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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Poultry Microbiological Safety and Processing Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #279670
Title: Ability of lactate and pyruvate to stimulate aerobic growth of campylobacter in media supplemented with fumarate

Author
item Hinton Jr, Arthur

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/2/2012
Publication Date: 7/9/2012
Citation: Hinton Jr, A. 2012. Ability of lactate and pyruvate to stimulate aerobic growth of campylobacter in media supplemented with fumarate [abstract]. Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Campylobacter spp. are human, foodborne, and bacterial pathogens that are frequently isolated from live poultry and processed poultry products. These pathogens are classified as microaerophiles; therefore, Campylobacter cultures are generally grown in atmospheres with reduced oxygen levels and elevated carbon dioxide levels. Campylobacter are unable to utilize carbohydrates; however, these bacteria can metabolize some organic acids. The objective of the present study was to examine the growth of Campylobacter under aerobic conditions in media supplemented with fumarate and various concentrations of lactate or pyruvate. Basal broth media composed of tryptose, yeast extract, and a mineral-vitamin solution was supplemented with 30 mM of sodium fumarate. Sodium lactate or sodium pyruvate was then added to the medium to produce final concentrations of 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 60 mM of lactate or pyruvate with a final media pH of 7.0-7.1. Media was then inoculated with approximately 106 colony-forming-units/ml of Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter fetus, or Campylobacter jejuni. Inoculated media was incubated aerobically at 37C for 72 h in a Bioscreen C microbiology reader, and changes in the optical density (OD) of cultures were measured at 600 nm. Statistical analysis of the differences in final culture OD was performed. Results indicated that there was significantly (P < 0.05) greater growth of each Campylobacter isolate in fumarate media supplemented with lactate or pyruvate than in media that was not supplemented with one of these organic acids. Additionally, there was significantly greater growth of the isolates in fumarate media supplemented with pyruvate than in media supplemented in media supplemented with lactate. Findings of this study indicate that Campylobacter spp. are capable of aerobic growth in media supplemented with fumarate and lactate or pyruvate.