In this study, the microbiological safety and quality of commercial sufu we
re investigated. Twenty-three samples of three different types of sufu were
obtained, mainly in China and some in The Netherlands. Chemical parameters
analysed included moisture, pH, free amino N, NaCl, ethanol, sucrose, gluc
ose, and fructose. Concentrations of NaCl, ethanol, glucose and fructose va
ried from 6.2%, 0.5%, 0% and 0% to 14.8%, 6.3%, 6.2% and 4.8%, respectively
. Microbiological analyses were done for total count of mesophilic aerobic
bacteria (TMAB), bacterial endospores, total count of halotolerant bacteria
at 10% (THB10) and at 17.5% NaCl (THB17.5), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), fu
ngi, Enterobacteriaceae, and the following pathogens: Bacillus cereus, Clos
tridium perfringens, Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes. High
levels (> 10(5) CFU/g) of TMAB and bacterial endospores were found in most
samples, and 85% of TMA-B was identified as Gram-positive. Considerable le
vels (10(5) and 10(7) CFU/g) of LAB were detected in two samples of white s
ufu, and isolates of LAB were identified as most probably Lb. casei. One-th
ird of the samples contained less then 10(3) CFU/g A cereus, but three samp
les had over 105 CFU/g indicating potential hazard to consumers. All sample
s had less than 10(3) CFU/g C perfringens, except sample R11 (similar to 10
(5) CFU/g). S. aureus could not be detected in any of the samples tested si
nce the competitive microflora (usually bacilli) disturbed typical features
on the selective medium used; however S. aureus enterotoxin A was detected
in some of the white and grey sufu samples. Fungi, Enterobacteriaceae, and
L. monocytogenes were not detected in any of the samples. Based on these r
esults, a microbiological guideline for safe commercial sufu is proposed. (
C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.