Growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 10°C in Milk Preincubated with Selected Pseudomonads

Abstract

Preliminary studies involving co-inoculation of Listeria monocytogenes with Pseudomonas fragi into whole or skim milk demonstrated that neither inhibition nor stimulation of growth occurred for either organism. Additional investigations involved preincubation of whole milk, skim milk, and 10% reconstituted nonfat dry milk (NDM) for 3 d at 10°C with P. fragi, Pseudomonas fluorescens P26, P. fluorescens T25, or P. fluorescens B52, followed by inoculation with L. monocytogenes and further incubation at 10°C. Growth curves of L. monocytogenes were constructed for each treatment combination and generation times were statistically compared for differences. Results indicated that L. monocytogenes did not affect growth or survival of the preincubated Pseudomonas spp. However, growth rates of L. monocytogenes were significantly (P<0.05) enhanced in milks preincubated with pseudomonads. Doubling times of L. monocytogenes were reduced by up to 3 h when grown in milk preincubated with Pseudomonas spp. Three strains of P. fluorescens showed more stimulation of the growth rate of L. monocytogenes compared to P. fragi in preincubated whole or skim milk but not in preincubated NDM. Milk composition had little effect on growth of either genus when incubated alone. Results of this study indicate that L. monocytogenes can grow in the presence of Pseudomonas spp. either as a co-inoculant or following preincubation in milk at 10°C. Furthermore, data suggest that the presence of the pseudomonads may enhance growth of L. monocytogenes in milk.