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Hygienic quality of head lettuce: Effects of organic and mineral fertilizers

Wießner, S.; Thiel, B.; Krämer, J. and Köpke, U. (2009) Hygienic quality of head lettuce: Effects of organic and mineral fertilizers. Food Control, 20, pp. 881-886.

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Document available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713508003198


Summary

The hygienic quality of head lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) was investigated after different fertilizer treatments (fresh farmyard manure, composted farmyard manure, stinging nettle extract and calcium ammonium nitrate) in a 2-year field experiment with two trials per year, respectively. For assessment of the hygienic quality the total aerobic bacterial counts, Enterobacteriaceae, coliform bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella were investigated in soil, fertilizer and lettuce samples. Plants were washed with running tap water before analysis. The total aerobic bacterial count, as well as the levels of Enterobacteriaceae and coliform bacteria tended to be slightly higher (not significant) after organic compared to mineral fertilization. No Salmonella was detected in any soil, fertilizer or lettuce sample, while E. coli was randomly detected in low concentrations independent from fertilizer treatment. No higher risk of bacterial contamination due to the use of organic fertilizers was indicated.
(c) Elsevier


EPrint Type:Journal paper
Keywords:Hygienic quality of lettuce, Organic fertilizer, Enteric bacteria
Subjects: Soil > Soil quality
Food systems > Food security, food quality and human health
Crop husbandry > Production systems > Vegetables
Research affiliation: Germany > University of Bonn > Institute of Organic Agriculture
European Union > QualityLowInputFood > Subproject 3: Crop production systems
Deposited By: Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau, FiBL
ID Code:18933
Deposited On:16 Jun 2011 10:26
Last Modified:22 Jun 2014 13:30
Document Language:English
Status:Published
Refereed:Peer-reviewed and accepted

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