MKES Tools: A microbial kinetics expert system for developing and assessing food production systems

Summary MKES Tools is a microbial kinetics expert system for developing food production systems and assessing product safety. The specific information required as input are: (1) a flowchart of the production system, (2) the factors affecting the survival and growth of food-borne pathogens and (3) the ranges of variation for each factor's parameters. With this information, MKES Tools simulates the growth and survival of pathogenic microorganisms when subjected to many different factor/parameter situations. The responses obtained are then used to estimate the significance of each factor's parameters.Reference to a brand or firm name does not constute endorsement by the US Department of Agriculture over others of a similar nature not mentioned.