High pressure processing effect on different Listeria spp. in a commercial starter-free fresh cheese

Impact of High-Pressure Processing (HPP) on Listeria monocytogenes-An Overview of Challenges and Responses

High-pressure processing (HPP) is currently one of the leading methods of non-thermal food preservation as an alternative to traditional methods based on thermal processing. The application of HPP involves the simultaneous action of a combination of several factors-pressure values (100-600 MPa), time of operation (a few-several minutes), and temperature of operation (room temperature or lower)-using a liquid medium responsible for pressure transfer. The combination of these three factors results in the inactivation of microorganisms, thus extending food shelf life and improving the food's microbiological safety. HPP can provide high value for the sensory and quality characteristics of products and reduce the population of pathogenic microorganisms such as L. monocytogenes to the required safety level. Nevertheless, the technology is not without impact on the cellular response of pathogens. L. monocytogenes cells surviving the HPP treatment may have multiple damages, which may impact the activation of mechanisms involved in the repair of cellular damage, increased virulence, or antibiotic resistance, as well as an increased expression of genes encoding pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance. This review has demonstrated that HPP is a technology that can reduce L. monocytogenes cells to below detection levels, thus indicating the potential to provide the desired level of safety. However, problems have been noted related to the possibilities of cell recovery during storage and changes in virulence and antibiotic resistance due to the activation of gene expression mechanisms, and the lack of a sufficient number of studies explaining these changes has been reported.

High-Pressure Processing-Impacts on the Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Food and Food Processing Environments

High-pressure processing (HPP) is one of the non-thermal methods of food preservation considered to be safe but may cause an increase/decrease in virulence potential and antibiotic resistance. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival of L. monocytogenes isolates after high-pressure processing (200 and 400 MPa for 5 min) and to determine changes in phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance and virulence after this treatment. The 400 MPa treatment was shown to be effective in reducing pathogens to safe levels; however, the potential for cell recovery during storage was observed. In addition, studies on changes in virulence indicated possibilities related to a decrease in actA gene expression, overexpression of the hly and osfX gene, and an increase in biofilm-forming ability. The studies on changes in antibiotic resistance of isolates showed that all isolates showing initial susceptibility to lincomycin, fosfomycin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline became resistant to these antibiotics, which was associated with an increase in the values of minimum inhibitory concentrations. An increase in the expression of antibiotic resistance genes (mainly tetA_1, tetA_3, tetC) was also observed (mainly after the application of 200 MPa pressure), which was isolate dependent. However, it is noteworthy that the induced changes were permanent, i.e., they persisted even after the restoration of optimal environmental conditions. The results presented in our work indicate that the stress occurring during HPP can affect both phenotypic and genotypic changes in the virulence and antibiotic resistance potential of pathogens isolated from food and food processing environments. The potential associated with cell recovery and persistence of changes may influence the spread of virulent isolates of pathogens with increased antibiotic resistance in the food and food processing environment.

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure treatment on the inactivation and sublethal injury of foodborne pathogens and quality of apple puree at different pH

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP)-treated Salmonella Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in apple puree, as well as to determine the levels of HHP-induced cell injury according to the pressure level, holding time, and pH of apple puree. Apple puree was inoculated with three foodborne pathogens and treated at pressures of 300-600 MPa for up to 7 min at 22 °C using HHP equipment. Increasing the pressure level and lowering the pH of apple puree led to larger microbial reductions, and E. coli O157:H7 showed higher resistance compared to S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes. Besides, approximately 5-log injured cells of E. coli O157:H7 were induced in apple puree at pH 3.5 and 3.8. HHP treatment at 500 MPa for 2 min effectively achieved complete inactivation of the three pathogens in apple puree at pH 3.5. For apple puree at pH 3.8, more than 2 min treatment of HHP at 600 MPa is seemingly needed to achieve complete inactivation of the three pathogens. Transmission electron microscopy analysis was conducted to identify ultrastructural changes in the injured or dead cells after HHP treatment. Plasmolysis and uneven cavities in the cytoplasm were observed in injured cells, and additional deformations, such as distorted and rough cell envelopes, and cell disruption occurred in dead cells. No changes in solid soluble content (SSC) and color of apple puree were observed after HHP treatment, and no differences were detected between control and HHP-treated samples during 10 d of storage at 5 °C. The results of this study could be useful in determining the acidity of apple purees or the treatment time at specific acidity levels when applying the HHP processing.

