Predicting heat inactivation of Staphylococcus aureus under nonisothermal treatments at different pH

The aim was to assess whether heat resistance data obtained from isothermal treatments allow the estimation of survivors of Staphylococcus aureus under nonisothermal conditions and to find a model that accurately predicts its heat inactivation at constantly rising heating rates (0.5-9 degrees C/min) in media of different pH (4.0-7.4). S. aureus showed a higher heat resistance under isothermal treatments at pH 4.0 than at pH 5.5-7.4. However, under nonisothermal treatments S. aureus increased its heat resistance at pH 5.5-7.4 and became more thermotolerant than at pH 4.0. Estimations of survival curves under nonisothermal treatments obtained from heat resistance parameters of isothermal treatments did not adequately fit experimental values. Whereas the number of survivors was much higher than estimated at pH 5.5-7.4, that obtained at the slower heating rates at pH 4.0 was lower. An equation based on the Weibullian-like distribution (log10 S(t) = (t/delta)p) accurately described survival curves obtained under nonisothermal conditions. A nonlinear relationship was observed among the scale parameter (delta) and the heating rate which allowed the development of two equations capable of predicting the inactivation rate of S. aureus under nonisothermal treatments. This study might contribute to prevent public health risks in foods requiring long heating lag phases during their processing.     

Predicting microbial heat inactivation under nonisothermal treatments

The aim of this study was to develop an equation that accurately predicts microbial heat inactivation under nonisothermal treatments at constantly rising heating rates (from 0.5 to 5 degrees C/min) in media with different pH values (4.0 or 7.4). The survival curves of all bacteria (Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Senftenberg 775W, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus) tested under isothermal treatments were nearly linear. For the most heat-resistant microorganism (E. faecium), the estimated DT-values at pH 7.4 were at least 100 times those of the second most thermotolerant microorganism (Salmonella Senftenberg 775W). The heat resistance of E. faecium was up to 30 times lower at pH 4.0 than at pH 7.4. However, E. faecium was still the most heat-resistant microorganism under nonisothermal treatments at both pH values. Inactivation under nonisothermal conditions was not accurately estimated from heat resistance parameters of isothermal treatments when microbial adaptation or sensibilization occurred during the heating up lag phases. The under-prediction of the number of survivors might be greater than 15 log CFU within the nonisothermal treatment conditions investigated. Therefore, the nonisothermal survival curves of the most heat-resistant microorganisms were fitted with the following equation: log S(t) = -(t/delta)P. This equation accurately described the survival curves of all the bacteria tested. We observed a linear relationship between the log of the scale parameter (delta) and the log of the heating rate. A p value characteristic of each microorganism and pH tested was calculated. Two equations capable of predicting the inactivation rate of all bacteria tested under nonisothermal treatments at pH 7.4, 5.5, or 4.0 were developed. The model was evaluated in skim milk and apple juice. The results of this study could be used to help minimize public health risks and to extend the shelf life of those foods requiring long heating up lag phases during processing.     

Effect of a previous heat shock on the thermal resistance of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at different pHs

In this work we study the effect of heat shocks of various durations up to 60 min, at different temperatures between 35 and 45 degrees C, in media of pH 4.0, 5.5 and 7.4 on the heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pattern of survival curves after heat treatment did not change with the application of a previous heat shock. However, the kinetics of inactivation was different for the two microorganisms studied. Whereas the inactivation of L. monocytogenes was similar to an exponential function of heating time and therefore straight survival curves were obtained, survival curves corresponding to P. aeruginosa showed convex profiles. All survival curves obtained in this investigation were fitted to Weibull-based Mafart equation: log(10)S(t)=-(t / delta)(p). The magnitude of the heat shock induced thermotolerance increased with treatment medium pH. At pH 7.4 the increase in heat tolerance depended on the duration and temperature of the heat shock. On the contrary, at pH 5.5 and pH 4.0, the heat-shock temperature did not exert any effect. The observed maximum delta values increased 2.3, 4.0 and 9.3 fold for L. monocytogenes, and 1.3, 2.1 and 8.4 fold for P. aeruginosa, at pH 4.0, 5.5 and 7.4, respectively. This research has proven that Mafart equation allows studying and quantifying the effect of heat shocks on bacterial heat resistance.     

