Effect of Sodium Ascorbate and Sodium Nitrite on Toxin Formation of Clostridium botulinum in Wieners

Abstract

Toxin production by Clostridium botulinum was inhibited by sodium nitrite levels above 50 μg/g of wiener. Sodium ascorbate at levels of 105 and 655 μg/g of product did not decrease the effectiveness of the sodium nitrite inhibition, nor did sodium ascorbate potentiate it. The results indicate that the use of sodium ascorbate in vacuum-packaged wieners does not appreciably alter the inhibition of C. botulinum toxin formation by sodium nitrite.