Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 35 in total

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  1. Iqbal SZ, Asi MR, Nisar S, Zia KM, Jinap S, Malik N
    J Food Prot, 2016 Oct;79(10):1798-1801.
    PMID: 28221839 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-091
    This work presents current information on the presence of aflatoxins (AFs) and zearalenone (ZEN) in feed and feed ingredients from Punjab, Pakistan. The 105 samples tested were concentrated feed, i.e., cotton seed meal (18 samples) and soybean meal (14), and feed ingredients, i.e., crushed corn (17), crushed wheat (15), barley (17). and poultry feed (24). Samples were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a fluorescence detector. Analysis revealed that 69 of 105 samples were contaminated with AFs, and the highest mean concentrations of AFB1 (6.20 μg/kg) and total AFs (9.30 μg/kg) were found in poultry feed samples. The mean total AF concentrations ranged from the limit of quantification to 165.5 μg/kg. However, 75 of the 105 samples were positive for ZEN. The highest mean concentration (19.45 μg/kg) was found in poultry feed samples. The mean ZEN concentrations were 0.15 to 145.30 μg/kg. The prevalence of AFs and ZEN was high in feed and feed ingredients and needs urgent attention.
  2. Majeed S, Iqbal M, Asi MR, Iqbal SZ, Selamat J
    J Food Prot, 2017 Dec;80(12):1993-1998.
    PMID: 29131682 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-17-117
    Recently, cultivation of high-yielding hybrid maize varieties has revolutionized maize production in Pakistan. Analyses of nutritional traits and aflatoxin (AF) contamination in these varieties can aid in the identification of susceptible and resistant varieties, particularly for cultivation in the Pakistani agro-climatic environment. Five spring maize varieties-Pioneer, Neelam, DK-919, Desi, and Hi-maize-were selected for analyses of their nutritional, tocopherol, and AF contents. Protein, carbohydrate, oil, ash, fiber, and moisture contents ranged between 8.7 and 10.8%, 68 and 71%, 3.72 and 5.56%, 1.09 and 1.81%, 1.1 and 3.1%, and 11.7 and 14.2%, respectively. Tocopherol levels in selected varieties were in the range of 461 to 1,430 μg/g. Hi-maize exhibited significantly higher protein and tocopherol contents than the other varieties, indicating its better suitability for feed and silage applications. The highest mean level of total AFs, 14.5 ± 0.12 μg/kg, was found in Desi, and results showed that the most dominant AF found in the maize varieties was AFB1. Furthermore, the results showed that the higher the level of tocopherol, the lower the concentration of total AFs and vice versa in maize varieties. The results can be used to investigate additional susceptible maize varieties that are resistant to fungal attack.
  3. Cheah PB, Gan SP
    J Food Prot, 2000 Mar;63(3):404-7.
    PMID: 10716573
    The antioxidant and microbial stabilities of galangal (Alpinia galanga) extract in raw minced beef were examined at 4 +/- 1 degree C. Raw minced beef containing galangal extracts (0 to 0.10%, wt/wt) were prepared. Lipid oxidation during refrigerated storage was assessed by monitoring malonaldehyde formation, using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances method. In minced beef, added galangal extract improved oxidative stability. Galangal extract at higher concentrations of 0.05% and 0.10% (wt/wt) were also found to extend the shelf-life of minced beef. Addition of alpha-tocopherol (0.02%, wt/wt) to galangal extract (0.05%, wt/wt) were observed to increase the oxidative but not the microbial stability of minced beef during the storage of 7 days. Galangal extract may prove useful in inhibiting lipid oxidation and increasing microbial stability of minced meat.
  4. Ching CL, Kamaruddin A, Rajangan CS
    J Food Prot, 2021 Jun 01;84(6):973-983.
