Cell-based carriers incorporated antimicrobial coatings on diverse food contact surfaces for preventing cross-contamination of fresh produce

Food Control ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 108700
Author(s):  
Kang Huang ◽  
Jiyoon Yi ◽  
Glenn M. Young ◽  
Nitin Nitin
Author(s):  
Vincent Man ◽  
BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽  
Helen Heacock

  Background: Cross-contamination is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness which poses a massive burden to an individual’s health and to the healthcare system. One way to prevent cross-contamination is through the elimination of pathogens from surfaces by properly washing with a detergent soap followed by sanitizing with a sanitizer. However, as found from a previous research study, not all restaurants in British Columbia wash and sanitize their food contact surfaces. Thus, this study aims to compare the cleaning effectiveness between using detergent soap alone verses using detergent soap followed by sanitizer. Methods: Aerobic organisms were introduced to a cutting board by cutting alfalfa sprouts and then the surface was cleaned with Dawn Detergent soap and sanitized with 200ppm of chlorine bleach sanitizing solution. 3M™ Quick Swabs were used to sample the aerobic organisms (colony forming units) prior to and after each method of cleaning. The swabs were then transferred to 3M™ Petrifilm Plates, incubated at room temperature for 4 days, and then enumerated. Results: The results show that there is a statistically significant greater microbial reduction through cleaning with detergent soap followed by sanitizer (mean log microbial reduction of 4.10) as compared to cleaning with detergent soap alone (mean log microbial reduction of 3.53). The p-value obtained is 0.003843 when α=0.05. The power was determined to be 92%. Conclusions: This study was able to conclude that cleaning with detergent soap followed by sanitizer is 0.57 log (mean log microbial reduction of 4.10 - mean log microbial reduction of 3.53) more effective at cleaning than using detergent soap alone. However, the specific log microbial reduction value for the detergent soap followed by sanitizer achieved in this study is lower than what is found in the previous studies (Gilbert, 1970; Sores et al., 2012; Rossvoll et al., 2015). A possible reason for this discrepancy may be due to the presence of soil and food debris on the surface which may have had interfered with the sanitizing ability of the chlorine bleach (Lee et al., 2007).  


Author(s):  
Blanca Ruiz-Llacsahuanga ◽  
Alexis Hamilton ◽  
Robyn Zaches ◽  
Ines Hanrahan ◽  
Faith Critzer

The 2014 caramel apple listeriosis outbreak was traced back to cross-contamination between food contact surfaces (FCS) of equipment used for packing and fresh apples. For Washington State, the leading apple producer in the U.S with 79% of its total production directed to the fresh market, managing the risk of apple contamination with Listeria monocytogenes within the packing environment is crucial. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS in Washington State apple packinghouses over two packing seasons, and to identify those FCS types with the greatest likelihood to harbor Listeria spp. Five commercial apple packinghouses were visited quarterly over two consecutive year-long packing seasons. A range of 27 to 50 FCS were swabbed at each facility to detect Listeria spp. at two timings of sampling, (i) post-sanitation and (ii) in-process (three hours of packinghouse operation), following a modified protocol of the FDA’s Bacteriological Analytical Manual method. Among 2,988 samples tested, 4.6% (n=136) were positive for Listeria spp. Wax coating was the unit operation from which Listeria spp. were most frequently isolated. The FCS that showed the greatest prevalence of Listeria spp. were polishing brushes, stainless steel dividers and brushes under fans/blowers, and dryer rollers. The prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS increased throughout apple storage time. The results of this study will aid apple packers in controlling for contamination and harborage of L. monocytogenes and improving cleaning and sanitation practices of the most Listeria-prevalent FCS. IMPORTANCE Since 2014, fresh apples have been linked to outbreaks and recalls associated with post-harvest cross-contamination with the foodborne pathogen L. monocytogenes. These situations drive both public health burden and economic loss and underscore the need for continued scrutiny of packinghouse management to eliminate potential Listeria spp. niches. This research assesses the prevalence of Listeria spp. on FCS in apple packinghouses and identifies those FCS most likely to harbor Listeria spp. Such findings are essential for the apple packing industry striving to further understand and exhaustively mitigate the risk of contamination with L. monocytogenes to prevent future listeriosis outbreaks and recalls.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Seob Lim ◽  
Jin Ju Kim ◽  
Woo Jun Sul ◽  
Joo-Sung Kim ◽  
Bomin Kim ◽  
...  

