Contamination of spices and herbs marketed in Tabriz: microbial load and diversity of enteric bacteria

Spices and seasonings are of herbal origin and are used to improve the aroma, flavor, and color of foods. Similar to the other agriculture products, microbial contamination of spice plants are a great challenge to the wholesomeness of foodstuff. Enterobacteriaceae are of great concern in food hygiene so that the determination of enteric bacteria is the most regular assay for the evaluation of food safety. This study aimed to investigate the microbiological load and the diversity of enteric bacteria in spices and herbs marketed in Tabriz. A total of 125 samples consisting 25 types of spices and herbs from 5 distinct regions of Tabriz was collected. According to the results, all samples contained aerobic mesophilic bacteria and coliforms. In 28% and 40% of the samples, the mean population of aerobic mesophilic bacteria and coliforms were beyond the ICMSF limit, respectively. Moreover, 110 isolates of enteric bacteria consisting 13 various species were identified. Highest and lowest occurrence rate of enteric bacteria was determined as Escherichia coli (21.81%) and Salmonella enterica (0.9%), respectively. Excessive microbial contamination of the samples and particularly, the presence of various enteric bacteria -with the potential of pathogenicity- is considered as an indication of health hazard. Therefore, it is necessary to apply appropriate decontamination procedures such as thermal processes, ozone treatment or irradiation in order to eradicate the microbial contamination of spices.