Microbial Survey of Pennsylvania Surface Water Used for Irrigating Produce Crops

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. 902-912 ◽  
Author(s):  
AUDREY D. DRAPER ◽  
STEPHANIE DOORES ◽  
HASSAN GOURAMA ◽  
LUKE F. LaBORDE
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Physicochemical Characteristics ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Environmental Characteristics ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Contaminated Irrigation Water ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count

ABSTRACT Recent produce-associated foodborne illness outbreaks have been attributed to contaminated irrigation water. This study examined microbial levels in Pennsylvania surface waters used for irrigation, relationships between microbial indicator organisms and water physicochemical characteristics, and the potential use of indicators for predicting the presence of human pathogens. A total of 153 samples taken from surface water sources used for irrigation in southeastern Pennsylvania were collected from 39 farms over a 2-year period. Samples were analyzed for six microbial indicator organisms (aerobic plate count, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform, fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci), two human pathogens (Salmonella and E. coli O157), and seven physical and environmental characteristics (pH, conductivity, turbidity, air and water temperature, and sampling day and 3-day-accumulated precipitation levels). Indicator populations were highly variable and not predicted by water and environmental characteristics. Only five samples were confirmed positive for Salmonella, and no E. coli O157 was detected in any samples. Predictive relationships between microbial indicators and the occurrence of pathogens could therefore not be determined.

A Field Study of the Microbiological Quality of Fresh Produce†‡

2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (9) ◽  
pp. 1840-1847 ◽  
Author(s):  
LYNETTE M. JOHNSTON ◽  
LEE-ANN JAYKUS ◽  
DEBORAH MOLL ◽  
MARTHA C. MARTINEZ ◽  
JUAN ANCISO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Leafy Greens ◽  
Microbiological Methods ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that foodborne disease outbreaks associated with fruits and vegetables increased during the past decade. This study was conducted to characterize the routes of microbial contamination in produce and to identify areas of potential contamination from production through postharvest handling. We report here the levels of bacterial indicator organisms and the prevalence of selected pathogens in produce samples collected from the southern United States. A total of 398 produce samples (leafy greens, herbs, and cantaloupe) were collected through production and the packing shed and assayed by enumerative tests for total aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, total Enterococcus, and Escherichia coli. These samples also were analyzed for Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and E. coli O157:H7. Microbiological methods were based on methods recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For all leafy greens and herbs, geometric mean indicator levels ranged from 4.5 to 6.2 log CFU/g (aerobic plate count); less than 1 to 4.3 log CFU/g (coliforms and Enterococcus); and less than 1 to 1.5 log CFU/g (E. coli). In many cases, indicator levels remained relatively constant throughout the packing shed, particularly for mustard greens. However, for cilantro and parsley, total coliform levels increased during the packing process. For cantaloupe, microbial levels significantly increased from field through packing, with ranges of 6.4 to 7.0 log CFU/g (aerobic plate count); 2.1 to 4.3 log CFU/g (coliforms); 3.5 to 5.2 log CFU/g (Enterococcus); and less than 1 to 2.5 log CFU/g (E. coli). The prevalence of pathogens for all samples was 0, 0, and 0.7% (3 of 398) for L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157:H7, and Salmonella, respectively. This study demonstrates that each step from production to consumption may affect the microbial load of produce and reinforces government recommendations for ensuring a high-quality product.

Microbiological Quality of Commercial Frozen Minced Fish Blocks

1978 ◽  
Vol 41 (12) ◽  
pp. 948-952 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSEPH J. LICCIARDELLO ◽  
WILMA S. HILL
Keyword(s):  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
International Commission ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Fecal Streptococci ◽  
Minced Fish ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci

Two hundred and eight commercial blocks of imported frozen minced fish examined for aerobic plate count, fecal coliforms, and coagulase-positive staphylococci were found to be in compliance with the proposed standards of the International Commission on the Microbiological Specifications for Foods. There was no significant correlation between aerobic plate count (35 C) and certain indicator organisms (coliforms, fecal streptococci, and coagulase-positive staphylococci).

scholarly journals The effect of ice-cream-scoop water on the hygiene of ice cream