    PMID: 33232455 DOI: 10.4315/JFP-20-294
    ABSTRACT: Environmental hygiene monitoring in the food processing environment has become important in current food safety programs to ensure safe food production. However, conventional monitoring of surface hygiene based on visual inspection and microbial counts is slow, tedious, and thus unable to support the current risk-based management system. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the performance of a real-time total adenylate assay that detected ATP+ADP+AMP (A3) for food contact surface hygiene in 13 food processing plants and two commercial kitchens in Malaysia. The A3 value was compared with the microbial count (aerobic plate count [APC]) on food contact surfaces. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the reliability of the data and to determine the optimal threshold value for hygiene indication of food contact surfaces. Overall, the A3 value demonstrated a weak positive relationship with APC. However, the A3 value significantly correlated with APC for food processing environments associated with raw meat and raw food ingredients such as fruit that harbor a high microbial load. ROC analysis suggested an optimal threshold for the A3 value of 500 relative light units to balance the sensitivity and specificity at 0.728 and 0.719, respectively. The A3 assay as a hygiene indicator for food contact surfaces had an efficiency of 72.1%, indicating its reliability as a general hygiene indicator.
  5. Iqbal SZ, Rehman B, Selamat J, Akram N, Ahmad MN, Sanny M, et al.
    J Food Prot, 2020 Aug 01;83(8):1284-1288.
    PMID: 32678886 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-19-361
    ABSTRACT: A total of 133 samples of whole wheat and barley grains and wheat and barley flour collected from retail markets in the main cities of Punjab, Pakistan, were analyzed for the mycotoxin fumonisin B1 (FB1) using reverse phase high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Of these samples, 120 (90%) were positive for FB1, and 75 (63%) of the 120 positive samples had FB1 concentrations higher than the European Union maximum (200 μg/kg). The limit of detection was 4 μg/kg. The highest mean (±SD) concentration of FB1 was found in whole wheat samples, 980.5 ± 211.4 μg/kg. The calculated dietary intakes of FB1 from wheat and barley flours were 4,456 and 503.7 ng/g of body weight per day, respectively.
  6. Yusof RM, Morgan JB, Adams MR
    J Food Prot, 1993 May;56(5):414-417.
    PMID: 31084147 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X-56.5.414
    Using a rice-based model weaning food, the effect of Lactococcus lactis on the growth and survival of a range of enteric pathogens has been investigated. The starter organism used produces the bacteriocin nisin and the physiological L-lactate isomer, thus avoiding the risk of D-lactate acidosis when consumed by infants. L. lactis was a less effective antagonist than stronger acid producers such as the DL lactate producer, Lactobacillus plantarum , and only produced a potentially useful inhibition of pathogens when present in a large numerical superiority (>105:1). Prefermentation of the weaning food with L. lactis for 24 h produced a product with a pH of 3.7-3.8 containing ≈ 0.25% lactate (>96% L-lactate). The prefermented product was bactericidal for pathogens introduced subsequently. Despite the production of 100-150 international units nisin per g during fermentation, the inhibition of pathogens could be ascribed to acid production alone.
  7. Woh PY, Thong KL, Behnke JM, Lewis JW, Zain SNM
    J Food Prot, 2017 Aug;80(8):1378-1383.
    PMID: 28722485 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-16-342
    Asymptomatic Salmonella carriers who work as food handlers pose food safety and public health risks, particularly during food preparation, and this has serious implications for the disease burden in society. Therefore, we conducted a study to determine the number of Salmonella carriers in a migrant cohort in several food establishments in three major cities in Peninsular Malaysia. Sociodemographic data and stool samples were collected and analyzed using standard methods of detection and isolation. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests of the positive samples were also performed. A total of 317 migrant food handlers, originating from South and Southeast Asian countries, were recruited voluntarily. Nine (2.8%) stool samples were confirmed to be Salmonella positive. PCR serotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis identified four serotypes as Typhimurium (n = 3), Corvallis (n = 2), Hadar (n = 1), Agona (n = 1) and two unknown serovars. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that all nine isolates were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and gentamycin. However, seven isolates were found to be multidrug resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, sulfonamides, streptomycin, and tetracycline. This study highlights that carriers of nontyphoidal Salmonella exist among migrant food handlers, which poses a health risk to consumers through food contamination. Our results indicate a need for authorities to enhance food safety awareness in the migrant workers and to reevaluate current health screening methods to include preventive measure such as mandatory stool screening as part of the preemployment and routine health examinations.
