scholarly journals Use of Copper Cast Alloys To Control Escherichia coli O157 Cross-Contamination during Food Processing

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (6) ◽  
pp. 4239-4244 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. O. Noyce ◽  
H. Michels ◽  
C. W. Keevil
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Cast Alloy ◽  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Antimicrobial Properties ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Contaminated Food ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Cast Alloys

ABSTRACT The most notable method of infection from Escherichia coli O157 (E. coli O157) is through contaminated food products, usually ground beef. The objective of this study was to evaluate seven cast copper alloys (61 to 95% Cu) for their ability to reduce the viability of E. coli O157, mixed with or without ground beef juice, and to compare these results to those for stainless steel. E. coli O157 (NCTC 12900) (2 � 107 CFU) mixed with extracted beef juice (25%) was inoculated onto coupons of each copper cast alloy or stainless steel and incubated at either 22�C or 4�C for up to 6 h. E. coli O157 viability was determined by plate counts in addition to staining in situ with the respiratory indicator fluorochrome 5-cyano-2,3-ditolyl tetrazolium. Without beef extract, three alloys completely killed the inoculum during the 6-h exposure at 22�C. At 4�C, only the high-copper alloys (>85%) significantly reduced the numbers of O157. With beef juice, only one alloy (95% Cu) completely killed the inoculum at 22�C. For stainless steel, no significant reduction in cell numbers occurred. At 4�C, only alloys C83300 (93% Cu) and C87300 (95% Cu) significantly reduced the numbers of E. coli O157, with 1.5- and 5-log kills, respectively. Reducing the inoculum to 103 CFU resulted in a complete kill for all seven cast copper alloys in 20 min or less at 22�C. These results clearly demonstrate the antimicrobial properties of cast copper alloys with regard to E. coli O157, and consequently these alloys have the potential to aid in food safety.

Bacteriological Evaluation of Retail Ground Beef, Frozen Beef Patties, and Cooked Hamburger

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 378-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. DUITSCHAEVER ◽  
D. H. BULLOCK ◽  
D. R. ARNOTT
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Frozen Ground ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beef Patties ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Bacteriological Evaluation ◽  
G 28

A total of 108 samples of fresh refrigerated ground beef, 99 samples of frozen hamburger patties, and 107 fried hamburgers, purchased from retail stores and fast-food outlets in Ontario, were analyzed for their bacteriological quality. About 44% of non-frozen ground beef samples had aerobic plate counts exceeding 50 million/g; 50 of 108 samples (46.3%) contained Staphylococcus aureus and 46 of these 50 samples (88%) exceeded 1000 organisms/g; 43 of 108 samples were positive for Escherichia coli with 38 samples (88.4%) exceeding 500 organisms/g. About 19% of frozen hamburger patties had aerobic plate counts in excess of 10 million/g; 93 of 99 samples (93.9%) contained S. aureus with 83 of these samples (89.3%) exceeding 1000 organisms/g; 28 of 99 samples were positive for E. coli with 7 of these samples (25%) exceeding 500 organisms/g. About 96.3% of fried hamburger samples had aerobic plate counts of less than 10,000/g.

Incidence of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Ground Beef, Broilers and Processed Meats in Pretoria, South Africa

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 305-310 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. VORSTER ◽  
R. P. GREEBE ◽  
G. L. NORTJÉ
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Processed Meat ◽  
Processed Meats ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Meat Samples ◽  
And Staphylococcus Aureus

Three types of processed meats (vienna sausages, shoulder ham, and cervelat), ground beef and broilers were purchased from 17 different supermarkets in the Pretoria area (South Africa) during 1991. The 232 samples were analyzed for the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, with total aerobic plate counts (APCs) also being determined. Escherichia coli was found in 74.5% of the ground beef samples, in 79.1% of the broilers, and in 27.7% of the processed meats. Staphylococcus aureus was found in 23.4% ground beef, 39.5% broiler and 7.1% processed meat samples. The total APCs ranged from as low as log10 1 CFU/g of sample (shoulder ham) to as high as log10 12.1 CFU/g (ground beef). No identifiable relationship between the total APCs and the occurrence of E. coli and/or S. aureus was evident. This study confirms the view that E. coli and S. aureus are frequent contaminants of meat, with South Africa being no exception.

