title: Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ready-to-eat iceberg lettuce washed in warm chlorinated water.
abstract: Cut iceberg lettuce inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes before and after washing for 3 min in cold (4 degrees C) and warm (47 degrees C) water containing 100 mg/liter total chlorine was stored at I and 10 degrees C in oxygen-permeable film packages (6,000 to 8,000 cc/m2/24 h). Cold chlorinated water was detrimental to the survival of E. coli O157: H7 and L. monocytogenes at both storage temperatures. In contrast, washing in warm chlorinated water favored the growth of both pathogens in lettuce stored at 10 degrees C. There was no evidence of a relationship between the magnitude of spoilage microflora and the fate of either bacterium.
authors.affiliation: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, British Columbia. delaquisp@em.agr.ca
authors.forename: Scal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Delaquis
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cazaux
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toivonen
mesh_terms: D002713:Chlorine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000254:growth & development*; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018545:Lactuca / Q000382:microbiology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D014867:Water; D002713:Chlorine