Inactivation kinetics of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium on organic carrot (Daucus carota L.) treated with low concentration electrolyzed water combined with short-time heat treatment

Changes in inoculated Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovar Enteritidis and other microbiological qualities of vacuum-packed carrot slices after treatment with aqueous extract of Lobularia maritima

After harvesting, pathogens can infect fresh vegetables in different ways. Pathogenic bacteria associated with fresh vegetables can cause widespread epidemics associated with foodborne illness. The aim of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of carrot slices after treatment with aqueous extracts of Lobularia maritima (AELm) at different concentrations AELm1 (10 mg/mL), AELm2 (5 mg/mL), AELm3 (2.5 mg/mL) and AELm4 (1.25 mg/mL), and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis, along with vacuum packaging and storage of carrots for 7 days at 4 °C. On days 1. and 7., total viable counts (TVC), and coliforms bacteria (CB), and Salmonella count were all analysed. Microorganisms that were obtained from carrots were identified using MALDI-TOF MS Biotyper Mass Spectrometry. The total viable, coliform bacteria and Salmonella counts were varied by the group of treatment. Higher counts were found in the control group on both days. The most isolated species of bacteria were Salmonella enterica and Pantoea agglomerans on the 1. day and Klebsiella oxytoca on the 7. day. The current study adds useful information for a better understanding of how Salmonella enterica reacts to the effect of AELm and its potential use as a sustainable washing method to eliminate bacteria from freshly cut carrots.

Quantitative microbiological risk assessment for the occurrence of listeriosis in Brazil due to the consumption of milk processed by pasteurization or thermosonication

This study aimed to estimate the risk of listeriosis from the consumption of pasteurized milk in Brazil, comparing conventional treatment with the technology of thermosonication. The Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment (QMRA) model was developed, covering the entire milk production chain, from milking to the moment of consumption. In general, higher risks were observed in association with higher initial concentrations of the pathogen and the vulnerable population. The highest risk predicted (3.67 × 10-5) was related to the scenario considering the initial concentration range of L. monocytogenes between 4 and 6 log CFU/mL, with conventional treatment and considering the vulnerable population, resulting in one case of listeriosis every 27,248 servings. When considering thermosonication treatment, lower risks have been predicted. The scenario analysis indicated that the steps related to storage conditions in retail and at the consumer's home (post-processing steps) are the most influential in the associated risk, in all scenarios. The predictive parameters of inactivation related to the applied treatment also have a considerable influence on the risk. The results point to the influence of the stages of the dairy production chain and the thermosonication treatment applied in the food safety of milk, subsidizing information for industrial application and for regulatory agencies.

Phagotrophic protists preserve antibiotic-resistant opportunistic human pathogens in the vegetable phyllosphere

Food safety of leafy greens is an emerging public health issue as they can harbor opportunistic human pathogens (OHPs) and expose OHPs to consumers. Protists are an integral part of phyllosphere microbial ecosystems. However, our understanding of protist-pathogen associations in the phyllosphere and their consequences on public health remains poor. Here, we examined phyllosphere protists, human pathogen marker genes (HPMGs), and protist endosymbionts from four species of leafy greens from major supermarkets in Xiamen, China. Our results showed that Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the dominant human pathogens in the vegetable phyllosphere. The distribution of HPMGs and protistan communities differed between vegetable species, of which Chinese chive possessed the most diverse protists and highest abundance of HPMGs. HPMGs abundance positively correlated with the diversity and relative abundance of phagotrophic protists. Whole genome sequencing further uncovered that most isolated phyllosphere protists harbored multiple OHPs which carried antibiotic resistance genes, virulence factors, and metal resistance genes and had the potential to HGT. Colpoda were identified as key phagotrophic protists which positively linked to OHPs and carried diverse resistance and virulence potential endosymbiont OHPs including Pseudomonas nitroreducens, Achromobacter xylosoxidans, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. We highlight that phyllosphere protists contribute to the transmission of resistant OHPs through internalization and thus pose risks to the food safety of leafy greens and human health. Our study provides insights into the protist-OHP interactions in the phyllosphere, which will help in food safety surveillance and human health.

