Kumar Venkitanarayanan

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes on Apples, Oranges, and Tomatoes by Lactic Acid with Hydrogen Peroxide

The objective of this study was to develop a practical and effective method for inactivating or substantially reducing Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, and Listeria monocytogenes on apples, oranges, and tomatoes. Apples, oranges, and tomatoes were spot-inoculated with five-strain mixtures of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, and L. monocytogenes near the stem end and were submerged in sterile deionized water containing 1.5% lactic acid plus 1.5% hydrogen peroxide for 15 min at 40 degrees C. Inoculated samples treated with sterile deionized water at the same temperature and for the same duration served as controls. The bacterial pathogens on fruits subjected to the chemical treatment were reduced by >5.0 log10 CFU per fruit, whereas washing in deionized water decreased the pathogens by only 1.5 to 2.0 log10 CFU per fruit. Furthermore, substantial populations of the pathogens survived in the control wash water, whereas no E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, or L. monocytogenes cells were detected in the chemical treatment solution. The sensory and qualitative characteristics of apples treated with the chemical wash solution were not adversely affected by the treatment. It was found that the treatment developed in this study could effectively be used to kill E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, and L. monocytogenes on apples, oranges, and tomatoes at the processing or packaging level.

Detection of Penicillium expansum by polymerase chain reaction

Penicillium expansum is a major causative agent of postharvest decay in a variety of fruits, including apples, peaches, nectarines, and cherries. It causes significant economic losses to the fruit industry and is also of potential public health significance, since it produces patulin, a mycotoxin known to cause harmful effects in animals. Rapid and specific detection of P. expansum is important for ensuring microbiological quality and safety of fruits and fruit juices. The traditional methods for identification of P. expansum are time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this study, we report a polymerase chain reaction utilizing primers based on the polygalacturonase gene of P. expansum. The PCR amplified a 404-bp DNA product from all the P. expansum isolates tested, but not in other common foodborne Penicillium species and Escherichia coli. Experiments to determine the sensitivity of the PCR indicated that it can detect the DNA equivalent from as low as 25 spores of P. expansum. The PCR could potentially be used as a rapid tool for screening fruits for the presence of P. expansum.

The natural feed additive caprylic acid decreases Campylobacter jejuni colonization in market-aged broiler chickens

Campylobacter causes human foodborne illness, and epidemiological evidence indicates poultry and poultry products as a significant source of human infection. Decreasing Campylobacter in the poultry intestinal tract would decrease contamination of poultry products. Caprylic acid is a medium-chain fatty acid reported to be effective in killing a variety of bacterial pathogens, including Campylobacter jejuni, but its effect has not been investigated in the control of C. jejuni in preslaughter market-aged poultry already colonized with this bacterium. The objective of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of caprylic acid on C. jejuni counts in the cecal contents of 42-d-old chickens. Four trials were conducted. In the first 2 trials, day-of-hatch chicks (n = 60 per trial) were assigned to 6 treatment groups (n = 10 birds per treatment group): positive controls (Campylobacter, no caprylic acid), 0.7 or 1.4% of caprylic acid in feed for the last 3 d of the trial with or without a 12-h feed withdrawal. Treatments were similar for trials 3 and 4 except the doses used were 0.35 or 0.7% caprylic acid supplementation for the last 7 d of the trial. On d 42, ceca were collected and Campylobacter counts determined. The supplementation of caprylic acid at 0.35 and 0.7% consistently decreased (P < 0.05) the colonization of C. jejuni in the chicken ceca compared with positive control treatment. When these treatments were evaluated after a 12-h feed withdrawal period, 0.7% caprylic acid decreased Campylobacter colonization in the 3-d treatment supplementation. Body weight and feed consumption did not differ between the caprylic acid and control groups. The results suggest that therapeutic supplementation of caprylic acid in the feed can effectively decrease Campylobacter in market-aged chickens and may be a potential treatment for decreasing pathogen carriage in poultry.

