Antimicrobial Effects of Berries on Listeria monocytogenes

The purpose of this study was to first evaluate the antimicrobial effects of powder and extracts of berries (rose-hip, aronia, sea buckthorn and hawthorn) on the development of antibiotic-resistant L. monocitogenes. Listeria monocytogenes is considered one of the most important pathogens responsible for food-borne infection. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated using the standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Bacterial inactivation networks were determined and compared, as well as the possibility of using powders and extracts of berries to control the risk of Listeria monocytogees infestation in the milk and dairy industry as well as in the meat industry. The effect of pH (4.78 - 4.43) and water activity (0.90 - 0.80) on the relationship between optical density (OD) at 600 nm and the plate count (CFU ml-1) was investigated for Listeria monocytogenes. It was determined Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of berries for L. monocytogenes. The most relevant bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect on L. monocytogenes in the tested berries demonstrated sea buckthorn and rosehip.