2.6. Measurement of pH and LAB count
Each TK sample (10 g) was mixed with 90 mL sterile water and homogenized by blending for 2 min at high speed in a stomacher. pH was measured in triplicate with a pH meter (Orion Model 410-A, Boston, MA, USA). For LAB count, serial 10-fold dilutions were prepared with 0.1% peptone water and inoculated onto agar plates. LAB counts (log cfu g−1) were made in triplicate on MRS agar (Difico, Detroit, USA) by pour plating 1 mL of serial dilution with 0.1% peptone solution followed by incubation at 37 °C for 24 h.