Growth and Biocontrol of Listeria monocytogenes in Greek Anthotyros Whey Cheese without or with a Crude Enterocin A-B-P Extract: Interactive Effects of the Native Spoilage Microbiota during Vacuum-Packed Storage at 4 °C

Effective biopreservation measures are needed to control the growth of postprocess Listeria monocytogenes contamination in fresh whey cheeses stored under refrigeration. This study assessed growth and biocontrol of inoculated (3 log(10) CFU/g) L. monocytogenes in vacuum-packed, fresh (1-day-old) or ‘aged’ (15-day-old) Anthotyros whey cheeses, without or with 5% of a crude enterocin A-B-P extract (CEntE), during storage at 4 °C. Regardless of CEntE addition, the pathogen increased by an average of 2.0 log(10) CFU/g in fresh cheeses on day 15. Gram-negative spoilage bacteria also increased by an average of 2.5 log(10) CFU/g. However, from day 15 to the sell-by date (days 35–40), L. monocytogenes growth ceased, and progressively, the populations of the pathogen declined in most cheeses. This was due to an unmonitored, batch-dependent natural acidification by spoilage lactic acid bacteria, predominantly Leuconostoc mesenteroides, which reduced the cheese pH to 5.5, and finally to ≤5.0. The pH reductions and associated declines in pathogen viability were greater in the CEntE-treated samples within each batch. L. monocytogenes failed to grow in cheeses previously ‘aged’ in retail for 15 days. Overall, high population levels (>7.5 log(10) CFU/g) of psychrotrophic Enterobacteriaceae, particularly Hafnia alvei, were associated with an extended growth and increased survival of L. monocytogenes during storage.