In order to enumerate the viable microorganisms the initial counts (controls) and UV-C treated samples were each ten-fold serially diluted in QSRS and plated out in duplicate on Standard I (E. coli) and MRS (L. plantarum) agar, respectively. E. coli DH5a was incubated at 37 C for 18 h and L. plantarum BFE 5092 at 30 C for 42 h.