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Title: SURVIVAL OF SALMONELLA TYPHIMURIUM IN FOUR SOIL TYPES AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF WATER ACTIVITY

Author
item El Balaa, Mohamad
item ADELI, A - MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIV
item MCGOWEN, S - NAT RES CONSERV SERV
item Rowe, Dennis

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2002
Publication Date: 11/8/2002
Citation: El Balaa, M.F., Adeli, A., McGowen, S.L., Rowe, D.E. 2002. Survival of salmonella typhimurium in four soil types at different levels of water activity [abstract]. Agronomy Abstracts. CD-ROM.

Interpretive Summary: None required.

Technical Abstract: Survival of Salmonella typhimurium in four soils (Brooksville, Leeper, Marietta, and Ruston), held at room temperature (210C), was determined at different levels of water activity (aw). The aw was set at desired levels by equilibrating the soil with a steam of air adjusted to desired relative humidity level by means of multi-channel humidity generating modules. A stream of dry air (0-2%RH) proportionally mixed with a stream of saturated air (98-100%RH) was used to generate the desired humidity levels and thus maintain a desired aw. This work describes the development, design and performance of multi-channel humidity generating modules and outlines the advantages of this approach compared to static incubation studies, where solutes in microcosms control, or where the closed space above a saturated salt solution is used to control aw. Potential implications of water availability on pathogen survival in laboratory microcosms are also discussed.