Microbiological survey of selected imported spices and associated fecal pellet specimens

A microbiological survey was performed on 4 selected imported spices: black peppercorns, white peppercorns, coriander, and fennel seed. Aerobic plate count values ranged from 10(4) to 10(7) colony-forming units (CFU)/g for black and white peppercorns and from 10(3) to 10(5) CFU/g for coriander and fennel seed. Combined results of the 3-tube most probable number procedure and the API 20E kit indicated the presence of Escherichia coli in 4 test samples of black peppercorns, 1 test sample of white peppercorns, and 1 test sample of coriander. Two test samples of black peppercorns were positive for Salmonella contamination. Among the various Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the spices, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae were found most frequently in all spice types. Of 18 mammalian and avian fecal pellets removed from the spices and analyzed microbiologically, E. coli was found in only 2 pellet specimens. There was no apparent relationship between the enteric microflora found in spices and those found in the fecal pellets.