Microbial species associated with different sections of broccoli harvested from three regions in Australia

Abstract

The microbial populations associated with the different sections of broccoli harvested from three locations in Australia were studied during storage at 5, 15 and 20°C. Bacterial and yeast populations associated with the outer florets and cut surfaces of the stem were generally 10-fold or more higher than those associated with inner florets or non-cut stems, respectively. The predominating bacterial species varied with the origin of the broccoli. Pseudomonas fluorescens, Ps. corrugata and Ps. viridiflava predominated at populations of 10 5–10 7 cfu/g on broccoli harvested from Victoria, Ps. fluorescens, Ps. mendocina and Ps. fragii and Arthrobacter spp. (10 3–10 6 cfu/g) were prevalent on broccoli harvested from Queensland. Broccoli harvested from New South Wales exhibited a predominance of Ps. fluorescens, Arthrobacter spp. and Enterobacter agglomerans (10 3–10 5 cfu/g). Most species grew on broccoli during storage. Similar species were found at the different sections of broccoli, although, for some species there was evidence of strain variation at the different locations and for different temperature of storage.