Microbiological quality and organochlorine pesticide residue in commercially available ready-to-eat raisins.
Microbiological quality and organochlorine pesticide residual contamination in raisins in a restricted area of Lucknow city, India was assessed in 20 samples. Total bacterial count was found in both open and packed raisin samples within the acceptable range (10(5)-<10(6)). The presence of food pathogens like Salmonella spp. and Enterobacteriaceae was detected more in open samples whereas Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. were absent. Lactobacilli spp. was found in all open samples and two packed samples. Presence of OCP residue was also found below the MRL although low levels of alpha-HCH and gamma-HCH were detected in samples. The study shows presence of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms as well as OCP residue within permissible limits which was more in open samples than in packed ones.
Sharma
Sapna
S
Herbal Research Section, Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 80 M.G. Marg, Lucknow 226001, UP, India.
Chandra
Prachi
P
Mishra
Chetna
C
Kakkar
Poonam
P
D001419:Bacteria; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D005516:Food Microbiology; D005519:Food Preservation; D005658:Fungi; D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D010573:Pesticide Residues / Q000032:analysis*; D012475:Salmonella / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents; D027843:Vitis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology*; D014867:Water / Q000032:analysis; D015003:Yeasts
D006843:Hydrocarbons, Chlorinated; D010573:Pesticide Residues; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water