The Efficacy of Commercial Probiotics in Preventing Colonization of Listeria monocytogenes on Wooden Cheese Aging Boards
Conference Year
2024
Abstract
Wood is the preferred cheese aging surface despite its potential to harbor pathogenic microorganisms. This study explored pre-inoculating cheese aging boards with probiotic bacteria to deter colonization of Listeria monocytogenes. The boards, boiled and never boiled, were treated with Supersile probiotic yoghurt, or with the probiotic alone, and then challenged with Listeria monocytogenes. Boards treated with the probiotic had mean log reduction of 2.07±0.61 mpn/g compared to the control (p = 0.008). Boiling history did not significantly impact colonization. Probiotics like SuperSile can mitigate L. monocytogenes colonization on cheese ageing boards but may not fully protect against significant contamination scenarios
Primary Faculty Mentor Name
Andrea Etter
Status
Graduate
Student College
Graduate College
Program/Major
Food Systems
Primary Research Category
Life Sciences
The Efficacy of Commercial Probiotics in Preventing Colonization of Listeria monocytogenes on Wooden Cheese Aging Boards
Wood is the preferred cheese aging surface despite its potential to harbor pathogenic microorganisms. This study explored pre-inoculating cheese aging boards with probiotic bacteria to deter colonization of Listeria monocytogenes. The boards, boiled and never boiled, were treated with Supersile probiotic yoghurt, or with the probiotic alone, and then challenged with Listeria monocytogenes. Boards treated with the probiotic had mean log reduction of 2.07±0.61 mpn/g compared to the control (p = 0.008). Boiling history did not significantly impact colonization. Probiotics like SuperSile can mitigate L. monocytogenes colonization on cheese ageing boards but may not fully protect against significant contamination scenarios