Microbial safety considerations of flooding in primary production of leafy greens: A case study

• Published in: Food research international Vol. 68; pp. 62 - 69
• Main Authors: Castro-Ibáñez, I., Gil, M.I., Tudela, J.A., Allende, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2015
• Subjects: E. coli; Flood event; Heavy rain; Indicator microorganisms; Listeria monocytogenes; Salmonella; VTEC; Salmonella; Indicator microorganisms; VTEC; Heavy rain; Listeria monocytogenes; Flood event; E. coli
• ISSN: 0963-9969; 1873-7145
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2014.05.065

This study evaluated the effects of a flood event, floodplain and climatic parameters on microbial contamination of leafy greens grown in the floodplains. Additionally, correlations between pathogenic bacteria and levels of indicator microorganisms have been also determined. To diagnose the microbial contamination after the flood event, sampling was carried out in weeks 1, 3, 5 and 7 after the flooding in four flooded lettuce fields. To assess the impact of flooding on the microbial contamination of leafy greens, indicator microorganisms (coliforms, Escherichia coli and Enterococcus) and pathogenic microorganisms (Salmonella spp., VTEC (E. coli O157:H7 and other verocytotoxin producing E. coli, O26, O103, O111, O145) and Listeria monocytogenes) were evaluated. Irrigation water, soil and lettuce samples showed levels of coliforms and E. coli higher than 5 and 3logcfu/g or 100mL, respectively when sampled 1week after flooding. However, bacterial counts drastically declined three weeks after the flooding. Climatic conditions after flooding, particularly the solar radiation (6–8MJ/m2), affected the survival of bacteria in the field. L. monocytogenes was not detected in lettuce samples, except for 2 samples collected 3weeks after the flooding. The presence of Salmonella was detected in irrigation water, soil and lettuce by multiplex PCR one week after the flooding, but only 2 samples of soil and 1 sample of water were confirmed by colony isolation. Verotoxigenic E. coli was detected in soil and lettuce samples by multiplex PCR. Therefore, the implication of flood water as the source of VTEC contamination of soil and lettuce was not clear. E. coli counts in irrigation water were positively correlated with those in lettuce. A significant correlation (P<0.005) was found between the presence of pathogens and E. coli counts, highlighting a higher probability of detection of pathogens when high levels of E. coli are found. The results obtained in the present study confirm previous knowledge which defined flooding as a main risk factor for the microbial contamination of leafy greens. •Four flooded lettuce fields were sampled 1, 3, 5 and 7weeks after the flood event.•Coliform (>6 logs) and E. coli (>·3 logs) levels were found after flooding.•The initial coliform and E. coli levels drastically declined after 3weeks.•The high solar radiation seemed determinant for the bacterial reduction.•Salmonella was detected by multiplex PCR in water, soil and lettuce after flooding.•The probability of pathogen detection was higher with high indicator levels.