A quantitative prevalence of Escherichia coliO157 in different food samples using real-time qPCR method

Escherichia coli serogroup O157 is the main causative agent of several intestinal and extra-intestinal foodborne diseases in humans through consumption of low-dose contaminated foods such as milk, beef, and vegetables. To date, studies regarding the quantitative prevalence of E. coli O157 in foods are so limited. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the quantitative prevalence rate of E. coli serogroup O157 in raw milk (n = 144), vegetable salad (n = 174), and minced beef samples (n = 108) using the real-time qPCR SYBR green melting curve method targeting the rfbA gene. First, we evaluated the method and found a sensitive and specific qPCR assay with 1 log of CFU/ml detection limit to detect E. coli O157 (Tm = 80.3 ± 0.1°C). About 2.77%, 10.18%, and 9.19% of raw milk, minced beef, and vegetable salad samples, respectively, were contaminated with E. coli O157. Minced beef and vegetable salad samples were significantly more contaminated than raw milk samples. Population average of E. coli O157 in raw milk, minced beef, and vegetable salad samples were 2.22 ± 0.57, 3.30 ± 0.40, and 1.65 ± 0.44 log CFU/ml or gr, respectively. Significantly higher levels of population of E. coli O157 were observed in minced beef samples. Minced beef can be regarded as the main food in the transmission of this foodborne pathogen. Routine quantitative rapid monitoring is strongly suggested to be carried out to prevent foodborne diseases caused by E. coli O157.

Antimicrobial effects of thymol-loaded phytoglycogen/zein nanocomplexes against foodborne pathogens on fresh produce

In this study, thymol-loaded hydrophobically modified phytoglycogen/zein nanocomplexes with a particle size around 100 nm were developed for improving microbial safety of fresh produce. The antimicrobial activities, including the determination of minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentration, growth kinetic curves, and inhibition zone of the nanocomplexes against foodborne pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enteritidis, and Escherichia coli) were evaluated. The results showed that the antimicrobial activities of the nanocomplexes were significantly stronger than that of free thymol control (without encapsulation), and the antimicrobial efficacy remained unchanged after storage at 4 °C for 60 days. The morphological results from atomic force microscope revealed that small micellar blebs were formed at the surface of bacteria after treatment with nanocomplexes and the gradual disappearance of the cell boundary indicated the occurrence of cytolysis. The potential applications of this nanocomplex as disinfectant agent in wash water were evaluated on different types of fresh produce (lettuce, cantaloupe, and strawberries). Notably, the nanocomplexes also demonstrated efficacy in biofilm removal. Findings from this study clearly demonstrated that the thymol-loaded nanocomplexes hold promising potential for the disinfection of fresh produce to improve their microbial safety and quality.

The Efficacy of Conventional Spray, Electrostatic Spray, and Dip with a Combination of Hydrogen Peroxide and Peroxyacetic Acid To Inactivate Listeria monocytogenes on Apples