Sublethally injured microorganisms in food processing and preservation: Quantification, formation, detection, resuscitation and adaption

Sublethally injured state has been recognized as a survival strategy for microorganisms suffering from stressful environments. Injured cells fail to grow on selective media but can normally grow on nonselective media. Numerous microorganism species can form sublethal injury in various food matrices during processing and preservation with different techniques. Injury rate was commonly used to evaluate sublethal injury, but mathematical models for the quantification and interpretation of sublethally injured microbial cells still require further study. Injured cells can repair themselves and regain viability on selective media under favorable conditions when stress is removed. Conventional culture methods might underestimate microbial counts or present a false negative result due to the presence of injured cells. Although the structural and functional components may be affected, the injured cells pose a great threat to food safety. This work comprehensively reviewed the quantification, formation, detection, resuscitation and adaption of sublethally injured microbial cells. Food processing techniques, microbial species, strains and food matrix all significantly affect the formation of sublethally injured cells. Culture-based methods, molecular biological methods, fluorescent staining and infrared spectroscopy have been developed to detect the injured cells. Cell membrane is often repaired first during resuscitation of injured cells, meanwhile, temperature, pH, media and additives remarkably influence the resuscitation. The adaption of injured cells negatively affects the microbial inactivation during food processing.

Quark Cheese Processed by Dense-Phase Carbon Dioxide: Shelf-Life Evaluation and Physiochemical, Rheological, Microstructural and Volatile Properties Assessment

Dense-phase carbon dioxide (DPCD), a novel non-thermal processing technology, has attracted extensive attention due to its excellent performance in food sterilization and enzyme inactivation without quality deterioration. In this work, we aimed to extend the shelf life of quark cheese with DPCD and explore the effect of DPCD treatment as well as storage time on the quality of quark cheese. The sterilization parameters were optimized by means of orthogonal experiments, and the physiochemical, rheological, microstructural and volatile properties of cheese were investigated. The optimal DPCD treatment (20 MPa, 45 min, 55 °C) successfully extended the shelf life of quark cheese due to its inhibition effect on yeast and was able to slow down the proteolysis and alterations in pH and color of cheese. Cheese processed using DPCD after 14-day storage even displayed similar rheological properties to the control at day 0, from which bound water significantly migrated during storage. Moreover, DPCD contributed to the retention of the volatile profile of cheese during storage. This study demonstrated that DPCD is a promising pasteurization technology for quark cheese to improve its quality stability during storage.