Demonstration of the applicability of the Weibull-log-logistic survival model to the isothermal and nonisothermal inactivation of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655

Published isothermal semilogarithmic survival curves of Escherichia coli K-12 MG1655, in the range of 49.8 to 60.6 degrees C, all had noticeable downward concavity. They could be described by the model log S(t) = -b(T)t n, where S(t) = N(t)/N0, N(t) and N0 being the momentary and initial number of organisms, respectively; b(T) is a temperature-dependent rate parameter; and n is a constant found to be about 1.5. The temperature dependence of b(T) could be described by the log-logistic model, b(T) = ln[1 + exp[k(T - Tc)]], which had an almost perfect fit, with k = 0.88 degrees C(-1) and Tc = 60.5 degrees C. The constants, n, k, and Tc were considered the organism's survival parameters in the particular medium. They were incorporated into a rate equation on the assumption that in nonisothermal heating, the momentary inactivation rate is the isothermal rate at the momentary temperature at a time that corresponds to the momentary survival ratio. This model's estimates matched the actual survival curves obtained in the same work under two different nonisothermal heating profiles, lending support to the notion that the Weibull-log-logistic model combination can be used not only to describe isothermal inactivation mathematically, but also to predict survival patterns under nonisothermal conditions.     

Effect of the medium characteristics and the heating and cooling rates on the nonisothermal heat resistance of Bacillus sporothermodurans IC4 spores

In recent years, highly thermo-resistant mesophilic spore-forming bacteria belonging to the species Bacillus sporothermodurans have caused non-sterility problems in industrial sterilization processes. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the heating medium characteristics (pH and buffer/food) on the thermal inactivation of B. sporothermodurans spores when exposed to isothermal and non-isothermal heating and cooling treatments and the suitability of non-linear Weibull and Geeraaerd models to predict the survivors of these thermal treatments. Thermal treatments were carried out in pH 3, 5 and 7 McIlvaine buffer and in a courgette soup. Isothermal survival curves showed shoulders that were accurately characterized by means of both models. A clear effect of the pH of the heating medium was observed, decreasing the D₁₂₀ value from pH 7 to pH 3 buffer down to one third. Differences in heat resistance were similar, regardless of the model used and were kept at all temperatures tested. The heat resistance in courgette soup was similar to that shown in pH 7 buffer. When the heat resistance values obtained under isothermal conditions were used to predict the survival in the non-isothermical experiments, the predictions estimated the experimental data quite accurately, both with Weibull and Geeraerd models.     

Effects of carvacrol, (E)-2-hexenal, and citral on the thermal death kinetics of Listeria monocytogenes

Carvacrol, (E)-2-hexenal, and citral at sublethal concentrations combined with isothermal heating between 55 and 68°C were assessed for their effects on Listeria monocytogenes 56LY. Experimental survival curves were obtained and fitted to the Weibull equation to estimate parameters describing their shape and rate. These parameters were further used to assess the impact of this combination of treatments on the cell resistance distribution during inactivation. The sublethal concentrations of the aroma compounds used (i.e., 50 mg/liter citral, 65 mg/liter (E)-2-hexenal, and 30 mg/liter carvacrol) did not prevent the growth of L. monocytogenes at 37°C but did enhance inactivation. Between 55 and 63°C, the presence of the aroma compounds reduced by about two-thirds the time needed for a 5-log reduction of the microbial counts, e.g., from 145.75 h in the control treatment (at 55°C) to 40.84 h in the presence of carvacrol (at the same temperature). The mean and variance observed in the frequency distribution of resistance were reduced as the temperature increased. The results obtained at isothermal temperatures and with single aroma components provide basic information regarding components frequently found in essential oils, which can be used in combination with less extreme thermal treatments to provide energy conservation and improve food quality.     

