O presente estudo foi dividido em duas fases; a primeira visou avaliar o desempenho de diversos meios de cultura, para fungos, no ar de ambientes de produção de alimentos, através da resposta de contagem e identificação dos gêneros que podem conter espécies indesejáveis; também foi avaliada a condição ambiental juntamente com a contagem total de bactérias. O ambiente de duas áreas foi utilizado para a pesquisa, uma indústria de doces, produção de doce de leite e doce de amendoim, na Cidade de Ribeirão Preto (SP) e, outra, uma indústria de embutidos, nos setores de empacotamento e produção, na Região de Piracicaba (SP). Os meios de cultura utilizados foram: "ichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Ágar" RBC), "Sabouraud Dextrose a 4% Ágar", "Malt Ágar" (MA), "Malt Extract Agar – Yeast and Molds" (MEAYM), "Plate Count Ágar-Cloranfenicol" (PCA-Cloranfenicol), "Dichloran 18% Glycerol Ágar" (DG 18), Batata Dextrose Ágar (BDA) e "Oxytetracycline Glucose YeastAgar" (OGY); para a contagem de bactérias foi utilizado o meio "Plate Count Agar" (PCA). Cada um dos pontos foi amostrado em triplicata utilizando um amostrador de impactação linear. A segunda fase do projeto avaliou os meios de cultura "Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Ágar" (DRBC), "Sabouraud Dextrose a 4% Ágar" selecionados da primeira fase. Novas coletas foram realizadas amostrando cinco repetições em cada um dos pontos, que permaneceram os mesmos da primeira fase. Em paralelo foram utilizadas culturas puras de Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium verticulloides, Histoplasma capsulatum e Stachybotrys chartarum, inoculando os dois meios selecionados e avaliando o desenvolvimento desses fungos ao longo do período de incubação de sete dias, a 28ºC, para servir de parâmetro de comparação com as coletas de ar realizadas no mesmo período, a fim de se verificar se algum desses fungos indesejáveis estaria presente nas amostras de ar. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, os meios DRBC e Sabouraud Dextrose a 4% Ágar, foram, estatisticamente, melhores que os demais meios testados, apresentando um maior número de unidades formadoras de colônias/m3. O meio de Extrato de Malte diferenciou estatisticamente dos demais e teve o menor desempenho para a quantificação desses microrganismos no ar. A recomendação do melhor meio para identificação de fungos no ar de indústrias alimentícias não foi conclusiva, com exceção do PCA-Cloranfenicol que apresentou baixa diversidade de gêneros, sendo considerado reprovado. No geral foi observado um número elevado de unidades formadoras de colônias de fungos e bactérias/m 3 durante as amostragens. A avaliação quali-quantitativa dos ambientes estudados sugere que esses não se encontram em condições adequadas, sendo necessária a elaboração de um padrão referencial para o monitoramento da indústria alimentícia em nosso país. O amostrador utilizado nas coletas promoveu rapidez nas coletas e proporcionou a expressão dos resultados em medidas confiáveis, por ser um equipamento que permite calibração em seu sistema de aspiração de ar. / The present study consisted of two phases. The first one aimed at evaluating the performance of different culture media for fungi found in the air of food production environments, through the results of counting and identifying genders that may contain undesirable species. The environmental condition was also evaluated along with a total bacteria counting. The present work took place in two different places, an industry which produces sweets made from milk or peanuts, in Ribeirao Preto city (SP) and, in the packing and production sections of a meat encased products industry located in Piracicaba region (SP). The culture media used were: "Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (DRBC)", "Sabouraud Dextrose 4% Agar (MA)", "Malt Extract Agar – Yeast and Molds (MEAYM)", "Plate Count Agar – Chloramphenicol (PCA-Chloramphenicol)", "Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar (DG 18)", "Potato Dextrose Agar (BDA)" and "Oxytetracycline Glucose Yeast Agar (OGY)". The medium used for the bacteria counting was "Plate Count Agar (PCA)". Three replicates of each sampled spot were obtained by using a linear impacting sampler. The second phase of this project evaluated the following culture media, selected during the first phase of this study: "Dichloran Rose Bengal Chloramphenicol Agar (DRBC)" and "Sabouraud Dextrose 4% Agar". New sample collections (five replicates) were carried out for each of the spots selected. The sampled spots were the same for both phases. In a parallel manner, pure cultures of Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium verticulloides, Histoplasma capsulatum and Stachybotrys chartarum were employed to inoculate the two selected media. The development of these fungi was evaluated throughout a 7-day-incubation period, at 28ºC, to function as a comparative reference for the air samples obtained in the same period in order to verify if any of these undesirable fungi was present in the air samples. According to the results obtained, DRBC and Sabouraud Dextrose 4% Agar media were statistically superior than the others, presenting a higher number of colony forming units/m3. The Malt Extract medium was statistically different from the others and showed the worse performance as to the quantification of microorganisms present in the air. There was no conclusive recommendation as to the best medium for the identification of fungi found in the air of food industries, except for PCA-Chloramphenicol, which showed low diversity of genders and was discarded. In general, a high number of fungi and bacteria colony forming units/m3 was observed during the sampling procedures. The qualitative-quantitative evaluation of the environments studied suggests that they do not present adequate conditions, evidencing the need for the establishment of a referential standard in order to monitor food industries in our country. The sampler used in this work allowed a quick sample collection and a reliable expression of results, as this equipment enables the calibration of its air intake system.