Bacterial contamination of food-contact surfaces can be a potential risk factor for food quality and safety. To evaluate the spatial and temporal variations of the potential cross-contamination routes, we conducted a biogeographical assessment of bacteria in a foodservice facility based on the diversity of microflora on each surface. To this end, we performed high-throughput amplicon sequencing of 13 food-contact and non-food contact surfaces in a foodservice facility throughout a year. The results showed that Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Streptophyta, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Serratia, Enhydrobacter, Staphylococcus, Paracoccus, and Lysinibacillus were the dominant genera found on the kitchen surfaces of the foodservice facility. Depending on the season, changes in Firmicute/Proteobacteria ratios were observed, and the fan becomes the main source of outdoor air contamination. The microbial flow associated with spoilage was also observed throughout food preparation. Taken together, our results would be a powerful reference to hygiene managers for improvement of food processes.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruplal Choudhary ◽  
Victor Rodov ◽  
Punit Kohli ◽  
Elena Poverenov ◽  
John Haddock ◽  
...  

Original objectives The general goal of the project was to utilize the bactericidal potential of curcumin- functionalizednanostructures (CFN) for reinforcement of food safety by developing active antimicrobial food-contact surfaces. In order to reach the goal, the following secondary tasks were pursued: (a) further enhancement of the CFN activity based on understanding their mode of action; (b) preparing efficient antimicrobial surfaces, investigating and optimizing their performance; (c) testing the efficacy of the antimicrobial surfaces in real food trials. Background to the topic The project dealt with reducing microbial food spoilage and safety hazards. Cross-contamination through food-contact surfaces is one of the major safety concerns, aggravated by bacterial biofilm formation. The project implemented nanotech methods to develop novel antimicrobial food-contact materials based on natural compounds. Food-grade phenylpropanoidcurcumin was chosen as the most promising active principle for this research. Major conclusions, solutions, achievements In agreement with the original plan, the following research tasks were performed. Optimization of particles structure and composition. Three types of curcumin-functionalizednanostructures were developed and tested: liposome-type polydiacetylenenanovesicles, surface- stabilized nanoparticles and methyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes (MBCD). The three types had similar minimal inhibitory concentration but different mode of action. Nanovesicles and inclusion complexes were bactericidal while the nanoparticlesbacteriostatic. The difference might be due to different paths of curcumin penetration into bacterial cell. Enhancing the antimicrobial efficacy of CFN by photosensitization. Light exposure strengthened the bactericidal efficacy of curcumin-MBCD inclusion complexes approximately three-fold and enhanced the bacterial death on curcumin-coated plastic surfaces. Investigating the mode of action of CFN. Toxicoproteomic study revealed oxidative stress in curcumin-treated cells of E. coli. In the dark, this effect was alleviated by cellular adaptive responses. Under light, the enhanced ROS burst overrode the cellular adaptive mechanisms, disrupted the iron metabolism and synthesis of Fe-S clusters, eventually leading to cell death. Developing industrially-feasible methods of binding CFN to food-contact surfaces. CFN binding methods were developed for various substrates: covalent binding (binding nanovesicles to glass, plastic and metal), sonochemical impregnation (binding nanoparticles to plastics) and electrostatic layer-by-layer coating (binding inclusion complexes to glass and plastics). Investigating the performance of CFN-coated surfaces. Flexible and rigid plastic materials and glass coated with CFN demonstrated bactericidal activity towards Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (Bac. cereus) bacteria. In addition, CFN-impregnated plastic material inhibited bacterial attachment and biofilm development. Testing the efficacy of CFN in food preservation trials. Efficient cold pasteurization of tender coconut water inoculated with E. coli and Listeriamonocytogeneswas performed by circulation through a column filled with CFN-coated glass beads. Combination of curcumin coating with blue light prevented bacterial cross contamination of fresh-cut melons through plastic surfaces contaminated with E. coli or Bac. licheniformis. Furthermore, coating of strawberries with CFN reduced fruit spoilage during simulated transportation extending the shelf life by 2-3 days. Implications, both scientific and agricultural BARD Report - Project4680 Page 2 of 17 Antimicrobial food-contact nanomaterials based on natural active principles will preserve food quality and ensure safety. Understanding mode of antimicrobial action of curcumin will allow enhancing its dark efficacy, e.g. by targeting the microbial cellular adaptation mechanisms. 


