Aeolian contamination of fruits by enteric pathogens: an unexplored paradigm

Dust, fine particulate matter suspended in air, represents an understudied vehicle for microbial dispersal in agricultural environments and fruit contamination by microorganisms pathogenic to humans. Dust not only affects biological processes in plants, such as stomatal gas exchange, but also the plant surface microbiome. While the risk of growing fruits and vegetables in proximity of livestock operations is well recognized, a full understanding of the mechanisms by which fresh produce become contaminated remains incomplete without the consideration of dust. Currently no recommendations on the microbiological quality of air in produce production environments exist. This review explores the association between carpoplane (fruit surface) contamination by enteric bacterial pathogens and the ability of these pathogens to survive and disperse with aerosolized dust.