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At least 883 records · Page 49Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Control of Listeria monocytogenes with combined antimicrobials after postprocess contamination and extended storage of frankfurters at 4 degrees C in vacuum packages.

Contamination of ready-to-eat foods, such as frankfurters, with Listeria monocytogenes, is a major concern that needs to be addressed in order to enhance the safety of these products. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of combinations of antimicrobials included in the formulation of frankfurters against L. monocytogenes inoculated (10(3) to 10(4) CFU/cm2) on their surface after peeling and before vacuum packaging. In addition, the antilisterial effect of immersing the packaged products, prepared with or without antimicrobials, in hot (75 or 80 degrees C) water for 30 to 90 s was evaluated. Samples were stored at 4 degrees C for up to 120 days and periodically analyzed for pH and for microbial growth on tryptic soy agar plus 0.6% yeast extract (TSAYE) and PALCAM agar. Sodium lactate (1.8%; 3% of a 60% commercial solution) used alone inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes for 35 to 50 days, whereas when used in combination with 0.25% sodium acetate, sodium diacetate, or glucono-delta-lactone (GDL), sodium lactate inhibited growth throughout storage (120 days). Immersing packaged frankfurters in hot water (80 degrees C, 60 s) reduced inoculated populations of L. monocytogenes by 0.4 to 0.9 log CFU/cm2 and reduced its growth by 1.1 to 1.4 log CFU/cm2 at 50 to 70 days of storage in samples containing 1.8% sodium lactate alone. However, immersion of frankfurters containing no antimicrobials in hot water (75 or 80 degrees C) did not inhibit growth of the pathogen for more than 10 to 20 days, unless one frankfurter was placed per bag and heat treated for 90 s. These results indicate that the inclusion of 1.8% sodium lactate with 0.25% sodium acetate, sodium diacetate, or GDL in cured meat formulations may control L. monocytogenes growth during refrigerated (4 degrees C) storage. Additional studies are required to evaluate the effects of these combinations at abusive temperatures of storage, as well as on additional processed meat formulations and on the sensory quality and shelf life of products.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Effect of microorganism characteristics on leak size critical to predicting package sterility.

The effects of microorganism size and motility on the leak size critical to the sterility of a package, along with the imposed pressure required to initiate liquid flow for the critical leak size, were measured. Pseudomonas fragi Lacy-1052, Bacillus atrophaeus ATCC 49337, and Enterobacter aerogenes ATCC 29007 were employed to assess package sterility. One hundred twenty-six 7-mm-long microtubes with interior diameters of 5, 10, and 20 microm were used to simulate package defects. Forty-two solid microtubes were used as controls. No significant differences were found between sizes or motility statuses of test organisms with respect to loss of sterility as a result of microbial ingress into test cells with microtube interior diameters of 5, 10, and 20 microm (P > 0.05). Interactions between the initiation of liquid flow as a result of applied threshold pressures and sterility loss for test cells were significant (P < 0.05).

Bacillus↗
PubMed2004

Sodium lactate addition on the quality and shelf life of refrigerated sliced poultry sausage packaged in air or nitrogen atmosphere.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium lactate addition on shelf-life extension of sliced poultry sausage packaged both in air and nitrogen atmospheres and stored in refrigerated conditions. Basic chemical composition, pH, and malonaldehyde content were assayed and color measurement using the reflection method was carried out. Microbiological examination consisted of determination of total number of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and number of lactic acid bacteria. Sensory evaluation of products was performed. Microbiological and sensory quality of sliced poultry meat sausage was dependent on the addition during production of sodium lactate and the composition of gases (air or nitrogen) used in packaging. Slices of poultry sausage with 1% as well as 2% of sodium lactate maintained their initial quality of evaluated sensory attributes longer, irrespective of the applied gases. Sodium lactate inhibited growth of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria during refrigerated storage. Sodium lactate also inhibited the formation of malonaldehyde in sliced poultry sausage during refrigerated storage. The effectiveness of this process depended on the concentration of sodium lactate addition. It was concluded that 1% as well as 2% addition of sodium lactate could extend the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage packaged in air atmosphere and stored at 5 to 7 degrees C by 3 or 4 times, respectively. Sliced poultry sausage treated with 2% sodium lactate packed in nitrogen had the longest (35-day) shelf life. This was a sevenfold increase in the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage compared with the control.

