Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in a Model High-Moisture Cheese on the Basis of pH, Moisture, and Acid Type

2020 ◽  
Vol 83 (8) ◽  
pp. 1335-1344
Author(s):  
SARAH K. ENGSTROM ◽  
CHRISTIE CHENG ◽  
DENNIS SEMAN ◽  
KATHLEEN A. GLASS

ABSTRACT High-moisture, low-acid cheeses have been shown to support Listeria monocytogenes growth during refrigerated storage. Prior studies suggest that organic acids vary in their antilisterial activity and that cheeses of lower pH delay growth longer than those of higher pH; however, no standard pH value for Listeria control in cheese exists. The objective of this research was to create a predictive model to include the effects of acid type, pH, and moisture on the growth of L. monocytogenes in a model cheese system. Cream, micellar casein, water, lactose, salt, and acid (citric, lactic, acetic, or propionic) were combined in 32 formulations targeting 4 pH values (5.25, 5.50, 5.75, and 6.00) and two moisture levels (50 and 56%). Each was inoculated with 3 log CFU/g L. monocytogenes (five-strain mixture) after which 25-g samples were vacuum sealed and stored 8 weeks at 4°C. Triplicate samples were enumerated on modified Oxford agar weekly in duplicate trials. Model cheeses formulated with acetic and propionic acids inhibited growth (i.e., no observed increase in L. monocytogenes populations over 8 weeks) at pH ≤5.75, while those formulated with lactic acid inhibited growth at pH 5.25 only. In contrast, all model cheeses formulated with citric acid supported growth. Resulting growth curves were fitted for lag phase and growth rate before constructing models for each. The pH and acid type were found to significantly affect both growth parameters (P < 0.05), while moisture (50 to 56%) was not statistically significant in either model (P ≥ 0.05). The effects of acetic and propionic acid were not significantly different. In contrast, model cheeses made with citric acid had significantly shorter lag phases than the other acids tested, but growth rates after lag were statistically similar to model cheeses made with lactic acid. These data suggest propionic ∼ acetic > lactic > citric acids in antilisterial activity within the model cheese system developed and can be used in formulating safe high-moisture cheeses. HIGHLIGHTS

2008 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 728-734 ◽  
Author(s):  
OLEKSANDR A. BYELASHOV ◽  
PATRICIA A. KENDALL ◽  
KEITH E. BELK ◽  
JOHN A. SCANGA ◽  
JOHN N. SOFOS

U.S. regulations require that processors employ lethal or inhibitory antimicrobial alternatives in production of ready-toeat meat and poultry products that support growth of Listeria monocytogenes and may be exposed to the processing environment after a lethality treatment. In this study, lactic acid (LA; 5%, vol/vol) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS; 0.5%, wt/vol) were evaluated individually or as a mixture (LASLS) for control of L. monocytogenes on frankfurters. Frankfurters were inoculated with a 10-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes, sprayed for 10 s (20 bar, 23 ± 2°C) with antimicrobials or distilled water (DW) before (LASLS or DW) or after (LA, SLS, LASLS, or DW) inoculation (4.8 ± 0.1 log CFU/cm2), vacuum packaged, and stored at 4°C for 90 days. Samples were analyzed for numbers of the pathogen (on PALCAM agar) and for total microbial counts (on tryptic soy agar with yeast extract) during storage. Spraying with DW, LA, or SLS after inoculation reduced numbers of L. monocytogenes by 1.3 ± 0.2, 1.8 ± 0.5, and 2.0 ± 0.4 log CFU/cm2, respectively. The LASLS mixture applied before or after inoculation reduced pathogen populations by 1.8 ± 0.4 and 2.8 ± 0.2 log CFU/cm2, respectively. No further reduction by any treatment was observed during storage. The bacterial growth curves (fitted by the model of Baranyi and Roberts) indicated that the lag-phase duration of the bacterium on control samples (13.85 to 15.18 days) was extended by spraying with all solutions containing LA. For example, LA suppressed growth of L. monocytogenes for 39.14 to 41.01 days. Pathogen growth rates also were lower on frankfurters sprayed after inoculation with LA or LASLS compared to those sprayed with DW. Therefore, spraying frankfurters with a mixture of LA and SLS may be a useful antilisterial alternative treatment for ready-to-eat meat and poultry products.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1225
Author(s):  
Shanshan Zhao ◽  
Fengyuan Yang ◽  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Xiaomiao Fan ◽  
Changsong Feng ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to gain deeper insights into the dynamics of fermentation parameters and the bacterial community during the ensiling of high-moisture alfalfa. A commercial lactic acid bacteria (YX) inoculant was used as an additive. After 15 and 30 days of ensiling, the control silage (CK) exhibited a high pH and a high concentration of ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3-N); Enterobacter and Hafnia-Obesumbacterium were the dominant genera. At 60 d, the pH value and the concentration of NH3-N in CK silage increased compared with 15 and 30 d, propionic acid and butyric acid (BA) were detected, and Garciella had the highest abundance in the bacterial community. Compared with CK silage, inoculation of YX significantly promoted lactic acid and acetic acid accumulation and reduced pH and BA formation, did not significantly reduce the concentration of NH3-N except at 60 d, and significantly promoted the abundance of Lactobacillus and decreased the abundance of Garciella and Anaerosporobacter, but did not significantly inhibit the growth of Enterobacter and Hafnia-Obesumbacterium. In conclusion, high-moisture alfalfa naturally ensiled is prone to rot. Adding YX can delay the process of silage spoilage by inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms to a certain extent.


