Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes by a bacteriocinogenic Lactobacillus sake strain in modified atmosphere-packaged Brazilian sausage

Lactobacillus sake 2a is a bacteriocinogenic strain isolated from linguica frescal, a Brazilian sausage. The combined effect of modified-atmosphere (MA) packaging (100% CO2 and 50% CO2/50% N-2) and addition of L. sake 2a on inhibition of growth of Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated in linguica stored at 6 degreesC. By the end of the first week, the inhibition of L. monocytogenes due to MA was significant (Pless than or equal to0.05) while the presence of L. sake 2a did not influence significantly the growth of the pathogen. After 14 days, a reduction of 1.3-1.4 log in counts of L. monocytogenes was observed in samples containing L. sake 2a only or MA packaged only, while a reduction of 3.5 log was detected in those submitted to both treatments. Results indicate that inhibition of L. monocytogenes in linguica frescal by the bacteriocinogenic L. sake 2a is enhanced by the packaging of the product in MA. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.