The Challenges of Listeria monocytogenes Persistence and viable-but-non-culturable cells (VBNC) in Food Production

Abstract

The persistence of Listeria monocytogenes presents significant challenges in food pro-duction. Among its survival strategies, the formation of viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC) cells is particularly noteworthy. Understanding the characteristics and progres-sion of these cells is crucial for ensuring food safety. Persistent Listeria monocyto-genes that survives disinfection treatments can lead to recurrent product contamina-tions in food supply chain. Food-borne infections resulting from these, pose a risk to human health. Increased microbial tolerance leads to delayed die-off kinetics without adaptation in the sense of genetic modification. In the context of microbial persistence, Listeria monocytogenes will be characterised with focus on cellular regulatory mecha-nisms.

Keywords: biocide, tolerance, pathogen microorganism, persistence, viable-but-non-culturable (VBNC), Listeria monocytogenes, die-off kinetic, disinfection efficiency, dis-infection strategy, growth phase, metabolic activity, dormancy, survival, adaptation, resistance, isobaric tagging for relative or absolute quantification (iTRAQ), tandem mass tags (TMT), Listeria proteome, flow cytometry