Influence of temperature shifts on survival, growth, and toxin production by psychrotrophic and mesophilic strains of Bacillus cereus in potatoes and chicken gravy.

A study was done to determine the influence of temperature on growth and toxin production characteristics of psychrotrophic and mesophilic strains of Bacillus cereus when inoculated into mashed potatoes and chicken gravy containing various concentrations of sodium chloride and held at temperatures different from those at which cells had been cultured. Logarithmic growth phase cells (10 h, 30 degrees C) of psychrotrophic (F3802A/84) and mesophilic (B4ac-1) strains of Bacillus cereus were inoculated into rehydrated commercially processed instant mashed potatoes and chicken gravy supplemented with 0, 2, or 4% sodium chloride. Growth, survival, and diarrheal toxin production in potatoes and gravy held at 30, 37, and 10 degrees C (strain F3802A/84) or 30, 40, and 10 degrees C (strain B4ac-1) were monitored. Both strains grew in both foods containing no added sodium chloride or 2% sodium chloride when held at 30, 37, or 40 degrees C for 2 days. Strain B4ac-1 grew better than strain F3802A/84 in foods containing 4% sodium chloride. Maximum amounts of enterotoxin (1024 ng/g) were produced by strain B4ac-1 in chicken gravy held at 30 and 40 degrees C. Strain F3802A/84 grew to populations of 7 log10 CFU/g in foods containing no added sodium chloride or 2% sodium chloride at 10 degrees C. Strain F3802A/84 produced the highest amount of enterotoxin (1024 ng/g) at 30 degrees C in chicken gravy containing 0.7 or 2% sodium chloride; however, little or low amounts of toxin (4-16 ng/g) were produced in chicken gravy at 10 degrees C. Compared to strain B4ac-1, cells of strain F3802A/84 subjected to a downward shift in incubation temperature (10 degrees C) grew more rapidly in chicken gravy. Strain B4ac-1 produced the highest amount of toxin (1024 ng/g) at 30 degrees C in gravy containing 4% sodium chloride and at 40 degrees C in gravy containing 0.7% sodium chloride. Toxin was not detected in inoculated mashed potatoes. Results of this study indicate that shifts in incubation temperature influence growth and toxin production by psychrotrophic and mesophilic strains of B. cereux differently. It is important to store pasteurized, ready-to-eat foods at a temperature low enough to prevent the growth of B. cereus.     

THERMAL RESISTANCE OF BACILLUS CEREUS SPORES AS AFFECTED BY ADDITIVES IN THE RECOVERY MEDIUM

The effects of the addition of starch, glucose, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate and disodium phosphate to the recovery medium on apparent heat resistance of Bacillus cereus spores (ATCC 4342, 7004 and 9818) were investigated. Sodium citrate, monopotassium and disodium phosphate at concentrations of 0.1% were effective inhibitory agents for heat injured B. cereus spores especially for strain 9818, although only monopotassium and disodium phosphate caused a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in D-values obtained for strain 9818. Sodium chloride also had a marked effect on the recovery of heat injured spores. Concentration as low as 0.5% caused a significant reduction in the recovery rates for strains 9818 and 7004. In all cases, increasing the salt levels from 0.5 to 4% resulted in a progressive decrease in spore recovery. D-values gradually decreased as the salt content increased, although the concentrations which produced statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) varied among strains. The addition of starch at 0.1% resulted in a significant increase in the counts for strains 9818 and 7004. In contrast, glucose (0.1%), did not significantly modify the counts obtained Neither of these compounds affected decimal reduction times. No statistical significance (p>0.05) differences were detected among z-values for the spores of the three strains recovered in the presence of different additives assayed. z-Values ranged from 6.67 to 8.32, with a mean value of 7.56 ± 0.46C .     

