Dados do Trabalho

Título

BEHAVIOR OF Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis IN A MUSTARD MICROGREEN CULTIVATION SYSTEM

Introdução

Microgreens are microscale vegetables that have been widespread since the 2000s due to interest in functional foods. However, their high nutritional content, cultivation and maintenance conditions allow them to be potential sources of pathogens associated with foodborne diseases. Thus, this study aimed simulate a soil contamination scenario during mustard microgreen cultivation and evaluate the behavior of Salmonella.

Material e Métodos

A microgreen cultivation system (MCS) was set up, where microgreens were cultivated for 8 days. Salmonella Enteritidis was inoculated into the soil at 3.6 Log CFU/g. Soil analysis was carried out every 3 hours in the first 12h of cultivation and for the remaining 7 days, samples were collected once a day. Microgreens were analyzed from the fourth day and irrigation water from the fifth day.

Resultados e Discussão

Salmonella levels in the soil reached 8.2 Log CFU/g in 24 hours and remained constant at 8.2±0.1 Log CFU/g until day 4. From day 5, the population began to fall until the last day, where it reached 7.5 Log CFU/g. For microgreens, it was observed that at the beginning (day 4) the population was 8.07 Log CFU/g, and there was a drop on the last day to 7.8 Log CFU/g. The first capillary irrigation of the microgreens occurred on the fourth day of cultivation. After 24h, it was observed that the levels of Salmonella in the wastewater were 5.8 Log CFU/g and increased until the last day, where it was 6.3 Log CFU/g.

Conclusão

The maintenance of the S. Enteritidis population in the soil is due to the high organic matter, as well as the temperature (26±1ºC) and humidity (60-70%). The contact of the seeds with the contaminated soil possibly caused the transfer of Salmonella to the microgreens. Concerning that wastewater has a lower value, it may be because microgreens absorb water through their roots and can carry the Salmonella into the plant tissue. Furthermore, this microorganism could also be returning to the soil. In conclusion, the MCS is sensitive to contamination. Microgreens can be vehicles for foodborne diseases, requiring a more in-depth investigation of the effects of the variables participating in this process to control them better.