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Food packaging may influence E. coli growth

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PHILADELPHIA – The packaging of food products by modified atmosphere packaging or traditional overwrap packaging may influence the growth of foodborne pathogens, according to findings presented at the 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, held here this week.

Researchers from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, studied the relationship between modified atmosphere packaging, which is commonly used by food companies to maintain the freshness of foods, and its influence on Escherichia coli O157:H7, a foodborne pathogen.

The researchers, led by Mindy M. Brashears, PhD, and W. Evan Chaney, inoculated tryptic soy broth with Escherichia coli O157:H7 to achieve log 1.5 CFU/mL. Samples were then packaged under one of four commonly-studied methods of food packaging: modified atmosphere packaging with high oxygen, modified atmosphere packaging with carbon monoxide, modified atmosphere packaging without carbon monoxide and traditional overwrap packaging. These samples were incubated at 25° C for 20 days. After 20 days, the samples were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy for biofilm-like formation, characterized by the observation of cells enclosed in a matrix of secreted polysaccharides, which may protect the cells from the gaseous atmospheres and may be a result of stress induced by the packaging atmospheres.

The results indicated "high oxygen packaging and traditional overwrap packaging, which have higher oxygen concentrations and less carbon dioxide, appear to have more pronounced biofilm-like formation as compared to the other packages, with complete coverage of surface and apparent multi-layer biofilm formation," according to the researchers. The modified atmosphere packaging both with and without carbon monoxide did not appear to form multi-layer biofilm, but showed single layer clumps or single cells of E. coli on the surface

The researchers said these data suggest packaging conditions may influence biofilm formation of E. coli and may also determine organism behavior as a result of environmental stress. – by Jay Lewis

For more information:

• Chaney W. P-098. Presented at: The 109th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology. May 17-21, 2009. Philadelphia