Overall reduction was higher in the long-maturated fermented sausages (Milano and Felino) relative to the short maturated fermented sausage(Cacciatore). Probably the aw was the important factor for this higher inactivation of S. enterica in Felino and Milano (long maturation period). The rate of aw reduction, however, was very slow and subsequently in order to achieve greater total inactivation higher dehydration rates are required. As already mentioned earlier, at fermentation temperatures 20 C, like those mostly applied during production of Cacciatore, Felino and Milano, aw become more important than pH decrease