Characterisation of non-toxigenic Clostridium spp. strains, to use as surrogates for non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in chilled food challenge testing

M D Parker; P I Barrett; J Shepherd; L J Price; S D Bull

doi:10.1016/j.mimet.2014.11.011

Characterisation of non-toxigenic Clostridium spp. strains, to use as surrogates for non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum in chilled food challenge testing

J Microbiol Methods. 2015 Jan:108:83-91. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.11.011. Epub 2014 Nov 27.

Authors

M D Parker¹, P I Barrett², J Shepherd², L J Price², S D Bull²

Affiliations

¹ Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Beds MK44 1LQ, UK. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Beds MK44 1LQ, UK.

PMID: 25433276
DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2014.11.011

Abstract

Under many of the conditions studied, a two-strain cocktail of non-toxigenic Clostridium spp. was found to be suitable as a surrogate for non-proteolytic Clostridium botulinum, and has the potential for use in chilled food challenge tests measuring growth. Non-toxigenic surrogates could also be used in thermal process screening studies.

Keywords: Challenge testing; Chilled foods; Clostridium botulinum; Surrogates.

MeSH terms

Clostridium / growth & development*
Clostridium botulinum / growth & development
Cold Temperature
Food Microbiology*