  8. Soon JM
    J Food Prot, 2020 Mar 01;83(3):452-459.
    PMID: 32065648 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-19-415
    ABSTRACT: Social media offers numerous advantages for personal users and organizations to communicate, socialize, and market their products. When used correctly, social media is an effective tool to communicate and to share food safety news and good practices. However, there have been reports of fake food safety news shared via social media, fueling panic and resulting in a loss of revenue. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the consumers' awareness, trust, and usage of social media in communicating food safety news in Malaysia. A questionnaire divided into five sections-(i) demographics, (ii) reaction to food safety news, (iii) consumers' awareness, (iv) social media truth and level of trust, and (v) social media uses and content creation-was created and shared online. A total of 341 questionnaires were returned of which 339 surveys were valid. This study revealed that less than one-third of the study group (27.1%) knew which of the food safety news were fake. Most respondents (67.8%) were less likely to purchase the affected foods if the foods were featured in social media as problematic, although no differences were made between true and fake news and how that would influence respondents' willingness to purchase affected foods. Overall, 62% of the respondents agreed or strongly agreed about the usage of social media and its ability to prevent food poisoning cases, while more than 50% of the respondents were in total agreement that social media allow consumers to act more responsibly by sharing food safety news. Respondents tended to trust information shared by scientists (67.5%) and family members and friends (33%). Respondents would most often share the news after verifying its authenticity (46%). If respondents experienced a personal food safety issue (e.g., discovered a fly in their meal), they seldom or never took photos to post online (56.1%). It is possible that the respondents preferred to inform the food handlers and/or shop owners about the affected products rather than post the photos online. It is suggested that targeted food safety information and media literacy be provided to improve consumers' awareness and to positively influence self-verification of the food safety information before sharing. This study provides crucial insights for a range of stakeholders, particularly public authorities, food bloggers, and the public, in using social media effectively to build consumers' awareness and trust in food safety information.
  9. Sikin AM, Zoellner C, Rizvi SS
    J Food Prot, 2013 Dec;76(12):2099-123.
    PMID: 24290689 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-12-437
    Sprouts have gained popularity worldwide due to their nutritional values and health benefits. The fact that their consumption has been associated with numerous outbreaks of foodborne illness threatens the $250 million market that this industry has established in the United States. Therefore, sprout manufacturers have utilized the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended application of 20,000 ppm of calcium hypochlorite solution to seeds before germination as a preventative method. Concentrations of up to 200 ppm of chlorine wash are also commonly used on sprouts. However, chlorine-based treatment achieves on average only 1- to 3-log reductions in bacteria and is associated with negative health and environmental issues. The search for alternative strategies has been widespread, involving chemical, biological, physical, and hurdle processes that can achieve up to 7-log reductions in bacteria in some cases. The compilation here of the current scientific data related to these techniques is used to compare their efficacy for ensuring the microbial safety of sprouts and their practicality for commercial producers. Of specific importance for alternative seed and sprout treatments is maintaining the industry-accepted germination rate of 95% and the sensorial attributes of the final product. This review provides an evaluation of suggested decontamination technologies for seeds and sprouts before, during, and after germination and concludes that thermal inactivation of seeds and irradiation of sprouts are the most practical stand-alone microbial safety interventions for sprout production.
  10. Merican Z
    J Food Prot, 1996 Oct;59(10):1133-1137.
