Potential Hazard of Radish Sprouts as a Vehicle of Escherichia coli O157:H7

Abstract

We studied the contamination of radish sprouts after exposure to Escherichia coli O157:H7-inoculated water in the laboratory. The edible parts, the cotyledons and hypocotyl, became heavily contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 when they were grown from seeds soaked in E. coli O157:H7-inoculated water. These same parts became contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 when their roots were dipped into E. coli O157:H7-inoculated water. These findings suggest that E. coli O157:H7 contamination in the edible parts of radish sprouts could pose a serious hazard if the seeds or hydroponic water are contaminated with the bacterium.

Keywords: O157:H7; hydroponic cultivation; radish sprouts.