Effect of Chlorine Dioxide Treatment and Storage in a Modified Atmosphere on the Inactivation of Cronobacter spp. On Radish Seeds

This study evaluated the inactivation of Cronobacter spp. on radish seeds using ClO₂ treatment followed by storage in modified atmosphere (MA) for up to 4 days. Radish seeds were inoculated with Cronobacter spp. (6logcfu/g), adapted to nalidixic acid and treated with a ClO₂ aqueous solution (0, 50 or 100μL/mL). The seeds were then stored in an ambient air or MA (10% O₂, 10% CO₂ and 80% N₂; 5% O₂, 10% CO₂ and 85% N₂; or 10% O₂, 0% CO₂ and 90% N₂) for up to 4 days. The Cronobacter spp. (6.2logcfu/g) populations on the radish seeds were reduced to 3.9, 3.8 or 2.6logcfu/g after treatment with 0, 50 or 100μL/mL ClO₂, respectively, and then to 3.7, 3.1 or≤1.6logcfu/g after 2h of drying. After 2-3 days of storage under MA (5 or 10% O₂ with 10% CO₂), no Cronobacter spp. were detected on the seeds treated with 100μL/mL aqueous ClO₂. More than 94.3% of the radish seeds germinated after ClO₂ treatment followed by exposure to an MA, regardless of the ClO₂ concentration.