Effect of oxygen stress on growth and survival of Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes under different storage conditions

J Food Prot. 2015 Apr;78(4):691-7. doi: 10.4315/0362-028X.JFP-14-427.

Abstract

This study investigated the growth and survival of three foodborne pathogens (Clostridium perfringens, Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes) in beef (7% fat) and nutrient broth under different oxygen levels. Samples were tested under anoxic (<0.5%), microoxic (6 to 8%), and oxic (20%) conditions during storage at 7 °C for 14 days and at 22 °C for 5 days. Two initial inoculum concentrations were used (1 and 2 log CFU per g of beef or per ml of broth). The results show that C. perfringens could grow in beef at 22 °C, with an increase of approximately 5 log under anoxic conditions and a 1-log increase under microoxic conditions. However, C. perfringens could not survive in beef held at 7 °C under microoxic and oxic storage conditions after 14 days. In an anoxic environment, C. perfringens survived in beef samples held at 7 °C, with a 1-log reduction. A cell decline was observed at 2 log under these conditions, with no surviving cells at the 1-log level. However, the results show that C. jejuni under microoxic conditions survived with declining cell numbers. Significant increases in L. monocytogenes (5 to 7 log) were observed in beef held at 22 °C for 5 days, with the lowest levels recovered under anoxic conditions. L. monocytogenes in refrigerated storage increased by a factor of 2 to 4 log. It showed the greatest growth under oxic conditions, with significant growth under anoxic conditions. These findings can be used to enhance food safety in vacuum-packed and modified atmosphere-packaged food products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Campylobacter jejuni / growth & development
  • Campylobacter jejuni / isolation & purification*
  • Cattle
  • Clostridium perfringens / growth & development
  • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification*
  • Cold Temperature
  • Colony Count, Microbial
  • Culture Media
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Packaging
  • Food Safety
  • Food Storage
  • Listeria monocytogenes / growth & development
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification*
  • Oxygen / pharmacology*
  • Red Meat / microbiology
  • Stress, Physiological*
  • Vacuum

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Oxygen