Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Food Packaging”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 487 records · Page 27Linked to original sources

Behavior of Escherichia coli cells and Bacillus cereus spores on poplar wood crates by impedance measurements.

Dry poplar wood crates and glass surfaces (bottoms of Pyrex flasks) were contaminated with aqueous suspensions of Escherichia coli Collection de l'Institut Pasteur (CIP) 54.8 cells or Bacillus cereus CIP 78.3 spores. After different periods of storage at 25 degrees C, the number of cells still present on both surfaces was determined by impedance microbiology. The physical and chemical properties of the wood greatly and rapidly decreased the number of cells. After 4 h of contact time, B. cereus residual metabolic activity corresponded to less than 10% of the initial inoculum level. With a low inoculum level of 2.4 x 10(2) E. coli cells, sterility of the wood was obtained after a contact time of 24 h. With a higher inoculum level of 10(6) E. coli cells, only a few viable bacteria, corresponding to the metabolic activity of four cells, could be recovered after a prolonged contact time of 145 h. Conversely, under the same conditions of storage, when bacteria were deposited on inert and nonporous materials such as glass surfaces, growth occurred. After 24 h of contact time at 25 degrees C, bacterial populations were about 10(9) cells for E. coli and 10(7) cells for B. cereus. Under our experimental conditions after a prolonged contact time, wood exhibited growth-inhibiting properties and cells were no longer metabolically active. These results indicate that the potential for cross-contamination of foods stored directly in contact with previously contaminated poplar wood crates is low under our experimental conditions.

Bacillus cereus↗

Effect of salting and cold-smoking process on the culturability, viability, and virulence of Listeria monocytogenes strain Scott A.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of the different steps of the cold-smoking process and vacuum storage on the culturability and viability of Listeria monocytogenes strain Scott A inoculated in sterile salmon samples. Additionally, the virulence of L. monocytogenes cells was assessed by intravenous inoculation of immunocompetent mice. Salmon (Salmo salar) portions were inoculated with L. monocytogenes at a level of 6 log CFU/g and were then dry salted (5.9%), smoked (0.74 mg phenol per 100 g), partially frozen (-7 degrees C), vacuum packed, and stored for 10 days at 4 degrees C followed by 18 days at 8 degrees C. Salting represented the only step of the process with a weak but significant listericidal effect (0.6 log reduction). Although the other processing steps had no immediate reduction effect on L. monocytogenes, the combination of steps significantly lowered by 1.6 log CFU/g the number of L. monocytogenes. The culturable count remained less than 7 log CFU/g until the end of the storage period, whereas in unprocessed samples (control) the culturable counts reached values up to 9 log CFU/g. To mimic a postprocess contamination, salmon portions were also inoculated with L. monocytogenes after being cold-smoke processed. A reduction of the culturable count during the 2 first weeks of storage was observed, but then growth occurred and identical values observed for preprocess contamination were reached at the end of the storage. A viable but nonculturable state transition of strain Scott A was not observed, and the cold-smoking process did not affect the virulence of bacteria isolated at the beginning and end of the storage.

Animals↗

Role of sulfites and 4-hexylresorcinol in microbial growth and melanosis prevention of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris) using a controlled atmosphere.

A controlled atmosphere containing 48% CO2 and 7% O2 was used in association with refrigeration for storage of deepwater pink shrimp (Parapenaeus longirostris). Shrimp were treated with two different concentrations of sodium metabisulfite or 4-hexylresorcinol and subjected to the controlled atmosphere immediately after capture onboard ship or on arrival in port. Total volatile basic nitrogen, total viable counts, enterobacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and luminescent bacteria were determined, and black spot progression was evaluated. The combined effect of controlled atmosphere and melanosis inhibitors was used to delay black spot development as compared to the shrimp stored in ice alone. Storage under the controlled atmosphere without ice limited microbiological quality, namely, total viable counts, but enterobacterial growth was lower.

Animals↗

Hot water postprocess pasteurization of cook-in-bag turkey breast treated with and without potassium lactate and sodium diacetate and acidified sodium chlorite for control of Listeria monocytogenes.

