Biodiversity and anti-listerial activity of surface microbial consortia from limburger, reblochon, livarot, tilsit and gubbeen cheese.

Objective

Little is known about the microbial ecology of the surface flora, which develops on smear cheeses during ripening, and which is composed of several different bacteria and yeasts. Such cheeses support growth of listeria and have been implicated in listeriosis. This has obvious implications for the health of Consumers.

In this proposal we will:
1) characterise the surface microflora (both yeast and bacteria) of five European smear-ripened cheeses, Limburger, Reblochon, Livarot, Tilsit and Gubbeen using established, chemotaxonomic and molecular methods. It is expected that several new taxa of yeast and bacteria will be described.
2) identify strains of yeast which have anti-listerial activity and which do not inhibit the growth of the bacteria in the smear and
3)Show that they are useful in controlling the growth of listeria in commercial cheese production, without affecting flavour.

Programme(s)

• FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002

Topic(s)

• 1.1.1.-1. - Key action Food, Nutrition and Health

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

TEAGASC - AGRICULTURE AND FOOD DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Address

Moorepark
30 Fermoy
Ireland

Participants (11)

Bundesanstalt fuer Alpenlaendische Milchwirtschaft

Austria

Address

Rotholz 50 A
6200 Jenbach

GENT UNIVERSITY

Belgium

Address

35,K.l. Ledeganckstraat 35
9000 Gent

INSTITUT NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE

France

Address

Route De Thiverval
78850 Thiverval-grignon

INSTITUT TECHNIQUE FRANCAIS DU FROMAGE

France

Address

Rue Henri De Boissieu, Plateforme Alimentec
01060 Bourg En Bresse

J. BAUER KG

Germany

Address

Tegernau 2
83512 Wasserburg Am Inn

SYNDICAT DES FABRIQUANTS DE PONT L'EVEQUE ET DE LIVAROT

France

Address

Rue De Bernieres 82
14000 Caen

SYNDICAT INTERPROFESSIONNEL DU REBLOCHON

France

Address

Rue Saint Blaise, Maison Du Reblochon
74230 Manigod (Thones)

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH

Germany

Address

Weihenstephaner Berg 3
85350 Freising

TIROL MILCH REGISTRIERTE GENOSSENSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG

Austria

Address

Lattellaplatz 1
6300 Woergl

UNIVERSITE DE CAEN BASSE NORMANDIE

France

Address

Esplanade De La Paix
Caen

UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

United Kingdom

Address

Ridley Building
NE1 7RU Newcastle Upon Tyne