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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Albany, California » Western Regional Research Center » Healthy Processed Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #290177
Title: Apple, carrot, and hibiscus edible films containing plant antimicrobials inactivate Salmonella Newport in packaged organic leafy greens

Author
item ZHU, LIBIN - University Of Arizona
item Olsen, Carl
item McHugh, Tara
item Friedman, Mendel
item JARONI, DIVYA - Oklahoma State University
item RAVISHANKAR, SADHANA - University Of Arizona

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The increased demand for organic leafy green may raise the risk of foodborne illness outbreaks due to consumption of contaminated produce. Edible films incorporated with natural antimicrobials have the potential to be used as ingredients into organic bagged salads to control contamination from pathogenic bacteria. The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial effects of GRAS-listed carvacrol (the main ingredient of oregano oil) and cinnamaldehyde (the main ingredient of cinnamon oil) incorporated into apple, carrot and hibiscus-based edible films against Salmonella Newport in bagged organic leafy greens. The leafy greens tested included romaine and iceberg lettuce, and mature and baby spinach. Each leafy green sample was washed, dip inoculated with S. Newport (107 CFU/ml) and dried. Each sample was put into a Ziploc bag. Edible films pieces were then added into the bag and mixed well. The bags were sealed and stored at 4°C. Samples were taken at day 0, 3, and 7 for enumeration of survivors. On all leafy greens, the 3% carvacrol-containing films showed the highest killing effects against the bacteria. All 3 types of 3% carvacrol-containing films reduced Salmonella population by 5 log CFU/g at day 0. The 1.5% carvacrol-containing film reduced Salmonella by 1-4 logs CFU/g at day 7. Films with 3% cinnamaldehyde showed 0.5-3 log reductions on different leafy greens. Films with 0.5 and 1.5% cinnamaldehyde and 0.5% carvacrol slightly reduced Salmonella population. In general, carvacrol films were more effective than cinnamaldehyde films. The vapors from the antimicrobials in the films were most effective against Salmonella on iceberg lettuce. This study demonstrates the potential of edible films incorporated with carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde to inactivate S. Newport on organic leafy greens.