Also, the initial and surviving numbers of viable cells were evaluated in the films, at different storage times. Removed films were homogenized in peptone water (1:10) and dilution drops (20 ml) were spotted in duplicate onto agar YGC and onto agar Oxford for the evaluation of the number of CFU/ml after incubation at 28 C for 72 h and at 37 C for 48 h, respectively. Enumeration of colonies was performed, and microorganism growth was expressed as log CFU/ml. Determinations were made in duplicate in two separate experimental runs.