International Specialty Supply
Supplying Sprout Companies Throughout the World
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International Specialty Supply Supplying Sprout Companies Throughout the World
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820 East 20th Street Cookeville, TN 38501 USA 931 526 1106
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Growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 during sprouting of
alfalfa seeds Aims:Escherichia coli O157:H7 was monitored daily during sprouting of alfalfa seeds inoculated at high (3·92 log10 cfu g1) and low (1·86 log10 cfu g1) levels to assess the extent of pathogen growth during production. Methods and Results: Sprouts and rinse water were tested by direct and membrane filter plating on modified sorbitol MacConkey agar and BCM O157:H7(+) agar; the antibody-direct epifluorescent filter technique; and rapid immunoassays. The pathogen reached maximum populations after one and two days of sprouting seeds inoculated at high and low levels, respectively; in either case, populations of 5-6 log10 cfu g1 were reached. Detection limits of two rapid immunoassays, Reveal and VIP, without enrichment were determined to be 5-7 log10 cfu ml1. Conclusions: These results show the ability of E. coli O157:H7 to grow to high levels during sprouting; however, because these levels may be below detection limits, it is necessary to include enrichment when monitoring sprout production for E. coli O157:H7 by the rapid test kits. Significance and Impact of the Study: The data indicate that sprouts may harbor high levels of pathogens. The appropriate use of rapid test methods for pathogen monitoring during sprouting is indicated. |