Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes strains to disinfectants and chlorinated alkaline cleaners at cold temperatures

Kaarina Aarnisalo (Corresponding Author), Janne Lundén, Hannu Korkeala, Gun Wirtanen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

75 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), suspension and biofilm tests were used in evaluating the disinfecting efficacy of eight commercially available disinfectants and four chlorinated alkaline cleaners against 10 strains of Listeria monocytogenes at refrigerated temperatures. The adaptive response and cross-adaptation of L. monocytogenes to the disinfectants and chlorinated alkaline cleaners were investigated. The bactericidal components in the agents used were chlorine, quaternary ammonium compound (QAC), peracetic acid, ethanol and isopropanol. With some exceptions the disinfectants were efficient against the L. monocytogenes strains. One alkaline hypochlorite containing disinfectant was not efficient in the suspension and MIC tests at the lowest concentration recommended by the manufacturer. The chlorinated alkaline cleaners were effective against L. monocytogenes. A QAC-based disinfectant was found to be the least-effective agent on both glass bead-blasted polyethylene and stainless-steel surfaces. Adaptive and cross-adaptive responses of L. monocytogenes strains were observed towards the QAC-based agent, but over 2-fold increases to other agents were not observed. These results suggest that the adaptive responses of L. monocytogenes to disinfectants or chlorinated alkaline cleaners are of a minor concern.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1041-1048
JournalLWT - Food Science and Technology
Volume40
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2007
MoE publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • Susceptibility
  • Adaptive response
  • Disinfectants
  • Cleaning agents
  • Listeria monocytogenes

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