Several sigmoidal models (Modified Whiting and Buchanan, Schnute, Richards,
Stannard, Whiting and Buchanan, Gompertz, and Logistic) were compared to d
escribe inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes under high pressure carbon d
ioxide. The survivor curves were described mathematically by fitting data u
sing nonlinear models and compared to describe inactivation of L. monocytog
enes in Brain Heart Infusion Broth. They were compared statistically by usi
ng the F-test. Three-parameter models were statistically sufficient to desc
ribe the inactivation of L. monocytogenes and were easy to use. Increased p
ressure and temperatures had significant effects on the survival of L. mono
cytogenes. (C) 2000 Academic Press.