Scientific journal

56 2017

Journal of Food and Nutrition Research
Summary No. 1 / 2017

Gelbíčová, T. – Tomáštíková, Z. – Koláčková, I. – Karpíšková, R.
A survey on prevalence and sources of Listeria monocytogenes in ripened and steamed cheeses from the retail market in the Czech Republic
Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 56, 2017, No. 1, s. 42-47

Tereza Gelbíčová, Department of Bacteriology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, 621 00 Brno, Czech Republic. E-mail: gelbicova@vri.cz, tel.: +420 533 331 202.

Received 6 October 2016; 1st revised 8 December 2016; accepted 12 December 2016; published online 31 January 2017

Summary: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of Listeria monocytogenes in ripened and steamed cheeses from the retail market in the Czech Republic examined between 2007 and 2016. The examination to detect and enumerate L. monocytogenes in samples was carried out at the time of purchase and at the end of the shelf-life. The isolates recovered from the samples were characterized by serotyping, clonogrouping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and by macrorestriction analysis. L. monocytogenes was detected in 20 of 387 (5.2%) originally packaged cheeses from different producers. The counts of L. monocytogenes did not exceed the limit of 100 CFU·g-1 in any of the samples. L. monocytogenes was detected most frequently in blue-veined cheeses from one producer (28.9%). Probably persistent L. monocytogenes strains were found in blue-veined cheeses and smear-ripened cheeses from two producers. With respect to the fact that L. monocytogenes is able to persist in food-processing facilities, it is necessary to carry out regular monitoring of Listeria occurrence in the food-processing environment. As L. monocytogenes can multiply at refrigeration temperatures, it is necessary to set the appropriate use-by date and provide information to consumers.

Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes; cheese producers; persistence; typing

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