Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms

This study investigated the impact of irrigation sources (pond, stream, and well) in high tunnel-dripline systems on the dissemination and persistence of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and the ‘big six’ Shiga toxin-producing E...

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Main Authors: Loic Deblais, Mike Kauffman, Gireesh Rajashekara
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-12-01
Series:Journal of Food Protection
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X24001662
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author Loic Deblais
Mike Kauffman
Gireesh Rajashekara
author_facet Loic Deblais
Mike Kauffman
Gireesh Rajashekara
author_sort Loic Deblais
collection DOAJ
description This study investigated the impact of irrigation sources (pond, stream, and well) in high tunnel-dripline systems on the dissemination and persistence of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and the ‘big six’ Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC]) in small specialty crop farms (SSCFs). Ten SSCF-growing fresh tomatoes using high tunnel-dripline systems were sampled between January and November 2022. Selective enrichment combined with PCR was used to detect the selected foodborne pathogens in the irrigation water (n = 240), soil (n = 240), and tomato fruits (n = 120). Overall, surface-originated water sources (streams and ponds) having potential contact with farm animals or wildlife harbored higher pathogen burden (cumulative prevalence of all the pathogens) compared to subsurface water source (well and underground spring water). STEC O26, O45, and O103 were detected at high frequency (up to 88% per SSCF per time point) in the water source and associated dripline irrigation system of 4/6 SSCFs using stream and pond water. Other foodborne pathogens (especially, L. monocytogenes) were detected in 6/10 SSCFs, but at low frequency (<25% per SSCF per time point). The prevalence of foodborne pathogens in the 10 SSCFs over time was positively correlated with the length of high tunnel and planting date (r2 = 0.93 and 0.79, respectively; P < 0.006). Our study highlighted that dripline irrigation systems may allow the long-distance transport of foodborne pathogens from the contaminated water source to the field. Risk assessment and mitigation measures should be implemented to assure the quality of the water source used for irrigation in SSCF.
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spelling doaj-art-df1f7a64f4df49ac85ea842906b877d02024-12-04T05:12:09ZengElsevierJournal of Food Protection0362-028X2024-12-018712100382Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop FarmsLoic Deblais0Mike Kauffman1Gireesh Rajashekara2Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH), Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USACenter for Food Animal Health (CFAH), Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USACorresponding author at: College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, USA.; Center for Food Animal Health (CFAH), Department of Animal Sciences, College of Food, Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USAThis study investigated the impact of irrigation sources (pond, stream, and well) in high tunnel-dripline systems on the dissemination and persistence of foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli O157, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., and the ‘big six’ Shiga toxin-producing E. coli [STEC]) in small specialty crop farms (SSCFs). Ten SSCF-growing fresh tomatoes using high tunnel-dripline systems were sampled between January and November 2022. Selective enrichment combined with PCR was used to detect the selected foodborne pathogens in the irrigation water (n = 240), soil (n = 240), and tomato fruits (n = 120). Overall, surface-originated water sources (streams and ponds) having potential contact with farm animals or wildlife harbored higher pathogen burden (cumulative prevalence of all the pathogens) compared to subsurface water source (well and underground spring water). STEC O26, O45, and O103 were detected at high frequency (up to 88% per SSCF per time point) in the water source and associated dripline irrigation system of 4/6 SSCFs using stream and pond water. Other foodborne pathogens (especially, L. monocytogenes) were detected in 6/10 SSCFs, but at low frequency (<25% per SSCF per time point). The prevalence of foodborne pathogens in the 10 SSCFs over time was positively correlated with the length of high tunnel and planting date (r2 = 0.93 and 0.79, respectively; P < 0.006). Our study highlighted that dripline irrigation systems may allow the long-distance transport of foodborne pathogens from the contaminated water source to the field. Risk assessment and mitigation measures should be implemented to assure the quality of the water source used for irrigation in SSCF.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X24001662CampylobacterColiformsHigh tunnel-dripline systemListeriaSalmonellaShiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
spellingShingle Loic Deblais
Mike Kauffman
Gireesh Rajashekara
Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
Journal of Food Protection
Campylobacter
Coliforms
High tunnel-dripline system
Listeria
Salmonella
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
title Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
title_full Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
title_fullStr Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
title_full_unstemmed Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
title_short Impact of Irrigation Source on the Dissemination and Persistence of Coliforms and Foodborne Pathogens in Fresh Tomato High Tunnel-dripline System from Small Specialty Crop Farms
title_sort impact of irrigation source on the dissemination and persistence of coliforms and foodborne pathogens in fresh tomato high tunnel dripline system from small specialty crop farms
topic Campylobacter
Coliforms
High tunnel-dripline system
Listeria
Salmonella
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0362028X24001662
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