title: Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in melon, watermelon and papaya pulps.
abstract: Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in low-acid fruits (melon, watermelon and papaya) at different times of incubation and at temperatures of 10, 20 and 30 degrees C was studied. Fruit pulp portions with an average pH of 5.87, 5.50 and 4.87 for melon, watermelon and papaya, respectively, were obtained aseptically, homogenized, weighed and inoculated with suspensions (approximately 10(2) CFU/g) of L. monocytogenes. Generation times of 7.12, 13.03 and 15.05 h at 10 degrees C, 1.74, 2.17 and 6.42 h at 20 degrees C and 0.84, 1.00 and 1.16 h at 30 degrees C were obtained, respectively, for melon, watermelon and papaya. The results showed that L. monocytogenes grew in low-acid fruits at all tested temperatures, although growth was diminished, but not inhibited at 10 degrees C.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Tecnologia de Alimentos, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Caixa Postal 6121, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-970, Brazil. apenteado@directnet.com.br
authors.forename: Ana L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Penteado
authors.forename: Mauro F F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Leitão
mesh_terms: D029441:Carica / Q000382:microbiology*; D028462:Cucumis / Q000382:microbiology*; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007700:Kinetics; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development*; D013696:Temperature