Sunday, May 29, 2016

Dairy Microbiology, Food-Borne Infection

CHAPTER: 9
Dairy Microbiology

Ø Microbiology of Milk and Milk Products
Ø Food-Borne Infection
Ø Toxin
Ø Pasteurization
…………………………………………

Microbiology of Milk & Milk Products:

      Milk  is one of the best available complete foods for man & it has high nutritive value.
      It is enriched with various nutritional elements, so milk forms an excellent medium for the growth & multiplication of several microorganism.

Sources of Microorganisms in milk:

      Teat openings of cows, buffaloes, are usually contaminated with microorganisms & this is the primary source of microorganisms present in milk.
      Storage utensils.
      Hands of person who milks.
      Atmosphere of milking place
      Body surfaces of animals
      Utensils used for milking
      In machine- milking, the machine, pipelines, & the udders are the chief sources of contamination.

Types of Microorganisms encountered in Milk:

1.      Normal microflora, of most of the milk samples
2.      Some spoilage organisms which gain entry into milk through various sources.
3.      Some organisms which are pathogenic to man and animals


1.      Normal Microflora:
      Usually, lactic acid producing bacteria are normal flora found in milk.
Examples:
      Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. bovis, L. fermenti, L. thermophilus, Streptococcus cremoris, Leuconostoc citrovorum, Microbacterium lacticum, Micrococus luteus.
Ø  These microorganisms ferments lactose of milk & produce acids, primarily lactic acid.

2. Spoilage Microorganisms:
      These microorganisms spoil & degrade the quality of milk.
Examples:
      Coliforms (E. coli, Klebsiella) ferment milk & produce gas.
      Clostridium butyricum, Candida pseudotropicalis & Torulopsis produce gas.
      Enterobacter aerogenes, Micrococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., cause ‘ropy milk’. They cause the milk to become viscous or stringy, and produce a gummy substance in the medium.
      Milk is coagulated or curdled without acid production, when the casein content is coagulated. This is brought by bacteria, e.g.: Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, Pseudomonas viscosa, and Streptococcus lignefaciens.
      Pseudomonas fluorescens, Candida lipolytica, Penicillium spp. split the fat in milk & produce glycerol & fatty acids.

3. Pathogenic Microorganisms:
      Several pathogenic microorganisms may spread through milk & cause disease outbreaks.
Examples:
      Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Coxiella burnettii, Bacillus, Clostridium, Salmonella, Shighella etc
Ø   It is a good source of disease transmission . Pathogenic organisms from infected cow may pass on milk and through milk to man or calves.
Ø  Tuberculosis, brucellosis, typhoid, diphtheria, dysentery etc are some e.g. of disease transmitted through milk.

The organisms which attack milk can also be divided as;

1.      Saccharolytic: Those organisms which degrade sacchrose (carbohydrates) & produce acid. E.g. Lactobacillus spp., Streptococcus cremoris etc.

2.      Lipolytic: Those organisms which degrade lipids. E.g. Micrococcus spp., Candida lipolytica, etc

3.      Proteolytic: Those organisms which degrade protein like casein. E.g. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas viscosa.

Microbiology of Milk Products:

1.      cheese:
      Cheese is a dairy product formed by precipitating casein of milk in the form of curd, holding most of fat & other suspended materials of milk.
      Different kinds of microorganisms are involved in production of cheese



2.Fermented Milk:

      Fermented milk is the most widely known dairy product. Souring of milk has been a common practice followed since ancient times.
      The microorganism involved  in this process are specific kinds of lactic acid bacteria (genera: Streptococcus and Lactobacillus) which are allowed to develop and ferment the milk.
      In non-commercial practices, the fermented milk can be obtained by inoculating the milk with starters like , Streptococcus and Lactobacillus.
      There are several organisms used on industrial scales to manufacture fermented milk products. The organisms concerned are: Streptococcus lactis, S. thermophilus, S. faecalis, Leuconostoc citrovorrum, L. cremoris, L. bulgaris, L. acidophilus, etc.
Ø  Yoghurt is fermented milk ; the organisms involved in its production is Streptococcus lactis and Lactobacillus bulgaricus.

