Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of Salmonella in sesame, intended to be imported into Greece, and to identify the species, subspecies, and serotypes.
Methods: A total of 2,101 sesame samples were tested for the presence of Salmonella spp. at the accredited laboratory of the Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products, during the period June 2008 - December 2016, in order to get permission to be imported into Greece/EU. The countries of origin of the samples were India (1,416 samples), Soudan (280), Nigeria (176), Ethiopia (114), Burkina Faso (55), Mozambique (40) and Turkey (20). For the detection of Salmonella spp., ISO 6579 (4th ed. 2002-07-15/Cor.1:2004) was applied. Further confirmatory and identification tests to species, subspecies, and serovar levels were performed at the National Reference Laboratory for Salmonella (Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food), which is accredited for serotyping.
Results: Salmonella was detected in 142 out of 2,101 sesame samples. Of the isolates, 133 were identified as Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, 6 as Salmonella enterica subsp. salamae, 2 as Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae and 1 Salmonella enterica subsp. houtenae. The S. enterica subsp. enterica isolates designated by their antigenic formula included Salmonella Agona, Alkmaar, Amsterdam, Anatum, Bama, Bergen, Bolton, Bredeney, Canada, Cardoner, Dahra, Dallgow, Ekotedo, Fresno, Hannover, Hato, Havana, Heidelberg, Hemingford, Hongkong, Johannesburg, Karamoja, Kasenyi, Kastrup, Kentucky, Kingston, Kinondoni, Kristianstad, Liverpool, Logone, Maastricht, Madjorio, Mbandaka, Monschaui, Montevideo, Mountpleasant, Orion, Paratyphi B var. Java, Poona, Reading, Ruivu, Sanjuan, Scheissheim, Senftenberg, Stanley, Stormont, Telelkebir, Telhashomer, Tennessee, Tilburg, Tilene, and Vejle.
Significance: The study indicated that sesame products may constitute a potential hazard for human, especially if they are consumed raw or GMP are not applied.