Selection of lactic acid bacteria for use in vegetable fermentations

The fermentation of brined vegetables traditionally has depended upon growth of naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria to metabolize the vegetable sugars to organic acids which, together with added salt, results in preservation. Starter cultures have been used only to a limited extent commercially. However, recent efforts to improve fermentation vessels and to develop controlled fermentation methods for fermented vegetables has resulted in an increased interest in developing cultures suitable for application in such methods. Rapid and dominant growth, type and extent of acid production, salt tolerance, temperature range, CO₂ production, cell sedimentation, bacteriophage resistance, nutritional value, and ability to survive as concentrated cultures are factors to consider in developing lactic acid bacterial cultures for use in controlled fermentation of vegetables. Recent examples of efforts to improve cultures include development of nonmalate-decarboxylating strains of lactobacilli for use in cucumber fermentation and isolation of a new species of lactobacillus that produces only the L-isomer of lactic acid from the glucose for use in sauerkraut fermentation. Further improvements in starter cultures for fermented vegetables are likely when suitable genetic transfer systems are developed for selective incorporation or deletion of specific traits.     

Edible coatings for enhancing microbial safety and extending shelf life of hard-boiled eggs

ABSTRACT:  Hard-boiled eggs were coated with chitosan–lysozyme (CL), whey protein isolate (WPI), or Bake sheen (BS), inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes or Salmonella enterica Ser. Enteritidis at 10⁴ CFU/g, and stored for 4 wk at 10 °C. Microbial populations were enumerated weekly. Two nonchallenge studies were also conducted with hard-boiled eggs: coated shell-on eggs packaged in plastic containers or peeled eggs coated and vacuum-packaged. Total plate counts (TPC), coliforms, yeasts, molds, weight loss, pH, and color of eggs were determined during the 10-wk storage at 10 °C. Uncoated eggs served as controls. All the coatings were not effective in inhibiting the growth of L. monocytogenes, but CL coating controlled the growth of S. Enteritidis. At the end of 4-wk storage, the numbers of S. enteritidis on CL-coated eggs were about 4-log₁₀ CFU/g less than that of the controls. Coatings reduced ( P < 0.05) the populations of coliforms and TPC, and completely inhibited mold growth during the 10-wk storage. Coatings also reduced ( P < 0.05) the weight loss of eggs, 4.1% to 4.8% on coated eggs compared with 7.5% in uncoated ones at the end of 10-wk storage. The pH of CL-coated eggs remained stable throughout the storage period, while the control eggs increased from 7.6 to 8.6. Color changes in CL- and WPI-coated eggshells were less ( P < 0.05) than those of BS-coated and the control. The CL coating effectively suppressed the numbers of TPC, coliforms, yeasts, and molds on peeled eggs during the 6-wk storage ( P < 0.05). The results suggest that CL coating on hard-boiled eggs can control the growth of S. Enteritidis and reduce undesirable changes in the interior quality of eggs.     

FISH SAUCE PRODUCTS AND MANUFACTURING: A REVIEW

Fish sauce, due to its characteristic flavor and taste, is a popular condiment for cooking and dipping. Biochemically, fish sauce is salt-soluble protein in the form of amino acids and peptides. It is developed microbiologically with halophilic bacteria, which are principally responsible for flavor and aroma. This review article covers the manufacturing methods of fish sauce, factors affecting the quality of fish sauce, nutritional values of fish sauce, microorganisms involved with fermentation, and flavor. In addition, rapid fermentation to reduce time and new parameters to estimate the quality of fish sauce are reviewed. Along with a new approach for estimating the quality of fish sauce, the quantitative analysis of degradation compounds from ATP and other specific protein compounds in fish sauce are discussed.     

Resistance responses of microorganisms in food environments.

Food borne microorganisms display a broad spectrum of resistance responses to naturally occurring and intentionally added antimicrobial agents. Resistance may be conferred by innate structural features of the bacterial strain such as an impermeable outer membrane or a mechanism for antibiotic-inactivation. Bacteria previously susceptible to an antimicrobial compound can acquire resistance through mutation or through genetic transfer processes such as transformation, transduction, and conjugation. Resistance can also be conferred by biofilm formation on food processing surfaces as an adaptive response to protect colonies from cleaning and sanitation. Resistant pathogens are a global problem, facilitated by international trade of raw and processed foods. Cross resistance between clinical and nonclinical antimicrobials can exist and is of concern. The development of resistant foodborne pathogens has been attributed to increased antibiotic use in hospitals, outpatient facilities, and veterinary applications. Resistant microorganisms can also develop as a result of physical processes used in food preservation, such as acid treatments and irradiation processes. Strategies to effectively counter resistance development include: changing current practices of antibiotic usage, developing new antibiotics, applying hurdle preservation approaches, preventing bacterial adhesion, and utilizing competitive exclusion. This paper presents an overview of problems arising from the development of microbial resistance, and explores possible solutions for detecting and defeating the adaptive changes of microorganisms.     

