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http://dx.doi.org/10.13103/JFHS.2019.34.6.526

Investigation of Hazardous Microorganisms in Baby Leafy Vegetables Collected from a Korean Market and Distribution Company  

Kim, Se-Ri (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Chu, Hyeonjin (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Yi, Seung-Won (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Jang, Youn-Jung (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Shim, Won-Bo (Department of Agricultural Chemistry and Food Science & Technology, Gyeongsang National University)
Nguyen, Bao Hung (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Kim, Won-Il (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Kim, Hyun Ju (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Ryu, Kyeongyul (Microbial Safety Team, Agro-Food Safety & Crop Protection Department, National Institute of Agricultural Sciences (NAS), Rural Development Administration (RDA))
Publication Information
Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety / v.34, no.6, 2019 , pp. 526-533 More about this Journal
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate hazardous microorganisms in mixed baby leafy vegetables and various baby leafy vegetables used as raw materials for fresh-cut produce in spring and summer. To estimate microbial loads, a total of 298 samples including 181 samples of mixed baby leafy vegetables purchased in a Korean market and 117 samples of various baby leafy vegetables from distribution companies were collected. Fecal indicators (coliform and Escherichia coli) as well as food-borne pathogens (E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp., Staphylococcus aureus) were enumerated. As a result, the mixed baby leafy vegetable samples showed significantly higher (P<0.05) coliform bacteria numbers in summer (5.59±1.18 log CFU/g) compared to spring (3.60±2.53 log CFU/g). E. coli was detected in 1.3% (1/79) and 42.2% (43/102) of samples collected in spring and summer, respectively. Only one sample collected from a market in spring was contaminated with S. aureus. In the experiment with baby leafy vegetables, the number of coliforms detected in baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil in spring was 1.15±1.95 log CFU/g, and that in summer was 4.09±2.52 log CFU/g. However, the number of coliforms recovered from baby leafy vegetables cultivated in media was above 5.0 log CFU/g regardless of season. Occurrences of E. coli were 44.4% (12/27) and 19.0% (4/21) for baby leafy vegetables cultivated in soil and media, respectively. However, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were not detected. These results are in relation to microbial loads on mixed baby leafy vegetables associated with raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement hygienic practices at baby leafy vegetable farms to enhance the safety of fresh produce.
Keywords
Baby leafy vegetable; Indicator bacteria; Food borne pathogens;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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