title: Characteristics of sodium benzoate injury of Listeria monocytogenes.
abstract: Over 99% of viable cells of Listeria monocytogenes were injured after exposure to a solution of 8.5% sodium benzoate (pH 7.0) for 1 h. Injury was evident by the inability of the bacterium to tolerate 6% NaCl in tryptose agar (TA) and the ability to grow on TA with no added salt. The colony-forming ability of the injured cells was restored when they recovered in tryptose broth containing sublethal amounts of metabolic or synthetic inhibitors. Synthesis of mRNA was critical for restoration of salt tolerance. Inhibition of electron transport, protein synthesis, or repair of the cell wall did not suppress recovery of the cells. Changes in the cell membrane which may have occurred did not allow soluble proteins or nucleotides to leak during the course of benzoate injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Buazzi
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Marth
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D001565:Benzoates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019817:Benzoic Acid; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000187:drug effects; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000494:pharmacology; D006131:Growth Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001565:Benzoates; D003470:Culture Media; D004140:Dinitrophenols; D006131:Growth Inhibitors; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D019817:Benzoic Acid