Bacterial decline at each sampling

Bacterial decline at each sampling point during storage was calculated
by subtracting the levels determined at the sampling point from the
levels measured at the beginning of storage. The declines among the
three genera were similar at all sampling points except for three; greater
declines were observed in L. monocytogenes populations than in
Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7 populations at 27, 83, and 97 days of storage.
Over 97 days of ambient storage, declines of Salmonella and E. coli
O157:H7 were estimated to be less than 1 log CFU/nut and the decline
of L. monocytogenes was 2 log CFU/nut. These declines were less than
the 2.8- to 3.8-log decline observed for Salmonella Enteritidis PT 30 on
walnuts inoculated at 10 or 7.5 log CFU/nut, respectively, and stored
for a similar length of time (83 to 139 days)