Microbiological quality of irrigation water on highly diverse fresh produce smallholder farms: elucidating environmental routes of contamination

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the microbiological safety, potential multidrug resistant bacterial presence and genetic relatedness (DNA fingerprints) of Escherichia coli isolated from the water-soil-plant nexus on highly diverse fresh produce smallholder farms. Methods and results Irrigation water (n = 44), soil (n = 85), and fresh produce (n = 95) samples, from six smallholder farms with different production systems, were analysed for hygiene indicator bacterial counts and the presence of shigatoxigenic E. coli and Salmonella spp., using standard microbiological methods. Identities of isolates were confirmed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and the genetic relatedness of the E. coli isolates determined using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) analysis. Irrigation water E. coli levels ranged between 0–3.45 log MPN.100 mL−1 with five farms having acceptable levels according to the World Health Organization limit (3 log MPN.100 mL−1). Fresh produce samples on four farms (n = 65) harboured E. coli at low levels (<1 log CFU.g−1) except for one sample from kale, spring onion, green pepper, onion and two tomato samples, which exceeded international acceptable limits (100 CFU.g−1). Only one baby carrot fresh produce sample tested positive for Salmonella spp. Of the 224 samples, E. coli isolates were identified in 40% (n = 90) of all water, soil and fresh produce types after enrichment. Additionally, the DNA fingerprints of E. coli isolates from the water-soil-plant nexus of each respective farm clustered together at high similarity values (>90%), with all phenotypically characterised as multidrug resistant. Conclusions The clustering of E. coli isolated throughout the water-soil-plant nexus, implicated irrigation water in fresh produce contamination. Highlighting the importance of complying with irrigation water microbiological quality guidelines to limit the spread of potential foodborne pathogens throughout the fresh produce supply chain.