• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.363-369
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of different sanitizers and contact times on storage quality and microbial growth in fresh-cut broccoli. Fresh broccoli samples were cut into small pieces, washed each for 90 s and 180 s in normal tap water (TW), $100\;{\mu}/l$ chlorinated water (CL, pH 7), electrolyzed water (EW, pH 7.2) containing $100\;{\mu}/l$ free chlorine, or $2\;{\mu}/l$ ozonated water ($O_3$). Then, samples were packaged in 30-${\mu}m$ polyethylene bags and stored at $5^{\circ}C$ for 9 days. No significant differences were observed in gas composition and color parameters ($L^*$, $a^*$, $b^*$, and hue angle) among different sanitizers with contact times. No off-odor was detected during the storage. A longer contact time was not effective in reducing microbial population, except with $O_3$ washing. $O_3$ with 90 s was not much effective in reducing microbial population compared with Cl or EW. However, samples washed with $O_3$ for 180 s observed the lowest numbers of total aerobic and coliform plate counts. The result suggested that, a longer contact time of ozone can be used as a potential sanitizer to maintain the microbial quality and safety of fresh-cut broccoli.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.411-418
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of calcinated calcium (CC) alone or combination with heat treatment on storage quality and microbial growth in fresh-cut broccoli. Fresh broccoli samples were cut into small pieces and washed in normal tap water (TW), $50{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ chlorinated water (pH 6.5), $1.5g{\cdot}L^{-1}$ CC, heat treatment in TW at $45^{\circ}C$, and CC dissolved in TW at $45^{\circ}C$ for 2 minutes separately. Samples were then packaged in $50{\mu}m$ polyethylene bags and stored at $5^{\circ}C$. Results revealed that like $50{\mu}L{\cdot}L^{-1}$ chlorine, washing in CC at normal water temperature was effective in reducing microbial population in fresh-cut broccoli samples. Washing with CC combined with heat treatment increased an electrical conductivity of fresh-cut broccoli. Combined heat treatments with TW and CC reduced aerobic plate count on fresh-cut broccoli, only in initial period of storage. But, later on heat treatment induced injury of fresh-cut broccoli resulting more microbial population compared to non heat treatment. However, samples treated with CC alone had good quality with low off-odor at the end of storage. Results suggest that CC, an environment-friendly sanitizer could be an alternative to chlorinated water for washing of fresh-cut broccoli without affecting sensorial quality.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1240-1247
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• 2019

This study was conducted to examine the inactivation effect of the combined treatment of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP; 400 MPa for 1, 3, and 5 min) and cationic surfactant washing (0.05% benzethonium chloride, BEC) against Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on fresh-cut broccoli (FCB). Washing with BEC at concentrations exceeding 0.05% resulted in 2.3 log-reduction of L. monocytogenes counts on FCB, whereas HHP treatment had approximately 5.5-5.6 log-reductions regardless of the treatment time. Scanning electron microscopy corroborated microbial enumeration, revealing that the combined treatment was more effective in removing L. monocytogenes from FCB than individual treatment with HHP or BEC. Color and total glucosinolate content were maintained after the combined treatment, although the hardness of the FCB slightly decreased. The results clearly suggest that the combined treatment of HHP and BEC washing has potential value as a new sanitization method to improve the microbial safety of FCB.