Air↗
PubMed2005

A real-time inspection system using a terahertz technique to detect microleak defects in the seal of flexible plastic packages.

A method to detect production faults in flexible plastic packages with the use of terahertz radiation is presented. Relying on the large difference between the absorption coefficients of plastic and water (for water-filled channel defects) and on the refraction index difference between plastic and air (for air-filled channel defects), our technique consists of focusing and scanning a terahertz beam on the sealed area of the package, followed by detection of the transmitted signal. Compared with previous methods, such as visual and ultrasound inspection, our technique can be applied to optically opaque packages and does not require immersion in a matching liquid. We tested our system on defects that we fabricated as water-filled and air-filled channels imbedded in polyethylene films, with diameters in the range of 10 to 100 microm. The detection limit (the minimum size of a detectable defect) depends on the conveying speed; this relationship was determined and analyzed. The results show that our system has the potential for application in an actual production line for real-time inspection.

Food Contamination↗
PubMed2005

Influence of packaging conditions on natural microbial population growth of endive.

The influence of three packaging conditions, i.e., unmodified atmosphere packaging (UAP), passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and active MAP, on the natural microbial population growth of endive was investigated at 20 degrees C. For UAP, endive was placed in macroperforated oriented polypropylene pouches that maintained gas composition close to that of air (21 kPa O2 and 0 kPa CO2) but also limited superficial product dehydration. For MAP, endive was placed in low-density polyethylene pouches that induced a 3 kPa O2 and 5 kPa CO2 equilibrium atmosphere composition. Steady state was reached after 25 h of storage with an oxygen absorbing packet (active MAP) compared with 100 h without the packet (passive MAP) and was maintained for 200 h. After 312 h of storage, both active and passive MAP reduced total aerobic mesophile, yeast, and mold population growth compared with endive in UAP. Active MAP accelerated and improved the inhibition of Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae, respectively, probably because of the rapid O2 depletion during the transition period. A shift in the Enterobacteriaceae subpopulation from Rhanella aquatilis to Enterobacter agglomerans was observed for both passive and active MAP.

Bacteria, Aerobic↗
PubMed2006

Effect of x-ray irradiation on reducing the risk of listeriosis in ready-to-eat vacuum-packaged smoked mullet.

Listeria monocytogenes can pose a serious threat in several areas of the nation's food supply including ready-to-eat seafood products. Use of irradiation processing can potentially reduce the risk of listeriosis caused by consumption of ready-to-eat seafood products. This study measured the effect of X-ray irradiation on reducing the population of L. monocytogenes on ready-to-eat, vacuum-packaged smoked mullet. Smoked mullet were inoculated with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes (10(4) CFU/g), vacuum packaged, and irradiated (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 kGy). The packaged fish were then stored at 3 and 10 degrees C for 90 and 17 days, respectively. Radiation doses of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 kGy reduced the initial population of L. monocytogenes by 1.1, 1.6, and 2.1 log CFU/g, respectively. The 2.0-kGy dose reduced L. monocytogenes to undetectable levels with no recovery growth at either temperature. Compared to the control, irradiation at 1.5 kGy demonstrated 1.0 and 1.7 log CFU/g less growth at 3 degrees C after 60 days and 10 degrees C after 17 days, respectively. Sensory flavor analysis was conducted to determine if a difference existed between irradiated samples. Panelists indicated that there were no differences among treated and untreated samples. An X-ray dose of 2 kGy effectively eliminated 10(4) CFU/g L. monocytogenes on smoked mullet without changing sensory quality.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Validation of the sterilization procedure of medical and hospital devices according to different packaging types].

Safety in the processing of medical and hospital devices in healthcare organizations is an important measure of nosocomial infection control. This investigation aimed at establishing the period during which it is safe to use medical and hospital articles processed through sterilization by saturated steam under pressure using different types of packaging at a private hospital. The methodological procedure consisted of four phases: preparation of articles, evaluation of autoclave functioning, sterilization cycle and microbiological tests. Results showed bacterial growth on articles packed in surgical grade paper with and without film on the 21st day, in crepe paper on the 90th day and absence of growth when raw cotton packaging was used. In face of the results, a 21-day period was established for the use of articles after sterilization by saturated steam under pressure regardless of the type of packaging utilized, considering that storage conditions were also evaluated.

