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Van Paepeghem C, Taghlaoui F, De Loy-Hendrickx A, Vermeulen A, Devlieghere F, Jacxsens L, Uyttendaele M. Prevalence and growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes in innovative, pre-packed, plant-based ready-to-eat food products on the Belgian market. Int J Food Microbiol 2024; 410:110506. [PMID: 38043378 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2023.110506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, pre-packed ready-to-eat (RTE) food products on the Belgian market have shifted to a more plant-based composition due to a variety of reasons, including consumer concerns about health, animal welfare, and sustainability. However, similar to animal-based RTE foods, plant-based RTE foods can be susceptible to the presence and outgrowth of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). Three innovative, pre-packed, plant-based RTE food product categories on the Belgian market were identified based upon data gaps regarding the prevalence and growth potential of this pathogen. These were vegetarian and vegan deli sandwich slices (category 1), fresh-cut (mixes of) leafy vegetables (category 2), and multi-ingredient salad bowls (category 3). Reports on associated listeriosis outbreaks and recalls were collected and a comprehensive literature review on the prevalence of L. monocytogenes (i.e. detection in 25 g food) was performed. In addition, the prevalence of L. monocytogenes was also determined through an exploratory retail survey of ca. 50 different RTE products of each category. A batch was considered positive if L. monocytogenes was detected in a food item, either on the day of purchase, at the end of shelf life, or both. During the retail survey, L. monocytogenes was not detected in category 2 (0 out of 51 batches), while 1 out of 51 and 6 out of 48 batches were found positive for respectively category 1 and 3. The observed L. monocytogenes concentration did not exceed 10 CFU/g at any point in time in any batch. Furthermore, challenge tests were performed to determine the growth potential of L. monocytogenes in nine pre-packed, plant-based RTE food products (two to four different products of each category, and three different batches per product). After inoculation, products were stored for half of their shelf life at 7 °C and half of their shelf life at 9 °C (simulation of resp. retail and consumer storage). In six of the nine challenge tests executed, growth of L. monocytogenes was supported (i.e. growth potential ≥0.50 log10 CFU/g during shelf life). The highest growth potential was observed for fresh-cut iceberg lettuce (3.60 log10 CFU/g in 9 days), but a large variation regarding the growth potential of L. monocytogenes was noted both between and within the three studied pre-packed, plant-based RTE food product categories. This variation was mainly caused by differences in product composition, physicochemical product characteristics, present (competitive) microbiota such as lactic acid bacteria, applied preservation techniques, and shelf life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Van Paepeghem
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fatima Taghlaoui
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Anja De Loy-Hendrickx
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - An Vermeulen
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Devlieghere
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Jacxsens
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mieke Uyttendaele
- Research group of Food Microbiology and Food Preservation, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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Ravindhiran R, Sivarajan K, Sekar JN, Murugesan R, Dhandapani K. Listeria monocytogenes an Emerging Pathogen: a Comprehensive Overview on Listeriosis, Virulence Determinants, Detection, and Anti-Listerial Interventions. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2023; 86:2231-2251. [PMID: 37479828 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-023-02269-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, the third most deleterious zoonotic pathogen, is a major causative agent of animal and human listeriosis, an infection related to the consumption of contaminated food products. Even though, this pathogen has been responsible for the outbreaks of foodborne infections in the early 1980s, the major outbreaks have been reported during the past two decades. Listeriosis infection in the host is a rare but life-threatening disease with major public health and economic implications. Extensive reports on listeriosis outbreaks are associated with milk and milk products, meat and meat products, and fresh produce. This bacterium can adapt to any environmental and stress conditions, making it a prime causative agent for major foodborne diseases. The pathogen could survive an antibiotic treatment and persist in the host cell, thereby escaping the standard diagnostic practices. The current review strives to provide concise information on the epidemiology, serotypes, and pathogenesis of the L. monocytogenes to decipher the knowledge on the endurance of the pathogen inside the host and food products as a vehicle for Listeria contaminations. In addition, various detection methods for Listeria species from food samples and frontline regimens of L. monocytogenes treatment have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Ravindhiran
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Karthiga Sivarajan
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Jothi Nayaki Sekar
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Rajeswari Murugesan
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India
| | - Kavitha Dhandapani
- Department of Biochemistry, Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, 641043, India.
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El-Bastawisy HS, El-Sayyad GS, Abu Safe FA. Detection of hemolytic Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in fresh vegetables and efficiency of phytogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles by Syzygium aromaticum extract and gamma radiation against isolated pathogens. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:262. [PMID: 37723460 PMCID: PMC10508014 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-02994-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) is a major cause of foodborne diseases accompanied by several clinical illnesses in humans. This research aimed to isolate, identify, and combat STEC using novel alternative treatments, researchers have lately investigated using plant extract to produce nanoparticles in an environmentally acceptable way. At various gamma-ray doses, gamma irradiation is used to optimize the conditions for the biogenically synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using an aqueous extract of clove as a reducing and stabilizing agent. METHODS On a specific medium, 120 vegetable samples were screened to isolate STEC and molecularly identified using real-time PCR. Moreover, the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of biogenically synthesized Ag NPs against the isolated STEC were examined. RESULTS Twenty-five out of 120 samples of eight types of fresh vegetables tested positive for E. coli, as confirmed by 16S rRNA, of which three were positive for the presence of Stx-coding genes, and six were partially hemolytic. Seven antibiotic disks were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility; the results indicated that isolate STX2EC had the highest antibiotic resistance. The results demonstrated that Ag NPs were highly effective against the STEC isolates, particularly the isolate with the highest drug resistance, with inhibition zones recorded as 19 mm for STX2EC, 11 mm for STX1EC1, and 10 mm for STX1EC2 at a concentration of 108 µg/mL. MICs of the isolates STX1EC1, and STX1EC2 were 13.5 µg/mL whereas it was detected as 6.75 µg/mL for STX2EC. The percentages of biofilm inhibition for STX1EC2, STX1EC1, and STX2EC, were 78.7%, 76.9%, and 71.19%, respectively. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that the biogenic Ag NPs can be utilized as a new promising antibacterial agent to combat biofouling on surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan S El-Bastawisy
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Gharieb S El-Sayyad
- Drug Radiation Research Department, National Center for Radiation Research and Technology (NCRRT), Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority (EAEA), Cairo, Egypt.