1997 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. G. WILSON ◽  
J. C. N. HEANEY ◽  
S. T. C. WEATHERUP
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Ice Cream ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Ice Creams ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count

A survey of unopened ice cream, ice cream in use, and ice-cream-scoop water (n=91) was conducted to determine the effect of scoop water hygiene on the microbiological quality of ice cream. An aerobic plate count around 106 c.f.u. ml−1 was the modal value for scoop waters. Unopened ice creams generally had counts around 103–104 c.f.u. ml−1 and this increased by one order of magnitude when in use. Many scoop waters had low coliform counts, but almost half contained >100 c.f.u. ml−1. E. coli was isolated in 18% of ice creams in use, and in 10% of unopened ice creams. S. aureus was not detected in any sample. Statistical analysis showed strong associations between indicator organisms and increased counts in ice cream in use. EC guidelines for indicator organisms in ice cream were exceeded by up to 56% of samples.

Campylobacter in waterborne epidemics in Finland

2004 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 39-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.-L. Hänninen ◽  
R. Kärenlampi
Keyword(s):  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Causative Agent ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Risk Level ◽  
Source Water ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Faecal Contamination ◽  
E Coli ◽  
July August September

The sources for drinking water in Finland are surface water, groundwater or artificially recharged groundwater. There are approximately 1400 groundwater plants in Finland that are microbiologically at a high risk level because in most cases they do not use any disinfection treatment. Campylobacter jejuni has caused waterborne epidemics in several countries. Since the middle of the 1980s, C. jejuni has been identified as the causative agent in several waterborne outbreaks in Finland. Between 1998 and 2001, C. jejuni or C. upsaliensis caused seven reported waterborne epidemics. In these epidemics approximately 4000 people acquired the illness. Most of the outbreaks occurred in July, August , September or October. In four of them source water and net water samples were analysed for total coliforms or fecal coliforms, E. coli and campylobacters. We showed that large volumes of water samples in studies of indicator organisms (up to 5000 ml) and campylobacters (4000–20,000 ml) increased the possibility to identify faecal contamination and to detect the causative agent from suspected sources.

Water Quality of Swimming Pools in Jerusalem

1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 287-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Lerman ◽  
O. Lev ◽  
A. Adin ◽  
E. Katzenelson
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Pathogenic Microorganisms ◽  
Swimming Pools ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safe Water ◽  
Indirect Information

The Israel Ministry of Health is now revising its regulations for the assurance of safe water quality in public swimming pools. Since it is not possible to monitor each of the pathogenic microorganisms, it is often recommended to monitor indicator bacteria which provide indirect information on the water quality in the swimming pool. Three indicator microorganisms are often recommended: coliform counts (total coliforms, fecal coliforms or E. Coli), staphylococcus aureus and pseudomonas aeruginosa. A four year survey of the water quality of swimming pools in the Jerusalem District was conducted in order to determine whether the monitoring of all three indicators is necessary to assure safe water quality or is it sufficient to monitor only a single microorganism. A statistical analysis, conducted by using several different statistical techniques, reveals that the populations of the three indicator organisms are significantly interdependent but the correlations between each pair of these indicators are not sufficient to base a prediction of any of the organisms based on the measurements of the others. Therefore, it is concluded that monitoring of all three indicators should be recommended in order to provide an adequate picture of the water quality in swimming pools.

Surface and Internalized Escherichia coli O157:H7 on Field-Grown Spinach and Lettuce Treated with Spray-Contaminated Irrigation Water

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 1023-1029 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARILYN C. ERICKSON ◽  
CATHY C. WEBB ◽  
JUAN CARLOS DIAZ-PEREZ ◽  
SHARAD C. PHATAK ◽  
JOHN J. SILVOY ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Enrichment Culture ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Adaxial Side ◽  
Abaxial Side ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Contaminated Irrigation Water

