Survival of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium in vacuum-packed, moisture-enhanced pork

The abilities of Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium to survive in vacuum-packaged, moisture-enhanced pork stored at 4 or 10°C were examined. Pork loins were surface inoculated with either C. jejuni or Salmonella Typhimurium and then moisture enhanced to a target of 10 or 20%. The enhanced pork loins were sliced 1 cm thick and vacuum packaged. A pork loin without moisture enhancement was sliced and vacuum packaged as a control. Samples were collected, plated, and the numbers of surviving organisms were determined periodically during storage at 4 and 10°C. The numbers of C. jejuni or Salmonella Typhimurium in samples with different moisture enhancement levels were similar (P > 0.05). No significant differences (P > 0.05) in C. jejuni counts were observed between samples at 10°C and those at 4°C. In contrast, the numbers of Salmonella Typhimurium in samples at 10°C had significantly (P < 0.05) increased (0.41 log CFU/g) from those at the refrigerated temperature of 4°C. Vacuum storage at 4 and 10°C for 28 days did not result in dramatic reductions in the mean numbers of C. jejuni and Salmonella Typhimurium. Our findings indicate that vacuum packaging under chilled conditions will not add substantially to safety for moisture-enhanced pork. Strict hygienic practices or the implementation of decontamination technologies is recommended.     

Viability of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium after isochoric freezing

Isochoric freezing, different from isobaric (conventional) freezing, allows for storage below freezing temperatures without significant damage from ice formation. While several types of tissues have been successfully stored in sub-zero isochoric conditions, it is unknown how isochoric freezing affects pathogenic microorganisms. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the survival of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes at below freezing storage (<0°C) in isochoric conditions. Tested conditions included storage at −4, −7, and −15°C for 24 hr and at −15°C for 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hr. A comparison of bacterial survival during isobaric freezing was included with every trial. Additionally, bacterial cells were examined for morphological damage using transmission electron and field-emission scanning electron microscopes. Isochoric freezing at −15°C for 24 hr reduced both species of bacteria down to unrecoverable levels and maximum efficacy achieved after the 6 hr timepoint for L. monocytogenes and the 12 hr timepoint for S. Typhimurium. When viewed using electron microscopy, S. Typhimurium cells were noticeably disfigured with regions of cytosol separated from the cell wall. The results of this study demonstrate that isochoric freezing is capable of substantial levels of pathogen reduction. Unlike conventional nonthermal interventions, isochoric freezing does not require additional devices such as elevated pressure machines or pulsed electric fields and can be achieved with simple, inexpensive, rigid closed volume containers such as household freezers or commercial cold storage facilities.     

Inactivation kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes,Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium,and Campylobacter jejuni in ready-to-eat sliced ham using UV-C irradiation

To investigate the applicability of UV-C irradiation on the inactivation of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in ready-to-eat sliced ham, UV-C treatment was evaluated. Irradiation dose required for 90% reduction of the populations of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, and Campylobacter jejuni were determined to be 2.48, 2.39, and 2.18 J/m². Ready-to-eat sliced hams were inoculated with the pathogens and irradiated with UV-C light of 1000, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 J/m². Microbiological data indicated that foodborne pathogen populations significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with increasing UV-C irradiation. In particular, UV-C irradiation at 8000 J/m² reduced the populations of L. monocytogenes, S. Typhimurium, and C. jejuni in the ham by 2.74, 2.02, and 1.72 log CFU/g. The results indicate that UV-C irradiation can be used as a microbial inactivation method for ready-to-eat sliced ham, and inactivation kinetics of the foodborne pathogens fit the Weibull model better than the first-order kinetics model.     

Influence of prior growth conditions, pressure treatment parameters, and recovery conditions on the inactivation and recovery of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Typhimurium in turkey meat