Spoilage of Food:

      Spoilage is the process in which food deteriorates to the point in which it is not edible to humans or its quality of edibility becomes reduced. Various external forces are responsible for the spoilage of food. Food that is capable of spoiling is referred to as perishable food.

Causes of Food Spoilage:
1.     Activity of Microorganisms
2.     Insect damage
3.     Purely chemical damage
4.     Physical Change

Microbial Spoilage of various types of Food Materials:

1.     Grains:
      Large quantities of foodgrains are damaged by insect pests which leads to  greater losses due to microbial attack.
      High moisture content , high atmospheric humidity, high moisture absorbing capacity may lead to heavy damage by the microorganisms.
      Rhizopus nigricans, Penicillum expansum, Aspergillus niger, & Mucor spp. are the major moulds associated with grains spoilage.
      Bread is more often attacked by R. nigricans.
      Bacillus subtilis also attacks breads causing ropiness
      Serratia marcescens when attacks to bread turns red due to pigment produced by it.

2. Vegetables & Fruits:
      The organisms which attack the vegetables and fruits may be: common plant pathogens & saprophytic organisms.
      Soft-rots of vegetables caused by bacteria are very common throughout the world.
      Erwinia carotovora, E. aroideae, E. amylovora & Rhizopus spp. cause soft-rots of vegetables and fruits.
      Several fungi like penicillium, Cladosporium, Alternaria, are known to cause damage to vegetables and fruits.

3. Meat and Meat Products:
      Meat and meat products are exposed to various types of microbial contaminants.
      Pseudomonas , Leuconostoc, Bacillus, Micrococcus, Flavobacterium, Chromobacterium are some genera associated with meat spoilage.
      Fungi like Penicillum  Cladosporium, Mucro, are also important in meat spoilage.

4. Fish and other sea foods:
      The most common bacterial flora of water play a role in spoilage of fish and other sea foods.
      Fish spoilage is common due to Escherchia, proteus, Serratia, Sarcina etc.
      Canned fish is spoiled by  Clostridium  and Bacillus.

5. Eggs:
      The sources of microbial contaminants of eggs may be fecal matter of the hen, soil, or water.
      These may contaminate the shell and then penetrate it, if the shell is moistened or cracked.
      More commonly , Pseudomonas fluorescens and Proteus melanovogenes cause green and black-rot spoilage of egg.
6. Spoilage of canned food:
      Bacillus aerothermophillus, B. thermoindifferens, B. stearophilus, Clostridium thermosacchrolyticum, C. nigrificans cause extensive spoilage of canned food.
      The spoilage may result from the attack of microorganisms which have survived processing, or the organisms may gain access to the cans through defective containers.

Prevention:
      A number of methods of prevention can be used that can either totally prevent, delay, or otherwise reduce food spoilage.
      Preservatives can expand the shelf life of food and can lengthen the time long enough for it to be harvested, processed, sold, and kept in the consumer's home for a reasonable length of time.
      Refrigeration can increase the shelf life of certain foods and beverages, though with most items, it does not indefinitely expand it. Freezing can preserve food even longer, though even freezing has limitations.
      A high-quality vacuum flask (thermos) will keep coffee, soup, and other boiling-hot foods above the danger zone (140F/58C) for over 24 hours.
      Canning of food can preserve food for a particularly long period of time, whether canned at home or commercially. Canned food is vacuum packed in order to keep oxygen out of the can that is needed to allow bacteria to break it down. Canning does have limitations, and does not preserve the food indefinitely.
      Lactic acid fermentation also preserves food and prevents spoilage.


Food-borne Infection & Toxin:

      Foodborne illness (also foodborne disease and equally referred to as food poisoning) is any illness resulting from the consumption of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food, as well as chemical or natural toxins such as poisonous mushrooms.

Symptoms of Foodborne Illness:

      Common symptoms of foodborne illness are diarrhea and/or vomiting, typically lasting 1 to 7 days. Other symptoms might include abdominal cramps, nausea, fever, joint/back aches, and fatigue.
      “stomach flu” may actually be a foodborne illness caused by a pathogen (i.e., virus, bacteria, or parasite) in contaminated food or drink. 
      The incubation period (the time between exposure to the pathogen and onset of symptoms) can range from several hours to 1 week.