Introdução: As doenças transmitidas por alimentos (DTA) constituem um grave problema de saúde pública a nível mundial. A Organização Mundial da Saúde estima que mais de um terço da população, incluindo a dos países desenvolvidos, é acometida por surtos de DTA anualmente, embora a maioria dos casos não seja notificada às autoridades sanitárias locais. Objetivo: Analisar a evolução das DTA nas diferentes regiões do Brasil entre 2000 e 2015. Metodologia: O presente estudo, de caráter descritivo, consistiu na análise de dados do Ministério da Saúde e de artigos científicos que tratam das DTA no contexto nacional, no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro de 2015. A primeira fase do estudo foi caracterizada pela coleta de dados sobre DTA disponíveis pelo Ministério da Saúde. Na segunda fase, foi realizado o levantamento e análise geral da produção científica brasileira nas seguintes bases de dados: LILACS, SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed e Embase. E na terceira fase do estudo foi traçado o panorama das DTA nas diferentes regiões do Brasil, relacionando os dados oficiais do Ministério da Saúde com os dados das pesquisas publicadas. Resultados: Entre 2000 e 2015 foram registrados no Ministério da Saúde 11.524 surtos de DTA com 219.909 doentes e 167 óbitos e publicados 50 artigos científicos sobre surtos de DTA no Brasil. Foi possível verificar que a região Sudeste apresentou maior prevalência no número de trabalhos publicados e de surtos de DTA. Na análise dos dados do MS observou-se que os alimentos mistos (12,4 por cento ) foram os mais envolvidos nos surtos, seguidos por aqueles preparados com ovos e produtos à base de ovos (8,7 por cento ); o agente etiológico não foi identificado em 57,8 por cento dos surtos e quando identificado, a Salmonella spp. foi o mais frequente (14,4 por cento ) e a maioria dos surtos ocorreram nas residências (36,6 por cento ). Considerando os dados dos artigos, a água foi o alimento que mais surtos de DTA causou (22 por cento ), o agente etiológico mais estudado foi a Salmonella spp. (22 por cento ) e as residências foram os locais mais envolvidos nos surtos (48 por cento ). Conclusões: Os dados obtidos indicam a necessidade de novas políticas públicas de incentivo a notificação dos surtos, bem como o desenvolvimento de programas de orientação e educação em boas práticas de manipulação de alimentos para a população e estabelecimentos produtores de alimentos / Introduction: Foodborne disease is a significant public health problem worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that more than a third of the world\'s population, including those living in developed countries, is affected by foodborne disease, although many cases are not reported to the local health authority. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of foodborne disease around different regions of Brazil between 2000 and 2015. Methodology: This is a descriptive study, based on analysis of data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and from scientific manuscripts regarding foodborne disease at a national level, occurred between January 2000 and December 2015. Data from both sources were evaluated and compared to map the panorama of foodborne disease outbreaks in Brazil. Results: In the period of 2000 to 2015, a total of 11,524 foodborne outbreaks were reported to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, involving 219,909 cases and 167 deaths. In the same period, 50 manuscripts dealing with this topic were published. The largest prevalence of foodborne outbreaks was observed in the Southeast region of Brazil. Based on data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health, mixed foods were the most involved in the outbreaks (12.4 per cent ), followed by those foods prepared with eggs and egg products (8.7 per cent ). In most of the cases, the etiologic agent was not identified (57.8 per cent ). Among those identified, Salmonella spp. was the most frequent (14.4 per cent ), while homes were the main site of occurrence (36,6 per cent ). Based on data from the manuscripts, water was the most involved in the outbreaks (22 per cent ), while Salmonella spp. was the most reported pathogen (22 per cent ) and homes the main site of occurrence (48 per cent ). Conclusion: Notification of foodborne disease outbreaks is one of the fundamental duties to facilitate public health action and needs to be encouraged

