Modelling of bacterial growth with shifts in temperature using automated methods with Listeria monocytogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as examples

Time to detection (TTD) measurements using turbidometry allow a straightforward method for the measurement of bacterial growth rates under isothermal conditions. Growth rate measurements were carried out for Listeria monocytogenes at 25, 30 and 37 °C and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa over the temperature range 25 to 45 °C. The classical three-parameter logistic model was rearranged to provide the theoretical foundation for the observed TTD. A model was subsequently developed for the analysis of TTD data from non-isothermal studies based on the Malthusian approximation of the logistic model. The model was able to predict the TTD for cultures of L. monocytogenes or P. aeruginosa undergoing simple temperature shunts (e.g. 25 to 37 °C and vice versa), and for a multiple temperature shunt for L. monocytogenes (25–37–25–37 °C and 37–25–37–25 °C) over a period of 24 h. In no case did a temperature shunt induce a lag.

► Effect on growth rates of temperature jumps was monitored by optical density. ► Data were modelled using the classical logistic equation. ► Growth rates changed to the new environmental conditions without lag induction.