Effects of rare sugar D-allulose on acid production and probiotic activities of dairy lactic acid bacteria

It has recently been reported that the rare sugar d-allulose has beneficial effects, including the suppression of postprandial blood glucose elevation in humans, and can be substituted for sucrose as a low-calorie food ingredient. To examine the applications of d-allulose in the dairy industry, we investigated the effects of d-allulose on the acid production of 8 strains of yogurt starter (Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) and 4 strains of lactococci, including potential probiotic candidates derived from dairy products. Acid production by 2 L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus yogurt starter strains in milk was suppressed by d-allulose, but this phenomenon was also observed in some strains with another sugar (xylose), a sugar alcohol (sorbitol), or both. In contrast, among the dairy probiotic candidates, Lactococcus lactis H61, which has beneficial effects for human skin when drunk as part of fermented milk, was the only strain that showed suppression of acid production in the presence of d-allulose. Strain H61 did not metabolize d-allulose. We did not observe suppression of acid production by strain H61 with the addition of xylose or sorbitol, and xylose and sorbitol were not metabolized by strain H61. The acid production of strain H61 after culture in a constituted medium (tryptone–yeast extract–glucose broth) was also suppressed with the addition of d-allulose, but growth efficiency and sugar fermentation style were not altered. Probiotic activities—such as the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity of H61-fermented milk and the superoxide dismutase activity of H61 cells grown in tryptone–yeast extract–glucose broth—were not affected by d-allulose. d-Allulose may suppress acid production in certain lactic acid bacteria without altering their probiotic activity. It may be useful for developing new probiotic dairy products from probiotic strains such as Lactococcus lactis H61.     

Efficient production of L-(+)-lactic acid from raw starch by Streptococcus bovis 148

Streptococcus bovis 148 was found to produce L-(+)-lactic acid directly from soluble and raw starch substrates at pH 6.0. Productivity was highest at 37 degrees C, with 14.7 g/l lactic acid produced from 20 g/l raw starch. The yield and optical purity of L-lactic acid were 0.88 and 95.6%, respectively.     

Influence of acid adaptation on the tolerance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to some subsequent stresses

Three stains of Escherichia coli O157:H7, including ATCC 43889, ATCC 43895, and 933, were first subjected to acid adaptation at a pH of 5.0 for 4 h. Thermal tolerance at 52 degrees C and survival of the acid-adapted as well as the nonadapted cells of E. coli O157:H7 in the presence of 10% sodium chloride, 0.85% bile salt, or 15.0% ethanol were investigated. Results showed that the effect of acid adaptation on the survival of E. coli O157:H7 varied with the strains and types of subsequent stress. Acid adaptation caused an increase in the thermal tolerance of E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 and ATCC 43895, but no significant difference in the thermal tolerance was noted between acid-adapted and nonadapted cells of E. coli O157:H7 933. Although the magnitude of increase varied with strains of test organisms, acid adaptation generally led to an increase in the tolerance of E. coli O157:H7 to sodium chloride. On the other hand, the susceptibility of acid-adapted cells of the three strains of E. coli O157:H7 tested did not show a significant difference from that of their nonadapted counterparts when stressed with bile salt. The acid-adapted cells of E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 43889 and ATCC 43895 were less tolerant than the nonadapted cells to ethanol, whereas the tolerance of adapted and nonadapted cells of E. coli O157:H7 933 showed no significant differences.     

共培养时酿酒酵母对速生梭菌己酸代谢的影响及其机理

以1 株可以产己酸的速生梭菌（Clostridium celerecrescens）JSJ-1与1 株酿酒酵母（Saccharomyces cerevisiae）C-1为研究对象,在不同营养条件下,比较2 种微生物纯培养、共培养过程中生长代谢（菌落数、葡萄糖、乙醇、丁酸、己酸）的差异,分析S. cerevisiae对己酸菌己酸代谢的影响及其机理。结果发现：在厌氧条件下,34 ℃静置培养,S. cerevisiae C-1比C. celerecrescens JSJ-1更具有生长优势,会优先利用培养基中的葡萄糖。当培养基中唯一碳源为葡萄糖时,S. cerevisiae C-1会利用葡萄糖代谢生成乙醇,为C. celerecrescens JSJ-1合成己酸提供底物。当培养基中含0.5%葡萄糖和2%乙醇时,共培养相比C. celerecrescens JSJ-1单独培养,己酸的生成时间提前了4 d。葡萄糖对C. celerecrescens JSJ-1生成己酸有较强的抑制作用,共培养时S. cerevisiae C-1利用葡萄糖可缓解葡萄糖对己酸生成的抑制。在浓香型白酒发酵过程中,S. cerevisiae不仅可以为己酸菌合成己酸提供底物,而且可以缓解葡萄糖对己酸生成的抑制作用。     

