Studies on the pathogenesis and survival of different culture forms of Listeria monocytogenes to pulsed UV-light irradiation after exposure to mild-food processing stresses

► Exposure of L. monocytogenes to mild acid, salt and heat did not enhance resistance to PUV. ► Wild-type culture forms were more resistant than atypical morphotypes of L. monocytogenes. ► Only exposure of Listeria to mild heating enhanced invasion of human Caco-2 cells. ► Combined exposure to mild-food stressors caused greatest reduction in invasiveness.