    PMID: 31195465 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X-59.10.1133
    We have a competitive world economy and cannot exist in isolation. Migration, overseas education, and travel have resulted in tremendous demands for foods from other parts of the world. With advances in communication systems, products can be moved rapidly throughout the world at competitive prices. There is a two-way concern regarding safety and quality in importing and exporting countries: the microbiological risks from products and/or ingredients from countries which have varying microbiological standards and the dumping of substandard products in countries with insufficient monitoring systems. HACCP (hazard analysis critical control points) programs based on hazards and risks specific to a particular product are being increasingly recommended as a quality assurance tool to meet the current and future safety demands of the world's food supply. The scope of these developments implies an urgent need for a thorough understanding of the dynamics of food production, including the available infrastructure, trained human resources, and cultural factors, as well as food needs and wants. Quality assurance activities should not only depend on government's regulatory machinery, but also on self-regulation by industry groups, exporters, and importers. Enough has been said on these principles. It is left to countries and industries to exercise adherence to ensure safety and quality. Assistance from the developed world and international organizations to train resources in developing countries on the standard safety procedures is urgently needed. Government-industry partnership and mutual recognition (of certification bodies) based on HACCP plans and designed after ISO (International Standards Association) guidelines are some of the means by which importing countries can monitor and address the expanding global food supply. A network of these certification bodies world-wide should be considered. The basic provisions of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures signed on 15 April 1994, when fully implemented, should be able to address these concerns.
  11. Hajeb P, Selamat J, Afsah-Hejri L, Mahyudin NA, Shakibazadeh S, Sarker MZ
    J Food Prot, 2015 Jan;78(1):172-9.
    PMID: 25581193 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-248
    High-quality fish oil for human consumption requires low levels of toxic elements. The aim of this study was to compare different oil extraction methods to identify the most efficient method for extracting fish oil of high quality with the least contamination. The methods used in this study were Soxhlet extraction, enzymatic extraction, wet reduction, and supercritical fluid extraction. The results showed that toxic elements in fish oil could be reduced using supercritical CO2 at a modest temperature (60°C) and pressure (35 MPa) with little reduction in the oil yield. There were significant reductions in mercury (85 to 100%), cadmium (97 to 100%), and lead (100%) content of the fish oil extracted using the supercritical fluid extraction method. The fish oil extracted using conventional methods contained toxic elements at levels much higher than the accepted limits of 0.1 μg/g.
  12. Estuningsih S, Kress C, Hassan AA, Akineden O, Schneider E, Usleber E
    J Food Prot, 2006 Dec;69(12):3013-7.
    PMID: 17186672
    To determine the occurrence of Salmonella and Shigella in infant formula from Southeast Asia, 74 packages of dehydrated powdered infant follow-on formula (recommended age, > 4 months) from five different manufacturers, four from Indonesia and one from Malaysia, were analyzed. None of the 25-g test portions yielded Salmonella or Shigella. However, further identification of colonies growing on selective media used for Salmonella and Shigella detection revealed the frequent occurrence of several other Enterobacteriaceae species. A total of 35 samples (47%) were positive for Enterobacteriaceae. Ten samples (13.5%) from two Indonesian manufacturers yielded Enterobacter sakazakii. Other Enterobacteriaceae isolated included Pantoea spp. (n = 12), Escherichia hermanii (n = 10), Enterobacter cloacae (n = 8), Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae (n = 3), Citrobacter spp. (n = 2), Serratia spp. (n = 2), and Escherichia coli (n = 2). To our knowledge, this is the first report to describe the contamination of dehydrated powdered infant formula from Indonesia with E. sakazakii and several other Enterobacteriaceae that could be opportunistic pathogens. Improper preparation and conservation of these products could result in a health risk for infants in Indonesia.
  13. Gecan JS, Bandler R, Staruszkiewicz WF
    J Food Prot, 1994 Feb;57(2):154-158.
