Survival and Growth of Listeria monocytogenes in Refrigerated Fish

Abstract

The ability of Listeria monocytogenes to survive and grow in fish at refrigerated condition was studied. Fresh, white sardine (Kowala coval) were washed and inoculated with L monocytogenes (NCTC 1994) at a level of 104 cfu.g"1. The inoculated fish were kept at room temperature (28±20C) for 6 h and then stored at refrigerated condition (4±10C). The fish was found to have a load of 105 cfu.g"1 of L. monocytogenes after the temperature abuse. Though there was a minimal increase in the count during the first two days of refrigerated storage, a slight reduction in counts was observed on the 4th day of chilled storage and thereafter the counts did not show appreciable change. The results suggest that chilling does not have a significant effect on the control of L. monocytogenes in fish and there is a possibility of contaminated seafood acting as a vehicle of infection.