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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Meat Safety and Quality » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #337633
Research Project: Mitigation Approaches for Foodborne Pathogens in Cattle and Swine for Use During Production and Processing

Location: Meat Safety and Quality

Title: Antimicrobial efficacy of radiant catalytic ionization against shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on inoculated beef

Author
item YANG, XIANG - Colorado State University
item Kalchayanand, Norasak - Nor
item BELK, KEITH - Colorado State University
item Wheeler, Tommy

Submitted to: International Association for Food Protection Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2017
Publication Date: 3/23/2017
Citation: Yang, X., Kalchayanand, N., Belk, K., Wheeler, T.L. 2017. Antimicrobial efficacy of radiant catalytic ionization against shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on inoculated beef. [Abstraact]. International Association for Food Protection Proceedings. P1-133. Available at: https://iafp.confex.com/iafp/2017/webprogram/authork.html.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Introduction: Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), as a common foodborne pathogen, may cause severe human hemorrhagic colitis infection. The radiant catalytic ionization (RCI) technology utilizes a combination of UV light and low-level oxidizers such as ozone, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide to cause antimicrobial action, which can be considered as a potential intervention to effectively control pathogen contamination on carcasses and resulting beef products. Purpose: The purpose of the project was to evaluate the effect of RCI on reduction of selected Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7, non-O157 STEC O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O145 strains. Methods: Pre-rigor beef flanks (168 pieces; 5 x 5 cm; n = 6) were inoculated with one of seven inoculum groups to a final concentration of 5 to 6 log CFU/cm2. The inoculated beef flanks were exposed to RCI treatment for 0 s (untreated control), 15 s, 30 s, or 60 s at 4°C. Samples were surface plated on SDA and brain heart infusion agar (BHA) using a spiral-plater and analyzed for survivors then compared with the untreated controls. Results: The counts of survivor strains from treated samples were significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to that of untreated controls. The reductions of selected STEC strains by 15 s RCI exposure ranged from 0.65 – 1.24 log CFU/cm2. When the exposure time was increased from 15 s to 60 s, with current RCI settings, additional 0.45, 0.38 and 0.76 CFU/cm2 reductions were detected on E. coli O26, O45 and O157, respectively. However, the counts of survivors for E. coli O103, O111, O121, and O145 remained unchanged (P > 0.05) even though the exposure time was increased to 60s. Significance: This research provides preliminary data for proof of concept for antimicrobial efficacy of RCI against STEC on the surface of fresh beef.