Project Number: 6645-41420-006-01
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jul 01, 2008
End Date: Jun 30, 2013

Objective:
The purpose of this study is to determine the survivability of Escherichia coli strains isolated from five sources (foods, bovine carcasses, bovine feces, water, and human) in acetic acid solutions under conditions that are typical of acidified foods.

Approach:
The survivability of Escherichia coli strains in acidified foods will be investigated under a variety of environmental conditions. Pure and mixed culture cell suspensions will be tested to determine acid resistance under various atmospheric conditions, pH values, and ionic strengths. The genetic relationships between strains will be characterized to determine if there are correlations between genotype and acid resistance phenotype. Genes relating to acid resistance may be identified.