    PMID: 31113141 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X-57.2.154
    A 2-year nationwide survey was conducted by the Food and Drug Administration to provide current information about filth, decomposition, and microbiological contamination of domestic and imported fresh and frozen shrimp. Whole or equivalent filth insects, mostly ants, were found in 14.4% of the samples. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, India had the highest percentage positive for filth insects (45.5%); the United States had the lowest (6.3%). Filth insect fragments were present in 5.4% of the samples. Incidental insects were present in 6.3% of the samples, with flies the most commonly found. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, India had the highest percentage positive for incidental insects (27.3%); Ecuador had the lowest (2.3%). Unidentified insect fragments were found in 33.3% of the samples; cockroach excreta pellets were present in 2.1%, rat or mouse hairs in 5.7%, and other striated animal hairs in 15.3%. Of countries contributing at least 10 samples for filth analysis, the Philippines had the highest percentages positive (30.0 and 50.0%) for rat or mouse hairs and other striated hairs, respectively; Malaysia was close behind with 23.1 and 46.2%. Samples from the United States had the lowest percentage positive for rat or mouse hairs (0.9%) and other striated hairs (7.2%). Listeria spp. were found in 6.8% of the samples; Salmonella spp. were found in 8.1%. Some level of decomposition was observed in 15.4% of the samples tested organoleptically.
  14. Budiati T, Rusul G, Wan-Abdullah WN, Chuah LO, Ahmad R, Thong KL
    J Food Prot, 2016 Apr;79(4):659-65.
    PMID: 27052872 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-15-372
    A total of 43 Salmonella enterica isolates belonging to different serovars (Salmonella Albany, Salmonella Agona, Salmonella Corvallis, Salmonella Stanley, Salmonella Typhimurium, Salmonella Mikawasima, and Salmonella Bovismorbificans) were isolated from catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and tilapia (Tilapia mossambica) obtained from nine wet markets and eight ponds in Penang, Malaysia. Thirteen, 19, and 11 isolates were isolated from 9 of 32 catfish, 14 of 32 tilapia, and 11 of 44 water samples, respectively. Fish reared in ponds were fed chicken offal, spoiled eggs, and commercial fish feed. The genetic relatedness of these Salmonella isolates was determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA PCR (RAPD-PCR) using primer OPC2, repetitive extragenic palindromic PCR (REP-PCR), and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Composite analysis of the RAPD-PCR, REP-PCR, and PFGE results showed that the Salmonella serovars could be differentiated into six clusters and 15 singletons. RAPD-PCR differentiated the Salmonella isolates into 11 clusters and 10 singletons, while REP-PCR differentiated them into 4 clusters and 1 singleton. PFGE differentiated the Salmonella isolates into seven clusters and seven singletons. The close genetic relationship of Salmonella isolates from catfish or tilapia obtained from different ponds, irrespective of the type of feed given, may be caused by several factors, such as the quality of the water, density of fish, and size of ponds.
  15. Bidawid S, Farber JM, Sattar SA, Hayward S
    J Food Prot, 2000 Apr;63(4):522-8.
    PMID: 10772219
    Experiments were performed to determine the thermal resistance of hepatitis A virus (HAV) in three types of dairy products containing increased amounts of fat content (skim milk, homogenized milk; 3.5% MFG, and table cream; 18% MFG). HAV-inoculated dairy products were introduced into custom-made U-shaped microcapillary tubes that in turn were simultaneously immersed in a waterbath, using custom-made floating boats and a carrying platform. Following exposure to the desired time and temperature combinations, the contents of each of the tubes was retrieved and was tested by plaque assay to determine the reduction in virus titer. Our data indicated that < 0.5 min at 85 degrees C was sufficient to cause a 5-log reduction in HAV titer in all three dairy products, whereas at 80 degrees C, < or = 0.68 min (for skim and homogenized milk), and 1.24 min (for cream) were needed to cause a similar log reduction. Using a nonlinear two-phase negative exponential model (two-compartment model) to analyze the data, it was found that at temperatures of 65, 67, 69, 71, and 75 degrees C, significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure times were needed to achieve a 1-log reduction in virus titer in cream, as compared to skim and homogenized milk. For example, at 71 degrees C, a significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure time of 0.52 min (for cream) was needed as compared to < or = 0.18 min (for skim and homogenized milk) to achieve a 1-log reduction in virus titer. A similar trend of inactivation was observed at 73 and 75 degrees C where significantly (P < 0.05) higher exposure times of 0.29 to 0.36 min for cream were needed to cause a 1-log reduction in HAV in cream, as compared to < or = 0.17 min for skim and homogenized milk. This study has provided information on the heat resistance of HAV in skim milk, homogenized milk, and table cream and demonstrated that an increase in fat content appears to play a protective role and contributes to the heat stability of HAV.