| | - Feriala A Abu Safe
- Botany Department, Faculty of Women for Art, Science and Education, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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Finger JAFF, Santos IM, Silva GA, Bernardino MC, Pinto UM, Maffei DF. Minimally Processed Vegetables in Brazil: An Overview of Marketing, Processing, and Microbiological Aspects. Foods 2023; 12:foods12112259. [PMID: 37297503 DOI: 10.3390/foods12112259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The global demand for minimally processed vegetables (MPVs) has grown, driven by changes in the population's lifestyle. MPVs are fresh vegetables that undergo several processing steps, resulting in ready-to-eat products, providing convenience for consumers and food companies. Among the processing steps, washing-disinfection plays an important role in reducing the microbial load and eliminating pathogens that may be present. However, poor hygiene practices can jeopardize the microbiological quality and safety of these products, thereby posing potential risks to consumer health. This study provides an overview of minimally processed vegetables (MPVs), with a specific focus on the Brazilian market. It includes information on the pricing of fresh vegetables and MPVs, as well as an examination of the various processing steps involved, and the microbiological aspects associated with MPVs. Data on the occurrence of hygiene indicators and pathogenic microorganisms in these products are presented. The focus of most studies has been on the detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Listeria monocytogenes, with prevalence rates ranging from 0.7% to 100%, 0.6% to 26.7%, and 0.2% to 33.3%, respectively. Foodborne outbreaks associated with the consumption of fresh vegetables in Brazil between 2000 and 2021 were also addressed. Although there is no information about whether these vegetables were consumed as fresh vegetables or MPVs, these data highlight the need for control measures to guarantee products with quality and safety to consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica A F F Finger
- Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
- Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), Sao Paulo 05508-080, SP, Brazil
| | - Isabela M Santos
- Department of Agri-Food Industry, Food and Nutrition, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
| | - Guilherme A Silva
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana C Bernardino
- Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 01246-904, SP, Brazil
| | - Uelinton M Pinto
- Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, SP, Brazil
- Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), Sao Paulo 05508-080, SP, Brazil
| | - Daniele F Maffei
- Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), Sao Paulo 05508-080, SP, Brazil
- Department of Agri-Food Industry, Food and Nutrition, "Luiz de Queiroz" College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba 13418-900, SP, Brazil
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Ding Y, Nan Y, Qiu Y, Niu D, Stanford K, Holley R, McAllister T, Narváez‐Bravo C. Use of a phage cocktail to reduce the numbers of seven
Escherichia coli
strains belonging to different
STEC
serogroups applied to fresh produce and seeds. J Food Saf 2023. [DOI: 10.1111/jfs.13044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yiran Ding
- Food and Human Nutritional Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Yuchen Nan
- Food and Human Nutritional Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Yang Qiu
- Food and Human Nutritional Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Dongyan Niu
- Ecosystem & Public Health University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
| | - Kim Stanford
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Lethbridge Lethbridge Canada
| | - Rick Holley
- Food and Human Nutritional Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Tim McAllister
- Food and Human Nutritional Sciences University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
- Ecosystem & Public Health University of Calgary Calgary Alberta Canada
- Department of Biological Sciences University of Lethbridge Lethbridge Canada
- Agriculture and Agri‐Food Canada Lethbridge Research and Development Centre Lethbridge Alberta Canada
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Łepecka A, Zielińska D, Szymański P, Buras I, Kołożyn-Krajewska D. Assessment of the Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Salads-Are There Any Reasons for Concern about Public Health? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19031582. [PMID: 35162605 PMCID: PMC8835243 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19031582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Ready-to-eat food products can be readily consumed without further preparation and are convenient for busy on-the-go consumers. The objective of the study was to assess the microbiological quality of ready-to-eat salads. Thirty RTE salads were tested for the presence of bacteria, yeasts, and molds using the TEMPO and agar plate method. The study demonstrated that most of the tested products were characterized by varying microbiological quality. The total number of mesophilic microbiotas was about 6 log CFU g-1. The high number of microorganisms was due to yeast and molds or Enterobacteriaceae. Half of the salads were contaminated with E. coli and three salads were contaminated with S. aureus. LAB were also found, which can be explained mainly by a dairy ingredient. In some salads, Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were detected (26.7% and 33.3% of the samples, respectively). Based on the conducted tests, it was found that the microbiological quality was not satisfactory. The results presented in this study indicate that there is a significant problem of the presence of pathogens. Manufacturers should strive to reduce the possibility of microbial contamination through the use of widely understood hygiene of the production process, using hurdle technology, including the modified atmosphere and refrigerated storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Łepecka
- Department of Meat and Fat Technology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Dorota Zielińska
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (D.Z.); (I.B.); (D.K.-K.)
| | - Piotr Szymański
- Department of Meat and Fat Technology, Prof. Waclaw Dabrowski Institute of Agriculture and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute, 02-532 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Izabela Buras
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (D.Z.); (I.B.); (D.K.-K.)
| | - Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska
- Department of Food Gastronomy and Food Hygiene, Institute of Human Nutrition Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences-SGGW, 02-776 Warsaw, Poland; (D.Z.); (I.B.); (D.K.-K.)
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7
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Ratshilingano MT, du Plessis EM, Duvenage S, Korsten L. Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Two Commercial Lettuce and Spinach Supply Chains. J Food Prot 2022; 85:122-132. [PMID: 34324673 DOI: 10.4315/jfp-21-125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Leafy green vegetables have increasingly been reported as a reservoir of multidrug-resistant pathogenic Enterobacteriaceae, with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli frequently implicated in disease outbreaks worldwide. This study examined the presence and characteristics of antibiotic resistance, diarrheagenic virulence genes, and phylogenetic groupings of E. coli isolates (n = 51) from commercially produced lettuce and spinach from farms, through processing, and at the point of sale. Multidrug resistance was observed in 33 (64.7%) of the 51 E. coli isolates, with 35.7% (10 of 28) being generic and 100% (23 of 23) being extended-spectrum β-lactamase/AmpC producing. Resistance of E. coli isolates was observed against neomycin (51 of 51, 100%), ampicillin (36 of 51, 70.6%), amoxicillin (35 of 51, 68.6%), tetracycline (23 of 51, 45%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (22 of 51, 43%), chloramphenicol (13 of 51, 25.5%), Augmentin (6 of 51, 11.8%), and gentamicin (4 of 51, 7.8%), with 100% (51 of 51) susceptibility to imipenem. Virulence gene eae was detected in two E. coli isolates from irrigation water sources only, whereas none of the other virulence genes for which we tested were detected. Most of the E. coli strains belonged to phylogenetic group B2 (25.5%; n = 13), B1 (19.6%; n = 10), and A (17.6%; n = 9), with D (5.9%; n = 3) less distributed. Although diarrheagenic E. coli was not detected, antibiotic resistance in E. coli prevalent in the supply chain was evident. In addition, a clear link between E. coli isolates from irrigation water sources and leafy green vegetables through DNA fingerprinting was established, indicating the potential transfer of E. coli from irrigation water to minimally processed leafy green vegetables. HIGHLIGHTS
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Affiliation(s)
- Muneiwa T Ratshilingano
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Erika M du Plessis
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
| | - Stacey Duvenage
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, South Africa
| | - Lise Korsten
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, Pretoria 0002, South Africa
- Department of Science and Innovation-National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, South Africa
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8
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Use of Phage Cocktail for Improving the Overall Microbiological Quality of Sprouts—Two Methods of Application. Appl Microbiol 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol1020021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: the aim of this study was to improve the overall microbiological quality of five different sprouts (alfalfa, kale, lentil, sunflower, radish) using newly isolated bacteriophages. Method: in this study we had isolated from sewage 18 bacteriophages targeting bacteria dominant in sprouts. Five selected bacteriophage strains were photographed using a transmission electron microscope (TEM), and we analyzed the rate of attachment, resistance to chloroform, the burst size, and the latency period. Two methods of application of the phage cocktail were investigated: spraying, and an absorption pad. Results: the spraying method was significantly more efficient, and the maximum reduction effect after 48 h of incubation was 1.5 log CFU/g. Using pads soaked with phage lysate reduced the total number of bacteria to only about 0.27–0.79 log CFU/g. Conclusion: the reduction of bacteria levels in sprouts depended on the method of phage application. The blind strategy for searching phage targeting bacteria dominant in sprouts can be useful and economically beneficial as a starting point for further investigation in phage cocktail application for improving the overall microbiological quality of food. The main result of our research is to improve the overall quality of kale and radish sprouts by spraying them with a phage cocktail.
