Abstract
This study examined the anti-microbiological effects of chlorine treatment on the surface of fresh fruits, in order to improve microbiological safety in school foodservice operations. Non-peeled fruit(strawberries) and peeled fruit(bananas) were treated with different concentrations of chlorinated water and rinsing numbers, followed by microbiological testing. The fruits were immersed at different concentrations of chlorinated water(0 ppm, 50 ppm, and 100 ppm) and durations(3 min and 5 min), and were then rinsed with tap water(one time, two times, or three times). The total viable cell counts of both the strawberries and bananas ranged from $10^3$ CFU/g to $10^4$ CFU/g, and coliform levels ranged from $10^2$ CFU/g to $10^3$ CFU/g. As the chlorine concentration, immersion time, and rinsing number increased, anti-microbiological activity increased. The largest microbial reduction was shown with immersion for 5 min in 100 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings. In the strawberries, this treatment reduced the initial population of total viable cells and coliforms by 3.29 log CFU/g and to an undetectable level, respectively, no total viable cells or coliforms were detected on the banana surface following this treatment. However, after a sterilization treatment with immersion for 5 min in 50 ppm chlorinated water and three rinsings, the total viable cell counts and coliform counts of the strawberries and bananas decreased to acceptable levels, based on the microbiological standards for ready-to-eat foods. Overall, it was shown that the sterilization treatment of 50 ppm chlorinated water, soaking for 5 min, and three rinsings provided an effective reduction in surface microbes, and enhanced the microbiological safety of the fruit.
