I. Walls et Vn. Scott, VALIDATION OF PREDICTIVE MATHEMATICAL-MODELS DESCRIBING THE GROWTH OFLISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES, Journal of food protection, 60(9), 1997, pp. 1142-1145
Growth of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria innocua in commercially
available sterile homogeneous foods was investigated at different temp
eratures, pH values, and NaCl concentrations. Growth data were fitted
to the Gompertz equation and the resulting growth kinetics were compar
ed with predictions from the Pathogen Modeling Program and Food MicroM
odel. In general, good agreement was obtained when comparing growth ra
tes and generation times for both models. Differences were observed wh
en comparing lag phases, which ranged from 117 h shorter to 4.9 h long
er than predicted for L. monocytogenes. Despite differences in lag pha
se, under most conditions, the models gave good predictions of microbi
al growth. Predictive modeling appears to be a useful tool in determin
ing growth rates of Listeria in foods.