Microbial Quality, Safety, and Pathogen Detection by Using Quantitative PCR of Raw Salad Vegetables Sold in Dhanbad City, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
SUJEET K. MRITUNJAY ◽  
VIPIN KUMAR
Keyword(s):  
Food Safety ◽  
Quantitative Pcr ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Salad Vegetables

ABSTRACT Consumption of ready-to-eat fresh vegetables has increased worldwide, with a consequent increase in outbreaks caused by foodborne pathogens. In the Indian subcontinent, raw fresh vegetables are usually consumed without washing or other decontamination procedures, thereby leading to new food safety threats. In this study, the microbiological quality and pathogenic profile of raw salad vegetables was evaluated through standard protocols. In total, 480 samples (60 each of eight different salad vegetables) of cucumber, tomato, carrot, coriander, cabbage, beetroot, radish, and spinach were collected from different locations in Dhanbad, a city famous for its coal fields and often called the “Coal Capital of India.” The samples were analyzed for total plate count, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, E. coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella spp. Incidences of pathogens were detected through quantitative PCR subsequent to isolation. Results showed that 46.7% (for total plate counts) and 30% (for total coliforms) of samples were unacceptable for consumption per the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Pathogenic microorganisms were detected in 3.7% of total samples. E. coli O157:H7 was detected in three samples of spinach (2) and beetroot (1); L. monocytogenes was detected in 14 samples of spinach (8), tomato (3), cucumber (2), and radish (1); and Salmonella spp. were detected in 16 samples of spinach (7), tomato (3), beetroot (2), cucumber (2), carrot (1), and radish (1). Pathogens were not detected in any of the cabbage and coriander samples.

scholarly journals Effect of Storage Temperature on the Behaviour of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella enterica Serotype Typhimurium on Salad Vegetables

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Likotrafiti ◽  
Marios Anagnou ◽  
Panagiota Lampiri ◽  
Jonathan Rhoades
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Food Poisoning ◽  
Short Exposure ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Vegetables ◽  
Salad Vegetables ◽  
Storage Temperatures

<p>The behaviour of <em>Escherichia coli</em> O157:H7 and <em>Salmonella </em>Typhimurium on fresh lettuce (<em>Lactuca sativa</em>), cucumber (<em>Cucumis sativus</em>) epidermis and parsley (<em>Petroselinum sativum</em>) under different storage temperatures was studied. Inoculated vegetable pieces were stored at 10 °C, 20 °C and 30 °C and <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 and <em>S. </em>Typhimurium<em> </em>were enumerated by plate count.</p> <p>At 10 °C, both <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 and <em>S.</em> Typhimurium declined slowly on all three vegetables whereas at higher temperatures the behaviour was markedly different. On parsley and lettuce at 20 °C <em>S.</em> Typhimurium population returned to roughly the starting count at the end of the experiment whereas it increased in cucumber. Growth of up to 0.9 log cfu/g was observed on parsley for<em> E. coli</em> O157:H7, but population changes on the other vegetables were negligible at 20 °C. At 30 °C growth was observed on all three vegetables for both <em>E. coli</em> O157:H7 and <em>S.</em> Typhimurium.</p> <p>Growth of<em> E. coli</em> O157:H7 and <em>S. </em>Typhimurium increase the risk to the consumer of some types of fresh vegetable. Storage temperature abuse of the above fresh vegetables can lead to food poisoning if not decontaminated appropriately or via cross contamination. This study shows that food safety of fresh produce is improved via storage in chilled temperatures. Even relatively short exposure (a few hours) at higher temperatures can allow growth to occur in all three vegetables thereby increasing the risk to food safety. Chilling fresh vegetables as soon as possible after harvest could prevent growth of pathogens if vegetables are cross-contaminated.</p>

scholarly journals Microbiological quality of beef, mutton, and water from different abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1363-1371
Author(s):  
Philisani Ncoko ◽  
Ishmael Festus Jaja ◽  
James Wabwire Oguttu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Eastern Cape Province ◽  
Eastern Cape ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Government

