Here, we describe a protocol for the application of a novel, slow-release ClO2 product that reduces spoilage and extends the shelf life of fresh fruit. The slow-release ClO2 product was added to standard commercial grape tomato packaging and tested against Escherichia coli and Alternaria alternata.
A controlled-release chlorine dioxide (ClO2) pouch was developed by sealing a slurry form of ClO2 into semipermeable polymer film; the release properties of the pouch were monitored in containers with or without fruit. The pouch was affixed to the inside of a perforated clamshell containing grape tomatoes, and the effect on microbial population, firmness, and weight loss was evaluated during a 14 day storage period at 20 °C. Within 3 days, the ClO2 concentration in the clamshells reached 3.5 ppm and remained constant until day 10. Thereafter, it decreased to 2 ppm by day 14. The ClO2 pouch exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, reducing Escherichia coli populations by 3.08 log CFU/g and Alternaria alternata populations by 2.85 log CFU/g after 14 days of storage. The ClO2 treatment also reduced softening and weight loss and extended the overall shelf life of the tomatoes. Our results suggest that ClO2 treatment is useful for extending the shelf life and improving the microbial safety of tomatoes during storage without impairing their quality.
A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables may help to reduce the risk of many diseases, including coronary heart disease and specific types of cancers1. However, there are a number of foodborne microbial pathogens, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, and Listeria monocytogenes, associated with the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables that can cause illness or even death among consumers who eat contaminated produce2. For example, E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks have been associated with grapes, tomatoes, and strawberries3,4, and hepatitis A outbreaks have been associated with fresh blueberries5. In addition, microbial contamination can cause substantial product loss through postharvest decay6. Alternaria alternata is an important plant pathogenic fungus that is known to cause leaf spots and other diseases in over 380 host species of plants7. It has been shown to be the cause of an Alternaria black spot8, a stem canker disease and a leaf blight of tomatoes9. Therefore, a safe and effective postharvest decontamination treatment is needed to both control foodborne pathogens and to prevent postharvest decay in fresh produce.
Low- and non-residue technologies are new trends for alternative sanitizers. A variety of postharvest fungicides have been used to reduce spoilage organisms and to prevent foodborne illness. Ozone, a strong antimicrobial agent, has been shown to preserve the quality and freshness of strawberries and blueberries10,11. However, ozone may cause oxidation of fruit surface tissue and can result in discoloration and the deterioration of flavor quality12. Chlorine has been used to sanitize fresh produce, such as blueberries and apples13. While effective, chlorine can react with nitrogen-containing compounds or ammonia, resulting in carcinogenic byproducts14, especially when used for the sanitization of fresh fruit15.
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2), an alternative sanitizer, was approved by both China and the US for the postharvest treatment of fruits and vegetables16. ClO2 is a water-soluble oxidizing agent with an oxidation capacity 2.5 times greater than that of free chlorine17. ClO2 is highly effective at low concentrations and with a short contact time18. ClO2 has low toxicity and minimal corrosiveness at the concentrations used for disinfection, and it is recognized as one of the most effective bactericidal and fungicidal agents for use in a variety of settings19,20,21.
Numerous research results have shown that ClO2 can control foodborne pathogens and postharvest decay16. For example, ClO2 gas has been used to inactivate L. monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7 and to prevent blueberry and strawberry spoilage22,23. ClO2 gas reduces the risk of microbial contamination while maintaining the attributes of fresh fruit, and it was effective at controlling the postharvest decay of strawberries24. However, it is unstable at high concentrations and non-transportable, historically requiring costly generators on site or inefficient two-part powder mixing.
However, a new ClO2 product with a ready-made, controlled-release formulation (i.e., it does not require a generator or the premixing of ingredients) has been shown to be highly effective at controlling food spoilage organisms and pathogens in preliminary experiments25. It is a safe, cost-effective, non-corrosive, easily transportable, and controlled-release form of ClO2, with no adverse effects on the environment. Previous experiments have demonstrated that this slow-release ClO2 powder wrapped in filtration material and placed in clamshell packaging significantly reduced the decay of fresh blueberries and strawberries, decreased berry water loss, and maintained fruit firmness during postharvest storage25,26. Recently, a controlled-release ClO2 packet was developed by sealing a slurry form of ClO2 in a semipermeable polymer film. The objectives of this work were to: 1) monitor ClO2 gas release properties in both a closed container and in perforated clamshells, 2) investigate the effect of a controlled-release ClO2 pouch enclosed in a container on foodborne pathogens and the decay of grape tomatoes, and 3) evaluate the effects of the controlled-release ClO2 on the storage quality of grape tomatoes.
