The mesophilic and psychrotrophic microorganisms ranged from 3.3 to 8.9 and from 4.9 to 8.4 log CFU/
g, respectively. Coliforms were detected in all the samples and staphylococci in 5.8% of them. LAB
numbers varied from 2.8 to 8.7 and fungi (yeast and molds) from 3.6 to 7.1 log CFU/g. The most common
yeasts were Candida sake and Pichia fermentans followed by Hanseniaspora spp., Candida spp., Meyerozyma
guilliermondii, Metschnikowia pulcherrima, Cryptococcus spp. and the psychrotrophic Cystofilobasidium
infirmominiatum. Foodborne bacteria and opportunistic pathogenic yeasts were not
detected in the apples studied. The results obtained respected the European Commission regulation
regarding criteria of food hygiene and safety.