Cell counts of LAB and L. monocytogenes AL602/08 were performed
in the batter (day 0) and in the salami at days 4, 10, 20 and
30. Samples (25 g) of batter and salami containing free Lb. curvatus
MBSa2 were transferred into a sterile stomacher bag and homogenized
with 225 ml of 0.1% peptone water. Samples (25 g) of batter
and salami with added entrapped Lb. curvatus MBSa2 were transferred
into a sterile stomacher bag and homogenized with 225 ml
of PBS pH 7.4. Homogenates were submitted to serial decimal dilutions
in the proper diluents and counts of L. monocytogenes
AL602/08 were performed by plating on Oxford agar and incubated
at 37 C for 48 h. Counts of LAB were performed by plating on MRS
agar and incubated at 30 C for 48 h. Bacteriocin-producing LAB
were counted by plating the salami suspension on MRS agar plates
overlaid with BHI soft-agar containing L. monocytogenes AL602/08
(105e106 CFU/ml) and incubated at 37 C for 24 h. Five colonies
presenting activity against the target pathogen were selected from
each agar plate and confirmed for bacteriocin production. For these