Modeling the survival of <i>Campylobacter jejuni</i> in raw milk considering the viable but non‐culturable cells (<scp>VBNC</scp>)

Campylobacter spp. cannot grow in raw milk, but it is able to transform into a viable non-culturable (VBNC) state enabling the survival such harsh conditions. In this study, jejuni milk was investigated taken consideration colony-forming units (CFUs) and VBNC cells. CFU from two different strains of C. (DSM 4688 BfR-CA-18043) were enumerated at three temperatures (5°C, 8°C, 12°C). parallel, viability real-time PCR conducted quantify intact putatively infectious (IPIUs) (comprising bacteria). The data generated used model during storage. Here, one-step fitting approach performed using parameter estimates an intermediate two-step fit as starting values generate tertiary models. Different primary equations (Trilinear Weibull) required IPIU data. Strain-specific linear secondary models analyze effect storage temperature on maximum specific inactivation rate time first decimal reduction could be modeled by strain-independent model. developed for differ significantly their predictions, example, one log10 reduction. Taken that revert culturable storage, our results underline importance considering not only avoid underestimation milk.