2009 Annual Report
1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
To establish methods to ascertain that asymptomatic fruit leaving the packinghouse for market will be free of viable cells of the bacterium that causes citrus canker (Xanthomonas axonopodis pv citri). These methods will insure that bacteria established in small wounds and abrasions will not be able to cause disease when transferred to different localities.
1b.Approach (from AD-416)
Studies will be undertaken using wounded inoculated fruit to better understand the capabilities of the pathogen to survive certain sanitation and treatment protocols. Should the pathogen survive packingline sanitation in wounds, a further antimicrobial treatment would insure no viable cells leave the packinghouse. Compounds will be screened using novel methods for their abilities to reduce or eliminate growth of Xanthomonas. These will be done on a continuing basis: antimicrobial compounds will be screened and compatible coatings found that will act as a carrier for them. These measures will be combined with sanitizers to form a system that will be consistently effective in reducing the occurrence of viable bacterial cells in the ready-to-ship product. The most efficient method in the laboratory setting will be scaled up to packinglines and tested for efficiency on inoculated and un-inoculated asymptomatic injured and non-injured fruit.
3.Progress Report
This report documents research conducted under a Reimbursable Agreement between ARS and the INDIAN RIVER CITRUS LEAGUE. Additional details for the research can be found in the report for the parent project 6621-43000-001-00D, ENHANCEMENT OF THE QUALITY AND MICROBIAL STABILITY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES WITH EDIBLE COATINGS AND OTHER SURFACE TREATMENTS
This project is related to Objective 1 of this in-house project: To develop new uses for coatings to preserve quality of fresh produce.Florida’s fresh citrus industry had been hurt by a quarantine prohibiting the shipment of citrus fruit to any citrus producing states. For states where minimal shipping is allowed, there is a costly set of rules that packers must obey to be in compliance to ship. The restriction for shipping is the result of living bacterial cells found on fruit that had been processed through a packingline. The possibility remains, however small, that bacterial cells will be carried on the fruit and escape, causing outbreaks of this disease in places where it has not yet reached. This study involves testing compounds that will eliminate any bacteria still viable in wounds or biofilms on the surface of the fruit. Compounds being tested are essential oils and by-products from citrus and other natural sources. Our preliminary data shows that some essential oils are active against this bacterium. We are experimenting with vehicles to carry these antimicrobial compounds onto the fruit and make them compatible with the packingline. Application of this antimicrobial to the fruit will insure that there are no viable bacterial cells leaving the packinghouse. This research has resulted in a publication on a new method to screen antimicrobials. This is an ongoing study. Monitoring: Progress is monitored by e-mail and phone calls.
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