Growth and survival of attached Listeria on lettuce and stainless steel varied by strain and surface

A study published in J. food Protection ( Gorski et al. Food Prot (2021) 84 (5): 903–911) investigated the mechanisms used by L. monocytogenes for attachment and growth on two surfaces (stainless steel and lettuce). 23 L. monocytogenes and 1 Listeria innocua were screened for attachment and growth on lettuce at 4 and 25°C and stainless steel at 10 and 37°C. Overnight growth of attached cells resulted in a 0- to 3-log increase on lettuce, depending on the strain and the temperature. Strains that grew the best on lettuce belonged to serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b and were from cheese, potatoes, and water-sediment near produce fields. L. monocytogenes interacts with the cut edge and veins of lettuce leaves. On stainless steel coupons, there was a 5- to 7-log increase at 10°C after 7 days and a 4- to 7-log increase at 37°C after 40 h. Some strains grew well in both environments, whereas others showed variability between the two surfaces. @ https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article-abstract/84/5/903/450813/Growth-and-Survival-of-Attached-Listeria-on?redirectedFrom=fulltext