"Dead-end ultrafiltration concentration (DEUF-C) prior to qPCR or standard enrichment was used to determine presence/absence of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (Ec) and Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) in various lettuce wash waters generated using both a pilot- and commercial scale processing line. After inoculating and pilot-scale processing of the ice berg lettuce, 8 of 24 (33%) of Ec and Lm samples were positive by DEUF-C, but negative by commercial FDA BAM. In addition, populations of both pathogens were significantly higher in DEUF-C samples compared to unconcentrated samples after 7 h of enrichment (P < 0.05). Using the commercial-scale processing line, 14 of 14 (100%) samples yielded Ec and Lm using DEUF-C compared to 1 of 15 (6.7%) and 3 of 15 (20%) wash water grab samples, respectively. Higher total filterable volumes were achieved for flume (30.6 + 9.9 L) compared to centrifugation water (9.9 + 2.0 L) (P < 0.05). Ec and Lm were also detected in 16 of 16 (100%) DEUF-C samples compared to 2 of 18 (11.1%) and 3 of 18 (16.7%) grab samples, respectively, from a commercial-scale test facility. These studies indicate that DEUF-C can detect lower levels of Ec and Lm in lettuce wash water compared to standard culture methods. However, the filtration times and total filterable volumes will need to be further improved for commercial produce wash and centrifugation water containing high organic loads."--Page ii.
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