Articles
Quality and safety of fresh-cut vegetables and fruits: the S294 Multi-State Research Project
Article number
1442_32
Pages
245 – 250
Language
English
Abstract
The S294 Project is a Multi-State Research Project in existence for 25 years that is administered by the USDA to enable collaborative research on high-priority topics related to fresh-cut quality and safety ranging from preharvest aspects to post-processing technology.
S294 members conduct cooperative, jointly planned research employing multidisciplinary approaches in which the members cooperate to solve problems that concern more than one state or region.
The Project meets annually with the International Fresh Produce Association.
Current objectives of the S294 Project (2022-27) include: 1) evaluate methods of sampling and measuring flavor and nutrition of fresh-cut products to facilitate comparison to traditional shelf life factors; 2) develop new strategies to improve and better maintain inherent fresh-cut product quality and nutrition; 3) improve understanding of physiological mechanisms that affect fresh-cut product quality; 4) determine critical factors in controlled inoculation studies with human pathogens and surrogates that influence the outcome of quantitative microbial risk assessments; 5) develop and validate novel diagnostic methods to determine presence of human pathogens and chemical hazards associated with fresh and fresh-cut products.
Examples of joint projects and impact: 1) enhancing the microbial safety of whole and fresh-cut melon (California, Georgia, Louisiana ARS, Pennsylvania ARS). A set of standard methods was validated for assessing pathogen interventions and mitigation protocols for melons and applied to address key knowledge gaps for improved disinfection and optimal quality retention; 2) processing fresh cut mango for a better quality product (Florida UF, Florida ARS, and California UCD). The “Fresh-cut Mango Best Management Practices” manual was published and distributed to processors in North and South America.
S294 members conduct cooperative, jointly planned research employing multidisciplinary approaches in which the members cooperate to solve problems that concern more than one state or region.
The Project meets annually with the International Fresh Produce Association.
Current objectives of the S294 Project (2022-27) include: 1) evaluate methods of sampling and measuring flavor and nutrition of fresh-cut products to facilitate comparison to traditional shelf life factors; 2) develop new strategies to improve and better maintain inherent fresh-cut product quality and nutrition; 3) improve understanding of physiological mechanisms that affect fresh-cut product quality; 4) determine critical factors in controlled inoculation studies with human pathogens and surrogates that influence the outcome of quantitative microbial risk assessments; 5) develop and validate novel diagnostic methods to determine presence of human pathogens and chemical hazards associated with fresh and fresh-cut products.
Examples of joint projects and impact: 1) enhancing the microbial safety of whole and fresh-cut melon (California, Georgia, Louisiana ARS, Pennsylvania ARS). A set of standard methods was validated for assessing pathogen interventions and mitigation protocols for melons and applied to address key knowledge gaps for improved disinfection and optimal quality retention; 2) processing fresh cut mango for a better quality product (Florida UF, Florida ARS, and California UCD). The “Fresh-cut Mango Best Management Practices” manual was published and distributed to processors in North and South America.
Authors
J.M. Fonseca, T. Liu, A. Plotto, E. Almenar, B. Brehm-Stecher, J.K. Brecht, S. Senseman
Keywords
diagnostic methods, flavor, microbial risk, minimally processed, nutrition, postharvest physiology, senescence
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