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Viviers SA, Richter L, du Plessis EM, Korsten L. Microbiological quality of irrigation water on highly diverse fresh produce smallholder farms: elucidating environmental routes of contamination. J Appl Microbiol 2024; 135:lxae091. [PMID: 38632044 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxae091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the microbiological safety, potential multidrug-resistant bacterial presence and genetic relatedness (DNA fingerprints) of Escherichia coli isolated from the water-soil-plant nexus on highly diverse fresh produce smallholder farms. METHODS AND RESULTS Irrigation water (n = 44), soil (n = 85), and fresh produce (n = 95) samples from six smallholder farms with different production systems were analysed for hygiene indicator bacterial counts and the presence of shigatoxigenic E. coli and Salmonella spp. using standard microbiological methods. Identities of isolates were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and the genetic relatedness of the E. coli isolates determined using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) analysis. Irrigation water E. coli levels ranged between 0 and 3.45 log MPN/100 ml-1 with five farms having acceptable levels according to the World Health Organization limit (3 log MPN/100 ml-1). Fresh produce samples on four farms (n = 65) harboured E. coli at low levels (<1 log CFU/g-1) except for one sample from kale, spring onion, green pepper, onion, and two tomato samples, which exceeded international acceptable limits (100 CFU/g-1). Only one baby carrot fresh produce sample tested positive for Salmonella spp. Of the 224 samples, E. coli isolates were identified in 40% (n = 90) of all water, soil, and fresh produce types after enrichment. Additionally, the DNA fingerprints of E. coli isolates from the water-soil-plant nexus of each respective farm clustered together at high similarity values (>90%), with all phenotypically characterized as multidrug-resistant. CONCLUSIONS The clustering of E. coli isolated throughout the water-soil-plant nexus, implicated irrigation water in fresh produce contamination. Highlighting the importance of complying with irrigation water microbiological quality guidelines to limit the spread of potential foodborne pathogens throughout the fresh produce supply chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheldon A Viviers
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Loandi Richter
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Erika M du Plessis
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
| | - Lise Korsten
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0028, South Africa
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Xie Y, Chen Z, Khan A, Ke S. Organizational support, market access, and farmers' adoption of agricultural green production technology: evidence from the main kiwifruit production areas in Shaanxi Province. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:12144-12160. [PMID: 38225490 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31981-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Industrial organizations play a crucial role in transforming the production and management practices of smallholder farmers, encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly production methods. However, limited studies have conducted comprehensive research examining how these industrial organizations effectively encourage farmers to adopt green production technologies. To address this research gap, this study examines the influence of organizational support on the adoption of agricultural green production technologies among 645 kiwifruit farmers in Shaanxi Province, northwestern China, using cross-sectional survey data from 2022. In addition, this research explores the mechanisms and heterogeneity in this impact. In our analysis, we estimated Probit models and mediation effect models, which show a positive influence of organizational support on farmers' adoption of these technologies. Notably, both institutional support and tool support have a more pronounced positive effect on this adoption. The mechanism analysis shows that organizational support facilitates farmers' adoption of these agricultural green production technologies by expanding their access to high-value markets. Furthermore, when considering heterogeneity among farmers, the study finds that organizational support has the most significant impact on the adoption of these technologies among farmers operating at a moderate scale. Moreover, our research highlights a technology linkage effect in the adoption process. Specifically, organizational support has a positive and significant effect on the adoption of technologies like bagging, physical control, and soil testing formulas, while also having a positive but statistically insignificant impact on technologies such as pollution-free pesticides and organic fertilizer substitution. In conclusion, the study proposes to increase assistance to industrial organizations, to play an influential role in guiding and driving farmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Xie
- School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- College of Economics Management, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Aftab Khan
- Institute of Blue and Green Development, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China
- Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Shandong University, Weihai, 264209, China
| | - Shuifa Ke
- School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing, 100872, China.
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Cuggino SG, Possas A, Posada-Izquierdo GD, Theumer MG, Pérez-Rodríguez F. Unveiling Fresh-Cut Lettuce Processing in Argentine Industries: Evaluating Salmonella Levels Using Predictive Microbiology Models. Foods 2023; 12:3999. [PMID: 37959118 PMCID: PMC10647251 DOI: 10.3390/foods12213999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A survey was performed to gather information on the processing steps, conditions, and practices employed by industries processing ready-to-eat (RTE) leafy vegetables in Argentina. A total of seven industries participated in the survey. A cluster analysis of the data obtained was performed to identify homogeneous groups among the participating industries. The data collected were used as inputs of two predictive microbiology models to estimate Salmonella concentrations after chlorine washing, during storage and distribution of final products, and to rank the different practices according to the final estimated Salmonella levels. Six different clusters were identified by evaluating the parameters, methods, and controls applied in each processing step, evidencing a great variability among industries. The disinfectant agent applied by all participating industries was sodium hypochlorite, though concentrations and application times differed among industries from 50 to 200 ppm for 30 to 110 s. Simulations using predictive models indicated that the reductions in Salmonella in RTE leafy vegetables would vary in the range of 1.70-2.95 log CFU/g during chlorine-washing depending on chlorine concentrations applied, washing times, and vegetable cutting size, which varied from 9 to 16 cm2 among industries. Moreover, Salmonella would be able to grow in RTE leafy vegetables during storage and distribution, achieving levels of up to 2 log CFU/g, considering the storage and transportation temperatures and times reported by the industries, which vary from 4 to 14 °C and from 18 to 30 h. These results could be used to prioritize risk-based sampling programs by Food Official Control or determine more adequate process parameters to mitigate Salmonella in RTE leafy vegetables. Additionally, the information gathered in this study is useful for microbiological risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Griselda Cuggino
- Departamento de Fundamentación Biológica, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina;
| | - Arícia Possas
- Department of Food Science and Technology, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (G.D.P.-I.); (F.P.-R.)