Prediction of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> spore survival after a combined non-isothermal-isothermal heat treatment

Different inactivation kinetics data have been used to predict the number of survivors exposed to a heat treatment and, in consequence, to design thermal processes for the food industry. In this work, spores of an acidophilic strain of Bacillus subtilis were heated under isothermal and non-isothermal conditions. Experimental results obtained after isothermal treatments were analysed using the classical two-step linear regression procedure and a one-step non-linear regression method. Data obtained after non-isothermal treatments were analysed using a one-step, non-linear procedure. Kinetic parameters obtained from isothermal heating were close, either using the two-step linear regression (D₁₀₀=6.5 min) or the one-step non-linear regression (D₁₀₀=6.3 min), although the second method gave smaller 95% confidence intervals. The z values derived from non-isothermal heating were higher than those obtained in isothermal conditions (z=9.3 °C for non-isothermal heating at 1 °C/min versus z=7.7 °C for isothermal heating one step non-linear regression). Results were validated with experimental data obtained after different heat treatments, consisting of a phase of temperature increase at a fixed rate, followed by a holding phase. Non-isothermal methods predicted accurately the number of survivors after the heating ramp, while isothermal methods were more accurate for the holding phase of the treatment. When a temperature profile of a typical heat treatment process applied in the food industry was simulated, all predictions were on the safe side.     

Modelling inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes by pulsed electric fields in media of different pH

A study of the effect of square-wave pulsed electric fields (PEF) on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in McIlvaine buffer of different pH (3.5-7.0) was conducted. L. monocytoges was more PEF sensitive at higher electric field strengths (E) and in media of low pH. A treatment at 28 kV/cm for 400 mus that inactivated 1.5, 2.3 and 3.0 Log10 cycles at pH 7.0, 6.5 and 5.0 respectively destroyed almost 6.0 Log10 cycles at pH 3.5. The general shape of survival curves of L. monocytogenes PEF treated at different pH was convex/concave upwards. A mathematical model based on the Weibull distribution accurately described these survival curves. At each pH, the shape parameter (n value) did not depend on E. The relationship between n value of the Weibull model and the pH of the treatment medium was described by the Gompertz equation. A multiple linear regression model using three predictor variables (E, E2, pH2) related the Log10 of the scale paramenter (b value) of the Weibull model with E and pH of the treatment medium. A tertiary model developed using McIlvaine buffer as treatment medium predicted satisfactorily the inactivation of L. monocytogenes in apple juice.     

Heat and acid tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes after exposure to single and multiple sublethal stresses

The majority of published studies on the adaptive heat or acid tolerance response of Listeria monocytogenes have been performed with a single strain exposed to a single adaptation treatment; however, in food ecosystems, microorganisms commonly exist as multi-species communities and encounter multiple stresses, which may result in "stress hardening". Therefore, the present study evaluated the adaptive responses to heat (52, 57 and 63 degrees C) or lactic acid (pH 3.5) of a 10-strain composite of L. monocytogenes meat and human isolates at stationary phase, following exposure to combinations of osmotic (10% NaCl), acidic (pH 5.0 with HCl) and thermal (T; 46 degrees C) stresses, sequentially or simultaneously within 1.5h, in tryptic soy broth with 0.6% yeast extract (TSBYE). All treatments induced adaptive responses on L. monocytogenes at 57 degrees C, while no such cross-protection was observed at 52 and 63 degrees C. Survivor curves at 57 degrees C appeared convex with profound shoulders determined by a Weibull model. The highest thermotolerance was observed after combined exposure to acid and heat shock (pH-T), followed by exposure to osmotic shock, and by the combination of osmotic with heat shock (NaCl-T). Regarding acid tolerance, prior exposure to low pH, pH-T, or a combination of NaCl, pH and T resulted in a marked increase of resistance to pH 3.5, showing concave inactivation curves with tails at higher levels of survivors (log(10)CFU ml(-1)) than the control cultures. The sequence of exposure to sublethal stresses did not affect the thermotolerance of L. monocytogenes, whereas simultaneous exposure to most multiple stresses (e.g., NaCl-pH-T, NaCl-T and NaCl-pH) resulted in higher survivors of L. monocytogenes at pH 3.5 than exposure to the same stresses sequentially. The results indicate that combinations and sequences of sublethal hurdles may affect L. monocytogenes acid and heat tolerance, especially in acidic environments with mild heating or in low moisture environments.     

