1,045
Views
21
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Original Articles

Disinfection options for irrigation water: Reducing the risk of fresh produce contamination with human pathogens

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, , , ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon show all
Pages 2144-2174 | Published online: 19 Dec 2019
 

Abstract

The growing health and economic burden posed by foodborne pathogens has stimulated global interest in the development of safe, affordable, effective and environmentally-sustainable irrigation water treatment technologies. This review critically compares the potential of existing and emerging methods for disinfection of irrigation water to reduce pathogenic microbial loads on high-risk vegetables and minimally processed fresh produce. We explore electrochemical disinfection and electrolyzed oxidizing water as alternatives to traditional chlorination, and identify hydrodynamic cavitation as an emerging disinfection strategy worthy of further investigation in this context. In addition, we assess the state of the knowledge regarding the impact of current water sanitation strategies on the ecological dynamics of plant and soil microbes and the potential induction of viable but nonculturable cells. Increased research in these areas could translate into substantial improvement in the overall quality and value of fresh produce, while maintaining environmentally-sustainable irrigation water usage.

Graphical Abstract

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia (VG15068).

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.