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Growth and Attachment of Listeria monocytogenes to Cast Iron

Alexandra T Spurlock1, E A Zottola1

  • 1Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.

Journal of Food Protection
|May 11, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Listeria monocytogenes can survive in cast iron drains for extended periods. While Listeria monocytogenes attaches to cast iron, it shows less adhesion compared to stainless steel surfaces.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Listeria monocytogenes is a significant foodborne pathogen.
  • Understanding bacterial adhesion to food contact surfaces is crucial for preventing contamination.
  • Cast iron is used in some food processing environments, including drains.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the survival and growth of Listeria monocytogenes in cast iron drains.
  • To assess the potential for Listeria monocytogenes attachment to cast iron surfaces.
  • To compare the adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes to cast iron versus stainless steel.

Main Methods:

  • Culturing Listeria monocytogenes in cast iron drains under varying pH conditions (4.5, 7.0, 9.0).
  • Monitoring bacterial survival over 28 days.
  • Utilizing Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to visualize bacterial attachment to cast iron chips.

Main Results:

  • Listeria monocytogenes survived in cast iron drains for up to 28 days despite pH adjustments.
  • SEM confirmed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes attached to the surface of cast iron chips.
  • Attachment of Listeria monocytogenes to cast iron was observed to be less pronounced than to stainless steel.

Conclusions:

  • Cast iron drains can support the survival of Listeria monocytogenes.
  • Listeria monocytogenes exhibits adhesion to cast iron, though less readily than to stainless steel.
  • Findings have implications for hygiene and sanitation protocols in food processing facilities using cast iron components.

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