Evaluation of Single or Double Hurdle Sanitizer Applications in Simulated Field or Packing Shed Operations for Cantaloupes Contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes

Cathy C. Webb, Marilyn C. Erickson, Lindsey E. Davey and Michael P. Doyle
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Cathy C. Webb: Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, 1109 Experiment Street, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA
Marilyn C. Erickson: Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, 1109 Experiment Street, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA
Lindsey E. Davey: Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, 1109 Experiment Street, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA
Michael P. Doyle: Center for Food Safety, Department of Food Science and Technology, 1109 Experiment Street, University of Georgia, Griffin, GA 30223, USA

Agriculture, 2015, vol. 5, issue 2, 1-14

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes contamination of cantaloupes has become a serious concern as contaminated cantaloupes led to a deadly outbreak in the United States in 2011. To reduce cross-contamination between cantaloupes and to reduce resident populations on contaminated melons, application of sanitizers in packing shed wash water is recommended. The sanitizing agent of 5% levulinic acid and 2% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) applied as a single hurdle in either a simulated dump or dip treatment significantly reduced L. monocytogenes to lower levels at the stem scar compared to a simulated dump treatment employing 200 ppm chlorine; however pathogen reductions on the rind tissue were not significantly different. Double hurdle approaches employing two sequential packing plant treatments with different sanitizers revealed decreased reduction of L. monocytogenes at the stem scar. In contrast, application of sanitizers both in the field and at the packing plant led to greater L. monocytogenes population reductions than if sanitizers were only applied at the packing plant.

Keywords: levulinic acid; sodium dodecyl sulfate; cantaloupes; stem scar; Listeria monocytogenes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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