Numerous field studies have revealed that irrigation water can contaminate the surface of plants; however, the occurrence of pathogen internalization is unclear. This study was conducted to determine the sites of Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination and its survival when the bacteria were applied through spray irrigation water to either field-grown spinach or lettuce. To differentiate internalized and surface populations, leaves were treated with a surface disinfectant wash before the tissue was ground for analysis of E. coli O157:H7 by direct plate count or enrichment culture. Irrigation water containing E. coli O157:H7 at 102, 104, or 106 CFU/ml was applied to spinach 48 and 69 days after transplantation of seedlings into fields. E. coli O157:H7 was initially detected after application on the surface of plants dosed at 104 CFU/ml (4 of 20 samples) and both on the surface (17 of 20 samples) and internally (5 of 20 samples) of plants dosed at 106 CFU/ml. Seven days postspraying, all spinach leaves tested negative for surface or internal contamination. In a subsequent study, irrigation water containing E. coli O157:H7 at 108 CFU/ml was sprayed onto either the abaxial (lower) or adaxial (upper) side of leaves of field-grown lettuce under sunny or shaded conditions. E. coli O157:H7 was detectable on the leaf surface 27 days postspraying, but survival was higher on leaves sprayed on the abaxial side than on leaves sprayed on the adaxial side. Internalization of E. coli O157:H7 into lettuce leaves also occurred with greater persistence in leaves sprayed on the abaxial side (up to 14 days) than in leaves sprayed on the adaxial side (2 days).

Microbiological Status of Fresh Beef Cuts

2006 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1456-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. STOPFORTH ◽  
M. LOPES ◽  
J. E. SHULTZ ◽  
R. R. MIKSCH ◽  
M. SAMADPOUR
Keyword(s):  
Total Coliform ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Microbial Populations ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Bacterial Populations ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Coliform Count ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Whole Muscle

Fresh beef samples (n = 1,022) obtained from two processing plants in the Midwest (July to December 2003) were analyzed for levels of microbial populations (total aerobic plate count, total coliform count, and Escherichia coli count) and for the presence or absence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. A fresh beef cut sample was a 360-g composite of 6-g portions excised from the surface of 60 individual representative cuts in a production lot. Samples of fresh beef cuts yielded levels of 4.0 to 6.2, 1.1 to 1.8, and 0.8 to 1.0 log CFU/g for total aerobic plate count, total coliform count, and E. coli count, respectively. There did not appear to be substantial differences or obvious trends in bacterial populations on different cuts. These data may be useful in establishing a baseline or a benchmark of microbiological levels of contamination of beef cuts. Mean incidence rates of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on raw beef cuts were 0.3 and 2.2%, respectively. Of the 1,022 samples analyzed, cuts testing positive for E. coli O157:H7 included top sirloin butt (0.9%) and butt, ball tip (2.1%) and for Salmonella included short loins (3.4%), strip loins (9.6%), rib eye roll (0.8%), shoulder clod (3.4%), and clod, top blade (1.8%). These data provide evidence of noticeable incidence of pathogens on whole muscle beef and raise the importance of such contamination on product that may be mechanically tenderized. Levels of total aerobic plate count, total coliform count, and E. coli count did not (P ≥ 0.05) appear to be associated with the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella on fresh beef cuts. E. O157:H7 was exclusively isolated from cuts derived from the sirloin area of the carcass. Salmonella was exclusively isolated from cuts derived from the chuck, rib, and loin areas of the carcass. Results of this study suggest that contamination of beef cuts may be influenced by the region of the carcass from which they are derived.

A National Survey of the Microbiological Quality of Retail Raw Meats in Australia

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1232-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
DAVID PHILLIPS ◽  
DAVID JORDAN ◽  
STEPHEN MORRIS ◽  
IAN JENSON ◽  
JOHN SUMNER
Keyword(s):  
Salmonella Typhimurium ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Ground Beef ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Phage Types ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Coagulase Positive Staphylococci

