scholarly journals Plant Volatiles of Lettuce and Chicory Cultivated in Aquaponics Are Associated to Their Microbial Community

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 580
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Nissen ◽  
Flavia Casciano ◽  
Andrea Gianotti

In this work, an aquaponic cultivation system for Lactuca sativa (L.) and Chicorium intybus (L.) was compared to a hydroponic one, focusing on the main microbial populations related to food safety and their volatile compounds (VOCs), concluding with Spearman correlations among the microbes and VOCs. Different sections of both systems were sampled at the end of the commercial development of the plants. Plants cultivated in aquaponics were in general more contaminated than those from hydroponics, while for the cultivation waters a higher contamination of the hydroponics than aquaponics system was unexpectedly observed. Furthermore, the chicory exhibited higher levels of all microbial groups compared to lettuce grown under the same cultivation system. The results obtained also showed correlations between the distribution of some VOCs and microbial groups in the phyllosphere, while some examples of positive correlations between 2-nonanone (a positive phytostimulant compound) and anaerobic bacilli of the rhizosphere in lettuce were reported. So far, multivariate analysis of VOCs was able to discriminate on the basis of varieties but not on the cultivation systems. In conclusion, the microbial characteristics of the two ecosystems depended both on plant variety and cultivation method but further studies will need to deeply investigate the variables influencing the microbial quality of vegetable foods obtained by aquaponics. On the other hand, the analysis of the VOCs was more related to the microbial community of each plant variety considered, whatever the cultivation system. In precision agriculture, metabolomics may represent an opportunity to study the holobiome and through it the interactions between plants and their microbial populations, to possibly provide for a tool to assess the microbiological quality of vegetable foods obtained by aquaponic systems.

1984 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 177-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. G. REHBERGER ◽  
L. A. WILSON ◽  
B. A. GLATZ

A study was done to investigate the microbiological quality of commercial tofu available in local retail outlets. A sampling method was first developed to obtain accurate and representative microbial counts of individual pieces of tofu. Plate count determination of total aerobic organisms, psychrotrophs, coliforms, sporeformers, yeasts and molds, and staphylococci were made on 60 tofu samples (representing three lots each of four different brands) obtained within 24 h after delivery to the retail store. In addition, for two brands that provided manufacturer's pull dates, the same microbial counts were obtained for samples stored in the laboratory at 10°C until the pull date. Of the tofu sampled immediately after purchase, 83% of the lots tested had total counts greater than 106 colony-forming units (CFU)/g and psychrotrophic counts greater than 104 CFU/g. In addition, 67% of the lots tested had confirmed coliform counts greater than 103 CFU/g. Very low levels (less than 10 CFU/g) of all other microbial groups tested for were found in the majority of lots. Samples held until the manufacturer's pull date contained higher total and psychrotrophic counts but lower or stable counts of other organisms compared with samples tested immediately after purchase. To improve the microbiological quality of tofu, processors need to reduce initial loads by improving sanitation and processing techniques, and retailers should provide more consistent and colder refrigerated storage.


2011 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1762-1768 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOUNA BOULARES ◽  
LOBNA MEJRI ◽  
MNASSER HASSOUNA

Eighty samples of fresh fish were collected in Tunisia and analyzed for microbial load. Quality and hygienic safety of the meat and intestines of wild and aquacultured fresh fish were determined. The mesophilic aerobic plate count and populations of psychrotrophic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and other psychrotrophic bacteria ranged from 5.67 to 7.29, 4.51 to 6, and 5.07 to 6.21 log CFU/g, respectively. For all microbiological determinations, bacterial counts were lower in meat than in the intestines of fresh fish. For all samples lower microbial populations were found in most of the wild fish than in the aquacultured fish. No isolates of the pathogenic genera Salmonella and Listeria were detected in any sample. Among the 160 strains of biopreservative psychrotrophic LAB and the 150 strains of spoilage psychrotrophic gram-negative bacteria identified by biochemical and molecular methods, Lactobacillus (six species) and Pseudomonas (six species) predominated. Lactococcus, Leuconostoc, Carnobacterium (C. piscicola and C. divergens), Aeromonas, and Photobacterium were the most common genera, and Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus plantarum, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Aeromonas hydrophila were the most common species. These findings indicate that the microbiological quality of fresh fish in Tunisia can be preserved by controlling pathogenic and psychrotrophic bacteria.


