Irradiation D values of Salmonella spp. in diced tomatoes dipped in 1% calcium chloride

Foodborne Pathog Dis. 2007 Spring;4(1):84-8. doi: 10.1089/fpd.2006.70.

Abstract

Outbreaks of salmonellosis have been associated with eating raw domestic tomatoes. In this study, we examined the efficiency of combined irradiation and a 1% calcium chloride dip to reduce the population of Salmonella enterica strains on diced tomatoes. Tomatoes were contaminated with nalidixic acid-resistant strains of S. Hartford, S. Montevideo, or a mixture of 5 strains (S. Hartford, S. Montevideo, S. Poona, S. Michigan, S. Gaminara). We irradiated tomatoes at various doses up to 0.9 kGy from an electron beam source to conduct a D-value study (decimal reduction time required to eliminate 90% of the organism). Surviving Salmonella populations were detected by standard and recovery plating methods. D-value results ranged from 0.26 to 0.39 kGy, indicating that a 5 log(10) CFU/g reduction in Salmonella spp. in diced tomatoes would require a dose of 1.3-1.95 kGy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Calcium Chloride / pharmacology*
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Consumer Product Safety
  • Disinfectants / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Food Contamination / prevention & control
  • Food Irradiation*
  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Preservation / methods*
  • Gamma Rays
  • Humans
  • Salmonella / drug effects
  • Salmonella / growth & development
  • Salmonella / radiation effects*
  • Solanum lycopersicum / microbiology*

Substances

  • Disinfectants
  • Calcium Chloride