Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Cheese Using a Bacteriocin-Producing Lactococcus lactis CAU2013 Strain

In recent years, biocontrol of foodborne pathogens has become a concern in the food industry, owing to safety issues. Listeria monocytogenes is one of the foodborne pathogens that causes listeriosis. The major concern in the control of L. monocytogenes is its viability as it can survive in a wide range of environments. The purpose of this study was to isolate lactic acid bacteria with antimicrobial activity, evaluate their applicability as a cheese starter, and evaluate their inhibitory effects on L. monocytogenes. Lactococcus lactis strain with antibacterial activity was isolated from raw milk. The isolated strain was a low acidifier, making it a suitable candidate as an adjunct starter culture. The commercial starter culture TCC-3 was used as a primary starter in this study. Fresh cheese was produced using TCC-3 and L. lactis CAU2013 at a laboratory scale. Growth of L. monocytogenes (5 Log CFU/g) in the cheese inoculated with it was monitored during the storage at 4°C and 10°C for 5 days. The count of L. monocytogenes was 1 Log unit lower in the cheese produced using the lactic acid bacteria strain compared to that in the cheese produced using the commercial starter. The use of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria as a starter culture efficiently inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes. Therefore, L. lactis can be used as a protective adjunct starter culture for cheese production and can improve the safety of the product leading to an increase in its shelf-life.