Survival of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in date palm paste and syrup at different storage temperatures

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the behavior of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in processed date paste and syrup at different temperatures. Commercial products were inoculated with approximately 6 log CFU/mL of S. enterica or L. monocytogenes and stored at 4, 10, and 24°C for 90 days. S. enterica was able to survive in date products until the end of storage at 4°C. At this temperature, numbers decreased by 2.1 log CFU/g in date paste and by 3.4 log CFU/g in date syrup; however, at 10°C, cells were reduced >4.2 log CFU/g and were undetectable by direct plating in date paste or by enrichment (complete elimination) in syrup. Further, at 24°C, complete elimination of S. enterica was achieved in date paste and syrup by 30 and 7 days, respectively. L. monocytogenes numbers decreased by 1.4, 4.4, and >4.6 log CFU/g in date paste stored at 4, 10, and 24°C for 90 days, respectively. In date syrup, numbers of L. monocytogenes decreased to undetectable levels by 50, 14, and 4 days at 4, 10, and 24°C, respectively, by direct plating and complete elimination was observed at 10 and 24°C by 50 and 30 days of storage, respectively. The initial pH values of date paste and syrup were 4.7 and 4.8, respectively, and remained stable until the end of storage except for L. monocytogenes‐inoculated syrup. Practical Application Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes can easily survive in date paste and syrup particularly at refrigerator temperature, which explains the necessity of preventing the contamination of date products with foodborne pathogens.

Dietary Polyphenols: Review on Chemistry/Sources, Bioavailability/Metabolism, Antioxidant Effects, and Their Role in Disease Management

“…The potential impact of polyphenols on gut microbiota composition, affecting metabolic processes and inflammation, adds an additional layer of complexity to their role in metabolic health. While promising, comprehensive investigations into optimal dosages, specific polyphenolic subclasses, and underlying molecular mechanisms are essential for advancing our understanding and harnessing the therapeutic potential of polyphenols [427][428][429][430][431][432][433][434][435][436].…”

“…Storage conditions, exposing foods to light, air, and elevated temperatures, can contribute to polyphenol degradation. Moreover, these processing techniques influence the bioavailability of polyphenols, affecting their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion within the human body [429].…”