Project Number: 1935-41420-007-08
Project Type:

Start Date: Sep 01, 2003
End Date: Sep 30, 2005

Objective:
Evaluate CDG Technology, Gas:Solid chlorine dioxide generator, for efficacy in inactivating human pathogens or their surrogates on fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables, and the potential for synergism with decontamination treatments developed at ERRC.

Approach:
Research will be conducted to determine the effective doses of ClO2 gas needed to inactivate human pathogens or their surrogates attached to the surface of representative fruits and vegetables including apples, cantaloupe melons, and alfalfa seeds/sprouts. ClO2 gas treatments will be compared with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), hot water surface pasteurization treatment, and chlorine as points of reference. Pathogens will include Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp, and Listeria monocytogenes. Produce will be inoculated under conditions simulating natural contamination prior to treatment with ClO2 gas. Initial studies will be conducted with human pathogens in the microbiology laboratories of the research unit using a laboratory scale ClO2 generator. Large-scale produce decontamination trials will be conducted in the Biosafety Level 2 (BSL-2) Pilot Plant with produce inoculated with human pathogens or their surrogates, using commercial-type ClO2 gas generator and an ERRC designed fumigation system. Such research will provide critical information needed to establish the utility of ClO2 gas treatment as a produce sanitizer. Additional research will be conducted to determine whether combination treatments comprising the ClO2 gas, preceded or followed by a complementary treatment such as surface pasteurization, are synergistic in inactivating human pathogens or their surrogates. These studies will provide information needed for development of an integrated produce decontamination process, one of the goals of the BSL-2 pilot plant research program.

Project Team

Annous, Bassam Tom McWhorter - President 215-233-6797

Related National Programs

Food Safety, (animal and plant products) (108)