Abstract: In the present study, we focused on the growth dynamics of Aspergillus niger under-micro oxygen stress to develop a closed culture method for the detection of this mold in foods. A comparative analysis was made to explore the feasibility and practicality of the culture method. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the closed culture and the traditional open culture. Therefore, the closed culture method featuring the parameter of volume ratio between air and medium equal to or more than 3 could be used to determine mold counts in foods in place of the traditional open culture method, so as to overcome the problems of mold spore diffusion and pollution.

Key words: molds, closed culture method, food, enumeration, detection