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Low temperature can affect the resistance of pathogenic bacteria to other external stress. The present study was envisaged to assess the tolerance of L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 to acidic electrolyzed water (AEW) under low temperature stress. AEW treatment caused a damage to cell membrane of the pathogenic bacteria, which led to protein leakage and DNA damage. Compared with the pathogenic bacteria cultured at 37 °C (pure culture), the L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157:H7 cells cultivated at low temperature presented a less damage and had a higher survival rate when exposed to AEW. Therefore, 4 °C or 10 °C grown bacteria were less susceptible to AEW than those cultured at 37 °C. And this phenomenon was verified when AEW was used to treat the pathogenic bacteria inoculated in salmon. In addition, transcriptomic sequencing technology (RNA-seq) was used to reveal the mechanism of AEW tolerance of L. monocytogenes under low temperature stress. Transcriptomic analysis showed the expression of the cold shock protein, regulation of DNA-templated transcription, ribosome pathway, phosphotransferase system (PTS), bacteria chemotaxis, SOS response and DNA repair were involved in the resistance of L. monocytogenes to AEW. We speculated that the direct modulation of the expression of cold shock protein CspD, the indirect effect on the expression of cspD by inhibiting the expression of Crp/Fnr family transcriptional regulator or enhancing the level of cAMP by regulating PTS could reduce the resistance of L. monocytogenes cultivated at 4 °C to AEW. Our study contributes to solving the problem of the reduced bacteriostatic effect in cold storage environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The effect of curcumin-mediated blue light-emitting diode (LED) photodynamic inactivation (PDI) for preserving the quality of salmon contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by microbiological, physical, chemical and histological methods during sample storage at 4 ℃ and 25 ℃. The results showed that PDI decelerated the proliferation of L. monocytogenes on salmon during storage at 25 ℃, with the maximum inhibition reaching 4.0 log 10 CFU/g (99.99%), compared to the negative control. Moreover, PDI greatly retarded the increase in pH (P < 0.05) and the production of TVB-N, retarded the accumulation of free fatty acids, and decelerated the degradation of proteins, ultimately preserving the high nutritional value of the salmon. In addition, PDI effectively prevented a change in colour and retarded the loss of water from the salmon, thereby conserving its texture and sensory properties. Therefore, PDI is a promising and valid non-thermal technology to use for fish preservation., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes are seafood pathogens of public health significance, and predictive models are effective tools for quantitative microbial risk assessment of these pathogens. However, most current predictive models are based on growth of single strains in broth cultures, and interactions of two or more bacteria in a food matrix can skew the outcomes of the predictions. Therefore, the impact of V. parahaemolyticus and L. monocytogenes when co-cultured and in monoculture on cooked shrimp in cold storage was investigated., Results: The results indicated that L. monocytogenes co-cultured with V. parahaemolyticus exhibited reduced growth and longer lag phase at 4 °C and 10 °C. V. parahaemolyticus exhibited similar behavior when co-cultured with L. monocytogenes at 4 °C (death rate K =  - 0.67 log 10 CFU g -1 day . The death rate K at 10 °C when V. parahaemolyticus co-cultured with L. monocytogenes was -1.62 log 10 CFU g -1 day -1 . There was no significant reduction of growth in monoculture experiments., Conclusion: This study has revealed that interaction of V. parahaemolyticus and L. monocytogenes should be considered when quantifying risks posed by these pathogens during consumption of seafood products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Foodborne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes can cause various illnesses and pose a serious threat to public health. They produce species-specific microbial volatile organic compounds, i.e., the biomarkers, making it possible to indirectly measure microbial contamination in foodstuff. Herein, highly ordered mesoporous tungsten oxides with high surface areas and tunable pores have been synthesized and used as sensing materials to achieve an exceptionally sensitive and selective detection of trace Listeria monocytogenes. The mesoporous WO 3 -based chemiresistive sensors exhibit a rapid response, superior sensitivity, and highly selective detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone. The chemical mechanism study reveals that acetic acid is the main product generated by the surface catalytic reaction of the biomarker molecule over mesoporous WO 3 . Furthermore, by using the mesoporous WO 3 -based sensors, a rapid bacteria detection was achieved, with a high sensitivity, a linear relationship in a broad range, and a high specificity for Listeria monocytogenes. Such a good gas sensing performance foresees the great potential application of mesoporous WO 3 -based sensors for fast and effective detection of microbial contamination for the safety of food, water safety and public health.

A novel TaqMan-based multiplex real-time PCR method combined with propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment was firstly developed for the simultaneous quantification of viable Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes in raw shrimp. The optimization of PMA concentration showed that 100 μM was considered optimal to effectively inhibit 10(8) CFU/mL dead cells of both bacteria. The high specificity of this method was confirmed on tests using 96 target and non-target strains. The optimized assay could detect as low as 10(1)-10(2) CFU/g of each strain on the artificially contaminated shrimp, and its amplification efficiencies were up to 100 and 106 % for V. parahaemolyticus and L. monocytogenes, respectively. Furthermore, this assay has been successfully applied to describe the behavior of these two pathogens in raw shrimps stored at 4 °C. In conclusion, this PMA TaqMan-based multiplex real-time PCR technique, where the whole procedure takes less than 5 h, provides an effective and rapid tool for monitoring contamination of viable V. parahaemolyticus and L. monocytogenes in seafood, improving seafood safety and protecting public health.

