On the assessment of an agar overlay method for the recovery of heat-injured Listeria innocua in parsley

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

2 Downloads

Abstract

The development of methods to detect pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria monocytogenes, in thermally processed foods is crucial for assessing products’ safety. Current methods for Listeria detection require enrichment techniques. When the objective is to quantify bacterial cells, researchers exclude the enrichment steps, choosing merely a selective media for microbial enumeration. However, the selective agents present in these media inhibit repair of injured cells, that might recover and regain their pathogenicity. The objective of this work was to assess a methodology for the detection of heat-injured L. innocua. A non-selective medium (Tryptic Soy Agar + 0.6 % yeast extract; TSAYE) was overlaid on a selective medium (Palcam agar + selective supplement). Studies were carried out in parsley (Petroselinum crispum), using L. innocua as an indicator of the pathogenic specie. Parsley was artificially contaminated with L. innocua, packed in vacuum-sealed plastic bags and submitted to heat treatments at 52.5, 60.0 and 65.0 ºC, using a thermostatic water bath. Samples were removed at different times, diluted and directly inoculated onto Palcam medium and on agar overlaid plates for posterior analysis of Listeria inactivation behaviour. Higher microbial counts were observed when the overlay method was used (at least one log difference was observed during all inactivation processes). The top layer of TSAYE allowed heat-injured cells to recover. After diffusion of selective agents from Palcam agar to TSAYE, typical Listeria colonies were formed with inhibition of the parsley’s natural microflora. This methodology ensures reliable heat-injured cells enumeration, attaining accurate quantification of bacteria.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - Aug 2006
Event20th International ICFMH Symposium - Bolonha, Italy
Duration: 29 Aug 20062 Sept 2006

Conference

Conference20th International ICFMH Symposium
Abbreviated titleFoodMicro2006
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityBolonha
Period29/08/062/09/06

Keywords

  • L. innocua
  • Agar overlay method
  • Heat-injury
  • Parsley

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the assessment of an agar overlay method for the recovery of heat-injured Listeria innocua in parsley'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this