Influence of Light Exposure during Cold Storage of Minimally Processed Vegetables (Valeriana sp.)

Minimally processed vegetables are sensitive to leaves discoloration and quality deterioration, and these negative aspects can affect their shelf life. During the manufacturing processing, Valeriana leaves were submitted to different dipping acid solutions and then were stored at cold temperature in dark and in light to study the influence of the light exposure on their quality in terms of total free acidity, dry matter percentage, colour, water activity, total bacterial count, antioxidant components, and total antioxidant activity. The results suggest that dark storage is recommended for a better physicochemical quality of Valeriana leaves. In particular, light influenced significantly the browning index and hue angle with a significance level of p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively, whereas both exposure conditions affected total bacterial count and pH (p<0.01). Dipping treatments had an effect on pH, aw, and total bacterial count, while the storage time influenced with highly significant differences the most of the studied parameters, except for the antioxidant compounds.

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Effect of commercial probiotic (Protexin®) on growth, survival and microbial quality of shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei)

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-07-2016-0085 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 47 (2) ◽

pp. 204-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Afshin Javadi ◽

Seyed Amin Khatibi

Keyword(s):

Survival Rate ◽

Growth Performance ◽

Litopenaeus Vannamei ◽

Control Diet ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Bacterial Count ◽

Total Bacterial Count ◽

Microbial Quality ◽

Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a dietary probiotic on the growth performance and survival rate of Litopenaeus vannamei shrimp. Furthermore, the microbial quality of shrimp was evaluated. Design/methodology/approach Shrimp were divided into treatment and control groups (each group containing 45 shrimp). They were fed for four weeks with a control diet alone or supplemented with a commercial probiotic (Protexin®). At the end of the trial, they were assessed for survival rate, weight gain, average daily gain and specific growth rate. Samples of tail meat were also provided aseptically from peeled shrimp for bacteriological analysis including the count of Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, fecal coliform, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and total bacterial count. Findings The growth performance of the probiotic-treated group significantly (p < 0.05) increased at the end of the experimental period. However, no significant differences were observed for the survival rate between the groups (p > 0.05). The count of C. perfringens and the total bacterial count in shrimp supplemented with the probiotic were significantly lower than those of controls (p < 0.05). The count of coliforms and S. aureus was not significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). Originality/value It could be concluded that the probiotic bacteria have the potential to stimulate the growth performance of L. vannamei. They can also be used for biological control of food-borne pathogens and improve the microbial quality and safety of shrimp at the farm level.

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Evaluating the presence of human pathogens in commercially frozen, biologically appropriate raw pet food sold in Italy

Veterinary Record ◽

10.1136/vr.105893 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 187 (7) ◽

pp. e50-e50

Author(s):

Benedetta Bottari ◽

Elena Bancalari ◽

Annalisa Barera ◽

Sergio Ghidini ◽

Monica Gatti

Keyword(s):

Feeding Strategy ◽

Microbiological Quality ◽

Bacterial Count ◽

Total Bacterial Count ◽

Limit Set ◽

Human Pathogens ◽

Pet Food ◽

Pet Owners ◽

Larger Sample

BackgroundBiologically appropriate raw food (BARF) diet is becoming more and more popular among pet owners in Europe. However, there are documented microbiological risks associated with raw feeding, and this study aimed to determine the presence of human pathogens in commercially frozen BARF products sold in Italy.MethodsSalmonella species, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter species were identified. The general microbiological quality of BARF products and hygiene were also evaluated. Sample size was limited and therefore the study may not be representative of a larger sample.ResultsNone of the tested samples showed total bacterial count (TBC) higher than the limit set to consider a sample unacceptable. However, 14 out of 21 samples showed TBC higher than the limit set to consider a sample marginally acceptable. A high percentage of samples were contaminated by the aforementioned pathogens, highlighting the need for pet owners to be aware of the risks of this feeding strategy both to themselves and to their pets.ConclusionsConsidering that BARF diet meals can be prepared at home using the hands, as well as tools and spaces that could be shared, guidelines on safer handling of these pet food products should be recommended by veterinarians and nutritionists.

