Effect of fat level and storage conditions on quality characteristics of traditional Greek sausages

Traditionally-processed Greek sausages were produced with three different fat levels (10, 20 and 30% fat). Some sausages were air dried (23-28°C, 64-76% RH) for 2h and stored at 3-7°C and 65-75% RH. The rest were immediately stored in a ripening room at 13-15°C, 85-95% RH and 0.1m(-1)s air velocity. Fat level affected the composition of the sausages, their weight loss, brine concentration, water activity, colour and sensory attributes. Sausages with 20% fat had the highest scores for all sensory attributes. Sausages with 30% fat were very light, yellow, soft and too fatty when grilled, whereas those with 10% fat were dark and very hard after grilling. Storage conditions affected the microflora, pH, weight losses and water activity, but had no effect on composition, colour and sensory attributes. Sausages stored in the ripening room had a rapid increase in lactic acid bacteria count and lower pH than those in cold storage. Storage of traditional sausages for up to 7 days in a ripening room, similar to that used for fermented sausages, is considered beneficial. ?     

Effect of processing conditions on the quality of naturally fermented Turkish sausages (sucuks)

Effects of temperature and different fat levels on the quality of Turkish sausages (sucuks) were studied during the ripening period. Sausage batters prepared at 10%, 20% and 30% fat levels were processed at 20-22 and 24-26 °C. A high ripening temperature and low fat level caused fast dehydration. Fat level affected water activity, colour, total viable and lactic acid bacteria counts of the sausages. Increasing fat content and ripening temperature resulted in high lightness (L*) and yellowness (b*) and low redness (a*) at the end of ripening. The sausages with 10% fat resulted in higher redness values. Growth of total viable and micrococci-staphylococci bacteria was affected by ripening temperature. Sausages ripened at 24-26 °C had a rapid increase in micrococci-staphylococci counts.     

Salt-stressed fresh cut leek accelerates CO(2) and C(2)H(4) production and enhances the development of quality characteristics of traditional Greek sausages during storage

Fresh cut leek was mixed with salt for 0.5 (IM) and 5 (LM)min or remained untreated (control) and stored alone or mixed with minced meat and seasonings, cased and stored at 15°C for 7days. The fresh cut leek and sausage metabolics and sausage microbiological and physicochemical traits were measured during storage. Sausages with LM leek had significantly higher counts of lactic acid bacteria, faster rates of pH drop and dehydration and increased red color compared with the other treatments. Sausage to fresh cut leek peaks of CO(2) or C(2)H(4) production was 5 or 2 fold higher in LM than the other treatments indicating that the sausage flora was the source of both. The use of salt-stressed fresh cut leek before manufacture of sausages enhances microbial activity as well as its stability and shortens the necessary storage time needed for the development of the quality characteristics of Greek traditional sausages.     

Microbiological and sensory quality changes in blood pancakes and cooked ring sausage during storage

The microbiological and sensory quality of blood pancakes and vacuum-packed cooked ring sausages were studied one day after production, on the sell-by date and one week after the sell-by date. Samples were taken straight from 5 manufacturing plants, stored at 4°C and analyzed by 3 different laboratories using similar methods. Blood pancakes contained high numbers of aerobic organisms and yeasts. The principal sensory defects were visible mould spots, rancid odour and musty taste. A correlation between taste and microbiological counts was observed. Bacillus cereus was observed in some samples and may constitute a potential health hazard when temperature abuse occurs. Cooked ring sausages showed good microbiological and sensory quality after production. Aerobic plate counts and lactobacilli numbers increased during storage. The main defects in sensory analysis were fermented, sour aroma and taste. No correlation between taste and microbiological counts could be determined. The store shelf-lives (sell-by periods) of blood pancakes and cooked ring sausages set by the manufacturers, 7–11 and 20–28 days, respectively, can be considered overly optimistic. Differences between laboratories were observed in the sensory analyses.     

Post-mortem metabolism in fresh porcine, ovine and frozen bovine muscle

After slaughter, beef carcasses (n = 20) in groups of two were subjected to five treatments (one side only) including intermittent spray-chilling using water, 1% acetic acid or 1% lactic acid, or a single spray treatment with 1% acetic acid or 1% lactic acid. Intermittent spray-chilling consisted of two sprays of 30 s duration per hour for 12h. Single spray treatment consisted of one 30 s spray after entering the chill cooler. The other side of each carcass (control) was air chilled (at 2 to 3°C; air velocity 1 to 3 m/s) only. Five subprimal cuts were taken from each side at 48 h post mortem, vacuum packaged and stored for 28 days at 2°C. Intermittent sprays of sides with acetic or lactic acid resulted in significant (1.8-4.3 log/cm(2)) reductions in aerobic plate count of the strip loin, boneless rib and clod over their controls after these subprimal cuts had been vacuum packaged and stored for 28 days at 2°C in high-oxygen barrier (HOB) film. Lactobacillus spp. were dominant in the microflora of the subprimals from the control and treated sides. When sides were treated with a single sprays of acid, significant reductions in APC were noted only for some cuts of sides treated with lactic acid. After 28 days of storage, there were few significant differences in percentage purge, lean color, and off-odor scores between subprimals from control and treated sides.     

