Identifier

etd-11152006-090410

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

School of Nutrition and Food Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

In the last few decades, fresh-cut fruit products have gained popularity with consumers. They require little to no further processing prior to consumption. Fresh-cut products also make fruits and vegetables more conveniently available to consumers year-round. There are limitations, however, to fresh-cut fruit and vegetables in the marketplace. These products are very perishable and could become contaminated with foodborne pathogens. Most fresh-cut fruits and vegetables will only last a short period of time at refrigerator temperatures. There are many possible routes of bacterial contamination in the fresh-cut produce industry. There is a need for antimicrobial compounds that can be applied to fruits and vegetables to help maintain the shelf-life of these products without greatly altering their sensory qualities. Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) have both been shown to have antimicrobial effects. This study was conducted to determine if cetylpyridinium chloride and acidified sodium chlorite would be effective in reducing E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella Montevideo, and Shigella sonnei on the surface of inoculated and stored fresh-cut cantaloupe cubes. The effect of these compounds on the physiological quality of fresh-cut cantaloupe cubes was also investigated. Results obtained from this study show that both compounds were effective in significantly reducing the three pathogens. Significant reductions were achieved during both a preliminary 24 hour storage study and a 12 day shelf life study for all three pathogens. The 1.00% CPC and 1000 ppm ASC concentrations were most effective at reducing the three pathogens. It was also determined that CPC and ASC did not greatly affect the physiological quality (°Brix, firmness, color) of fresh-cut cubes stored at refrigerator temperatures for up to fourteen days. Treatment of fresh-cut cantaloupe cubes with CPC caused significant interaction effects between treatment levels and sampling day on the recovery of several characteristic impact flavor and aroma compounds (CIFAC). Concentrations of ASC caused significantly higher levels of certain volatiles to be recovered over the 14 day study.

Date

2006

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Marlene E. Janes

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.2810

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