Bulk raw as well as heat pasteurized (69 ◦C, 3 min) LWE samples
were provided by a commercial producer (Lodewijckx N.V.,
Belgium). The LWE samples were transported to the laboratory in
insulated polystyrene boxes on ice and then immediately stored at
4 ◦C. All HPCD treatments and microbial analyses were performed
within 24 h after the collection of samples.