Listeria monocytogenes in low pH foods
- Project start date: 1 November 2002
- Project status: Completed
- Project type: Food safety
- Discipline: Microbiology and food hygiene
- Author/s: Dr Colin Hill, University College Cork
- Collaborator/s: Single supplier
Research objective
The objective of this project was to investigate the role of arginine and other food constituents in the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in low pH environments, such as those found in acidic foods. Specifically, the project aimed to examine how the arginine deiminase system, a key mechanism used by Listeria monocytogenes to tolerate acidic conditions, contributes to the bacterium’s ability to persist and grow in such environments. Additionally, the research sought to understand how these protective systems affect the infectious dose of Listeria monocytogenes, thereby influencing its potential as a foodborne pathogen. By elucidating the interactions between arginine, other food components, and the bacterium’s survival mechanisms, the project aimed to provide insights into the factors that impact the risk of Listeria monocytogenes contamination in acidic foods and inform strategies for controlling its presence in food products.
Outputs
Research report
- Title: PhD thesis: Listeria monocytogenes in low pH foods
- Publication date: 9 September 2010
- Summary: An examination of the influence of food constituents on survival and gastric transit of Listeria Monocytogenes.
Other outputs
PhD Thesis
The PhD thesis is available on request and can be accessed through University College Cork.
Peer-reviewed articles
Ryan S, Begley M, Hill C, Gahan CG. (2010). “A five-gene stress survival islet (SSI-1) that contributes to the growth of Listeria Monocytogenes in suboptimal conditions”. J Appl Microbiol. 109(3):984-95.
Ryan S, Begley M, Gahan CGM* and Hill. (2009). “Molecular characterization of the arginine deiminase (ADI) system in Listeria Monocytogenes: regulation and role in acid tolerance”. Environmental Microbiology. 11(2):432-45.
Ryan S, Hill C and CGM Gahan*. (2008). “Acid stress responses in Listeria Monocytogenes”. Advances in Applied Microbiology. 65: 67-91.
Cotter PD, S Ryan, CGM Gahan, and C Hill. (2005). “Presence of GadD1 glutamate decarboxylase in selected Listeria Monocytogenes strains is associated with an ability to grow at low pH”. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 71(6):2832-9.
