Efficacy of sorbates on the control of the growth of Eurotium species in bakery products with near neutral pH

Int J Food Microbiol. 2003 Nov 1;87(3):251-8. doi: 10.1016/s0168-1605(03)00068-0.

Abstract

The effects of sorbic acid and potassium sorbate on growth of different Eurotium isolates when added to a bakery product analogue were tested under different environmental conditions. Water activity of the products was adjusted to values in the range of 0.75-0.90, and storage temperatures were in the range of 15-30 degrees C. Preservatives were added in concentrations ranging from 0.025% to 0.2%. It was observed that 0.025% and 0.05% concentrations always enhanced the isolates growth, while 0.1% had little preservative effect. Finally, even the highest concentration (0.2%) was not suitable as it only controlled fungal growth under certain water activity and temperature levels. It was concluded that these weak-acid preservatives are not useful when added to bakery products with near to neutral pH.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bread / microbiology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Eurotiales / drug effects
  • Eurotiales / growth & development*
  • Food Microbiology
  • Food Preservation / methods*
  • Food Preservatives / pharmacology*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Kinetics
  • Sorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Temperature
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Food Preservatives
  • Water
  • Sorbic Acid