INHIBITION OF LISTERIA-MONOCYTOGENES BY LACTOBACILLUS-SAKE STRAINS OFMEAT ORIGIN

The ability of two Lactobacillus sake strains of meat origin to inhibi t the growth of Listeria monocytogenes at 4, 8, 15, 24 and 32-degrees- C in a conventional liquid media was investigated. Growth of L. monocy togenes was affected by Lac. sake strains at all temperatures. The inh ibition was higher at 15, 24 and 32-degrees-C than at refrigeration te mperatures. The inhibitory activity of both lactobacilli was similar p erhaps due to the fact that Lac. sake 148 produces a bacteriocin inhib itory to L. monocytogenes, while Lac. sake 23 is a strong lactic acid producer. The antagonism exhibited by the lactobacilli on the L. monoc ytogenes strains seems to display a bacteriostatic rather than a bacte riocidal effect.