| abstract |
The storage life of food is extended and food which should be discarded is detected by adding to food a preservative composition containing an inoculum of Pediococcus cerevisiae or Lactobacillus viridescens and a combination of a sorbic acid salt and a propionic acid salt. The inoculum grows in the presence of the sorbic acid and propionic acid salts which inhibit undesirable food bacteria, and after growing to a certain point produces an undesirable flavor in the food causing the food to be discarded. |