How does the Yolk Mean Time (YMT) for Salmonella multiplication compare at 16°C versus 20°C?
Answer
It is significantly longer at 16°C (26 days) than at 20°C (17 days).
Temperature exerts a profound influence on the growth rate of bacteria such as Salmonella within eggs. Scientific studies examining the Yolk Mean Time (YMT)—the time required for Salmonella to multiply significantly—demonstrate a clear correlation with cooler temperatures. Specifically, at a lower temperature of 16°C, the YMT extends to approximately 26 days. Conversely, when the temperature rises to 20°C, the growth rate accelerates, reducing the YMT to only about 17 days. This highlights that cooler storage conditions provide a significantly extended safety margin by slowing down the rate of potential bacterial proliferation.
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