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Alegbeleye O, Rhee MS. Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh vegetables and vegetable salad products: An update on influencing intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2024; 23:e13423. [PMID: 39169547 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
The ability of foodborne pathogens to grow in food products increases the associated food safety risks. Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a highly adaptable pathogen that can survive and grow under a wide range of environmental circumstances, including otherwise inhibitory conditions, such as restrictive cold temperatures. It can also survive long periods under adverse environmental conditions. This review examines the experimental evidence available for the survival and growth of Lm on fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat vegetable salads. Published data indicate that, depending on certain intrinsic (e.g., nutrient composition) and extrinsic factors (e.g., storage temperature, packaging atmosphere), Lm can survive on and in a wide variety of vegetables and fresh-cut minimally processed vegetable salads. Studies have shown that temperature, modified atmosphere packaging, relative humidity, pH, water activity, background microbiota of vegetables, microbial strain peculiarities, and nutrient type and availability can significantly impact the fate of Lm in vegetables and vegetable salads. The influence of these factors can either promote its growth or decline. For example, some studies have shown that background microbiota inhibit the growth of Lm in vegetables and minimally processed vegetable salads, but others have reported a promoting, neutral, or insignificant effect on the growth of Lm. A review of relevant literature also indicated that the impact of most influencing factors is related to or interacts with other intrinsic or extrinsic factors. This literature synthesis contributes to the body of knowledge on possible strategies for improving food safety measures to minimize the risk of Lm-associated foodborne outbreaks involving vegetables and vegetable salads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwadara Alegbeleye
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Food Engineering, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Min Suk Rhee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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2
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Thomas GA, Paradell Gil T, Müller CT, Rogers HJ, Berger CN. From field to plate: How do bacterial enteric pathogens interact with ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables, causing disease outbreaks? Food Microbiol 2024; 117:104389. [PMID: 37919001 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2023.104389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Ready-to-eat fruit and vegetables are a convenient source of nutrients and fibre for consumers, and are generally safe to eat, but are vulnerable to contamination with human enteric bacterial pathogens. Over the last decade, Salmonella spp., pathogenic Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes have been linked to most of the bacterial outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with fresh produce. The origins of these outbreaks have been traced to multiple sources of contamination from pre-harvest (soil, seeds, irrigation water, domestic and wild animal faecal matter) or post-harvest operations (storage, preparation and packaging). These pathogens have developed multiple processes for successful attachment, survival and colonization conferring them the ability to adapt to multiple environments. However, these processes differ across bacterial strains from the same species, and across different plant species or cultivars. In a competitive environment, additional risk factors are the plant microbiome phyllosphere and the plant responses; both factors directly modulate the survival of the pathogens on the leaf's surface. Understanding the mechanisms involved in bacterial attachment to, colonization of, and proliferation, on fresh produce and the role of the plant in resisting bacterial contamination is therefore crucial to reducing future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gareth A Thomas
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Teresa Paradell Gil
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Carsten T Müller
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Hilary J Rogers
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Cedric N Berger
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK.
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Kaur A, Yemmireddy V. Effect of Different Pre-Growth Temperatures on the Survival Kinetics of Salmonella enterica and Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh-Cut Salad during Refrigerated Storage. Foods 2023; 12:4287. [PMID: 38231743 DOI: 10.3390/foods12234287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The effect of the pre-growth temperature of bacterial cultures on their subsequent survival kinetics in fresh-cut produce during refrigerated storage was investigated in this study. Three-strain cocktails of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica, cultured at different growth temperatures (4, 21, and 37 °C) were inoculated on fresh-cut mixed salad and on individual produce in the mixed salad. The inoculated samples were stored at 4 °C and 80 ± 2% relative humidity (RH) for up to 72 h and the growth, survival, or death kinetics were determined at regular intervals. The results indicate that depending upon the type of pathogen tested, the pre-growth temperature(s) and the type of produce showed a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect on the survival kinetics. Among the tested produce, mixed salad showed the highest reduction in L. monocytogenes pre-grown at 37 °C (1.33 log CFU/g) followed by red cabbage (0.56 log CFU/g), iceberg lettuce (0.52 log CFU/g), and carrot (-0.62 log CFU/g), after 72 h, respectively. In the case of Salmonella, carrot showed the highest reduction (1.07 log CFU/g for 37 °C pre-grown culture) followed by mixed salad (0.78 log CFU/g for 37 °C pre-grown culture), cabbage (0.76 log CFU/g for 21 °C pre-grown culture), and lettuce (0.65 log CFU/g for 4 °C pre-grown culture), respectively. Among the tested ComBase predictive models, the Baranyi-Roberts model better fitted the experimental data. These findings indicate that the appropriate selection of pre-growth environmental conditions is critical to better understand the kinetics of foodborne pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Avninder Kaur
