Control of meatborne Listeria monocytogenes and Brochothrix thermosphacta by a bacteriocinogenic Brochothrix campestris ATCC 43754

The effect of a bacteriocinogenic Brochothrix campestris ATCC 43754 upon the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta and a 4 strain mixture of Listeria monocytogenes was determined in All Purpose Tween (APT) broth and on pork adipose tissue discs at 4 °C. Inocula were prepared to give initial numbers of B. campestris of 6–7 log cfu/ml or cm2 and 3–4 log cfu/ml or cm2 of B. thermosphacta and L. monocytogenes. Adipose tissue discs were evaluated by a sensory panel to determine the intensity and acceptability of any off-odours produced during the growth of B. campestris. During co-culture in APT broth with B. campestris the growth of B. thermosphacta or L. monocytogenes was ⩽4 log cycles less than growth in its absence. B. campestris showed limited growth on inoculated pork adipose tissue, increasing from initial numbers of about 6 log cfu/cm2 to a maximum of 7 log cfu/cm2 within 7 d. B. campestris at numbers of 7 log cfu/cm2 produced slight off-odours but these were not perceived by the panel as unacceptable. When co-inoculated on adipose tissue discs with B. campestris the numbers of B. thermosphacta or L. monocytogenes was limited to about 2–3 log units less than the numbers attained in its absence. B. campestris ATCC 43754 may be useful for meat preservation because it can inhibit B. thermosphacta and L. monocytogenes in situ while producing little change in the sensory properties of the product.