Growth, Inhibition, and Survival of Listeria monocytogenes as Affected by Acidic Conditions

Growth and survival of four strains of Listeria monocytogenes under acidic conditions were investigated. Tryptic soy broth with yeast extract (TSBYE) was acidified with acetic, citric, hydrochloric, lactic, or propionic acid to pH 4.0-6.0, inoculated with L. monocytogenes and incubated at 30 or 4°C. The minimum test pH at which L. monocytogenes did not grow (inhibitory pH) was determined for each acid. In the pH range tested, this inhibitory pH was 5.0 for propionic acid, 4.5 for acetic and lactic acids, and 4.0 for citric and hydrochloric acids. All four strains gave similar results. Subsequent studies were conducted at 10 and 30°C to determine changes in cell populations in TSBYE adjusted to each inhibitory pH. Initial populations of viable cells (10⁴ CFU/ml) were reduced to <10 CFU/ml within 1-3 weeks at 30°C, whereas at 10°C, L. monocytogenes survived for 11-12 weeks in acetic, citric, or propionic acid-adjusted media and for 6 weeks in media adjusted with hydrochloric or lactic acid. The concentration of undissociated lactic acid was 0.002 M at pH 4.5.