Effect of a bacteriocin-activated polythene film on Listeria monocytogenes as evaluated by viable staining and epifluorescence microscopy
Open Access
- 8 March 2006
- journal article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in Journal of Applied Microbiology
- Vol. 100 (4), 765-772
- https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2672.2006.02825.x
Abstract
Aims: To evaluate the effect of a bacteriocin-activated polythene film on resting and growing populations of Listeria monocytogenes. Methods and Results: The active polythene films were industrially obtained by coating a solution of bacteriocin 32Y from Lactobacillus curvatus upon the surface of the film to be in contact with the packaged material. The behaviour of live Listeria populations was examined in liquid suspensions directly in contact with the bacteriocin-activated film, packed in antimicrobial film, and in a challenge test of storage of frankfurters superficially contaminated by L. monocytogenes and packed in antimicrobial film. In all the experiments, live and dead cells of L. monocytogenes were counted in epifluorescence microscopy after viable staining, which proved to be a suitable method to evaluate the action of bacteriocins on populations of L. monocytogenes. The results showed that the direct contact between active film surface and L. monocytogenes cells is effective for a fast and irreversible inactivation of the population by determining a direct cell disruption. This was confirmed by the results of the challenge test indicating that the antimicrobial package was effective in inhibiting the growth and survival of the pathogen on the surface of frankfurters during storage. Conclusions: The use of the antimicrobial film is encouraged especially for solid food products where the superficial contaminants come immediately in contact with the antimicrobial film. Significance and Impact of the Study: A fast inactivation of the bacterial population, coupled with appropriate conditions of storage, can improve the quality and safety and prolong the shelf-life of the food products packed in antimicrobial films.Keywords
This publication has 23 references indexed in Scilit:
- Antimicrobial activity of a nisin-activated plastic film for food packagingLetters in Applied Microbiology, 2005
- Development of a bioactive packaging cellophane using NisaplinR as biopreservative agentLetters in Applied Microbiology, 2005
- Biodiversity of Listeria monocytogenes sensitivity to bacteriocin-producing Carnobacterium strains and application in sterile cold-smoked salmonJournal of Applied Microbiology, 2004
- Development of polythene films for food packaging activated with an antilisterial bacteriocin from Lactobacillus curvatus 32YJournal of Applied Microbiology, 2004
- Fluorescent Method for Monitoring Cheese Starter Permeabilization and LysisApplied and Environmental Microbiology, 2001
- LIVE/DEAD® BacLight™: application of a new rapid staining method for direct enumeration of viable and total bacteria in drinking waterJournal of Microbiological Methods, 1999
- Incorporation of bacteriocin in plastic retains activity and inhibits surface growth of bacteria on meatFood Microbiology, 1999
- Developments in the active packaging of foodsTrends in Food Science & Technology, 1999
- Bacteriocins Applied to Food Packaging Materials to Inhibit Listeria monocytogenes on MeatsJournal of Food Science, 1997
- Antimicrobial activity of Staphylococcus xylosus from Italian sausages against Listeria monocytogenesLetters in Applied Microbiology, 1994