>>34544First link:
Salmonella are gram negative bacilli (rods) and reproduce asexually at a rapid rate.
When in the log phase of reproduction (this assumes adequate food, moisture and the correct temperature (~35 degrees C)), the bacteria can reproduce once about every 20-40 minutes or so (give or take 5 minutes).
Given that this is a geometric progression, you will have millions of bacteria in a matter of hours if the conditions are just right.
Source(s):
I'm a Registered Medical Technologist MT(ASCP)
Second link:
Salmonella reproduce by binary fission. This is an asexual way to reproduce, and only produces two, generally identical cells from the original one. This reproductions occurs at a rapid rate, producing once every 20-40 minutes if the conditions are prime. The new cells then follow the lytic cell cycle to continue reproducing.
Third link doesn't work for some reason, so fourth link:
if the conditions are favourable then the average time for a bacteria to reproduce is from 15 to 20 minutes. their offspring increases exponentially, which is expressed as 2x. with this rate 1 bacteria can produce 1 million cells in 7 hours.
You can google every single bacteria in the list on that Wikipedia page, which came from a widely recognized, peer reviewed and approved book about the science behind meat. You will find the info, which confirms that on average, the micro-organisms which cause meat spoilage will split every 15 minutes.
