Question

5. Which foods do you predict will have the highest number of CFU of fungi? Why?

6. Which foods are most likely to have coliforms? Explain the basis for your answer.

The foods are raw ground beef, potato salad, and fresh salsa

Answer 1

To calculate cfu of fungus /gm , you must obtain many dilutions for fungi , for example you want to calculate the dilution 1/ 10000 , you must multiply the number of colonies by dilution reverse which was 10000. Then cfu/gm= the colonies number * 10000= the number of colonies per one gram.

Spices, herbs and semi-dried foods demonstrated the highest bacterial and fungal loads with the majority showing over 104 CFU/mL. Nuts and other foods showed growths ranging from 102 to 106 CFU/mL.

Coliforms count is a hygienic indicator and high level of coliform counts generally indicates unsanitary condition or poor hygiene practices during or after food production.The presence of coliforms does not necessarily mean that pathogens are present.Coliform bacteria are frequently found in white brined cheeses in large amount.