Microbiology of organic and conventionally grown fresh produce

ABSTRACT Fresh produce is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced crops, including fruits and vegetables. Organic agriculture has been on the rise and attracting the attention of the food production sector, since it uses eco-agricultural principles that are ostensibly environmentally-friendly and provides products potentially free from the residues of agrochemicals. Organic farming practices such as the use of animal manure can however increase the risk of contamination by enteric pathogenic microorganisms and may consequently pose health risks. A number of scientific studies conducted in different countries have compared the microbiological quality of produce samples from organic and conventional production and results are contradictory. While some have reported greater microbial counts in fresh produce from organic production, other studies do not. This manuscript provides a brief review of the current knowledge and summarizes data on the occurrence of pathogenic microorganisms in vegetables from organic production.

Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato using nisin in combinations with organic salts

ABSTRACT The inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 on fresh-cut tomato was investigated using nisin alone, and in combinations with organic salts. Nisin at a concentration of 5000 UI/mL was introduced alone or in combination with an organic salt (sodium citrate or sodium acetate each at 3 and 5 g/100 mL each) on fresh-cut tomato previously inoculated with 108 CFU/mL of L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644. Chlorine at 200 ppm was used as a control. The inoculated samples were incubated at different temperatures (4, 10 and 25 °C) and examined at 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. The effects of the antimicrobial treatments on quality parameters of tomato (pH, soluble solids, titratable acidity and vitamin C) were also evaluated, and colour parameters were observed at the lowest storage temperature for 10 days. Both nisin and the organic salts inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes, but the combinations of two compounds were more effective. The nisin-sodium citrate (5%) combination was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) effective, while chlorine was least effective against L. monocytogenes. The quality parameters were substantially retained, especially at 4 °C, suggesting good shelf stability at a low temperature. These results substantiate the use of the cheap and eco-friendly approach to reducing this pathogen of health concern in common fresh produce.

Microbiology of organic and conventionally grown fresh produce

ABSTRACT Fresh produce is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced crops, including fruits and vegetables. Organic agriculture has been on the rise and attracting the attention of the food production sector, since it uses eco-agricultural principles that are ostensibly environmentally-friendly and provides products potentially free from the residues of agrochemicals. Organic farming practices such as the use of animal manure can however increase the risk of contamination by enteric pathogenic microorganisms and may consequently pose health risks. A number of scientific studies conducted in different countries have compared the microbiological quality of produce samples from organic and conventional production and results are contradictory. While some have reported greater microbial counts in fresh produce from organic production, other studies do not. This manuscript provides a brief review of the current knowledge and summarizes data on the occurrence of pathogenic microorganisms in vegetables from organic production.

Doenças crônicas e a internalização de microorganismos patogênicos / Chronic diseases and the internalization of pathogenic microorganisms

Em todo o mundo, a incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) vem aumentando devido às mudanças no estilo de vida. Estudos comprovam que o consumo de frutas, legumes e verduras reduzem a incidência de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis na população devido à presença de fibras, antioxidantes e compostos bioativos, que aumentam as defesas orgânicas estimulando a proteção contra as agressões por radicais livres, contribuindo para diminuir o risco de doença cardiovascular e degenerativa. O aumento no consumo de produtos frescos tem sido acompanhado por uma maior incidência de surtos alimentares. Alguns micro-organismos patogênicos como Salmonella, Escherichia coli e alguns tipos de virus, apresentam a capacidade de se internalizar, levando à colonização da planta. Este artigo teve o propósito de iniciar uma discussão acerca do incentivo ao consumo de produtos frescos, os quais podem contribuir para veicular doenças transmitidas por alimentos. Foram consultadas as bases eletrônicas: Lilacs, Scielo, Scirus e Scopus, sendo selecionados artigos em intervalo de 30 anos (1982-2012). Com base nas contribuições dos artigos algumas considerações são apresentadas acerca das diferentes formas de internalização microbiana para partes comestíveis de produtos frescos e como os micro-organismos internalizados não são efetivamente removidos por tratamentos da superfície.

Worldwide, the incidence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing due changes in lifestyles. Studies confirm consumption of fruits and vegetables reduce the incidence of noncommunicable diseases in the population due to the presence of fiber, antioxidants and bioactive compounds that increase the organic defenses stimulating protection against attacks by free radicals, helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and degenerative. The increased consumption of fresh products has been accompanied by a higher incidence of food borne outbreaks. Some pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli and some types of virus, have the ability to internalize, leading to colonization of the plant. This article has the purpose of initiate a discussion about the incentive to consumption of fresh products which can help convey foodborne diseases.The electronic databases consulted were: Lilacs, Scielo, Scirus e Scopus, were selected studies over a period of 30 years (1982-2012). Based on their contributions some considerations are presented about the various types of microbial internalization for edible plant parts and how microorganisms internalized are not effectively removed by surface treatment.

Padrões de qualidade e segurança alimentares no terreno institucional brasileiro / Food quality and safety standards in the brazilian institutional scenario / Modèles de qualité et de sécurité alimentaire sur le terrain institutionnel brésilien

Private food quality and safety standards are emerging as "the" language of the food industry. The Brazilian market is experiencing the decline of the CEASAs, or Wholesale Produce Markets, and the expansion of supermarkets, including in the distribution of fresh produce. This growth is interpreted by the New Institutional Economy as the efficiency of private quality systems as compared to the purportedly inefficient public systems. Based on the political and cultural approach of the New Economic Sociology (NES), the article challenges the evidential nature of the institutions' efficiency, as well as the definition of quality and safety as neutral concepts. Based on the NES approach, these concepts can be seen as cultural constructs.

Les systèmes de qualité et de sécurité privés sont la référence officielle du marché alimentaire et imposent des règles et des modèles qui autorisent la circulation des aliments tout au long de la chaîne de production et distribution. Pour le marché brésilien, on observe un déclin des centrales d'achat et la croissance sensible des supermarchés y compris dans la distribution des produits frais. Cette croissance est considérée par la Nouvelle Économie Institutionnelle comme l'expression de l'efficacité des systèmes privés de qualité face à l'inefficacité du système public. À partir de l'approche politique et culturelle de la Nouvelle Sociologie Économique (NSE), il s'agit de discuter le caractère évident de l'efficacité des institutions privées ainsi que la définition du concept de qualité et de sécurité en tant que catégorie neutre. Sur la base de la référence proposée, les deux concepts, "efficacité" et "qualité", sont des constructions culturelles.