Microbiological Hazard Analysis of Mulberry Farms at the Harvest Process

Introduction: Mulberry fruits have abundant nutrients and anthocyanin content. So interest in mulberry fruits has increased as a raw ingredient in health functional food industry.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the microbial hazards on mulberry fruits at the harvesting process in farm.

Methods: Samples (n = 63) were collected from environments (soil and irrigation water), harvest baskets, personal hands and berries (before harvesting, after harvesting, and after freezing) on three farms in Jeonbuk Province. We analyzed sanitary indicator bacteria from the collected samples (total aerobic bacteria, coliform bacteria and E. coli).

Results: Total aerobic bacteria were detected at the level of 5.78 - 8.27 log CFU/g from berry samples and ND - 7.14 log CFU/g (or ml, 100 cm², hand) from environments and postharvest facilities. Coliform bacteria were detected at the level of ND - 3.83 log CFU/g from berry samples and ND - 4.38 log CFU/g (or ml, 100 cm², hand) from environments and postharvest equipment. As a result of the qualitative analysis, E. coli were detected from 21 samples (33%) of 63 samples.

Significance: According to the results, the microbial population on the mulberry was higher than other kinds of berries. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent cross-contamination of foodborne pathogens.