RASFF – candies from Ukraine infested with moulds (9500 CFU/g) in Estonia
RASFF – Greek yoghurt from Germany infested with moulds and with yeasts in the Netherlands
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Category Archives: Yeasts
Research – The effect of gamma irradiation on microbial load of purple basil (Ocimum bacilicum L.) leaves dried in different methods
Abstract
The effect of different drying methods on microbial load of the purple basil leaves was studied with sunlight drying, convective drying at 50 °C, a microwave drying at 460 W and freeze‐drying. Microbial contamination control was evaluated using a gamma irradiation method at 10 kGy. Microbial analysis of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and, yeast and molds count were performed. The results showed that the dried materials were contaminated with aerobic mesophilic bacteria which varied from 5.25 to 6.31 log cfu/g, and yeasts and molds 4.92–5.35 log cfu/g. The lower numbers of total mesophilic bacteria and yeasts and molds were counted in purple basil leaves dried by microwave and convective methods. According to the International standards, the dried purple basil leaves of the total aerobic mesophilic bacteria and yeasts and molds counts were unsatisfactory. No microorganisms were detected after gamma‐irradiation dose of 10 kGy.
Practical applications
Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an aromatic and medicinal plant for cooking and seasoning, and it is commercialized in both fresh and dried forms. The leaves can be used as a spice in fresh or dried form for adding distinctive aroma and flavor in food or for medicinal purposes such as inflammations, colds, headaches, and cosmetics. Several drying methods have been applied for the basil leaves. However, to reduce microbial load, it is important to implement the gamma‐irradiation process. This study was done to investigate the microbial load and the effect of different methods of drying treatment (sunlight, convective, microwave, freeze‐drying, and gamma irradiation) on microbial load of dried purple basil leaves.
Research – Microbial quality of edible grasshoppers Ruspolia differens (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae): From wild harvesting to fork in the Kagera Region, Tanzania
Abstract
In Tanzania, edible Ruspolia differens are still harvested from the natural environments. In this perspective, little is known about the microbiological quality of wild harvested R. differens. This study was conducted to assess the microbiological quality of wild harvested R. differens and evaluate the efficacy of conventional processing methods in reducing microbial load. Two districts (Bukoba rural and Muleba) within the Kagera region were purposively selected for the study. Sampling was done from the same batches along the R. differens food chain as follows: (a) at harvest points in the villages, (b) after transportation to the market and plucking of wings and legs, (c) after rinsing with potable tap water, and (d) after processing using conventional methods. Generally, high microbial counts, that is, total viable aerobic count (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, bacterial endospores, and yeasts and molds were observed in raw R. differenssamples. A significant increase in microbial counts after transportation and plucking was only observed for TVC, bacterial endospores, and yeasts and molds. A statistically significant reduction in all types of counts, with the exception of bacterial endospores, was observed after processing. All processed samples analyzed were devoid of salmonellae, Listeria monocytogenes, and Escherichia coli.
Practical applications
Although commonly used processing methods of Ruspolia differens were effective in reducing microbial load, bacterial endospores were hardly eliminated and could pose a health hazard to consumers; thus, improved handling of R. differens along the food chain could reduce such risks.
Research – Survival of food‐borne bacterial pathogens in traditional Mediterranean anchovy products
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the survival of Salmonella Enteritidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes in salted and marinated anchovy (Engraulis encrasicholus). Total viable counts (TVCs), lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and yeasts/molds were also enumerated. Initially, TVC was as high as 5.5 log10 cfu/g, but the population dropped down to 3.2 and 2.2 log10 CFU/g for salted and marinated anchovy, respectively. S. aureus was the most salt‐tolerant and L. monocytogenes was the most acid‐tolerant microorganism. A biphasic inactivation of S. Enteriditis and L. monocytogenes was apparent during the 8‐hr marination process, implying adaptation and resistance to low pH. Results suggest that salting or marinating of anchovy creates an environment in which pathogenic bacteria are inactivated. However, inherent resistance or possible adaptation to stresses can result to prolonged inactivation times; hence it is important to avoid contamination with high numbers of food‐borne pathogens.
Practical applications
Many food‐borne bacterial pathogens can survive at low pH and aw, especially in cases in which they might adapt to the imposed stresses and become resistant. Knowing the time required to reduce food‐borne pathogens is of great interest for ensuring safety of traditional seafood.
Posted in Enterobacteriaceae, Food Hygiene, Food Inspections, Food Micro Blog, Food Microbiology, Food Microbiology Blog, Food Pathogen, Food Safety, Food Testing, lactic acid bacteria, Listeria, Listeria monocytogenes, Moulds, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Total Viable Count, Uncategorized, Yeasts
Research -Characterisation of Croatian honey by physicochemical and microbiological parameters with mold identification
Abstract
Honey is an important food supplement in the human diet because of its nutritional quality. Therefore, honey should be safe for human consumption. The purpose of this research was to evaluate physicochemical and microbiological properties of 64 honey samples. The physicochemical analysis (water content, hydroxymethylfurfural, electrical conductivity and diastase activity) showed that 95.31% of samples meet Croatian and European standards. Microbiological quality of tested samples was considered good with no pathogenic bacteria detected. In 34.38% of the samples, the yeast and mold count exceeded the limit established by legislation. The presence of yeasts was noted in 17 samples varying from 18 to 1300 CFU/g, whereas mold count ranged from 18 to 182 CFU/g. The study revealed that out of six genera of molds recovered, Cladosporium was the most frequent, followed by Alternaria, Penicillium, Mucor, Aureobasidium, and Stachybotrys. Considering that the majority of molds identified in this study are commonly found in bee hive environment and in digestive tract of honey bees, it can be concluded that the mold contamination of honey in this study derives mainly from primary sources. The presence of Stachybotrys sp. is an indicator of contamination that comes from secondary sources.
Practical applications
Due to continuous expansion of the world honey market and increasing awareness of consumers towards healthy food, the importance of quality control of honey has also grown. In respond to these demands, this study presents physicochemical and microbiological properties of different types of Croatian honey, with special emphasis laid on the identification of the present molds in incompatible samples. The results of this study provide useful data that Croatian honey has good level of quality and contribute to better understanding of the genera of molds present in the honey from this region.
RASFF Alert – Yeasts – Organic Teriyaki Sauce
RASFF-high count of yeasts in organic teriyaki sauce from the Netherlands in the Netherlands
UK – FSA Recall – Benecol – Yeast Fermentation
Johnson & Johnson Ltd has recalled several batches of Benecol® Peach & Apricot Yogurt Drink on a precautionary basis, because of possible yeast fermentation. If you have bought this product, please do not drink it. The Agency has issued a Product Recall Information Notice.
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