2. Consumers are instructed to keep mayonnaise based foods refrigerated to slow

Question

2. Consumers are instructed to keep mayonnaise based foods refrigerated to slow the growth of pathogenic bacteria present. The following experiment was conducted to determine if lack of refrigeration would result ina potential health hazard. Potato salad was inoculated with 4 X 10 bacteria and incubated at room temperature. The following results were obtained from standard (viable) plate counts performed on beef cubes Time (hr)CFU/M 4 X 10 8:00am 10:00am 12:00pm8.23 X 105 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:00pmm 11.1 × 107 2.1 X 1010 1.7 X 1012 8 X 1015 8:00pm 10:00pm 12:00am 2:00am 4:00am 6:00am 8:00am 7.5 X 1017 3.9 X 1022 1.2 X 1012 4.1 X 1017 8 X 1012 4 X 1010 a. What is the generation time: b. How many cells are present at 9:30pm.

Explanation / Answer

The generation time is the time interval required for the cells (or population) to divide.

G (generation time) = (time, in minutes or hours)/n(number of generations)

G = t/n

t = time interval in hours or minutes = 12 hours and n= 13 (number of generations)

Therefore , G = 12/13 hours = 0.9230 hours is the generation time

and 1.855*1017 cells present at 9:30pm

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