USDA and NIFA to fund study of foodborne pathogens

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have awarded a $150,000 grant to University of Maine researchers for studying foodborne pathogens.

This funding will support an effort to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to observe the internalisation of foodborne pathogens, a process where harmful bacteria moves into the edible parts of produce, The Maine Campus reported.

University of Maine professor of food science Dr Vivian Wu was quoted by The Maine Campus as saying: "Either microorganisms will contaminate a surface of produce, leaves, plants, fruit, but there is another possibility microorganisms can actually internalise, get inside of the plant cell tissues.

"That will make the control of microorganisms and contamination even more difficult. Once microorganisms internalise inside of a plant tissue, it’s very difficult to get rid of them."

However, the use of MRI technology is expected to help trace bacterial internalisation of fresh produce and foster better understanding of the process.

In addition, this method will help researchers to study pathogens without using invasive methods on the examining products.

Wu added: "I came up with this idea that we may be able to use MRI imaging technology to develop non-invasive methods so we can better understand how pathogens internalise inside of plant cells, and whether how severe or what the possibility is of internalisation."

In January this year, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) proposed new federal standards to reduce foodborne illnesses such as salmonella and campylobacter.

According to researchers, the study is expected to have a profound impact on the food industry in general and produce in particular, as outbreaks of Escherichia coli in spinach and other leafy greens infected close to 33 people in 2012.

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Image: The new study will attempt to trace bacterial internalisation of fresh produce using MRI technology. Photo: courtesy of NIAID.