A Study of Staphylococcus Aureus Growth in Model Systems and Processed Cheese

Abstract
A survey of aw and pH in commercial samples of processed cheese produced in Argentina, indicated the aw varied between 0.950–0.978 and pH ranged from 5.2–6.1 Staphylococcus aureus growth studies in model systems (laboratory media with added NaCl) with aw and pH adjusted to resemble that of commercial samples of processed cheese showed that S. aureus grows very well at a temperature of 30°C, but complete growth inhibition occurs at refrigerator temperature. The results obtained with model systems were confirmed by S. aureus growth experiments in inoculated cheese.