Behaviour of Campylobacter jejuni in experimentally contaminated bottled natural mineral water.
OBJECTIVE
The main objective of the present study was to estimate the survival of microaerophilic Campylobacter jejuni in filtered natural mineral water at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The influence of the presence of biodegradable organic matter was tested, assuming that the bacterial contamination of a bottled natural mineral water could be associated with contamination by organic matter.


RESULTS
Washed Campylobacter cultures were inoculated in natural mineral water and sterile natural mineral water, and incubated in the dark at 4 degrees C and 25 degrees C. The effect of temperature, the biodegradable organic matter added, incubation atmosphere and autochthonous microflora were tested on the cultivability of Camp. jejuni.


CONCLUSIONS
The survival of Camp. jejuni in natural mineral water was better at 4 degrees C than at 25 degrees C, and the presence of organic matter led to a deceleration in the loss of cultivability and to the multiplication of Camp. jejuni in natural mineral water.


CONCLUSIONS
This study highlighted the fact that, in the event of dual contamination of a bottled natural mineral water (Campylobacter and biodegradable organic matter), the pathogen could survive (and even grow) for a relatively long time, especially at low temperature and in spite of the presence of oxygen.
Tatchou-Nyamsi-König
J-A
JA
Laboratoire de Chimie Physique et Microbiologie pour l'Environnement (LCPME), Nancy-University, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
Moreau
A
A
Fédérighi
M
M
Block
J-C
JC
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D002002:Brucella; D016123:Campylobacter jejuni / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development*; D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003470:Culture Media; D005506:Food Contamination; D005516:Food Microbiology; D008900:Mineral Waters / Q000382:microbiology*; D010100:Oxygen / Q000502:physiology; D011419:Propidium / Q000494:pharmacology; D013696:Temperature; D014871:Water Microbiology
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D008900:Mineral Waters; D011419:Propidium; D002244:Carbon; D010100:Oxygen