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El Kayal W, Darwiche L, Farhat YA, Hdeib M, AlJardaly R, Shbaro M, Iskandar CF. Agricultural Mitigation Strategies to Reduce the Impact of Romaine Lettuce Contamination. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 13:2460. [PMID: 39273944 DOI: 10.3390/plants13172460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leafy greens, particularly romaine lettuce, are often associated with outbreaks due to their susceptibility to contamination from various environmental sources. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of E. coli, Salmonella, copper, nickel, zinc, and manganese in irrigation water, lettuce leaves, and agricultural soil in the Litani River Basin (LRB), Lebanon. METHOD Samples were collected from five demonstration plots employing different agricultural practices. Heavy metal concentrations were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry, while E. coli and Salmonella testing were conducted through conventional culturing techniques. The impact of E. coli contamination on seed germination and the interaction effects between E. coli and heavy metals were also examined. The study also compared the effectiveness of various irrigation systems in reducing bacterial contamination. RESULTS The results demonstrated that contamination levels varied significantly across the plots and irrigation types. This variation underscores the necessity of site-specific mitigation strategies to enhance food safety. Our findings highlight the importance of selecting appropriate irrigation methods and implementing tailored agricultural practices to minimize the risk of contamination. CONCLUSION This research provides valuable insights for optimizing agricultural practices in the LRB to ensure food safety and environmental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid El Kayal
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Linda Darwiche
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Yasmine A Farhat
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Mariane Hdeib
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Roaa AlJardaly
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Mostapha Shbaro
- Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El-Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
| | - Christelle F Iskandar
- Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Riad El Solh, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut 1107-2020, Lebanon
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Hummerick ME, Khodadad CLM, Dixit AR, Spencer LE, Maldonado-Vasquez GJ, Gooden JL, Spern CJ, Fischer JA, Dufour N, Wheeler RM, Romeyn MW, Smith TM, Massa GD, Zhang Y. Spatial Characterization of Microbial Communities on Multi-Species Leafy Greens Grown Simultaneously in the Vegetable Production Systems on the International Space Station. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101060. [PMID: 34685431 PMCID: PMC8537831 DOI: 10.3390/life11101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The establishment of steady-state continuous crop production during long-term deep space missions is critical for providing consistent nutritional and psychological benefits for the crew, potentially improving their health and performance. Three technology demonstrations were completed achieving simultaneous multi-species plant growth and the concurrent use of two Veggie units on the International Space Station (ISS). Microbiological characterization using molecular and culture-based methods was performed on leaves and roots from two harvests of three leafy greens, red romaine lettuce (Lactuca sativa cv. ‘Outredgeous’); mizuna mustard, (Brassica rapa var japonica); and green leaf lettuce, (Lactuca sativa cv. Waldmann’s) and associated rooting pillow components and Veggie chamber surfaces. Culture based enumeration and pathogen screening indicated the leafy greens were safe for consumption. Surface samples of the Veggie facility and plant pillows revealed low counts of bacteria and fungi and are commonly isolated on ISS. Community analysis was completed with 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Comparisons between pillow components, and plant tissue types from VEG-03D, E, and F revealed higher diversity in roots and rooting substrate than the leaves and wick. This work provides valuable information for food production-related research on the ISS and the impact of the plant microbiome on this unique closed environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E. Hummerick
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
- Correspondence: (M.E.H.); (Y.Z.)
| | - Christina L. M. Khodadad
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Anirudha R. Dixit
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Lashelle E. Spencer
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Gretchen J. Maldonado-Vasquez
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Jennifer L. Gooden
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Cory J. Spern
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Jason A. Fischer
- Kennedy Space Center, Amentum Services, Inc., LASSO, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (C.L.M.K.); (A.R.D.); (L.E.S.); (G.J.M.-V.); (J.L.G.); (C.J.S.); (J.A.F.)
| | - Nicole Dufour
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Raymond M. Wheeler
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Matthew W. Romeyn
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Trent M. Smith
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Gioia D. Massa
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
| | - Ye Zhang
- Kennedy Space Center, Utilization and Life Sciences Office, NASA, Merritt Island, FL 32899, USA; (N.D.); (R.M.W.); (M.W.R.); (T.M.S.); (G.D.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.E.H.); (Y.Z.)
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