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EVEC Microgreens
Persistence and Transfer of Foodborne Pathogens to Sunflower and Pea Shoot Microgreens during Production in Soil-Free Cultivation Matrix
Microgreens are an emerging salad crop with properties similar to those of sprouted seeds and lettuce. This study aimed to determine bacterial pathogen per
Wenjun Deng, Gina Misra, Christopher A. Baker, Kristen E. Gibson
Horticulturae · 2021 · https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110446
Abstract
Microgreens are an emerging salad crop with properties similar to those of sprouted seeds and lettuce. This study aimed to determine bacterial pathogen persistence during microgreen cultivation and transfer from soil-free cultivation matrix (SFCM) to mature microgreens. Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica ser. Javiana and Listeria monocytogenes were inoculated onto biostrate mats as well as peat SFCM and sampled (day 0). Next, sunflower and pea shoot seeds were planted (day 0) and grown in a controlled environment until the microgreen harvest (day 10). On day 10, SFCM and microgreens were sampled to determine the pathogen levels in the SFCM and the pathogen transfer to microgreens during production. Salmonella Javiana log CFU/g were significantly higher than L. monocytogenes in SFCM on day 10 in both planted and unplanted regions (p < 0.05). Significant differences in pathogen transfer (log CFU/g) were observed between the pea shoot and sunflower microgreens, regardless of the pathogen or SFCM type (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, pathogen transfer to the pea shoot and sunflower microgreens from the biostrate was 1.53 (95% CI: −0.75–3.81) and 5.29 (95% CI: 3.01–7.57) mean log CFU/g, respectively, and transfer from the peat was 0.00 (95% CI: −2.28–2.28) and 2.64 (95% CI: 0.36–4.92) mean log CFU/g, respectively. Results demonstrate that pathogen transfer to microgreens during production is influenced by SFCM and microgreen variety.
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How to credit this work
Wenjun Deng; Gina Misra; Christopher A. Baker; Kristen E. Gibson (2021). Persistence and Transfer of Foodborne Pathogens to Sunflower and Pea Shoot Microgreens during Production in Soil-Free Cultivation Matrix. Horticulturae. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae7110446 Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Hosted by EVEC Athens (microgreens.org.gr). No changes were made to this article. Provided as-is, without warranties. EVEC Athens is not affiliated with, and this copy is not endorsed by, the authors or the publisher.
Explore this on our site
- How to grow it: Lettuce microgreens — growing guide
- How to grow it: Pea microgreens — growing guide
- How to grow it: Sunflower microgreens — growing guide
- Related reading: International sanitary guidelines for the planting and distribution of microgreens and sprouts
- Related reading: Microgreens vs mature versions
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