Sherry et al., 2006). Therefore, we were interested to compare
growth rate data calculated using the R.A.B.I.T. system and optical
density. Due to its speed and simplicity for optical density is
commonly used growth data collection. Growth rate data were
generated using optical density for three of our strains
(L. plantarum, S. aureus and L. monocytogenes) and compared with
the R.A.B.I.T. indirect impedance data. As has been demonstrated
previously, a good correlation (R2 ¼ 0.98) exists between the two
methods for bacteria grown in laboratory media (Fig. 2).