Mugadza, D.T. (Desmond)Buys, E.M. (Elna Maria)2018-01-172017-10Mugadza, D.T. & Buys, E.M. 2017, 'Diversity of Bacillus cereus strains in extended shelf life', International Dairy Journal, vol. 73, no. 144-150.0958-6946 (print)1879-0143 (online)10.1016/j.idairyj.2017.06.001http://hdl.handle.net/2263/63578Characterisation of 49 Bacillus cereus strains obtained from extended shelf life (ESL) milk and filler nozzles was done using (GTG)5 rep PCR fingerprinting, determining the presence of the virulence genes cytK, nheA, cer and hblA, and discrimination of psychrotrophic and mesophilic strains with 16S rDNA. Fourteen isolates were selected for 16S partial sequencing. Fingerprinting and sequencing showed evidence of filler nozzles contaminating ESL milk despite high heterogeneity existing between the isolates. While there is high prevalence of cer, hblA and nheA; cytK was not widely distributed. There was 100% and 8% prevalence of mesophilic and psychrotrophic signatures, respectively. Despite the large diversity of the B. cereus strains in this study, there is evidence that filler nozzles and raw milk are a source of contamination of B. cereus in ESL milk.en© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in International Dairy Journal . Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. A definitive version was subsequently published in International Dairy Journal, vol. 73, pp. 144-150, 2017. doi : 10.1016/j.idairyj.2017.06.001.Extended shelf life (ESL)BacteriaPolymerase chain reaction (PCR)GenesContaminationDairy plantMesophilic strainsRaw milkEmetic toxinPasteurized milkFood poisoning toxinsEnterotoxin haemolysin BL (hblA)Emetic toxin cereulide (cer)Nonhemolytic enterotoxin A (nheA)Cytotoxin K (cytK)Bacillus cereusMilkPostprint Article