| | - Guiomar Denisse Posada-Izquierdo
- Department of Food Science and Technology, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (G.D.P.-I.); (F.P.-R.)
| | - Martin Gustavo Theumer
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba X5000, Argentina;
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología (CIBICI), Córdoba X5000, Argentina
| | - Fernando Pérez-Rodríguez
- Department of Food Science and Technology, UIC Zoonosis y Enfermedades Emergentes ENZOEM, CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, 14014 Córdoba, Spain; (G.D.P.-I.); (F.P.-R.)
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Alegbeleye O, Sant'Ana AS. Microbiological quality of irrigation water for cultivation of fruits and vegetables: An overview of available guidelines, water testing strategies and some factors that influence compliance. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 220:114771. [PMID: 36586712 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Contaminated irrigation water is among many potential vehicles of human pathogens to food plants, constituting significant public health risks especially for the fresh produce category. This review discusses some available guidelines or regulations for microbiological safety of irrigation water, and provides a summary of some common methods used for characterizing microbial contamination. The goal of such exploration is to understand some of the considerations that influence formulation of water testing guidelines, describe priority microbial parameters particularly with respect to food safety risks, and attempt to determine what methods are most suitable for their screening. Furthermore, the review discusses factors that influence the potential for microbiologically polluted irrigation water to pose substantial risks of pathogenic contamination to produce items. Some of these factors include type of water source exploited, irrigation methods, other agro ecosystem features/practices, as well as pathogen traits such as die-off rates. Additionally, the review examines factors such as food safety knowledge, other farmer attitudes or inclinations, level of social exposure and financial circumstances that influence adherence to water testing guidelines and other safe water application practices. A thorough understanding of relevant risk metrics for the application and management of irrigation water is necessary for the development of water testing criteria. To determine sampling and analytical approach for water testing, factors such as agricultural practices (which differ among farms and regionally), as well as environmental factors that modulate how water quality may affect the microbiological safety of produce should be considered. Research and technological advancements that can improve testing approach and the determination of target levels for hazard characterization or description for the many different pollution contexts as well as farmer adherence to testing requirements, are desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadara Alegbeleye
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Anderson S Sant'Ana
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
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Beharielal T, Thamaga-Chitja J, Schmidt S. Socioeconomic Characteristics Associated with Farming Practices, Food Safety and Security in the Production of Fresh Produce—A Case Study including Small-Scale Farmers in KwaZulu-Natal (South Africa). SUSTAINABILITY 2022; 14:10590. [DOI: 10.3390/su141710590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Farmer practices may influence the microbial quality and safety of fresh produce. The increasing demands to create ready-to-eat (RTE) fresh produce while providing potential niche markets for smallholder farmers might be contributing to increased numbers of fresh produce-associated foodborne disease outbreaks. This study determined the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics and farmer hygiene practices of farmers using open-ended questionnaires and key informant interviews. Additionally, the relationships between farmer socioeconomic characteristics and hygiene practices were statistically analyzed. The semi-organic smallholder farmer population and the farmworkers of the organic farm were female-dominated. Tertiary education was a predominant characteristic in the organic and semi-conventional workforces. While the semi-organic and semi-conventional farms relied on a combination of ‘store-bought’ synthetic and composted organic fertilizers, the organic farm owner only used composted organic fertilizer. The irrigation water sources varied amongst the farm types. However, most of the semi-organic farmers did not pre-treat irrigation water prior to use. The irrigation water source and fertilizer type selected by farmers varied and might affect the microbial quality and safety of fresh produce. Socioeconomic factors such as gender and education may influence farmer hygiene practices. These characteristics should therefore be considered when planning farmer support interventions.
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Ayaz WO, Priyadarshini A, Jaiswal AK. Food Safety Knowledge and Practices among Saudi Mothers. Foods 2018; 7:E193. [PMID: 30477256 PMCID: PMC6306806 DOI: 10.3390/foods7120193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examines food safety knowledge and practices of mothers in Saudi Arabia. A total of 979 respondents participated in the study and completed a questionnaire that assessed their knowledge of food storage, food handling, usage, and maintenance of kitchen facilities, personal hygiene, and food poisoning. Results showed that mothers in Saudi Arabia had moderate knowledge of food storage (passing rate 64.9%) and usage and maintenance of kitchen facilities (passing rate 66.5%). While they had good knowledge of personal hygiene (passing rate 83.8%) and food poisoning (passing rate 78.5%), their knowledge with regard to food handling was poor (passing rate 30.4%). Results also highlighted that food safety knowledge and practices amongst mothers in Saudi Arabia improved with the level of education, while their age, employment status, monthly income, and number of children had no significant association with their food safety knowledge and practices. This research revealed the importance of education and that advance education and training program can further improve mothers' food safety knowledge and practices and thereby result in reducing the risks of foodborne illnesses at homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wafa O Ayaz
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, College of Sciences and Health, Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin D01 HV58, Ireland.
| | - Anushree Priyadarshini
- School of Accounting and Finance, College of Business, Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street, Dublin D02 HW71, Ireland.
| | - Amit K Jaiswal
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, College of Sciences and Health, Dublin Institute of Technology, Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin D01 HV58, Ireland.
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