth of E. coli O157:H7 on alfalfa sprouts during the sprouting process. Populations of E. coli on alfalfa sprouts peaked at 6 to 7 log10 CFU/g 48 h after initiation of the sprouting process and remained stable despite further spraying with chemicals. The population of E. coli O157:H7 on sprouts as they entered cold storage at 9 +/- 2 degrees C remained essentially unchanged for up to 6 days. None of the chemical treatments evaluated was able to eliminate or satisfactorily reduce E. coli O157:H7 on alfalfa seeds and sprouts. Observations on the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to grow during production of alfalfa sprouts not subjected to chemical treatments are similar to those from a previous study in our laboratory on the behavior of Salmonella Stanley. Our results do not reveal a chemical treatment method to eliminate the pathogen from alfalfa sprouts. We have demonstrated that currently recommended procedures for sanitizing alfalfa seeds fail to eliminate E. coli O157:H7 and that the pathogen can grow to populations exceeding 7 1og10 CFU/g of sprouts produced using techniques not dissimilar to those used in the sprout industry.     

天津市2015~2019年生鲜果蔬病原微生物污染排查分析

为排查天津市即食生鲜果蔬病原微生物污染情况,2015~2019年在生产环节和流通环节抽取生菜、番茄、黄瓜、苦菊、桃和梨等6种即食果蔬品种共计654批次样品,采用国家标准方法分析样品中菌落总数、大肠菌群、沙门氏菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、单增李斯特氏菌、蜡样芽孢杆菌和大肠杆菌O157:H7污染状况进行风险分析。结果显示,654批次样品中检出食源性致病菌135批次,检出率为20.6%,其中包括沙门氏菌1份,金黄色葡萄球菌6份,蜡样芽孢杆菌128份,其他致病菌均未检出。食源性致病菌检出率较高的样品多出现在超市和农贸市场,表明即食果蔬致病菌的污染易发生在流通环节。即食生鲜果蔬中食源性致病菌污染对消费者健康存在潜在的安全隐患,需加强采后流通环节污染防控,保障即食果蔬食品安全,防止食源性疾病暴发。     

Shelf-life of minimally processed lettuce and cabbage treated with gaseous chlorine dioxide and cysteine

Gaseous ClO2 was evaluated for effectiveness in prolonging the shelf-life of minimally processed (MP) lettuce and MP cabbage, previously immersed in a cysteine solution in order to inhibit browning occurring during ClO2 treatment. Each vegetable was shredded, washed, and separated in two portions, one to be treated with ClO2 gas and the other to remain untreated as reference sample. The batch to be treated with ClO2 gas was immersed for 1 min in a 0.5% solution of HCl.L-cysteine monohydrate. Then both batches were spun dried. MP vegetables were decontaminated in a cabinet at 90-91% relative humidity and 22-25 degrees C up to 10 min, including 30 s of ClO2 injection into the cabinet. The ClO2 concentration rose to 1.74 mg/L (MP lettuce) and 1.29 mg/L (MP cabbage). Then samples were stored under modified atmosphere at 7 degrees C for shelf-life studies. Changes in O2 and CO2 headspace concentrations, microbiological quality (aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophs, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts), sensory quality, and pH were followed during storage. The respiration rate of the minimally processed vegetables was significantly increased by the ClO2 gas treatment only in the case of MP cabbage (P<0.05). The gas treatment reduced initially APC and psychrotroph count of MP lettuce and APC, psychrotroph counts, yeast counts and pH of MP cabbage (P<0.05). ClO2 treatment did not cause initially any significant (P<0.05) sensorial alteration, except for a weak off-odour in MP lettuce. Interestingly, no browning was observed after treating, which can be accounted to the use of L-cysteine. Although an initial microbiological reduction was observed due to ClO2 gas treatment, APC and psychrotroph counts reached in the samples treated with ClO2 higher levels than in those non-treated with ClO2 before the third day of the shelf-life study. Untreated and treated samples of MP lettuce were sensorial unacceptable due to bad overall visual quality after 4 days, while treated and untreated MP cabbage remained sensorial acceptable during the 9 days of the study. L-cysteine reduced (P<0.05) the decontamination efficacy of ClO2 when applied to MP cabbage but not in the case of MP lettuce. Gaseous ClO2 failed to prolong the shelf-life of MP lettuce and MP cabbage, the reason for the enhanced growth of microorganisms in decontaminated samples should be investigated. Nonetheless, our results prove that it is possible to inhibit browning caused by ClO2.     

