Conductivity and pH Dual Detection of Growth Prfile of Healthy and Stressed Listeria monocytogenes

Liju Yang, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Bindley Bioscience Center, and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
Padmapriya P. Banada, Department of Food Science, Purdue University
Yi-Shao Liu, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Bindley Bioscience Center, and School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University
Arun K. Bhunia, Department of Food Science, Purdue University
Rashid Bashir, Birck Nanotechnology Center, Bindley Bioscience Center, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University; BioVitesse, Inc.

Abstract

In this study, growth of Listeria monocytogenes in a low conductivity growth medium (LCGM) was simulaneously monitored by conductivity and pH measurements. Detection times obtained from the conductivity and pH growth curves were inversely related to the initial concentration of L. monocytogenes in the medium. Linear responses were found by plotting detection times obtained from both conductivity and pH growth curves as a function of initial cell concentration in the range of 10^2 to 10^7 cfu/mL. The detection time was approximately 12 and 2 h for 10^2 and 10^7 cfu/mL of viable L. monocytogenes, respectively, using the conductivity growth curves, whereas it was approximately 1 h less using the pH growth curves. This dual detection system was used for valuating the growth of acid-, temperature-, and salt-treated L. monocytogenes in the medium. Acid stress at pH 2 and 3 for 3 h caused approximately 12 and 4 h delay in the detection time on pH growth curves, while stress at pH 5 for 3 h did not cause a significant delay in detection time. Delay in detection times was also observed for L. monocytogenes cells exposed to 45 degrees C for more than 1 h (2 and 6 h). Exposure to 10% NaCI for 3 h did not cause visible delay in the detection time. These observations on detection times for stressed L. monocytogenes had a consistent trend with the cell number decrease determined by surface plating method.