In this study, the antimicrobial activity of black garlic pomace extract (BGPE) was examined, and its washing applicability to spinach was investigated. BGPE had antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium) food-borne pathogens. In particular, antimicrobial activities of BGPE against Gram-positive bacteria were higher than those against Gram-negative bacteria. Spinach samples were treated with 0.5% BGPE to determine the effect of BGPE on reducing naturally existing microorganisms on the surface of spinach leaves. BGPE treatment reduced populations of total aerobic bacteria and yeast/molds in spinach by 1.23∼1.35 log CFU/g and 0.82∼1.12 log CFU/g during 9 days of storage, respectively, compared with those of control samples. After treatment, there were no significant differences in color quality such as Hunter L, a, and b values and total color difference (ΔE). These results clearly indicate that BGPE treatment can be useful for improving microbiological safety and maintaining color quality of spinach during storage.

Keywords: black garlic pomace extract, antimicrobial activity, microbiological safety, spinach leaves