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Role for compatible solutes glycine betaine and L-carnitine in listerial barotolerance.

Smiddy M, Sleator RD, Patterson MF, Hill C, Kelly AL

Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College, Cork, Ireland.

Increased listerial barotolerance at elevated osmolarity is attributed, in part, to the presence of accumulated betaine and L-carnitine. The percentage of listerial survival following exposure to 400 MPa for 5 min increased from 0.008 to 0.02% with added L-carnitine (5 mM) and to 0.05% with added betaine (5 mM). Furthermore, listerial cells incapable of transporting compatible solutes fail to adapt to high pressure at elevated osmolarity.

Published 2 December 2004 in Appl Environ Microbiol, 70(12): 7555-7.
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