Behaviour of Yersinia enterocolitica in "Mizithra" cheese

The behaviour of Y. enterocolitica in Mizithra cheese stored under vacuum and non-vacuum conditions at 4 °C and/or 10 °C for 30 days was studied. Y. enterocolitica populations increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) in both storage temperatures. The presence of air or not in the packaged Mizithra did not significantly influence the development of the Y. enterocolitica populations, both at 4 °C and at 10 °C. The temperature of 10 °C enhanced the growth of generally higher populations for the same given times (days) of storage. This pattern was observed in both vacuum and non-vacuum storage conditions.