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Ikeuchi S, Hien BT, Thuan NK, Thi L, Hara-Kudo Y, Taniguchi T, Hayashidani H. [Contamination of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Retail Fresh Vegetables in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam]. Food Hygiene and Safety Science (Shokuhin Eiseigaku Zasshi) 2021; 62:94-99. [PMID: 34219102 DOI: 10.3358/shokueishi.62.94] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
From July 2017 to January 2019, total of 645 retail fresh vegetables collected from 19 retail shops and markets was investigated to know the contamination of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Of 645 samples, 2 samples (0.3%) were positive for pathogenic E. coli. Of 2 pathogenic E. coli positive samples, 1 was EHEC (stx2 positive) and the other was ETEC (sta positive). Two pathogenic E. coli strains were isolated from crisphead lettuce. EHEC strain was not serotyped by commercial antisera and ETEC was serotyped as O20. EHEC and ETEC strains showed multi-drug resistance against 4 and 7 antibiotics, respectively. These results indicate that retail fresh vegetables seem to be not an important source of human EHEC and ETEC infection in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Ikeuchi
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agricultureand Technology
| | - Bui Thi Hien
- Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Nguyen Khanh Thuan
- Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Cantho University
| | - Ly Thi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture, Cantho University
| | | | - Takahide Taniguchi
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agricultureand Technology.,Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Hideki Hayashidani
- Cooperative Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agricultureand Technology.,Division of Animal Life Science, Institute of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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10
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Kyere EO, Qiu GW, Md Zain SN, Palmer J, Wargent JJ, Fletcher GC, Flint S. A comparison of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in bagged and un-bagged lettuce in supermarkets. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2020.110022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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11
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Arienzo A, Murgia L, Fraudentali I, Gallo V, Angelini R, Antonini G. Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Leafy Green Salads during Shelf-Life and Home-Refrigeration. Foods 2020; 9:foods9101421. [PMID: 33049952 PMCID: PMC7601731 DOI: 10.3390/foods9101421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The market of ready-to-eat leafy green salads is experiencing a noticeable growth in Europe. Since they are intended to be consumed without additional treatments, these ready-to-eat products are associated with a high microbiological risk. The aim of this work was to evaluate the microbiological quality and safety of ready-to-eat leafy green salads sold in widespread supermarket chains in Lazio, Italy, on the packaging date during shelf-life and during home-refrigeration. The study also aimed to determine the differences between low-, medium-, and high-cost products. Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes were chosen as safety indicators as specified by European regulations while total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and Escherichia coli were chosen as quality indicators as suggested by national guidelines. Analyses were performed following the ISO standards and in parallel for the evaluation of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, with an alternative colorimetric system, the Micro Biological Survey method, in order to propose a simple, affordable and accurate alternative for testing the microbiological quality of products, especially suitable for small and medium enterprises and on-site analyses. The study revealed high, unsatisfactory, total bacterial loads in all analyzed samples on the packaging date and expiry date and a very high prevalence of Salmonella spp. (67%) regardless of the selected varieties and cost categories; L. monocytogenes was not recovered aligning with the results obtained in other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyexandra Arienzo
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (I.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Lorenza Murgia
- Interuniversity Consortium INBB National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, 305, 00136 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Ilaria Fraudentali
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (I.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Valentina Gallo
- Interuniversity Consortium INBB National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, 305, 00136 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (V.G.)
| | - Riccardo Angelini
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (I.F.); (R.A.)
| | - Giovanni Antonini
- Department of Science, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; (A.A.); (I.F.); (R.A.)
- Interuniversity Consortium INBB National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Viale delle Medaglie d’Oro, 305, 00136 Rome, Italy; (L.M.); (V.G.)
- Correspondence:
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12
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Sant'Anna PB, de Melo Franco BD, Maffei DF. Microbiological safety of ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables in Brazil: an overview. JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2020; 100:4664-4670. [PMID: 32329100 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The market of ready-to-eat minimally processed vegetables (RTE-MPV) is increasing in Brazil and many other countries. During processing, these vegetables go through several steps that modify their natural structure while maintaining the same nutritional and sensory attributes as the fresh produce. One of the most important steps is washing-disinfection, which aims to reduce the microbial load, prevent cross-contamination and inactivate pathogenic microorganisms that may be present. Nonetheless, the presence of pathogens and occurrence of foodborne illnesses associated with consumption of RTE-MPV concern consumers, governments and the food industry. This review brings an overview on the microbiological safety of RTE-MPV, focusing on Brazilian findings. Most of the published data are on detection of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes, indicating that their prevalence may range from 0.4% to 12.5% and from 0.6% to 3.1%, respectively. The presence of these pathogens in fresh produce is unacceptable and risky, mainly in RTE-MPV, because consumers expect them to be clean and sanitized and consequently safe for consumption without any additional care. Therefore, proper control during the production of RTE-MPV is mandatory to guarantee products with quality and safety to consumers. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro B Sant'Anna
- Department of Biological Sciences, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Bernadette Dg de Melo Franco
- Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Daniele F Maffei
- Food Research Center (FoRC-CEPID), Sao Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Agri-food Industry, Food and Nutrition, 'Luiz de Queiroz' College of Agriculture, University of Sao Paulo, Piracicaba, Brazil
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13
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Santos T, Campos F, Padovani N, Dias M, Mendes M, Maffei D. Assessment of the microbiological quality and safety of minimally processed vegetables sold in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Lett Appl Microbiol 2020; 71:187-194. [DOI: 10.1111/lam.13305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T.S. Santos
- Department of Agri‐food Industry, Food and Nutrition, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo Piracicaba SP Brazil
| | - F.B. Campos
- Department of Agri‐food Industry, Food and Nutrition, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo Piracicaba SP Brazil
| | - N.F.A. Padovani
- Department of Agri‐food Industry, Food and Nutrition, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo Piracicaba SP Brazil
| | - M. Dias
- Dempster MS Lab Department of Chemical Engineering Polytechnic School University of Sao Paulo Sao Paulo SP Brazil
| | - M.A. Mendes
- Dempster MS Lab Department of Chemical Engineering Polytechnic School University of Sao Paulo Sao Paulo SP Brazil
| | - D.F. Maffei
- Department of Agri‐food Industry, Food and Nutrition, “Luiz de Queiroz” College of Agriculture University of Sao Paulo Piracicaba SP Brazil
- Food Research Center (FoRC‐CEPID) Sao Paulo SP Brazil
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14
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Osman KM, Kappell AD, Fox EM, Orabi A, Samir A. Prevalence, Pathogenicity, Virulence, Antibiotic Resistance, and Phylogenetic Analysis of Biofilm-Producing Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Different Ecological Niches in Egypt: Food, Humans, Animals, and Environment. Pathogens 2019; 9:E5. [PMID: 31861483 PMCID: PMC7168649 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Serious outbreaks of foodborne disease have been caused by Listeria monocytogenes found in retail delicatessens and the severity of disease is significant, with high hospitalization and mortality rates. Little is understood about the formidable public health threat of L. monocytogenes in all four niches, humans, animals, food, and environment, in Egypt. This study analyzed the presence of L. monocytogenes collected from the four environmental niches and bioinformatics analysis was implemented to analyze and compare the data. PCR was used to detect virulence genes encoded by pathogenicity island (LIPI-1). prfA amino acid substation that causes constitutive expression of virulence was common in 77.7% of isolates. BLAST analysis did not match other isolates in the NCBI database, suggesting this may be a characteristic of the region associated with these isolates. A second group included the NH1 isolate originating in China, and BLAST analysis showed this prfA allele was shared with isolates from other global locations, such as Europe and North America. Identification of possible links and transmission pathways between the four niches helps to decrease the risk of disease in humans, to take more specific control measures in the context of disease prevention, to limit economic losses associated with food recalls, and highlights the need for treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamelia M. Osman
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12211, Egypt; (A.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Anthony D. Kappell
- Water Quality Center, Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA;
| | - Edward M. Fox
- Department of Applied Sciences, North Umbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 2SU, UK;
| | - Ahmed Orabi
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12211, Egypt; (A.O.); (A.S.)
| | - Ahmed Samir
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo 12211, Egypt; (A.O.); (A.S.)
