Authors
Title
Abstract
The objective of the research study was to determine the count of Listeria monocytogenes, used to contaminate the samples of mozzarella cheese that were stored at a temperature of 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 21, and 37 °C. The L. monocytogenes cell growth was measured by a M64 Bactometer device (bioMerieux) using a modified, selective microbiological culture medium. Into the BHI medium (bioMérieux) were added: a selective additive to a Fraser broth and a selective iron (III) ammonium additive for Listeria (Merck). The results obtained were adjusted to match the Baranyi and Roberts equation and compared with the predictive models in ComBase Predictor. Based on the research results obtained, it was found that, along with the increasing storage temperature the rate of proliferation of the pathogen increased, and, also, reported was the increase in the count of organisms under the cooling conditions. The modified culture medium made it possible to determine quantitatively the count of Listeria cells with the use of an impedimetric device.
Keywords
mozzarella cheese, Listeria monocytogenes, food safety, predictive microbiology