Effects of water dipping of whole fruit on the microbial quality of minimally processed pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils during cold storage
by Lizanne O'Grady; Gunnar Oliver Sigge; Oluwafemi James Caleb; Umezuruike Linus Opara
International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI), Vol. 5, No. 1, 2015

Abstract: Water rinsing of fresh produce is a common practice prior to storage, as a form of sanitation process to remove field dust, dirt as well as spoilage and pathogenic spores. The effect of pre-storage water dipping of whole pomegranate fruit on the microbial quality of extracted pomegranate arils stored at 5°C and 95 ± 1.3% relative humidity (RH) for eight days was investigated. Total viable aerobic mesophillic bacteria, yeast and moulds were enumerated to quantify spoilage microorganisms, while Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were enumerated for general hygiene purposes. At day eight of storage yeast and moulds and total viable aerobic mesophillic bacteria count was 4.74 and 3.73 log cfu.g⁻¹, respectively. No growth of E. coli and S. aureus was observed. Water dipping treatment prior to storage had a significant influence on the microbial load (p < 0.05). Arils from 'dry-treatment' had the best keeping quality. Therefore, pre-storage water dipping of whole pomegranate fruit should be avoided.

Online publication date: Tue, 13-Oct-2015

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation (IJPTI):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com