Modelling thermal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in sucrose solutions of various water activities

The heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes was determined in sucrose solutions with water activity (a(w)) ranging from 0.99 to 0.90. At all temperatures investigated shape of the survival curves depended on the a(w) of the treatment medium. The survival curves for a(w)=0.99 appeared to be linear, for a(w)=0.96 were slightly upwardly concaved and for a(w)=0.93 and 0.90 were markedly concave upward. A mathematical model based on the Weibull distribution provided a good fit for all the survival curves obtained in this investigation. The effect of the temperature and a(w) on the Weibull model parameters was also studied. The shape parameter (p) depended on the a(w) of the treatment medium but in each medium of different a(w) the temperature did not have a significant effect on this parameter. The p parameter followed a linear relationship with a(w). The scale parameter (delta) decreased with the temperature following an exponential relationship and increased by decreasing the a(w) in the range from 0.99 to 0.93. However the delta parameter of survival curves obtained at a(w)=0.90 were lower than those obtained at a(w)=0.93. A mathematical model based on the Weibull parameters was built to describe the joint effect of temperature and a(w) on thermal inactivation of L. monocytogenes. This model provides a more complete information on the influence of the a(w) on the L. monocytogenes than the data initially generated. The model developed indicated that the effect of the a(w) on the thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes varied depending upon the temperature of treatment.     

Predictive thermal inactivation model for Listeria monocytogenes with temperature, pH, NaCl, and sodium pyrophosphate as controlling factors.

The effects and interactions of heating temperature (55 to 65 degrees C), pH (4 to 8), salt (NaCl; 0 to 6%, wt/vol), and sodium pyrophosphate (SPP; 0 to 0.3%, wt/vol) on the heat inactivation of a four-strain mixture of Listeria monocytogenes in beef gravy were examined. A factorial experimental design comparing 48 combinations of heating temperature, salt concentration, pH value, and SPP content was used. Heating was carried out using a submerged-coil heating apparatus. The recovery medium was plate count agar supplemented with 0.6% yeast extract and 1% sodium pyruvate. Decimal reduction times (D-values) were calculated by fitting a survival model to the data with a curve-fitting program. The D-values were analyzed by second-order response surface regression for temperature, pH, NaCl, and SPP levels. Whereas increasing the NaCl concentration protected L. monocytogenes against the lethal effect of heat, high SPP concentrations increased heat sensitivity. Also, low pH values increased heat sensitivity of L. monocytogenes. The four variables interacted to affect the inactivation of the pathogen. Thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes can be lowered by combining these intrinsic factors. A predictive model that described the combined effect of temperature, pH, NaCl, and SPP levels on thermal resistance of L. monocytogenes was developed. The model can predict D-values for any combination of temperature, pH, NaCl, and SPP that are within the range of those tested. Using this predictive model, food processors should be able to design adequate thermal regimes to eliminate L. monocytogenes in thermally processed foods.     