1998 ◽  
Vol 61 (9) ◽  
pp. 1148-1153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.-Y. HAO ◽  
R. E. BRACKETT ◽  
L. R. BEUCHAT ◽  
M. P. DOYLE

The production of toxin by a 10-strain mixture of proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in fresh produce packaged in polyethylene films having high (7,000 cc/m2/24 h; HOTR) and low (3,000 cc/m2/24 h; LOTR) relative oxygen permeability was determined. Shredded cabbage and lettuce inoculated with ~102 spores/g were placed in bags composed of the two films (1.4 kg/bag), and the bags were then vacuum sealed. Produce was stored at 4, 13, and 21°C for up to 21 (cabbage) or 28 (lettuce) days and analyzed periodically. At each sampling time, the gas composition within the bags, pH of the produce, and microbial populations (total aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, psychrotrophic bacteria, and yeasts and molds) were determined. In addition, the presence of botulinal toxin was determined using the standard U.S. Food and Drug Administration mouse bioassay protocol. Bags made of HOTR film prolonged sensory quality of cabbage and lettuce, especially at 13 and 4°C. Packaging material had an effect on the growth of various groups of microorganisms; however, there was not a general trend. For example, lettuce packaged in HOTR bags had higher aerobic microbial populations than that packed in LOTR, but no significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) was observed with cabbage. Growth of psychrotrophic bacteria was greater in vegetables packaged in HOTR film while growth of yeasts and molds was not affected by either packaging film. Most differences in microbial populations in produce packaged in LOTR and HOTR films were less than 1 log10 CFU/g. Botulinal toxin was not detected in cabbage or lettuce packaged in either film or stored under any test condition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 6471-2020
Author(s):  
KATARZYNA ŚMIECIŃSKA

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in the microbiological quality of Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscles collected from young Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White (PHF BW) bulls and stored for 7, 14, and 21 days under different modified atmospheres (MA) (vacuum, 80% O2 + 20% CO2, 60% O2 + 30% CO2 + 10% N2, 40% CO2 + 60% N2, 30% CO2 + 70% Ar). Before and after the specified storage periods, crosssectional samples of the LL muscle were collected under aseptic conditions to determine total microbial counts, and the total counts of psychrotrophic bacteria and mesophilic lactic acid bacteria. The effects of storage time and MA composition on changes in the parameters analyzed were evaluated, and the effectiveness of argon in delaying microbial growth in cold-stored beef was determined. Between days 7 and 14 of storage, total microbial counts were lowest in meat packaged under the MA composed of 30% CO2 + 70% Ar, whereas between days 14 and 21 they were lowest in both MA packages containing O2. The greatest increase in total microbial counts between days 7 and 14 of storage was noted in the MAs containing O2, and between days 14 and 21 of storage in the MA containing Ar. Beef stored for 7 days in the MA containing 60% O2 was characterized by the lowest total microbial counts, whereas the highest total microbial counts were noted in samples stored for 14 days in the MA containing 80% O2. Between days 7 and 14 of storage, the counts of psychrotrophic bacteria increased significantly in all MAs. Between days 14 and 21 of storage, the counts of psychrotrophic bacteria did not increase in meat samples packaged under vacuum or the MA composed of 80% O2 + 20% CO2. The counts of psychrotrophs were significantly lower in beef stored for 7 days in the oxygen-free MAs than they were in both MA packages containing O2. The counts of psychrotrophic bacteria were significantly lower in beef stored for 14 days in the MA containing Ar, compared with samples packaged under vacuum and the MA containing 80% O2. Gas composition in MA packaging had no significant effect on total microbial counts or the counts of psychrotrophic bacteria in meat stored for 21 days. Between days 14 and 21 of storage, the counts of lactic acid bacteria did not increase significantly only in meat packaged in the MAs composed of 60% O2 + 30% CO2 + 10% N2 and 40% CO2 + 60% N2. After 7 days of storage, the counts of lactic acid bacteria were higher in beef packaged in oxygen-free MAs than they were in both MA packages containing O2. After 14 days of storage, the counts of lactic acid bacteria were higher in meat packaged in the MA composed of 80% O2 + 20% CO2 than they were in the other MAs. Beef samples stored for 21 days under the MA composed of 80% O2 + 20% CO2 were characterized by significantly lower counts of lactic acid bacteria, compared with samples stored under the other MAs, except for the MA composed of 40% CO2 + 60% N2. It can be concluded that beef can be stored in the MA composed of 30% CO2 + 70% Ar for shorter periods of time (up to 14 days). The modified atmosphere composed of 30% CO2 + 70% Ar contributed to slower microbial growth in meat and resulted in lower counts of psychrotrophs and lactic acid bacteria, relative to the other samples. However, there is a need for further research on different concentrations of argon in MA packages to confirm that this gas can effectively delay microbial growth in beef. Meat stored for 14 days in the MA composed of 80% O2 + 20% CO2 was characterized by the lowest microbiological quality. The composition of MAs had a minor influence on the growth rates of the microbial groups analyzed in beef stored for 21 days; certain changes were observed only in the counts of lactic acid bacteria.


