Use of mathematic models to describe the microbial inactivation on baby carrots by gaseous chlorine dioxide

This study investigated the behavior of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), Salmonella, and potential surrogate bacteria (nonpathogenic E. attenuated Salmonella) subjected to gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2). Pathogenic were separately inoculated on carrots (400 g) treated with ClO2 at low (1 or high (6 precursor inputs for 0, 15, 30, 60 min in a 35 L enclosed chamber. Overall, significant log reductions (P < 0.05) observed all treatments after 30 compared untreated control. The Weibull model demonstrated better fit experimental data (RMSE = 0.0–0.2), first-order 0.3–0.9), which indicated nonlinear trend. calculated times 3-log reduction g precursor) 15.6 60.3 24.6 31.3 pathogen counterparts, respectively. Whereas precursor), achieve increased 110.3 816.6 805.3 409.5 pathogenic provided useful treatment concentrations an effective microbial via modeling. In addition, surrogates validated future pilot-scale trials processing environment.