- School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
| | - Veerachandra Yemmireddy
- School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
- School of Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201 W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA
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Varsaki A, Ortiz S, Santorum P, López P, López-Alonso V, Hernández M, Abad D, Rodríguez-Grande J, Ocampo-Sosa AA, Martínez-Suárez JV. Prevalence and Population Diversity of Listeria monocytogenes Isolated from Dairy Cattle Farms in the Cantabria Region of Spain. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182477. [PMID: 36139336 PMCID: PMC9495194 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The origin and prevalence of Listeria monocytogenes was studied in dairy cattle farms in order to examine its diversity and determine its possible persistence in manure. The utilization of manure for agricultural purposes is common in many countries. While properly treated and managed manure is an effective and safe fertilizer, foodborne illness outbreaks can occur, as many of the most prominent foodborne pathogens are carried by healthy livestock. It is, therefore, necessary to study the origin and persistence of zoonotic agents in general and of L. monocytogenes in particular, in order to avoid recirculation in farms and reduce risk for human populations. Abstract Listeria monocytogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is widely distributed in the environment. Here we show the prevalence and transmission of L. monocytogenes in dairy farms in the Cantabria region, on the northern coast of Spain. A total of 424 samples was collected from 14 dairy farms (5 organic and 9 conventional) and 211 L. monocytogenes isolates were recovered following conventional microbiological methods. There were no statistically significant differences in antimicrobial resistance ratios between organic and conventional farms. A clonal relationship among the isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) analysis and 64 different pulsotypes were obtained. Most isolates (89%, n = 187) were classified as PCR serogroup IVb by using a multiplex PCR assay. In this case, 45 isolates of PCR serogroup IVb were whole genome-sequenced to perform a further analysis at genomic level. In silico MLST analysis showed the presence of 12 sequence types (ST), of which ST1, ST54 and ST666 were the most common. Our data indicate that the environment of cattle farms retains a high incidence of L. monocytogenes, including subtypes involved in human listeriosis reports and outbreaks. This pathogen is shed in the feces and could easily colonize dairy products, as a result of fecal contamination. Effective herd and manure management are needed in order to prevent possible outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasia Varsaki
- Centro de Investigación y Formación Agrarias (CIFA), 39600 Muriedas, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.V.M.-S.)
| | - Sagrario Ortiz
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Patricia Santorum
- Centro de Investigación y Formación Agrarias (CIFA), 39600 Muriedas, Spain
| | - Pilar López
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Marta Hernández
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 47071 Valladolid, Spain
| | - David Abad
- Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACyL), 47071 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Jorge Rodríguez-Grande
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Alain A. Ocampo-Sosa
- Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Instituto de Investigación Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39008 Santander, Spain
| | - Joaquín V. Martínez-Suárez
- National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA)-Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (A.V.); (J.V.M.-S.)
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Alegbeleye O, Sant’Ana AS. Survival and growth behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat vegetable salads. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Truong H, Garmyn D, Gal L, Fournier C, Sevellec Y, Jeandroz S, Piveteau P. Plants as a realized niche for Listeria monocytogenes. Microbiologyopen 2021; 10:e1255. [PMID: 34964288 PMCID: PMC8710918 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.1255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is a human pathogen. It is the causative agent of listeriosis, the leading cause of bacterial-linked foodborne mortality in Europe and elsewhere. Outbreaks of listeriosis have been associated with the consumption of fresh produce including vegetables and fruits. In this review we summarize current data providing direct or indirect evidence that plants can serve as habitat for L. monocytogenes, enabling this human pathogen to survive and grow. The current knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the interaction of this bacterium with plants is addressed, and whether this foodborne pathogen elicits an immune response in plants is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoai‐Nam Truong
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Dominique Garmyn
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Laurent Gal
