In Mexico City, fresh-squeezed street-vended orange juice is contaminated with fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli: A potential risk for acquiring foodborne diseases

Belem Karina Figueroa-Ducoing, Alma Karina Carrillo-Sanchez, Sandra Rivera-Gutierrez, Diana Rios-Muñiz, Teresa Estrada-Garcia, Jorge Francisco Cerna-Cortes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study evaluated the microbiological quality and prevalence of Escherichia coli and diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes (DEP) among fresh-squeezed orange juice from street vendors and their hygienic practices. Sixty orange juice stalls in Mexico City were visited, and 60 samples were purchased. Most (65%) of the street vendors had poor hygienic practices. Twelve (20%) prepared orange juice at the time of purchase, while the other stalls sold already-squeezed orange juice. All samples analyzed were positive for aerobic mesophilic bacteria, with limits ranging from 1 to 6.8 log CFU/mL. A total of 35 (58.3%), 27 (45%), and 5 (8.3%) samples were positive for total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and E. coli, respectively, present at concentrations ranging from < 3 to > 1100, < 3 to > 1100, and < 3 to 53 MPN/mL, respectively. Two samples harbored DEP at concentrations of 3.6 and 9.2 MPN/mL. Both samples harbored Shiga toxin-producing E. coli strains, positive for the Shiga toxin 2 (stx2) locus. Our results suggest that consumption of fresh-squeezed street-vended orange juice may pose a health risk for consumers, revealing the necessity to implement adequate hygiene and safety practices to protect the health of consumers.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere52022
JournalFood Science and Technology
Volume42
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022

Keywords

  • Escherichia coli
  • Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
  • hygienic practices
  • microbiological quality
  • street-vended orange juice

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