A predictive model for the combined effect of pH, sodium chloride and storage temperature on the growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta.

Growth of Brochothrix thermosphacta was observed under ranges of pH (5.6-6.8), NaCl (0.5-8.0% w/v) and incubation temperature (1-30 degrees C). In order to compare different approaches, two models were used to fit growth curves to viable count data, and to calculate parameters from those fitted curves. Growth responses as a function of pH, NaCl and temperature were described with a quadratic function which was then used to predict growth within the limits where growth was observed. The predictions of the model show good agreement with published observations from other laboratories.