Effect of mayonnaise pH and storage temperature on the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in ham salad and potato salad

This study examined and modeled the behavior of Listeria monocytogenes in ham salad and potato salad as affected by the pH of mayonnaise and storage temperature. An eight-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes was inoculated on the surface of diced cooked ham or potato. The inoculated ham or potato was then mixed with regular mayonnaise (pH 3.8) or mayonnaise that was adjusted with NaOH to pH 4.2 or 4.6. The cell counts of L. monocytogenes in the salads during storage at 4, 8, or 12 degrees C were enumerated and used to model the behavior of L. monocytogenes in ham salad or potato salad. At each of the storage temperatures, L. monocytogenes was able to grow in ham salad, whereas L. monocytogenes was inactivated in potato salad. The growth rate (log CFU per hour) in ham salad or the inactivation rate (log CFU per hour) in potato salad increased as the storage temperature increased. The duration before growth in ham salad or inactivation in potato salad increased as storage temperature decreased. The mayonnaise pH showed no consistent effect on the growth rate or inactivation rate and duration before growth or inactivation occurred. Mathematical equations that described the growth rate or inactivation rate of L. monocytogenes in both salads as a function of mayonnaise pH and storage temperature were generated and shown to be satisfactory in describing the growth rate or inactivation rate of L. monocytogenes in the ham salad or potato salad.     

EFFECT OF SODIUM ACETATE OR SODIUM PROPIONATE WITH EDTA AND ASCORBIC ACID ON THE INACTIVATION OF LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES1

Several organic acids or salts approved as food additives enhance the inactivation of foodborne pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes. Although there has been research on the effects of individual organic acids on the inactivation kinetics of L. monocytogenes, little information exists on their activity when used in combination with other food additives. We undertook to characterize the effects of combinations of 90% sodium acetate or sodium propionate, two salts that inhibit L. monocytogenes, with 8% EDTA (disodium salt) and 2% ascorbic acid on the nonthermal inactivation of a three-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes. Activity was assessed in Brain Heart Infusion broth (BHI) at various concentrations (0.0–2.0% w/v), pH values (3.0–4.5) and temperatures (4–28C). Samples were removed periodically for up to 175 days and viable counts determined. Survivor curves were generated using a logistics-based inactivation model and used to calculate “time to a 4-D (99.99%) inactivation”(t_4-D). The rate of inactivation was directly related to concentration of the acid mixture and temperature of incubation and inversely related to pH. The primary factor effecting inactivation rates was pH, followed by the concentration of the undissociated form of the primary organic acid (acetic or propionic). Evaluation of the mixture components individually and in combination indicated the components acted largely in an additive manner. The results indicate that combinations of primary and secondary organic acids and EDTA may have advantages for enhancing the inactivation of L. monocytogenes in refrigerated, mildly acidic foods, while avoiding organoleptic effects associated with excessive levels of single acids.     

A predictive model for the effect of temperature and predrying treatments in reducing Listeria monocytogenes populations during drying of beef jerky

The objective of this study was to model the effect of drying temperatures (52, 57, and 63 degrees C) and predrying treatments on the inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on beef jerky. Before drying, beef slices were inoculated with a 10-strain composite of L. monocytogenes and then treated with the following: (i) nothing (C), (ii) traditional marinade (M), or (iii) dipping in 5% acetic acid solution for 10 min, followed by M (AM). In addition, sequential stresses (exposure to 10% NaCl, followed by an adjustment of the pH to 5.0 and, subsequently, a water bath at 45 degrees C) were applied to the inocula before beef contamination and drying at 63 degrees C. Surviving L. monocytogenes were determined on tryptic soy agar plus 0.6% yeast extract (TSAYE) and on PALCAM agar at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 h during drying. Data were modeled by a linear regression (treatment AM) and a logistic-based equation capable of fitting biphasic inactivation curves without initial shoulder (treatments C and M). The total log reductions expressed as the CFU per square centimeter of L. monocytogenes (3.9 to 5.1) for the samples treated with M (3.5 to 5.4) when compared with C were similar, whereas AM-treated samples had higher (6.1 to 6.8) reductions. All survival curves were characterized by an initial rapid decrease in populations within the first 2 h, which was followed by a secondary death phase at a lower rate. No significant (P > or = 0.05) differences in inactivation were observed due to drying temperatures in the range (52 to 63 degrees C) tested. Inactivation differences between recovered counts of stressed and unstressed cells were significant (P < 0.05) in PALCAM but not in TSAYE. The acidified predrying treatment (AM) had higher pathogen inactivation during drying than other treatments, regardless of drying temperature. The models developed may be useful in designing effective drying processes for beef jerky.     

Heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in semi-skim milk supplemented with vanillin

The kinetics of destruction of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in semi-skim milk heated at 55, 58, 60 and 62°C without and with addition of 900, 1400 and 1800 ppm of vanillin was studied. Survival curves displayed an initial shoulder phase followed by an accelerating killing phase. Addition of vanillin to semi-skim milk heated between 55 and 62°C reduced the heat resistance of L. monocytogenes, effect that was more evident at the lowest temperatures. Two kinetic inactivation models were used to fit the data: the shoulder+log-linear model and the Weibull model. The presence of vanillin increased the death rate and reduced the shoulder length of L. monocytogenes in milk when working at low temperatures, while at the highest temperatures, this effect was less evident. Weibull model also showed that at lower temperatures 55°C-58°C, the population was inactivated at different treatment times, leaving a larger proportion of resistant microorganisms. Increasing the heating temperature to 60°C and 62°C, the biggest proportion of the population was destroyed in a very short time, while a very little proportion with higher resistance remained viable. Results suggest that the use of subinhibitory concentrations of vanillin added in combination with mild heat treatment could be used to enhance the inactivation of L. monocytogenes in semi-skim milk.     

Studies on the pathogenesis and survival of different culture forms of Listeria monocytogenes to pulsed UV-light irradiation after exposure to mild-food processing stresses

The effects of mild conventional food-processing conditions on Listeria monocytogenes survival to pulsed UV (PUV) irradiation and virulence-associated characteristics were investigated. Specifically, this study describes the inability of 10 strains representative of 3 different culture forms or morphotypes of L. monocytogenes to adapt to normally lethal levels of PUV-irradiation after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of salt (7.5% (w/v) NaCl for 1 h), acid (pH 5.5 for 1 h), heating (48 °C for 1 h) or PUV (UV dose 0.08 μJ/cm(2)). Findings showed that the order of increasing sensitivity of L. monocytogenes of non-adapted and stressed morphotypes to low pH (pH 3.5 for 5 h, adjusted with lactic), high salt (17.5% w/v NaCl for 5 h), heating (60 °C for 1 h) and PUV-irradiation (100 pulses at 7.2 J and 12.8 J, equivalent to UV doses of 2.7 and 8.4 μJ/cm(2) respectively) was typical wild-type smooth (S/WT), atypical filamentous rough (FR) and atypical multiple-cell-chain (MCR) variants. Exposure of L. monocytogenes cells to sub-lethal acid, salt or heating conditions resulted in similar or increased susceptibility to PUV treatments. Only prior exposure to mild heat stressing significantly enhanced invasion of Caco-2 cells, whereas subjection of L. monocytogenes cells to combined sub-lethal salt, acid and heating conditions produced the greatest reduction in invasiveness. Implications of these findings are discussed. This constitutes the first study to show that pre-exposure to mild conventional food-processing stresses enhances sensitivity of different culture morphotypes of L. monocytogenes to PUV, which is growing in popularity as an alternative or complementary approach for decontamination in the food environment.     

Survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in broth as a function of temperature, pH, and potassium lactate and sodium diacetate concentrations

