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Data from: Genetic variations and accelerated growth at low temperatures in a <i>Listeria monocytogenes </i>isolate

Published by Agricultural Research Service | Department of Agriculture | Metadata Last Checked: February 12, 2026 | Last Modified: 2026-01-23
Listeria monocytogenes contamination of fresh-cut produce poses a threat to consumers due to its high mortality rate. Because it is widespread in the environment, as well as able to grow and survive in harsh conditions, such as low temperatures, it is difficult to control. A strain of L. monocytogenes, L008, with significantly faster growth than other strains was identified in our laboratory during experiments with fresh-cut produce. The L008 strain had a significantly shorter lag phase and reached maximum spectrophotometric absorbance (optical density) faster than three other L. monocytogenes strains during growth curve studies at 4 and 8°C. The lag phase was also shorter, when compared with two of the three strains at 12°C. A genetic comparison between L008 and the other three strains identified missense mutations in the fapR, mngB, pfkB, and uvrC genes of L008 that may account for the faster growth. These genes are involved in metabolism, cell membrane maintenance, and stress tolerance, which may allow L008 to adapt to lower temperatures better than the other strains. Accelerated growth at low temperatures may elevate the risk associated with this isolate and other L. monocytogenes strains with similar genetic variants.

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