Scale-up seed decontamination process to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Enteritidis on mung bean seeds

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2010 Jan;7(1):51-6. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2009.0389.

Abstract

A majority of the seed sprout-related outbreaks have been associated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. Therefore, it is necessary to find an effective method to inactivate these microorganisms on the seeds before sprouting. When treatment with hot water at 85 degrees C for 40 sec followed by dipping in cold water for 30 sec and soaking into chlorine water (2000 ppm) for 2 h was performed, no viable pathogens were found in the enrichment medium and during the sprouting process. The germination yield of the seed was not affected significantly (p > 0.05). Therefore, these treatments could be useful for the decontamination method of mung bean seeds intended for sprout production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chlorine / pharmacology
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Disinfectants*
  • Escherichia coli O157 / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli O157 / growth & development*
  • Fabaceae / microbiology*
  • Food Handling / methods*
  • Food Microbiology*
  • Germination / drug effects
  • Salmonella enteritidis / drug effects
  • Salmonella enteritidis / growth & development*
  • Seedlings / microbiology
  • Seeds / microbiology*
  • Species Specificity
  • Temperature
  • Time Factors
  • Vegetables / microbiology
  • Water

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Water
  • Chlorine