The effects of different storage conditions and periods on mould-yeast, aflatoxin, E. coli and E. coli O157 in wet sugar beet pulp

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the effects of storage condition and period on mold-yeast, aflatoxin, E. coli and E. coli O157 in the wet sugar beet pulp (WSBP). For this aim, samples were taken from the first production of WSBP from the sugar factory (Control) and the newly packaged sacks from the packaging company (Packaged Control). Afterwards, additional two samples were taken from WSBP stored as packaged (Packaged) and as surrounded by a nylon cover outside near the barn (Nonpackaged) from the predetermined farms with one-month interval. The pH value of the Packaged group was significantly lower than the Non-packaged group at the end of the 1st and 2nd months (P<0.01). The yeast-mold count of Non-packaged and Packaged groups at the end of the 1st and 2nd months was determined to be 4.61, 1.60 and 4.83, 1.26 log10 CFU/g, respectively (P<0.01). However, aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) was not detected in groups. The E. coli was detected as 1.48 (in the 1st month) and 1.53 (in the 2nd month) log10 CFU/g in only Non-packaged group. It was worked for the identification of E. coli O157 from E. coli positive samples of Non-packaged group, but it was not detected. Consequently, it was determined that the use of packaged WSBP was better than the Non-packaged in terms of microbiological analysis.