No abstract

Strawberries are a highly perishable crop with postharvest losses than reach up to 40%. Cost-effective and sustainable technologies in the form of active packing films can provide a solution. Antimicrobial packaging films were produced from pullulan polymer and Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLN) containing 1% w/w cinnamaldehyde. Strawberries were stored at 3 °C for 10 days and 12 °C for 6 days. Microbial and physical quality parameters were evaluated during storage. A reduction of approximately 2 Log CFU/g in yeast and mold population was observed for treated strawberries stored at 3 °C as compared to the control (p < 0.05). Yeast and molds counts were significantly lower on day 2 and 4 at 12 °C for treated samples. Strawberries packaged with the active films demonstrated lower respiration rates and the retention of bright red color at both storage temperatures. Active pullulan films were effective in maintaining the desired strawberry quality and reducing fungal decay during refrigerated storage.

No abstract

Fat products have been historically thought to have too low water activity to harbor pathogens. However, it has been recently reported that high moisture levels in fats may lead to Salmonella presence and growth. Limited research on strategies to eliminate pathogens in these environments is available, and the mechanisms contributing to microbial presence and growth are not yet well understood. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effects of moisture levels and storage temperatures on the growth and survival of Salmonella in poultry fat. Samples were stored for 7 d at 48°C or 76°C and remaining Salmonella was evaluated. When poultry fat was challenged with a wet high inoculum, more than a 4 log CFU/mL difference in Salmonella population was observed with 1% and 3% moisture levels at 48°C after 5 d (P &lt; 0.05). No differences between moisture levels (P &gt; 0.05) were observed when samples were tested with a wet low inoculum. Counts below detectable limits were observed after 24 h in samples challenged at 76°C, regardless of inoculum level. When poultry fat was stored at 48°C and inoculated with low levels of Salmonella spp., bacterial growth was influenced only by time (P &lt; 0.05) and not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by moisture level. However, when poultry fat was stored at 48°C and inoculated with high levels of Salmonella spp., bacterial decrease was easier (P &lt; 0.05) in samples containing greater moisture. This research suggests that residual moisture in containers during transportation of poultry fat largely does not affect Salmonella spp. growth.

No abstract