1. Measurement of Gaseous ClO2 in the Headspace of a Closed Chamber
2. Fruit Preparation and Storage
3. Monitoring of ClO2 Concentration in the Clamshells
4. Determination of Microbial Population and Fruit Quality Attributes
5. Statistical Analysis
The release of ClO2 exhibited a linear pattern over the first few hours. The concentration increased about 2.38 ppm/h over the first 4 h. The release speed slowed after 24 h of incubation, and the ClO2 concentration reached 25.4 ppm. However, the concentration tended to be stable after 24 h of incubation (Figure 1).
The headspace ClO2 concentration in the clamshell with grape tomatoes was about 4 ppm between day 3 and day 10, it decreased after 10 days of storage, and it was about 2 ppm on day 14 (Figure 2). The initial populations of E. coli and A. alternata in the fruit after inoculation were 4.3 and 3.4 log CFU/g, respectively (Figure 3). Treatment with ClO2 pouches reduced the populations of E. coli and A. alternata by 3.08 and 2.85 log CFU/g, respectively, after 14 days of storage (Figure 3).
The effects of ClO2 treatment on fruit firmness and weight loss are presented in Figures 4 and 5. ClO2 prevented a loss of firmness and weight in the fruit, and these effects grew with extended storage time (Figures 4 and 5).
Figure 1: ClO2 release profile of a 0.5-g ClO2 pouch in a sealed, empty 19.14-L glass container at 20 °C and relative humidity 91%.
Figure 2: Concentration of ClO2 in 1 lb perforated clamshell packaging with 200 g of grape tomatoes at 20 °C. The values are the mean ± SD.
Figure 3: Effect of ClO2 treatment on E. coli and A. alternata populations on the surfaces of inoculated grape tomatoes stored for 14 days at 20 °C. The values are the mean ± SD.
Figure 4: Effect of ClO2 treatment on the firmness of grape tomatoes stored for 14 days at 20 °C. The values are the mean ± SD.
Figure 5: Effect of ClO2 treatment on the weight loss of grape tomatoes stored for 14 days at 20 °C. The values are the mean ± SD.
Chlorine dioxide is an ideal biocide to prevent food decay. However, it is unstable at high concentrations and non-transportable, requiring costly generators or inefficient two-part powder mixing. This study examined the application of a stable, ready-to-use form of chlorine dioxide to reduce food spoilage and the incidence of foodborne illness. In contrast to other chlorine dioxide application technologies currently in use, the commercial ClO2 used here is cost effective, has a long shelf life, and does not require large generators or premixing. However, due to the strong oxidative properties of ClO2, the gas release properties of ClO2 are difficult to measure and therefore are rarely reported. In a previous study, a titration method was used to measure the release rate28. However, this method is less accurate and more complicated. Some research evaluated the concentration of ClO2 by absorbing it in water and then measured it using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric (GC-MS) detection29. However, this GC-MS instrument is complicated and expensive30. In our research, a ClO2 gas detector was used to measure the concentration of ClO2. This detector has multiple sensors that provide more accurate results in a shorter time.
In our protocol, for the preparation of the inoculum, the use of a deep-sided, 10 L steel pan as a basin for the application of inoculum, itself placed within an autoclavable bag, as well as sterile foil on which to dry the fruit, allows for quick clean-up and helps to avoid human exposure to possibly pathogenic organisms through incidental contact. Spraying the fruit within the confines of the autoclavable bag reduced the dispersion of microbial aerosols. Drying the fruit on foil allowed for complete removal and the subsequent sterilization of all surfaces with which the contaminated fruit had come into contact.