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15
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Microbiological Contamination of Strawberries from U-Pick Farms in Guangzhou, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16244910. [PMID: 31817316 PMCID: PMC6950289 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16244910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study quantified the association of rodent fruit damage and the microbiological quality of irrigation water on the risk of microbiological contamination of strawberries collected from 18 U-pick farms across five different districts in the Guangzhou metropolitan region of southern China. Fifty-four composite strawberries samples, with or without evidence of rodent or avian foraging damage (i.e., bitten), along with 16 irrigation water samples, were collected during the spring of 2014 and winter of 2015 from our cohort of 18 farms. Composite strawberry samples and irrigation water were analyzed for total coliforms, E. coli, Salmonella, E. coli O157, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Total coliforms and E. coli were detected in 100% and ~90% of irrigation water samples, respectively. In contrast, Cryptosporidium was detected in only two water samples, while Salmonella, E. coli O157, and Giardia were not detected in any water samples. Strawberries with signs of being bitten by wildlife had significantly higher concentrations of total coliforms and E. coli, compared to strawberries with no physical evidence of rodent damage (p < 0.001). Similarly, Cryptosporidium was detected in 7/18 (39%) of bitten, 4/18 (22%) of edge, and 5/18 (28%) of central strawberry samples, respectively. Concentration of E. coli on strawberries (p < 0.001), air temperature (p = 0.025), and presence of Cryptosporidium in irrigation water (p < 0.001) were all associated with the risk of Cryptosporidium contamination on strawberries. Salmonella and Giardia were detected in <4% strawberry samples and E. coli O157 was not detected in any samples. These results indicate the potential food safety and public health risks of consuming unwashed strawberries from U-pick farms, and the need for improved rodent biosecurity of U-pick strawberry fields and enhanced microbiological quality of irrigation water used at these facilities.
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16
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High-Throughput 16S rRNA Sequencing to Assess Potentially Active Bacteria and Foodborne Pathogens: A Case Example in Ready-to-Eat Food. Foods 2019; 8:foods8100480. [PMID: 31614586 PMCID: PMC6836182 DOI: 10.3390/foods8100480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Technologies to detect the entire bacterial diversity spectra and foodborne pathogens in food represent a fundamental advantage in the control of foodborne illness. Here, we applied high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing of amplicons obtained by PCR and RT-PCR from extracted DNA and RNA targeting the entire bacterial community and the active bacterial fraction present in some of the most consumed and distributed ready-to-eat (RTE) salad brands in Europe. Customer demands for RTE food are increasing worldwide along with the number of associated foodborne illness and outbreaks. The total aerobic bacterial count in the analyzed samples was in the range of 2-4 × 106 CFU/g (SD ± 1.54 × 106). Culture validated methods did not detect Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and other fecal coliforms. 16S rRNA gene Illumina next-generation sequencing (NGS) data were congruent with these culture-based results and confirmed that these and other well-known foodborne bacterial pathogens, such as Listeria, were not detected. However, the fine-resolution of the NGS method unveiled the presence of the opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas hydrophyla and Rahnella aquatilis (relative frequency of 1.33-7.33%) that were metabolically active in addition to non-pathogenic, active members of Yersinia spp. (relative frequency of 0.0015-0.003%). The common ail and foxA marker genes of Yersinia enterocolitica were not detected by qPCR. Finally, our NGS data identified to non-pathogenic Pseudomonas spp. as the most abundant and metabolically active bacteria in the analyzed RTE salads (53-75% of bacterial abundance). Our data demonstrate the power of sequencing, in parallel, both 16S rRNA and rDNA to identify and discriminate those potentially and metabolically active bacteria and pathogens to provide a more complete view that facilitates the control of foodborne diseases, although further work should be conducted to determine the sensitivity of this method for targeting bacteria.
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17
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Soffe R, Bernach M, Remus-Emsermann MNP, Nock V. Replicating Arabidopsis Model Leaf Surfaces for Phyllosphere Microbiology. Sci Rep 2019; 9:14420. [PMID: 31595008 PMCID: PMC6783459 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50983-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial surfaces are commonly used in place of leaves in phyllosphere microbiology to study microbial behaviour on plant leaf surfaces. These surfaces enable a reductionist approach to be undertaken, to enable individual environmental factors influencing microorganisms to be studied. Commonly used artificial surfaces include nutrient agar, isolated leaf cuticles, and reconstituted leaf waxes. Recently, replica surfaces mimicking the complex topography of leaf surfaces for phyllosphere microbiology studies are appearing in literature. Replica leaf surfaces have been produced in agar, epoxy, polystyrene, and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). However, none of these protocols are suitable for replicating fragile leaves such as of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This is of importance, as A. thaliana is a model system for molecular plant genetics, molecular plant biology, and microbial ecology. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a versatile replication protocol for replicating fragile leaf surfaces into PDMS. Here we demonstrate the capacity of our replication process using optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements to compare living and PDMS replica A. thaliana leaf surfaces. To highlight the use of our replica leaf surfaces for phyllosphere microbiology, we visualise bacteria on the replica leaf surfaces in comparison to living leaf surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Soffe
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
| | - Michal Bernach
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | | | - Volker Nock
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
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18
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Identification and Characterization of Cronobacter Strains Isolated from Environmental Samples. Curr Microbiol 2019; 76:1467-1476. [DOI: 10.1007/s00284-019-01776-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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19
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Keshri J, Krouptiski Y, Abu-Fani L, Achmon Y, Bauer TS, Zarka O, Maler I, Pinto R, Sela Saldinger S. Dynamics of bacterial communities in alfalfa and mung bean sprouts during refrigerated conditions. Food Microbiol 2019; 84:103261. [PMID: 31421775 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2019.103261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Sprouts are considered a healthy ready-to-eat food and has gained popularity in recent years. The objective of the present study was to determine the dynamics of sprouts' microbiome during cold storage to the end of their shelf-life at home. The microbiological quality of fresh alfalfa (Medicago sativa) and mung bean (Vigna radiata) sprouts from two commercial brands was tested and the number of APC ranges from 5.0 to 8.7 log CFU/g in alfalfa and 6.7 to 9.3 log CFU/g in mung bean sprouts. In the case of alfalfa, but not mung beans, there were differences in the mean numbers of APC between the two brands. The number of coliform bacteria ranges from 4.3 to 7.7 log CFU/g in alfalfa and 4.1 to 8.1 log CFU/g in mung bean sprouts. Four independent batches of sprouts were used for DNA preparation and were sampled immediately after purchase and once a week during subsequent storage in refrigerator until the end of their shelf-life. Microbial population of the sprouts was determined using next generation sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Alfalfa sprouts were dominated by Pseudomonas throughout the storage time with relative abundance of >60% at 3 weeks. Fresh mung bean sprouts were dominated by both Pseudomonas and Pantoea, but Pantoea became the dominant taxa after 2 weeks of storage, with >46% of relative abundance. The bacterial communities associated with sprouts were largely dependent on the sprout type, and less dependent on the brand. The species richness and diversity declined during storage and the development of spoilage. Among the 160 genera identified on sprouts, 23 were reported to contain known spoilage-associated species and 30 genera comprise potential human pathogenic species. This study provides new insight into the microbiome dynamics of alfalfa and mung bean sprouts during cold storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitendra Keshri
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel; College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, 91766, USA
| | - Yulia Krouptiski
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel
| | - Lareen Abu-Fani
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel
| | - Ygal Achmon
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel; Department of Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology, Shantou, China
| | - Tal Stern Bauer
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel; Department of Biochemistry and Food Science, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Omri Zarka
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel
| | - Ilana Maler
- The Laboratory of Food Microbiology, Kimron Veterinary Institute, P.O. Box 12, Bet Dagan, 50250, Israel
| | - Riky Pinto
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel
| | - Shlomo Sela Saldinger
- Department of Food Science, Institute for Postharvest and Food Sciences, The Volcani Center, Agriculture Research Organization, Rishon-LeZion, Israel.