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxyacetic acid (PAA) mixer delivered by conventional garden spray (GS), electrostatic spray (ES), and dip methods to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes on apples. Organic Honeycrisp, Fuji, and Pink Lady apples were dip inoculated with L. monocytogenes (two strains, serotype 1/2b), which were then kept untreated (control), sprayed with water only, or treated with the H2O2-PAA mixer (0.0064, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.50%) for 20 s via GS, ES, or dip, followed by draining (for 2 min) on aluminum foil. Surviving bacteria were recovered on modified Oxford agar. Atomic force microscopy was used to detect the structural changes of inactivation of L. monocytogenes in broth medium by the H2O2-PAA mixer solution. Data (two replicates, with six samples per replicate) were analyzed using the mixed model procedure of SAS (P = 0.05). Initial counts of L. monocytogenes on untreated apples were 6.80 to 6.90 log CFU per apple. The dip method was the most effective treatment (P < 0.05) for pathogen reductions (2.31 to 2.41 log CFU per apple), followed by GS (1.44 to 1.70 log CFU per apple) and then ES (0.84 to 1.20 log CFU per apple). Reductions of L. monocytogenes were greatest (P < 0.05) when apples were treated with H2O2-PAA mixer -0.25 and -0.50%. Atomic force microscopy analyses indicated that inactivation of L. monocytogenes cells in H2O2-PAA mixer solutions resulted from disruption of the outer membrane. The H2O2-PAA mixer-treated cells had increased width and height and decreased roughness compared with the untreated cells. Results suggested that applying a H2O2-PAA mixer by dip or GS methods is better for pathogen reduction than ES on apples.

HIGHLIGHTS

Selection of Microbial Targets for Treatments to Preserve Fresh Carrot Juice

Fresh carrot juice presents nutritional and organoleptic qualities which have to be preserved. However, it is a fast perishable beverage, and its low-acidic pH promotes the development of foodborne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. This study aims to assess the modification and variability of physicochemical and microbial indicators during storage of carrot juice, and to isolate and select microorganisms to be used as promoters of spoilage to quantify the effect of preservation treatments. To achieve that, 10 batches of carrot Daucus carota cv. Maestro juice were prepared independently, stored up to 14 days at 4 °C and analyzed. Volatile compound composition differed mainly according to the analyzed batch. During storage, an increase of the content of ethanol, ethyl acetate or 2-methoxyphenol, which are produced by different microorganisms, was noticed. Isolation of bacteria revealed Pseudomonas, lactic acid bacteria, and enterobacteria, some of them provoking odor modification of carrot juice at 4 °C. Assays in carrot juice with isolated yeasts and molds showed the ability of Meyerozyma guillermondii to induce texture modification and some isolates, e.g., Pichia guillermondii, resulted in gas production. Selected isolates able to induce spoilage are useful to test preservative treatments of fresh carrot juice under controlled conditions.

Metabolic Responses of "Big Six" Escherichia coli in Wheat Flour to Thermal Treatment Revealed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Escherichia coli outbreaks linked to wheat flour consumption have kept emerging in recent years, which necessitated an antimicrobial step being incorporated into the flour production process. The objectives of this in vivo study were to holistically evaluate the sanitizing efficacy of thermal treatment at 60 and 70°C against the "big six" E. coli strains (O26:H11, O45:H2, O103:H11, O111, O121:H19, and O145) in wheat flour and to assess the strain-specific metabolic responses using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The 70°C treatment temperature indiscriminatingly inactivated all strains by over 4.3-log CFU/g within 20 min, suggesting the high sanitization effectiveness of this treatment temperature, whereas the treatment at 60°C inactivated the strains to various degrees during the 1-h process. The most resistant strains at 60°C, O26 and O45, were characterized by amino acid and sugar depletion, and their high resistance was attributed to the dual effects of activated heat shock protein (HSP) synthesis and promoted glycolysis. O121 also demonstrated these metabolic changes, yet its thermal resistance was largely impaired by the weakened membrane structure and diminished osmotic protection due to phosphorylcholine exhaustion. In contrast, O111, O145, and O103 presented a substantial elevation of metabolites after stress at 60°C; their moderate thermal resistance was mainly explained by the accumulation of amino acids as osmolytes. Overall, the study enhanced our understanding of the metabolic responses of big six E. coli to heat stress and provided a model for conducting NMR-based metabolomic studies in powdered food matrices. IMPORTANCE "Big six" Escherichia coli strains have caused several outbreaks linked to wheat flour consumption in the last decade, revealing the vital importance of adopting an antimicrobial treatment during the flour production process. Therefore, the present study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a typical sanitizing approach, thermal treatment, against the big six strains in wheat flour along with the underlying antimicrobial mechanisms. Findings showed that thermal treatment at 60 and 70°C could markedly mitigate the loads of all strains in wheat flour. Moreover, activated heat shock protein synthesis combined with expedited glycolysis and enhanced osmotic protection were identified as two major metabolic alteration patterns in the E. coli strains to cope with the heat stress. With the responses of big six in wheat flour to thermal treatment elucidated, scientific basis for incorporating a thermal inactivation step in wheat flour production was provided.