Listeria monocytogenes is a hazardous foodborne pathogen that is able to cause acute meningitis, encephalitis, and sepsis to humans. The efficient detection of 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, which has been verified as a biomarker for the exhalation of Listeria monocytogenes, can feasibly evaluate whether the bacteria are contained in food. Herein, we developed an outstanding 3-hydroxy-2-butanone gas sensor based on the microelectromechanical systems using Au/ZnO NS as a sensing material. In this work, ZnO nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal reaction, and Au nanoparticles (~5.5 nm) were prepared via an oleylamine reduction method. Then, an ultrasonic treatment was carried out to modified Au nanoparticles onto ZnO nanosheets. The XRD, BET, TEM, and XPS were used to characterize their morphology, microstructure, catalytic structure, specific surface area, and chemical composition. The response of the 1.0% Au/ZnO NS sensors vs. 25 ppm 3-hydroxy-2-butanone was up to 174.04 at 230 °C. Moreover, these sensors presented fast response/recovery time (6 s/7 s), great selectivity, and an outstanding limit of detection (lower than 0.5 ppm). This work is full of promise for developing a nondestructive, rapid and practical sensor, which would improve Listeria monocytogenes evaluation in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a new type of non-thermal sterilization technology that combines visible light with photosensitizers to generate a bioactive effect against foodborne pathogenic bacteria. In the present investigation, gelatin (GEL)/chitosan (CS)-based functional films with PDI potency were prepared by incorporating curcumin (Cur) as a photosensitizer. The properties of GEL/CS/Cur (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 mmol/L) films were investigated by evaluating the surface morphology, chemical structure, light transmittance, and mechanical properties, as well as the photochemical and thermal stability. The results showed a strong interaction and good compatibility between the molecules present in the GEL/CS/Cur films. The addition of Cur improved different film characteristics, including thickness, mechanical properties, and solubility. More importantly, when Cur was present at a concentration of 0.1 mM, the curcumin-mediated PDI inactivated >4.5 Log CFU/mL (>99.99%) of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Shewanella putrefaciens after 70 min (15.96 J/cm2) of irradiation with blue LED (455 ± 5) nm. Moreover, Listeria monocytogenes and Shewanella putrefaciens were completely inactivated after 70 min of light exposure when the Cur concentration was 0.2 mM. In contrast, the highest inactivation effect was observed in Vibrio parahaemolyticus. This study showed that the inclusion of Cur in the biopolymer-based film transport system in combination with photodynamic activation represents a promising option for the preparation of food packaging films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sessile biofilms of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes have increasingly become a critical threat in seafood safety. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of modified atmospheres on the formation ability of V. parahaemolyticus and L. monocytogenes biofilms. The stress responses of bacterial biofilm formation to modified atmospheres including anaerobiosis (20% carbon dioxide, 80% nitrogen), micro-aerobiosis (20% oxygen, 80% nitrogen), and aerobiosis (60% oxygen, 40% nitrogen) were illuminated by determining the live cells, chemical composition analysis, textural parameter changes, expression of regulatory genes, etc. Results showed that the biofilm formation ability of V. parahaemolyticus was efficiently decreased, supported by the fact that the modified atmospheres significantly reduced the key chemical composition [extracellular DNA (eDNA) and extracellular proteins] of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) and negatively altered the textural parameters (biovolume, thickness, and bio-roughness) of biofilms during the physiological conversion from anaerobiosis to aerobiosis, while the modified atmosphere treatment increased the key chemical composition of EPS and the textural parameters of L. monocytogenes biofilms from anaerobiosis to aerobiosis. Meanwhile, the expression of biofilm formation genes (luxS , aphA , mshA , oxyR , and opaR), EPS production genes (cpsA , cpsC , and cpsR), and virulence genes (vopS , vopD1 , vcrD1 , vopP2 β, and vcrD2 β) of V. parahaemolyticus was downregulated. For the L. monocytogenes cells, the expression of biofilm formation genes (flgA , flgU , and degU), EPS production genes (Imo2554 , Imo2504 , inlA , rmlB), and virulence genes (vopS , vopD1 , vcrD1 , vopP2 β, and vcrD2 β) was upregulated during the physiological conversion. All these results indicated that the modified atmospheres possessed significantly different regulation on the biofilm formation of Gram-negative V. parahaemolyticus and Gram-positive L. monocytogenes , which will provide a novel insight to unlock the efficient control of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria in modified-atmosphere packaged food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed-species biofilms are the predominant form of biofilms found in nature. Research on biofilms have typically concentrated on single species biofilms and this study expands the horizon of biofilm research, where the characterization and dynamic changes of mono and mixed-species biofilms formed by the pathogens, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes were investigated. