Multiparameter viability assay for stress profiling applied to the food pathogen listeria.

A novel generic approach for stress profiling was applied to Listeria monocytogenes strain F2365. This food-borne pathogen was exposed to gradients of five different stresses of increasing intensity, typically ranging from moderate to lethal conditions. The stress factors included heat, acidic pH, a detergent disinfectant, an oxidant, and hyperosmotic conditions. In addition to CFU counts and lag time, five different molecular viability parameters were measured by fluorescence-based assays, including membrane integrity, membrane potential, esterase activity, redox activity, and intracellular pH stability. The last was measured by our recently invented real-time viability assay. Exposure to all stresses resulted in clear dose-response relationships for all viability parameters with the exception of hyperosmotic conditions. A statistical analysis showed strong correlations for (i) the growth parameters plate counts and lag times, (ii) the enzyme-associated functions redox and esterase activity, and (iii) the membrane-associated pH stability and membrane integrity. Results indicated a pronounced difference in the susceptibilities of the measured parameters depending on the stress factor applied. However, at relatively high stress intensities, all of the viability parameters became affected independent of the stress factor. Applications of the approach presented here include studies on the mechanism of action of unknown compounds with biocidal activity and a comparative analysis of the severities of the impact of stress conditions of interest. It appears that a meaningful evaluation of the impact of mild stress conditions can be obtained only through measurement of multiple viability parameters. © 2011, American Society for Microbiology