Survival Differences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains in Apples of Three Varieties Stored at Various Temperatures

2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (7) ◽  
pp. 1075-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. JANES ◽  
T. COBBS ◽  
S. KOOSHESH ◽  
M. G. JOHNSON
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Human Isolate ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Apple Varieties ◽  
Duration Of Storage ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Chicken Isolate ◽  
Survival Differences

Differences in survival and growth among five different Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains in three apple varieties were determined at various temperatures. Jonathan, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples were wounded and inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 strains C7929 (apple cider isolate), 301C (chicken isolate), 204P (pork isolate), 933 (beef isolate), and 43890 (human isolate) at an initial level of 6 to 7 log CFU/g. The inoculated apples were stored at a constant temperature of 37, 25, 8, or 4°C or at 37°C for 24 h and then at 4°C, and bacterial counts were determined every week for 28 days. By day 28, for Jonathan apples at 25°C, the apple isolate counts were significantly higher than the chicken and human isolate counts. At 4°C for 28 days, the human isolate inoculated into Jonathan, Golden Delicious, and Red Delicious apples was present in significantly smaller numbers than the other strains. The apple isolate survived significantly better at 4°C, yielding the highest number of viable cells. By days 21 and 28, for apples stored at 37°C for the first 24 h and then at 4°C, the counts of viable E. coli O157: H7 apple and human isolates were 6.8 and 5.8 log CFU/g at the site of the wound, whereas for apples kept at 4°C for the duration of storage, the respective counts were 5.6 and 1.5 log CFU/g. Our study shows that E. coli O157:H7 strains responded differentially to their ability to survive in these three apple varieties at 25 or 4°C and produced higher viable counts when apples were temperature abused at 37°C for 24 h and then stored at 4°C for 27 days.

Contamination of Intact Apples after Immersion in an Aqueous Environment Containing Escherichia coli O157:H7†

1999 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 444-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. BUCHANAN ◽  
S. G. EDELSON ◽  
R. L. MILLER ◽  
G. M. SAPERS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Outer Core ◽  
Core Region ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Aqueous Environment ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Dye Uptake ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Peptone Water

The extent and location of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination after intact apples were immersed in cold (2°C) 1% peptone water containing approximately 3 × 107 CFU/ml was assessed using four apple varieties, Golden Delicious, McIntosh, Red Delicious, and Braeburn. Room temperature and refrigerated apples were used to determine the effect of temperature differential on E. coli infiltration. The highest levels of E. coli were associated with the outer core region of the apple, followed by the skin. Apples were subsequently treated by immersing them for 1 min in 2,000 mg/liter sodium hypochlorite, followed by a 1-min tapwater rinse. This treatment reduced pathogen levels by 1- to 3-log cycles but did not eliminate the microorganism, particularly from the outer core region. While E. coli was not detected in the inner core of most apples, warm fruit immersed in cold peptone water occasionally internalized the pathogen. The frequency and extent of internalization of the pathogen was less when cold apples were immersed in cold peptone water. Subsequent dye uptake studies with Golden Delicious apples indicated that approximately 6% of warm apples immersed into a cold dye solution accumulated dye via open channels leading from the blossom end into the core region. However, dye uptake did not occur when the dye solution was warmer than the apple.

Survival of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Retail Mustard

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 783-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
CAROLYN M. MAYERHAUSER
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Foodborne Illness ◽  
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia Coli ◽  
Test Strain ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Fermented Sausage ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Predetermined Time

Escherichia coli O157:H7 survival in acid foods such as unpasteurized apple cider and fermented sausage is well documented. Researchers have determined that E. coli O157:H7 can survive in refrigerated acid foods for weeks. The potential of acid foods to serve as a vector of E. coli O157:H7 foodborne illness prompted this study to determine the fate of this organism in retail mustard containing acetic acid when stored at room and refrigerated temperatures. Various retail brands of dijon, yellow, and deli style mustard, pH ranging from 3.17 to 3.63, were inoculated individually with three test strains of E. coli O157:H7. Samples were inoculated with approximately 1.0 × 106 CFU/g, incubated at room (25 ± 2.5°C) and refrigerated (5 ± 3°C) temperatures, and assayed for surviving test strains at predetermined time intervals. An aliquot was appropriately diluted and plated using sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMAC). When the test strain was not recoverable by direct plating, the sample was assayed by enrichment in modified tryptic soy broth and recovered using SMAC. Growth of E. coli O157:H7 test strains was inhibited in all retail mustard styles. E. coli O157:H7 was not detected in dijon style mustard beyond 3 h at room and 2 days at refrigerated temperatures. Survival in yellow and deli style mustard was not detected beyond 1 h. Overall, test strain survival was greater at refrigerated than room temperature. Retail mustard demonstrated the ability to eliminate effectively any chance contamination by this organism within hours to days, suggesting that these products are not a likely factor in E. coli O157:H7 foodborne illness.