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Minimally Processed Vegetable Salads: Microbial Quality Evaluation

Journal of Food Protection ◽

10.4315/0362-028x-70.5.1277 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 70 (5) ◽

pp. 1277-1280 ◽

Cited By ~ 94

Author(s):

HANS FRÖDER ◽

CECÍLIA GERALDES MARTINS ◽

KATIA LEANI OLIVEIRA de SOUZA ◽

MARIZA LANDGRAF ◽

BERNADETTE D. G. M. FRANCO ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Microbiological Quality ◽

Positive Sample ◽

Fecal Coliforms ◽

Microbial Quality ◽

Biochemical Tests ◽

Minimally Processed ◽

Increasing Demand ◽

Minimally Processed Vegetables

The increasing demand for fresh fruits and vegetables and for convenience foods is causing an expansion of the market share for minimally processed vegetables. Among the more common pathogenic microorganisms that can be transmitted to humans by these products are Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella. The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial quality of a selection of minimally processed vegetables. A total of 181 samples of minimally processed leafy salads were collected from retailers in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil. Counts of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, Enterobacteriaceae, psychrotrophic microorganisms, and Salmonella were conducted for 133 samples. L. monocytogenes was assessed in 181 samples using the BAX System and by plating the enrichment broth onto Palcam and Oxford agars. Suspected Listeria colonies were submitted to classical biochemical tests. Populations of psychrotrophic microorganisms >106 CFU/g were found in 51% of the 133 samples, and Enterobacteriaceae populations between 105 and 106 CFU/g were found in 42% of the samples. Fecal coliform concentrations higher than 102 CFU/g (Brazilian standard) were found in 97 (73%) of the samples, and Salmonella was detected in 4 (3%) of the samples. Two of the Salmonella-positive samples had <102 CFU/g concentrations of fecal coliforms. L. monocytogenes was detected in only 1 (0.6%) of the 181 samples examined. This positive sample was simultaneously detected by both methods. The other Listeria species identified by plating were L. welshimeri (one sample of curly lettuce) and L. innocua (2 samples of watercress). The results indicate that minimally processed vegetables had poor microbiological quality, and these products could be a vehicle for pathogens such as Salmonella and L. monocytogenes.

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Keeping Quality of Milk and the Age on Testing for Total Bacterial Count

Journal of Hygiene ◽

10.1017/s0022172400010895 ◽

1931 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 373-374 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

H. Barkworth

Keyword(s):

Bacterial Count ◽

Total Bacterial Count ◽

Keeping Quality ◽

Quality Of Milk

During the period 1923–29 inclusive nearly six thousand samples of milk were tested at Wye for both total bacterial count and also keeping quality. An examination of the results shows that on the average the afternoon milks showed nine hours less keeping quality than morning milks of the same total bacterial count, see Table I. The age of the milk on testing for total bacterial count (reckoned from the time of milking) is 27–29 hours for morning milks and 20–24 hours for afternoon milks.

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Bacterial enzymatic activity and bioavailability of heavy metals in sediments from Boa Viagem Beach (Guanabara Bay)

Anuário do Instituto de Geociências - UFRJ ◽

10.11137/2003_0_60-68 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 26 ◽

pp. 60-68

Author(s):

Mirian Crapez ◽

José Antonio Baptista Neto ◽

M. G. S. Bispo

Keyword(s):

Heavy Metals ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Organic Carbon ◽