Orientador: José Luiz Pereira / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T19:43:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Amaro_EmersonClayton_M.pdf: 844118 bytes, checksum: b0bffa4676cd77fbb9f0b90845077d5d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: Várias doenças são transmitidas por alimentos e existem grupos de indivíduos mais vulneráveis,em especial as crianças, sendo desta forma prioridade nas ações de atenção à saúde. Segundo a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS), ocorrem mais de 1,8 milhões de mortes de crianças com menos de cinco anos de idade devido ao consumo de alimentos contaminados. Os agentes etiológicos mais frequentes em surtos no Brasil são a Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus e Clostridium perfringens. Desta forma essa pesquisa teve o intuito de avaliar se os alimentos prontos para consumo servidos nas creches em Campinas (SP) cumprem os requisitos exigidos pela legislação. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro creches na cidade de Campinas/SP (em diferentes regionais), escolhidas por sorteio com o auxílio da Coordenadoria de Vigilância em Saúde de Campinas. Foram analisados alimentos prontos para o consumo servidos para crianças de 1 a 4 anos, sendo a refeição escolhida o almoço, também foram analisados superfícies, utensílios e mãos de manipuladores. Quanto a contagem de coliformes termotolerantes, Staphylococcus coagulase positiva e contagem de aeróbios mesofilos, essas amostras foram coletados com auxilio de swab estéreis. As análises nos alimentos constataram que 97% dos alimentos estão dentro dos limites estabelecidos, 6,6% das amostras apresentaram presença de coliformes termotolerantes, sendo que 3,3% das amostras apresentaram presença de E.coli. A pesquisa de Staphylococcus coagulage positiva nos alimentos indicaram que 3,3% das amostras continham esse tipo de micro-organismo, mas em baixa contagem, estando dentro do permitido pela legislação. As analises de superfícies, utensílios e mãos de manipuladores apresentaram contagem de coliformes termotolerantes <3 NMP/g, para contagens de Staphylococcus coagulase positiva, 61% da amostras apresentaram presença destes microorganismos e para contagens de aeróbio mesófilos, 100% das amostras apresentaram valores superiores aos estabelecidos pela Associação Americana de Saúde Publica (APHA). Com os resultados apresentados no presente estudo, fica evidente a necessidade de melhorar as condições higiênico-sanitárias do ambiente de preparo dos alimentos e dos manipuladores dos alimentos / Abstract: Several diseases are transmitted by food and there are groups of individuals that are more vulnerable than others, especially children, thereby being priority actions in health care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are more than 1.8 million deaths of children under the age of five due to consumption of contaminated food. The most common etiologic agents in outbreaks in Brazil are Salmonella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus and Clostridium perfringens. Therefore this study aimed to assess whether the ready to eat foods served in child care centers in Campinas (SP) meet the requirements mandated by the legislation. The research was conducted in four kindergartens in the city of Campinas / SP (in different regional), chosen at random with the assistance of the Coordinator for Health Surveillance of Campinas. We analyzed food ready for consumption served to children aged 1 to 4, for lunch. Analyses of surfaces, utensils and hands of the manipulators, as well as the counting of thermo tolerant coliforms, coagulase positive Staphylococcus and mesophilic aerobic were also carried out. These samples were collected with the aid of sterile swabs. Our results showed that 97% of analyzed food are within established limits, 6.6% of the samples showed the presence of fecal coliform, and 3.3% of the samples showed the presence of E.coli. As for coagulase positive Staphylococcus, 3.3% of the samples contained this type of micro-organism,but in low count, being within the permitted limits. The analysis of surfaces, utensils and hands of the handlers showed fecal coliform <3 MPN / g, 61% of the samples showed the presence of coagulase positive Staphylococcus and for mesophilic aerobic 100% of the samples had higher numbers than those established by the American Association of Public Health (APHA). With the results presented in this study, the need to improve the hygienic-sanitary conditions of the environment of food preparation and also of the food handlers is evident / Mestrado / Ciência de Alimentos / Mestre em Ciência de Alimentos

No description available.