2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 1587-1594 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALESSANDRA DE CESARE ◽  
BRIAN W. SHELDON ◽  
KATIE S. SMITH ◽  
LEE-ANN JAYKUS

Although many cases of Campylobacter and Salmonella enteritis have been attributed to the undercooking of poultry and other foods, cross-contamination between raw and cooked foods via food contact surfaces and worker contact has also been identified as a significant risk factor. Cross-contamination may be particularly important in relation to the high prevalence of contamination in raw poultry products and other foods and the low infectious doses that have been reported for Campylobacter species. Lag phase and decimal reduction times (D-values at 27°C [81°F] and 60 to 62% relative humidity) were determined for Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella species (five-strain pools) suspended in either a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution or Trypticase soy broth (TSB) and then inoculated (0.1-ml drop per surface) on 5-cm2 samples of Formica laminate (F), glazed ceramic tile (CT), 304 polished stainless steel (SS), and 100% cotton dishcloth (D). Triplicate samples were collected from each contact surface periodically, and the populations of surviving organisms were enumerated on Campy Cefex and brain heart infusion agars for C. jejuni and Salmonella species, respectively. Lag time and rate of inactivation were influenced by organism type, contact surface, and suspending medium. Initial mean lag times ranging from 60 to 190 min were followed by log-linear (r2 > 0.94) decreases in cell populations that varied across contact surfaces. D-values of 12.5, 19.1, 24.1, and 29.7 min and of 23.7, 10.5, 12.7, and 13.9 min were calculated for C. jejuni suspended in PBS and TSB and then spotted on D, F, SS, and CT surfaces, respectively. The times required to produce a 3-log reduction in population with PBS and TSB ranged from 102 (D) to 247 (F) min and from 112 (CT) to 167 (F) min, respectively. C. jejuni cells suspended in the nutritionally enriched medium (TSB) and spotted on the hard surfaces were inactivated about 1.4 times as fast as cells suspended in PBS. For the Salmonella test strains, D-values of 17.1, 426.6, 118.6, and 41.9 min and of 48.2, 1363.2, 481.8, and 134.2 min were calculated for cells suspended in PBS and TSB and then spotted on D, F, SS, and CT surfaces, respectively. In contrast to C. jejuni, Salmonella serotypes were 1.7 to 3.3 times more persistent when suspended in TSB than when suspended in PBS and were 1.2 to 25.3 times more persistent than C. jejuni, depending on the contact surface and the type of suspension fluid (i.e., overall time required to achieve a 3-log reduction in population, lag time + 3 × D). These findings indicate that both the contact surface and the level of organic matter can influence the survival and persistence of C. jejuni and Salmonella species on food contact surfaces.


2020 ◽  
Vol 251 ◽  
pp. 123001
Author(s):  
Eduardo Torres Dominguez ◽  
Phong Nguyen ◽  
Annika Hylen ◽  
Matthew R. Maschmann ◽  
Azlin Mustapha ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1328-1331 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARK E. BERRANG ◽  
JOSEPH F. FRANK

