Attachment of Listeria monocytogenes to Stainless Steel Surfaces at Various Temperatures and pH Values

The attachment of Listeria monocytogenes isolates Scott A and Jalisco Cheese to stainless steel surfaces at 35°, 21°, and 10°C was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cells were found to adhere at all three temperatures, but cells with fibrils were observed only at 21°C. When grown at pH 8, the attachment matrix was more prevalent at 21°C than at 35°C and may also be related to the length of incubation time at 21°C. It appears that adherence may be related to the flagella and any exopolymer surrounding the cells.