Gayani Gamage
Doctor of Philosophy, (Food Technology)
Study Completed: 2015
College of Health
Citation
Thesis Title
Effectiveness of UV-C irradiation as a postharvest treatment to control growth of L. monocytogenes on fresh cut broccoli
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Fresh produce can be contaminated by human pathogens at any time from field to table, providing channels for transmitting these pathogens to humans. Human pathogens such asListeria monocytogenes, which can grow and survive under refrigerated conditions, cannot be adequately removed by washing with commonly used chemical disinfectants. Ms Gamage''swork focused on studying a postharvest treatment for controlling growth of Listeria monocytogenes on fresh cut broccoli. UV-C irradiation resulted in immediate microbial mortality, and a longer-lasting induction of defence systems in the tissues, which suppressed growth of the pathogen if the tissues became contaminated during processing. Findings of this research would be beneficial for the horticulture industry of New Zealand as a hurdle technology to improve microbial safety of packed fresh produce.
Supervisors
Professor Julian Heyes
Associate Professor Jon Palmer
Professor Jason Wargent