COMBASE MODELLING TOOLBOX

The Modelling Toolbox is a collection of software tools to predict microbial responses to an environment defined by three or more factors. Temperature, pH and water activity (usually as a function of NaCl) are the core factors but, for some organisms, the effect of a fourth factor, such as CO2, nitrite, etc are also featured.

The most generic program of the Toolbox is ComBase Predictor, where the model is based on observations made in culture media. Its growth models represent fail-safe, conservative predictions. It is a modified, augmented and improved web-version of the Growth Predictor stand-alone program downloadable from here. ComBase Predictor comprises a set of twenty growth models, seven thermal death models and two non thermal survival models.

In addition, specific predictors are also available, where a certain food + organism scenario (known to be hazardous in terms of food safety, e.g. Clostridium perfringens in meat) is considered.

Some other tools, such as DMFit are useful for users to create their own predictive models from data available via the ComBase Browser.

Access ComBase Modelling Toolbox