The efficacy and safety of high-pressure processing of food

High-pressure processing (HPP) is a non-thermal treatment in which, for microbial inactivation, foods are subjected to isostatic pressures (P) of 400-600 MPa with common holding times (t) from 1.5 to 6 min. The main factors that influence the efficacy (log10 reduction of vegetative microorganisms) of HPP when applied to foodstuffs are intrinsic (e.g. water activity and pH), extrinsic (P and t) and microorganism-related (type, taxonomic unit, strain and physiological state). It was concluded that HPP of food will not present any additional microbial or chemical food safety concerns when compared to other routinely applied treatments (e.g. pasteurisation). Pathogen reductions in milk/colostrum caused by the current HPP conditions applied by the industry are lower than those achieved by the legal requirements for thermal pasteurisation. However, HPP minimum requirements (P/t combinations) could be identified to achieve specific log10 reductions of relevant hazards based on performance criteria (PC) proposed by international standard agencies (5-8 log10 reductions). The most stringent HPP conditions used industrially (600 MPa, 6 min) would achieve the above-mentioned PC, except for Staphylococcus aureus. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), the endogenous milk enzyme that is widely used to verify adequate thermal pasteurisation of cows' milk, is relatively pressure resistant and its use would be limited to that of an overprocessing indicator. Current data are not robust enough to support the proposal of an appropriate indicator to verify the efficacy of HPP under the current HPP conditions applied by the industry. Minimum HPP requirements to reduce Listeria monocytogenes levels by specific log10 reductions could be identified when HPP is applied to ready-to-eat (RTE) cooked meat products, but not for other types of RTE foods. These identified minimum requirements would result in the inactivation of other relevant pathogens (Salmonella and Escherichia coli) in these RTE foods to a similar or higher extent.

A Review of the Preservation of Hard and Semi-Hard Cheeses: Quality and Safety

Cheese is a dairy product with potential health benefits. Cheese consumption has increased due to the significant diversity of varieties, versatility of product presentation, and changes in consumers’ lifestyles. Spoilage of hard and semi-hard cheeses can be promoted by their maturation period and/or by their long shelf-life. Therefore, preservation studies play a fundamental role in maintaining and/or increasing their shelf-life, and are of significant importance for the dairy sector. The aim of this review is to discuss the most effective methods to ensure the safety and sensory quality of ripened cheeses. We review traditional methods, such as freezing, and modern and innovative technologies, such as high hydrostatic pressures, chemical and natural vegetable origin preservatives, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings and films, and other technologies applied at the end of storage and marketing stages, including light pulses and irradiation. For each technology, the main advantages and limitations for industrial application in the dairy sector are discussed. Each type of cheese requires a specific preservation treatment and optimal application conditions to ensure cheese quality and safety during storage. The environmental impact of the preservation technologies and their contribution to the sustainability of the food chain are discussed.

Impact of high-pressure treatment on casein micelles, whey proteins, fat globules and enzymes activity in dairy products: a review

The quality and safety of food products are the two factors that most influence the demands made by consumers. Contractual food sterilization and preservation methods often result in unfavorable changes in functional properties of foods. High-pressure processing (HPP) (50-1000 MPa) is a non-thermal preservation technique, which can effectively reduce the activity of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms with minimal impact on the functional and nutritional properties of food. Comprehensive inquires have disclosed the potential profits of HPP as an alternative to heat treatments by affecting the structure of milk components, particularly proteins and fats. The present paper aims to investigate the effects of HPP on milk components including fats, casein, whey proteins, enzymes, and minerals, as well as on the industrial production of milk and dairy products including cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, cream, and probiotic dairy products. HPP allows to extend shelf life of products without the use of additives, meeting current consumer demands. The assurance of microbial safety and the production of food products with minimal changes in quality characteristics (organoleptic, nutritional, and rheological properties) are among its main effects. In addition, the nutritional value of HPP-treated dairy products is also preserved.

Effect of Low-Temperature-High-Pressure Treatment on the Reduction of Escherichia coli in Milk

Non-thermal processing of milk can potentially reduce nutrient loss, and a low-temperature-high-pressure (LTHP) treatment is considered as a promising alternative to thermal treatment, attracting considerable attention in recent years. The effect of LTHP treatment (−25 °C, 100–400 MPa) on the phase transition behavior of frozen milk was evaluated. The lethal and injured effects of different pressures and cycle numbers on E. coli in frozen milk were studied by using selective and non-selective enumeration media. Results from the gathered transient time–temperature–pressure data showed that pressures over 300 MPa could induce a phase transition from Ice I to Ice III. The treatment at −25 °C and 300 MPa could achieve a lethal effect similar to the two-cycle treatment of 400 MPa at room temperature. This meant that LTHP conditions can lower the operating pressure by at least 100 MPa or reduce the operation from two cycle to one cycle. Increasing the number of pressure cycles enhanced the lethal effects, which was not additive, but resulted in a transformation of part of the injured cells into dead cells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provided direct evidence for the breakdown of cell membrane and cell walls by phase transitions. Combined with a designed internal cooling device, the LTHP process can be expected to be a more attractive alternative to non-thermal processing for the dairy industry.

