title: Factors controlling acid tolerance of Listeria monocytogenes: effects of nisin and other ionophores.
abstract: The acid tolerance of a Listeria monocytogenes serotype 4b strain was studied by measuring its ability to survive at an acidic pH at 37 degrees C. The acid tolerance of L. monocytogenes was much lower than those of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Shigella flexneri strains. This observation suggested a higher infective dose for L. monocytogenes than E. coli O157:H7 and Shigella. The susceptibility of L. monocytogenes to acidic pH was dependent upon growth medium pH and growth phase of the culture. Nisin and some other ionophores reduced the acid tolerance of both stationary-phase and log-phase cultures of L. monocytogenes. These studies indicated that nisin might be a useful candidate for controlling acid tolerance of L. monocytogenes.
authors.affiliation: Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, Washington, D.C. 20204, USA. ARD@VAX8.CFSAN.FDA.GOV
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Datta
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Benjamin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media / Q000737:chemistry; D019453:Escherichia coli O157 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007476:Ionophores / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D009561:Nisin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012763:Shigella flexneri / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D007476:Ionophores; D009561:Nisin