Combined effect of acetate and reduced water activity in survival of Salmonella typhimurium 7136

Whereas Salmonella typhimurium 7136 will not grow at reduced water activity (aw), it was survival in such items as intermediate-moisture foods is of interest. Initial studies demonstrated that the addition of 0.3 M acetate (pH 4.7) to glycerol-Trypticase soy broth (BBL Microbiology Systems) solutions (aw 0.86) reduced the viability of S. typhimurium cells. The extent of death of cells exposed to reduced aw was increased by decreasing the pH or increasing the concentration of acetate. Acidification of glycerol-Trypticase soy broth reduced the D40 degrees C value exhibited by cells exposed to a range of aw solutions (0.65 to 0.92). Acetate appeared to affect survival more dramatically as aw values approached the minimum growth limit. Acidification with acetate also reduced cell survival in a variety of humectant solutions with an aw of 0.86 (glycerol, dextrose, and NaCl).