Product Packaging↗
PubMed1997

European and US quality system requirements for packaging.

The packaging of medical devices bearing the CE mark must comply with the European Directives for medical devices. Packaging of medical devices marketed in the United States (US) must meet US requirements. Although these requirements are more stringent for sterile products, they apply to sterile and non-sterile products. This article will discuss the requirements, US guidance for complying with them, and some of the international and European standards for packaging that are available or being prepared.

Equipment and Supplies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

An international standard for terminally sterilized medical device packaging.

Manufacturers of terminally sterilized medical devices must ensure that packaging protects the device from damage, allows it to be sterilized, and provides an effective barrier against microbiological contamination. The previous article in this column discussed quality system requirements for packaging. Recently, an international standard concerning sterile packaging has been developed and this article provides an overview of the standard.

Equipment and Supplies↗
PubMed1998

Determining permeability and diffusion rates in polymer films and packaging materials.

This article describes a rapid and effective means of calculating diffusion and permeability constants for a range of polymer films and packaging materials with various vapours. The sealed diffusion-cell method, in combination with a high performance DVS-1 gravimetric analysis system, provides fundamental data for thin films and rapid screening of composite films when designing advanced packaging systems or calculating potential shelf-life of packaged devices.

Diffusion↗
PubMed2002

[Substance migration and health quality of packaged food].

According to legislation the producer is responsible for the product. Products placed on the market must be safe and the relevant documentation confirming the conformity of the product with the accepted limits of global and specific migration must be available from the producer. The provisions concerning acceptable migration limits (global and specific), stimulants and testing methods are set by the relevant regulations. Distilled water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol and olive oil are used as stimulants of foodstuffs. The choice of an appropriate stimulant and testing conditions depends on the type of food expected to come in contact with packaging. According to provisions testing should be performed in the conditions, which possibly closely reflect actual or expected use of the packaging material, taking into account storage of the product as well as possible thermal processing. Test methods for global migration into stimulants using the cell, pouch, by immerse or by article filling are recommended. The criteria used to choose an appropriate testing method are set in European Standards EN 1186. A product meets the quality criteria as set by the legislation if the global migration from the packaging into stimulants does not exceed value of 10 mg/dm2 or 60 mg/kg and if the specific migration limit (SML), set for given substance is not exceeded.

European Union↗
PubMed2002

[A new method of testing the effectiveness of sterile packaging in general practice].

The aim of our study was to develop a practical test for assessing the effectiveness of the microbial barrier of packaging materials for sterile products. The suitability of the test was verified in the exemplary case of double-wrapped sterilized trays. During testing, the bacterial count of the ambient air was 35 and 440 colony-forming units/cubic metre. The test is based on the co-sterilization in the sterile packing of petri dishes containing CASO agar, which at the end of the test were investigated for re-contamination. The petri dishes covered the sterilizing sieves as completely as possible. After sterilization, the packaging was loaded 300 to 900 times at a pressure of 1 kg (5x/min). This was followed by incubation for 48 hours at 37 degrees C, and evaluation (No. of colonies). The ability of the agar to culture colonies of bacteria was preserved unchanged for a period of at least 3 weeks after sterilization. For double-wrapped trays it was shown that re-contamination increases with intensity of mechanical loading and the atmospheric bacterial count. Since the package was breached only for the analysis, confounding factors due to removal of contents for examination, were effectively excluded. This test procedure is characterised by simplicity in handling and high specificity. As a final pack test it effectively closes a gap in the quality assurance chain for sterile materials.

Agar↗
PubMed2003

Myths and realities in medical packaging.

This round-up of packaging myths provides a reality check on the real world of packaging medical products. Table I shows medical device FDA-assisted recalls due to packaging failures.

Device Approval↗
PubMed2003

[Improved medicine lists with multi-dose packaging?].

