Acid Tolerance and Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Inoculated in Fruit Pulps Stored under Refrigeration (original) (raw)

The adaptation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 cells to acid conditions has been reported. This study showed the behavior of three strains of E. coli O157:H7 in two different physiological stages (acid shocked and control cells), inoculated in five fruit pulps stored at 4°C for up to 30 days. The three strains of E. coli O157:H7 inoculated in grape pulp could be recovered up to day 30. E. coli O157:H7 strains survived for 4 days in all fruit pulps tested with different pH values (2.51 to 3.26), with the exception of acid-shocked cells of E. coli O157:H7 strain 933, which did not survive in “cajá” (Spodias lutea L.) pulp. The results clearly indicated that acid resistance can persist for long periods during storage at 4°C. The protection conferred by acid adaptation suggests that acid-resistant organisms will be better equipped to outlast these acid challenges. The survival of E. coli O157:H7 in fruit pulps with a low pH, stored under refrigeration, is of extreme importance due to the hi...