1989 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 571-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
KENT M. SORRELLS ◽  
DAVIN C. ENIGL ◽  
JOHN R. HATFIELD

The effect of different acids, pH, incubation time, and incubation temperature on the growth and survival of four strains of Listeria monocytogenes in tryptic soy broth was compared. Hydrochloric acid (HCl), acetic acid (AA), lactic acid (LA), malic acid (MA), and citric acid (CA) were used to acidify tryptic soy broth to pH values 4.4, 4.6, 4.8, 5.0, and 5.2 pH. Incubation times were 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 d at 10, 25, and 35°C. The inhibition of L. monocytogenes in the presence of high acidity appears to be a function of acid and incubation temperature. Based on equal pH values, the antimicrobial activity is AA > LA > CA ≥ MA > HCl at all incubation times and temperatures. When based on equal molar concentration, the activity appeared to be CA ≥ MA > LA ≥ AA > HCl at 35 and 25°C, and MA > CA > AA ≥ LA > HCl at 10°C. Greatest antimicrobial activity occurred at 35°C. Greatest survival occurred at 10°C and greatest growth occurred at 25°C. Final pH of the medium was as low as 3.8 in HCl at 28 d. All strains grew well at pH values lower than the minimum previously reported (5.5–5.6).


2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai Kataoka ◽  
Hua Wang ◽  
Philip H. Elliott ◽  
Richard C. Whiting ◽  
Melinda M. Hayman

ABSTRACT The growth characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated onto frozen foods (corn, green peas, crabmeat, and shrimp) and thawed by being stored at 4, 8, 12, and 20°C were investigated. The growth parameters, lag-phase duration (LPD) and exponential growth rate (EGR), were determined by using a two-phase linear growth model as a primary model and a square root model for EGR and a quadratic model for LPD as secondary models, based on the growth data. The EGR model predictions were compared with growth rates obtained from the USDA Pathogen Modeling Program, calculated with similar pH, salt percentage, and NaNO2 parameters, at all storage temperatures. The results showed that L. monocytogenes grew well in all food types, with the growth rate increasing with storage temperature. Predicted EGRs for all food types demonstrated the significance of storage temperature and similar growth rates among four food types. The predicted EGRs showed slightly slower rate compared with the values from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Pathogen Modeling Program. LPD could not be accurately predicted, possibly because there were not enough sampling points. These data established by using real food samples demonstrated that L. monocytogenes can initiate growth without a prolonged lag phase even at refrigeration temperature (4°C), and the predictive models derived from this study can be useful for developing proper handling guidelines for thawed frozen foods during production and storage.


