[Gram-negative flora of horticultural produce destined for consumption mainly in the raw state]

A survey has been carried out to evaluate the recovery of Enterobacteriaceae in freshly consumed horticultural products. 64 samples of these vegetables random chosen in different stores in the General Vegetable Market of Ferrara have been examined among the families of Compositae (lettuce, prickly lettuce, cabbage lettuce, common chicory, artichoke), Umbrelliferae (curly parsley, carrot, celery, fennel), Cruciferae (garden cabbage, red radish), Liliaceae (onion), and Solanaceae (tomato). 654 bacterial lines were isolated, of which 92.5% were Enterobacteriaceae, found in all kinds of horticultural products, the more contaminated being celery, followed by fennel, onion, common chicory, curley parsley, tomato; less contaminated were the other vegetables. Serratia was found in 29.6% of the samples, Escherichia in 28%, Enterobacter in 21.6%, Hafnia in 8.3%, citrobacter in 4.9%, Klebsiella in 2.3% and Yersinia enterocolitica in 1.5%. The importance of horticultural products as source of contamination and colonization by Enterobacteriaceae, especially in hospital, is emphasized. On the basis of reported data, the Authors suggest an accurate observance on hygienic regulations in order to contain the microbic charge under borderline values, even if it is not demonstrated that environmental Enterobacteriacee have the same pathogenicity than clinical ones.