Recent trends and applications of electrolyzed oxidizing water in fresh foodstuff preservation and safety control

With the growing demand for safe and nutritious foods, some novel food nonthermal sterilization technologies were developed in recent years. Electrolyzed oxidizing water (EOW) has the characteristics of strong antimicrobial ability, wide sterilization range, and posing no threat to the humans and environment. Furthermore, EOW can be used as a green disinfectant to replace conventional production water used in the food industry since it can be converted to the ordinary water after sterilization. This review summarizes recent developments of the EOW technology in food industry. It also reviews the preparation principles, physical and chemical characteristics, antimicrobial mechanisms of EOW, and inactivation of toxins using EOW. In addition, this study highlights the applications of EOW in food preservation and safety control, as well as the future prospects of this novel technology. EOW is a promising nonthermal sterilization technology that has great potential for applications in the food industry.

Research Trends on the Application of Electrolyzed Water in Food Preservation and Sanitation

Electrolyzed water (EW) has been proposed as a novel promising sanitizer and cleaner in recent years. It is an effective antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent that has several advantages of being on the spot, environmentally friendly, cheap, and safe for human beings. Therefore, EW has been applied widely in various fields, including agriculture, food sanitation, livestock management, medical disinfection, clinical, and other fields using antibacterial technology. Currently, EW has potential significance for high-risk settings in hospitals and other clinical facilities. The research focus has been shifted toward the application of slightly acidic EW as more effective with some supplemental chemical and physical treatment methods such as ultraviolet radiations and ultrasound. This review article summarizes the possible mechanism of action and highlights the latest research studies in antimicrobial applications.

Fabrication and characterization of dextran/zein hybrid electrospun fibers with tailored properties for controlled release of curcumin

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of biopolymer electrospun nanofibers for various food applications due to the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high loading capacity. Herein, we fabricated and characterized novel hybrid electrospun fibers from dextran (50%, w/v) and zein (0-30%, w/v) solutions, and the effects of various zein concentrations on the properties of the hybrid electrospun fibers were investigated.

RESULTS

When zein was added at low concentrations (5% and 10%), dextran and zein showed poor miscibility, as reflected by significantly decreased viscosity of the solutions, and the poor mechanical properties of the derived fiber membranes. When zein was added at medium concentrations (15-25%), hydrogen bonds were formed between dextran and zein molecules, as indicated by the red shift of Fourier-transform infrared bands and β-sheet to α-helix structural transformations. The fiber membranes electrospun from a solution with 25% zein showed the most hydrophobic surface, with a water contact angle of 116.9°. The homogenous dispersion of dextran and zein resulted in improved mechanical properties for fibers electrospun from a solution with 30% zein. Curcumin encapsulating dextran/zein electrospun fibers exhibited effective radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power, along with the desired controlled release behavior for curcumin delivery.