Reliability of Escherichia coli Counts for Vacuum-Packaged Ground Beef

1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 266-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. J. HARRIS ◽  
M. E. STILES
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Selective Media ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Direct Inoculation ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Selective Plating

Test strains of Escherichia coli were inoculated into fresh ground beef that had been irradiated or carefully excised and aseptically ground. Samples were vacuum-packaged and stored at 4°C. Plate counts on selective media incubated at 35 or 45°C were highly consistent during the 7- to 20-d storage periods. The standard most probable number (MPN) technique (lauryl tryptose broth at 35°C, followed by EC broth at 45°C) was also reliable. In contrast, direct inoculation into broths incubated at 45°C gave unreliable and highly variable results. The cause of the variability of the MPN counts at 45°C could not be determined. It was not due to lactic acid bacteria growing in the ground beef. E. coli in refrigerated, vacuum-packaged ground beef can be reliably detected by direct inoculation of selective plating media incubated at 45 °C. Direct inoculation of selective broth media for the MPN technique at 45°C is not recommended.

scholarly journals Horizontal Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance Genes on Abiotic Touch Surfaces: Implications for Public Health

mBio ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah L. Warnes ◽  
Callum J. Highmore ◽  
C. William Keevil
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Antibiotic Resistance ◽  
Gene Transfer ◽  
Copper Alloys ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACTHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) is largely responsible for increasing the incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections worldwide. While studies have focused on HGTin vivo, this work investigates whether the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment, particularly on touch surfaces, may also play an important role.Escherichia coli, virulent clone ST131, andKlebsiella pneumoniaeharboring extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL)blaCTX-M-15and metallo-β-lactamaseblaNDM-1, respectively, exhibited prolonged survival on stainless steel, with approximately 104viable cells remaining from an inoculum of 107 CFU per cm2after 1 month at 21°C. HGT ofblato an antibiotic-sensitive but azide-resistant recipientE. colistrain occurred on stainless steel dry touch surfaces and in suspension but not on dry copper. The conjugation frequency was approximately 10 to 50 times greater and occurred immediately, and resulting transconjugants were more stable with ESBLE. colias the donor cell than withK. pneumoniae, butblaNDM-1transfer increased with time. Transconjugants also exhibited the same resistance profile as the donor, suggesting multiple gene transfer. Rapid death, inhibition of respiration, and destruction of genomic and plasmid DNA of both pathogens occurred on copper alloys accompanied by a reduction inblacopy number. NakedE. coliDNA degraded on copper at 21°C and 37°C but slowly at 4°C, suggesting a direct role for the metal. Persistence of viable pathogenic bacteria on touch surfaces may not only increase the risk of infection transmission but may also contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistance by HGT. The use of copper alloys as antimicrobial touch surfaces may help reduce infection and HGT.IMPORTANCEHorizontal gene transfer (HGT) conferring resistance to many classes of antimicrobials has resulted in a worldwide epidemic of nosocomial and community infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms, leading to suggestions that we are in effect returning to the preantibiotic era. While studies have focused on HGTin vivo, this work investigates whether the ability of pathogens to persist in the environment, particularly on touch surfaces, may also play an important role. Here we show prolonged (several-week) survival of multidrug-resistantEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniaeon stainless steel surfaces. Plasmid-mediated HGT of β-lactamase genes to an azide-resistant recipientE. colistrain occurred when the donor and recipient cells were mixed together on stainless steel and in suspension but not on copper surfaces. In addition, rapid death of both antibiotic-resistant strains and destruction of plasmid and genomic DNA were observed on copper and copper alloy surfaces, which could be useful in the prevention of infection spread and gene transfer.

scholarly journals Lessons from a large outbreak of Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 infections: insights into the infectious dose and method of widespread contamination of hamburger patties

1999 ◽  
Vol 122 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. TUTTLE ◽  
T. GOMEZ ◽  
M. P. DOYLE ◽  
J. G. WELLS ◽  
T. ZHAO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Strong Argument ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Infectious Dose ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beef Patties ◽  
Large Outbreak ◽  
Microbiological Testing

Between November 1992 and February 1993, a large outbreak of Escherichia coli O157[ratio ]H7 infections occurred in the western USA and was associated with eating ground beef patties at restaurants of one fast-food chain. Restaurants that were epidemiologically linked with cases served patties produced on two consecutive dates; cultures of recalled ground beef patties produced on those dates yielded E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 strains indistinguishable from those isolated from patients, confirming the vehicle of illness. Seventy-six ground beef patty samples were cultured quantitatively for E. coli O157[ratio ]H7. The median most probable number of organisms was 1·5 per gram (range, <0·3–15) or 67·5 organisms per patty (range, <13·5–675). Correlation of the presence of E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 with other bacterial indicators yielded a significant association between coliform count and the presence of E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 (P=0·04). A meat traceback to investigate possible sources of contamination revealed cattle were probably initially colonized with E. coli O157[ratio ]H7, and that their slaughter caused surface contamination of meat, which once combined with meat from other sources, resulted in a large number of contaminated ground beef patties. Microbiological testing of meat from lots consumed by persons who became ill was suggestive of an infectious dose for E. coli O157[ratio ]H7 of fewer than 700 organisms. These findings present a strong argument for enforcing zero tolerance for this organism in processed food and for markedly decreasing contamination of raw ground beef. Process controls that incorporate microbiological testing of meat may assist these efforts.