Causes of Foodborne Illness:
Commonly recognized foodborne infections are:
      Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter)
      Cryptosporidiosi (Cryptosporidium)
      Escherichia coliO157:H7Infection(E.coli O157)
and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS)
      Giardiasis (Giardia)
      Listeriosis (Listeria monocytogenes)
      Norovirus Infection (aka Norwalk virus, calicivirus, viral gastroenteritis)
      Salmonellosis (Salmonella)
      Shigellosis (Shigella)
      Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii)
      Vibrio Infection (Vibrio parahaemolyticus)
      Yersiniosis (Yersinia species)

Foods Associated with Foodborne Illness:

      Raw foods of animal origin, that is, raw meat and poultry, raw eggs, unpasteurized milk, and raw shellfish are the most likely to be contaminated. 
      Fruits and vegetables can also be contaminated with animal waste when manure is used to fertilize produce in the field, or unclean water is used for washing the produce. 
      Unpasteurized fruit juices can also be contaminated if there are pathogens on the fruit that is used to make it.
      Any food item that is touched by a person who is ill with vomiting or diarrhea, or who has recently had such an illness, can become contaminated. When these food items are not subsequently cooked (e.g., salads, cut fruit) they can pass the illness to other people.

Some Common Food-borne Infections:      

1.      Salmonellosis:
       Salmonellosis is a form of food infection that may result when foods containing Salmonella bacteria are consumed. Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium are the most common.
      Once eaten, the bacteria may continue to live and grow in the intestine, set up an infection and cause illness.
       Symptoms of salmonellosis include headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, chills, fever and vomiting. These occur within 8 to 72 hours after eating contaminated food and may last four to seven days.
       Foods commonly involved include eggs or any egg-based food, salads (such as tuna, chicken, or potato), poultry, beef, pork, processed meats, meat pies, fish, cream desserts and fillings, sandwich fillings, raw sprouts, and milk products.

2.      Campylobacteriosis:
      Campylobacteriosis or Campylobacter enteritis is caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni. C. jejuni commonly is found in the intestinal tracts of healthy animals (especially chickens) and in untreated surface water. Raw and inadequately cooked foods of animal origin and non-chlorinated water are the most common sources of human infection (e.g., raw milk, undercooked chicken, raw hamburger, raw shellfish).
      Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal cramps, muscle pain, headache and fever are common symptoms. Onset usually occurs two to ten days after eating contaminated food.
      Preventive measures for Campylobacter infections include pasteurizing milk; avoiding post-pasteurization contamination; cooking raw meat, poultry and fish.

3.      Listeriosis :
      It is caused by Listeria monocytogenes.
      Listeriosis primarily affects newborn infants, pregnant women, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.
      In a healthy non-pregnant person, listeriosis may occur as a mild illness with fever, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
      Among pregnant women, intrauterine or cervical infections may result in spontaneous abortion or still birth.
      Recent cases have involved raw milk, soft cheeses made with raw milk, and raw or refrigerated ready-to-eat meat, poultry or fish products.
      Preventive measures for listeriosis include maintaining good sanitation, turning over refrigerated ready-to-eat foods quickly, pasteurizing milk, avoiding post-pasteurization contamination, and cooking foods thoroughly.

4.      Shigellosis:
      Shigellosis is an illness caused by bacteria from the Shigella group. It is commonly known as "bacillary dysentery".
      Symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, nausea, vomiting and cramps are most common. Blood may also be found in the faeces.

5.      Amoebiasis:
      Amoebiasis is an intestinal disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
      The disease is commonly known as "amoebic dysentery" and results when the parasite invades the wall of the large intestine, forming ulcers in the process.
      Symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, chills, and mild abdominal discomfort are the most common.

6.      Giardiasis:
      Giardiasis is an intestinal disease caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia.
      Symptoms such as diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, bloating, fatigue and weight loss may occur.