The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial effect of a combination of potassium lactate and sodium diacetate (0, 1.8, 3, and 4.5%; PURASAL P Opti.Form 4, 60% solution) on the survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in pH-adjusted broth (5.5, 6.0, 6.5, and 7.0) stored at 4, 10, 17, 24, 30, and 37 degrees C. Appropriate dilutions of broth were enumerated by spiral plating on tryptose agar and counted with an automated colony counter. Growth data were iteratively fit, using nonlinear regression analysis to a three-phase linear model, using GraphPad PRISM. At pH 5.5, the combination of lactate-diacetate fully inhibited (P < 0.001) the growth of L. monocytogenes at all four levels and six temperatures. At pH 6.0, addition of 1.8% lactate-diacetate reduced (P < 0.001) the specific growth rate of L. monocytogenes and increased lag time; however, 3 and 4.5% completely inhibited the growth at the six temperatures studied. Efficacy of the lactate-diacetate mixture was decreased as pH increased and incubation temperature increased. Thus, at pH 6.5, at least 3% was required to retard (P < 0.001) the growth of L. monocytogenes in broth. There was a limited effect of the lactate-diacetate level on the specific growth rate of the pathogen at pH 7.0. However, 1.8 and 3% significantly lengthened the lag time at 4 and 10 degrees C. These results suggest that 1.8% of lactate-diacetate mixture can be used as a substantial hurdle to the growth of L. monocytogenes when refrigerated temperatures are maintained for products with pH less than 6.5.     

Influence of heat transfer with tube methods on measured thermal inactivation parameters for Escherichia coli

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of heat transfer on measured thermal inactivation kinetic parameters of bacteria in solid foods when using tube methods. The bacterial strain selected for this study, Escherichia coli K-12, had demonstrated typical first-order inactivation characteristics under isothermal test conditions. Three tubes of different sizes (3, 13, and 20 mm outer diameter) were used in the heat treatments at 57, 60, and 63 degrees C with mashed potato as the test food. A computer model was developed to evaluate the effect of transit heat transfer behavior on microbial inactivation in the test tubes. The results confirmed that the survival curves of E. coli K-12 obtained in 3-mm capillary tubes were log linear at the three tested temperatures. The survival curves observed under nonisothermal conditions in larger tubes were no longer log linear. Slow heat transfer alone could only partially account for the large departures from log-linear behavior. Tests with the same bacterial strain after 5 min of preconditioning at a sublethal temperature of 45 degrees C revealed significantly enhanced heat resistance. Confirmative tests revealed that the increased heat resistance of the test bacterium in the center of the large tubes during the warming-up periods resulted in significantly larger D-values than those obtained with capillary tube methods.     

Predicting Lethal Effect of Ultrasonic Waves Under Pressure Treatments on Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313 by Power Measurements

ABSTRACT: Power measurements (input power to ultrasound generator, input power to transducer, and ultrasonic power entering the treatment medium) were compared to the inactivation effect of ultrasound under pressure (manosonication, MS) treatments on Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 15313 in pH 7 citrate-phosphate buffer. A linear relationship was found between the power entering the treatment medium, measured by a calorimetric method, and the decimal reduction times of L. monocytogenes under different experimental conditions. Therefore, the lethal effect of MS treatments could be estimated from simple calorimetric measurements.     

A predictive model for the inactivation of Listeria innocua in cooked poultry products during postpackage pasteurization

Contamination of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat poultry products poses potential risk of listeriosis to the public. To control the level of Listeria contamination, attention has been focused on the postpackage pasteurization of fully cooked poultry products. In this study, we sought to develop a model to predict the thermal inactivation of L. monocytogenes in chicken drumettes during postpackage hot water pasteurization. Fully cooked chicken drumettes were inoculated with Listeria innocua as a surrogate microorganism for Listeria monocytogenes, vacuum packaged, and treated in hot water baths at 60, 70, 80, and 90°C for different heating times. Experimental results showed that a 7-log CFU/g reduction of L. innocua occurred at 54, 28, 18, and 10 min at 60, 70, 80, and 90°C, respectively. The Weibull model was used to fit the survival curves of L. innocua at each heating temperature. The root mean square errors and residual plots indicated good agreements between the predicted and observed values. The predictive model was further validated by predicting a new data set generated in the pilot-plant tests. Model performance was evaluated by the acceptable prediction zone method, and the results indicated that the percentages of acceptable prediction errors were 100, 100, 82.4, and 87.5% at 60, 70, 80 and 90°C, respectively, which were all greater than the threshold acceptable value of 70% , indicating good performance of the model. The developed predictive model can be used as a tool to predict thermal inactivation behaviors of L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat chicken drumettes products.