Antimicrobial packaging and high hydrostatic pressure: Combined effect in improving the safety of coalho cheese

Active cellulose acetate films incorporated with oregano essential oil (antimicrobial film) were previously subjected to high hydrostatic pressure treatment (300 MPa/5 min (FHP1) or 400 MPa/10 min (FHP2)) and investigated for possible changes in their antimicrobial efficiency. In parallel, the efficiency of the antimicrobial films, high hydrostatic pressure (300 MPa/5 min or 400 MPa/10 min), or a combination of antimicrobial film and high hydrostatic pressure, was tested on coalho cheese, experimentally contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, stored for 21 days under refrigeration. Investigations in culture media (agar, brain-heart infusion broth, and micro-atmosphere) detected antimicrobial efficiency for all films, with or without high hydrostatic pressure, against the three bacteria. However, the data indicated that the treatment with 300 MPa/5 min may have impaired the migration of oregano essential oil from FHP1, justifying its lower efficiency in solid medium and brain-heart infusion broth. In cheese samples, the combination of antimicrobial film and 400 MPa/10 min caused greater reductions in counts for the three microorganisms, at zero time throughout the entire coalho cheese storage. Only antimicrobial film or combination (antimicrobial film and high hydrostatic pressure) were able to control microbial multiplication during the 21 days. Therefore, the results confirm that the individual use of high hydrostatic pressure (300 MPa/5 min or 400 MPa/10 min) at the level evaluated can allow bacterial multiplication during storage and that the combination of antimicrobial packaging and high hydrostatic pressure has greater potential to ensure a safer coalho cheese.

Genomic characterization of the most barotolerant Listeria monocytogenes RO15 strain compared to reference strains used to evaluate food high pressure processing

Background

High pressure processing (HPP; i.e. 100–600 MPa pressure depending on product) is a non-thermal preservation technique adopted by the food industry to decrease significantly foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, from food. However, susceptibility towards pressure differs among diverse strains of L. monocytogenes and it is unclear if this is due to their intrinsic characteristics related to genomic content. Here, we tested the barotolerance of 10 different L. monocytogenes strains, from food and food processing environments and widely used reference strains including clinical isolate, to pressure treatments with 400 and 600 MPa. Genome sequencing and genome comparison of the tested L. monocytogenes strains were performed to investigate the relation between genomic profile and pressure tolerance.

Results

None of the tested strains were tolerant to 600 MPa. A reduction of more than 5 log₁₀ was observed for all strains after 1 min 600 MPa pressure treatment. L. monocytogenes strain RO15 showed no significant reduction in viable cell counts after 400 MPa for 1 min and was therefore defined as barotolerant. Genome analysis of so far unsequenced L. monocytogenes strain RO15, 2HF33, MB5, AB199, AB120, C7, and RO4 allowed us to compare the gene content of all strains tested. This revealed that the three most pressure tolerant strains had more than one CRISPR system with self-targeting spacers. Furthermore, several anti-CRISPR genes were detected in these strains. Pan-genome analysis showed that 10 prophage genes were significantly associated with the three most barotolerant strains.

Conclusions

L. monocytogenes strain RO15 was the most pressure tolerant among the selected strains. Genome comparison suggests that there might be a relationship between prophages and pressure tolerance in L. monocytogenes.