scholarly journals The quantitative bacteriology of some commercial bivalve shellfish entering British markets

1975 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Ayres
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Accepted Standard ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Bivalve Shellfish ◽  
Faecal Streptococci ◽  
Specific Illness

SUMMARYIncidents of non-specific illness associated with the consumption of oysters have highlighted the lack of published information on the bacteriology of shellfish suitable for consumption. Investigations showed that the majority of molluscan shellfish entering English markets conform to the accepted standard of less than 5 Escherichia coli/ml. tissue. The numbers of E. coli were related to the sanitary quality of the growing area but no relation could be established between numbers of E. coli and coliforms, faecal streptococci or Clostridium welchii. The numbers of non-specific bacteria varied considerably but shellfish from sources associated with non-specific illness yielded relatively high counts at 37° C. The results showed that there was no justification for a standard based on total plate counts, which often exceeded 106/g. Such a standard would have to be coupled with spoilage or the incidence of non-specific illness. The relation between the numbers of non-specific bacteria growing at 20 and 37° C. appears to be a useful measure for assessing the likelihood that raw shellfish are a public health risk.

Changes in Aerobic Plate and Escherichia coli–Coliform Counts and in Populations of Inoculated Foodborne Pathogens on Inshell Walnuts during Storage

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (7) ◽  
pp. 1143-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHN C. FRELKA ◽  
GORDON R. DAVIDSON ◽  
LINDA J. HARRIS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Foodborne Pathogens ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Sampling Time ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Forced Air

ABSTRACT After harvest, inshell walnuts are dried using low-temperature forced air and are then stored in bins or silos for up to 1 year. To better understand the survival of bacteria on inshell walnuts, aerobic plate counts (APCs) and Escherichia coli–coliform counts (ECCs) were evaluated during commercial storage (10 to 12°C and 63 to 65% relative humidity) over 9 months. APCs decreased by 1.4 to 2.0 log CFU per nut during the first 5 months of storage, and ECCs decreased by 1.3 to 2.2 log CFU per nut in the first month of storage. Through the remaining 4 to 8 months of storage, APCs and ECCs remained unchanged (P &gt; 0.05) or decreased by &lt;0.15 log CFU per nut per month. Similar trends were observed on kernels extracted from the inshell walnuts. APCs and ECCs were consistently and often significantly higher on kernels extracted from visibly broken inshell walnuts than on kernels extracted from visibly intact inshell walnuts. Parameters measured in this study were used to determine the survival of five-strain cocktails of E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella inoculated onto freshly hulled inshell walnuts (~8 log CFU/g) after simulated commercial drying (10 to 12 h; 40°C) and simulated commercial storage (12 months at 10°C and 65% relative humidity). Populations declined by 2.86, 5.01, and 4.40 log CFU per nut for E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, and Salmonella, respectively, after drying and during the first 8 days of storage. Salmonella populations changed at a rate of −0.33 log CFU per nut per month between days 8 and 360, to final levels of 2.83 ± 0.79 log CFU per nut. E. coli and L. monocytogenes populations changed by −0.17 log CFU per nut per month and −0.26 log CFU per nut per month between days 8 and 360, respectively. For some samples, E. coli or L. monocytogenes populations were below the limit of detection by plating (0.60 log CFU per nut) by day 183 or 148, respectively; at least one of the six samples was positive at each subsequent sampling time by either plating or by enrichment.

