Evaluation of the kitchen microbiome and food safety behaviors of predominantly low-income families.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial pathogens in the domestic environment present a risk to residents, particularly among susceptible populations. However, the impact of consumer demographic characteristics and food handling methods on kitchen microbiomes is not fully understood. The domestic kitchen bacterial communities of ten predominantly low-income families in Houston, TX, were assessed in conjunction with a cross-sectional food safety survey to evaluate differences in household and surface-specific microbiomes and bacterial foodborne pathogen presence. Three kitchen surfaces within each household, including the sink drain, the refrigerator handle, and the counter, were environmentally sampled and metataxonomically evaluated via targeted 16S rRNA sequencing. Disposable dish sponges were also acquired and exami

SUBMITTER: Carstens CK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9557297 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature