Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 233
collected from six watersheds in Monterey County in California,
Gorski et al. (41) reported higher levels of Salmonella
in the spring than in the fall. They also found differences in
seasonal recovery among Salmonella strains; Heidelberg and
Senftenberg were isolated more often in winter, Infantis and
Oranienburg were more common in spring, Enteritidis and
Anatum were recovered more frequently in fall and spring,
and Montevideo was more common in spring and summer.
Studies of surface waters in eastern Virginia (n = 147 and
196), central Florida (n = 202), New York (n = 146), southern
Ontario, Canada (n = 235), and lower mainland British
Columbia (n = 223) revealed no association between Salmonella
prevalence and season (1, 32, 46, 78, 113, 117).
Because pathogenic E. coli is found less frequently in agricultural
water than are Salmonella and L. monocytogenes, its
prevalence is more difficult to correlate with season. Several
studies in the produce-growing region of California's central
coast were conducted to evaluate a possible association
between pathogenic E. coli prevalence in water and season,
but the results were inconclusive. In their study of E. coli
O157 prevalence over three growing seasons in the region
from May 2008 through October 2010, Benjamin et al. (10)
found no significant association between season and E. coli
O157 presence in water (n = 256) or sediment on farms or at
public access areas within the watershed. In contrast, Cooley
et al. (24) conducted a study over a 2-yr period from October
2011 to November 2013 in the same region with five times
the sample size (n = 1,386) and reported significantly higher
prevalence of E. coli O157 in water in the winter and spring
than in the summer and fall. However, these authors did not
find any seasonal difference in non-O157 pathogenic E. coli
prevalence. In another central California study with a smaller
sample size (n = 244) conducted from April 2008 to October
2010, significantly higher prevalence of pathogenic E. coli was
found in January, February, and March when temperatures
are cooler and rainfall is more frequent than in warmer summer
months with typically fewer rainfall events (23).
Like studies evaluating the association between seasonality
and pathogen prevalence, studies evaluating water temperature
also frequently revealed a correlation with pathogen
prevalence or levels (48). Many of the most prominent human
pathogens causing foodborne illness (e.g., L. monocytogenes,
Salmonella, and STEC) survive longer in water at lower
temperatures due primarily to the slowing of their metabolic
processes (22, 92). However, as water temperatures become
warmer, many pathogens become more metabolically active
and resume reproduction (62).
Some researchers have tried to more specifically determine
whether pathogen prevalence is directly related to seasonal
environmental conditions (e.g., precipitation, water temperature,
and humidity) or to seasonal agricultural practices (e.g.,
runoff from soil amendment applications and cattle moved
to nearby pasture). Thomas et al. (117) studied the seasonality
of Salmonella prevalence in urban and rural streams in
Ontario, Canada and found an association between season
and Salmonella serotypes of human health significance in
rural (agricultural) streams but not in urban streams, which
suggests that agricultural activities are primarily responsible
for Salmonella prevalence in these environments. Weller et al.
(140) studied nine waterways providing water to commercial
farms in Arizona and New York and also suggested that
upstream activities related to farm production may have contributed
to the seasonal variation in microbial water quality.
Most likely seasonal weather effects (e.g., ambient temperatures
and rainfall and related runoff) in conjunction with seasonal
agricultural activities contribute to and influence pathogen
prevalence. Seasonal weather conditions such as rainfall
and runoff undoubtedly affect contamination of agricultural
water by introducing pathogens or increasing pathogen levels
and will be further discussed as contamination risk factors in
a future article in this series on agricultural water.
PATHOGEN PERSISTENCE IN AGRICULTURAL
WATER
Human pathogens can survive in water for extended
periods of time and survive longer in environments with
favorable conditions that reduce or eliminate competitors
and provide sufficient nutrients and protection from
predators (7, 8, 13, 25, 37, 61, 138). Pathogens may
also persist in agricultural water by entering a viable but
nonculturable state or being enclosed in vesicles within
free-living protozoa, and survival may be enhanced by
adherence to sediment or aquatic plants and by the presence
of agrochemicals, as discussed in more detail below (5, 61,
69, 74, 75). Pathogens may persist longer in stagnant water
or ephemeral waterbeds that contain water only when there
is substantial rainfall than in continually flowing waterbodies.
