Files
Abstract
This study determined the microbial quality of fresh blueberries harvested by different methods (hands vs. machines) and the efficacy of selected sanitizers on surfaces for fruit-catching surfaces of modified over-the-row blueberry harvester machine. Enumeration of total aerobes, total yeasts and molds, total coliforms, and incidence of fecal coliforms and enterococci were conducted for collected blueberries. White silicone, neoprene, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), red silicone, and plexiglass surfaces were incubated with different mixtures of fecal coliforms and then treated with different sanitizers. Developed biofilms and efficacy of sanitizers were quantified with CV assay. A significant difference (P<0.05) was observed in microbial loads from machine-harvested blueberries. Neoprene showed the highest biofilm formations, and sodium hypochlorite was the least effective in removing accumulated biofilms whereas dish detergent was the most effective, followed by AlpetD2 and peracetic acid. Results highlight the importance of sanitizing machine harvester with increased concentrations and contact times.