3. Results and discussion 3.1. Microbiological quality
The initial total mesophilic bacterial counts in minimally pro- cessed orange products (peeled and segments) were very low, i.e. 1.45 ± 0.36 log CFU/g. After 12 days at 4 °C, the population of aero- bic bacterial counts was below 2 log CFU/g. The hygienic practices and technological procedures (packaging and refrigerated storage) appear effective to maintain the microbiological quality of these products during 12 days.