Author(s):  
Sarah K. Engstrom ◽  
Kory M. Anderson ◽  
Kathleen Ann Glass

Biopreservatives are clean-label ingredients used to control pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in ready-to-eat foods including cheese. The efficacies of six commercial biopreservatives in controlling L. monocytogenes growth at 4°C were tested in a high-moisture model cheese (pH 6.00, 56% moisture, 1.25% salt) made of cream, micellar casein, water, salt, lactose, lactic acid, and a single protective culture (PC-1, PC-2, or PC-3, 10 6 CFU/g target) or bacterial fermentate (CM-1 or CM-2 [cultured milk] or CSV-1 [cultured sugar-vinegar blend], 0.5% or 1.0% level). Cheeses were inoculated with 3-log CFU/g L. monocytogenes (5-strain cocktail), after which 25-g samples were vacuum-sealed and stored at 4°C for 8 weeks. L. monocytogenes populations from triplicate samples were enumerated weekly on Modified Oxford agar in duplicate trials. L. monocytogenes growth (≥1-log increase) was observed in approximately 1 week in control cheese and those formulated with 10 6 CFU/g PC-1 or PC-2. Growth was delayed to 2.5 weeks in model cheeses formulated with 10 6 CFU/g PC-3 or 0.5% CM-2 and to 3 weeks with 0.5% CM-1 or CSV-1. Growth was further delayed to 6.5-7.5 weeks in model cheeses formulated with 1.0% CM-1 or CM-2, while formulation with 1.0% CSV-1 inhibited L. monocytogenes growth for 8 weeks. In a second set of experiments, the combined effect of pH and 0.5% CSV-1 on L. monocytogenes inhibition was investigated. Incorporation of 0.5% CSV-1 delayed L. monocytogenes growth to 3, 6, and >10 weeks in cheeses of pH 6.00, 5.75, and 5.50, respectively, versus growth observed in 1, 1, and 3.5 weeks in control cheeses. These data suggest that certain fermentates have greater antilisterial activity than protective cultures in directly acidified cheeses with direct biopreservative incorporation and refrigerated storage. Further research is needed to optimize conditions to prevent listerial growth utilizing protective cultures in fresh, soft cheeses.


2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (5-6-2) ◽  
pp. 103-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Radin ◽  
S.E. Niebuhr ◽  
J.S. Dickson

Spoilage microflora present on vacuum packaged frankfurters is in most cases, result of post processing contamination, at the same time this is the primary cause of contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. Since spoilage organisms are present in the same environment as a pathogen, the aim was to determine their microbial interference. Approximately 100 CFU/cm2 of a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes was co inoculated onto frankfurters with different concentrations (103 and 106 CFU/cm2) of spoilage microflora (bacteria from genera Lactobacillus, Bacillus, Micrococcus, and Hafnia). The frankfurters were vacuum packaged and stored at 10?C for up to 48 days. The spoilage microflora that developed during storage consisted predominantly of lactic acid bacteria. The growth of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and LAB was very similar, with populations reaching 8.0 log CFU/cm2 within 24 days and final population of >9 log CFU/cm2 within 48 days. The presence of spoilage microflora extended the lag phase of L. monocytogenes until 24 days and significantly decreased pathogen level to 4 and 3 log CFU/cm2, in samples inoculated with initial concentration 103 CFU/cm2 and 106 CFU/cm2 of spoilage microflora, respectively. L. monocytogenes populations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the reference sample (no spoilage microflora) and reached a maximum population of 5.9 log CFU/cm2 after 34 days. These results imply that competing microorganisms present on the processed meat may inhibit the growth of L. monocytogenes in the package.


2002 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 1333-1337 ◽  
Author(s):  
TODD M. SILK ◽  
TATIANA M. T. ROTH ◽  
C. W. DONNELLY

Detection of Listeria in food products is often limited by performance of enrichment media used to support growth of Listeria to detectable levels. In this study, growth curves were generated using healthy and heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes strain F5069 in three nonselective and five selective enrichment broths. Nonselective enrichment media included the current Food and Drug Administration Bacteriological Analytical Manual Listeria enrichment broth base (BAM), Listeria repair broth (LRB), and Trypticase soy broth. Selective enrichment media included BAM with selective agents and LRB with selective agents, BCM L. monocytogenes preenrichment broth, Fraser broth, and UVM-modified Listeria enrichment broth. The Gompertz equation was used to model the growth of L. monocytogenes. Gompertz parameters were used to calculate exponential growth rate, lag-phase duration (LPD), generation time, maximum population density (MPD), and time required for repair of injured cells. Statistical differences (P &lt; 0.05) in broth performance were noted for LPD and MPD when healthy and injured cells were inoculated into the broths. With the exception of Fraser broth, there were no significant differences in the time required for the repair of injured cells. Results indicate that the distinction between selective and nonselective broths in their ability to grow healthy Listeria and to repair sublethally injured cells is not solely an elementary issue of presence or absence of selective agents.