Surface pasteurization and food-grade chemicals were evaluated for the ability to control listeriae postprocess on cook-in-bag turkey breasts (CIBTB). Individual CIBTB were obtained directly from a commercial manufacturer and surface inoculated (20 ml) with a five-strain cocktail (ca. 7.0 log) of Listeria innocua. In each of two trials, the product was showered or submerged for up to 9 min with water heated to 190, 197, or 205 degrees F (ca. 87.8, 91.7, or 96.1 degrees C) in a commercial pasteurization tunnel. Surviving listeriae were recovered from CIBTB by rinsing and were then enumerated on modified Oxford agar plates following incubation at 37 degrees C for 48 h. As expected, higher water temperatures and longer residence times resulted in a greater reduction of L. innocua. A ca. 2.0-log reduction was achieved within 3 min at 205 and 197 degrees F and within 7 min at 190 degrees E In related experiments, the following treatments were evaluated for control of Listeria monocytogenes on CIBTB: (i) a potassium lactate-sodium diacetate solution (1.54% potassium lactate and 0.11% sodium diacetate) added to the formulation in the mixer and 150 ppm of acidified sodium chlorite applied to the surface with a pipette, or (ii) a potassium lactate-sodium diacetate solution only, or (iii) no potassium lactate-sodium diacetate solution and no acidified sodium chlorite. Each CIBTB was inoculated (20 ml) with ca. 5 log CFU of a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes and then vacuum sealed. In each of two trials, half of the CIBTB were exposed to 203 degrees F water for 3 min in a pasteurization tunnel, and the other half of the CIBTB were not; then, all CIBTB were stored at 4 degrees C for up to 60 days, and L. monocytogenes was enumerated by direct plating onto modified Oxford agar. Heating resulted in an initial reduction of ca. 2 log CFU of L. monocytogenes per CIBTB. For heated CIBTB, L. monocytogenes increased by ca. 2 log CFU per CIBTB in 28 (treatment 1), 28 (treatment 2), and 14 (treatment 3) days. Thereafter, pathogen levels reached ca. 7 log CFU per CIBTB in 45, 45, and 21 days for treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In contrast, for nonheated CIBTB, L. monocytogenes levels increased from ca. 5 log CFU per CIBTB to ca. 7 log CFU per CIBTB in 28, 21, and 14 days for treatments 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Lastly, in each of three trials, we tested the effect of hot water (203 degrees F for 3 min) postprocess pasteurization of inoculated CIBTB on the lethality of L. monocytogenes and validated that it resulted in a 1.8-log reduction in pathogen levels. Collectively, these data establish that hot water postprocess pasteurization alone is effective in reducing L. monocytogenes on the surface of CIBTB. However, as used in this study, the potassium lactate-sodium diacetate solution and acidified sodium chlorite were only somewhat effective at controlling the subsequent outgrowth of this pathogen during refrigerated storage.

Acetates↗

Intraspecific diversity of Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus sakei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides associated with vacuum-packed meat product spoilage analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA PCR.

The intraspecific diversity of Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus curvatus, Lactobacillus sakei, and Lactobacillus plantarum was analyzed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) PCR with universal primers M13 and T3. The study included 100 reference strains and 210 isolates recovered from two vacuum-packed Spanish meat products, fiambre de magro adobado and morcilla, previously identified by rDNA-restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles. The RAPD-M13 profiles identified isolates at species level in L. plantarum and L. mesenteroides, while RAPD-T3 provided profiles in L. sakei. The combination of RAPD-M13 and RAPD-T3 fingerprints revealed a total of 17 profiles in L. mesenteroides, 6 in L. sakei, 12 in L. plantarum, and 6 in L. curvatus. Of these, six profiles corresponding to L. mesenteroides and one corresponding to L. sakei were found in both products. The Shannon-Weaver diversity index (H'), calculated according to RAPD-M13 and RAPD-T3 profiles during storage, revealed that most profiles appeared only in single samplings in both products, indicating a high strain substitution rate during chilled storage of vacuum-packed meat products. When bloating appeared, only one profile corresponding to L. mesenteroides subsp. dextranicum was present throughout the storage period.