Listeria monocytogenes can colonize floor drains in poultry processing and further processing facilities, remaining present even after cleaning and disinfection. Therefore, during wash down, workers exercise caution to avoid spraying hoses directly into drains in an effort to prevent the escape and transfer of drain microflora to food contact surfaces. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which an inadvertent water spray into a colonized floor drain can cause the spread of airborne Listeria. Listeria innocua was used to inoculate a polyvinyl chloride model floor drain, resulting in approximately 108 cells per ml of phosphate-buffered saline and 104 attached cells per square centimeter of inner surface. Each model drain was subjected to a 2-s spray of tap water at 68.9 kPa from a distance of 1 m. Drains were sprayed while filled and again after emptying. Airborne cells were collected by using sedimentation plates containing Listeria selective agar which were placed on the floor and walls of a contained room at incremental horizontal and vertical distances of 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, or 4.0 m from the drain. Sedimentation plates were exposed for 10 min. A mechanical sampler was used to also collect air by impaction on the surface of Listeria selective agar to determine the number of cells per liter of air. The experiment was conducted in triplicate rooms for each of four replications. L. innocua was detected on sedimentation plates on the floor as far as 4.0 m from the drain and on walls as high as 2.4 m above the floor and 4 m from the drain. A 2-s spray with a water hose into a contaminated drain can cause airborne spread of Listeria, resulting in the potential for cross-contamination of food contact surfaces, equipment, and exposed product.


2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (9) ◽  
pp. 1664-1674 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDREI SORIN BOLOCAN ◽  
ELENA ALEXANDRA ONICIUC ◽  
AVELINO ALVAREZ-ORDÓÑEZ ◽  
MARTIN WAGNER ◽  
KATHRIN RYCHLI ◽  
...  

Putative routes of Listeria monocytogenes contamination, based on the workflow of the employees, were studied in a meat processing facility by investigating 226 samples collected from food contact surfaces, non–food contact surfaces, raw materials, and ready-to-eat meat products on four occasions over a 1-year period. In total, 19.7% of non–food contact surfaces, 22.9% of food contact surfaces, 45% of raw materials, and 20% of ready-to-eat meat products were positive for L. monocytogenes (analyzed by the International Organization for Standardization standard method ISO 11290). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles were determined for a representative subset of these isolates, and 11 distinct pulsotypes were identified, two of which were frequently isolated (T4 and T8) and considered persistent. Strains from the various pulsotypes were screened for the presence of bcrABC and qacH, the genes responsible for tolerance responses to quaternary ammonium compounds. Two strains harbored bcrABC, and these strains had a higher benzalkonium chloride tolerance; however, they were not considered persistent strains. The frequently isolated PFGE pulsotype T8 strains were highly adhesive to abiotic surfaces at 10 and 20°C; however, the pulsotype T6 strain, which was isolated only at the last sampling time, had the highest adhesion ability, and the pulsotype T4 strain (the second most persistent pulsotype) had only modest adhesion. Four putative cross-contamination routes were confirmed by mapping the persistent and other isolates. This information could allow a food safety manager to adjust the work flow to improve the hygienic conditions in a meat processing facility. This study revealed the prevalence and persistence of L. monocytogenes strains in a meat processing facility and established the importance of developing strategies to avoid cross-contamination, recalls, and outbreaks of listeriosis.


2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (12) ◽  
pp. 2688-2697 ◽  
Author(s):  
RENATA IVANEK ◽  
YRJÖ T. GRÖHN ◽  
MARTIN WIEDMANN ◽  
MARTIN T. WELLS

Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes. The food industry and government agencies devote considerable resources to reducing contamination of ready-to-eat foods with L. monocytogenes. Because inactivation treatments can effectively eliminate L. monocytogenes present on raw materials, postprocessing cross-contamination from the processing plant environment appears to be responsible for most L. monocytogenes food contamination events. An improved understanding of cross-contamination pathways is critical to preventing L. monocytogenes contamination. Therefore, a plant-specific mathematical model of L. monocytogenes cross-contamination was developed, which described the transmission of L. monocytogenes contamination among food, food contact surfaces, employees' gloves, and the environment. A smoked fish processing plant was used as a model system. The model estimated that 10.7% (5th and 95th percentile, 0.05% and 22.3%, respectively) of food products in a lot are likely to be contaminated with L. monocytogenes. Sensitivity analysis identified the most significant input parameters as the frequency with which employees' gloves contact food and food contact surfaces, and the frequency of changing gloves. Scenario analysis indicated that the greatest reduction of the within-lot prevalence of contaminated food products can be achieved if the raw material entering the plant is free of contamination. Zero contamination of food products in a lot was possible but rare. This model could be used in a risk assessment to quantify the potential public health benefits of in-plant control strategies to reduce cross-contamination.


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