Chase et al. (17) studied an ephemeral river in Florida and
observed significantly greater fecal coliform and E. coli levels
under no-flow conditions than when the river flowed. Fecal
coliform levels in the water column and sediments were
negatively correlated with the time since the last rain event
(i.e., as time between rain events increased, microbial levels
decreased) (17). Pathogens are removed from water by
sedimentation, filtration, and absorption or from natural dieoff
due to UV exposure, temperature fluctuations, starvation,
or predation (61, 69, 146). Two recent reviews have taken
in-depth looks at the ability of human pathogens to persist
in water (8, 37). Bell et al. (8) reviewed the persistence of
STEC, Salmonella, Campylobacter, and L. monocytogenes
in surface water sources. Gartley et al. (37) reviewed the
published science on the prevalence and persistence of
L. monocytogenes in irrigation water and the factors that
contribute to L. monocytogenes contamination of various
types of water sources. Here we briefly discuss published
research findings on specific environmental conditions
that may enhance the persistence of human pathogens in
agricultural water sources after contamination occurs. In a
May/June Food Protection Trends 233
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024
Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity Remained Stable after Prolonged Application of Superheated Steam in Enclosed Spaces
Understanding the Food Safety Needs of Small and Very Small Processors in the Northeast United States: Food Safety Communicator and Regulator Perspectives
Mitigating Mushroom Risks: Evaluating Cooking Practices for Salmonella Reduction in Dried Mushrooms
Examining Age and Food Irradiation Knowledge as Influential Factors on the Purchase of Irradiated Foods: United States, August 2022
Beyond the Bio Nathan Mirdamadi
PDG Highlight Pre-Harvest PDG
General Interest Paper Agricultural Water Use in U.S. Fresh Produce Growing Operations—Part I: Pathogen Presence and Persistence
Industry Products
Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Cover1
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Cover2
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 145
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 146
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 147
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 148
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 149
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 150
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 151
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Ambient Temperature and Relative Humidity Remained Stable after Prolonged Application of Superheated Steam in Enclosed Spaces
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 153
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 154
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 155
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 156
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 157
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 158
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 159
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Understanding the Food Safety Needs of Small and Very Small Processors in the Northeast United States: Food Safety Communicator and Regulator Perspectives
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 161
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 162
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 163
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 164
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 165
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 166
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 167
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 168
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 169
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 170
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 171
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 172
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 173
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 174
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 175
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 176
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 177
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 178
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 179
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 180
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 181
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Mitigating Mushroom Risks: Evaluating Cooking Practices for Salmonella Reduction in Dried Mushrooms
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 183
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 184
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 185
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 186
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 187
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 188
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Examining Age and Food Irradiation Knowledge as Influential Factors on the Purchase of Irradiated Foods: United States, August 2022
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 190
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 191
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 192
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 193
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 194
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 195
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Beyond the Bio Nathan Mirdamadi
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 197
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 198
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - PDG Highlight Pre-Harvest PDG
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 200
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 201
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 202
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 203
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 204
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 205
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 206
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 207
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 208
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 209
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 210
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 211
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 212
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 213
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 214
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 215
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 216
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 217
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 218
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 219
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 220
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 221
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 222
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 223
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 224
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 225
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 226
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 227
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - General Interest Paper Agricultural Water Use in U.S. Fresh Produce Growing Operations—Part I: Pathogen Presence and Persistence
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 229
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 230
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 231
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 232
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 233
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 234
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 235
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 236
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 237
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 238
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 239
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 240
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 241
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 242
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 243
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 244
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 245
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 246
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 247
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Industry Products
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 249
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 250
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - 251
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Coming Events
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Cover3
Food Protection Trends - May/June 2024 - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20240102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20231112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20220102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20211112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20190102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20181112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20180102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20171112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20170102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20161112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20160102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20151112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20150102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20141112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20140102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20131112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_20130102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201212
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201211
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201210
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201209
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201208
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201207
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201206
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201205
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201204
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201203
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201202
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201201
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201111
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201110
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201109
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201108
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201107
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201106
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201105
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201104
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201103
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201101
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201012
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201009
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201008
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201007
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201006
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201005
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201004
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201003
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201002
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_201001
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200912
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200911
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200909
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200908
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200907
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200906
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200905
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200904
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200903
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200902
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200901
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200812
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200811
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200810
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200809
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200808
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/trilix/fpt_200807
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com