The relatively high prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in various food products is of great concern to the food industry. The objective of this study was to determine the pressure-inactivation of the pathogens in a representative food model as affected by prior growth temperature, physiological age of the culture, pressure level and treatment temperature. The effect of post-treatment conditions (incubation temperature and gas atmosphere) on the bacterial recovery was also determined. The pathogens being studied were inoculated into sterile turkey breast meat to a final level of ca. 3 logCFU/g and then grown to two stages, the early stage (representative of exponential phase) and late stage (representative of stationary phase), at 15, 25, 35, and 40 °C. Turkey meat samples were pressure-treated at 400 and 600 MPa for 2 min at initial sample temperatures of 4, 20 and 40 °C. Following treatment, bacterial counts in the samples were determined aerobically or anaerobically at incubation temperatures of 15, 25, 35, and 40 °C. Pressure inactivation of the bacterial pathogens increased as a function of the pressure levels and treatment temperatures. Generally speaking, early stage cells were more resistant than late stage cells (P<0.05). The incubation gas atmosphere did not affect bacterial recovery. Bacteria grown at 15-35 °C underwent higher population reductions than those grown at 40 °C. With regard to recovery temperatures, low temperatures promoted greater recovery of injured early and late stage cells than higher temperatures (P<0.05). This study indicates the importance of environmental conditions to which bacteria are exposed prior to pressure treatment and recovery conditions of the bacteria after pressure treatment when considering the adequacy of pressure treatments to enhance the microbiological safety of foods.     

Thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in breaded pork patties

ABSTRACT:  Decimal reduction times ( D -values) and thermal resistance constants ( z -values) for 3 foodborne pathogenic bacteria in formulated ready-to-eat breaded pork patties were determined with thermal inactivation studies. Meat samples, inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella , and Listeria monocytogenes cultures or uninoculated controls, were packaged in sterile bags, immersed in circulated water bath, and held at 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5, 65, 67.5, and 70 °C for different durations of time. The D - and z -values were determined by using a linear regression model. Average calculated D -values for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella , and L . monocytogenes at a temperature range of 55 to 70 °C were 32.11 to 0.08 min, 69.48 to 0.29 min, and 150.46 to 0.43 min, respectively. Calculated z -values for E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella , and L. monocytogenes were 5.4, 6.2, and 5.9 °C, respectively. The results of this study will be useful to food processors to validate thermal lethality of the studied foodborne pathogens in ready-to-eat breaded pork patties.     

Reduction of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes on produce by trisodium phosphate

The application of trisodium phosphate (TSP) on produce against food-borne bacteria has not been extensively evaluated. This research studied the effect of 20 and 50 mg/ml TSP in reducing Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) and Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) on model produce (lettuce and peppers). Washed and air-dried Iceberg lettuce (3 × 3 cm²) and Jalapeno peppers (25–30 g) were spiked with S. Typhimurium or L. monocytogenes (～7 log₁₀ CFU/ml). Samples were treated with 20 or 50 mg/ml TSP, 200 mg/L sodium hypochlorite (for comparison with traditional washes) or water (control rinse) for 15 or 30 s. Treatments were immediately neutralized with trypticase soy broth (TSB) containing 30 mg/ml beef extract, serially diluted, plated on Xylose Lysine Tergitol 4 (XLT4) agar for ST and Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) for Lm and incubated at 37 °C for 24–48 h. Results showed that 20 mg/ml TSP and 200 mg/L sodium hypochlorite caused 5–6 log₁₀ CFU/ml reduction in ST on both lettuce and peppers after 15 s and 30 s, while 50 mg/ml TSP reduced ST to undetectable levels on both produce at both contact times. For overnight Lm cultures, a mere reduction of 0.21 and 0.28 log₁₀ CFU/ml was obtained using 20 and 50 mg/ml TSP after even 5 min, while 200 mg/L sodium hypochlorite decreased Lm by ～1 log₁₀ CFU/ml after 30 s and 1 min on lettuce, and decreased pure culture Lm to undetectable levels after 3 min. Thus, 50 mg/ml TSP appears effective against ST with negligible effects against Lm, whose mode of action needs to be understood.     

Change in attachment of Salmonella Typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Listeria monocytogenes to pork skin and muscle after hot water and lactic acid decontamination

The attachment of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Listeria monocytogenes to pig skin and muscle tissue decontaminated with 80 °C water or 55 °C, 1% lactic acid for 5 and 15 s was investigated. Attachment properties differed between skin and muscle surfaces. A significantly higher number of firmly attached bacteria was found on the decontaminated skin surface compared to the non-treated skin surface, both on hot water (P < 0.0001) and on lactic acid treated skin (P < 0.001). At the muscle surfaces, no such difference in attachment were shown between hot water treated surfaces and non-treated surfaces. In contrast, for lactic acid decontamination, significantly fewer bacteria attached to the treated muscle surfaces (P < 0.0001). The study did not show significant differences in surface attachment, between Salmonella, Yersinia and Listeria, which indicate that surface and environmental factors may influence attachment more than bacterial properties. A more profound location of attached bacteria at muscle compared to skin was indicated. Confocal laser scanning microscopy studies showed that bacteria located in deep tissue structures of non-decontaminated and decontaminated skin and muscle surfaces. In the latter, bacteria tended to “hide” between the muscle fibres and may be entrapped at those sites. The finding of changed attachment properties at skin after decontamination may play a role in cross- and recontamination, during subsequent meat processing.     

