Antimicrobial effects of combined UV-C or gamma radiation with natural antimicrobial formulations against Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, and total yeasts/molds in fresh cut cauliflower

  • Pamphile Tawema
  • , Jaejoon Han
  • , Khanh Dang Vu
  • , Stéphane Salmieri
  • , Monique Lacroix*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    The aim of this study was to investigate the utilization of low doses of UV-C (5 and 10 kJ/m2) and gamma irradiation (0.5 and 1 kGy) treatments combined with natural antimicrobial formulations (oregano or lemongrass essential oil plus citrus extract and lactic acid), to inhibit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and total yeasts and molds, on cauliflower. Unlike the usual procedure for this type of combination, irradiation was applied before spraying of natural antimicrobial formulations with 5 ml per 100 g of cauliflower, because this approach had shown better long-term effectiveness. The combination of gamma irradiation at 1 kGy with natural antimicrobials reduced the population of L. monocytogenes as well as E. coli O157:H7 below the detection limits during the storage period. Yeasts and molds were significantly inhibited by gamma irradiation at both 0.5 and 1 kGy. The spraying of natural antimicrobial formulations following application of UV-C led to a significant inhibition of all target microorganisms.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)451-456
    Number of pages6
    JournalLWT - Food Science and Technology
    Volume65
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    The authors sincerely thank the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC: RDC 39153-09 ), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA: F2-RC-47716 ) and the company Bonduelle North America ( RDC 39153-09 ) for their financial supports. The research team also thanks the company Nordion for gamma irradiation treatment. The companies BSA, Mastertaste and Biosecur Inc. are acknowledged for graciously providing the natural antimicrobial products used in this project. Winpak is acknowledged for graciously providing packaging bags.

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

    Keywords

    • Food pathogens
    • Gamma irradiation
    • Natural antimicrobials
    • Shelf life
    • UV light

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Food Science

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