The preliminary experiments with a range of brine salt concentrations
and incubation temperatures suggested that, even though
S. carnosus is considered a salt tolerant organism, reduction of nitrate
appeared to be faster and more complete in solution with 0% salt than
with 3%, 6% or 9% salt. Nitrate reduction occurred most quickly at
38 °C. These preliminary results suggested that nitrate reduction
would be most effective by preparing the brine mixture without salt
and incubating at 38 °C. Salt could easily be added to the mixture
following the incubation, and just prior to injection of hams or other
cured meat products if this procedure were to be adopted for
commercial use.