2005 ◽  
Vol 68 (10) ◽  
pp. 2047-2053 ◽  
Author(s):  
SOFÍA M. ARVIZU-MEDRANO ◽  
EDUARDO F. ESCARTÍN

The effect of acid shock with hydrochloric, citric, or lactic acid on the survival and growth of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium in acidified broth was evaluated. Salmonella serovars were acid shocked (1 h at 35°C) in Trypticase soy broth acidified with hydrochloric, citric, or lactic acid at pH 5.5. Unshocked cells were exposed to the same media that had been neutralized before use to pH 7.0. Shocked and unshocked cells were inoculated into broth acidified with hydrochloric acid (pH 3.0), citric acid (pH 3.0), or lactic acid (pH 3.8), and growth and survival ability were evaluated. The acid shock conferred protection to Salmonella against the lethal effects of low pH and organic acids. The adaptive response was not specific to the anion used for adaptation. The biggest difference in reduction of survival between shocked and unshocked strains (∼2 log CFU/ml) was observed when the microorganisms were shocked with lactic acid and then challenged with citric acid. Salmonella Typhi was more tolerant of citric acid than was Salmonella Typhimurium, but Salmonella Typhimurium had higher acid tolerance in response to acid shock than did Salmonella Typhi. The acid shock decreased the extension of the lag phase and enhanced the physiological state values of Salmonella Typhi and Salmonella Typhimurium when the pH of growth was 4.5. This increased ability to tolerate acidity may have an important impact on food safety, especially in the case of Salmonella Typhi, given the very low infectious dose of this pathogen.


2009 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 978-989 ◽  
Author(s):  
ABANI K. PRADHAN ◽  
RENATA IVANEK ◽  
YRJÖ T. GRÖHN ◽  
IFIGENIA GEORNARAS ◽  
JOHN N. SOFOS ◽  
...  

Foodborne disease associated with consumption of ready-to-eat foods contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes represents a considerable pubic health concern. In a risk assessment published in 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Food Safety and Inspection Service estimated that about 90% of human listeriosis cases in the United States are caused by consumption of contaminated deli meats. In this risk assessment, all deli meats were grouped into one of 23 categories of ready-to-eat foods, and only the postretail growth of L. monocytogenes was considered. To provide an improved risk assessment for L. monocytogenes in deli meats, we developed a revised risk assessment that (i) models risk for three subcategories of deli meats (i.e., ham, turkey, and roast beef) and (ii) models L. monocytogenes contamination and growth from production to consumption while considering subcategory-specific growth kinetics parameters (i.e., lag phase and exponential growth rate). This model also was used to assess how reformulation of the chosen deli meat subcategories with L. monocytogenes growth inhibitors (i.e., lactate and diacetate) would impact the number of human listeriosis cases. Use of product-specific growth parameters demonstrated how certain deli meat categories differ in the relative risk of causing listeriosis; products that support more rapid growth and have reduced lag phases (e.g., turkey) represent a higher risk. Although reformulation of deli meats with growth inhibitors was estimated to reduce by about 2.5- to 7.8-fold the number of human listeriosis cases linked to a given deli meat subcategory and thus would reduce the overall risk of human listeriosis, even with reformulation deli meats would still cause a considerable number of human listeriosis cases. A combination of strategies is thus needed to provide continued reduction of these cases. Risk assessment models such as that described here will be critical for evaluation of different control approaches and to help define the combinations of control strategies that will have the greatest imp–ct on public health.


1992 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 241-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOUSTAFA A. EL-SHENAWY ◽  
ELMER H. MARTH

Tryptose broth (TB) containing 0.00, 0.05, 0.15, or 0.3% sodium propionate was adjusted to pH 5.0 or 5.6 with acetic, tartaric, lactic, or citric acid, inoculated to contain ca. 103 CFU of Listeria monocytogenes/ml and incubated at 13 or 35°C. The bacterium grew in all controls (free of propionate) under all conditions; however, only slight growth occurred at 13°C when the pH was adjusted to 5.0 with acetic or tartaric acid. Growth also occurred at 13 and 35°C when TB adjusted to pH 5.6 with acetic or tartaric acid contained 0.05 or 0.15% propionate, but 0.3% inhibited growth of the pathogen. When the pH of TB was adjusted to 5.0 with the same acids, L. monocytogenes was inhibited or inactivated by 0.15 or 0.3% propionate. The pathogen grew at 13 or 35°C in TB that contained 0.05 or 0.15% propionate and was adjusted to pH 5.6 with lactic or citric acid although the lag phase was prolonged as the concentration of propionate was increased. Under these conditions, propionate at 0.3% occasionally inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes. Growth was reduced and sometimes inhibited completely by 0.15 or 0.3% propionate when the pH of TB was adjusted to 5.0 with the same acids.


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