Comparison of sampling procedures for recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from stainless steel food contact surfaces

A number of techniques exist for microbiological sampling of food processing environments in food industries. In the present study the efficacies of nine sampling procedures for the recovery of Listeria monocytogenes from food contact surfaces, including a new sampling device consisting of a miniroller, were evaluated and compared. A stainless steel table was inoculated with L. monocytogenes strain 935 (serovar 4b, human origin) and L. monocytogenes strain 437/07 (serovar 1/2b, food origin), at 10(5) CFU/100 cm(2). L. monocytogenes strain 935 was best recovered with the minirollers (recovery of up to 6.27%), while poor recoveries (<0.30%) were obtained with the towel (one-ply composite tissue), alginate swab, metallic swab, and Petrifilm methods. In the case of L. monocytogenes strain 437/07 the replicate organism detection and counting (RODAC) ALOA contact plates yielded the best recoveries (4.15%), followed by the minirollers (up to 1.52%). Overall, recovery percentages with the minirollers were higher with stomacher homogenization than with Vibromatic agitation. The recovery percentages obtained for the Listeria strain of human origin were higher than those obtained with the food strain for all sampling procedures except Petrifilm and RODAC ALOA. With the miniroller device coated with wool fiber, the recovery of L. monocytogenes can be improved from 2 to 17 times over recoveries obtained with the sponge and cotton swab. This is the first report of a miniroller device for microbiological sampling in the available literature. The novel sampling procedure is convenient to apply on surfaces, is cost-effective, and results in better recovery of L. monocytogenes than do the conventional methods.     

Antibacterial activities of phenolic benzaldehydes and benzoic acids against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica

We evaluated the bactericidal activities of 35 benzaldehydes, 34 benzoic acids, and 1 benzoic acid methyl ester against Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica when these compounds were substituted on the benzene ring with 0, 1, 2, or 3 hydroxy (OH) and/or methoxy (OCH3) groups in a pH 7.0 buffer. Dose-response plots were used to determine the percentage of the sample that induced a 50% decrease in CFU after 60 min (BA50). Of the 70 compounds tested, 24 were found to be active against all four pathogens, and additional 4, 10, and 12 were found to be active against three, two, and one of the pathogens, respectively. C. jejuni was approximately 100 times as sensitive as the other three pathogens. The 10 compounds that were most active against the four pathogens (with average BA50 values ranging from 0.026 to 0.166) and are candidates for studies of activity in foods or for disinfections were 2,4,6-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-2,6-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde. and 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde. Comparison of the chemical structures of the test compounds and their activities revealed that (i) the aldehyde (CHO) group was more active than the carboxyl (COOH) group whether or not OH groups were present; (ii) compounds were most active with trisubstituted OH > disubstituted OH > monosubstituted OH; (iii) for disubstituted derivatives, 2-OH enhanced activities were exhibited by benzaldehyde but not by benzoic acid; (iv) compounds were more active with OH than with OCH3, irrespective of the position of substitution on the benzene ring; (v) compounds with mixed OH and OCH3 groups exhibited variable results, i.e., in some cases OCH3 groups enhanced activity and in other cases they did not; (vi) methoxybenzoic acids were largely inactive; and (vii) gallic acid was 20 times as active against S. enterica at pH 7.0 as it was at pH 3.7, suggesting that the ionization of its OH groups may enhance bactericidal activity.     

Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, verotoxigenic Escherichia coli, and Escherichia coli prevalence, enumeration, and subtypes on retail chicken breasts with and without skin

This study examined the prevalence, counts, and subtypes of Campylobacter, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC), and E. coli on raw retail chicken breast with the skin on versus the skin off. From January to December 2007, 187 raw skin-on chicken breasts and 131 skin-off chicken breasts were collected from randomly selected retail grocery stores in the Region of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Campylobacter isolates were recovered from a higher proportion of the skin-off chicken breasts, 55 (42%) of 131, than of the skin-on chicken breasts tested, 55 (29%) of 187 (P = 0.023). There was no difference in the proportion of Salmonella isolates recovered from the two meat types (P = 0.715): 40 (31%) of 131 skin-off chicken breasts versus 61 (33%) of 187 skin-on chicken breasts. L. monocytogenes isolates were recovered from a statistically lower proportion of the skin-off chicken breasts, 15 (15%) of 99, than of the skin-on chicken breasts, 64 (34%) of 187 (P = 0.001). There was no difference in the proportion of E. coli isolates recovered from the skin-off chicken breasts, 33 (33%) of 99, than from the skin-on chicken breasts, 77 (41%) of 187 (P = 0.204). VTEC was detected on a single skin-off chicken breast. Campylobacter jejuni was the most frequent species isolated on both types of chicken meat: skin-on, 48 (87%) of 55, and skin-off, 51 (94%) of 54. Salmonella serotypes Kentucky and Heidelberg and L. monocytogenes serotype 1/2a were the most frequently detected serotypes from both skin-off and skin-on chicken breasts. Although there appeared to be a trend toward higher enumeration values of these pathogens and E. coli on the skin-on chicken, the differences did not exceed 1 log. This study suggested that skin-off chicken breast may represent a higher risk of consumer exposure to Campylobacter, a similar risk for Salmonella, VTEC, and E. coli, and a lower risk for L. monocytogenes than skin-on chicken breast.     

Inhibition of Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes in mung bean sprouts by chemical treatment

This study was undertaken to compare the efficacies of chlorous acid (268 ppm), sodium hypochlorite (200 ppm), and lactic acid (2%) in eliminating total mesophilic microorganisms, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes on commercial mung bean sprouts immediately after treatment and during posttreatment refrigerated storage. Treatment with sodium hypochlorite for 10 min did not reduce the total aerobic count. However, treatment with lactic acid and chlorous acid for 10 min initially reduced the total aerobic count by 0.6 and 0.8 log CFU/g, respectively, and maintained the same level or a lower level of the total aerobic count during the storage time. Treatment with chlorous acid reduced Salmonella Typhimurium from 5.0 log to undetectable levels (<0.48 log CFU/g), and the pathogen remained undetectable over a 9-day storage period. Treatment with lactic acid resulted in an initial 3-log reduction and further reduced the number of Salmonella Typhimurium cells to undetectable levels after 3 days. For L. monocytogenes, treatment with chlorous acid resulted in an initial 5-log reduction, and treatment with lactic acid resulted in a 2-log reduction at the beginning and undetectable levels after 9 days. When chemically injured cells were investigated by the selective overlay method, no statistical difference was observed (P < 0.05) between the number of injured cells recovered following treatment with chlorous acid and the number of bacteria counted on selective media, whereas sodium hypochlorite generated more injured cells than the other treatments did. These data suggest that treatment with chlorous acid may be useful in reducing total mesophilic microorganisms, Salmonella Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes in commercial mung bean sprouts.     

Contamination of chicken carcasses in Gauteng, South Africa, by Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter

The presence of the foodborne pathogens, Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter spp., on 99 fresh and frozen chicken carcasses sourced from various retailers in Gauteng, South Africa, was investigated. Using culture methods, 60.6% of the carcasses were found to be contaminated with one or more pathogens, with 19.2%, 19.2% and 32.3% of the carcasses being found to harbour Salmonella, L. monocytogenes and Campylobacter, respectively. The extent of contamination with one or more pathogens was not significantly different (p>0.1) between fresh or frozen samples or between samples from butcheries, supermarkets or street vendors. Significantly more (p<0.1) fresh carcasses from butcheries than from other outlets were contaminated with Salmonella, while more fresh carcasses from supermarkets were contaminated with Campylobacter. The proportion of carcasses with L. monocytogenes from all sources were similar. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results indicate an even higher extent of pathogen contamination, but the PCR techniques need to be further refined before they can be used routinely.     

Nonaplex real-time PCR detection of Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Salmonella and enteropathogene E. coli after universal enrichment in food samples

A universal cultivation media for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli in conjunction with a highly efficient nonaplex PCR for the determination of L. monocytogenes, Campylobacter, Salmonella and enteropathogenic E. coli was developed and compared to classical microbiological assays. The achieved detection limit was at 2 colony-forming units per g for all analytes. The method allows screening of food samples within 24 h and is partly automatable. A ring trial showed that it can be easily established in other laboratories showing its robustness. The presented method yields results similar to the classical ISO methods based on cultivation.     