Efficacy of Ultraviolet Light for Reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Unpasteurized Apple Cider

2000 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 563-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. WRIGHT ◽  
S. S. SUMNER ◽  
C. R. HACKNEY ◽  
M. D. PIERSON ◽  
B. W. ZOECKLEIN
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Uv Disinfection ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Log Reduction ◽  
Disinfection Unit ◽  
Additional Reduction

This study examined the efficacy of UV light for reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in unpasteurized cider. Cider containing a mixture of acid-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (6.3 log CFU/ml) was treated using a thin-film UV disinfection unit at 254 nm. Dosages ranged from 9,402 to 61,005 μW-s/cm2. Treatment significantly reduced E. coli O157:H7 (P ≤ 0.0001). Mean reduction for all treated samples was 3.81 log CFU/ml. Reduction was also affected by the level of background microflora in cider. Results indicate that UV light is effective for reducing this pathogen in cider. However, with the dosages used in this experiment, additional reduction measures are necessary to achieve the required 5-log reduction.

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in Apple Cider and Orange Juice as Affected by Ozone and Treatment Temperature

2004 ◽  
Vol 67 (11) ◽  
pp. 2381-2386 ◽  
Author(s):  
ROBERT C. WILLIAMS ◽  
SUSAN S. SUMNER ◽  
DAVID A. GOLDEN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Orange Juice ◽  
Treatment Temperature ◽  
Ozone Treatment ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Peptone Water ◽  
Thermal Pasteurization

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in apple cider and orange juice treated with ozone was evaluated. A five-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 or a five-serovar mixture of Salmonella was inoculated (7 log CFU/ml) into apple cider and orange juice. Ozone (0.9 g/h) was pumped into juices maintained at 4°C, ambient temperature (approximately 20°C), and 50°C for up to 240 min, depending on organism, juice, and treatment temperature. Samples were withdrawn, diluted in 0.1% peptone water, and surface plated onto recovery media. Recovery of E. coli O157:H7 was compared on tryptic soy agar (TSA), sorbitol MacConkey agar, hemorrhagic coli agar, and modified eosin methylene blue agar; recovery of Salmonella was compared on TSA, bismuth sulfite agar, and xylose lysine tergitol 4 (XLT4) agar. After treatment at 50°C, E. coli O157:H7 populations were undetectable (limit of 1.0 log CFU/ml; a minimum 6.0-log CFU/ml reduction) after 45 min in apple cider and 75 min in orange juice. At 50°C, Salmonella was reduced by 4.8 log CFU/ml (apple cider) and was undetectable in orange juice after 15 min. E. coli O157:H7 at 4°C was reduced by 4.8 log CFU/ml in apple cider and by 5.4 log CFU/ml in orange juice. Salmonella was reduced by 4.5 log CFU/ml (apple cider) and 4.2 log CFU/ml (orange juice) at 4°C. Treatment at ambient temperature resulted in population reductions of less than 5.0 log CFU/ml. Recovery of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on selective media was substantially lower than recovery on TSA, indicating development of sublethal injury. Ozone treatment of apple cider and orange juice at 4°C or in combination with mild heating (50°C) may provide an alternative to thermal pasteurization for reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in apple cider and orange juice.

Validation of Apple Cider Pasteurization Treatments against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (11) ◽  
pp. 1679-1689 ◽  
Author(s):  
PEGGY P. MAK ◽  
BARBARA H. INGHAM ◽  
STEVEN C. INGHAM
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
New York ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Log Reduction ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Time and temperature pasteurization conditions common in the Wisconsin cider industry were validated using a six-strain cocktail of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and acid-adapted E. coli O157:H7 in pH- and ∘Brix-adjusted apple cider. Strains employed were linked to outbreaks (ATCC 43894 and 43895, C7927, and USDA-FSIS-380–94) or strains engineered to contain the gene for green fluorescent protein (pGFP ATCC 43894 and pGFP ATCC 43889) for differential enumeration. Survival of Salmonella spp. (CDC 0778, CDC F2833, and CDC HO662) and Listeria monocytogenes (H0222, F8027, and F8369) was also evaluated. Inoculated cider of pH 3.3 or 4.1 and 11 or 14°Brix was heated under conditions ranging from 60°C for 14 s to 71.1°C for 14 s. A 5-log reduction of nonadapted and acid-adapted E. coli O157:H7 was obtained at 68.1°C for 14 s. Lower temperatures, or less time at 68.1°C, did not ensure a 5-log reduction in E. coli O157:H7. A 5-log reduction was obtained at 65.6°C for 14 s for Salmonella spp. L. monocytogenes survived 68.1°C for 14 s, but survivors died in cider within 24 h at 4°C. Laboratory results were validated with a surrogate E. coli using a bench-top plate heat-exchange pasteurizer. Results were further validated using fresh unpasteurized commercial ciders. Consumer acceptance of cider pasteurized at 68.1°C for 14 s (Wisconsin recommendations) and at 71.1°C for 6 s (New York recommendations) was not significantly different. Hence, we conclude that 68.1°C for 14 s is a validated treatment for ensuring adequate destruction of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes in apple cider.

Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ground Apples Used in Cider Production

1998 ◽  
Vol 61 (10) ◽  
pp. 1372-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
TOMEKA L. FISHER ◽  
DAVID A. GOLDEN
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Statistical Difference ◽  
The Other ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Apple Cultivar ◽  
Mold Growth ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Golden Delicious ◽  
Pathogen Populations

Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground Golden Delicious, Red Delicious, Rome, and Winesap apples stored at 4, 10, and 25°C was determined. E. coli O157:H7 populations were monitored for up to 18 days (4°C), 12 days (10°C), and 5 days (25°C), when mold contamination became visible. At 25°C, Red Delicious apples supported survival of E. coli O157:H7 better (P < 0.05) than the other cultivars, followed by Golden Delicious and Rome apples, which were not statistically different (P > 0.05). Winesap apples were the least favorable (P < 0.05) for survival of E. coli O157:H7 at 25°C. E. coli O157:H7 was recovered at similar rates from Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples, (P > 0.05), but pathogen populations increased in both cultivars (P < 0.05) during storage at 25°C. At 10°C, survival of E. coli O157:H7 was poorest (P < 0.05) in ground Red Delicious apples, while there was no significant difference in survival of E. coli O157:H7 among ground Golden Delicious, Rome, or Winesap cultivars (P > 0.05). When stored at 4°C, Golden Delicious and Rome apples were not statistically different in supporting survival of the pathogen (P > 0.05) and there was no statistical difference in the recovery of E. coli O157:H7 from ground Red Delicious, Rome, and Winesap apples (P > 0.05). In general, apple pH increased during storage and was associated with mold growth. Results of this investigation indicate that there is no trend toward a particular apple cultivar supporting survival of E. coli O157:H7. However, variation in apple pH during storage can negatively or positively influence E. coli O157:H7 survival at 25 °C.

Escherichia coli O157: H7 Acid Tolerance and Survival in Apple Cider

1994 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 460-464 ◽  
Author(s):  
LESLIE GARLAND MILLER ◽  
CHARLES W. KASPAR
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sodium Benzoate ◽  
Acid Tolerance ◽  
Potassium Sorbate ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Control Strain ◽  
High Ph ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Log Reduction

The survival of two Escherichia coli O157:H7 (ATCC 43889 and 43895) and a control strain E. coli was compared in apple cider and in Trypticase soy broth (TSB) adjusted to low and high pH. The O157:H7 strains were detectable in apple cider after 14 to 21 days at 4°C, whereas the control strain could not be detected (> 4-log reduction) after 5 to 7 days. During the first 14 days of storage at 4°C, the levels of strain 43889 decreased by ~3 logs, whereas levels of strain 43895 were unchanged. Survival of O157:H7 strains and the control strain were unaffected by the presence of potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate, except in one instance. Sodium benzoate caused a decrease of 57% in strain 43895 after 21 days, but ~104 CFU/ml still remained. In TSB adjusted to pH 2, 3, 4, 11 or 12, strain 43895 was again the more resistant of the O157:H7 strains, both of which were more durable than the control strain. The O157:H7 strains (especially strain 43895) withstood pH 2 with a minimal drop in CPU after 24 h, whereas no viable organisms were detectable after this time at pH 12. At these extremes of pH, survival was generally greater at 4°C than at 25°C. Despite differences between strains, these results show that E. coli O157:H7 is exceptionally tolerant of acid pH.

