Abstract
The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment (300, 400 and 500MPa for 1 and 3min at 20°C) on the microbiological shelf-life and microbiota composition of Aloe vera gel during 90days of storage at 4°C was investigated. Aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, as well as moulds and yeasts, were enumerated after HHP treatment and through cold storage. Randomly selected isolates from the count plates were identified by standard methods and the API identification system. Results showed that HHP treatment at or over 400MPa for 3min were effective to keep the microbial counts to undetectable levels during the whole storage period, and consequently the microbiological shelf-life of A. vera gel was extended for more than 90days at 4°C. The microbiota in the untreated A. vera gel was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria (mostly Rahnella aquatilis) and yeasts (mostly Rhodotorula mucilaginosa). In contrast, Gram-positive bacteria tentatively identified as Arthrobacter spp. and Micrococcus/Kocuria spp. were the predominant microorganisms in samples pressurized at 300MPa for 1 and 3min, while Bacillus megaterium predominating in samples treated at 400MPa for 1min. At 400MPa for 3min and above, the microbial growth was completely suppressed during at least 90days; however, viable spore-formers were detected by enrichment.
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