Ramarjuna and Jayaraman (1980) studied the microbial quality of intermediate moisture banana stored at 0 0C
and 37 0C and showed that at 0 0C the total plate count was 250 to 300 colonies/g but at room temperature and 37
0C, it was negligible and product was microbiologically safe for direct consumption. Khandekar et al, (2005)
carried out research on standard plate count of fig toffee after six months of preservation. The toffees, which
were treated with sodium benzoate, reported lower microbial count (11 x 103 /g) compared to untreated toffee
(23 x 103 /g).