Causes and countermeasures against softening-induced spoilage after shipment of cruciferous vegetable "Hanakkori"
2019
Izuho, M. | Kajihara, H. | Nakamura, N. | Sumida, Y.
Shipped cruciferous vegetable "Hanakkori" cultivated in 2011 and 2012, exhibited softening and decaying in shipping bags and were returned from the market. This phenomenon became a serious problem for farmers and distributors. Therefore, research to elucidate the cause of softening-induced spoilage and countermeasures were undertaken in accordance with the requests of farmers and distributors. The result showed that not only Pectobacterium carotovorum, but also several nonpathogenic bacteria were detected in the softened and decayed parts of the plants. Reproduction experiments using artificial inoculation proved that the nonpathogenic bacteria also caused the softening-induced spoilage. The growth of softening spoilage bacteria is remarkable at≧ 15℃, and plants decompose in several days at a temperature of≧25℃. Construction of a system that stores and distributes products at low temperature is an effective strategy to prevent the spoilage of "Hanakkori" because bacteria growth is suppressed at a low temperature of≦10℃. Hygiene control including disinfection of utensils during preparation processes is effective in preventing bacterial contamination of harvested vegetables. Furthermore, comprehensive measures, including controlling P. carotovorum in the field, are important for suppressing the occurrence of softening-induced spoilage after shipment.
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