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Cut romaine lettuce, packaged under modified atmosphere, was subjected to 0.15 and 0.35 kGy gamma irradiation. Irradiation at 0.35 kGy decreased aerobic plate counts by 1.5 logs and yeast and mold counts by 1 log; these differences were maintained through the 22-d storage. Irradiation at 0.15 kGy caused smaller reductions in microbial counts. A decrease in headspace CO 2 was observed in the 0.35-kGy-treated lettuce, although CO 2 concentrations increased in all samples with storage. O 2 concentration was not affected by irradiation. Ten percent loss in firmness was observed at 0.35 kGy, while other sensory attributes such as color, generation of off-flavor, and appearance of visual defects were not affected.

The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of Arcobacter species in water sources and raw milk from healthy animals in Kayseri, Turkey. A total of 175 samples of drinking water (n = 100), spring water (n = 25), and raw milk (n = 50) were examined. Arcobacter species were isolated using the membrane filtration technique. Overall, 7 (4%) of the 175 samples yielded Arcobacter spp.: 3 (3%) drinking water samples, 1 (4%) spring water sample, and 3 (6%) raw milk samples. Two species of Arcobacter were recovered from the seven positive samples: Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter skirrowii, and A. butzleri plus A. skirrowii found in 3 (1.7%), 2 (1.1%), and 2 (1.1%) samples, respectively. Our study is the first to report the isolation of both A. butzleri and A. skirrowii together from drinking water and is the first report of Arcobacter in milk from healthy cows in Turkey. Based on these findings, the presence of Arcobacter species in environmental waters and raw milk may pose a potential hazard for human health.

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