Influence of modified atmospheric storage, lactic acid, and NaCl on survival of sublethally heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes

The effect of package atmosphere on survival of uninjured and sublethally heat-injured Listeria monocytogenes, inoculated onto tryptose phosphate agar containing 0.85% lactic acid and 2% NaCl (TPALAS) was investigated. Inoculated TPALAS plates were packaged in air, 100% N2 (N2), 30% CO2–70% N2 (CO2–N2), and vacuum and stored at 4 and 20°C for up to 31 days. Recovery of L. monocytogenes from TPALAS was influenced by the injury status (i.e., injured and uninjured) of the inoculum, storage atmosphere (air, N2, CO2–N2, and vacuum), storage temperature (4 and 20°C), and recovery media [tryptose phosphate agar (TPA) and modified Oxford agar (MOX)] (P<0.05). Overall, storage at 4°C supported greater survival than storage at 20°C (P<0.05). Uninjured L. monocytogenes stored at 4°C was recovered on TPA better than sublethally heat-injured L. monocytogenes stored at 4°C (P<0.05). Recovery of sublethally heat-injured L. monocytogenes stored at 4°C followed the order N2>CO2–N2>air>vacuum (P<0.05), whereas recovery of uninjured L. monocytogenes stored at 4°C followed the order N2>CO2–N2>vacuum>air (P<0.05). Air and vacuum atmospheres supported greater survival of uninjured and heat-injured L. monocytogenes than N2 and CO2–N2 atmospheres at 20°C (P<0.05). Recovery of sublethally heat-injured L. monocytogenes stored at 20°C followed the order vacuum>air>CO2–N2=N2 (P<0.05), whereas recovery of uninjured L. monocytogenes stored at 20°C followed the order vacuum>air>CO2–N2>N2 (P<0.05). Uninjured L. monocytogenes stored under N2 at 4°C was recovered best, whereas sublethally heat-injured L. monocytogenes stored under N2 at 20°C was recovered poorest (P<0.05). Factors such as package atmosphere and storage temperature, involved in the production, storage, and distribution of fermented foods must be thoroughly evaluated when determining strategies for control and detection of L. monocytogenes in such products.