Antimicrobial activity of epsilon-polylysine against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in various food extracts

ABSTRACT:  This study compared the antimicrobial effects of ɛ-polylysine (ɛ-PL) against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in 6 food extracts and in broth. The food extracts (10% (w/w) in distilled water) evaluated were fat-free and whole fat milk, beef, bologna, rice, and vegetables (50:50 ratio of broccoli and cauliflower). ɛ-PL was tested at 0.005% and 0.02% (w/v) against E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes , and 0.02% and 0.04% (w/v) against S. Typhimurium . The substrates were inoculated (5 log CFU/mL) and periodically analyzed for surviving populations during storage at 12 °C for 6 d. In general, all 3 pathogens reached 7 to 9 log CFU/mL within 2 d in control substrates (no ɛ-PL). Immediate bactericidal effects ( P < 0.05) following exposure to ɛ-PL were obtained in the rice (all pathogens) and vegetable ( E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium ) extracts. During storage, antimicrobial effects of ɛ-PL were more pronounced in the food extracts than in the broth medium. The greatest antimicrobial activity for all 3 pathogens was obtained in the rice and vegetable extracts, where counts were reduced ( P < 0.05) to below the detection limit (0.0 log CFU/mL) by one or both ɛ-PL concentrations tested. In the other food extracts (fat-free milk, whole fat milk, beef, and bologna), both ɛ-PL concentrations tested generally resulted in lower ( P < 0.05) pathogen levels at the end of storage compared to initial counts, with better bactericidal effects exerted by the higher of the 2 ɛ-PL concentrations. Additional research is needed to explore the potential antimicrobial effects of ɛ-PL in real food systems.     

Stability of electrolyzed oxidizing water and its efficacy against cell suspensions of Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes

Electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water has proved to be effective against foodborne pathogens attached to cutting boards and poultry surfaces and against spoilage organisms on vegetables; however, its levels of effectiveness against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium in cell suspensions have not been compared with those of other treatments. In this study, the oxidation reduction potentials (ORPs), chlorine concentrations, and pHs of acidic and basic EO water were monitored for 3 days at 4 and 25 degrees C after generation. There were no differences between the pHs or ORPs of acidic and basic EO waters stored at 4 or 25 degrees C. However, the free chlorine concentration in acidic EO water stored at 4 degrees C increased after 24 h. In contrast, the free chlorine concentration in acidic EO water stored at 25 degrees C decreased after one day. Cell suspensions of Salmonella Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes were treated with distilled water, chlorinated water (20 ppm), acidified chlorinated water (20 ppm, 4.5 pH), acidic EO water (EOA), basic EO water (EOB), or acidic EO water that was "aged" at 4 degrees C for 24 h (AEOA) for up to 15 min at either 4 or 25 degrees C. The largest reductions observed were those following treatments carried out at 25 degrees C. EOA and AEOA treatments at both temperatures significantly reduced Salmonella Typhimurium populations by > 8 log10 CFU/ml. EOA and AEOA treatments effectively reduced L. monocytogenes populations by > 8 log10 CFU/ml at 25degrees C. These results demonstrate the stability of EO water under different conditions and that EO water effectively reduced Salmonella Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes populations in cell suspensions.     

In-package Pasteurization Combined with Biocide-impregnated Films to Inhibit Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium in Turkey Bologna

ABSTRACT: The inhibitory effects of in-package pasteurization (3–5D, decimal reduction times) combined with a nisin (7%, w/w) containing wheat gluten film were tested over an 8-wk storage period against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Typhimurium populations inoculated on refrigerated bologna. Bologna slices subjected to the in-package pasteurization process reducedL. monocytogenes populations 3.8- to 7.0-log colony-forming units (CFU)/g, and the remaining population fluctuated between 1.2- and 38-log CFU/g over the 2-mo storage period. S . Typhimurium was reduced 5.7- to 7.3-log CFU/g, and the remaining population progressively declined from 100 to <10 CFU/g over 2 mo of storage. The wheat gluten film containing nisin was effective in reducing the population of L. monocytogenes (2.75-log reduction with pasteurization; 1-log reduction without pasteurization), but was not effective against S . Typhimurium (<1-log reduction). Combining both treatments significantly reduced the L. monocytogenes populations and prevented outgrowth over the 2-mo storage period but provided no added inhibitory effect against S . Typhimurium compared with only pasteurization.     