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the biomass, bio-volume, and thickness of mixed-species biofilms were significantly lower, which were confirmed using crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Further experimental analysis showed these variations might result from the reduction of bacterial numbers, the down-regulation of biofilm-regulated genes and loss of metabolic activity in mixed-species biofilm. In addition, V. parahaemolyticus was located primarily on the surface layers of the mixed-species biofilms thus accruing competitive advantage. This competitive advantage was evidenced in a higher V. parahaemolyticus population density in the mixed-species biofilms. The adhesion to surfaces of the mixed-species biofilms were also reduced due to lower concentrations of extracellular polysaccharide and protein when the structure of the mixed-species was examined using Raman spectral analysis, phenol-sulfuric acid method and Lowry method. Furthermore, the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration to antibiotics obviously decreased when V. parahaemolyticus co-exited with L. monocytogenes. This study firstly elucidated the interactive behavior in biofilm development of two foodborne pathogens, and future studies for biofilm control and antibiotic therapy should take into account interactions in mixed-species biofilms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne pathogen. To effectively control this pathogen, it is necessary to have a method that can detect and differentiate L. monocytogenes from other Listeria species in food, environmental, and clinical samples. A new multiplex PCR method using new primers targeting the iap gene was developed to detect and differentiate L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species, and the method was applied to examine deli meat samples. Sixteen Listeria strains (8 L. monocytogenes , 2 Listeria innocua , 1 Listeria seeligeri , 3 Listeria welshimeri , 1 Listeria ivanovii , and 1 Listeria grayi ) from the American Type Culture Collection were tested using the new PCR method in comparison to 16S rRNA sequencing assay and a previously described PCR method based on the detection of iap gene with other primers. The new PCR method was able to differentiate L. monocytogenes from the other Listeria species, while the 16S rRNA sequencing assay could not distinguish L. welshimeri from L. monocytogenes and the previously published multiplex PCR assay was not able to distinguish L. monocytogenes from L. innocua or L. ivanovii . Furthermore, 150 deli meat samples were analyzed by the newly developed multiplex PCR in comparison to ISO11290-1 method and 16S rRNA sequencing assay to detect L. monocytogenes and differentiate it from the other 5 species of Listeria . The developed PCR provided the same results as the ISO method. Out of 150 samples, 16 (10.7%) samples and 5 (3.3%) samples were tested positive and confirmed for Listeria spp. and L. monocytogenes , respectively. The multiplex PCR method is capable of discriminating between L. monocytogenes and other Listeria species. The method is simple and specific when combined with simplified enrichment procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study examined the antimicrobial effect of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) extracts obtained from four cultivars (Elliott, Darrow, Bluecrop, and Duke) on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella Enteritidis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts against L. monocytogenes and S. Enteritidis in tryptic soy broth were determined. Concentrations of total phenolic compounds and four individual phenolic (chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, and quercetin-3-galactoside) in the extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteau method and HPLC analysis, respectively. All four extracts at 112.5–900 mg/mL exhibited a dose-dependent growth-inhibitory effect against L. monocytogenes and S. Enteritidis. L. monocytogenes was significantly more sensitive to the antimicrobial effect of the extracts than S. Enteritidis. Phenolic compounds in the extracts such as chlorogenic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, and quercetin-3-galactoside were the active antimicrobial compounds in the blueberry extracts. The results of this study suggest that blueberry extract or extract-derived components may be used to control pathogenic microorganisms. More studies on the use of blueberry as a natural antimicrobial in food products are warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a promising and effective non-thermal sterilization technology. This study aimed to construct the enhanced antibacterial and anti-biofilm blue light-emitting diode PDI with edible photosensitizer curcumin against Listeria monocytogenes cocktail, and to elucidate its antibacterial mechanism by determining the DNA integrity, protein changes, morphological alteration, virulence gene expression, etc. Results showed that the curcumin-mediated PDI inactivated >4 Log CFU/mL (>99.99%) of planktonic cells within 5 min (0.54 J/cm2) with 0.2 μM curcumin, and completely inactivated the pathogen within 5 min with 1.0 μM curcumin. Meanwhile, the PDI treatment negatively changed the architectural structure and markedly reduced the adhesion ability of the biofilms, resulting in a highly efficient eradiation. Antibacterial mechanism analysis indicated that the cytoplasmic DNA and protein not the outer membrane of the L. monocytogenes cells were the vulnerable attacking target for the curcumin-mediated PDI. Furthermore, the PDI treatment significantly down-regulated the expression of the virulence genes (inlA , hlyA and plcA) of L. monocytogenes , which would decrease the ability of adhesion, invasion and escape of L. monocytogenes. Therefore, the curcumin-mediated PDI is a valid and non-thermal technique in inactivating the planktonic and biofilm pathogens. • Curcumin-mediated PDI presented an enhanced ability to inactivate L. monocytogenes. • Curcumin-mediated PDI changed the architecture and reduced the adhesion of biofilms. • Cytoplasmic components of cells were the main attacking target for the PDI treatment. • Curcumin-mediated PDI down-regulated the virulence genes expression of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]