Modelling the development of potential spoilage and biopreservative microorganisms on precooked pasta in different conditions of temperature based on classical microbiology and 16S rDNA metagenomic

An important way to prevent the spoilage of food is the respect of the cold chain during the storage. While the temperature instructions are generally respected during process and distribution of food products, it is not always the case with the consumers. Indeed, a few persons reach the right temperature level required for a safe storage of foodstuffs in their refrigerator. Besides, the food can sometimes spend a few hours in ambient temperature between the buying in the supermarket and the storage in cold temperature. In this study, we propose to model the growth of microorganisms on precooked pasta, stored in different conditions of temperature that reflect the situations described above (constant 4°C, constant 8°C, constant 12°C, 1/3 4°C – 2/3 8°C, 1/3 4°C – breach during 4h at 20°C – 2/3 8°C and 1/3 8°C – breach during 4h at 20°C – 2/3 8°C. The product was surface inoculated with potential spoilage and biopreservative strains (Lactococcus piscium, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Leuconostoc citreum). Analyses by classical microbiology and V1-V3 16S rDNA metagenomics were done each day until the out of date of the food matrix. The transition from 4 to 8°C and the breach at 20°C during 4h have clearly boosted the growth of the microorganisms. The metagenomic analysis was a powerful tool to follow separately each population in each condition of storage. The results of this communication show the importance of keeping the foodstuffs in 4°C or lower in the refrigerator with the goal to avoid the spoilage or the development of pathogens and the potential of metagenomics for selection of biopreservative strains.