Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in the Presence of Pseudomonas fluorescens at 7 or 13°C in Skim Milk

Abstract

Autoclaved samples of skim milk were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes (strain Scott A, California or V7), Pseudomonas fluorescens (strain P26 or B52), or a combination of L. monocytogenes plus P. fluorescens, and incubated at 7 or 13°C for 8 weeks. McBride Listeria Agar was used to determine populations of L. monocytogenes (at 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, or 56 d), and Pseudomonas isolation agar to enumerate P. fluorescens. Growth of L. monocytogenes was somewhat enhanced after 7 d of incubation at 7 but not at 13°C in the presence of pseudomonads. However, after 14 d and until the end of the incubation period (56 d), slight inactivation of L. monocytogenes in the presence of P. fluorescens was observed. L. monocytogenes did not affect growth or survival of P. fluorescens; also, no marked changes in pH of the milk were caused either by L. monocytogenes alone or by L. monocytogenes plus P. fluorescens.