ARS | Publication request: Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on catfish

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 30, 2010
Publication Date: August 10, 2010
Citation: Sommers, C., Rajkowski, K., Mackay, W., 2010. Inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes on catfish [abstract].Federal Catfish Research Conference. Washington, DC. p.1.

Technical Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes, a psychrotrophic foodborne pathogen, is an occasional post-process contaminant on retail catfish. In this study, bacteriophages were evaluated for the ability to inactivate a cocktail of L. monocytogenes inoculated (4-5 log cfu/cm2) onto raw catfish. Spray application of bacteriophage (107 PFU/cm2) resulted in a 2 log reduction of L. monocytogenes on raw catfish stored for 6 days at 10 degrees C. When bacteriophage were used to inactivate L. monocytogenes inoculated into the fluid from catfish fillets (the drip) or water from a small aquarium, L. monocytogenes was reduced by greater than 4 log CFU/ml in less than 8 hours. These results indicate that bacteriophage may be useful for inactivation of L. monocytogenes in raw catfish or fluids associated with catfish.