Effect of pH and CO2 on Growth and Toxin Production by Clostridium botulinum in English-Style Crumpets Packaged under Modified Atmospheres

Abstract

The effect of pH and CO2 on both growth of and toxin production by Clostridium botulinum in English-style crumpets, packaged under modified atmospheres was investigated using a 2 × 2 factorial experiment. English-style crumpets (water activity, 0.990; pH 6.5 and 8.3) were inoculated with C. botulinum spores types A and proteolytic B (500 spores/g), packaged in either 60% CO2 (balance N2) or 100% CO2, stored at ambient temperature (25°C), and monitored daily for toxicity. Toxin was detected after 4 days in crumpets packaged in 60% CO2, irrespective of initial product pH. Toxin production was delayed 1.5 to 3 days in crumpets packaged under 100% CO2. Analysis of variance indicated a significant interaction effect of pH and %CO2 on time of earliest toxin detection. Delay of toxin production was greatest for high pH (8.3) crumpets. All products were organoleptically acceptable at the time of toxigenesis, and therefore, high moisture–high pH bakery products, if contaminated with spores of C. botulinum, could become hazardous if packaged in atmospheres containing CO2.