COMBINED EFFECTS OF LACTOBACILLUS-CASEI INOCULUM, MODIFIED ATMOSPHEREPACKAGING AND STORAGE-TEMPERATURE IN CONTROLLING AEROMONAS-HYDROPHILAIN READY-TO-USE VEGETABLES

Carbon dioxide concentration, Lactobacillus casei inoculum size and st orage temperature were varied according to a Central Composite Design in order to assess the effects of these variables and their interactio ns on the growth of Aeromonas hydrophila and lactic acid bacteria in r eady-to-use mixed salad vegetables packaged under modified atmosphere. The growth curve parameters, modelled according to the Gompertz equat ion, were analysed to generate polynomial equations. The model obtaine d emphasized the role of L. casei inoculum size in controlling A. hydr ophila and permitted identification of appropriate combinations of the selected variables to reduce A. hydrophila survival. The use of these hurdles may increase the shelf-life and the microbiological safety of ready-to-use vegetables.