  16. Iqbal SZ, Ullah Z, Asi MR, Jinap S, Ahmad MN, Sultan MT, et al.
    J Food Prot, 2018 May;81(5):806-809.
    PMID: 29637809 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-17-256
    Two hundred ten samples of selected vegetables (okra, pumpkin, tomato, potato, eggplant, spinach, and cabbage) from Faisalabad, Pakistan, were analyzed for the analysis of heavy metals: cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry was used for the analysis of heavy metals. The mean levels of Cd, Pb, As, and Hg were 0.24, 2.23, 0.58, and 7.98 mg/kg, respectively. The samples with Cd (27%), Pb (50%), and Hg (63%) exceeded the maximum residual levels set by the European Commission. The mean levels of heavy metals found in the current study are high and may pose significant health concerns for consumers. Furthermore, considerable attention should be paid to implement comprehensive monitoring and regulations.
  17. Fifadara N, Radu S, Hassan Z, Beuchat LR, Rusul G
    J Food Prot, 2003 Oct;66(10):1845-50.
    PMID: 14572222
    Twenty-two strains of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis were isolated from 9 (6%) of 150 samples of frozen beef and beef products imported to Malaysia. The isolates were obtained from eight samples of beef and one sample of minced beef patty. No E. faecalis was isolated from frankfurters. Twelve of the 22 isolates (54.5%) were beta-hemolytic, and all isolates harbored the vanA gene. All vancomycin-resistant isolates were also resistant to streptomycin, erythromycin, kanamycin, bacitracin, ceftazimide, gentamycin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid, and teicoplanin; 95.4% were resistant to trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole; 68.8% were resistant to chloramphenicol; and 41% were resistant to ampicillin and penicillin. Small plasmids ranging in size from 1.5 to 5.8 kb were detected in 8 (36.4%) of 22 strains. The 22 isolates were classified into 20 random amplified polymorphic DNA types. Isolates were divided into two groups, each containing subclusters, that may reflect their clonal lineages. It is concluded that several clones of vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis are represented in the isolates obtained from beef imported to Malaysia.
  18. Abdullah WZW, Mackey BM, Karatzas KAG
    J Food Prot, 2018 Jan;81(1):93-104.
    PMID: 29271685 DOI: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-17-190
    Salmonella is an important foodborne pathogen, whose ability to resist stress and survive can vary among strains. This variability is normally not taken into account when predictions are made about survival in foods with negative consequences. Therefore, we examined the contribution of variable phenotypic properties to survival under stress in 10 Salmonella serovars. One strain (Typhimurium 10) was intentionally RpoS-negative; however, another strain (Heidelberg) showed an rpoS mutation, rendering it inactive. We assessed an array of characteristics (motility, biofilm formation, bile resistance, acid resistance, and colony morphology) that show major variability among strains associated with a 10- to 19-fold difference between the highest and the lowest strain for most characteristics. The RpoS status of isolates did not affect variability in the characteristics, with the exception of resistance to NaCl, acetic acid, lactic acid, and the combination of acetic acid and salt, where the variability between the highest and the lowest strain was reduced to 3.1-fold, 1.7-fold, 2-fold, and 1.7-fold, respectively, showing that variability was significant among RpoS-positive strains. Furthermore, we also found a good correlation between acid resistance and lysine decarboxylase activity, showing its importance for acid resistance, and demonstrated a possible role of RpoS in the lysine decarboxylase activity in Salmonella.
