Location of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on and in Apples as Affected by Bruising, Washing, and Rubbing

摘要

Confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) was used to determine the location of Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells on the surface and in tissue of bruised Red Delicious cv. Apples. Undamaged and bruised apples were inoculated by immersing in a suspension of E. coli O157:H7 cells transformed with a plasmid that encodes for the production of a green fluorescent protein. Apples were then washed in 0.1/100 (wt/vol) peptone water and/or rubbed with a polyester cloth and examined to determine if these treatments removed or introduced cells into lenticels, cutin, and cracks on the skin surface.