Starch Functionalized by Chloroacetate Groups: Coupling of Bioactive Salicylic Acid

Starch partially functionalized with chloroacetate groups was obtained by reaction of starch with chloroacetyl chloride using the N,N‐dimethylacetamide/5%lithium chloride system as solvent and pyridine as catalyst. The coupling of salicylic acid to starch functionalized with chloroacetate groups was carried out by reaction with the sodium salt of salicylic acid. The structures of chloroacetylated starch and starch‐salicylic acid adducts were determined by means of FTIR, ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR spectra. The degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (AGU) of chloroacetylated starch was calculated from the chloride content and ranged from 0.52 to 2.34, depending on the ratio of chloroacetyl chloride to starch. The hydrolysis of starch‐salicylic acid adducts in a heterogeneous phase showed that the release of sodium salicylate from tablets is dependent on the hydrophilic character of the adduct and on the pH value of the medium.     

Growth of Corynebacterium bovis in mammary secretions during physiological transitions of the bovine mammary gland

An in vitro microassay was used to evaluate growth of five strains of Corynebacterium bovis in mammary secretions collected from quarters of five Holstein cows at 0, 14, and 28 d of involution, at parturition, and 14 d after parturition. Variation in growth among different strains of Corynebacterium bovis was observed. Corynebacterium bovis grew well in mammary secretions obtained at the last milking of lactation, at parturition, and 14 d after parturition. However, growth of four strains of Corynebacterium bovis in mammary secretions obtained at 14 and 28 d of involution was reduced significantly. In contrast, a streptomycin-resistant strain of Corynebacterium bovis grew well in mammary secretions obtained during involution. These data suggest that mammary secretions support growth of Corynebacterium bovis during lactation but inhibit growth during the nonlactating period. Inhibition of growth in secretions collected during the nonlactating period may be associated with the high rate of spontaneous elimination of Corynebacterium bovis intramammary infection from cessation of milking to parturition. Conversely, enhanced growth in milk may be related to persistent Corynebacterium bovis intramammary infections during lactation.     

产类胡萝卜素酵母菌的筛选及色素稳定性分析

该研究从赤霞珠酿酒葡萄表皮分离高产类胡萝卜素的酵母菌株,并研究了温度、氧化剂、还原剂及酸度调节剂等因素对菌株所产类胡萝卜素稳定性的影响。结果表明,从酿酒葡萄表皮分离到6株产类胡萝卜素较强的酵母菌,其中酵母菌Y7在以葡萄糖为碳源、蛋白胨为氮源的液体培养基中类胡萝卜素产量较高。经形态观察、生理生化特性和ITS基因序列分析鉴定,菌株Y7属于粘红酵母（Rhodotorula glutinis）。酵母菌生产色素的基本稳定性良好,但高温（＞40 ℃）、添加氧化剂（H2O2）、还原剂（亚硫酸钠、抗坏血酸）和酸度调节剂（柠檬酸、柠檬酸钠）使其稳定性下降,但影响较小,加入苹果酸和氢氧化钠对类胡萝卜素有增色的效果。研究结果将为粘红酵母Y7在类胡萝卜素商业化生产中的应用提供参考。     

Evaluation of meat born lactic acid bacteria as protective cultures for the biopreservation of cooked meat products

