As a consequence of respiration, substantial amounts of spoilage metabolites acetoin and diacetyl were produced by L. gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum. Besides the acetoin and diacetyl formation, respiration resulted in higher biomass and increased growth rate indicating that respiration has an early beneficial effect on the growth. Respiration is thus a key factor
explaining why L. gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum is so well adapted in high-oxygen packed meat. If oxygen and heme are not available and the metabolism is based on fermentation, glucose is the most effective carbon source for the growth of L. gelidum subsp. gasicomitatum