45F-13 |
Microbial quality and safety of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) as influenced by traditional and emerging disinfectant technology |
K. M. CROWE, A. A. Bushway, R. J. Bushway, and L. B. Perkins. Dept. of Food Science & Human Nutrition, Univ. of Maine, 5736 Holmes Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5736 Traditional technology utilizes chlorine as a sanitizer to improve the microbial quality and safety of produce; however, emerging ozone technology has proven to be more effective over a wide range of microorganisms. As a powerful oxidizing agent, aqueous ozone sanitizes produce without posing serious safety concerns. This study evaluated the efficacy of emerging ozone disinfection technologies compared with more traditional sanitizers in improving microbiological quality and safety of produce. Lowbush blueberries were the representative fruit for the evaluation of disinfectant technologies. Home-use ozone generators were operated according to product directions using two liters of distilled water ozonated for 10 minutes. Berries were allowed contact with ozonated water for 60 or 120 seconds. Traditional disinfectant treatments included 500mL sprays of 100ppm chlorine and 1% hydrogen peroxide allowed contact times of 60 or 120 seconds. Two combination treatments were evaluated (ozonated water and 1% hydrogen peroxide and ozonated water and 100ppm chlorine). Both treatments were allowed contact times of 120 seconds. Microbial analysis was conducted according to FDA Standard Methods. Residual phosmet was determined by GC/MSD. Microbial reductions were greatest in berries treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide followed by 100ppm chlorine and ozonated water. Differences in treatment effectiveness (p<0.05) were observed between contact times. Samples treated with 1% hydrogen peroxide showed the greatest microbial reduction at both contact times; however, reductions in samples treated with ozonated water and 100ppm chlorine were greatest after 60 seconds. Microbial results of combination treatments were similar (p<0.05) to results observed on samples treated with ozonated water or 100ppm chlorine for 60 seconds. Preliminary residual phosmet results indicate a treatment-mediated response. Although reductions in initial microbial populations were observed in samples treated with ozonated water, cost of home-use ozone generators may outweigh benefits since reductions were similar to those observed with distilled water. The antimicrobial effectiveness of industrial ozone generators would be expected to be greater since ozone concentrations can be easily maintained under industrial conditions.
Session 45F, Fruit & Vegetable Products: Fruits (Fresh)
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