Microbiologic study of the process of washing and freezing strawberry inoculated with E. coli

ANDUNI GUILLERMO; GUERRERO AGUSTINA; NÚÑEZ CAROLINA; MOCOROA FERNANDO; MONTIVERO MARÍA; GUSILS CARLOS; RUIZ MARCELO

BIOCELL

Instituto de Histología y Embriología "Dr. Mario H. Burgos". CONICET

Lugar: Mendoza; Año: 2008 vol. 32 p. 94 - 94

0327-9545

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of washing on strawberry natural microbial population and inoculation with E. coli. Strawberry samples were inoculated with different doses (102 to 104 CFU/g) of E. coli. The strawberry samples were washed with water and sodium hypochlorite, respecting industrial procedures and then frozen at -20°C. Samples were taken in triplicate to count mesophillic microbial flora and E. coli, using normalized methods. It was observed that the degree of decline in the stock of mesophillic microorganisms caused by washing fruit with water and sodium hypochlorite depends on the dose inoculated. Freezing led to a significant decrease in the count with the three doses of E. coli. A complete elimination of the pathogen was only achieved with the lowest inoculation dose. Freezing led to total elimination of E. coli, after washing fruit with water only or with hypochlorite. It is important to monitor the efficiency of strawberry washing processes and freezing conditions to ensure the elimination of pathogens