Research Progress on the Adaptation of Membrane Lipids of Listeria monocytogenes to Environmental Stresses

During food processing and storage, the food industry often uses various stress technologies such as low-temperature refrigeration, acidification treatment, and chemical disinfection to inhibit the growth of microorganisms. Listeria monocytogenes is a psychrophilic bacterium with extremely strong tolerance to adverse environments, enabling it to persist for a long time in the processing environment, facilities and food products. The bacterial cell membrane serves as a structural barrier between the external environment and the cytoplasm, being a key target for bacterial adaptation to environmental stress. Fatty acids, the major components of the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, not only participate in the assembly of membrane structures but also play a crucial role in the adaptive regulation of cells in response to environmental stress. This paper provides a systematic review of the current status of research on the adaptation of membrane lipids of L. monocytogenes to environmental stresses with a focus on low-temperature stress treatment. It elucidates the pattern of variations in the composition and structure of membrane lipids under different stress conditions, delves into the regulatory mechanisms of membrane fluidity and virulence factor expression, and proposes future research directions. Studies have shown that when microorganisms face external pressure, modification of membrane fatty acids is a key strategy to maintain cell membrane integrity and function. In-depth analysis of how bacterial membrane lipids adapt to different environmental stresses will provide an important theoretical basis for preventing and controlling the contamination of L. monocytogenes and thus ensuring food safety.