Background and Aim: Abattoir processes from skinning, evisceration, to chilling usually lead to meat contamination by foodborne pathogens. Hence, continual microbial surveillance of slaughter carcasses by veterinary public health officials is key to preventing contamination and outbreak of meat-related foodborne diseases. This study was conducted to determine the Enterobacteriaceae count and aerobic plate count (APC) and to detect Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in meat and water from selected slaughter facilities. Materials and Methods: Retrospective data (n=100) collected in 2017 by the Provincial Veterinary Department of the Eastern Cape Province from abattoirs and prospective survey data of meat (n=50) collected in 2018 from abattoirs in the Eastern Cape Province were utilized in this study. APC and Enterobacteriaceae were enumerated from the samples. In addition, Salmonella and E. coli were isolated from samples using selective media. Results: The APC in both retrospective and prospective studies for all samples ranged between 2 and 4.50 log CFU/cm2; similar counts of 2-4.00 log CFU/cm2 were recorded for Enterobacteriaceae. No significant difference (p>0.05) for APC and Enterobacteriaceae count across all meat types was noted. Salmonella and E. coli were detected in 50% of beef. E. coli was not detected from mutton, but Salmonella was found in 66.7%. Moreover, 91.7% of the water samples had E. coli, but none had Salmonella. Conclusion: The levels of Enterobacteriaceae and APC observed in meat satisfy regulatory conditions outlined by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, South Africa and show that meat produced from these abattoirs is of acceptable microbial quality. However, the quality of water used in the abattoirs does not meet the requirements set by the government, and contributes to contamination of meat produced in the abattoirs under study. Therefore, we recommend that sources of water be continuously investigated to eliminate or reduce the risk of contamination of meat processed in the abattoirs.

Mineral water: a microbiological approach

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 556-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Fernanda Falcone-Dias ◽  
Guilherme L. Emerick ◽  
Adalberto Farache-Filho
Keyword(s):  
Mineral Water ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Quality Standard ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Important Public Health Problem ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Bottled Mineral Water

The microbiological quality of bottled mineral water of various domestic brands sold in Brazil was investigated, with particular focus on the heterotrophic plate count (HPC). Neither total coliforms nor Escherichia coli were found in any 1.5 L bottle samples. Total coliforms were found in 2.9% of the small bottles, while in 20 L bottles the presence of total coliforms and E. coli was demonstrated in 15.5 and 2.4% of samples, respectively. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in 4.3, 4.5 and 9.5% of small, 1.5 and 20 L bottles, respectively. In 36.4% of the samples of 1.5 L bottles, the HPC was above 500 cfu/mL. This percentage of samples with an HPC above 500 cfu/mL increased to 52.0 and 61.9% in small and 20 L bottles, respectively. Higher contamination by total coliforms, E. coli, P. aeruginosa and HPCs occurred in 20 L bottles. In conclusion, several samples in this study were outside the international quality standard for mineral water and the large number of samples with high HPCs shows that more work must be done on the use of HPC in mineral water and the damaging effects that these microorganisms may cause to humans. The bottled mineral water was confirmed as a particularly important public health problem, due to the poor microbiological quality of the products that are marketed.

Microbiological Quality and Incidence of Salmonella on Cherry Tomatoes at Retail in Querétaro, México

2018 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 614-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARLA G. LEAL-CERVANTES ◽  
SOFÍA M. ARVIZU-MEDRANO ◽  
RAMÓN MARTÍNEZ-PENICHE ◽  
NANCI E. MARTÍNEZ-GONZÁLES ◽  
MONTSERRAT HERNÁNDEZ-ITURRIAGA
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Site ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Most Probable Number ◽  
Probable Number ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Aerobic Plate Count ◽  
Cherry Tomatoes

ABSTRACT Multiple outbreaks related to Salmonella in tomatoes require an evaluation of the risk associated with cherry tomatoes due to the increase in its production, consumption, and marketing in Mexico's central region. The purpose of this study was to determine the microbial quality of cherry tomatoes obtained from two retail sale points (supermarkets and local markets). Cherry tomato samples (333) were collected from four supermarkets and from four local markets, and the contents of aerobic plate count, molds and yeasts, total coliforms, and Escherichia coli were quantified; the presence of Salmonella was simultaneously determined. The median values of the microbial populations were obtained, and the data were analyzed per the sampling site by using the Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The median of aerobic plate count content in tomatoes obtained from supermarkets ranged between 2.2 and 4.4 log CFU/g, and in markets from 2.9 to 4.8 log CFU/g. For molds and yeasts, the tomatoes from supermarkets (2.0 to 4.1 log CFU/g) and markets (1.5 to 4.5 log CFU/g) showed similar contents. Regardless of the sampling site, the values of total coliforms were very low, ranging from 1.0 to 1.8 log CFU/g. E. coli was detected in 5.4 and 20.1% of samples from supermarkets and markets, respectively; in both sites, the content was low (0.3 to 5.8 most probable number per g). The incidence of Salmonella was 14.1% in supermarkets and 7.8% in local markets. The results obtained from this investigation highlight the elevated risk for consumer health associated with the ingestion of cherry tomatoes.

