Death of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in garlic butter as affected by storage temperature

Garlic is known to have antimicrobial activity against several spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. However, the fate of Salmonella, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes in garlic butter has not been reported. This study was undertaken to determine the viability of these organisms in garlic butter as affected by the type of raw minced garlic added to the butter, storage temperature, and storage time. Unsalted butter at 40degreesC was combined with raw minced jumbo, elephant, or small-cloved garlic at a 4:1 butter/garlic ratio (wt/wt), inoculated with mixed-strain suspensions of Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, or L. monocytogenes, and stored at 4.4, 21, or 37degreesC for up to 48 h. All pathogens retained their viability at 4.4degreesC, regardless of the presence of garlic. The addition of garlic to butter enhanced the rates of inactivation of all three pathogens at 21 and 37degreesC. The most rapid decline in pathogen populations was observed at 37degreesC. The inactivation of L. monocytogenes occurred more slowly than did that of Salmonella or E. coli O157:H7. The inactivation of Salmonella and L. monocytogenes was more rapid in jumbo garlic butter than in elephant or small-cloved garlic butter. It is concluded that Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and L. monocytogenes did not grow in unsalted butter, with or without garlic added (20%, wt/wt), when inoculated products were stored at 4.4, 21, and 37degreesC for up to 48 h.