A national survey of the microbiology of meat (ground beef and diced lamb) at the retail level in Australia was undertaken. For ground beef samples (n = 360), the mean aerobic plate count (APC) was 5.79 log CFU/g, and Escherichia coli was detected in 17.8% of samples; the mean population for these positive samples was 1.49 log CFU/g. Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 96.9% of samples (mean for positive samples, 3.01 log CFU/g), and coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected in 28.1% of samples (mean for positive samples, 2.18 log CFU/g). For diced lamb samples (n = 360), the mean APC was 5.71 log CFU/g, and E. coli was detected in 16.7% of samples (mean for positive samples, 1.67 log CFU/g). Enterobacteriaceae were detected in 91.1% of samples (mean for positive samples, 2.85 log CFU/g), and coagulase-positive staphylococci were detected in 22.5% of samples (mean for positive samples, 2.34 log CFU/g). Salmonella was recovered from 4 (1.1%) of the 360 ground beef samples (isolates were Salmonella Typhimurium phage types), and E. coli O157 was recovered from 1 (0.3%) of 357 samples; Campylobacter and Clostridium perfringens were not recovered from any of the 91 and 94 samples tested, respectively. Salmonella was recovered from 2 (0.6%) of the 360 diced lamb samples (serovars were Salmonella Infantis and Salmonella Typhimurium), Campylobacter was recovered from 1 (1.1%) of 95 samples, and C. perfringens was recovered from 1 (1.1%) of 92 samples.

scholarly journals Indicator Organisms for Safety and Quality—Uses and Methods for Detection: Minireview

2003 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. 1208-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary L Tortorello
Keyword(s):  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Consumer Acceptability ◽  
Indicator Organisms ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Microbiological Testing ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Yeasts And Molds

Abstract Indicator organisms have been used for nearly a century to assess the microbiological status of water and foods. Beginning with their use in water sanitation programs, their applications have been extended over the years to other products, and they have become important components of the microbiological testing programs of both industry and regulatory agencies. Functionally, they may be viewed as safety or quality indicators. Safety indicators suggest the presence of conditions associated with increased risk of exposure to a pathogen. Quality indicators assess conditions of importance to product manufacture or consumer acceptability. This minireview summarizes the history, use, and analytical methods for the most commonly used indicator organisms, including the aerobic plate count, yeasts and molds, the coliform groups, Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Listeria.

Contamination Revealed by Indicator Microorganism Levels during Veal Processing

2016 ◽  
Vol 79 (8) ◽  
pp. 1341-1347 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSEPH M. BOSILEVAC ◽  
RONG WANG ◽  
BRANDON E. LUEDTKE ◽  
TOMMY L. WHEELER ◽  
MOHAMMAD KOOHMARAIE
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Department Of Agriculture ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Veal Calves ◽  
Indicator Microorganism ◽  
Analysis Of Results ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Inspection Service ◽  
The U.S

ABSTRACT During site visits of veal processors, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) has reported processing deficiencies that likely contribute to increased levels of veal contamination. Here, we report the results of measuring aerobic plate count bacteria (APC), Enterobacteriaceae, coliforms (CF), and Escherichia coli during eight sample collections at five veal processors to assess contamination during the harvest of bob veal and formula-fed veal before (n = 5 plants) and after (n = 3 plants) changes to interventions and processing practices. Hides of veal calves at each plant had mean log CFU/100 cm2 APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 6.02 to 8.07, 2.95 to 5.24, 3.28 to 5.83, and 3.08 to 5.59, respectively. Preintervention carcasses had mean log CFU/100 cm2 APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 3.08 to 5.22, 1.16 to 3.47, 0.21 to 3.06, and −0.07 to 3.10, respectively, before and 2.72 to 4.50, 0.99 to 2.76, 0.69 to 2.26, and 0.33 to 2.12, respectively, after changes were made to improve sanitary dressing procedures. Final veal carcasses had mean log CFU/100 cm2 APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli of 0.36 to 2.84, −0.21 to 1.59, −0.23 to 1.59, and −0.38 to 1.45 before and 0.44 to 2.64, −0.16 to 1.33, −0.42 to 1.20, and −0.48 to 1.09 after changes were made to improve carcass-directed interventions. Whereas the improved dressing procedures resulted in improved carcass cleanliness, the changes to carcass-directed interventions were less successful, and veal processors are urged to use techniques that ensure uniform and consistent delivery of antimicrobials to carcasses. Analysis of results comparing bob veal to formula-fed veal found bob veal hides, preintervention carcasses, and final carcasses to have increased (P < 0.05) APC, Enterobacteriaceae, CF, and E. coli (with the exception of hide Enterobacteriaceae; P > 0.05) relative to formula fed veal. When both veal categories were harvested at the same plant on the same day, similar results were observed. Since identification by FSIS, the control of contamination during veal processing has started to improve, but challenges still persist.

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