CONCLUSION

Food grade dextran/zein hybrid electrospun fibers demonstrated tunable properties, and appear to be promising as delivery systems for bioactive and edible antimicrobial food packaging. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Decline of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh apples during long-term, low-temperature simulated international sea-freight transport

Listeria monocytogenes has caused outbreaks of foodborne illness from apples in the USA, and is also a major issue for regulatory compliance worldwide. Due to apple's significance as an important export product from New Zealand, we aimed to determine the effect of long-term, low-temperature sea-freight from New Zealand to the USA (July) and Europe (March-April), two key New Zealand markets, on the survival and/or growth of L. monocytogenes on fresh apples. Temperature and humidity values were recorded during a shipment to each market (USA and Europe), then the observed variations around the 0.5 °C target temperature were simulated in laboratory trials using open ('Scired') and closed ('Royal Gala' for the USA and 'Cripps Pink' for Europe) calyx cultivars of apples inoculated with a cocktail of 10⁷-10⁸ cells of seven strains of L. monocytogenes. Samples were analysed for L. monocytogenes quantification at various intervals during the simulation and on each occasion, an extra set was analysed after a subsequent 8 days at 20 °C. When both the sea-freight simulations concluded, L. monocytogenes showed 5 log reductions on the equatorial surface of skin of apples, but only about 2.5 log reduction for USA and about 3.3 log reduction for Europe in the calyx. Cultivar type had no significant effect on the survival of L. monocytogenes for both sea-freight simulations, either in the calyx or on the skin (P > 0.05). Most of the reduction in the culturable cells on the skin occurred during the initial 2 weeks of the long-term storage simulations. There was also no significant difference in the reduction of L. monocytogenes at 0.5 or 20 °C. No correlation was observed between firmness or total soluble solids and survival of L. monocytogenes. Because the inoculated bacterial log reduction was lower in the calyx than on the skin, it is speculated that the risk of causing illness is higher if contaminated apple cores are eaten. The result suggested that the international sea-freight transportation does not result in the growth of L. monocytogenes irrespective of time and temperature. The results of this study provide useful insights into the survival of L. monocytogenes on different apple cultivars that can be used to develop effective risk mitigation strategies for fresh apples during long-term, low-temperature international sea-freight transportation.

Ohmic heating increases inactivation and morphological changes of Salmonella sp. and the formation of bioactive compounds in infant formula

The effect of ohmic heating (OH) (50, 55, and 60 °C, 6 V/cm) on the inactivation kinetics (Weibull model) and morphological changes (scanning electron microscopy and flow cytometry) of Salmonella spp. in infant formula (IF) was evaluated. In addition, thermal load indicators (hydroxymethylfurfural and whey protein nitrogen index, HMF, and WPNI) and bioactive compounds (DPPH, total phenolics, ACE, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities) were also studied. OH presented a more intense inactivation rate than conventional heating, resulting in a reduction of about 5 log CFU per mL at 60 °C in only 2.91 min, being also noted a greater cell membrane deformation, higher formation of bioactive compounds, and lower values for the thermal load parameters. Overall, OH contributed to retaining the nutritional value and improve food safety in IF processing.

Atomic force microscopy in food preservation research: New insights to overcome spoilage issues

A higher level of food safety is required due to the fast-growing human population along with the increased awareness of healthy lifestyles. Currently, a large percentage of food is spoiled during storage and processing due to enzymes and microbial activity, causing huge economic losses to both producers and consumers. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), as a powerful scanning probe microscopy, has been successfully and widely used in food preservation research. This technique allows a non-invasive examination of food products, providing high-resolution images of surface structure and individual polymers as well as the physical properties and adhesion of single molecules. In this paper, detailed applications of AFM in food preservation are reviewed. AFM has been used to provide comprehensive information in food preservation by evaluating the spoilage with its related structure modification. By utilizing AFM imaging and force measurement function, the main mechanisms involved in the loss of food quality and preservation technologies development can be further elucidated. It is also capable of exploring the activities of enzymes and microbes in influencing the quality of food products during storage. AFM provides comprehensive solutions to overcome spoilage issues with its versatile functions and high-throughput outcomes. Further research and development of this novel technique in order to solve integrated problems in food preservation are necessary.

