Label free study for control of Listeria Monocytogenes to enhance food safety

Listeriosis is a disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes. it is an ubiquitous foodborne pathogen extremely hazardous for human population that usually affects high risk patients such as the elderly, immunosuppressed patients and pregnant women. However, it can also affect people who do not have these risk factors. For these reasons it is mandatory to counteract the listeria growth in food, avoiding the use of antibiotics, lantibiotics or chemical compounds. The strategy used is based on the selection of specific strains of starter bacteria (Lactococcus lactis) able to counteract listeria growth. In order to highlight these mechanisms of bacterial competition, the secretome of these two microrganisms in co-culture (BHI first, milk for validation second) has been studied through a proteomic and peptidomic approach.