In the case of plaa-som, the initial concentrations of salt (1.43% w/w) and sugar (0.5% w/w) along with the antimicrobial influences of garlic select for the growth of lactic acid bacteria that develop from very low initial populations to levels greater than 107 CFU/g. As a consequence, the pH of the product decreases from an initial value of about 6.5 to a final value around 4.5. These findings are consistent with previous studies of this product