Abstract
AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the growth of three foodborne fungi and high-oxygen modified atmosphere.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Petri dishes were incubated in a series of connected flasks, which were placed in a climatized room and flushed continuously with the desired gas atmosphere. A combination of 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide resulted in reduced growth of Rhizopus stolonifer, Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium discolor compared with ambient atmosphere conditions. Combining 80% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide at 10 degrees C arrested growth of B. cinerea for 17 d while an elevated carbon dioxide concentration only inhibited growth up to 11 d. In addition, the peroxidase activity was doubled at 80% oxygen and decreased when 10% carbon dioxide was present.
IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates the potential use of elevated oxygen levels in a modified atmosphere to inhibit food-associated mould growth.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 419-22 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Letters in Applied Microbiology |
Volume | 35 |
Issue number | 5 |
Publication status | Published - 2002 |
Keywords
- Atmosphere
- Botrytis
- Carbon Dioxide
- Food Microbiology
- Fungi
- Oxygen
- Penicillium
- Peroxidase
- Rhizopus