  19. Anang DM, Rusul G, Radu S, Bakar J, Beuchat LR
    J Food Prot, 2006 Aug;69(8):1913-9.
    PMID: 16924917
    Oxalic acid was evaluated as a treatment for reducing populations of naturally occurring microorganisms on raw chicken. Raw chicken breasts were dipped in solutions of oxalic acid (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0%, wt/vol) for 10, 20, and 30 min, individually packed in oxygen-permeable polyethylene bags, and stored at 4 degrees C. Total plate counts of aerobic bacteria and populations of Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae on breasts were determined before treatment and after storage for 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days. The pH and Hunter L, a, and b values of the breast surface were measured. Total plate counts were ca. 1.5 and 4.0 log CFU/g higher on untreated chicken breasts after storage for 7 and 14 days, respectively, than on breasts treated with 0.5% oxalic acid, regardless of dip time. Differences in counts on chicken breasts treated with water and 1.0 to 2.0% of oxalic acid were greater. Populations of Pseudomonas spp. on chicken breasts treated with 0.5 to 2.0% oxalic acid and stored at 4 degrees C for 1 day were less than 2 log CFU/g (detection limit), compared with 5.14 log CFU/g on untreated breasts. Pseudomonas grew on chicken breasts treated with 0.5% oxalic acid to reach counts not exceeding 3.88 log CFU/g after storage for 14 days. Counts on untreated chicken exceeded 8.83 log CFU/g at 14 days. Treatment with oxalic acid caused similar reductions in Enterobacteriaceae counts. Kocuria rhizophila was the predominant bacterium isolated from treated chicken. Other common bacteria included Escherichia coli and Empedobacter brevis. Treatment with oxalic acid caused a slight darkening in color (decreased Hunter L value), retention of redness (increased Hunter a value), and increase in yellowness (increased Hunter b value). Oxalic acid has potential for use as a sanitizer to reduce populations of spoilage microorganisms naturally occurring on raw chicken, thereby extending chicken shelf life.
  20. Huat JT, Leong YK, Lian HH
    J Food Prot, 2008 Dec;71(12):2453-9.
    PMID: 19244898
    This study examined whether the survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 on contaminated cooked rice was influenced by the type of rice. Vibrios survived unchanged on clumps of glutinous white rice (wet, grains adhered) held at room temperature for 24 h. On nonglutinous white rice (slightly moist, grains separate), 30% viable vibrios remained at 24 h. On nonglutinous brown rice (moist, separate, covered with a mucus-like substance), the number of vibrios increased 2.7-fold at 24 h. Survival rates of vibrios on the surfaces of a row of five cooked rice grains after 2 h of exposure at room temperature were 86, 29, 12, and 4% for glutinous rice, white rice, and the endosperm and pericarp of brown rice, respectively. (Each boiled brown rice grain surface was partly pericarp and partly endosperm, which became exposed by a rupture of the pericarp.) Covering each inoculated grain with a similar cooked rice grain surface increased the corresponding figures to 93, 99, 60, and 94%. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that each type of cooked grain surface possessed a distinct microtopography. For example, the surfaces of glutinous rice grains consisted of separated overlapping strips with many holes, while the pericarps of brown rice were flat interspersed with small pits. In conclusion, each type of boiled rice produced a distinct survival pattern of V. cholerae O1 caused by both the distinct gross features and the fine surface characteristics of the rice. The significance of this finding is that the type of rice consumed can be a factor in cholera transmission by contaminated rice.
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