Influence of Selected Solutes on Thermally Induced Death and Injury of Salmonella Typhimurium

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the influence of various solutes on heat-induced RNA breakdown, injury (as measured by inability to proliferate on salt containing media), and death of Salmonella typhimurium. Results showed that heating cells in phosphate buffer was more deleterious than heating in distilled water. Concentration of buffer was a significant factor in the effect of heat on the cells. Magnesium, spermine, and sucrose in the heating menstruum protected salmonellae from heat destruction. Conditions could be manipulated such that measurable RNA breakdown did not occur yet significant portions of the ceil population were killed. Evidence accrued indicating that RNA breakdown was not the primary cause of cell death at 48 C.