title: Growth of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes on Fresh-Cut Cantaloupe under Different Temperature Abuse Scenarios.
abstract: Effective cold chain management is a critical component of food safety practice. In this study, we examined the impact of commonly encountered temperature abuse scenarios on the proliferation of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes on fresh-cut cantaloupe. Inoculated fresh-cut cantaloupe cubes were subjected to various temperature abuse conditions, and the growth of S. enterica and L. monocytogenes was determined. During 1 week of storage, Salmonella cell counts on fresh-cut cantaloupe increased by -0.26, 1.39, and 2.23 log units at 4 °C (control), 8 °C, and 12 °C (chronic temperature abuse), respectively, whereas that of L. monocytogenes increased by 0.75, 2.86, and 4.17 log units. Under intermittent temperature abuse conditions, where storage temperature fluctuated twice daily to room temperature for 30 min, Salmonella cell count increased by 2.18 log units, whereas that of L. monocytogenes increased by 1.86 log units. In contrast, terminal acute temperature abuses for 2 to 4 h resulted in upwards to 0.6 log unit for Salmonella, whereas the effect on L. monocytogenes was less significant compared with L. monocytogenes on cut cantaloupe stored at 4 °C. Significant deterioration of produce visual quality and tissue integrity, as reflected by electrolyte leakage, was also observed under various temperature abuse conditions.
authors.affiliation: Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Jingwei
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA.
authors.forename: Yaguang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. xiangwu.nou@ars.usda.gov.
authors.forename: Xiangwu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Nou
mesh_terms: D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D028463:Cucumis melo; D005511:Food Handling / Q000379:methods; D063427:Food Quality; D059022:Food Safety / Q000379:methods*; D061353:Food Storage / Q000379:methods; D005638:Fruit / Q000382:microbiology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development*; D019779:Salmonella enterica / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature