Identification of bacterial species on Lippia multiflora herbal tea leaves and the influence of steam pasteurization

Date
2011, 2011
Authors
Arthur H.
Cameron M.
Joubert E.
Witthuhn R.C.
Arthur H.
Cameron M.
Joubert E.
Witthuhn R.C.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The consumption of herbal teas is an increasing phenomenon among tea consumers globally. Some of these herbal teas are not pre-treated to reduce their microbial load before consumption, and thus constitute a health risk to consumers. In this study, the effect of steam pasteurization, at >99 °C for 2.5 min, on the microbial load of Lippia multiflora herbal tea leaves was evaluated. Microbial enumeration was conducted on potato dextrose agar, plate count agar, violet red bile agar, yeast peptone dextrose agar, and DeMan-Rogosa-Sharpe agar. Morphologically distinct colonies were isolated, sub-cultured and their Gram reaction recorded. These bacteria were identified to the species level using 16S ribosomal DNA sequence data. Most of the bacteria identified belonged to the genus Bacillus. One species each from the genera Pantoea and Kocuria was also identified, but only the Bacillus species survived the steam pasteurization treatment. Coliform bacteria detected prior to pasteurization were not detected after the steam treatment. Steam pasteurization reduced the microbial load from 104 to 102 c.f.u.g-1and it is potentially an effective method to treat L. multiflora herbal teas prior to consumption. It is important to note that the steam treatment should complement good agricultural and hygienic practices rather than replace them, as some bacteria can survive this treatment. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
The consumption of herbal teas is an increasing phenomenon among tea consumers globally. Some of these herbal teas are not pre-treated to reduce their microbial load before consumption, and thus constitute a health risk to consumers. In this study, the effect of steam pasteurization, at >99 °C for 2.5 min, on the microbial load of Lippia multiflora herbal tea leaves was evaluated. Microbial enumeration was conducted on potato dextrose agar, plate count agar, violet red bile agar, yeast peptone dextrose agar, and DeMan-Rogosa-Sharpe agar. Morphologically distinct colonies were isolated, sub-cultured and their Gram reaction recorded. These bacteria were identified to the species level using 16S ribosomal DNA sequence data. Most of the bacteria identified belonged to the genus Bacillus. One species each from the genera Pantoea and Kocuria was also identified, but only the Bacillus species survived the steam pasteurization treatment. Coliform bacteria detected prior to pasteurization were not detected after the steam treatment. Steam pasteurization reduced the microbial load from 104 to 102 c.f.u.g-1and it is potentially an effective method to treat L. multiflora herbal teas prior to consumption. It is important to note that the steam treatment should complement good agricultural and hygienic practices rather than replace them, as some bacteria can survive this treatment. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Description
Keywords
Bacillus species; Bacterial species; Genus bacillus; Herbal tea; Lippia multiflora; Microbial enumeration; Microbial loads; Pantoea; Potato dextrose agars; Steam treatment; Tea leaves; Algae; Bacteriology; Dextrose; Health risks; Polysaccharides; Steam; Coliform bacteria; Bacillus (bacterium); Bacteria (microorganisms); Kocuria; Lippia; Lippia multiflora; Pantoea; Solanum tuberosum, Bacillus species, Bacterial species, Genus bacillus, Herbal tea, Lippia multiflora, Microbial enumeration, Microbial loads, Pantoea, Potato dextrose agars, Steam treatment, Tea leaves, Algae, Bacteriology, Dextrose, Health risks, Polysaccharides, Steam, Coliform bacteria, Bacillus (bacterium), Bacteria (microorganisms), Kocuria, Lippia, Lippia multiflora, Pantoea, Solanum tuberosum
Citation
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
27
2
World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
27
2