Abstract:
Effects of carbon dioxide and temperature on microbial growth of minimally processed vegetables(cabbage, cucumber and carrot) were studied. The microbes used in this work were yeast, lactic acidbacteria, E.coli and Salmonella. This study was divided into two parts. In the first experiment,the effect of carbon dioxide concentration of 10, 20 and 30 % on microbial growth wereinvestigated. The results showed that carbon dioxide at a concentration of 20 % could inhibitmicrobial growth in minimally processed vegetables more than other carbon dioxide concentrations.It did not affect on quality of the minimally processed vegetables: respiration rates, color change,texture and weight loss. The effect of temperature (13, 8 and 5oC) on minimally processedvegetables was also studied when carbon dioxide concentration in the package was maintained at20% It was found that low temperature (5oC) could lower levels the respiration rate, color changeand weight loss of minimally processed vegetable. Microbial growth in minimally processed vegetables stored at 5 and 8oC was also inhibited.