Demand for healthy and organic foods have been enourmously increasing. Microgreens are small-sized various vegetables, cereal and plant seeds harvested after the formation of the first true real leaves on germinated plants. Microgreens attract consumers attention with via their vibrant bright color, fragile structure and positive effects on health, especially with high amounts of bioactive components. Industrial and household production of microgreens have been increasing as a new gourmet culinary ingredient. The short shelf life and fast degradation of the microgreens requires the application of different procedures in the optimization of storage methods and conditions after the harvest. Food safety risks associated with the consumption of microgreens differ from mature vegetables due to growth conditions. In this review; The nutritional content, health benefits, growing conditions, storage methods, contamination risks and safety of microgreens, which are important for producers, consumers and researchers, have been comprehensively reviewed in the light of current research.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival of acid adapted and non-adapted stationary phase Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes in pomegranate juice at refrigeration and room temperatures. Inoculated juice samples were stored at 4 and 24 ± 2°C. Population of pathogens were enumerated for up to 28 days. Reduction rates, time required for one log reduction, of tested microorganisms were calculated. Enrichment was negative for E. coli O157:H7 after a week at all tested conditions. At refrigeration temperature, acid adapted S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes survived one week longer than non-adapted cells. At room temperature, S. Typhimurium population decreased up to 7 log CFU/ml in 28 days; L. monocytogenes survived less than 12 h. Rates of reduction (days) ranged between 0.06 and 4.29 for all tested pathogens (P<0.05). Tested pathogens can survive in contaminated pomegranate juice until consumption to cause foodborne illness.
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