Quality and Safety of Fresh Chicken Fillets after High Pressure Processing: Survival of Indigenous Brochothrix thermosphacta and Inoculated Listeria monocytogenes

The effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) on Listeriamonocytogenes, the indigenous microbiota and the shelf-life of chicken fillets was evaluated. Chicken fillets were inoculated with different inocula (2, 4, and 6 log CFU/g) of a 4-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes, vacuum-packed, processed or not with HPP (500 MPa/10 min) and stored at 4 °C and 12 °C. Total viable counts (TVC), L. monocytogenes, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae and yeasts/molds were determined along with the pH and sensory analysis. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to monitor the succession of indigenous Brochothrix isolates and inoculated Listeria strains. The main spoilage microorganism of HPP-treated samples was B. thermosphacta detected after 3 days of storage. HPP decreased the inoculated Listeria population. For the low and medium inoculum case it was detected throughout the shelf-life at both temperatures in populations near to the detection limit or after enrichment. In the high inoculum case, the pathogen decreased ≥5-log cycles after HPP, while increased subsequently to 1.6 and 4.5 log CFU/g at 4 °C and 12 °C, respectively, by the end of the shelf-life. PFGE showed that Brochothrix isolates exhibited a significant diversity among control samples, whereas this was limited for the HPP-treated samples. The survival and distribution of different Listeria strains depended on the initial inoculum and storage temperature. In conclusion, HPP increased the shelf-life (for 5 and 4 days, at 4 °C and 12 °C, respectively) and enhanced the safety of chicken meat.

Fate of Listeria monocytogenes in Ready-to-Eat Refrigerated Dips Treated with High Pressure Processing

Various outbreaks and recalls have been associated with Listeria monocytogenes contamination of ready-to-eat (RTE) food products, including dips. High pressure processing (HPP) is useful for reducing levels of bacteria in many RTE food products, but its efficacy for reduction of pathogens in RTE dips is not well understood. In this study, laboratory-prepared hummus, tahini, baba ghanoush, guacamole, and pesto were initially treated with HPP at 350 MPa for up to 240 s to assess L. monocytogenes inactivation and determine D-values. D_350 MPa-values in hummus, guacamole, and baba ghanoush were 105.3, 71.3, and 34.0 s, respectively. No significant reduction in L. monocytogenes levels was observed in tahini or pesto at 350 MPa for 240 s or after additional treatment for up to 600 s at 600 MPa (P > 0.05). Overall, the results of this study highlight the efficacy of HPP for reducing L. monocytogenes levels in certain RTE dips and but not in others.

Lactic acid bacteria isolated from dairy products as potential producers of lipolytic, proteolytic and antibacterial proteins

Regular consumption of fermented dairy products helps maintain a healthy microbiota and prevent gut dysbiosis-linked diseases. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) present in food enhance the digestibility of proteins, moderate the release of fatty acids, and support human health through inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract. These desirable properties of LAB are attributed, in part, to their metabolic processes involving enzymes such as lipases, proteases, and antibacterial proteins. The LAB strains presenting higher enzymatic activities may offer improved functionality for applications in foods. The first aim of this work was to isolate and identify LAB from diverse dairy products and select those with enhanced enzymatic activities. Secondly, this work aimed to investigate the subcellular organization and identity of these enzymes after semi-purification. Out of the total 137 LAB strains isolated and screened, 50.3% and 61.3% of the strains exhibited lipolytic and proteolytic activities, respectively. Seven strains displaying high enzymatic activities were selected and further characterized for the cellular organization of their lipases, proteases, and antibacterial proteins. The lipolytic and proteolytic activities were exhibited predominantly in the extracellular fraction; whereas, the antibacterial activities were found in various cellular fractions and were capable of inhibiting common undesirable microorganisms in foods. In total, two lipases, seven proteases, and three antibacterial proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS. Characterization of LAB strains with high enzymatic activity has potential biotechnological significance in fermentative processes and in human health as they may improve the physicochemical characteristics of foods and displace strains with weaker enzymatic activities in the human gut microbiota.