2005 ◽  
Vol 30 (03) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Kehr ◽  
B Morales ◽  
P Contreras ◽  
L Castillo ◽  
W Aranda

2015 ◽  
pp. 692-696
Author(s):  
Remi Aubry ◽  
Laurence Gasnot

A study was carried out in six beet sugar factories in France during the 2012/13 sugar campaign. The objective was to assess the optimal dosage of formaldehyde solutions at specific process stages and in different existing factory set-ups in order to obtain the desired effect on microbial populations, without interference with the quality of the products. In addition harmlessness regarding consumer health was to be demonstrated. A series of experiments was conducted resulting in new data allowing refreshment of common knowledge and references existing regarding the use of formaldehyde solutions in the sugar industry. The effectiveness and convenience for controlling microbiological activity in beet sugar manufacture was assessed. Formaldehyde reduces sugar losses and protects in-process products without harming their further use, such as for ethanol production.


Domiati cheese is the most popular brand of cheese ripened in brine in the Middle East in terms of consumed quantities. This study was performed to investigate the impact of the microbiological quality of the used raw materials, the applied traditional processing techniques and ripening period on the quality and safety of the produced cheese. Three hundred random composite samples were collected from three factories at Fayoum Governorate, Egypt. Collected samples represent twenty-five each of: raw milk, table salt, calf rennet, microbial rennet, water, environmental air, whey, fresh cheese, ripened cheese & swabs from: worker hands; cheese molds and utensils; tanks. All samples were examined microbiologically for Standard Plate Count (SPC), coliforms count, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) count, total yeast & mould count, presence of E. coli, Salmonellae and Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). The mean value of SPC, coliforms, S. aureus and total yeast & mould counts ranged from (79×102 CFU/m3 for air to 13×108 CFU/g for fresh cheese), (7×102 MPN/ cm2 for tank swabs to 80×106 MPN/ml for raw milk), (9×102 CFU/g for salt to 69×106 CFU/g for fresh cheese) and (2×102 CFU/cm2 for hand swabs to 60×104 CFU/g for fresh cheese), respectively. Whereas, E. coli, Salmonella and L. monocytogenes failed to be detected in all examined samples. There were significant differences in all determined microbiological parameters (p ≤0.05) between fresh and ripened cheese which may be attributed to different adverse conditions such as water activity, pH, salt content and temperature carried out to improve the quality of the product.


1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 75-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Würzer ◽  
A. Wiedenmann ◽  
K. Botzenhart

In Germany the application of procedures such as flocculation and filtration in the preparation of drinking water results in the annual production of an estimated 500,000 t of sediments and sludges. Some of these residues have a potential for being reused, for example in agriculture, forestry, brickworks or waste water treatment. To assess the microbiological quality of residues from waterworks methods for the detection of enterobacteria, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella, poliovirus, Ascaris suis eggs and Cryptosporidium have been evaluated regarding their detection limits and were applied to various residues from German waterworks. Results show that sediments and sludges may contain pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protista. When residues from waterworks are intended to be reused in agriculture or forestry the microbiological quality should therefore be considered.


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