Animals↗

Radiation sensitivity and postirradiation growth of foodborne pathogens on a ready-to-eat frankfurter on a roll product in the presence of modified atmosphere and antimicrobials.

Intervention technologies including ionizing radiation, antimicrobials, and modified atmospheres (MA) can be used to inhibit the growth of or inactivate foodborne pathogens on complex ready-to-eat foods such as sandwiches. However, the effect of these technologies when used in combination (the hurdle concept) on the survival of foodborne pathogens is unknown. The ability of ionizing radiation to inactivate Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus inoculated onto a frankfurter on a roll product containing the antimicrobials sodium diacetate and potassium lactate in the presence of an MA (100% N2, 50% N2 plus 50% CO2, or 100% CO2) was investigated. The radiation resistances (D10-values) of the foodborne pathogens were 0.43 to 0.47 kGy for E. coli O157:H7, 0.61 to 0.71 kGy for Salmonella, 0.53 to 0.57 for L. monocytogenes, and 0.56 to 0.60 for S. aureus. The MA had no effect on the radiation resistance of the pathogens. During a 2-week storage period under mild temperature abuse (10 degrees C), none of the pathogens were able to proliferate on the frankfurter on a roll product, regardless of the MA used. However, application of sublethal doses of ionizing radiation resulted in increased mortality of the gram-positive pathogens L. monocytogenes and S. aureus during the storage period regardless of the MA. Although the pathogens were unable to proliferate on the frankfurter on a roll product during the storage period, application of a postpackaging intervention step was needed to actually inactivate the foodborne pathogens. Ionizing radiation used in combination with sodium diacetate and potassium lactate resulted in additional mortality of L. monocytogenes and S. aureus, independent of the MA, during the 2-week storage period.

Carbon Dioxide↗

Combined treatment of high pressure and heat on killing spores of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris in apple juice concentrate.

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, a thermoacidophilic and spore-forming bacterium, has been isolated from spoiled acidic juices and is considered to be one of the important target microorganisms in quality control of acidic canned foods. Combined high pressure and heat treatment showed an effectiveness to control A. acidoterrestris spores. However, the effectiveness of the combined treatment may change upon the apple juice concentration. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate different levels of apple juice concentrate for reduction of Alicyclobacillus spores by high pressure and heat. Spores of A. acidoterrestris were inoculated into three different concentrations of apple juice (17.5, 35, and 70 degrees Brix), and subjected to three high-pressure treatments (207, 414, and 621 MPa) at four different temperatures (22, 45, 71, and 90 degrees C). High-pressure treatment (207, 414, and 621 MPa) at 22degrees C did not reduce the level of spores regardless of the apple juice concentration (P > 0.05). In diluted apple juice (17.5 degrees Brix), the combined treatment of high pressure and heat resulted in spore reductions of about 2 log at 45 degrees C, and more than 5 log at higher temperatures (71 and 90 degrees C) in a high-pressure and temperature-dependent manner. For apple juice with a higher concentration (30 degrees Brix), high-pressure treatment showed no effect at 45 degrees C but resulted in about 2 and 4 log reduction at 71 and 90 degrees C, respectively. However, for apple juice concentrate (70 degrees Brix), treatment with heat or high pressure alone, or their combinations showed no inactivation against spores of A. acidoterrestris. It is likely that differences in the water availability explain the greater resistance of spores to high-pressure inactivation in the juice concentrates than in diluted juices. Our results demonstrate that the effect of high pressure combined with heat against spores of A. acidoterrestris was highly dependent on the apple juice concentration.

Beverages↗

Effect of vacuum-steam-vacuum treatment on microbial quality of whole and fresh-cut cantaloupe.

