Microbial Contamination in Pre-Treated Agricultural Products according to Distribution Channels

Abstract

This study investigates microbial contamination in pre-treated agricultural products. Eleven types of pre-treated agricultural product were evaluated for microbial contamination arising from four distribution channels: supermarket, local market, online, and traditional market. Of the 38 samples examined, the average populations of total aerobic bacteria and coliform in sliced garlic were higher by 6.85 and 5.94 log CFU/g, respectively. Similarly, the average populations of total aerobic bacteria and coliform determined in shredded green onion were 6.39 and 5.46 log CFU/g, respectively. In particular, the average populations of total aerobic bacteria were higher in sliced garlic and shredded green onion than in peeled garlic and peeled green onion. Furthermore, Bacillus cereus (13.16%) was detected in peeled chestnut, peeled potato, cut Chinese yam, and cut green onion. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from cut radish in 1 out of 38 samples (2.63%). However, no correlation was obtained between microbial population and distribution channel in all samples. These results could provide the basic information to control the microbial safety of pre-treated agricultural products.