Microbiological characteristics of part-baked white pan bread during storage

In this study, white pan breads part-baked 10, 15, and 20 min with and without added calcium propionate were stored at 20 C (room temperature) for 3, 5, and 7 days and at 4 degrees C (refrigerator temperature) for 7, 14, and 21 days. After storage, the baking time of part-baked breads was completed to the baking time of control breads (25 min). Total aerobic mesophylic bacteria (TAMB), coliform bacteria, yeast and mold, and Bacillus spore counts of breads were determined before and after the second baking. While TAMB, yeast and mold counts were 8-log CFU/g in dough, it was measured as 6 and 2-log CFU/g before and after the rebaking process, respectively. Microorganism counts of the part-baked breads without Ca-propionate stored at room temperature increased in significant amounts. However, the second baking process after storage contributed to the re-freshness of breads and decreased the microorganism counts. The levels of water activity (aw) for breads with and without ca-propionate stored at different temperatures and time profiles approximately ranged from 0.92 to 0.89 after the rebaking process and did not significantly affect the microorganism counts. However, addition of calcium propionate in the bread formulation significantly decreased TAMB, coliform bacteria, Bacillus spore, and yeast and mold counts, depending on decrease of pH levels. It was found that the microbiological quality of the rebaking bread with Ca-propionate after part-baking for 10 and 15 mins and storage at both room and refrigerator temperature was much higher than that of the other.