In this study, 91 strains, originating from meat products, were subjected to a step-by-step screening and characterisation to search for potential protective cultures to be used in the cooked cured meat industry. Strains were first tested on their homofermentative and psychrotrophic character and salt tolerance. Secondly, the antibacterial capacities towards Listeria monocytogenes, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Leuconostoc carnosum and Brochotrix thermosphacta were determined in an agar spot test. In total, 38% of the tested strains were inhibitory towards all indicator strains. However, 91%, 88% and 74% of the strains could inhibit, respectively, L. monocytogenes, B. thermosphacta and Leuc. mesenteroides. Finally, 12 strains, with the highest antibacterial capacities, were evaluated on their competitive nature by comparing their growth rate, acidifying character and lactic acid production at 7 degrees C under anaerobic conditions in a liquid broth. All 12 strains, except for a bacteriocin producing Lactobacillus plantarum strain and the lactocin S producing Lactobacillus sakei 148, combined a fast growth rate with a deep and rapid acidification caused by the production of high levels of lactic acid. The 12 selected strains were then further investigated for their growth capacity on a model cooked ham product to establish whether the presence of these cultures on the ham did not negatively influence the sensory properties of the ham. All strains grew in 6 days at 7 degrees C from a level of 10(5)-10(6) to 10(7)-10(8) cfu/g and again the bacteriocin producing L. plantarum strain was the slowest growing strain. As the glucose level of the model cooked ham product was low (0.09+/-0.03%), growth of the putative protective cultures resulted in glucose depletion and a limited lactic acid production and accompanying pH decrease. Cooked ham inoculated with isolates 13E, 10A, 14A (all three identified as L. sakei subsp. carnosus by SDS-PAGE) and with strains L. sakei 148 (LS5) and L. sakei subsp. carnosus SAGA 777 (LS8) were not rejected by the sensory panel at the 34th day of the vacuum packaged storage at 7 degrees C. Therefore, these strains could have potential for the use as protective culture in cooked meat products.     

Characterization of anti-listerial lactic acid bacteria isolated from Thai fermented fish products

Thai fermented fish products were screened for lactic acid bacteria capable of inhibitingListeriasp. (Listeria innocua). Of 4150 assumed lactic acid bacteria colonies from MRS agar plates that were screened by an agar-overlay method 58 (1.4%) were positive. Forty four of these strains were further characterized and 43 strains were inhibitory againstListeria monocytogenes. The strains were inhibitory to other Gram-positive (lactic acid) bacteria probably because of production of bacteriocins. All 44 strains inhibited bothVibrio choleraeandVibrio parahaemolyticusand 37 were inhibitory to a mesophilic fish spoilage bacterium (anAeromonassp.). Inhibition of Gram-negative bacteria was attributed to production of lactic acid. Most strains were identified asLactobacillusspp., and all grew well at ambient temperatures (25–37°C) and tolerated up to 6.5% NaCl. Glucose was fermented rapidly in laboratory media whereas pH decreased only very slowly in fish juice supplemented with 4% glucose and 3.5% NaCl or in a rice–fish mixture. Only four of 44 isolates could degrade and ferment complex carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes and maize starch. This indicates that other types of bacteria may be responsible for the rapid spontaneous fermentation of the products or that other yet-unknown factors ensure rapid fermentation. Overall anti-listerial lactic acid bacteria do occur in fermented fish products and the antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacteria indicates that they may be important in product safety.     

Production of L-lactic acid from fresh cassava roots slurried with tofu liquid waste by Streptococcus bovis