Minimally processed fruits and vegetables have a limited shelf life because of deterioration caused by spoilage microflora and physiological processes. Cutting may increase microbial spoilage of fruits through transfer of microflora on the outer surfaces to the interior tissue. The objectives of this study were to use the vacuum-steam-vacuum (VSV) process to reduce indigenous spoilage microflora on the surface of cantaloupes and to investigate the effects of such treatments on transfer of spoilage microflora from the cantaloupe surface to the fresh-cut melon during rind removal and cutting. Whole cantaloupes were treated in the VSV processor, and fresh-cut pieces prepared from treated and control samples were stored at 5 and 10 degrees C for up to 9 days. Presence and growth of mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds, and Pseudomonas spp. were determined in fresh-cut samples during storage. Texture and color (CIE L*, a*, and b*) also were measured during storage. VSV treatment resulted in a 1.0-log reduction of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, a 2.0-log reduction of yeasts and molds, and a 1.5-log reduction of Pseudomonas spp. on cantaloupe surfaces. VSV treatment significantly reduced transfer of yeasts and molds and Pseudomonas spp. from whole cantaloupe surface to fresh-cut pieces during preparation (P < 0.05). Texture and color of the fresh-cut pieces prepared from the VSV-treated whole melons were similar to those of the controls. The results of this study indicate that the use of the VSV process to reduce the surface populations of yeasts and molds and Pseudomonas spp. on whole cantaloupes will reduce subsequent transfer of these microbes to fresh-cut pieces and enhance the microbial quality of the fresh-cut product.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

Steel can recycling: how to cut costs and support the environment.

This is the first in a series of three articles regarding steel can recycling from foodservice operations of healthcare facilities. This article highlights the benefits of recycling and how steel is recycled across the country; the second will focus on the basic methods of recycling steel cans, and will include information on conducting a waste audit and negotiating with a hauler; the final article will convey a case history of actual foodservice recycling practice from a healthcare facility.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

Recycling steel. Conducting a waste audit.

This is the second in a series of three articles regarding steel can recycling from foodservice operations of healthcare facilities. This article highlights the basic methods of recycling steel cans, and includes information on conducting a waste audit and negotiating with a hauler regarding the benefits of recycling. The previous article discussed how steel is recycled across the country. The next article will convey a case history of actual foodservice recycling practice from a healthcare facility.

Conservation of Natural Resources↗

[Risks to consumers and PVC workers from vinyl chloride].

Over the past two years the level of exposure of workers in PVC polymerization factories to vinylchloride has been greatly lowered. Thus there should be no further cases of so-called vinylchloride disease, which mainly affects the connective tissues. Also, the risk of liver hemangiosarcomas should not be higher under present working conditions than in the general population. Worldwide, 42 cases of VC sarcomas have been described among the 20,000 to 40,000 workers exposed since 1930. The consumer uptake of VC from PVC-packaged food is almost a million times lower than the carcinogenic threshold dose, and this rules out any danger arising from that source.

Hemangiosarcoma↗

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): bloodwork requirements. Food and Nutrition Service, USDA. Final rule.

This final rule amends regulations governing the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to allow State agencies the option to defer the collection of blood test data for up to 90 days after the date of certification, so long as the applicant is determined to have at least one qualifying nutrition risk factor at the time of certification. In addition, this final rule will expand the current regulatory standard of the maximum age of blood test data used to assess nutritional risk for WIC certification. Although blood tests may no longer be a mandatory part of each WIC applicant's certification intake process, such tests are still required for the purposes of assessing nutritional status, nutrition surveillance, providing nutrition education, further tailoring food packages to meet nutritional needs, and referring to appropriate health and social services in the community.

Blood Chemical Analysis↗

Advances in food systems for space flight.

Food for space has evolved from cubes and tubes to normal Earth-like food consumed with common utensils. U.S. space food systems have traditionally been based upon the water supply. When on-board water was abundant (e.g., Apollo and Shuttle fuel cells produced water) then dehydrated food was used extensively. The International Space Station will have limited water available for food rehydration so there is little advantage for using dehydrated foods. Experience from Skylab and the Russian Mir space station emphasizes that food variety and quality are important elements in the design of food for closed systems. The evolution of space food has accentuated Earth-like foods, which should be a model for closed environment food systems.

Ecological Systems, Closed↗