Validation of Time and Temperature Values as Critical Limits for the Control of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during the Production of Fresh Ground Beef

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 1978-1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. E. MANN ◽  
M. M. BRASHEARS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Hazard Analysis ◽  
Control Point ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Meat Processing ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Critical Control Point ◽  
Critical Limits

In order to provide beef processors with valuable data to validate critical limits set for temperature during grinding, a study was conducted to determine Escherichia coli O157:H7 growth at various temperatures in raw ground beef. Fresh ground beef samples were inoculated with a cocktail mixture of streptomycin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 to facilitate recovery in the presence of background flora. Samples were held at 4.4, 7.2, and 10°C, and at room temperature (22.2 to 23.3°C) to mimic typical processing and holding temperatures observed in meat processing environments. E. coli O157:H7 counts were determined by direct plating onto tryptic soy agar with streptomycin (1,000 μg/ml), at 2-h intervals over 12 h for samples held at room temperature. Samples held under refrigeration temperatures were sampled at 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Less than one log of E. coli O157:H7 growth was observed at 48 h for samples held at 10°C. Samples held at 4.4 and 7.2°C showed less than one log of E. coli O157:H7 growth at 72 h. Samples held at room temperature showed no significant increase in E. coli O157:H7 counts for the first 6 h, but increased significantly afterwards. These results illustrate that meat processors can utilize a variety of time and temperature combinations as critical limits in their hazard analysis critical control point plans to minimize E. coli O157:H7 growth during the production and storage of ground beef.

Thermal Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157: H7, Salmonella senftenberg, and Enzymes with Potential as Time-Temperature Indicators in Ground Beef

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 471-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALICIA ORTA-RAMIREZ ◽  
JAMES F. PRICE ◽  
YIH-CHIH HSU ◽  
GIRIDARAN J. VEERAMUTHU ◽  
JAMIE S. CHERRY-MERRITT ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Thermal Inactivation ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Triose Phosphate ◽  
Beef Products ◽  
Z Value ◽  
D Values ◽  
Salmonella Senftenberg

The USDA has established processing schedules for beef products based on the destruction of pathogens. Several enzymes have been suggested as potential indicators of heat processing. However, no relationship between the inactivation rates of these enzymes and those of pathogenic microorganisms has been determined. Our objective was to compare the thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella senftenberg to those of endogenous muscle proteins. Inoculated and noninoculated ground beef samples were heated at four temperatures for predetermined intervals of time in thermal-death-time studies. Bacterial counts were determined and enzymes were assayed for residual activity. The D values for E. coli O157:H7 were 46.10, 6.44, 0.43, and 0.12 min at 53, 58, 63, and 68°C, respectively, with a z value of 5.60°C. The D values for S. senftenberg were 53.00, 15.17, 2.08, and 0.22 min at 53, 58, 63, and 68°C, respectively, with a z value of 6.24°C. Apparent D values at 53, 58, 63, and 68°C were 352.93, 26.31, 5.56, and 3.33 min for acid phosphatase; 6968.64, 543.48, 19.61, and 1.40 min for lactate dehydrogenase; and 3870.97, 2678.59, 769.23, and 42.92 min for peroxidase; with z values of 7.41,3.99, and 7.80°C, respectively. Apparent D values at 53, 58, 63, and 66°C were 325.03, 60.07, 3.07, and 1.34 min for phosphoglycerate mutase; 606.72, 89.86, 4.40, and 1.28 min for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; and 153.06, 20.13, 2.25, and 0.74 min for triose phosphate isomerase; with z values of 5.18, 4.71, and 5.56°C, respectively. The temperature dependence of triose phosphate isomerase was similar to those of both E. coli O157 :H7 and S. senftenberg, suggesting that this enzyme could be used as an endogenous time-temperature indicator in beef products.

Viability of Acid-Adapted Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef Treated with Acidic Calcium Sulfate

2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
pp. 591-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
LARRY R. BEUCHAT ◽  
ALAN J. SCOUTEN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Acetic Acid ◽  
Calcium Sulfate ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Acid Tolerance ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Acidic Environments ◽  
Subsequent Acid

The effects of lactic acid, acetic acid, and acidic calcium sulfate (ACS) on viability and subsequent acid tolerance of three strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 were determined. Differences in tolerance to acidic environments were observed among strains, but the level of tolerance was not affected by the acidulant to which cells had been exposed. Cells of E. coli O157:H7 adapted to grow on tryptic soy agar acidified to pH 4.5 with ACS were compared to cells grown at pH 7.2 in the absence of ACS for their ability to survive after inoculation into ground beef treated with ACS, as well as untreated beef. The number of ACS-adapted cells recovered from ACS-treated beef was significantly (α = 0.05) higher than the number of control cells recovered from ACS-treated beef during the first 3 days of a 10-day storage period at 4°C, suggesting that ACS-adapted cells might be initially more tolerant than unadapted cells to reduced pH in ACS-treated beef. Regardless of treatment of ground beef with ACS or adaptation of E. coli O157:H7 to ACS before inoculating ground beef, the pathogen survived in high numbers.

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