To reduce the production cost of biodegradable plastics, the fermentation performance of L-lactic acid for a new fermentation medium, fresh cassava roots (FCRs) as a substrate slurried with tofu liquid waste (TLW) as basal medium, was investigated by batch fermentation of Streptococcus bovis. The fermentation properties of the three substrates, namely, FCR, tapioca (cassava starch) and glucose, which were independently mixed with TLW, were compared with those independently mixed with the standard basal medium, trypto-soya broth (TSB). Experiments were conducted at various sugar concentrations of the substrates with CaCO(3) as a neutralizer. The maximum L-lactic acid concentrations (C(La)) obtained using the three substrates in TLW were about 75% of those obtained using TSB caused by less nutrients in the TLW. The L-lactic acid productivities (P(La)) and the specific growth rates of S. bovis (mu) in TLW were about 1/4 to 1/3 and 1/5 to 1/4 of those in TSB, respectively. The maximum C(La), P(La) and mu were obtained at 10% w/w sugar concentration. Total yields (eta) were nearly constant up to 10% w/w sugar concentration for TSB and TLW, that is, 80% to 85% and 50% to 60%, respectively. But their total yields decreased in more than 10% w/w sugar concentration in both basal media, because of substrate inhibition. The fermentation properties (C(La), P(La), mu, and eta) were found to be in the order of: FCR > tapioca > glucose for all concentrations of the three substrates. The fermentation properties for FCR and tapioca were higher than those for glucose, in TLW or TSB, because S. bovis in a medium containing starch (FCR and tapioca) has more amylase activity than in a medium containing glucose. The nutrients in FCR with poor nutrient basal medium (TLW) more strongly affected the fermentation properties than those in FCR with rich nutrient basal medium (TSB). The proposed fermentation medium of FCR slurried with TLW is worth studying in order to reduce production cost of biodegradable plastics.     

The potential of vancomycin-resistant enterococci to persist in fermented and pasteurised meat products

Experiments with 148 isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were performed to assess their potential to persist and grow in fermented sausages and pasteurised meat products. All strains were meat isolates and Van-type A, except a single VanC1 strain. In total, 143 strains of Enterococcus faecium were involved. Eight selected strains were examined for their potential to grow at high salt and nitrite levels and at reduced pH. The same isolates were used in experiments with fermented sausages. All available strains were subjected to heating tests in meat suspensions with added curing ingredients. All but one of the eight tested isolates grew at pH 4.0 in tryptone soya broth (TSB). With the combination of 8% w/w NaCl, 400 ppm NaNO2 and 0.5% w/w glucose in the meat suspension, all isolates grew at 37 degrees C, whereas none grew at 7 degrees C even after 56 days. With the addition of 10% w/w NaCl, 200 ppm NaNO2 and 0.5% w/w glucose, still one E. faecium isolate grew at 37 degrees C, although very slowly. Overall, the strains tolerated high salt and nitrite concentrations and reduced pH very well, even beyond levels applied in the regular production of fermented and/or pasteurised meat products. The tested strains could be isolated after the fermentation and further ripening of "boerenmetworst" and "snijworst". Overall, their colony counts decreased on average about 1 log-unit over a period of 60 days after batter manufacture. All 148 isolates demonstrated a relatively weak thermal resistance compared to results for selected vancomycin-sensitive enterococci strains reported in the literature and to results collected under identical experimental conditions in this laboratory. None of the strains (log inoculation level about 5-6 ml(-1) for each isolate) could be cultured after heating at 70 degrees C for 10 min.     

牛类芽孢杆菌BD3526发酵麦麸抑制变形链球菌的特性

研究牛类芽孢杆菌(Paenibacillus bovis)BD3526抑制变形链球菌(Streptococcus mutans)ATCC35668的特性,拓宽P.bovis BD3526代谢产物的抑菌用途。主要研究P.bovis BD3526在麦麸培养基中的发酵特性和发酵上清液对蛋白水解酶和过氧化氢酶的敏感性、不同pH耐受性和热稳定性,以及对口腔中常见乳杆菌属生长的影响。结果表明,P.bovis BD3526发酵12 h后进入稳定期,在36 h时活性达到4.58×10⁸ CFU/mL、pH值5.20,对Streptococcus mutans ATCC35668抑菌圈直径为(21.27±0.71)mm。该发酵上清液对口腔中常见的有益菌(植物乳杆菌和干酪乳杆菌)无抑菌活性,但对链球菌属微生物抑制作用明显。目标抑菌物质具有良好的热稳定性和pH稳定性、对消化系统蛋白水解酶和过氧化氢酶不敏感;经链霉蛋白酶处理后抑菌活性消失,表明该抑菌物质的化学结构中含有肽类成分。P.bovis BD3526代谢麦麸合成的抑菌物质对S.mutans ATCC35668具有强烈抑制且稳定的抑制效果,这为将来开发特异性功能食品配料或口腔护理产品奠定了理论基础。     

