Effect of storage temperaturas on growth and survival of Escherichia coli 0157: H7 inoculated in foods from a neotropical environment

Escherichia coli 0157: H7 has emerged as a new pathogen and is found worldwide. We studied the effect of several storage temperatures on the survival of this bacterium in common foods from a neotropical environment (Costa Rica) because at least seven clinical cases have been reported from the country, and no epidemiological link or probable food association has been described. High (106- 108 CFU/ml) and low (104-106 CFU/ml) populations of E. coli were inoculated (three replications) in ground meat, chopped cabbage, chicken giblets and pasteurized milk and incubated at 0, 6 and 12 °C for 24, 48 and 72 h. Vegetables and milk were also stored at 22 °C for the sarne periods.The E. coli 0157: H7 enumeration was done according to the methodology describes in the Bacteriological Analytical Manual. Populations of E. coli 0157: H7 showed either an increasing or decreasing trend, according to temperature, time or food base. Our data indicate that E. coli 0157: H7 is capable of surviving and growing in meat, cabbage, milk and chicken giblets; food items commonly consunied by Costa Ricans.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Arias,María Laura, Monge-Rojas,Rafael, Chaves,Carolina, Antillón,Florencia
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Universidad de Costa Rica 2001
Online Access:http://www.scielo.sa.cr/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-77442001000200010
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