Author(s):
1. Ljiljana Topalić-Trivunović, Tehnološki fakultet Univerziteta u Banjoj Luci, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
2. Aleksandar Savić, Tehnološki fakultet Univerziteta u Banjoj Luci, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
3. Jelena Kovačević, Krajina Klas d.o.o. Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Abstract:
In this study was determined the total count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds, as well as the presence of Escherichia coli, Salmonella species, sulphite-reducing clostridia, coagulase positive staphylococcus, on the surface and in the interior parts of lettuce leaves before and after washing. Samples for analysis (160) were purchased from the local market place in Banja Luka in spring and autumn 2015. The total count of aerobic mesophilic bacteria on lettuce leaf surface is reduced by 2.27 log by washing while the reduction in the interior parts of lettuce leaves was much smaller and was only 0.42 log. Total count of yeast and molds on lettuce leaves surface after the washing is reduced by log 1.16, while in the interior parts of lettuce leaves reduction does not occur. E. coli was not found neither on the surface, nor in the interior parts of lettuce leaves. Salmonella species were identified in one sample on the leaves surface of unwashed lettuce. Most of the samples were contaminated with coagulase-positive staphylococci that were found on the lettuce leaf surface in 57.5% of unwashed and 12.5% of washed samples. In the interior parts of lettuce leaves these bacteria were not found. Sulphite-reducing clostridia were detected in 7.5% of washed and unwashed samples on lettuce leaves surface and in 22.5% of samples in the interior parts of the leaves.

Key words:
lettuce,microbiological quality,surface area,interior parts

Thematic field:
Quality control and food safety

Date of abstract submission:
20.06.2016.

Conference:
XI Savjetovanje hemičara, tehnologa i ekologa Republike Srpske

Abstract Final paper