Aims: To investigate the effect of liquid smoke on growth, survival, proteomic pattern and haemolytic potential of Listeria monocytogenes. Methods and Results: Growth and survival curves were recorded in brain-heart infusion broth supplemented with three concentrations of liquid smoke. L. monocytogenes growth was inhibited in the presence of 15 mu g ml(-1) phenol while a rapid decrease in cell viability occurred in the presence of 30 mu g ml(-1) phenol. The proteome of L. monocytogenes cytosoluble proteins was slightly modified after 2-h incubation with 30 mu g ml(-1) phenol but no protein already characterized in response to other known stresses was induced, except the protease ClpP. Liquid smoke inhibited the haemolytic potential without affecting hly gene expression, showing a potential inhibition of protein activity or stability. Conclusions: The presence of liquid smoke in a rich medium strongly affected growth and survival of L. monocytogenes. Brief smoke stress affected the metabolic pathways and inhibited the haemolytic activity of L. monocytogenes.