Vegetables contain E-Coli intenalized bacteria

[Guest guest]

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Lettuce plants shown to internalize bacteria

 

A recent report in the January issue of Applied and Environmental

Microbiology suggests that lettuce fertilized with manure or irrigated with

water contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 can take the bacteria up

through its root system and internalize it within its leaves, hence

resisting traditional external sanitizing methods.

Posted: 24-Jan-02

For more Details

 

Karl Matthews and colleagues, based at Rutgers University, New Jersey, USA,

say, 'In recent years, E. coli O157:H7 has been isolated with increasing

frequency from fresh produce, including bean sprouts, cantaloupes, apples

and leaf lettuce. The mechanisms by which the pathogen is introduced into

the lettuce plant are not fully understood.'

Using a variety of techniques - including laser scanning confocal

microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy and isolation methods - the

researchers tested the hypothesis that the source of the contamination may

be poorly treated manure or irrigation water contaminated with cattle

faeces. They were able to isolate the bacteria from plants grown in either

medium. Furthermore, the researchers found E.coli 0157:H7 in the inner

tissues of the plants.

They conclude, 'The results suggest that these edible portions can become

contaminated without direct exposure to a pathogen, but rather through

transport of the pathogen into the plant by the root system. The

inaccessibility of a large number of organisms, as a consequence of their

subsurface location, is perhaps the reason for the lack of effectiveness of

surface-sanitizing treatments.'

Applied and Environmental Microbiology 2002; 68: 397-400

http://aem.asm.org

Source: American Society for Microbiology http://www.asmusa.org

[Guest guest]

I also read that lettuces that are bagged and sealed have a higher rate of

ecoli

 

 

In a message dated 1/27/02 3:46:39 AM, mem121 writes:

 

<< News Page- http://www.mediscover.net/hotnewsdet.cfm?hnid=4 -

 

Lettuce plants shown to internalize bacteria

 

A recent report in the January issue of Applied and Environmental

Microbiology suggests that lettuce fertilized with manure or irrigated with

water contaminated with Escherichia coli O157:H7 can take the bacteria up

through its root system and internalize it within its leaves, hence

resisting traditional external sanitizing methods.

Posted: 24-Jan-02 >>