Exploitation of Impedometric Analysis and Fluorescence Microscopy: Assessment of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris Life Cycle and Innovative Inactivation Strategy

Abstract Spore-forming non-pathogenic microorganisms represent a current issue for food industries as they resist different treatments leading to spoilage. Fruit juices and other acidic products are frequently contaminated by Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris , which can be hard to detect. Understanding the complete life cycle of these bacteria is essential for effectively managing spoilage. This study aims to investigate the life cycle of A. acidoterrestris through an integrated approach that combines impedometric analysis, fluorescence microscopy, and comparisons between plate and microscope counts. This will help identify the physiological state in which the addition of a patented antimicrobial extract can optimize inactivation. This approach proved effective in evaluating the life cycle of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris for real-time monitoring of bacterial growth and spore germination. The results from the impedometric analysis indicated changes in medium conductivity during the sporulation cycle, demonstrating the influence of the antimicrobial’s presence. By combining these findings with fluorescence microscopy analysis, the impact of the patented antimicrobial on spore germination was clearly observed. Applying these results to a real treatment scenario involving food that may be spoiled by A. acidoterrestris could help predict the optimal timing for implementing containment measures through an “in vivo” impedance curve.