Using lactic acid bacteria and packaging with grapefruit seed extract for controlling Listeria monocytogenes growth in fresh soft cheese

Abstract

Various cheese products are involved in outbreaks of listeriosis worldwide due to high consumption and prolonged refrigerated storage. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of using lactic acid bacteria and packaging with grapefruit seed extract (GSE) for controlling Listeria monocytogenes growth in soft cheese. Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Lactobacillus curvatus isolated from kimchi were used as a starter culture to make a soft cheese, which was inoculated with a cocktail strain of L. monocytogenes. The soft cheese was packed with low-density polyethylene, biodegradable polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), low-density polyethylene with GSE, or PBAT with GSE and stored at 10°C and 15°C. Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LcM) better inhibited the growth of L. monocytogenes than Lb. curvatus. The PBAT with GSE film showed the best control for the growth of L. monocytogenes. When both LcM and PBAT with GSE were applied to the soft cheese, the growth of L. monocytogenes was inhibited significantly more than the use of LcM or PBAT with GSE alone. In all test groups, water activity, pH, and moisture on a fat-free basis decreased, and titratable acidity increased compared with the control group. These results suggest that LcM isolated from kimchi and PBAT with GSE packaging film can be used as a hurdle technology to lower the risk of L. monocytogenes in soft cheese at the retail market.

The influence of lactic acid bacteria on the viability of the reference strain of Listeria monocytogenes 123 serotype I in plant foods

“…Other results were obtained by Lim et al (2020), who also studied the effects of LAB mixtures on the survival of L. monocytogenes. The Lim et al (2020) study investigated the effect of LAB such as of Leu. mesenteroides and Lb.…”

Biodegradable active packaging material containing grape seed ethanol extract and corn starch/к-carrageenan composite film

“…Polyphenols can not only increase the permeability of the cell membrane and cause energy metabolism inhibition but also interfere with the growth and reproduction of microorganisms (Liu et al, 2020). Similarly, Lim et al (2020) found that the packaging lms of GSE can also better delay the growth of L. monocy-togenes in soft cheese. Qin et al (2019) found that the addition of Lycium ruthenicum Murr to cassava starch could inhibit meat product oxidation, and among them mainly is the effect of anthocyanins.…”

Recent Advances in Listeria Mitigation for Queso Fresco

“…Alternatively, active packaging systems are a promising approach to extend the efficacy of antimicrobial agents by reducing their interactions with food components and controlling their release on the cheese . Lim et al reported significant growth inhibition of L. monocytogenes on fresh cheese samples, stored at 10 and 15 °C, when both Leuconostoc mesenteroides (protective culture) and a packaging film containing grapefruit seed extract were applied; however, cheeses with only protective culture or only active packaging showed limited efficacy to control the growth of the pathogen.…”