Inactivation of Enterobacter sakazakii in Reconstituted Infant Formula by Monocaprylin

Enterobacter sakazakii is an emerging pathogen that causes meningitis, bacteremia, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates and children, with a mortality rate of 14%. Epidemiological studies have implicated dried infant formula as the principal source of the pathogen. Caprylic acid is a natural eight-carbon fatty acid present in breast milk and bovine milk and is approved as generally recognizable as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The objective of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of monocaprylin (monoglyceride ester of caprylic acid) on E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula. A five-strain mixture of E. sakazakii was inoculated into 10-ml samples of reconstituted infant formula (at 6.0 log CFU/ml) followed by 0, 25, or 50 mM (1%) monocaprylin. The samples were incubated at 37 or 23 degrees C for 0, 1, 6, and 24 h and at 8 or 4 degrees C for 0, 6, 24, and 48 h, and the surviving populations of E. sakazakii at each sampling time were counted. The treatments containing monocaprylin significantly reduced the population of E. sakazakii (P < 0.05) compared with the controls. Monocaprylin (50 mM) reduced the pathogen by >5 log CFU/ml by 1 h of incubation at 37 or 23 degrees C and by 24 h of incubation at 8 or 4 degrees C. Results indicate that monocaprylin could potentially be used to inactivate E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula; however, sensory studies are warranted before its use can be recommended.

Comparison between self-reported and observed food handling behaviors among Latinas.

The study was conducted to compare and identify the magnitude of differences between self-reported and observed food safety behaviors among women preparing a chicken and salad dish at home. The observed food safety practices also were compared according to sociodemographic variables and prior food safety education. Sixty Puerto Rican women who were the main meal preparers for their households were recruited in Hartford, Conn. Three household visits were made to (i) deliver food ingredients to prepare the chicken and salad meal, (ii) conduct household observation, and (iii) conduct a self-reported survey. The difference between self-reported and observed behaviors varied across food handling and sanitation behaviors. There was a high level of inaccuracy for socially desirable behaviors such as hand washing; the vast majority of participants reported practicing these behaviors but they were not observed doing so. Cutting board washing also was considerably overreported, questioning the validity of these self-reported data for regression analyses. There was a significant association (P < 0.05) between proper thawing method and prior food safety education, use of cutting board and higher income, and washing tomatoes and having a positive attitude towards food safety. Results revealed that overreporting errors must be considered when analyzing and/or interpreting data derived from self-reported food safety consumer surveys and that food safety education and positive food safety attitudes are associated with recommended food safety behaviors.

Inactivation of Enterobacter sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula by trans-cinnamaldehyde

Enterobacter sakazakii is an emerging pathogen which causes a life-threatening form of meningitis, necrotizing colitis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and children. Epidemiological studies implicate dried infant formula as the principal source of the pathogen. Trans-cinnamaldehyde is a major component of bark extract of cinnamon. It is classified as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and is approved for use in food (21 CFR 182.60). The objective of this study was to determine the antibacterial effect of trans-cinnamaldehyde on E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula. A 5-strain mixture of E. sakazakii was inoculated into 10 ml samples of reconstituted infant formula (at 6.0 log CFU/ml) containing 0%, 0.15%, 0.3% or 0.5% trans-cinnamaldehyde. The samples were incubated at 37, 23, 8 or 4 degrees C for 0, 6, 10 and 24 h, and the surviving populations of E. sakazakii at each sampling time were enumerated. In addition, potential cytotoxicity of trans-cinnamaldehyde, if any, was determined on human embryonic intestinal cells (INT-407). The treatments containing trans-cinnamaldehyde significantly reduced (P<0.05) the population of E. sakazakii, compared to the controls. Trans-cinnamaldehyde (0.5%) reduced the pathogen to undetectable levels by 4 h of incubation at 37 or 23 degrees C and 10 h of incubation at 8 or 4 degrees C, respectively. Trans-cinnamaldehyde produced no cytotoxic effects on human embryonic intestinal cells at the tested concentrations. Results indicate that trans-cinnamaldehyde could potentially be used to kill E. sakazakii in reconstituted infant formula, however sensory studies are warranted before recommending its use.

Effect of erythorbate, storage and high-oxygen packaging on premature browning in ground beef

Premature browning (PMB) was investigated in ground beef patties with (0.04%, w/w) and without erythorbate. In Experiment 1, patties were stored at 4 °C for 48 h; at -18 °C for 21 days; or at -18 °C for 21 days, thawed at 4 °C for 24 h; and cooked. Bulk ground beef was stored at -18 °C for 24 days, thawed for 24 h at 4 °C, and patties prepared and cooked immediately. In Experiment 2, fresh patties were overwrapped with oxygen-permeable film or packaged in 80% O(2)/20% N(2) (MAP), and stored for 48 h at 4 °C, or at -18 °C for 21 days, and cooked. Total reducing activity and color (L*, a* and b* values) were measured immediately prior to cooking. Patties were cooked to internal temperatures of 60, 66, 71 and 77 °C and internal cooked color was measured. Total reducing activity was higher for the erythorbate treatment than controls for all storage conditions (P<0.05). a* Values of cooked patties were higher for erythorbate than control treatments under all storage and packaging conditions at 60 and 66 °C (P<0.05). The presence of erythorbate in ground beef patties appeared to maintain red color at cooked internal temperatures of 60 and 66 °C. Frozen bulk storage appeared to increase the susceptibility of ground beef to PMB when compared to fresh and frozen patties. Patties cooked directly from frozen state appeared less susceptible to PMB than frozen-thawed and bulk storage. Ground beef appeared predisposed to PMB when stored in high-oxygen MAP at 4 °C for 48 h.