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20
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Comparison of replica leaf surface materials for phyllosphere microbiology. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218102. [PMID: 31170240 PMCID: PMC6553772 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Artificial surfaces are routinely used instead of leaves to enable a reductionist approach in phyllosphere microbiology, the study of microorganisms residing on plant leaf surfaces. Commonly used artificial surfaces include, flat surfaces, such as metal and nutrient agar, and microstructured surfaces, such as isolate leaf cuticles or reconstituted leaf waxes. However, interest in replica leaf surfaces as an artificial surface is growing, as replica surfaces provide an improved representation of the complex topography of leaf surfaces. To date, leaf surfaces have predominantly been replicated for their superhydrophobic properties. In contrast, in this paper we investigated the potential of agarose, the elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and gelatin as replica leaf surface materials for phyllosphere microbiology studies. Using a test pattern of pillars, we investigated the ability to replicate microstructures into the materials, as well as the degradation characteristics of the materials in environmental conditions. Pillars produced in PDMS were measured to be within 10% of the mold master and remained stable throughout the degradation experiments. In agarose and gelatin the pillars deviated by more than 10% and degraded considerably within 48 hours in environmental conditions. Furthermore, we investigated the surface energy of the materials, an important property of a leaf surface, which influences resource availability and microorganism attachment. We found that the surface energy and bacterial viability on PDMS was comparable to isolated Citrus × aurantium and Populus × canescens leaf cuticles. Hence indicating that PDMS is the most suitable material for replica leaf surfaces. In summary, our experiments highlight the importance of considering the inherent material properties when selecting a replica leaf surface for phyllosphere microbiology studies. As demonstrated, a PDMS replica leaf offers a control surface that can be used for investigating microbe-microbe and microbe-plant interactions in the phyllosphere, which will enable mitigation strategies against pathogens to be developed.
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Söderqvist K, Rosberg AK, Boqvist S, Alsanius B, Mogren L, Vågsholm I. Season and Species: Two Possible Hurdles for Reducing the Food Safety Risk of Escherichia coli O157 Contamination of Leafy Vegetables. J Food Prot 2019; 82:247-255. [PMID: 30681384 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-18-292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The food safety risk of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infection per serving of leafy vegetables was investigated using a quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) approach. The estimated level of E. coli O157 contamination was based on observed numbers of Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli on leafy vegetables grown and processed in southern Sweden from 2014 to 2016. Samples were collected before harvest, after washing, and at the end of shelf life. The observed counts were combined with data on the ratio of E. coli to E. coli O157 taken from earlier studies to estimate the probability of illness. The risks of STEC infection associated with species, either spinach ( Spinacia oleracea) or rocket ( Diplotaxis tenuifolia), growing season (spring or autumn), and washing (washed or not washed) were then evaluated. The results indicated that leafy vegetable species and growing season could be possible hurdles for reducing the food safety risk of STEC infection. At harvest, the probability of infection was 87% lower when consuming rocket compared with spinach and 90% lower when consuming leafy vegetables grown in spring compared with autumn. These relative risk reductions remained consistent even with other serving sizes and dose-response models. The lowest risk of STEC infection was associated with leafy vegetables early in the production chain, i.e., before harvest, while the risk increased during storage and processing. Consequently, the highest risk was observed when leafy vegetables were consumed at the end of shelf life. Washing had no effect on the food safety risk of STEC infection in this study. To improve the quality of QMRA, there is a need for additional data on the relationship between indicator organisms that can be easily enumerated (e.g., E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae) and E. coli strains that can cause STEC infection (e.g., E. coli O157) but are difficult to identify in food samples such as leafy vegetables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Söderqvist
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1249-1949 [K.S.])
| | - Anna Karin Rosberg
- 2 Department of Biosystems and Technology, Microbial Horticulture Unit, P.O. Box 103, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Sofia Boqvist
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1249-1949 [K.S.])
| | - Beatrix Alsanius
- 2 Department of Biosystems and Technology, Microbial Horticulture Unit, P.O. Box 103, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Lars Mogren
- 2 Department of Biosystems and Technology, Microbial Horticulture Unit, P.O. Box 103, SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Ivar Vågsholm
- 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7036, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden (ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-1249-1949 [K.S.])
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22
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Huvarova V, Kralik P, Vasickova P, Kubankova M, Verbikova V, Slany M, Babak V, Moravkova M. Tracing of Selected Viral, Bacterial, and Parasitic Agents on Vegetables and Herbs Originating from Farms and Markets. J Food Sci 2018; 83:3044-3053. [PMID: 30462845 DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.14385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Fresh vegetables and herbs are usually prepared and eaten raw without cooking or heating, which leads to a high risk of foodborne infection. The aim of the present study was to assess the contamination of raw vegetables, herbs, and the environment of food chains. Vegetable and herb samples originating both from the Czech Republic as well as from other countries were examined. The work was focused on the detection of commonly found, but also less frequently monitored foodborne pathogens, including viruses of the genus Norovirus (NoVs), hepatitis A virus (HAV), Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter spp. bacteria, and the parasites Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia intestinalis. All samples were analyzed using individual RT-qPCR/qPCR assays; bacterial pathogens were also simultaneously detected using culture methods. The prevalence of the studied microorganisms in 623 samples ranged from 0.6% to 44.3% for individual pathogens. None of the samples were positive for the presence of HAV. Analysis of 157 environmental samples from 12 farms revealed the presence of NoVs in the environment of four farms. NoVs were detected in water samples as well as on the hands and gloves of workers. Escherichia coli was detected in all farms in the environmental samples and in eight farms in water samples. However, no sample of water exceeded the level of 100 CFU/mL for E. coli. None of the samples of water were positive for the presence of the studied parasites. Vegetables and herbs available from Czech markets and farms may pose a certain risk of foodborne disease, especially in the case of NoVs and parasites. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This study provides valuable information on the microbiological quality of raw vegetables and herbs available from Czech markets and farms. Good hygienic practices aimed at reducing the incidence of pathogenic agents on fresh produce should not be neglected. Emphasis should be placed on the control of irrigation water, especially with respect to norovirus contamination. It is appropriate to combine culture methods and qPCR methods for the detection of bacterial agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Huvarova
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic.,Dept. of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk Univ. Brno, Kamenice 753/5, 625 00, Brno Bohunice, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Kralik
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Vasickova
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Kubankova
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Veronika Verbikova
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Slany
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vladimir Babak
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Monika Moravkova
- Dept. of Food and Feed Safety, Veterinary Research Inst., Hudcova 296/70, 621 00, Brno, Czech Republic
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23
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Assessment of pesticide residues and microbial contamination in raw leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy. Food Control 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.09.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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24
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Cabrera-Díaz E, Martínez-Chávez L, Sánchez-Camarena J, Muñiz-Flores JA, Castillo A, Gutiérrez-González P, Arvizu-Medrano SM, González-Aguilar DG, Martínez-Gonzáles NE. Simultaneous and individual quantitative estimation of Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria monocytogenes on inoculated Roma tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum var. Pyriforme) and Serrano peppers (Capsicum annuum) using an MPN technique. Food Microbiol 2018. [PMID: 29526213 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2018.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Simultaneous and individual enumeration of Salmonella, Shigella and Listeria monocytogenes was compared on inoculated Roma tomatoes and Serrano peppers using an Most Probable Number (MPN) technique. Samples consisting of tomatoes (4 units) or peppers (8 units) were individually inoculated with a cocktail of three strains of Salmonella, Shigella or L. monocytogenes, or by simultaneous inoculation of three strains of each pathogen, at low (1.2-1.7 log CFU/sample) and high (2.2-2.7 log CFU/sample) inocula. Samples were analyzed by an MPN technique using universal pre-enrichment (UP) broth at 35 °C for 24 ± 2 h. The UP tubes from each MPN series were transferred to enrichment and plating media following adequate conventional methods for isolating each pathogen. Data were analyzed using multifactorial analysis of variance (p < 0.05) and LSD multiple rang test. There were differences (p < 0.05) in recovery of simultaneous and individual bacteria inoculated (individual > simultaneous), type of bacteria (Salmonella > Shigella and L. monocytogenes), type of sample (UP broth > pepper and tomato), and inoculum level (high > low). The MPN technique was effective for Salmonella on both commodities. Shigella counts were higher on tomatoes compared to peppers, (p < 0.05), and for L. monocytogenes on peppers (p < 0.05).
