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Decay of S almonella enterica , E scherichia coli and bacteriophage MS2 on the phyllosphere and stored grains of wheat ( T riticum aestivum )
Author(s) -
Schwarz K.,
Sidhu J.P.S.,
Pritchard D.,
Li Y.,
Toze S.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
letters in applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.698
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1472-765X
pISSN - 0266-8254
DOI - 10.1111/lam.12149
Subject(s) - phyllosphere , salmonella enterica , biology , biosolids , salmonella , inoculation , escherichia coli , agronomy , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , horticulture , bacteria , environmental science , biochemistry , genetics , environmental engineering , gene
Cereal crops grown in the biosolids‐amended soil can potentially become contaminated with pathogenic micro‐organisms during growth and at the time of harvesting. There is small but unquantified potential risk of transfer of enteric pathogens to humans and animals from contaminated plants and grains. This study examined decay of E scherichia coli, S almonella enterica serovar T yphimurium and bacteriophage MS 2 on the wheat phyllosphere and on stored grains. This was done to assess the health implications of cereal crops contaminated from land application of biosolids. E . coli , S . enterica and MS 2 were inoculated onto the leaves, spikelets and grains of wheat. The change in the numbers of inoculated micro‐organisms was determined over time to calculate the respective 90% reduction time ( T 90 ) in each of these environments. A rapid inactivation ( T 90 <1–3 days) of E . coli and S . enterica and MS 2 from the plant phyllosphere was observed, particularly from the spikelets. The decay rates were influenced by micro‐organism type and location on the plant phyllosphere. Decay times on the stored grains were longer ( T 90 9–71 days), with some observed influence of grain variety on pathogen decay times. Significance and Impact of the Study Results of this study suggest that there is very limited potential of enteric pathogens survival on wheat phyllosphere and grains. Therefore, the risk of transfer of enteric pathogens from biosolids‐amended soil to consumers of grain products is considered to be low. This study has important implications for the grains industry, as the results suggest that chances of preharvest contamination of grains with enteric pathogens from biosolids‐amended soil are low.