Effect of Temperature on Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in Livestock Manure Compost

• Published in: Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer Vol. 46; no. 6
• Main Authors: Jung, K.S., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Heu, S.G., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Roh, E.J., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Kim, M.H., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Gil, H.J., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Choi, N.Y., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Lee, D.H., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Lim, J.A., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Ryu, J.G., National Academy of Agricultural Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea, Kim, K.H., The University of Seoul, Seoul, Republic of korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 01.12.2013
• Subjects: LISTERIA MONOCYTOGENES; Livestock manure compost,Escherichia coli O157:H7; SUPERVIVENCIA; SURVIE; SURVIVAL
• ISSN: 0367-6315
• DOI: 10.7745/KJSSF.2013.46.6.647

Animal manure compost is a commonly used fertilizer in organic vegetable and fruit production in Korea. However, livestock manure compost produced from animal feces can contain a lot of the non-pathogenic and pathogenic bacteria. Of particular concern are bacteria causing human food-borne illness such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes. The objective of this study was to investigate effect of temperature on survival of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes in livestock manure compost. Commercial livestock manure compost (manure 60%, sawdust 40%) was inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes. Compost was incubated at four different temperatures (10, 25, 35, and 55℃) for 20 weeks. Samples were taken every week during incubation depending on the given conditions. E. coli O157:H7 persisted for up to 1 day in livestock manure compost at 55℃, over 140 days at 10℃, 140 days at 25℃, and 120 days at 35℃, respectively. L. monocytogenes persisted for up to 1 day in livestock manure compost at 55℃ and 140 days at 10℃, 70 days at 25℃, and 40 days at 35℃, respectively. The results indicated that E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes persisted longer under low temperature condition. E. coli O157:H7 survived longer than L. monocytogenes at three different temperatures (10, 25, and 35℃). The results are being used to develop guidelines on the management of manure to reduce the risks of E. coli O157:H7 and L. monocytogenes transmission to foods produced in the presence of animal waste.