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Affiliation(s)
- E Cabrera-Díaz
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Departamento de Salud Pública, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico
| | - L Martínez-Chávez
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamentos de Farmacobiología y Matemáticas, Marcelino García Barragán 1451, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - J Sánchez-Camarena
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamentos de Farmacobiología y Matemáticas, Marcelino García Barragán 1451, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - J A Muñiz-Flores
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamentos de Farmacobiología y Matemáticas, Marcelino García Barragán 1451, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - A Castillo
- Texas A&M University, Department of Animal Science, 2471 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77845, USA
| | - P Gutiérrez-González
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamentos de Farmacobiología y Matemáticas, Marcelino García Barragán 1451, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico
| | - S M Arvizu-Medrano
- Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Facultad de Química, Cerro de las Campanas S/N, Querétaro, 76010, Mexico
| | - D G González-Aguilar
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Departamento de Salud Pública, Camino Ramón Padilla Sánchez 2100, Zapopan, Jalisco, 45200, Mexico
| | - N E Martínez-Gonzáles
- Universidad de Guadalajara, Centro Universitario de Ciencias Exactas e Ingenierías, Departamentos de Farmacobiología y Matemáticas, Marcelino García Barragán 1451, Guadalajara, Jalisco, 44430, Mexico.
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Söderqvist K. Is your lunch salad safe to eat? Occurrence of bacterial pathogens and potential for pathogen growth in pre-packed ready-to-eat mixed-ingredient salads. Infect Ecol Epidemiol 2017; 7:1407216. [PMID: 29230273 PMCID: PMC5717711 DOI: 10.1080/20008686.2017.1407216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
As part of a trend toward healthy convenience foods, ready-to-eat (RTE) mixed-ingredient salads have become popular products among consumers. A mixed-ingredient salad contains combinations of raw (e.g. leafy vegetables and tomatoes) and processed (e.g. chicken, salmon, ham, pasta and couscous) ingredients. Contamination of leafy vegetables can occur during any step in the production chain and, since there is no step that kills pathogens, a completely safe final product can never be guaranteed. Meat ingredients, for example poultry meat and ham, are generally heat-treated before preparation, but may be contaminated after this treatment, e.g. when diced or sliced. When several ingredients are mixed together, cross-contamination may occur. Preparation of mixed-ingredient salads requires human handling, which presents an additional risk of bacterial contamination. With high-protein ingredients, e.g. cooked meat, the mixed-ingredient salad represents an excellent substrate for bacterial growth. This article reviews current knowledge regarding human bacterial pathogen prevalence in mixed-ingredient salads and the potential for pathogen growth in this product during storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karin Söderqvist
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Veterinary Public Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
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26
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Molecular characterization of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli isolated from vegetables in Argentina. Int J Food Microbiol 2017; 261:57-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2017.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2017] [Revised: 09/27/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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27
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Castro-Ibáñez I, Gil MI, Allende A. Ready-to-eat vegetables: Current problems and potential solutions to reduce microbial risk in the production chain. Lebensm Wiss Technol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lwt.2016.11.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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28
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Prevalence and methodologies for detection, characterization and subtyping of Listeria monocytogenes and L. ivanovii in foods and environmental sources. FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN WELLNESS 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fshw.2017.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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29
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Berthold-Pluta A, Garbowska M, Stefańska I, Pluta A. Microbiological quality of selected ready-to-eat leaf vegetables, sprouts and non-pasteurized fresh fruit-vegetable juices including the presence of Cronobacter spp. Food Microbiol 2017; 65:221-230. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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30
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Yoo BB, Liu Y, Juneja V, Huang L, Hwang CA. Effect of environmental stresses on the survival and cytotoxicity of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli†. FOOD QUALITY AND SAFETY 2017. [DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyx010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
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31
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Zhu Q, Gooneratne R, Hussain MA. Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Produce: Outbreaks, Prevalence and Contamination Levels. Foods 2017; 6:foods6030021. [PMID: 28282938 PMCID: PMC5368540 DOI: 10.3390/foods6030021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes, a member of the genus Listeria, is widely distributed in agricultural environments, such as soil, manure and water. This organism is a recognized foodborne pathogenic bacterium that causes many diseases, from mild gastroenteritis to severe blood and/or central nervous system infections, as well as abortion in pregnant women. Generally, processed ready-to-eat and cold-stored meat and dairy products are considered high-risk foods for L. monocytogenes infections that cause human illness (listeriosis). However, recently, several listeriosis outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce contamination around the world. Additionally, many studies have detected L. monocytogenes in fresh produce samples and even in some minimally processed vegetables. Thus L. monocytogenes may contaminate fresh produce if present in the growing environment (soil and water). Prevention of biofilm formation is an important control measure to reduce the prevalence and survival of L. monocytogenes in growing environments and on fresh produce. This article specifically focuses on fresh produce–associated listeriosis outbreaks, prevalence in growing environments, contamination levels of fresh produce, and associated fresh produce safety challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhu
- Department of Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.
| | - Ravi Gooneratne
- Department of Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.
| | - Malik Altaf Hussain
- Department of Wine, Food and Molecular Biosciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7647, Canterbury, New Zealand.
