Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene

Introduction: Contaminated sponges might lead to cross-contamination in kitchens since they can transfer microorganisms to surfaces where microorganisms can survive for hours or days and contaminate food. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the transfer and the survival of bacteria fro...

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Main Authors: Eliandra Mirlei Rossi, Diane Scapin, Eduardo César Tondo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries 2013-03-01
Series:Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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Online Access:https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2472
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author Eliandra Mirlei Rossi
Diane Scapin
Eduardo César Tondo
author_facet Eliandra Mirlei Rossi
Diane Scapin
Eduardo César Tondo
author_sort Eliandra Mirlei Rossi
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Contaminated sponges might lead to cross-contamination in kitchens since they can transfer microorganisms to surfaces where microorganisms can survive for hours or days and contaminate food. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the transfer and the survival of bacteria from kitchen sponges to surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel and polyethylene. Methodology: Twenty-four sponges were collected from industrial kitchens in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and aseptically split into two equal parts. One part was subjected to enumeration of heterotrophic microorganisms, faecal coliforms, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and search detection of Salmonella enterica. The other part was rubbed on surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel (12 sponges) or polyethylene (12 sponges). The transfer and survival of microorganisms was quantified by swab collection and pour-plate method using plate count agar. Results: All sponges were contaminated by heterotrophic microorganisms (average of 6.8 log CFU/sponge) and 83.3% with faecal coliforms (average of 5 log CFU/sponge). None of the sponges were contaminated by S. enterica and/or coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. The average transfer of microorganisms varied between 3.3 and 5.5 log CFU/cm2 for stainless steel and from 3.5 to 5.6 log CFU/cm2 for polyethylene. Although the survival rate decreased over time, more than 1 log CFU/cm2 of heterotrophic microorganisms survived after 24 hours on both surfaces. Conclusions: The sponges used in food services were significantly contaminated and could transfer large amounts of microorganisms to surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel and polyethylene.
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publisher The Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
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spelling doaj-art-be5e5fea22b748ceb05aeafd105fc2602025-08-20T02:27:15ZengThe Journal of Infection in Developing CountriesJournal of Infection in Developing Countries1972-26802013-03-0170310.3855/jidc.2472Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethyleneEliandra Mirlei Rossi0Diane Scapin1Eduardo César Tondo2Microbiological Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Western Santa Catarina Sao Miguel Oeste, SC, BrazilMicrobiological Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, University of Western Santa Catarina Sao Miguel Oeste, SC, BrazilDepartment of Food Sciences, Food Science and Technology Institute, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, ICTA/UFRGS, Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil Introduction: Contaminated sponges might lead to cross-contamination in kitchens since they can transfer microorganisms to surfaces where microorganisms can survive for hours or days and contaminate food. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the transfer and the survival of bacteria from kitchen sponges to surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel and polyethylene. Methodology: Twenty-four sponges were collected from industrial kitchens in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and aseptically split into two equal parts. One part was subjected to enumeration of heterotrophic microorganisms, faecal coliforms, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus and search detection of Salmonella enterica. The other part was rubbed on surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel (12 sponges) or polyethylene (12 sponges). The transfer and survival of microorganisms was quantified by swab collection and pour-plate method using plate count agar. Results: All sponges were contaminated by heterotrophic microorganisms (average of 6.8 log CFU/sponge) and 83.3% with faecal coliforms (average of 5 log CFU/sponge). None of the sponges were contaminated by S. enterica and/or coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. The average transfer of microorganisms varied between 3.3 and 5.5 log CFU/cm2 for stainless steel and from 3.5 to 5.6 log CFU/cm2 for polyethylene. Although the survival rate decreased over time, more than 1 log CFU/cm2 of heterotrophic microorganisms survived after 24 hours on both surfaces. Conclusions: The sponges used in food services were significantly contaminated and could transfer large amounts of microorganisms to surfaces of AISI 316 stainless steel and polyethylene. https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2472kitchen spongesmicrobiological contaminationsurvival on stainless steel and polyethylene
spellingShingle Eliandra Mirlei Rossi
Diane Scapin
Eduardo César Tondo
Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
Journal of Infection in Developing Countries
kitchen sponges
microbiological contamination
survival on stainless steel and polyethylene
title Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
title_full Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
title_fullStr Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
title_full_unstemmed Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
title_short Survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
title_sort survival and transfer of microorganisms from kitchen sponges to surfaces of stainless steel and polyethylene
topic kitchen sponges
microbiological contamination
survival on stainless steel and polyethylene
url https://jidc.org/index.php/journal/article/view/2472
work_keys_str_mv AT eliandramirleirossi survivalandtransferofmicroorganismsfromkitchenspongestosurfacesofstainlesssteelandpolyethylene
AT dianescapin survivalandtransferofmicroorganismsfromkitchenspongestosurfacesofstainlesssteelandpolyethylene
AT eduardocesartondo survivalandtransferofmicroorganismsfromkitchenspongestosurfacesofstainlesssteelandpolyethylene