Survival of E.coli O157:H7 in Sprouts produced in home-scale hydroponic system over seven days
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2023
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Zamorano: Escuela Agrícola Panamericana
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The consumption of sprouts, particularly alfalfa sprouts, is the most consumed in the United States due to their nutritional value and perceived health benefits. However, sprouts are susceptible to microbial contamination, leading to foodborne illnesses. This study aimed to examine the survival of E. coli O157:H7, a pathogenic bacterium, in sprouts grown using home-scale hydroponic systems and to compare its growth on the surface of the jars. E. coli O157:H7, was chosen as a model microorganism. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of The International Center for Food Industry Excellence at Texas Tech University, and bacterial culture preparation involved various steps to establish a controlled and standardized microbial population. Seeds were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 at 4 Log CFU/g and samples were taken at periods 0, 3, 6, 12, and 24 hours, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 days for analysis. Results indicated that E. coli O157:H7 was present in both seeds/sprouts and on the surface of the jar during the entire experiment period. A Randomized Complete Block was used to evaluate the treatments. The bacterium proliferated on the sprouts, reaching concentrations of 7.64 Log CFU/g and onto the surface 5.25 Log/CFU/ml after 24 hours. The study highlighted the importance of the germination phase as a potential source of contamination in sprouts due to the favorable conditions it provides for bacterial growth. Overall, the research demonstrated the capability of E. coli O157:H7 to proliferate during the sprouting process and indicated that the hydroponic environment of sprout production might enhance bacterial growth. The findings underscore the need for stringent hygiene practices throughout the sprout production process to mitigate foodborne illness risks associated with sprout consumption.
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Alfalfa, Growth, pathogen, inoculum