scholarly journals Inspected and non-inspected chilled chicken carcasses commercialized in Viçosa, MG, Brazil: microbiological parameters and Salmonella spp. occurrence

2012 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1675-1681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus Vinícius Coutinho Cossi ◽  
Michelle Vieira de Almeida ◽  
Mariane Rezende Dias ◽  
Paulo Sérgio de Arruda Pinto ◽  
Luís Augusto Nero
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
Indicator Microorganisms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Safety Risks ◽  
Microbiological Parameters ◽  
The Mean

Sixty samples of chilled chicken carcasses submitted (30) and not submitted (30) to Brazilian inspection services were analyzed to investigate if inspected and non-inspected chilled carcasses represented different food safety risks in the region of Viçosa, MG, Brazil. The mean counts of indicator microorganisms (mesophilic aerobes, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms and Escherichia coli) of samples belonging to the inspected and non-inspected lots did not present significant differences (P>0.05). Also, no significant differences (P>0.05) were observed for the numbers of Salmonella spp. and E. coli (higher than 2log cfu g-1) between samples submitted or not to inspection. Statistical differences were observed between the two sample classes only for the numbers of mesophilic aerobes higher than 4 and 5log cfu g-1 (P<0.05). The obtained results indicated the limitations of microbiological parameters to differentiate inspected and non-inspected chilled chicken carcasses commercialized in the specific studied area.

Microbiological Quality Assessment of Game Meats at Retail in Japan

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (12) ◽  
pp. 2119-2126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Asakura ◽  
Jun Kawase ◽  
Tetsuya Ikeda ◽  
Mioko Honda ◽  
Yoshimasa Sasaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Wild Boar ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Human Infection ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
Meat Sample ◽  
Sequencing Analysis ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT In this study, we examined the prevalence of Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. and the distribution of indicator bacteria in 248 samples of game meats (120 venison and 128 wild boar) retailed between November 2015 and March 2016 in Japan. No Salmonella spp. were detected in any of the samples, whereas Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli serotype OUT:H25 (stx2d+, eae−) was isolated from one deer meat sample, suggesting a possible source for human infection. Plate count assays indicated greater prevalence of coliforms and E. coli in wild boar meat than in venison, whereas their prevalence in processing facilities showed greater variation than in animal species. The 16S rRNA ion semiconductor sequencing analysis of 24 representative samples revealed that the abundances of Acinetobacter and Arthrobacter spp. significantly correlated with the prevalence of E. coli, and quantitative PCR analyses in combination with selective plate count assay verified these correlations. To our knowledge, this is the first report to characterize the diversity of microorganisms of game meats at retail in Japan, together with identification of dominant microbiota. Our data suggest the necessity of bottom-up hygienic assessment in areas of slaughtering and processing facilities to improve microbiological safety.

Impact of Raw Materials and Processing Techniques on The Microbiological Quality of Egyptian Domiati Cheese

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Raw Materials ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Raw Milk ◽  
Plate Count ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Fresh Cheese ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Total Yeast

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.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Characterization of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ready-to-Eat Street Foods

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 850
Author(s):  
Shobha Giri ◽  
Vaishnavi Kudva ◽  
Kalidas Shetty ◽  
Veena Shetty
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Food Safety ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Antibiotic Resistant ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Extended Spectrum

