title: Detection of airborne psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi in food storage refrigerators.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the microbiological air quality (psychrotrophic bacteria and airborne fungi) and distribution of fungi in different types of ready-to-eat (RTE) food-storage refrigerators (n=48) at selected retail stores in the city of Edirne, Turkey. Refrigerators were categorized according to the type of RTE food-storage: meat products, vegetables, desserts, or a mix of food types. Microbiological quality of air samples was evaluated by using a Mas-100 Eco Air Sampler. Four refrigerators (all containing meat products, 8.3%) produced air samples with undetectable microorganisms. The highest detected mean value of airborne psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi was 82.3 CFU/m(3) and 54.6 CFU/m(3), respectively and were found in mixed-food refrigerators. The dominant airborne fungal genera found were Penicillium (29.0%), Aspergillus (12.0%), Mucor (9%), Cladosporium (8%), Botyrtis (7%), and Acremonium (6%). By definition, RTE food does not undergo a final treatment to ensure its safety prior to consumption. Therefore, ensuring a clean storage environment for these foods is important to prevent food-borne disease and other health risks.
authors.affiliation: Food Technology Programme of Vocational High School, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Istanbul University , 34320 Avcilar, Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Sema Sandikci
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Altunatmaz
authors.forename: Ghassan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Issa
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aydin
keywords: Airborne fungi; air sampler; psychrotrophic bacteria; ready-to-eat food; refrigerator
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