TY - CHAP
T1 - Irrigation Waters as a Source of Pathogenic Microorganisms in Produce. A Review
AU - Pachepsky, Yakov
AU - Shelton, Daniel R.
AU - McLain, Jean E.T.
AU - Patel, Jitendra
AU - Mandrell, Robert E.
PY - 2011
Y1 - 2011
N2 - There is increasing evidence that consumption of raw fresh produce is a major factor contributing to human gastrointestinal illness. A wide variety of pathogens contribute to food-borne illnesses, including bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, pathogenic Escherichia coli), protozoa (e.g., Cryptosporidium, Giardia), and viruses (e.g., noroviruses). Large-scale production of produce typically requires some form of irrigation during the growing season. There is a rapidly growing body of research documenting and elucidating the pathways of produce contamination by water-borne pathogens. However, many gaps still exist in our knowledge and understanding. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive approach to the issue, including the most recent research. Topics covered include: temporal and spatial variability, and regional differences, in pathogen and indicator organism concentrations in water; direct and circumstantial evidence for contaminated water as a source of food-borne pathogens; fate and transport of pathogens and indicator organisms in irrigation systems, and the role of environmental microbial reservoirs; and current standards for irrigation water quality, and risk assessment. A concerted effort by researchers and practitioners is needed to maintain food safety of fresh produce in an increasingly intensive food production system and limited and declining irrigation water resources.
AB - There is increasing evidence that consumption of raw fresh produce is a major factor contributing to human gastrointestinal illness. A wide variety of pathogens contribute to food-borne illnesses, including bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, pathogenic Escherichia coli), protozoa (e.g., Cryptosporidium, Giardia), and viruses (e.g., noroviruses). Large-scale production of produce typically requires some form of irrigation during the growing season. There is a rapidly growing body of research documenting and elucidating the pathways of produce contamination by water-borne pathogens. However, many gaps still exist in our knowledge and understanding. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive approach to the issue, including the most recent research. Topics covered include: temporal and spatial variability, and regional differences, in pathogen and indicator organism concentrations in water; direct and circumstantial evidence for contaminated water as a source of food-borne pathogens; fate and transport of pathogens and indicator organisms in irrigation systems, and the role of environmental microbial reservoirs; and current standards for irrigation water quality, and risk assessment. A concerted effort by researchers and practitioners is needed to maintain food safety of fresh produce in an increasingly intensive food production system and limited and declining irrigation water resources.
KW - Control of microbiological irrigation water quality
KW - Environmental microbial reservoirs
KW - Irrigation water quality
KW - Microbial pathogens
KW - Microbial risk assessment
KW - Produce contamination
KW - Water quality standards
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=80052936719&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=80052936719&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/B978-0-12-386473-4.00007-5
DO - 10.1016/B978-0-12-386473-4.00007-5
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:80052936719
T3 - Advances in Agronomy
SP - 73
EP - 138
BT - Advances in Agronomy
PB - Academic Press Inc.
ER -