title: Microbiological Stability of Canned Tuna Produced in Italy and in Non-European Countries.
abstract: The results of a study on the microbiological stability of canned tuna produced by Italian companies and similar canned products manufactured in countries outside Europe are reported herein. The study involved 38 samples of canned tuna of various brands, of which 14 were produced by companies outside Europe and 24 by Italian companies. Qualitative and quantitative microbiological tests were conducted for the following parameters: bacterial colony counts at 30°C, total coliforms, totalEnterobacteriaceae, sulphite-reducing anaerobes,Salmonellaspp.,Bacillus cereus,Escherichia coli,Staphylococcus aureus, yeasts and molds. Bacterial loads and mold contamination were respectivelyin found in 8/14 (57%) samples from outside EU and 7/24 (29%) Italian samples. The bacterial flora was represented by Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus mitis, Enterococcus faecalis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides), Gram-negative bacteria (Sphingomonas paucimobilis, Acinetobacter iwoffii, Rhizobium radiobacter), spore-forming bacteria (Bacillus vallismortis), while the fungal species was represented byPenicilliumspp.,Rhizopusspp.,Rhodotorulaspp. andAlternariaspp. Excluding anomalies in the thermal treatment process of products and any contamination after treatment, the contaminations encountered in both cases were most likely due to insufficient production quality standards and the quality of the raw material used. These results may require a redefinition of the concept of commercial stability as hitherto stated.
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Southern Italy , Catanzaro.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Casalinuovo
authors: Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO) , Italy.
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Gazzotti
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Southern Italy , Catanzaro.
authors: Paola
authors: P
authors: Rippa
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Southern Italy , Catanzaro.
authors: Lucia
authors: L
authors: Ciambrone
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Southern Italy , Catanzaro.
authors: Rosanna
authors: R
authors: Musarella
authors: Institute for Experimental Veterinary Medicine of Southern Italy , Catanzaro.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Pratticò
keywords: Canned food; Canned tuna; Food safety; Food technology