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Carine Fournier
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
| | - Yann Sevellec
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES), Laboratory for Food Safety, Salmonella and Listeria UnitParis‐Est UniversityMaisons‐AlfortCedexFrance
| | - Sylvain Jeandroz
- Agroécologie, AgroSup Dijon, CNRS, INRAEUniversity Bourgogne Franche‐ComtéDijonFrance
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Survival of Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua on Lettuce after Irrigation with Contaminated Water in a Temperate Climate. Foods 2021; 10:foods10092072. [PMID: 34574181 PMCID: PMC8468451 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbial disease outbreaks related to fresh produce consumption, including leafy green vegetables, have increased in recent years. Where contamination occurs, pathogen persistence may represent a risk for consumers' health. This study analysed the survival of E. coli and L. innocua on lettuce plants watered with contaminated irrigation water via a single irrigation event and within stored irrigation water. Separate lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) were irrigated with water spiked with Log10 7 cfu/mL of each of the two strains and survival assessed via direct enumeration, enrichment and qPCR. In parallel, individual 20 L water microcosms were spiked with Log10 7 cfu/mL of the individual strains and sampled at similar time points. Both strains were observed to survive on lettuce plants up to 28 days after inoculation. Direct quantification by culture methods showed a Log10 4 decrease in the concentration of E. coli 14 days after inoculation, and a Log10 3 decrease in the concentration of L. innocua 10 days after inoculation. E. coli was detected in water samples up to 7 days after inoculation and L. innocua was detected up to 28 days by direct enumeration. Both strains were recovered from enriched samples up to 28 days after inoculation. These results demonstrate that E. coli and L. innocua strains are able to persist on lettuce after a single contamination event up until the plants reach a harvestable state. Furthermore, the persistence of E. coli and L. innocua in water for up to 28 days after inoculation illustrates the potential for multiple plant contamination events from stored irrigation water, emphasising the importance of ensuring that irrigation water is of a high quality.
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Growth Potential of Listeria monocytogenes on Refrigerated Spinach and Rocket Leaves in Modified Atmosphere Packaging. Foods 2020; 9:foods9091211. [PMID: 32882945 PMCID: PMC7555703 DOI: 10.3390/foods9091211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Minimally processed ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables are increasingly consumed for their health benefits. However, they also pose a risk of being ingested with food-borne pathogens. The present study investigated the ability of RTE spinach and rocket to support the growth of Listeria monocytogenes as previous studies provided contradicting evidence. Findings were compared to growth on iceberg lettuce that has repeatedly been shown to support growth. Products were inoculated with a three-strain mix of L. monocytogenes at 10 and 100 cfu g−1 and stored in modified atmosphere (4 kPa O2, 8 kPa CO2) at 8 °C over 7–9 days. Spinach demonstrated the highest growth potential rate of 2 to 3 log10 cfu g−1 over a 9-day period with only marginal deterioration in its visual appearance. Growth potential on rocket was around 2 log10 cfu g−1 over 9 days with considerable deterioration in visual appearance. Growth potential of iceberg lettuce was similar to that of rocket over a 7-day period. Growth curves fitted closely to a linear growth model, indicating none to limited restrictions of growth over the duration of storage. The high growth potentials of L. monocytogenes on spinach alongside the limited visual deterioration highlight the potential risks of consuming this raw RTE food product when contaminated.
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Listeria monocytogenes growth kinetics in refrigerated ready-to-eat dips and dip components. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235472. [PMID: 32603372 PMCID: PMC7326230 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Refrigerated ready-to-eat (RTE) dips often have pH and water activity combinations conducive to the proliferation of foodborne pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes. This study conducted product assessments of five refrigerated RTE dips: baba ghanoush, guacamole, hummus, pesto, and tahini, along with individual dip components including avocado, basil, chickpeas, cilantro, eggplant, garlic, and jalapeno pepper. Dips and dip components were inoculated with 2 log CFU/g of L. monocytogenes and stored at 10°C for 28 days. The pathogen was enumerated throughout storage and growth rates were determined using the DMFit program to compute the time required for L. monocytogenes to achieve a 1 log CFU/g increase in population. Survival and growth rates varied significantly between the refrigerated RTE dips and dip components assessed in this study. For dips, L. monocytogenes progressively decreased in baba ghanoush, pesto, and tahini. In contrast, the pathogen proliferated in both hummus and guacamole and the highest growth rate was observed in guacamole (0.34±0.05 log CFU/g per day) resulting in a 1 log CFU/g increase in population in 7.8 days. L. monocytogenes proliferated in all dip components with the exception of eggplant and garlic. The pathogen achieved the highest growth rate in chickpeas (2.22±1.75 log CFU/g per day) resulting in a computed 1 log CFU/g increase in only 0.5 days. Results from this study can aid in understanding how L. monocytogenes behaves in refrigerated RTE dips and dip components and data can be utilized in understanding product formulations and in risk assessments.
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