Survival and Growth of Psychrotrophic Bacillus cereus in Dry and Reconstituted Infant Rice Cereal

摘要: The potential for growth of enterotoxigenic Bacillus cereus in reconstituted dry foods is a concern, especially when they are consumed by infants or the immunosuppressed. ability four-strain mixture spores vegetative cells psychrotrophic B. to survive commercial, infant rice cereal as affected water activity (a(w); 0.27 0.28, 0.52 0.55, and 0.75 0.78), pH (5.6 6.7), temperature (5, 25, 35, 45 degrees C) was investigated. rate death stored 36 weeks not a(w) pH. Death at C up 48 enhanced 0.78 but unaffected pH; loss viability 5, 35 largely differences a(w). effect (8, 15, 21, 30 on outgrowth inoculated three levels (0.14, 14, 133 CFU/g, weight basis) into with apple juice commercial pasteurized milk (2% fat) also studied. Outgrowth did occur juice. Cereal 0.14, per g contained >3 log CFU/g within 24, 9, 6 h, respectively, 21 C. Populations CFU reached 7.11, 7.72, 7.40 12, 48, 72 h 30, 15 C, respectively. organism grew held 8 h; however, enterotoxin detected. In g, detected (detection limit 16 ng/g) after population >7 CFU/g. It recommended that be either immediately < = preparation.