Bacterial Count ◽

Total Bacterial Count ◽

Carbon Turnover ◽

Guanabara Bay ◽

Organic Matter Quality ◽

Number Of Bacteria

This study focuses on the quality of the organic matter that reaches the sediment from Boa Viagem Beach and through the evaluation of the total bacterial count, the electron transport system activity (ETSA), the esterase activity (EST), as well as the protein and the organic matter contents. Seasonal variations of organic matter, protein content and the number of bacteria were particularly notable in the summer. ETSA reached a maximum of 7.48 Âµl O2 h-1 g-1 in the summer. EST activity presented a different pattern once it reached a maximum of 0.17 Âµg fluorescein h-1 g-1 in the winter. The temporal variation of ETSA and EST activity indicated that biopolymers predominated in the winter, and oligomers or monomers predominated in the summer. These results suggest that organic carbon turnover is more likely to be controlled by organic matter quality. The heavy metals concentrations, especially for Cu, Zn, Ni and Cr, indicated absence of the inhibition of dehydrogenase activity, and they are not bioavailable in the EC50 values

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Edible coatings used for conservation of minimally processed vegetables: a review

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v9i8.6018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Clara Guimarães ◽

Joyce Fagundes Gomes Motta ◽

Dayana Ketrin Silva Francisco Madella ◽

Lívia de Aquino Garcia Moura ◽

Carlos Eduardo de Souza Teodoro ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Eating Habits ◽

Edible Films ◽

Edible Coatings ◽

Minimally Processed ◽

Minimal Processing ◽

Coating Efficiency ◽

Application Techniques ◽

Food Applications ◽

Minimally Processed Vegetables

The minimally processed vegetable (MPV) market has been growing in recent decades. This growth is related to the change in lifestyle and eating habits of consumers who seek practical and healthy food for consumption. Maintaining the characteristics and quality of MPVs is a significant challenge for producers and traders. Minimal processing steps increase the perishability of these MPVs, thus increasing oxidative reactions and their metabolic rate. The research focused on the development of technologies that reduce these reactions gained prominence. Edible films and coatings produced from natural sources have emerged as alternative packaging for food applications and have received attention due to their advantages, such as their biodegradable and renewable nature, availability, and cost. The use of edible coatings for the preservation of vegetables in the postharvest condition, whether intact or minimally processed, has been identified as an emerging technology of great potential as they can control the internal atmosphere of MPVs. Biopolymers such as polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins have been evaluated in the formulation of these coatings. The choice of appropriate material will depend on the characteristics of the plant, the biopolymer, and the intended objectives of the film. This review aims to present some application examples, the main types of edible coatings, and the application techniques used in MPVs based on the literature, to assist a choice that can generate greater coating efficiency.

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Eggshell microbiology and quality of hatching eggs subjected to different sanitizing procedures

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2018001000011 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (10) ◽

pp. 1177-1183 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Winnie Luiza dos Santos Clímaco ◽

Érica de Faria Melo ◽

Diego Pereira Vaz ◽

Mariana Masseo Saldanha ◽

Maria Fernanda Vieira da Silva Pinto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Uv Light ◽

Light Exposure ◽

Block Design ◽

Bacterial Count ◽

Microbial Load ◽

Control Group ◽

Resistance Force ◽

Before And After ◽

Disinfection Procedure

Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different disinfection procedures as alternatives to formaldehyde fumigation on eggshell microbial load and quality of eggs from a 42-week-old Cobb commercial breeder flock. A total of 10,080 clean eggs collected from the nests were randomly distributed in a randomized complete block design, among the following treatment groups: 13.33 g m-3 formaldehyde fumigation, 5-10 ppm ozone fumigation, 6.36 mW cm-2 UV-C light irradiation, spraying with 1.56% hydrogen peroxide, spraying with 0.13% peracetic acid, spraying with water (wet control), and no disinfection procedure (dry control). Per treatment, eight samples of four eggs each were collected before and after the disinfection procedure, in order to count the number of Enterobacteriaceae and total aerobic mesophilic bacteria on the eggshell. Only eggs subjected to the formaldehyde and UV treatments showed a significant reduction in total aerobic mesophilic bacterial count on the eggshell, when compared with those of the dry control group. Treatments did not affect eggshell thickness and resistance force. UV light exposure is effective in reducing microbial load on 42-week-old breeder flock eggshells, without affecting their quality, and can be considered an alternative to formaldehyde disinfection.

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