Methods for the detection and enumeration of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris and investigation of growth and production of taint in fruit juice and fruit juice‐containing drinks

Methods for the detection of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris at a level of 1 cell per 100 ml and enumeration with a sensitivity of 5 cells ml−1 were developed. Spores of A. acidoterrestris survived pasteurization and outgrew and multiplied at a similar rate to vegetative cells in both orange juice and apple juice. Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris grew readily in orange juice, apple juice and a non‐carbonated fruit juice‐containing drink at temperatures of 25–44°C producing a taint and elevated levels (1–100 ppb) of guaiacol. Isolates of A. acidoterrestris can be identified using the DuPont RiboPrinter. It was isolated from apple drinks, apple juice concentrate and freshly squeezed orange juice.