Comparison of Bacterial Population Growth during Defrosting of Poultry in Different Environments

by Melissa Cardenas

Submitted : Fall 2010

Exponential growth of the bacterial population must be determined in order to find out the safest method for defrosting poultry.  The two options included placing it on the countertop at room temperature for two hours, or putting it in a refrigerator for twenty-four hours.  The rate of bacterial growth first had to be determined for placing the poultry on the countertop while the rate of growth for putting it on the refrigerator had already been determined.  By using the exponential growth formula along with the aid of graphing the results, it was proven that the safest method for defrosting poultry is to put it in the refrigerator for twenty-four hours.

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