Survival and growth of Enterobacter sakazakii on fresh-cut fruits and vegetables and in unpasteurized juices as affected by storage temperature

Enterobacter sakazakii is an emerging foodborne pathogen that has caused illnesses and deaths in infants and elderly immunocompromised adults. Outbreaks of E. sakazakii infection have been associated with infant formulas, but the documented presence of this pathogen in a wide variety of ready-to-eat foods, including lettuce and other raw vegetables, makes it important to learn more about its behavior in these environments. We investigated the survival and growth characteristics of E. sakazakii on fresh-cut apple, cantaloupe, strawberry, watermelon, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, lettuce, and tomato and in juices prepared from these fruits and vegetables. Produce and juices were inoculated with E. sakazakii at 2 to 3 log CFU/g and 1 to 2 log CFU/ml, respectively, and stored at 4, 12, or 25 degrees C. Populations either did not change or gradually decreased in fresh-cut produce and juices stored at 4 degrees C but grew at 12 degrees C on fresh-cut apple, cantaloupe, watermelon, cucumber, and tomato and in all juices except apple, strawberry, cabbage, and tomato juices. All fresh-cut fruits and vegetables except strawberry supported growth of E. sakazakii at 25 degrees C. Growth occurred in all juices except apple, strawberry, and cabbage juices, followed by decreases in population to < 1 CFU/ml after 48 to 72 h, which coincided with decreases in pH and an increase in the population of lactic acid bacteria. Increases in total counts occurred in all juices except strawberry juice stored at 25 degrees C and apple and strawberry juices stored at 12 degrees C. Total counts increased in cantaloupe, carrot, cucumber, and lettuce juices stored at 4 degrees C. Populations of molds and yeasts increased in apple and tomato juices stored at 25 degrees C but decreased to <1 CFU/ml in cabbage, lettuce, and cucumber juices. Further characterization of the behavior of E. sakazakii on fresh produce and in unpasteurized juice as affected by commercial packaging and handling practices is needed.     

Microbiology of Fresh Produce: Route of Contamination,Detection Methods,and Remedy

Fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a healthful diet. They provide vitamins, minerals and fiber to help keep our body healthy. Occasionally, fresh fruits and vegetables can become contaminated with harmful bacteria or viruses, which are also known as pathogens. The major family of pathogen associated with food are members of Enterobacteriaceae which commonly form a part of microbiological criteria and their presence is traditionally related to hygiene and safety of foods. Organic fertilizers, irrigation water quality and soil are major source of contamination. For removal of pathogens, various decontamination procedures are also followed to reduce microbial load on the fruits. These are chemical preservatives and irradiation. Microbiological study of fresh produce can be done by various phenotypic, biochemical and molecular techniques so that pathogen can properly be identified. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed global risk communication message and training materials to assist countries in strengthening their food educating programs. There is a need for improved surveillance systems on food-borne pathogens, on food products and on outbreaks so that comparable data are available from a wider range of countries.     

鲜切果蔬中生物保鲜剂的研究进展

随着人们对食品质量与安全的要求日益提高,鲜切果蔬保鲜技术迅速发展,生物保鲜剂因具有安全、高效等特点成为鲜切果蔬保鲜的研究热点。鲜切果蔬经分级、清洗、修整、去皮、切分、保鲜、包装等过程处理后,机械损伤、生理代谢、病原微生物污染等问题会引起鲜切果蔬腐烂、品质下降,给鲜活农产品的经济贸易带来了巨大损失,并对人类生命安全造成了重大威胁,因此本文综述了温度、气体环境、生理生化反应、微生物等几项能够导致鲜切果蔬褐变腐烂、品质下降的重要影响因素;总结了3种生物保鲜剂在鲜切果蔬保鲜中的应用,包括植物类天然保鲜剂、动物类天然保鲜剂和微生物保鲜剂;讨论了生物保鲜剂的不足,并对今后生物保鲜剂的发展进行了展望。     

Factors influencing the microbial safety of fresh produce: A review

Increased consumption, larger scale production and more efficient distribution of fresh produce over the past two decades have contributed to an increase in the number of illness outbreaks caused by this commodity. Pathogen contamination of fresh produce may originate before or after harvest, but once contaminated produce is difficult to sanitize. The prospect that some pathogens invade the vascular system of plants and establish “sub-clinical” infection needs to be better understood to enable estimation of its influence upon risk of human illness. Conventional surface sanitation methods can reduce the microbial load, but cannot eliminate pathogens if present. Chlorine dioxide, electrolyzed water, UV light, cold atmospheric plasma, hydrogen peroxide, organic acids and acidified sodium chlorite show promise, but irradiation at 1 kGy in high oxygen atmospheres may prove to be the most effective means to assure elimination of both surface and internal contamination of produce by pathogens. Pathogens of greatest current concern are Salmonella (tomatoes, seed sprouts and spices) and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on leafy greens (spinach and lettuce). This review considers new information on illness outbreaks caused by produce, identifies factors which influence their frequency and size and examines intervention effectiveness. Research needed to increase our understanding of the factors influencing microbial safety of fresh produce is addressed.