Consumer Acceptance of Raw Apples Treated with an Antibacterial Solution Designed for Home Use

An antibacterial treatment consisting of 1.5% lactic acid plus 1.5% hydrogen peroxide at 40 degrees C for 15 min was effective in reducing foodborne bacterial pathogens on raw apples. However, the effects of this treatment on an apples sensory characteristics and the extent of consumers willingness to use the treatment at home were not known. This study was undertaken to determine the sensory acceptability and chemical characteristics (pH, soluble solids, and total acidity) of apples subjected to the sanitizing treatment and to obtain information on consumers purchase behavior, apple handling and consumption practices, and willingness to use an antibacterial treatment. Untrained consumers (n = 80) evaluated the appearance, color, aroma, flavor, texture, and overall appeal of untreated (control) and treated Red Delicious apples that had been stored at 5 degrees C for 0, 6, and 10 days. Panelists used a nine-point hedonic scale (1 = dislike extremely; 5 = neither like nor dislike; 9 = like extremely) to evaluate sensory acceptability. Treatment and storage had no significant effect on the appearance, color, or aroma of the samples. Flavor ratings ranged from 6.2 (like slightly) to 7.0 (like moderately). There was no significant difference among any of the control and treated apples stored for 0 days or among those stored for 6 days. Although apples stored for 10 days received the lowest ratings (6.2 to 6.3), they still had an acceptable flavor (6, like slightly), and panelists could not perceive differences between the control samples and the treated samples on day 10. The same trends were noted in texture ratings and in overall liking ratings. Treatment and storage had a minimal effect on pH (range, 3.96 to 4.02), soluble solids (range, 11.8 to 12.9 degrees Brix), and total acidity (range, 0.20 to 0.23% malic acid), which are important for apple flavor. Many consumers (87%) were concerned about fruit safety, and 53.2% were willing to try an antibacterial treatment at home. However, 74% would not be willing to use it if a 15-min heating-and-soaking step were required. Implementation of the treatment may be more feasible in the packinghouse than in the home.

Identification of Salmonella enteritidis outer membrane proteins expressed during attachment to human intestinal epithelial cells.

Aims: To express and identify the Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis outer membrane proteins that are involved in the attachment to human intestinal epithelial cells.

Inactivation of Escherichía coli O157:H7 in Cattle Drinking Water by Sodium Caprylate

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an important foodborne pathogen. Cattle serve as one of the major reservoirs of E. coli O157:H7, excreting the pathogen in feces. Environmental persistence of E. coli O157:H7 is critical in its epidemiology on farms, and the pathogen has been isolated from cattle water troughs. Thus, there is a need for an effective method for killing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking water. In this study, the efficacy of sodium caprylate for killing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking water was investigated. A four-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 was inoculated (6.0 log CFU/ml) into 100-ml samples of well water containing 0, 75, 100, or 120 mM sodium caprylate. Water samples containing 1% (wt/vol) bovine feces or feed also were included. The samples were incubated at 21 or 8 degrees C for 21 days. Water samples were analyzed for viable E. coli O157:H7 on days 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 and weekly thereafter. Triplicate samples of each treatment and control were included, and the study was repeated twice. The magnitude of E. coli O157:H7 inactivation in water significantly increased (P < 0.01) with increases in caprylate concentration and storage temperature. At 120 mM, sodium caprylate completely inactivated E. coli O157:H7 in all the samples after 1 to 20 days, depending on the treatments. The presence of feces or feed also had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on the antibacterial property of caprylate; the presence of feces decreased the antibacterial effect, whereas addition of feed enhanced the effect. These results indicate that sodium caprylate is effective in killing E. coli O157:H7 in cattle drinking water, but detailed cattle palatability studies of water containing caprylate are necessary.