Effect of the food matrix on pressure resistance of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli

• The food matrix strongly influences the pressure-mediated inactivation of STEC.
• The product pH influenced survival of E. coli during and after pressure treatment.
• Divalent cations protected during post-pressure refrigerated storage.
• Membrane-active antimicrobials enhance pressure-mediated elimination of E. coli.

The pressure resistance of Shiga-toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) depends on food matrix. This study compared the resistance of two five-strain E. coli cocktails, as well as the pressure resistant strain E. coli AW1.7, to hydrostatic pressure application in bruschetta, tzatziki, yoghurt and ground beef at 600 MPa, 20 °C for 3 min and during post-pressure survival at 4 °C. Pressure reduced STEC in plant and dairy products by more than 5 logs (cfu/ml) but not in ground beef. The pH affected the resistance of STEC to pressure as well as the post-pressure survival. E. coli with food constituents including calcium, magnesium, glutamate, caffeic acid and acetic acid were treated at 600 MPa, 20 °C. All compounds exhibited a protective effect on E. coli. The antimicrobial compounds ethanol and phenylethanol enhanced the inactivation by pressure. Calcium and magnesium also performed protective effects on E. coli during storage. Glutamate, glutamine or glutathione did not significantly influence the post-pressure survival over 12 days. Preliminary investigation on cell membrane was further performed through the use of fluorescence probe 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine. Pressure effectively permeabilised cell membrane, whereas calcium showed no effects on membrane permeabilisation.