2.3.10. Microbiological assays
Approximately 25 g of pepper strips were put into two sterilized beakers containing 225 mL of tryptone saline solution (1 g L−1 tryptone and 5 g L−1 NaCl). Samples were stirred for 10 min and from each beaker a series of decimal dilutions was prepared. One mL from appropriate dilutions was poured in triplicate in plate count agar (PCA) and yeast extract, glucose, chloramphenicol agar (YGC), media for bacteria and yeast and molds counts respectively. The plates were incubated at 30 °C for aerobic mesophilic bacteria and at 20 °C for molds and yeast. Results were expressed as log of colony forming units (CFU) per gram of fresh fruit.