Table 4.
Survival of Listeria monocytogenes (ATCC 19111) following the inoculation of the nutrient solution, simulating a sporadic contamination event, in the reservoir and the channels, root, rockwool, and edible leaf tissue over a 28-day growth cycle.
| Time Post-Inoculation | Reservoir Nutrient Solution 1 | Channel Nutrient Solution | Root | Rockwool | Edible Leaf Tissue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | - 2 | - 2 | 5.43 | 3.49 abc | 1.93 ab |
| 12 h | 1.35 b 3 | 1.22 c | 5.53 | 2.73 d | 0.84 c |
| 24 h | 1.13 b | 1.35 c | 5.76 | 3.13 cd | 2.21 ab |
| 7 days | 1.87 a | 2.22 a | 5.73 | 3.72 ab | 2.39 a |
| 14 days | 1.90 a | 1.89 ab | 5.30 | 3.47 bc | 1.85 ab |
| 21 days | 1.34 b | 1.60 bc | 5.06 | 3.91 ab | 1.53 bc |
| 28 days | 1.85 a | 2.12 a | 5.38 | 3.97 a | 1.82 ab |
| p value | <0.0001 | <0.0001 | 0.2913 | <0.0001 | 0.0135 |
1 Each data point represents the combined LS-means (log CFU/mL or CFU/g) of three independent studies. 2 The measures not taken. 3 Values in a column followed by different letters are significantly different at p < 0.05.