Microbiological Analysis of Foods and Food Processing Environments

PurposeOf the global carrot production, 20–30% is outgraded as carrot rejects and waste (CRW) at the primary processing level, which is partially used toward animal feed and the remaining ends in the landfills. This study was undertaken to identify the hurdles and seek potential solutions for using CRW in food processing.Design/methodology/approachCRW were procured from the processing unit in Ontario, Canada, as (1) outgraded carrots (OGCs) and (2) processed discards (PDs). The physical parameters of CRW, imperfections responsible for their separation from the graded carrots and shelf-life studies were recorded.FindingsA significant difference with p ≤ 0.05 was recorded for both the physical parameters and the nature of imperfections in CRW. Discolored carrots (42.37 ± 3.59%) and the presence of vertical splits (52.71 ± 3.18%) were among the top defects in the OGCs. In contrast, the presence of broken tips (54.83 ± 2.52%) and vertical splits (40.56 ± 2.65%) were among the primary cause for the generation of PDs. In total, five percent of CRW were initially infected, which later increased to 30% during the seven days storage period.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the study was that only two varieties of carrots were considered and these were procured from one processor (the authors’ industry partner) at different time intervals of the year. Microbiological analysis could not be completed and reported due to prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation but is included for future studies.Practical implicationsDevelopment of specialized post-harvest packaging and handling protocols and separation of infected fragments are essential before suggesting the use of CRW in food processing.Originality/valueNumerous studies report on the post-harvest management and processing of graded carrots, but limited to no studies are published on the usage of CRW in food processing.

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The Local Food Processing House: a social innovation for rural development in Campania

RIVISTA DI STUDI SULLA SOSTENIBILITA ◽

10.3280/riss2016-002020 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 227-236

Author(s):

Giovanni Quaranta ◽

Jane Brandt ◽

Rosanna Salvia

Keyword(s):

Rural Development ◽

Food Processing ◽

Social Innovation ◽

Local Food

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Microbiological analysis of popular spreads used in restaurants inside Dhaka city, Bangladesh

Stamford Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.3329/sjm.v10i1.50727 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 16-19

Author(s):

Tasnia Ahmed ◽

Md Aftab Uddin

Keyword(s):

Raw Materials ◽

Peanut Butter ◽

Food Additives ◽

Microbiological Analysis ◽

Dhaka City ◽

Acceptable Result ◽

Fast Foods ◽

Public Consumption ◽

Viable Bacteria ◽

Almost All

Spreads are used widely for making the fast foods more amazing and tasty. Varieties and cross combinations of ingredients are used to make many flavours of fast foods. Different restaurants prepare their signature spreads for attracting people but this can cause opposite result if not prepared using high quality raw materials and proper hygienic conditions are not maintained. Current study was conducted on ten different types of spreads (pesto, cilantro, queso, tomato sauce, peanut butter, honey, mustard, cream cheese, chocolate sauce and butter) which are used by the local restaurants in Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Almost all the samples (nine out of ten) harbored total viable bacteria exceeding the standard limit. Four spread samples showed high fungal count (102 cfu/gm). Four samples showed to be positive (˃101/ml recommended acceptable count) for Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. which indicates that these spread cannot be recommended for public consumption. Among all the samples examined, only chocolate sauce showed acceptable result without the presence of coliforms, Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. This finding suggests proper maintenance of sanitation in spread preparation and selling area. A proper guidelines and monitoring can help keep up the quality of food additives. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, Vol.10 (1) 2020: 16-19

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