Survival of Salmonella Newport on cucumbers

What is it about?

Cucumbers have been associated with major outbreaks of salmonellosis. Lytic bacteriophages (phages) are non-harmful viruses that that have been used kill foodborne pathogens on produce commodities. Phages directly applied (sprayed) to the surface of whole cucumbers were effective at reducing Salmonella Newport populations. Indirect transfer of phages from the surface of cucumbers to the flesh (through slicing) was less effective in reducing S. Newport on cucumber flesh. Spraying phages provides a higher ratio of bacteriophage particles to target bacterial cells needed to reduce Salmonella populations. The application of phages hastened the decline of Salmonella populations on whole and fresh-cut cucumbers.

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Why is it important?

Little is truly known about the survival of Salmonella Newport on the surface of whole or on the flesh of fresh-cut cucumbers. Our work shows that Salmonella Newport can be transferred from the surface of whole to the flesh of cucumbers during cutting.The work also shows the effectiveness of bacteriophage treatments when directly applied to whole cucumbers.

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