As the global urban populations increase with rapid migration from rural areas, ready-to-eat (RTE) street foods are posing food safety challenges where street foods are prepared with less structured food safety guidelines in small and roadside outlets. The increased presence of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase (ESBL) producing bacteria in street foods is a significant risk for human health because of its epidemiological significance. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae have become important and dangerous foodborne pathogens globally for their relevance to antibiotic resistance. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the potential burden of antibiotic-resistant E. coli and K. pneumoniae contaminating RTE street foods and to assess the microbiological quality of foods in a typical emerging and growing urban suburb of India where RTE street foods are rapidly establishing with public health implications. A total of 100 RTE food samples were collected of which, 22.88% were E. coli and 27.12% K. pneumoniae. The prevalence of ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae was 25.42%, isolated mostly from chutneys, salads, paani puri, and chicken. Antimicrobial resistance was observed towards cefepime (72.9%), imipenem (55.9%), cefotaxime (52.5%), and meropenem (16.9%) with 86.44% of the isolates with MAR index above 0.22. Among β-lactamase encoding genes, blaTEM (40.68%) was the most prevalent followed by blaCTX (32.20%) and blaSHV (10.17%). blaNDM gene was detected in 20.34% of the isolates. This study indicated that contaminated RTE street foods present health risks to consumers and there is a high potential of transferring multi-drug-resistant bacteria from foods to humans and from person to person as pathogens or as commensal residents of the human gut leading to challenges for subsequent therapeutic treatments.

scholarly journals Are the defined substrate-based methods adequate to determine the microbiological quality of natural recreational waters?

2009 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Sofia Valente ◽  
Paulo Pedro ◽  
M. Carmen Alonso ◽  
Juan J. Borrego ◽  
Lídia Dionísio
Keyword(s):  
Standard Method ◽  
Membrane Filtration ◽  
Microbiological Quality ◽  
Recreational Waters ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Quality Of Water ◽  
Routine Monitoring ◽  
Rapid Tests

Monitoring the microbiological quality of water used for recreational activities is very important to human public health. Although the sanitary quality of recreational marine waters could be evaluated by standard methods, they are time-consuming and need confirmation. For these reasons, faster and more sensitive methods, such as the defined substrate-based technology, have been developed. In the present work, we have compared the standard method of membrane filtration using Tergitol-TTC agar for total coliforms and Escherichia coli, and Slanetz and Bartley agar for enterococci, and the IDEXX defined substrate technology for these faecal pollution indicators to determine the microbiological quality of natural recreational waters. ISO 17994:2004 standard was used to compare these methods. The IDEXX for total coliforms and E. coli, Colilert®, showed higher values than those obtained by the standard method. Enterolert® test, for the enumeration of enterococci, showed lower values when compared with the standard method. It may be concluded that more studies to evaluate the precision and accuracy of the rapid tests are required in order to apply them for routine monitoring of marine and freshwater recreational bathing areas. The main advantages of these methods are that they are more specific, feasible and simpler than the standard methodology.

scholarly journals Effects of Water Quality and Post-Harvest Handling on Microbiological Contamination of Lettuce at Urban and Peri-Urban Locations of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Foods ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliane Dao ◽  
Kathrin Stenchly ◽  
Oumar Traoré ◽  
Philip Amoah ◽  
Andreas Buerkert
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vegetable Production ◽  
Salmonella Spp ◽  
Total Coliforms ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Production Areas

Vegetable production in urban gardens of Ouagadougou contributes to food security, but water for irrigation is often of low quality. This is particularly acute if irrigation water is taken from wastewater polluted channels. This study aimed at (i) verifying to what degree irrigation water quality is correlated with contamination of lettuce with Escherichia coli, total coliforms, and Salmonella spp., and (ii) assessing effects of post-harvest handling on pathogen development during the trade chain. We tested pathogen removal efficiency on lettuce by applying post-harvest washing. Irrigation water of production areas in Ouagadougou (n = 10) showed a mean E. coli load of 2.1 × 105 CFU 100 mL−1. In 60% of the cases, irrigation water did not meet the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) for safe irrigation water, and in 30% of the cases, irrigation water was contaminated with Salmonella spp. Loads of total coliforms on lettuce leaves ranged from 2.9 × 103 CFU g−1 to 1.3 × 106 CFU g−1, while E. coli averaged 1.1 × 102 CFU g−1. Results on post-harvest handling revealed that microbial loads increased along the trade chain. Overall, half of all lettuce samples (n = 60) were tested positively for Salmonella spp. The experiment showed that appropriate post-harvest handling could prevent the increase of total coliforms.

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