7.      E. coli Hemorrhagic Colitis:
      It is caused by E. coli O157:H7.
      Symptoms begin with nonbloody diarrhea one to five days after eating contaminated food, and progress to bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and moderate dehydration. In young children, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a serious complication that can lead to renal failure and death. In adults, the complications sometimes lead to thrombocytopenic purpura (TPP), characterized by cerebral nervous system deterioration, seizures and strokes.
      Ground beef is the food most associated with E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks, but other foods also have been implicated. These include raw milk, unpasteurized apple juice and cider, dry-cured salami, homemade venison jerky,  spinach, and untreated water. Infected food handlers and diapered infants with the disease likely help spread the bacteria.
      Preventive strategies for E. coli infections include thorough washing and other measures to reduce the presence of the microorganism on raw food, thorough cooking of raw animal products, and avoiding recontamination of cooked meat with raw meat. To be safe, cook ground meats to 1600 F.


 
Food intoxication:
      Food intoxication results from consumption of toxins (or poisons) produced in food by bacterial growth.
      Toxins, not bacteria, cause illness. Toxins may not alter the appearance, odor or flavor of food.
      Common kinds of bacteria that produce toxins include Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium botulinum.  In the case of Clostridium perfringens, illness is caused by toxins released in the gut when large numbers of vegetative cells are eaten.

Some Bacterial Intoxication:

1. Bacillus Cereus – Foodborne Intoxication:
      Bacteria produce a toxin that causes illness. Vomiting-type outbreaks have usually been associated with rice products and other starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta, and cheese products. Sauces, puddings, soups, casseroles, pastries, and salads have also been implicated in outbreaks.
      nausea ,vomiting , abdominal cramps and diarrhea might occur with symptoms lasting up to 24 hours.

 2. Staphylococcal Intoxication :
      Staphylococcus bacteria are found on the skin and in the nose and throat of most people; people with colds and sinus infections are often carriers. Infected wounds, pimples, boils and acne are generally rich sources. Staphylococcus also are widespread in untreated water, raw milk and sewage.
      When Staphylococcus bacteria get into warm food and multiply, they produce a toxin or poison that causes illness. The toxin is not detectable by taste or smell. While the bacteria itself can be killed by temperatures of 120 F, its toxin is heat resistant.
      Foods commonly involved in staphylococcal intoxication include processed meats, chicken, sandwich fillings, cream fillings, potato and meat salads, milk products
      Symptoms include abdominal cramps, vomiting, severe diarrhea and exhaustion. These usually appear within one to eight hours after eating staph-infected food and last one or two days.

3. Botulism- Clostridium botulinum:
      Widely distributed in nature; soil and water on plants and intestinal tracts of animals and fish. Grows only in little or no oxygen.
      Bacteria produce a toxin that causes illness. Improperly canned foods, garlic in oil, vacuum-packed and tightly wrapped food.
      Toxins affect the nervous system. Symptoms usually appear in 18 to 36 hours, but can sometimes appear as few as four hours or as many as eight days after eating. Double vision, droopy eyelids, trouble speaking and swallowing, and difficulty breathing may occur.

4. Clostridium perfringens:
      The disease produced by C. perfringens is not as severe as botulism.
      Spores of some strains are so heat resistant that they survive boiling for four or more hours.
       Foods commonly involved in C. perfringens illness include cooked, cooled, or reheated meats, poultry, stews, meat pies, casseroles, and gravies.
      Symptoms occur within eight to 24 hours after contaminated food is eaten. They include acute abdominal pain and diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting and fever are less common.

Mycotoxins and alimentary mycotoxicoses:


      The term alimentary mycotoxicoses refers to the effect of poisoning by Mycotoxins (The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops) through food consumption.
       Mycotoxins sometimes have important effects on human and animal health.
       The common foodborne Mycotoxins include:

 Aflatoxins –
      originated from Aspergillus parasiticus and Aspergillus flavus.
   They are frequently found in tree nuts, peanuts, maize, sorghum and other oilseeds, including corn and cottonseeds.
    The pronounced forms of Aflatoxins are those of B1, B2, G1, and G2, amongst which Aflatoxin B1 predominantly targets the liver, which will result in necrosis,cirrhosis, and carcinoma.


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