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Chau ML, Aung KT, Hapuarachchi HC, Lee PSV, Lim PY, Kang JSL, Ng Y, Yap HM, Yuk HG, Gutiérrez RA, Ng LC. Microbial survey of ready-to-eat salad ingredients sold at retail reveals the occurrence and the persistence of Listeria monocytogenes Sequence Types 2 and 87 in pre-packed smoked salmon. BMC Microbiol 2017; 17:46. [PMID: 28245788 PMCID: PMC5331722 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-017-0956-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the preparation of salads involves extensive handling and the use of uncooked ingredients, they are particularly vulnerable to microbial contamination. This study aimed to determine the microbial safety and quality of pre-packed salads and salad bar ingredients sold in Singapore, so as to identify public health risks that could arise from consuming salads and to determine areas for improvement in the management of food safety. RESULTS The most frequently encountered organism in pre-packed salad samples was B. cereus, particularly in pasta salads (33.3%, 10/30). The most commonly detected organism in salad bar ingredients was L. monocytogenes, in particular seafood ingredients (44.1%, 15/34), largely due to contaminated smoked salmon. Further investigation showed that 21.6% (37/171) of the pre-packed smoked salmon sold in supermarkets contained L. monocytogenes. Significantly higher prevalence of L. monocytogenes and higher Standard Plate Count were detected in smoked salmon at salad bars compared to pre-packed smoked salmon in supermarkets, which suggested multiplication of the organism as the products move down the supply chain. Further molecular analysis revealed that L. monocytogenes Sequence Type (ST) 2 and ST87 were present in a particular brand of pre-packed salmon products over a 4-year period, implying a potential persistent contamination problem at the manufacturing level. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlighted a need to improve manufacturing and retail hygiene processes as well as to educate vulnerable populations to avoid consuming food prone to L. monocytogenes contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Ling Chau
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | - Kyaw Thu Aung
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | | | - Pei Sze Valarie Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Food Science and Technology Programme, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Pei Ying Lim
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551 Singapore
| | - Joanne Su Lin Kang
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | - Youming Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | - Hooi Ming Yap
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | - Hyun-Gyun Yuk
- Department of Chemistry, Food Science and Technology Programme, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, Singapore, 117543 Singapore
| | - Ramona Alikiiteaga Gutiérrez
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
| | - Lee Ching Ng
- Environmental Health Institute, National Environment Agency, 11 Biopolis Way, #04-03/04, Helios Block, Singapore, 138667 Singapore
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, 60 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637551 Singapore
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Nousiainen LL, Joutsen S, Lunden J, Hänninen ML, Fredriksson-Ahomaa M. Bacterial quality and safety of packaged fresh leafy vegetables at the retail level in Finland. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 232:73-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2016.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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34
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Margot H, Ebner R, Peterhans S, Stephan R. Occurrence of Salmonella, L. monocytogenes, Shigatoxin-producing E. coli and ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in sprout samples collected from the Swiss market. J Verbrauch Lebensm 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00003-015-1003-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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35
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Characterization of Cronobacter spp. isolated from food of plant origin and environmental samples collected from farms and from supermarkets in the Czech Republic. Int J Food Microbiol 2016; 217:130-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Revised: 09/29/2015] [Accepted: 10/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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36
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Foodborne transmission of Listeria monocytogenes via ready-to-eat salad: A nationwide outbreak in Switzerland, 2013–2014. Food Control 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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37
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Losio M, Pavoni E, Bilei S, Bertasi B, Bove D, Capuano F, Farneti S, Blasi G, Comin D, Cardamone C, Decastelli L, Delibato E, De Santis P, Di Pasquale S, Gattuso A, Goffredo E, Fadda A, Pisanu M, De Medici D. Microbiological survey of raw and ready-to-eat leafy green vegetables marketed in Italy. Int J Food Microbiol 2015; 210:88-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2015.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 03/16/2015] [Accepted: 05/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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38
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Sani NA, Odeyemi OA. Occurrence and prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in plant and animal derived food sources: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SPRINGERPLUS 2015; 4:545. [PMID: 26435891 PMCID: PMC4582040 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-015-1324-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Cronobacter species are motile, non-spore forming, Gram negative emerging opportunistic pathogens mostly associated with bacteremia, meningitis, septicemia, brain abscesses and necrotizing enterocolitis in infected neonates, infants and immunocompromised adults. Members of the genus Cronobacter are previously associated with powdered infant formula although the main reservoir and routes of contamination are yet to be ascertained. This study therefore aim to summarize occurrence and prevalence of Cronobacter spp. from different food related sources. A retrospective systematic review and meta-analysis of peer reviewed primary studies reported between 2008 and 2014 for the occurrence and prevalence of Cronobacter spp. in animal and plant related sources was conducted using “Cronobacter isolation”, “Cronobacter detection” and “Cronobacter enumeration” as search terms in the following databases: Web of Science (Science Direct) and ProQuest. Data extracted from the primary studies were then analyzed with meta-analysis techniques for effect rate and fixed effects was used to explore heterogeneity between the sources. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plot. A total of 916 articles were retrieved from the data bases of which 28 articles met inclusion criteria. Cronobacter spp. could only be isolated from 103 (5.7 %) samples of animal related food while 123 (19 %) samples of plant related food samples harbors the bacteria. The result of this study shows that occurrence of Cronobacter was more prevalent in plant related sources with overall prevalence rate of 20.1 % (95 % CI 0.168–0.238) than animal originated sources with overall prevalence rate of 8 % (95 % CI 0.066–0.096). High heterogeneity (I2 = 84) was observed mostly in plant related sources such as herbs, spices and vegetables compared to animal related sources (I2 = 82). It could be observed from this study that plant related sources serve as reservoir and contamination routes of Cronobacter spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norrakiah Abdullah Sani
- Food Safety and Quality Research Group, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Olumide A Odeyemi
- Food Safety and Quality Research Group, School of Chemical Sciences and Food Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia ; Ecology and Biodiversity, Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
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Nüesch-Inderbinen M, Zurfluh K, Peterhans S, Hächler H, Stephan R. Assessment of the Prevalence of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Ready-to-Eat Salads, Fresh-Cut Fruit, and Sprouts from the Swiss Market. J Food Prot 2015; 78:1178-81. [PMID: 26038909 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-15-018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Ready-to-eat (RTE) prepacked salads and fruit have been successfully marketed for the last decade in Switzerland and are increasingly important as a component of everyday diets. To determine whether extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are present in RTE salads, fresh-cut fruit, and sprouts on the Swiss market, samples of 238 mixed and unmixed RTE produce from a large production plant and 23 sprout samples from two sprout farms were analyzed. Further, four samples from the production plant's recycled wash water, which is used for crop irrigation, were analyzed. Twelve (5%) of the 238 RTE products and one of the recycled wash water samples yielded ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Strain identification and PCR analysis of the blaESBL genes revealed Kluyvera ascorbata isolated from a tomato sample harboring a blaCTX-M-2-like gene; multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacter cloacae detected in a chives sample imported from Spain harboring the clinically important bla(CTX-M-15) gene; and 10 Serratia spp. isolated from mixed salads (bla(FONA-2) and bla(FONA-2)-like genes were found in 6 [60%] and bla(FONA-4)-like and bla(FONA-5)-like genes were each found in 2 [20%] of the isolates). The recycled wash water sample tested positive for one extraintestinal pathogenic MDR Escherichia coli B2:ST131 harboring bla(CTX-M-27) and for one MDR E. coli A:ST88 containing bla(CTX-M-3). None of the sprout samples tested positive for ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Overall, the majority of the Enterobacteriaceae detected in Swiss RTE produce were environmental strains producing minor ESBLs. The detection of an isolate producing a clinically important ESBL in a single sample and of an international circulating pathogenic strain (B2:ST131) in recycled wash water highlights the importance of surveillance of fresh produce and of recycled wash water that will be reused for irrigation purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kathrin Zurfluh
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sophie Peterhans
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Herbert Hächler
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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40
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Zurfluh K, Nüesch-Inderbinen M, Morach M, Zihler Berner A, Hächler H, Stephan R. Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from vegetables imported from the Dominican Republic, India, Thailand, and Vietnam. Appl Environ Microbiol 2015; 81:3115-20. [PMID: 25724954 PMCID: PMC4393435 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00258-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To examine to what extent fresh vegetables imported into Switzerland represent carriers of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, 169 samples of different types of fresh vegetables imported into Switzerland from the Dominican Republic, India, Thailand, and Vietnam were analyzed. Overall, 25.4% of the vegetable samples yielded one or more ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, 78.3% of which were multidrug resistant. Sixty isolates were obtained: Escherichia coli, 26; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 26; Enterobacter cloacae, 6; Enterobacter aerogenes, 1; and Cronobacter sakazakii, 1. We found 29 isolates producing CTX-M-15, 8 producing CTX-M-14, 7 producing CTX-M-55, 3 producing CTX-M-65, 1 each producing CTX-M-1, CTX-M-3, CTX-M-27, and CTX-M-63, 5 producing SHV-2, 3 producing SHV-12, and 1 producing SHV-2a. Four of the E. coli isolates belonged to epidemiologically important clones: CTX-M-15-producing B2:ST131 (1 isolate), D:ST405 (1 isolate), and D:ST38 (2 isolates). One of the D:ST38 isolates belonged to the extraintestinal enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC) D:ST38 lineage. Two of the K. pneumoniae isolates belonged to the epidemic clones sequence type 15 (ST15) and ST147. The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic and commensal Enterobacteriaceae in imported agricultural foodstuffs constitutes a source of ESBL genes and a concern for food safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Zurfluh
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Marina Morach
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Herbert Hächler
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Stephan
- Institute for Food Safety and Hygiene, Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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du Plessis EM, Duvenage F, Korsten L. Determining the potential link between irrigation water quality and the microbiological quality of onions by phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Escherichia coli isolates. J Food Prot 2015; 78:643-51. [PMID: 25836387 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-14-486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The potential transfer of human pathogenic bacteria present in irrigation water onto fresh produce was investigated, because surface water sources used for irrigation purposes in South Africa have increasingly been reported to be contaminated with enteric bacterial pathogens. A microbiological analysis was performed of a selected river in Limpopo Province, South Africa, that is often contaminated with raw sewage from municipal sewage works and overhead irrigated onions produced on a commercial farm. Counts of Escherichia coli, coliforms, aerobic bacteria, fungi, and yeasts and the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes were determined. Identities of bacterial isolates from irrigation water and onions were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, PCR, and biochemical tests. To establish a potential link between the microbiological quality of the irrigation source and the onions, the E. coli isolates from both were subjected to antibiotic resistance, virulence gene, and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR analyses. River water E. coli counts exceeded South African Department of Water Affairs and World Health Organization irrigation water guidelines. Counts of aerobic bacteria, coliforms, fungi, and yeasts of onions from the market were acceptable according to Department of Health Directorate, Food Control, South Africa, microbiological guidelines for ready-to-eat fresh fruits and vegetables. E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes were not detected in onions, whereas only Salmonella was detected in 22% of water samples. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry and PCR identification of E. coli isolates from water and onions correlated. Of the 45 E. coli isolates from water and onions, 42.2% were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Virulence genes eae, stx1, and stx2 were detected in 2.2, 6.6, and 2.2% of the E. coli isolates, respectively. Phenotypic (antimicrobial) and genotypic (virulence gene prevalence, DNA fingerprinting) analyses showed a link between river, dam, irrigation pivot point, and onion E. coli isolates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika M du Plessis
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Main Campus, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa.
