Microbiological contamination linked to implementation of good agricultural practices in the production of organic lettuce in Southern Brazil

Interviews were conducted with the owners of three organic lettuce farms in the state of Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil using a standardized self-assessment questionnaire to ascertain the status of implementation of good agricultural practices and management systems in place. In addition, on each farm 132 samples (manure, field soil, water, workers' hands and equipment, lettuce seedlings, and crops) were collected during four visits throughout the lettuce crop production cycle and subjected to analysis for hygiene indicators (Escherichia coli, coliforms) and presence of Salmonella and E. coli O157. E. coli O157 was detected twice (in irrigation water and in rinse water) out of 27 analyzed water samples. Salmonella spp. was detected in one out of nine manure samples applied as organic fertilizer. In addition, generic E. coli was frequently present in numbers exceeding 10 cfu/g in manure, manured soil, and lettuce samples or more than 1 cfu/100 ml in water. No E. coli O157 was detected in any of the lettuce samples (n = 36), but Salmonella spp. was detected once in lettuce taken during the crop cycle 2 weeks before harvest. It was demonstrated that the combination of the self-assessment questionnaire and microbiological sampling and analysis could identify weak points in current organic farming practices in this region of southern Brazil. It was noted that manure composting was not adequately controlled and appropriate waiting times before application as an organic fertilizer to crop were not respected. Also the selection of the water source and the sanitary quality of the water used for irrigation were not under control. The washing step (with sanitizer) of lettuce crops at harvest, generally considered a potential reduction step for microbial contamination, was often not verified for its efficiency. This may detract from the sanitary quality of the produce and are risk factors for the introduction of pathogens in the lettuce sent to market. The study, combining interviews, sampling, and analysis, contributed to increasing the farmers' awareness of enteric pathogens as a food safety issue in leafy greens. Further communication and training on good agricultural practices are recommended to remediate the weak points identified in the current management system.     

Microbiological quality and safety of minimally processed fruits in the marketplace of southern Portugal

The availability of fresh-cut fruit (FCF) in the marketplace has been increasing in Portugal, although reports of its microbial quality are not known. Due to the growing concerns of these commodities over their microbial safety, the objectives of this work were to study the microbiological quality and prevalence of Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut fruits sold in southern Portugal. A study to examine the changes in pH and microbial counts, before and after the expiration dates, was also made. A total of 160 samples was purchased in the local grocery stores between September 2011 and August 2014, before their sell-by date. These samples were assayed for aerobic mesophilic (AM) and psychrotrophic (AP) microorganisms, yeasts and molds (YM), lactic-acid bacteria (LAB), coliforms (TC), Escherichia coli and coagulase positive staphylococci as well as L. monocytogenes and Salmonella. The microbiological counts ranged from 3.0-9.2 lg cfu/g (AM); 2.2–10.7 lg cfu/g (AP); 2.3–10.4 lg cfu/g (YM); 1.9–9.0 lg cfu/g (LAB) and less than 1–9.1 lg cfu/g (TC). The melons and watermelon presented the highest levels of the microbial quality parameters studied. However, no E. coli, staphylococci, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes were detected in any of the samples. After the sell-by date, an increase of the AM, AP, LAB and YM values was observed in all fruits. Conversely, the differences found in TC counts before and after the best-before date had no statistical significance. A decrease in pH was observed in all fruits except pineapple whose pH slightly increased after 14 days of storage. The results highlight the importance of preventing contamination and cross contamination, selecting adequate decontamination technologies and maintaining a strict temperature control during processing, distribution and selling of FCF.     

尾管固井和水平井筛管联作技术在东方1-1气田的应用

莺琼盆地东方1-1气田B7hSa井是中海石油（中国）有限公司湛江分公司所钻的一口目的层埋藏较浅的浅层水平井,该井的作业过程比较复杂：Φ311.15 mm第二次开钻,第一个井段钻到目的层顶部后,由于地层的物性较差,打水泥塞回填整个井眼后,重新侧钻了第二个Φ311.15 mm井眼,造成井眼轨迹变化大,摩阻扭矩大;后续的Φ244.5 mm套管没有下到井底,留下677 m的 “口袋”,而在2 930～3 015 m井段存在一个必封的水层。后续经过广泛的技术咨询,结合项目的实际情况,决定采用水平井筛管顶部加尾管,对尾管段注水泥封固水层的工艺技术,最后高效完成了该井作业。为此,介绍了这套筛管顶部注水泥工艺技术的基本原理﹑管柱结构﹑主要的配套工具﹑配套工具的优化选择,详尽分析了整个工艺过程以及每项作业的重点、难点和相关措施,总结了该套工艺技术的方案设计和现场实践等方面的经验,以期为今后类似井的作业提供借鉴与参考。     

绥中36-1油田A油藏生物竞争排斥技术治理下H2S主控因素及机理研究

目的绥中36-1油田A油藏采用生物竞争排斥技术治理因注入海水引入硫酸盐还原菌(SRB)而产生的H₂S,以油藏为研究对象,进行了H₂S生长主控因素和机理研究。 方法选取油藏典型油井考查其停药期间不同油井的H₂S含量、硫化物含量、微生物含量,观察SRB生长曲线规律,对H₂S生长主控因素和机理进行研究。 结果生物竞争排斥法能够抑制SRB生长,单井H₂S质量浓度降至30 mg/m³以下。停药期间,油藏H₂S生长趋势符合Compertz模型,单井A1、A4、A17、A20、A22模型拟合度在0.8以上,方差的统计量较高,显著性为0.001~0.002。 结论H₂S不受油藏生产动态的控制,海水提供了丰富的SO2-₄营养源,绥中36-1油田A油藏H₂S生长的主控因素为油藏中的SO2-₄含量。该油藏已经形成了非常稳定的生态菌群,稳定的生态系统能自动消除外部引入的硫酸盐,从而系统地控制H₂S的生长。 