Ecological problems of microbial contamination of packaging materials

Modern packaging can be defined as a means of ensuring the safe delivery of a product to the consumer at the lowest overall cost. Packaging materials are designed to protect the product from various environmental factors, including microorganisms. Microbiological studies of packaging materials and packages in Russia are sporadic and not systematized. At the same time, abroad, this issue is paid close attention, which is associated not only with environmental issues, but also with the desire to take a more advanced position in the consumer market. In this regard, the purpose of this study was to assess the role of packaging materials in the cross microbiological contamination of packaged products. We investigated different types of packaging and packaging materials. It was found that they were mainly contaminated by mold fungi, of which 70% were Aspergillus and 30% Penicillium. Of these, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus amstelodami, Penicillium brevicompactum were most often present. The contamination level ranged from 1.1×103 to 1.6×105 CFU/sm2. Fresh tomato and cucumber packages contained 29% of mold fungi (Penicillium, Alternaria, Paeolomices, Fusarium) and 71% of Enterobacteriace (Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter cloace, Serratia marcescens). A significant number of bacteria, including Salmonella arizona and Staphylococcus aureus were detected on the surfaces in contact with food products during their production and sale.