IMPACT OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES ON THERMAL INACTIVATION OF FOODBORNE PATHOGENS

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this project are: to determine the impact of multiple food barriers on the thermal destruction of foodborne pathogenic bacteria; to elucidate the biochemical basis of heat resistance of vegetative foodborne pathogens; and to develop sensitive detection methods for heat-injured foodborne pathogens in food systems.

APPROACH: The interaction of food and environmental factors on the thermal inactivation offoodborne pathogenic bacteria in foods such as ground beef, pork sausages, and sous vide chicken will be investigated. These foods will be inoculated with pathogenic bacteria, and heated in a conventional oven, microwave oven, or water bath. Thermal inactivation data will be fitted to various models using ABACUS - an interactive program for non linear regression analysis to select the best model. To determine the relationship between environmental stresses and enhanced thermotolerance cells will be subjected to stress (eg. pH, salt, or heat shock) prior to heating. Where increased thermotolerance is noted, appropriate analytical techniques will be used to determine whether nucleic acids, proteins, enzymes, or membranes are targets of heat-induced cell damage. Strictly anaerobic resuscitation systems will be tested in combination with PCR-based techniques for detection of low numbers of heat-injured pathogens in food systems.

PROGRESS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

The objectives of this study are: (a) to determine the impact of multiple food barriers on the thermal destruction of foodborne pathogens, (b) to assess the best ways to analyze thermal inactivation data using various models, © to develop sensitive detection methods for heat-injures foodborne pathogens in food systems. Experiments are in progress.

PUBLICATIONS: 1999/01 TO 1999/12

No publications reported this period

PROJ NO: NCX-9703110 AGENCY: CSRS NC.X
PROJ TYPE: SPECIAL GRANT PROJ. STATUS: EXTENDED
CONTRACT/GRANT/AGREEMENT NO: 97-38814-4152
START: 01 SEP 1997 TERM: 31 AUG 2002 FY: 1999 GRANT YR: 1997

INVESTIGATOR: Mendonca, A.; Hinds, M.; Willis, W.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
HUMAN ENVIRONMENT & FAMILY SCI
NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIV
GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA 27411