Effect of Glucose on Listeria monocytogenes Survival under Sequential Sublethal Stresses of Gamma Irradiation and NaCl

This study evaluated glucose effect on Listeria monocytogenes survival under gamma irradiation and NaCl stress. L. monocytogenes in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) plus glucose (0-4%) was treated with gamma irradiation (0-0.5 kGy), and the samples were then exposed to NaCl (0-9%) in tryptic soy agar plus 0.6% yeast extract. $D_{10}$ and $t_{3D}$ values were determined, and a model for prediction of $D_{10}$ values was developed. Cell counts of L. monocytogenes reduced as irradiation dose increased, and L. monocytogenes in PBS (no glucose) was more sensitive to irradiation and NaCl compared to those in PBS (2 or 4% glucose). $D_{10}$ values were 0.07-0.1, 0.12-0.16, and 0.13-0.15 kGy for 0, 2, and 4% glucose, respectively. The $t_{3D}$ values were 0.22-0.3 (0% glucose), 0.35-0.48 (2% glucose), and 0.40-0.44 (4% glucose). A model performance was acceptable. These results indicate that glucose in foods would increase the resistance of L. monocytogenes to gamma irradiation and NaCl stress.