Incidence of Salmonella, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Listeria monocytogenes in poultry carcasses and different types of poultry products for sale on the Belgian retail market.

From January 1997 to May 1998, 772 samples of poultry carcasses and poultry products for sale on the retail market in Belgium were analyzed for the presence of Salmonella spp., Salmonella Enteritidis, Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes per 100 cm2 or 25 g. Poultry samples were contaminated with Salmonella (36.5%), C. jejuni and C. coli (28.5%), and L. monocytogenes (38.2%). In about 12.3% of the poultry samples, the L. monocytogenes contamination level exceeded 1 CFU per g or cm2. Significant differences in pathogen contamination rates of poultry products were noticed between the poultry products originating from Belgian, French, and U.K. abattoirs. Poultry products derived from broiler chickens running free in pine woods until slaughtering age (12 to 13 weeks) had a significantly (P < 0.05) lower contamination rate of Salmonella than poultry products from enclosed broilers slaughtered at the age of 6 to 8 weeks. A significantly (P < 0.05) lower pathogen contamination rate was noted for Salmonella, C. jejuni, and C. coli for poultry cuts without skin compared to poultry cuts with skin on. An increase in pathogen contamination rate was noticed during cutting and further processing. To diminish C. jejuni, C. coli, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes contamination rates, hygienic rules of slaughter and meat processing must be rigorously observed. At the moment, zero tolerance for these pathogens is not feasible, and there is a need to establish criteria allowing these pathogens to be present at reasonable levels in the examined poultry samples.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in orange and tomato juice using ohmic heating

The effects of ohmic heating on reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes in orange and tomato juice were investigated. Orange and tomato juice inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes were subjected to ohmic heating with selected parameters including electric field strength from 10 to 20 V/cm and treatment times from 0 to 540 s. The number of pathogens was reduced by increasing the electric field strength from 10 to 20 V/cm as well as increasing treatment time. The population of E. coli O157:H7 was reduced more than 5 log after 120, 210, and 540 s of treatment in orange juice with 20, 15, and 10 V/cm electric field strengths, respectively. In tomato juice, levels of E. coli O157:H7 were reduced more than 5 log after 90, 180, and 480 s with the same electric field strengths. Similar phenomena were observed for Salmonella Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes, but E. coli O157:H7 was the most resistant to ohmic heating treatment. These results show that ohmic heating is potentially useful for inactivation of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and L. monocytogenes and that the effect of inactivation depends on applied electric field strength, treatment time, pathogen species, and type of juice.     

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.     

Activity of ε–Polylysine Against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes

ABSTRACT: ε–polylysine is a homopolymer of L-lysine, an essential amino acid, with a reportedly wide antimicrobial spectrum. This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of ε–polylysine, as compared with known preservatives and organic acids, against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes , in culture broth. The compounds tested included ε–polylysine (0.0025% to 0.05%), sodium diacetate (0.25%), sodium lactate (3.0%), lactic acid (0.1%), and acetic acid (0.1%), alone, as well as in combination with ε– polylysine (0.0025% to 0.03%); all treatments were evaluated in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0.6% yeast extract. Treatments were inoculated (approximately 2 log colony-forming units [CFU]/mL) with 5-strain ( E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium) or 10-strain ( L. monocytogenes ) mixtures of the pathogens. Survival/growth of the inoculated bacteria was periodically monitored during incubation at 4 °C (30 d) and 24 °C (48 h). Bactericidal effects of ε–polylysine were obtained against E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium at 4 °C. At the same temperature (4 °C), ε–polylysine alone or in combination with other compounds tested inhibited growth or was bactericidal against L. monocytogenes. All 3 pathogens were inhibited by ε–polylysine at 24 °C; however, L. monocytogenes was the most sensitive and S. Typhimurium the most resistant. The antimicrobial activity of ε–polylysine against E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium was enhanced ( P < 0.05) when tested in combination with sodium diacetate or acetic acid. Combination treatments with sodium lactate resulted in loss of ε–polylysine activity by the end of the incubation period. Overall, under the conditions of this study, ε–polylysine exhibited antimicrobial effects against the 3 pathogens tested.