Stress response of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from cheese and other foods

The responses to pH and sodium chloride of four strains of Listeria monocytogenes isolated from Portuguese cheese, with a sodium chloride concentration of about 2% (w/v) and a pH value from 5.1 to 6.2, were studied. Two isolates from meat and two clinical isolates related to food-borne listeriosis, in which the implicated food product had about 2-3.5% (w/v) sodium chloride, also were studied. The effect of temperature on pH and sodium chloride sensitivity was also determined. The results show that natural isolates vary in response to these stresses and the data were often at variance with previously published data. Strains varied in sensitivity to low pH and to high sodium chloride concentration but the cheese isolates tended to be more resistant. A lower temperature was associated with a decrease in resistance to low pH and to sodium chloride. All strains showed an acid tolerance response induction when grown at pH 5.5 and although the time required for maximum induction of the response varied between strains, 2 h of acid adaptation, at least, was necessary which is longer than previously reported. Some strains showed an osmotolerance response after incubation in 3.5% (w/v) sodium chloride. Osmoadaptation, in addition to inducing an osmotolerance response, also induced cross-protection against acid shock conditions (pH 3.5). The acid tolerance response also induced a cross-protection against osmotic shock conditions (20% (w/v) sodium chloride). In some cases there was a relationship between the degree of resistance and adaptation, but usually the behaviour of a particular strain was independent of the conditions from which it was isolated.     

L-精氨酸高产菌株的亚硝基胍诱变选育和种子培养基的优化研究

为了筛选L-精氨酸的高产菌株,采用亚硝基胍对出发菌株A TCC 14067 （Brevibacterium flavum）进行诱变,结合抗精氨酸结构类似物D-精氨酸,S-甲基半胱氨酸平板抗性筛选高产菌株,并采用正交试验优化了种子培养基.结果显示,经过1 mg/mL的亚硝基胍诱变处理4min后,采用14 mg/mL的D-精氨酸抗性平板和8mg/mL的S-甲基半胱氨酸抗性平板筛选获得精氨酸高产菌株,由于解除精氨酸自身的反馈调节,L-精氨酸积累增大,产酸量达37.2 g/L,比野生菌株提高了128.2％,得到的高产菌株遗传性状稳定.通过对种子培养基进行正交试验优化,确定最终培养基配方为葡萄糖3.0％,玉米浆2.0％,硫酸铵2.0％,KH2PO4 0.10％,MgSO4·7H2O 0.05％,尿素0.15％,在此发酵条件下,L-精氨酸产量达37.8 g/L.     

Disruption of URA7 and GAL6 improves the ethanol tolerance and fermentation capacity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Screening of the homozygous diploid yeast deletion pool of 4741 non-essential genes identified two null mutants (Deltaura7 and Deltagal6) that grew faster than the wild-type strain in medium containing 8% v/v ethanol. The survival rate of the gal6 disruptant in 10% ethanol was higher than that of the wild-type strain. On the other hand, the glucose consumption rate of the ura7 disruptant was better than that of the wild-type strain in buffer containing ethanol. Both disruptants were more resistant to zymolyase, a yeast lytic enzyme containing mainly beta-1,3-glucanase, indicating that the integrity of the cell wall became more resistance to ethanol stress. The gal6 disruptant was also more resistant to Calcofluor white, but the ura7 disruptant was more sensitive to Calcofluor white than the wild-type strain. Furthermore, the mutant strains had a higher content of oleic acid (C18 : 1) in the presence of ethanol compared to the wild-type strain, suggesting that the disruptants cope with ethanol stress not only by modifying the cell wall integrity but also the membrane fluidity. When the cells were grown in medium containing 5% ethanol at 15 degrees C, the gal6 and ura7 disruptants showed 40% and 14% increases in the glucose consumption rate, respectively.     