Chlorine dioxide exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against E. coli and A. alternata in grape tomatoes (Figure 3). ClO2 solution has been used to wash fruits and vegetables. Treatment with ClO2 gas at 4.1 mg/L (1,484 ppm) for 20 min at 23 °C significantly reduced the population of Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes on fresh-cut lettuce, cabbage, and carrots, without causing adverse effects on sensory properties31. Higher than 3-log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 were achieved after 4 mg/L (1,448 ppm) ClO2 gas treatments for 10 min at 21 °C and 90% RH on apple surfaces32. The effects of ClO2 treatment on fruit firmness and weight loss are presented in Figures 4 and 5. The firmness of ClO2-treated tomatoes increased compared to the control fruit (Figure 4). ClO2-treated fruit demonstrated inhibited enzyme activity, including in peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, which was attributed to an important role in the softening process33, or inhibited respiration rates and ethylene production34,35. A linear relationship between softening and weight loss was demonstrated in blueberries36. It was suggested that ClO2 could reduce fruit metabolism in addition to preventing weight loss and retaining firmness37. It was concluded that the ClO2 pouch was a promising, non-thermal, pathogen-reduction technique for fresh fruits and vegetables. It maintained firmness and reduced the weight loss of grape tomatoes.
One limiting characteristic of this method of sanitation is that although this ClO2 technology may reduce the tomato surface inoculum of A. alternata, reducing the risk of new postharvest infections by this fungus, it will not be able to control established, latent infections of A. alternate38. Established infections are typically produced in the field before harvest and are the main cause of postharvest tomato black spots, which cause significant economic losses to the industry. Another limiting characteristic is the rapid reaction of ClO2, which prevents the product from effectively combating microorganisms that are deeply embedded within a water-rich environment or dense organic material39. Typically, the sanitizing potential of the product at low concentrations quickly loses effectiveness before being able to sufficiently penetrate to the interior of large fruits. The solution to this problem, a higher concentration of the product, carries with it problems of its own, including phytopathic effects and plant tissue bleaching. Therefore, for each unique application of commodity versus pathogen, it is necessary to find a sanitizer concentration that balances anti-microbial effectiveness with acceptable commodity damage.
In summary, ClO2 can be used as a sanitizer to control foodborne pathogens, yeasts, and molds on fruit. The findings in this study suggest that ClO2 at low concentrations for longer time durations in active packaging is useful for improving the microbial safety and reducing decay during storage without impairing the physical properties of the fruit. Future applications of this protocol include testing the effectiveness of slow-release ClO2 pouches as an addition to existing commercial packaging against the foodborne pathogens and spoilage organisms of any number of fresh food products, including fruits, vegetables, meats, and breads.
The authors have nothing to disclose.
We would like to thank the financial support provided by Worrell Water Technologies, LLC. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product is for identification only and does not imply a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Curoxin chlorine dioxide pouch | Worrell Water Technologies | Slurry, a.i. 9.5% in sealed permeable polymer film | |
Grape tomato | Santa Sweets, Inc | Santa Sweets Authentic | |
ClO2 gas detector | Analytical Technology, Inc., Collegeville, PA | PortaSens II | |
Perforated clamshell | Packaging Plus LLC, Yakima, WA | OSU #1, 1 lb | |
Escherichia coli | Wild Type (WT) from fruit surface | ||
Alternaria alternata | from fruit surface | ||
E. coli agar | EC Broth, Oxoid, UK | EC Broth with 1.5% agar | |
Potato dextrose agar | BD Difco, Sparks, MD | ||
Levine eosin methylene blue agar | BD Difco, Sparks, MD | ||
Trigger spray bottle | Impact Products, LLC., Toledo, OH | ||
Sterilized sampling bag | Fisherbrand, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA | ||
Orbit shaker | New Brunswick Scientific, New Brunswick, NJ | Innova 2100 | |
IUL Instruments Neutec Eddy jet spiral plater inoculation plating system | Neutec Group Inc., Farmingdale, NY | ||
EZ micro optical plate reader | Synoptics, Ltd., Cambridge, UK | ProtoCOL | |
Fruit firmness tester | Bioworks Inc, Wamego, KS | FirmTech 2 | |
Tinytag temperature and RH data logger | Gemini Data Loggers, West Sussex, UK | ||
McFarland equivalence turbidity standard | Fisherbrand, Fisher Scientific, Pittsburgh, PA |