0000000000015521
AUTHOR
María V. Selma
Simultaneous detection of the main black aspergilli responsible for ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in grapes by multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction
9 pages.
Comparative efficacy of Zataria multiflora Boiss., Origanum compactum and Eugenia caryophyllus essential oils against E. coli O157:H7, feline calicivirus and endogenous microbiota in commercial baby-leaf salads.
Abstract Ready-to-eat salads using baby-leaf and multi-leaf mixes are one of the most promising developments in the fresh-cut food industry. There is great interest in developing novel decontamination treatments, which are both safe for consumers and more efficient against foodborne pathogens. In this study, emulsions of essential oils (EOs) from Origanum compactum (oregano), Eugenia caryophyllus (clove), and Zataria multiflora Boiss (zataria) were applied by spray (0.8 ml) after the sanitizing washing step. The aim was to investigate their ability to control the growth of potentially cross-contaminating pathogens and endogenous microbiota in commercial baby leaves, processed in a fresh-cut…
Application of propidium monoazide-qPCR to evaluate the ultrasonic inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in fresh-cut vegetable wash water.
The efficacy of sanitizing technologies in produce or in vegetable wash water is generally evaluated by plate count in selective media. This procedure is time consuming and can lead to misinterpretations because environmental conditions and sanitizing processes may affect bacterial growth or culturable capability. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the applicability of a propidium monoazide real-time PCR (PMA-qPCR) method to monitor the inactivation by ultrasound treatment of foodborne bacteria in fresh-cut vegetable wash water. To this aim, lettuce wash water was artificially inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 (10⁶ CFU/mL) and treated by means of a continuous ultrasonic irr…
Virucidal effect of high power ultrasound combined with a chemical sanitizer containing peroxyacetic acid for water reconditioning in the fresh-cut industry
The use of chlorine-based sanitizers is widespread throughout the fresh produce industry in the process water to maintain microbial safety of produce, avoid cross-contamination and recycle water. In this study, alternative disinfection technologies were investigated due to the negative reports showing chlorine instability in the presence of organic matter and the undesirable by-product residues. Tsunami ® (15.2% peroxyacetic acid and 11.2% hydrogen peroxide) and high-power ultrasound (HPU, 0.56 kW/l, 20 kHz), alone or in combination, were evaluated in lettuce process water analyzing their ability to reduce MNV during either produce washing or water recycling. PAA concentrations of 6.4, 12.8…
Multiplex Detection of Aspergillus Species
Multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provides a fast and accurate DNA-based tool for the simultaneous amplification of more than one target sequence in a single reaction. Here a duplex real-time PCR assay is described for the simultaneous detection of Aspergillus carbonarius and members of the Aspergillus niger aggregate, which are the main responsible species for ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in grapes. This single tube reaction targets the beta-ketosynthase and the acyl transferase domains of the polyketide synthase of A. carbonarius and the A. niger aggregate, respectively.Besides, a rapid and efficient fungi DNA extraction procedure is described suitable to be applied …