| | - Francois Duvenage
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Main Campus, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa
| | - Lise Korsten
- Department of Microbiology and Plant Pathology, University of Pretoria, Main Campus, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa
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Microbiological Quality of Ready-to-Eat Vegetables Collected in Mexico City: Occurrence of Aerobic-Mesophilic Bacteria, Fecal Coliforms, and Potentially Pathogenic Nontuberculous Mycobacteria. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2015; 2015:789508. [PMID: 25918721 PMCID: PMC4396000 DOI: 10.1155/2015/789508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The aims of this study were to evaluate the microbiological quality and the occurrence of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in a variety of salads and sprouts from supermarkets and street vendors in Mexico City. Aerobic-mesophilic bacteria (AMB) were present in 100% of RTE-salads samples; 59% of samples were outside guidelines range (>5.17 log10 CFU per g). Although fecal coliforms (FC) were present in 32% of samples, only 8% of them exceeded the permissible limit (100 MPN/g). Regarding the 100 RTE-sprouts, all samples were also positive for AMB and total coliforms (TC) and 69% for FC. Seven NTM species were recovered from 7 salad samples; they included three M. fortuitum, two M. chelonae, one M. mucogenicum, and one M. sp. Twelve RTE-sprouts samples harbored NTM, which were identified as M. porcinum (five), M. abscessus (two), M. gordonae (two), M. mucogenicum (two), and M. avium complex (one). Most RTE-salads and RTE-sprouts had unsatisfactory microbiological quality and some harbored NTM associated with illness. No correlation between the presence of coliforms and NTM was found. Overall, these results suggest that RTE-salads and RTE-sprouts might function as vehicles for NTM transmission in humans; hence, proper handling and treatment before consumption of such products might be recommendable.
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Callejón RM, Rodríguez-Naranjo MI, Ubeda C, Hornedo-Ortega R, Garcia-Parrilla MC, Troncoso AM. Reported Foodborne Outbreaks Due to Fresh Produce in the United States and European Union: Trends and Causes. Foodborne Pathog Dis 2015; 12:32-8. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2014.1821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 410] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel M. Callejón
- Área de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Cristina Ubeda
- Área de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
- Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Ruth Hornedo-Ortega
- Área de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Ana M. Troncoso
- Área de Nutrición y Bromatología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
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44
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Differences between spent hens of different genotype in performance, meat yield and suitability of the meat for sausage production. Animal 2014; 9:347-55. [PMID: 25288104 DOI: 10.1017/s1751731114002468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The valorization of spent hens via the food chain has some major limitations, which include low meat yield and tough meat. The latter issue can be overcome by producing convenience foods; the first may be alleviated by employing a genotype with higher meatiness. To quantitatively compare two common layer genotypes in production performance, meat yield and sausage quality, 2200 57 weeks old Institut de Sélection Animale (ISA) Warren and Dekalb White hens each were investigated during the last 60 days of egg laying. The hens were housed in an aviary system in 2×10 compartments (10 compartments/each genotype). Measurements included feed intake, laying performance, egg weight and feed conversion ratio as measured per compartment. BW was determined twice on 10 animals per compartment. Finally, two sub-groups of five hens per compartment were slaughtered, meat yield was recorded and bratwurst-type sausages were produced (n=20 per genotype). Fat proportion, cooking loss, connective tissue properties and Kramer shear energy were measured. After 1, 4, 7 and 10 months of frozen storage, oxidative stability (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)) and microbiological status were determined as shelf-life related criteria. ANOVA was performed considering genotype as the main effect. The ISA Warren hens were inferior in laying performance (-11%) and feed conversion ratio (+10%) compared with Dekalb White, but had the same feed intake. The ISA Warren had higher BW and carcass weight than the Dekalb White. Carcass yield was higher by 5.9%. There were 80 g (23%) more meat available for sausage production from ISA Warren compared with Dekalb White. Sausages prepared from meat of ISA Warren hens contained less fat than those from Dekalb White, but showed the same cooking loss. Although the collagen proportion of the sausages produced from ISA Warren was lower than from Dekalb White, collagen solubility was lower and shear energy was higher. During the 10 months of frozen storage, TBARS increased continuously, but not to an extent that would prevent its use as food. The sausages from the ISA Warren genotype had marginally higher TBARS levels during storage. Total colony counts decreased with storage time, with slightly lower values found in the non-spiced sausage material from the ISA Warren hens. In conclusion, when intending to use spent hens as food, ISA Warren are clearly superior to Dekalb White in meat and sausage yield. When processing the meat to sausages, the higher shear energy is probably advantageous.
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A fast, reliable, and sensitive method for detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat fresh-cut products by MPN-qPCR. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2014; 2014:608296. [PMID: 24949460 PMCID: PMC4052075 DOI: 10.1155/2014/608296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Revised: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
In the present work we developed a MPN quantitative real-time PCR (MPN-qPCR) method for a fast and reliable detection and quantification of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in minimally processed vegetables. In order to validate the proposed technique, the results were compared with conventional MPN followed by phenotypic and biochemical assays methods. When L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 were artificially inoculated in fresh-cut vegetables, a concentration as low as 1 CFU g−1 could be detected in 48 hours for both pathogens. qPCR alone allowed a limit of detection of 101 CFU g−1 after 2 hours of enrichment for L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7. Since minimally processed ready-to-eat vegetables are characterized by very short shelf life, our method can potentially address the consistent reduction of time for microbial analysis, allowing a better management of quality control. Moreover, the occurrences of both pathogenic bacteria in mixed salad samples and fresh-cut melons were monitored in two production plants from the receipt of the raw materials to the early stages of shelf life. No sample was found to be contaminated by L. monocytogenes. One sample of raw mixed salad was found positive to an H7 enterohemorrhagic serotype.
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Scientific Opinion on the risk posed by pathogens in food of non‐animal origin. Part 2 (Salmonella and Norovirus in leafy greens eaten raw as salads). EFSA J 2014. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2014.3600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Li Y, Cao L, Zhang C, Chen Q, Lu F, Bie X, Lu Z. Development and evaluation of a PCR-ELISA assay for the detection and quantification of Cronobacter spp. Int Dairy J 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.idairyj.2013.06.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Scientific Opinion on VTEC‐seropathotype and scientific criteria regarding pathogenicity assessment. EFSA J 2013. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2013.3138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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