Inactivation of internalized Salmonella Typhimurium in lettuce and green onion using ultraviolet C irradiation and chemical sanitizers.
OBJECTIVE
The internalized human pathogens in fresh produce are not effectively removed during conventional washing, and therefore, it may cause foodborne illness when the produce is consumed raw. Thus, effective nonthermal processes are needed to prevent this risk.


RESULTS
Green fluorescence protein-tagged Salmonella Typhimurium was either sprayed on the surface of iceberg lettuce or injected into the bottom part (bulb) of green onions to induce bacterial internalization. The contaminated vegetables were collected after 2 days and subjected to surface disinfection. Different fluencies of UV-C radiation (75-900 mJ cm(-2)) and two fluencies of UV-C (450, 900 mJ cm(-2)) combined with chlorine and peracetic acid (PAA) were applied to the produce to examine the inactivation efficiency of internalized bacteria. A range of 1·96-2·52 log reduction in the internalized Salmonella was achieved when the lettuce was treated with higher UV-C fluency (150, 450, 900 mJ cm(-2)) or UV-C combined with chemical disinfectants. Significant reduction (1·00-1·49 log CFU g(-1)) in internalized Salmonella was observed in green onion treated with UV-C with the fluency of 150 or 900 mJ cm(-2) or UV-C-chlorine/PAA. No significant reduction was observed in either lettuce or green onion treatments when chlorine or PAA was used alone. The food quality measured with firmness was not changed during any treatments. However, a slight colour change was observed in lettuce only when UV-C was used at 900 mJ cm(-2).


CONCLUSIONS
High fluency UV-C can significantly inactivate the internalized Salmonella in lettuce and green onion while maintaining the food quality.


CONCLUSIONS
This research provides applicable research outcomes for developing nonthermal methods to inactivate internalized pathogens in fresh produce.
Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
C
C
Ge
Z
Z
Bohrerova
J
J
Lee
D002713:Chlorine / Q000494:pharmacology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018545:Lactuca / Q000382:microbiology*; D019697:Onions / Q000382:microbiology*; D010463:Peracetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014675:Vegetables / Q000382:microbiology
D004202:Disinfectants; D002713:Chlorine; D010463:Peracetic Acid