Survival and growth of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in roast beef and salami after exposure to an alkaline cleaner

Survival and growth of wild-type (EDL 933) and rpoS-deficient (FRIK 816-3) strains of Escherichia coli O157:H7 after exposure to an alkaline cleaner for 2 min and inoculating into roast beef (pH 6.3) and hard salami (pH 4.9) at low (0.003 to 0.52 CFU/g) and high (0.69 to 31.5 CFU/g) populations were determined. Roast beef was stored at 4 and 12 degrees C; salami was stored at 4, 12, and 20 degrees C. At 4 degrees C, untreated cells of both strains showed greater reductions in populations in salami than in roast beef during a 21-day storage period. Populations of treated and untreated cells recovered from roast beef and salami stored at 4 degrees C on tryptic soy agar were significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher than on sorbitol MacConkey agar, indicating that a portion of the cells was injured. Treated and untreated cells grew in roast beef at 12 degrees C. Growth of treated cells of the FRIK 816-3 strain in roast beef at 12 degrees C was significantly slower than that of the EDL 933 strain. Populations of both strains decreased at different rates in salami stored at different temperatures (20 degrees C > 12 degrees C > 4 degrees C). E. coli O157:H7 strain EDL 933 grew more rapidly at 20 degrees C in a slurry (pH 5.97) prepared from stored salami (17 days at 20 degrees C) on which Penicillium chrysogenum had grown than in a slurry (5.23) prepared from salami showing no mold growth. Within 2 to 3 days, populations were ca. 3 log CFU/ml higher in slurry made from infected salami than in control salami. Results indicate that treatment of E. coli O157: H7 with an alkaline cleaner for 2 min does not impair resuscitation and growth of surviving cells in roast beef at 12 degrees C. Cross protection of cells exposed to an alkaline cleaner against subsequent stress conditions imposed by roast beef and salami stored at 4 degrees C was not evident in either of the test strains.     

Proteolytic profiles and angiotensin-I converting enzyme and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activities of selected lactic acid bacteria

ABSTRACT:  This study was conducted to examine the growth, proteolytic profiles as well as angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) and α-glucosidase (α-glu) inhibitory potentials of selected strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Two strains each of yogurt bacteria ( Streptococcus thermophilus —1275 and 285, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus —1092 and 1368), and probiotics ( L. acidophilus —4461 and 33200, and L. casei —2607 and 15286, and 1 strain of Bifidobacterium longum 5022), were cultivated in reconstituted skim milk (RSM) at 37 °C and their proteolytic profiles and ACE as well as α-glu inhibitory activities were determined. Among all the strains of lactic acid bacteria studied, yogurt bacteria grew very well, with the exception of L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 1368 which showed a slower growth during the initial 3 h of incubation. The growth pattern corresponded well with the decrease in pH for the organisms. All the organisms showed an increase in proteolysis with time. The variations in proteolytic capabilities translated into corresponding variations in ACE inhibitory potential of these organisms. Bifidobacterium longum 5022 showed the highest ACE inhibitory potential followed by L. delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus 1368, L. casei 15286, S. thermophilus 1275, and L. acidophilus 4461. Organisms with high intracellular enzymatic activities grew well. Also, aminopeptidases of strains of L. acidophilus 4461 and S. thermophilus 1275 that could better utilize proline containing substrates showed enhanced ACE inhibitory potential. Lactic acid bacteria possessed the ability to inhibit α-glu activity, which endowed them an antidiabetic property as well.     

Arginine dihydrolase pathway in Lactobacillus plantarum from orange.

Lactobacillus plantarum N8 and N4 strains isolated from orange degraded L-arginine to citrulline, ornithine and ammonia. Citrulline and ornithine were consumed. Lactobacillus plantarum N4 utilized arginine and ornithine to a higher extent than Lactobacillus plantarum N8. Urea was not detected during arginine degradation, indicating that the amino acid degradation was carried out only by the arginine dihydrolase pathway. Citrulline increased the growth of the two strains, arginine only increased the growth of Lactobacillus plantarum N4. Ornithine did not modify the growth of the strains studied. With different behavior, Lactobacillus plantarum N8 and N4 strains were able to derive energy and ammonia from arginine or citrulline catabolism. This is interesting for microorganisms developing in a stressful environment.