Effect of Fat Contents on Thermal Resistance, Antibiotic Sensitivity, and Caco-2 Cell Invasion of Listeria monocytogenes

This study evaluates the effects of fat contents on the thermal resistance, antibiotic sensitivity, and Caco-2 cell invasion of Listeria monocytogenes. Ten strain mixture of L. monocytogenes in milk (0, 1, and 4% fat) and pork sausage patties (10, 20, and 30% fat) were exposed to 63oC. To evaluate effects of fat on the antibiotic sensitivity of L. monocytogenes, the L. monocytogenes strains NCCP10811 (most antibiotic resistant to streptomycin) and NCCP10943 (most antibiotic sensitive to streptomycin) were exposed to different fat contents in milk and pork sausage patties, and L. monocytogenes from the foods were used for antibiotic sensitivity assays. The most invasive L. monocytogenes strains (NCCP10943) was exposed to different fat contents in milk or pork sausage patties, and L. monocytogenes from the foods were used for the Caco-2 cell invasion assays. The reductions of L. monocytogenes populations were not generally influenced by fat contents. The L. monocytogenes subjected to milk fat had increased sensitivities (p<0.05) due to some antibiotics. In addition, Caco-2 cell invasion efficiency of L. monocytogenes NCCP10943 increased (p<0.05) as fat contents increased. These results indicated that higher fat contents may be related to L. monocytogenes invasions and heat resistances in pork sausage patties, but the relationship between fat and antibiotic sensitivity varied according to antibiotics, strains, and fat contents.