The use of suitable sanitizers can increase the quality of fresh-cut produce and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses. The objective of this study was to compare the washing effects of 100 mg/L sodium hypochlorite (SH) and 500 mg/L acidified sodium chlorite (ASC) on the prevention of enzymatic browning and the growth of microbial populations, including aerobic plate counts, E. coli, and coliforms, throughout storage at 4°C and 10°C. Fresh-cut zucchini, cucumbers, green bell peppers, and root vegetables such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and radishes were used. Compared to SH washing, ASC washing significantly (p<0.05) reduced microbial contamination on the fresh-cut produce and prevented browning of fresh-cut potatoes and sweet potatoes during storage. More effective inhibition of aerobic plate counts and coliforms growth was observed on fresh-cut produce treated with ASC during storage at 10°C. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of fresh-cut potatoes and sweet potatoes was more effectively inhibited after washing with ASC. The use of 500 mg/L ASC can provide effective antimicrobial and anti-browning treatments of fresh-cut produce, including processed root vegetables.

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This study was conducted to assess the levels of microbiological hazards of preprocessed Namuls, which were served at the school foodservice. 19 preprocessed ground or root vegetables were collected from 21 schools in May to June of 2011. Heavy contamination of aerobic plate counts (from 3.39 to 8.42 logCFU/g) and total coliform groups (from 3.16 to 7.84 logCFU/g), enterobacteriaceaes (from 2.53 to 7.55 logCFU/g) were detected in preprocessed Namuls. In addition, the detection rates of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus (emetic form) were 4.3%, 11.7% and 2.1%, respectively. In addition, sanitary indicative bacterium at preprocessing steps of root vegetables (lotus root, burdock root, bellflower root) and blanched Namuls (bracken, sweet potato vine, chinamul) were analyzed. Aerobic plate counts, coliform groups, and enterobacteriaceaes were not effectively removed during preprocessing including washing and soaking steps. In the case of blanched Namuls (bracken, sweet potato vine, chinamul), contamination levels increased more after drying process and no significant reduction effect on the levels of microbial contamination was observed during preprocessing steps. Thus, effect of preprocessing steps on the microbiological hazards in Namuls must be reevaluated to improve the microbiological quality of preprocessed Namuls at the school foodservice and retail markets.