Soil versus Pond Ash Surfacing of Feedlot Pens: Occurrence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Cattle and Persistence in Manure†

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 1269-1277 ◽  
Author(s):  
ELAINE D. BERRY ◽  
JAMES E. WELLS ◽  
TERRANCE M. ARTHUR ◽  
BRYAN L. WOODBURY ◽  
JOHN A. NIENABER ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Sampling Period ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Surface Material ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Pond Ash ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cattle Feces ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Survival Differences

Reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle and their manure is critical for reducing the risk for human foodborne and waterborne illness. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of soil and pond ash surfaces for feedlot pens on the prevalence, levels, and/or persistence of naturally occurring E. coli O157:H7 and total E. coli in cattle (feces and hides) and manure. Cattle (128 beef heifers) were sorted among 16 pens: 8 surfaced with soil and 8 surfaced with pond ash. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feces decreased (P < 0.0001) during the study from 57.0% on day 0 to 3.9% on day 84 but did not differ (P ≥ 0.05) between cattle on soil and on pond ash pens at any sampling period. The prevalence of the pathogen on hides and in feedlot surface material (FSM) also decreased (P < 0.0001), with no effect of soil or pond ash surface (P ≥ 0.05). Similarly, levels of E. coli in FSM did not differ (P ≥ 0.05) at any sampling period, and there were no clear trends for survival differences of E. coli O157:H7 or E. coli in FSM between pond ash and soil surfaces, although E. coli populations survived at 5.0 log CFU/g of FSM on the pen surfaces 6 weeks after the cattle were removed. These results indicate that housing cattle on pens surfaced with pond ash versus pens surfaced with soil does not affect E. coli O157:H7 in cattle or their manure.

Reduction in Levels of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Apple Cider by Pulsed Electric Fields

2001 ◽  
Vol 64 (7) ◽  
pp. 964-969 ◽  
Author(s):  
JANET IU ◽  
GAURI S. MITTAL ◽  
MANSEL W. GRIFFITHS
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Cell Population ◽  
Cell Injury ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Federal Drug Administration ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Field Strengths

Many studies have demonstrated that high voltage pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment has lethal effects on microorganisms including Escherichia coli O157:H7; however, the survival of this pathogen through the PEF treatment is not fully understood. Fresh apple cider samples inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 strain EC920026 were treated with 10, 20, and 30 instant charge reversal pulses at electric field strengths of 60, 70, and 80 kV/cm, at 20, 30, and 42°C. To accurately evaluate the lethality of apple cider processing steps, counts were determined on tryptic soy agar (TSA) and sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMA) to estimate the number of injured and uninjured E. coli O157:H7 cells after PEF treatment. Cell death increased significantly with increased temperatures and electric field strengths. A maximum of 5.35-log10 CFU/ml (P < 0.05) reduction in cell population was achieved in samples treated with 30 pulses and 80 kV/cm at 42°C. Cell injury measured by the difference between TSA and SMA counts was found to be insignificant (P > 0.05). Under extreme conditions, a 5.91-log10 CFU/ml reduction in cell population was accomplished when treating samples with 10 pulses and 90 kV/cm at 42°C. PEF treatment, when combined with the addition of cinnamon or nisin, triggered cell death, resulting in a reduction in E. coli O157:H7 count of 6 to 8 log10 CFU/ml. Overall, the combination of PEF and heat treatment was demonstrated to be an effective pasteurization technique by sufficiently reducing the number of viable E. coli O157:H7 cells in fresh apple cider to meet U.S. Federal Drug Administration recommendations.

Increased Detection of Acid-Injured Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Autoclaved Apple Cider by Using Nonselective Repair on Trypticase Soy Agar†

1997 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 1483-1486 ◽  
Author(s):  
TODD M. SILK ◽  
CATHERINE W. DONNELLY
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Incubation Period ◽  
Room Temperature ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Macconkey Agar ◽  
Apple Cider ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Repair Procedure ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Surface Plate

Three different acid-resistant strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 were inoculated individually and as a cocktail into sterile apple cider (pH 3.2) at a level of approximately 105 cells per ml and incubated at 2°C. Samples were plated on Trypticase soy agar (TSA), violet red bile agar (VRBA), sorbitol MacConkey agar (SMA), and Petrifilm E. coli count plates (Petrifilm) at 24-h intervals. Repair of acid-injured cells was assessed by surface plating cider samples on TSA and allowing a 2-h room-temperature incubation period followed by overlaying with double-strength VRBA or SMA. Since SMA is a surface plate medium, the repair procedure was modified by overlaying SMA with Trypticase soy broth after 2 h of room-temperature incubation. Populations of all three strains and the cocktail of strains decreased rapidly in apple cider and approached undetectable levels within 72 h. At 24 and 48 h, 98.4% and >99% of the E. coli populations were injured, respectively. Repair procedures significantly (α = 0.05) increased detection of E. coli O157:H7. After 72 h E. coli O157:H7 was not detected by using SMA and Petrifilm; however, it was detected using repair procedures. Although detection levels were increased with resuscitation procedures, the levels detected were still lower than those obtained using nonselective TSA. This research confirms the need for special recovery steps when analyzing acidic food products suspected of containing E. coli O157:H7.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document