Orientador: Rodrigo Ramos Catharino / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T18:57:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Guerreiro_TatianeMelina_M.pdf: 2016380 bytes, checksum: ef19a1e7b43ddd65fdb309939a8ceaf1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Resumo: O Vinagre Balsâmico é um produto italiano de grande valor, bastante apreciado em todo o mundo devido ao seu sabor característico e aos seus potenciais benefícios à saúde. Ao longo dos últimos anos, diversos pesquisadores realizaram estudos que avaliaram a sua composição físico-química, microbiana e suas propriedades benéficas. Devido ao alto número de estudos que confirmam o seu caráter antioxidante e suas propriedades anti-hipertensivas e antiglicêmicas, o vinagre balsâmico é um produto alvo de fraudes e adulterações. Desta forma, há uma preocupação acerca dos balsâmicos autênticos, que possuam certificação tanto para sua origem (região ou país), como para suas condições de processamento, garantindo sua qualidade e originalidade. Por isso, o esforço para a redução de fraudes, bem como a garantia da qualidade dos balsâmicos são de grande interesse tanto para saúde do consumidor, quanto do ponto de vista econômico. Buscando encontrar estratégias analíticas confiáveis, capazes de avaliar rapidamente a qualidade do vinagre balsâmico, este trabalho emprega a técnica de Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização/Dessorção a Laser em Placa de Sílica (SP-LDI-MS) para a rápida caracterização química de amostras de vinagres balsâmicos comercial e com indicação geográfica protegida (IGP), e identificação de suas amostras adulteradas com vinagres de baixo custo, provenientes de maçã, álcool e vinhos branco e tinto / Abstract: The Balsamic Vinegar is a valuable Italian product, very popular worldwide due to its distinctive flavor and potential health benefits. Several studies have been conducted to assess physicochemical and microbial compositions as well as with respect to its beneficial properties. Due to the high number of studies that confirm its antioxidant character and their antihypertensive and antiglycemic properties, balsamic vinegar is a potential target for frauds and adulterations. Thus, there is growing concern about the search for authenticated balsamics, so make sure your origin (region or country) as well as their processing conditions, which guarantee quality and originality of balsamic vinegar. Striving for fraud reduction and ensuring the quality and safety of food through reliable analytical strategies to quickly assess the quality of balsamic vinegar are of great interest to health and the economic point of view. In this context, this work employs the technique of Silica Plate Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry (SP-LDI-MS) for rapid chemical characterization of samples of commercial balsamic vinegars and with protected geographical indications (PGI) and identification their samples adulterated with inexpensive vinegars from apple, alcohol and red and white wines / Mestrado / Fisiopatologia Médica / Mestra em Ciências

A preocupação constante com a inocuidade e a qualidade dos alimentos irradiados, aliada à tendência de se estudar os aspectos sensoriais desses alimentos, foram a motivação para o desenvolvimento deste trabalho que teve como objetivos verificar os efeitos da radiação ionizante produzida pelo 60Co na sobrevivência de Salmonella sp em hambúrgueres de carne de frango congelados e verificar a aceitação do produto irradiado durante o seu período de estocagem. Amostras de hambúrguer de carne de frango congelados, inoculados com quatro cepas diferentes de Salmonella sp foram expostos a níveis de radiação com doses variando entre O e 3,5 kGy para verificação da sobrevivência da população de Salmonella sp presente. Amostras não inoculadas e irradiadas com doses de 0,5 e 7 kGy foram submetidas à avaliação sensorial por painel não treinado, pelo período de 120 dias, com o intuito de se verificar o decaimento da qualidade do produto. Os valores D10 encontrados para Salmonella sp variaram entre 1,02 e 1,32 kGy, portanto, as doses de 5 e 7 kGy, utilizadas nas fases seguintes do experimento, seriam suficientes para reduzir a população de Salmonella sp no produto em 5-6 ciclos logarítmicos. A exposição às doses de 5 e 7 kGy não afetou as características sensoriais do produto. A vida de prateleira do hambúrguer de carne de frango congelado e irradiado com doses de 5 e 7 kGy foi de, no mínimo, 120 dias, ou seja, igual à do produto não irradiado. / Safety and quality of irradiated foods are still of great concern to researchers and consumers, in general. The aims of this research were to study the effects of ionizing radiation from 60Co on the population of Salmonella sp inoculated in frozen chicken meat patties as well as on their sensory characterisitcs during the storage period. Samples of frozen chicken meat patties, inoculated with a pool of four strains of Salmonella sp, were exposed to irradiation doses varying from 0 to 3.5 kGy in order to determine their sensitivity (D10). Non inoculated samples of frozen chicken meat patties exposed to 5 and 7 kGy and a non inoculated and non irradiated sample were submitted to sensory evaluation by a non-trained panel. 