Comparison of Inactivation Effect of Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water and Sodium Hypochlorite on Bacillus cereus Spores

Bacillus cereus spores are concerns for food spoilage and foodborne disease in food industry due to their high resistance to heat and various disinfectants. The aim of this study was to investigate the inactivation of B. cereus spores by slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) in comparison to sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) with same available chlorine content (ACC). In this study, the efficacy of SAEW with different concentrations of ACC (40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mg/L) on the inactivation of B. cereus spores, and the effect of SAEW combined with mild heat treatment (60°C), was examined in pure culture suspensions. Heat resistance and pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (DPA) release of the spores were also determined. The results showed that the sporicidal effect of the SAEW was significantly higher compared with the NaClO with the same concentration of ACC. Furthermore, the inactivation efficacy was largely dependent on ACC and treatment time. Moreover, the sporicidal activity of the SAEW was significantly improved when combined with a mild heat treatment (60°C). The majority of the DPA was released from spores, and the spores exhibited less resistance to heat after SAEW treatment for 30 min. These findings indicate that SAEW could effectively inactivate B. cereus spores, making it a promising and environmentally friendly decontamination technology for application in the food industry.

Metabolic characterisation of eight Escherichia coli strains including "Big Six" and acidic responses of selected strains revealed by NMR spectroscopy

The metabolic diversity of Escherichia coli strains (non-pathogenic E. coli ATCC 25922, and pathogenic E. coli O157:H7, O26:H11, O45:H2, O103:H11, O111, O121:H19, and O145) was tested using nuclear magnetic resonance. Based on two representative two-dimensional ¹H-¹³C spectra, 38 metabolites were identified in E. coli intracellular samples. Principal component analysis indicated that metabolites including lysine, arginine, α-ketoglutaric acid, adenosine, and fumaric acid were responsible for the separation of E. coli ATCC 25922. Relatively large metabolic differences between ATCC 25922 and the pathogenic strains were recoded. The most varied pairwise group (ATCC 25922 vs. O26:H11) was further analysed. The screened metabolites and enrichment pathway tests revealed different amino acid metabolism and higher requirement for energy production in the pathogenic strains. The acidic responses of the selected strains were further tested. The in vitro and in vivo inactivation kinetics, morphological changes, and protein leakage showed higher acid tolerance of E. coli O26:H11. Metabolic analysis of the two strains under acidic stress revealed alternative metabolites and pathways in the two groups. Pathogenic O26:H11 was characterised by higher energy production and amino acid metabolism (lysine and glutamic acid). Real-time PCR tests confirmed that glutamic acid dependent decarboxylase/antiporter system was the major acid resistance mechanism.

Comparison of metabolic response between the planktonic and air-dried Escherichia coli to electrolysed water combined with ultrasound by 1H NMR spectroscopy

The antimicrobial effects of electrolysed water and ultrasound have been well reported; however, little attention was paid to their effects on the metabolite changes of bacteria in different states. In this study, the metabolomic variations of Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 in planktonic and adherent state (air-dried on stainless steel coupons) after the combination treatment of low-concentration acidic electrolysed water (AEW, free available chlorine (FAC): 4 mg/L) and ultrasound were characterised, by conducting multivariate data analysis based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Overall, 43 metabolites were identified in two states of E. coli, including a wide range of amino acids, organic acids, nucleotides and their derivatives. The quantification of whole-cell metabolism in planktonic and air-dried cultures was quite different: air-dried E. coli exhibited more resistance to ultrasound and AEW treatments due to initiating a protective response against oxidative and acid stresses, which was not observed in planktonic E. coli, whose levels of all identified metabolites were decreased significantly after the combined treatment. Further pathway analysis revealed that alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were changed significantly in planktonic culture, but to a less extent in air-dried culture, in which some shifts in glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) system and some shunts like mixed acid fermentation and pentose phosphate pathway were observed for maintaining metabolic balance. These findings suggest that NMR-based metabolomics strategy is promising in identifying different metabolic shifts in different states of bacteria. They also provide some guidance for food equipment sanitisation, especially for organic food processing.