BACKGROUND: In a part of Oslo, Norway, the community care services use multi-dose packed medicines for some of their clients. We wanted to investigate whether this improved quality as compared to manually dispensed medicines. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We included 20 patients who received multi-dose packaged medicines, and 33 patients in two other districts who received manually dispensed medicines, and recorded disagreements between what daily medicines the general practitioner had prescribed and those that were dispensed by the community care service or the multi-dose packager. RESULTS: The 53 patients received a total of 324 daily medicines. Disagreements were found in 23% of all daily medicines, involving 58% of patients. In addition, deficiencies in the information on medication were found in 6% of all daily doses. For patients who received multi-dose packaged medicines, disagreements were found in relation to 21 % of the drugs. For patients who received manually dispensed medicines, disagreements were found in 17% and 33% of the medicines lists in the two districts. INTERPRETATION: The disagreements found between the medication prescribed by doctors and what was dispensed were unacceptable regardless of dispensing method (manual or automatic). It is important to clarify who should be responsible for maintaining accurate records for patients who receive community care.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Assessment of the probability of encountering staphylococcal enterotoxins in lactic acid cheese packaged in laminates].

Immunoassay methods were used to identify the presence of staphylococcal enterotoxins in lactic acid cheese vacuum and non-vacuum packed. There was assessed the probability of encountering staphylococcal enterotoxin in cheese dependent on different systems of packaging, count of staphylococcal cells, intensiveness of coagulase synthesis and tightness of packaging. The presence of enterotoxin was identified in 5% of researched samples of products stored for 14 days. The influence of packaging system and tightness on presence of enterotoxin was observed. The probability of presence of staphylococcal and enterotoxin in relation to researched factors was presented by the mathematical models.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Pedigree analysis package (PAP) vs. MORGAN: model selection and hypothesis testing on a large pedigree.

The MORGAN package of programs is compared to a commonly used package, PAP, with respect to model selection in segregation analysis of a quantitative trait. MORGAN uses Monte Carlo Markov chain (MCMC) methods to estimate the likelihood, whereas both versions of PAP used employ an approximation to the likelihood for the mixed model. Comparisons are done by using results obtained from simulated data. All simulations were done on the same 232-member pedigree using data generated under each of several variations of models, which included different combinations of environmental, polygenic, and major gene components. PAP, version 4.0, and MORGAN gave similar results with respect to model selection for the majority of situations, suggesting that MCMC methods provide a computationally tractable approach for analysis of more complex models that cannot be analyzed by more direct computational methods. PAP, version 3.0, gave somewhat more disparate results compared with either PAP version 4.0 or MORGAN. Both MORGAN and the two versions of PAP confirmed that the major gene component is much easier to detect in the presence of some dominance. All three packages frequently falsely accepted the polygenic model when there was high residual heritability.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1976

Formation of packaging units in circket late spermatid nuclei as visualized by spreading techniques (1).

The nuclear organization of a particular step of cricket late spermiogenesis was examined by an electron microscope study of spermatids dispersed by air-liquid surface tension. Cell spreading techniques facilitate a display of condensing spermatid nuclei sufficient to allow interpretation of chromatin packaging processes. Results indicate that nuclei of late developing cricket spermatids are integrated by multiple packaging units as the result of an orderly aggregation of individual chromatin fibers. Each packaging unit consists of a thick fasicle, formed by the alignment of smooth chromatin fibers, which frays out into tassels of looped fibers.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Melanie II--a third-generation software package for analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis images: I. Features and user interface.

Although two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) computer analysis software packages have existed ever since 2-DE technology was developed, it is only now that the hardware and software technology allows large-scale studies to be performed on low-cost personal computers or workstations, and that setting up a 2-DE computer analysis system in a small laboratory is no longer considered a luxury. After a first attempt in the seventies and early eighties to develop 2-DE analysis software systems on hardware that had poor or even no graphical capabilities, followed in the late eighties by a wave of innovative software developments that were possible thanks to new graphical interface standards such as XWindows, a third generation of 2-DE analysis software packages has now come to maturity. It can be run on a variety of low-cost, general-purpose personal computers, thus making the purchase of a 2-DE analysis system easily attainable for even the smallest laboratory that is involved in proteome research. Melanie II 2-D PAGE, developed at the University Hospital of Geneva, is such a third-generation software system for 2-DE analysis. Based on unique image processing algorithms, this user-friendly object-oriented software package runs on multiple platforms, including Unix, MS-Windows 95 and NT, and Power Macintosh. It provides efficient spot detection and quantitation, state-of-the-art image comparison, statistical data analysis facilities, and is Internet-ready. Linked to proteome databases such as those available on the World Wide Web, it represents a valuable tool for the "Virtual Lab" of the post-genome area.

Algorithms↗