In-house validation of a rinse-membrane filtration method for processing fresh produce samples for downstream cultural detection of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria

Laura E. Tijerina-Rodríguez, Luisa Solís-Soto, Norma Heredia, Juan S. León, Lee Ann Jaykus, Santos García*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

More efficient sampling and detection methods of pathogens on fresh produce are needed. The purpose of this study was to compare a novel rinse-membrane filtration method (RMFM) to a more traditional sponge rubbing or stomaching method in processing jalapeño peppers and cantaloupe samples for detection of Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes. For jalapeño peppers inoculated with 106, 104, and 102 CFU of each pathogen and cantaloupes inoculated at 106 and 104 CFU, all pathogens were detected in all (100%) samples by RMFM at a 10-mL filtration volume, as well as by the stomacher and sponge rubbing methods. However, for cantaloupe inoculated at 102 CFU, detection differed by pathogen: S. enterica (20% RMFM, 60% stomacher, and 20% sponge), L. monocytogenes (40% RMFM, 60% stomacher, and 20% sponge), and E. coli O157:H7 (100% RMFM, 75% stomacher, and 75% sponge). When RMFM was compared with the other methods, in accordance with guidelines in the International Organization for Standardization 16140:2003 protocol, it produced values >95% in relative accuracy, relative specificity, and relative sensitivity. Overall, the RMFM performed similar to or better than the homogenization and sponge surface rubbing methods and is a good alternative for processing large numbers of produce samples for bacterial pathogen detection.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1592-1597
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Food Protection
Volume83
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2020
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León. Laura E. Tijerina-Rodríguez acknowledges a postgraduate fellowship from Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología. Juan. S. Leon was partially supported by National Institute of Food and Agriculture grants (2015-67017-23080 and 2018-07410).

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © International Association for Food Protection

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Food Science
  • Microbiology

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