010 values varied from 1.02 to 1.32 kGy Samples exposed to 5 and 7 kGy did not showed appreciable changes during the storage period of 120 days. Therefore, irradiation can be applied to chicken meat patties in order to improve their safety during a storage period of, at least, 120 days.

No description available.

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. Aflatoxins and fumonisins are among the most toxic mycotoxins. They are a significant risk factor for a cocktail of chronic health conditions including cancer of the liver, oesophagus and kidney, teratogenicity, neural tube defects, interference with lipid metabolism, a weakened immune system and a negative impact on micronutrient absorption in both man and animals. This study compared natural contamination of peanuts, peanut butter and sorghum from Gaborone, Botswana and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with aflatoxins and fumonisins. In total 34 peanut samples, 34 sorghum samples and 11 peanut butter samples were collected randomly from retail shops and informal markets in the two cities. Fungal contamination was determined using standard mycology methods. Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination was determined using HPLC-FLD. A. flavus/parasiticus species were detected in 66% and 100% of randomly analysed peanut samples from Bulawayo and Gaborone respectively and 27% (3/11) of peanut butter samples from Bulawayo. 67% of randomly analysed sorghum samples from Bulawayo showed A. flavus/parasiticus and Fusarium species contamination while none of the randomly analysed sorghum samples from Gaborone showed any fungal contamination. Furthermore aflatoxins were not detected in any of the sorghum samples; however 61% (11/18) of the Bulawayo sorghum samples showed fumonisin contamination (Range: 8 – 187 ng/g). Three of the peanut samples from Bulawayo were contaminated with aflatoxins (range: 6.6 – 622 ng/g) and no aflatoxins were detected in Gaborone peanuts. All 11 peanut butter samples from Bulawayo were contaminated with aflatoxins (Mean: 73.5 ng/g, Range: 6.8-250 ng/g) and AFB1 was the most prevalent. These preliminary results indicate that peanut butter and peanuts from Bulawayo are contaminated with high levels of aflatoxins. Stricter policing of regulations should be implemented to ensure compliance by manufacturers and public health interventions implemented in vulnerable communities. / Life & Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi. Aflatoxins and fumonisins are among the most toxic mycotoxins. They are a significant risk factor for a cocktail of chronic health conditions including cancer of the liver, oesophagus and kidney, teratogenicity, neural tube defects, interference with lipid metabolism, a weakened immune system and a negative impact on micronutrient absorption in both man and animals. This study compared natural contamination of peanuts, peanut butter and sorghum from Gaborone, Botswana and Bulawayo, Zimbabwe with aflatoxins and fumonisins. In total 34 peanut samples, 34 sorghum samples and 11 peanut butter samples were collected randomly from retail shops and informal markets in the two cities. Fungal contamination was determined using standard mycology methods. Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination was determined using HPLC-FLD. A. flavus/parasiticus species were detected in 66% and 100% of randomly analysed peanut samples from Bulawayo and Gaborone respectively and 27% (3/11) of peanut butter samples from Bulawayo. 67% of randomly analysed sorghum samples from Bulawayo showed A. flavus/parasiticus and Fusarium species contamination while none of the randomly analysed sorghum samples from Gaborone showed any fungal contamination. Furthermore aflatoxins were not detected in any of the sorghum samples; however 61% (11/18) of the Bulawayo sorghum samples showed fumonisin contamination (Range: 8 – 187 ng/g). Three of the peanut samples from Bulawayo were contaminated with aflatoxins (range: 6.6 – 622 ng/g) and no aflatoxins were detected in Gaborone peanuts. All 11 peanut butter samples from Bulawayo were contaminated with aflatoxins (Mean: 73.5 ng/g, Range: 6.8-250 ng/g) and AFB1 was the most prevalent. These preliminary results indicate that peanut butter and peanuts from Bulawayo are contaminated with high levels of aflatoxins. Stricter policing of regulations should be implemented to ensure compliance by manufacturers and public health interventions implemented in vulnerable communities. / Life and Consumer Sciences / M. Sc. (Life Sciences)

