Microbial contamination of fruit and vegetables and the behaviour of enteropathogens in the phyllosphere: a review

Abstract

Summary Consumption of fruit and vegetable products is commonly viewed as a potential risk factor for infection with enteropathogens such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157, with recent outbreaks linked to lettuce, spinach and tomatoes. Routes of contamination are varied and include application of organic wastes to agricultural land as fertilizer, contamination of waters used for irrigation with faecal material, direct contamination by livestock, wild animals and birds and postharvest issues such as worker hygiene. The ability of pathogens to survive in the field environment has been well studied, leading to the implementation of guidelines such as the Safe Sludge Matrix, which aim to limit the likelihood of viable pathogens remaining at point‐of‐sale. The behaviour of enteropathogens in the phyllosphere is a growing field of research, and it is suggested that inclusion in phyllosphere biofilms or internalization within the plant augments the survival. Improved knowledge of plant–microbe interactions and the interaction between epiphytic and immigrant micro‐organisms on the leaf surface will lead to novel methods to limit enteropathogen survival in the phyllosphere.

Rapid MPN-Qpcr Screening for Pathogens in Air, Soil, Water, and Agricultural Produce

“…The strategy proposed here might be more reliable than direct testing of environmental matrices due to the removal of inhibitors by dilution (Malorny et al 2004) and nonviable bacteria by the pre-enrichment step (Heaton and Jones 2008). This observation is corroborated by the more variable and less sensitive results obtained from non-enriched samples of water, soil, and tomato wash (Table 2).…”

Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus Contaminations of Carrots Sold within Zaria, Nigeria and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles

“…More so, the consumption of vegetables like carrots is linked with increased risks of enteropathogenic infections [12] by E. coli, S. aureus and Salmonella enterica with consequent foodborne outbreaks due to them [15]. The occurrences of E. coli especially E. coli O157:H7 [13,14] and S. aureus [16] have been reported in ready-to-eat raw salad.…”

“…The major threats carrots pose on consumers all over the world (and Nigeria in particular) is the risk of infections/food poisoning. Some of these consumers do little or no further washing/processing of purchased carrots before consumption; hence, they stand at increased risks of infections [12]. Heaton and Jones have emphasized on potential risks of infections and outbreaks following the consumption of vegetables.…”

“…The occurrences of E. coli especially E. coli O157:H7 [13,14] and S. aureus [16] have been reported in ready-to-eat raw salad. There is an inadequate awareness of the plant-microbe interactions, epiphytic and immigrant micro-organism on leaves and phyllosphere of vegetables [12] which is prompting the continuous spread of pathogens to humans. Many sources of contamination of vegetables include soil, faeces, water for irrigation, dust, insects, inadequately composted manure, wild or domestic animal wastes, and human handling [9].…”

Food safety issues in fresh produce: Bacterial pathogens, viruses and pesticide residues indicated as major concerns by stakeholders in the fresh produce chain

“…Lack of food safety knowledge can in general be divided into two domains : i) research gaps and ii) lack of implementation of food safety knowledge by the different stakeholders. Related to the first domain, several research gaps of food safety of fresh produce were identified more than a decade ago (De Roever, 1998) and since then research knowledge increased strongly on topics such as pathogen/produce interactions and ecology (Heaton & Jones, 2008;Lynch et al, 2009;Critzer & Doyle, 2010). Related to the second domain, as mentioned above, several initiatives by governments and other organizations were initiated to increase the food safety knowledge of the consumers but also of producers, processors, traders and retailers (e.g.…”