“…The density of the inoculum used in the heat challenge study should reflect levels that would be expected to occur naturally, and the inoculum should be evenly distributed in the lowest amount of test medium. Inocula of lower cell densities (<10 5 cfu), which may better mimic real levels in the product under consideration, can be used if large sample volumes can be processed, e.g., using most probable number (MPN) methods (Duquet, Trouvat, Mouniqua, Odet, & Cerf, 1987), or more sensitive methods are applied, e.g., based on staining and flow cytometry (viable and injured cells can be detected) (Khan, Pyle, & Camper, 2010).…”