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Improvements to ComBase

In September 2006, significant improvements were made to the ComBase predictive microbiology database, specifically in the search and output features.

ComBase is a tool that can describe how microorganisms respond to different environments, including how levels of microorganisms (spoilage and pathogenic) can change over the course of time. The consortium responsible for the database consists of the UK's Institute of Food Research and Food Standards Agency, the US Agricultural Research Service and the Australian Food Safety Centre of Excellence. The aims of the consortium are to improve efficiency in locating specific microbiological information, provide a quick way to compare data from different laboratories and to reduce duplication when conducting microbiological research. Using an internet interface, the user identifies criteria in which they are interested, such as type of microorganism, type of food, storage temperature and food specific criteria such as pH and water activity. The database then generates either microbial growth or inactivation curves, specific for the criteria input.

ComBase can be accessed at: http://www.combase.cc