SURVIVAL OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS AND ENTEROTOXIN-A IN GLASSY AND RUBBERY STATES OF GELATIN

About 1% of Staphylococcus aureus cells survived the production of gel atin sheets containing nutrient broth. Those cells which survived show ed no evidence of injury. Growth occurred in rubbery state gelatin wit h a(w) values of 0.98 and 0.93; viability decreased during storage at a(w) values of 0.89, 0.62 and 0.36 but there was little loss of viabil ity in gelatin at an a(w) of 0.25 over 27 d storage at 26 degrees C. A ssays for enterotoxin A detected no synthesis of new toxin but no loss in pre-formed toxin. The results suggest that high levels of Staph. a ureus and its toxins should be excluded from glassy and rubbery state food products in order to prevent illness.