Antimicrobial Properties of Raisins in Beef Jerky Preservation

: Fruits and vegetables may contain components that exert antimicrobial effects. In this study, beef jerky formulated with 15% raisins produced conditions inhibitory to pathogenic bacteria by decreasing pH to 5.4 and a_w to 0.64. Storage of vacuum‐packaged raisin‐beef‐jerky (10‐wk; 30 °C) resulted in a further decrease to pH 4.5 and a_w to 0.62. The antioxidant potential was increased by over 600%. The product received favorable sensory ratings for appearance, texture, and flavor, comparable to the non‐raisin control. Raisins in ready‐to‐eat meats such as jerky produce a lower fat, higher fiber product with antimicrobial capability and increased antioxidant potential, thereby providing a potentially safer, healthier alternative to traditional meat snacks.     

Contribution of wine components to inactivation of food-borne pathogens

ABSTRACT:  Wine is a complex solution containing several components with several likely antimicrobial properties. Low pH (3.0 to 4.0), high organic acid content (titratable acidity ≥6.0 g/L tartaric acid), relatively high ethanol (10% to 15%), and potentially high total sulfur dioxide (0 to 300 ppm) may contribute to inactivation of food-borne pathogens when exposed to wine. The objective was to determine the effect of these 4 parameters on reducing populations of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) O157:H7 and Staphylococcus aureus . A factorial design was used to test variables (pH, titratable acidity, sulfur dioxide, ethanol) in combinations of low, medium, and high levels. Suspension tests were performed to compare the efficacy of 81 treatments with controlled exposure time of 20 min. Staphylococcus aureus was significantly more resistant to wine treatment than E. coli O157:H7. Stepwise regression analysis of S. aureus inactivation revealed the ordered impact of pH, molecular sulfur dioxide, titratable acidity, and ethanol concentration. Selected analysis of E. coli inactivation revealed the importance of pH and ethanol in predicting inactivation. Total and free sulfur dioxide were not predictive of inactivation of either pathogen. Wine-based solutions may have application as surface disinfectants for food surfaces and food contact equipment. Wine destined to be used as a disinfectant could be enhanced by increasing any of the parameters tested in this study; however, lowering the pH would be the most effective and would likely enhance the efficacy of the other parameters. Additional wine components such as volatile acidity and phenolics were not evaluated but may also contribute to the antimicrobial properties of wine.     

Wine is Bactericidal to Foodborne Pathogens

ABSTRACT: Red and white wines without added sulfite were tested for antibacterial activity against stationary-phase grown cells of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus . The wines had bactericidal activity against all strains, with the red wine being most potent. S . Typhimurium was most sensitive, with 6 log reduction after 10 min exposure to wine, whereas S. aureus appeared least sensitive to the wines. Mutants having the gene encoding the alternative sigma factor disrupted were generally more sensitive to wine than their wild-type counterparts. When different combinations of ethanol, organic acids, and acidity were tested against the pathogens, it was found that a composition of 0.15% malic acid, 0.6% tartaric acid, 15% ethanol, and pH 3.0 had a strong bactericidal effect. The compounds in the mixture seemed to act synergistically against the pathogens. The pathogens grew in 25% to 40% white wine diluted in brain hearth infusion broth, with S. aureus being able to grow at the highest concentration of wine. Preincubation of the bacteria in sublethal concentrations of wine and ethanol and pH 4.5 did not increase their tolerance against wine or against the mixture of organic acids and ethanol. In conclusion, wine had an antibacterial effect against the pathogens tested. The synergistic effect of organic acids, ethanol, and low pH seems to be responsible for a major part of the antibacterial effect of wine. The alternative sigma factors seemed to be involved in protection of the bacteria against wine.     

Functional Properties of Antimicrobial Lysozyme-Chitosan Composite Films

ABSTRACT: Lysozyme-chitosan composite films were developed for enhancing the antimicrobial properties of chitosan films. A 10% lysozyme solution was incorporated into 2% chitosan film-forming solution (FFS) at a ratio of 0%, 20%, 60%, and 100% (w lysozyme/w chitosan). Films were prepared by solvent evaporation. Lysozyme release from the film matrix, the antimicrobial activity of films against Escherichia coli and Streptococcus faecalis , and basic film properties were investigated. The lysozyme release proportionally increased with increasing initial concentration of lysozyme in the film matrix, and the amount of released lysozyme was in natural log relationship with time. The films with 60% lysozyme incorporation enhanced the inhibition efficacy of chitosan films against both S. faecalis and E. coli , where 3.8 log cycles reduction in S. faecalis and 2.7 log cycles reduction in E. coli were achieved. Water vapor permeability of the chitosan films was not affected by lysozyme incorporation, whereas the tensile strength and percent elongation values decreased with increased lysozyme concentration. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that lysozyme was homogeneously distributed throughout the film matrix. This study demonstrated that enhanced antimicrobial activity of lysozyme-chitosan composite films can be achieved by incorporating lysozyme into chitosan, thus broadening their applications in ensuring food quality and safety.