Estimation of microbial numbers in foods by conventional microbiological techniques takes days, so there is a need for faster methods that can give results in minutes. Research was undertaken to investigate the use of bioluminescent ATP determination and a firefly luciferase assay to estimate the initial population of aerobic mesophilic bacteria on fresh-cut melons immediately after preparation...

Salmonella has been associated with some of the most devastating foodborne outbreaks in recent history. Salmonella outbreaks have been linked to a variety of foods including produce [Alfalfa Sprouts2009, 2010, 2011; pistachios-2009; cantaloupes-2008, 2011 etc.], processed foods [peanuts – 2009], and prepared foods [turkey burgers2011, Banquet Pot Pies – 2007]. The contamination of commercial sh...

As stated in the above-mentioned paper (pi), several writers have reported a root rot or wilt of alfalfa with which a species of Fusarium has been associated. Cottam (3) states that the pathogenicity of a root disease of alfalfa in Utah has been traced to the activity of a Fusarium. He describes this disease as being characterized by brown cankerous depressions at the bases of lateral roots, wh...

Over the past few years, foodborne disease outbreaks linked to enteric pathogens present on cantaloupe and watermelon surfaces have raised concerns in the melon industry. This research evaluated the effectiveness of commercially available produce sanitizers against selected foodborne pathogens, both in cell suspensions and on the outer rind surface of melons. The sanitizers (65 and 200 ppm of c...

With the aid of a sulfur-specific flame photometric detector, an emission of volatile sulfur was detected from leaves of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), squash and pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo L.), cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The emission was studied in detail in squash and pumpkin. It occurred following treatm...

Cronobacter sakazakii has been isolated from a wide range of environmental sources and from several foods of animal and plant origin. While infections caused by C. sakazakii have predominantly involved neonates and infants, its presence on or in foods other than powdered infant formula raises concern about the safety risks these foods pose to immunocompromised consumers. We have done a series o...

This study was undertaken to determine the quality of packaged fresh cut cantaloupe subjected to transport vibration after treating with various anti-browning agents. Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) pieces were dipped in two anti-browning solutions: Treat­ ment-A (2% ascorbic acid + 1% calcium chloride + 0.5% citric acid) and Treatment-B (3% NatureSealTM) for 2 minutes and packaged in bio-based clams...

An oligonucleotide probe that becomes fluorescent upon hybridization to the target DNA (molecular beacon; MB) was evaluated in a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect the presence of Salmonella species. As few as 1-4 colony-forming units (CFU) per PCR reaction could be detected. The capability of the assay to detect Salmonella species from artificially inoculated fresh-cut p...

Recent studies demonstrated that ultraviolet (UV) radiation enhanced terpenoids and decreased esters in thin-sliced cantaloupe. In preliminary studies treating fresh juices with UV, terpenoid compounds that normally were not isolated, or found in minute quantities, were elevated and only low molecular weight alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes decreased. Subsequently terpenoid induction/oxidation ...

The effect of mild heat fruit pre-treatment on some properties of fresh-cut cantaloupe melon during storage was determined. Whole fruit, previously held at 4 C, was immersed in heated water (60 C) with and without dissolved calcium lactate (1%). Fresh-cut processing was done immediately, either after treatment or after storage at 4 C for 24 h. Headspace gas accumulation during storage indicated...