Induction of a Viable but Nonculturable State, Thermal and Sanitizer Tolerance, and Gene Expression Correlation with the Desiccation Adapted Biofilm and Planktonic Salmonella in Powdered Infant Formula
This study investigated the effects of the physiological state, desiccation-adaptation, and storage of powdered infant formula (PIF) on Salmonella survival and their desiccation stress-related gene expression. PIF was inoculated with S . Typhimurium in the biofilm state on beads and in the planktonic state on nitrocellulose filters and stored at 25°C for up to 270 days. 5-cyano-2,3-ditoyl tetrazolium chloride flow cytometry (CTC-FCM) and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate (XLD) plate count experiments demonstrated that biofilm-forming Salmonella tends to enter the Viable but Nonculturable (VBNC) state (p< 0.05). The population reduction of all desiccation-adapted S. Typhimurium decreased significantly in both physiological states after exposure to mild heat (60℃) compared with non-adapted control cells (p< 0.05). Salmonella showed heat cross-protection in both physiological states, but only the planktonic state Salmonella induced cross-protection against hydrogen peroxide. As indicated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), rpoS of biofilm Salmonella for all days desiccation adatption examined and plantonic Salmonella on the 7th day of dry storage were significantly upregulated (p< 0.05).The rpoE , grpE , and invA genes in S almonella of both physiological states were significantly downregulated (p< 0.05). Physiological state and storage time might affect expression levels of these genes. In conclusion, prior exposure to these conditions, including low a w , and the physiological state posed an impact on Salmonella in the VBNC state and their gene expression.