Thesis (M. Tech. Environmental health) -- Central University of technology, Free State, 2011 / Although the application of low pH is common practice in food preservation, the emergence of acid tolerance has been reported world-wide amidst a growing concern that preservation with weak acids, such as organic acids may be influenced as a result of food-borne bacteria becoming acid tolerant or acid resistant. The present study was conducted to assess the acid tolerance of a wide range of bacterial species and consequently the sustainable application of organic acids as food preservatives in particularly acidic foodstuffs. Acid tolerance was determined in 19 bacterial strains predominantly associated with food spoilage and food poisoning. After exposure to hydrochloric acid 16% of the isolates were found to be intrinsically tolerant to low pH and included amongst others the enteric bacteria Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The latter organisms are known causative agents in food spoilage and poisoning, and the results highlight the predicaments related to their ability to survive in acidic foodstuffs as well as the human gastric environment. Bacterial strains were further exposed to increasing concentrations of various acidic foodstuffs in order to determine the development of acid tolerance by gradual decrease in pH, as opposed to exposure to acid shock. After induction, the protein profiles of resulting acid tolerant isolates were compared with those of the original un-induced strains. Exposure to acidic foodstuffs resulted in various survival profiles, where not only pH but also the type of acidulant (foodstuff or inorganic acid) were found to be contributing factors in acid tolerance development. Bacterial protein composition after exposure to acidic foodstuffs showed considerable variation which may be indicative of acid tolerance development whereas the mechanisms involved may be the result of multiple modifications in bacterial composition. After the induction of acid tolerance, susceptibility of induced strains to various organic acids were determined at various pH values. This was done to investigate whether acid tolerance would influence the inhibitory activity of organic acids as antimicrobial agents in acidic food. Decreased susceptibility was not significantly demonstrated with the exception of only selected isolates, the latter including E. coli and S. typhimurium. Organic acid activity was found to be much more effective at lower pH values and it would be necessary to elucidate whether this inhibition is the result of a lower pH or more specifically the activity of the organic acids. The effect of exposure to an acidic environment on phenotypic characteristics of Gram-negative bacteria, and more specifically psychrotrophic organisms was evaluated in order to show the combined effect of organic acids and low temperature preservation. The characteristic yellow pigment of various Chryseobacterium species was found to be not as apparent after acid exposure while in some cases the colonies were observed as white. In Pseudomonas aeruginosa the characteristic green pigment was much more prominent after acid exposure. These morphological alterations may be important factors that should be considered in identification procedures employed in food safety laboratories. Finally, the influence of acidic exposure via acidic foodstuffs and also organic acids on the protein composition and outer membrane protein structure of various bacterial cells was investigated. No specific relationships with the MICs (Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations) of organic acids after induction with the selected acidic foodstuffs could be established, although various differences were found in protein expression. From the results, it may be suggested that the outer membrane of various pathogenic bacteria is involved in acid tolerance development and this supports the reports on the importance of membrane integrity in the protection against low pH. In conclusion, the study endeavoured to add to the body of knowledge with regard to alternative food preservation regimes utilising organic acids, either solely or in combination with selected extrinsic and intrinsic parameters.