The Fate of the Fecal Coliform, Escherichia coli, in Baby Foods Stored Frozen

摘要

The fecal coliform, Escherichia coli, was inoculated (7 log10 cfu g 1) in 3 commercial baby foods, which were subsequently frozen and stored (-18°C) for 26 days. Mathematical model equations were developed describing the effect of freezing and frozen storage on the viable (Pv = (2.83*10-8 + (6.18*10-8*t)) 1) and undamaged populations (Pud = (1.76*10-7 + (4.59*10-6*t)) 1) of E. coli. Frozen storage for 1 day reduced the viable and undamaged populations of E. coli, in all baby foods, by about 66.0-91.0 and 66.0-99.0%, respectively. At the same time, the level of damaged cells of E. coli was the highest in all baby foods. After 26 days of frozen storage the viable, undamaged and damaged populations of E. coli declined by about 1.0-3.8 log cfu g 1.