Effects of chopping time, meat source and storage temperature on the colour of New Zealand type fresh beef sausages

The colour stability of finely chopped fresh sausages made from post-rigor, pre-rigor salt added (1.5% w/w) or pre-rigor no salt added beef mince was evaluated using a Hunter Miniscan (L (?) a (?) b (?)) and sensory colour panel. Batters were chopped for various times and sausages stored at -1.5 °, + 4.0 ° and + 8.0 °C. Regardless of meat source or chopping time, colour stability was greatest at -1.5 °C. Panellists found the colour of all sausages stored at -1.5 °C acceptable for at least six days. Sausages made from unsalted pre-rigor mince had markedly better colour stability than those made from the other meats, especially when stored at 4 °C or 8 °C.     

Combination effect of sodium lactate and irradiation on color,lactic acid bacteria,lipid oxidation and residual nitrite in Chinese sausages during storage at 25 °C

Chinese sausages, with the addition of 0 or 2% sodium lactate, were vacuum‐packaged and stored overnight at 4°C. Refrigerated sausages were gamma‐irradiated at 0, 3 or 5 kGy absorbed dose. Meat samples were stored at 25°C for up to 30 days. Color, lactic acid bacteria, pH, lipid oxidation and residual nitrite were determined during storage. Irradiated samples were reduced in redness as a result of irradiation and storage time. Irradiation at 5 kGy alone or in combination with 2% sodium lactate and irradiation at 3 kGy could completely inhibit lactic acid bacterial growth. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values decreased as the pH values of samples increased. Sodium lactate decreased TBARS values of all samples and protected against a decrease of residual nitrite during storage. Irradiation reduced residual nitrite in Chinese sausage, and residual nitrite decreased with increased time. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Applicability of lactic acid and nisin to improve the microbiological quality of cold-smoked rainbow trout

 The effect of lactic acid and nisin whey permeate on the microbiological and sensory quality of cold-smoked rainbow trout was studied. Lactic acid and whey permeate were mixed with salt solution and injected into fish fillets in concentrations of up to 2.5 g/kg lactic acid, 30 g/kg whey permeate and 20 g/kg sodium chloride. After smoking at 28  °C for 6 h the fillets were sliced, vacuum packed and stored at 3  °C. The aerobic and anaerobic/facultative anaerobic counts were measured after 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 days of storage. The influence of the treatment on the sensory characteristics was analysed after 8 and 22 days by sensory profiling. A triangle test was used in order to ascertain at which stage the sensory quality of the samples changed during storage. Bacterial counts of smoked fish stored for 29 days were lowest in those samples containing a combination of lactic acid, sodium chloride and nisin whey permeate. Lactic acid alone did not affect the odour or flavour characteristics of the fish but did affect their texture as determined by sensory evaluation making it less elastic when stored at +3  °C for 8 days. A combination of lactic acid and nisin whey permeate enhanced the characteristic fishy flavour of the product. Differences between treatments in elasticity and fishy flavour were not detected after 22 days of storage. According to the triangle test, the samples from all treatments remained unchanged over the first 15 days. Received: 23 March 1998 / Revised version: 19 June 1998     

Quality characteristics of Chinese sausages made from PSE pork

Chinese sausages made from normal and different levels of PSE pork (100% Normal, 50%Normal+50% PSE and 100% PSE) were vacuum-packaged and stored at 4 °C for 45 days. The composition, processing yield, pH value, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, water activity, lactic acid bacteria counts and sensory properties of the meat products were evaluated. PSE pork loins had lower pH value, water holding capacity, moisture, fat and myofibrillar proteins content, but higher L^* value, drip loss and protein content than normal pork. Sausages made from 100% PSE pork had lower pH value, processing yield, moisture and fat content, but higher protein content than those of the 100% Normal and the 50% Normal+50% PSE treatments. Water activity was higher in the 100% PSE treatment than in other treatments. No differences in lactic acid bacterial counts among these treatments were observed. The pH values and water activity of the meat samples decreased, while lactic acid bacterial counts increased with storage time. TBA values among these treatments were not significantly different; however, the increase% of TBA values was higher for the 100% PSE treatment. TBA values of all treatments remained relatively low during storage. Chinese sausages made with 50–100% PSE pork had lower sensory texture, flavor and overall acceptability scores than the control samples, but were of acceptable quality.     

Effects of temperature, oxygen exclusion, and storage on the microbial loads and pH of packed ostrich steaks

Ostrich steaks (96) were packed (air or vacuum) and stored at 4°C or 10°C. Microbiological loads (total viable counts - TVC, psychrotrophic, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria - LAB, Pseudomonas and fluorescent Pseudomonas) and pH values were determined at 0, 3, 6 and 9 days. High counts (8.0-10.2 log(10)cfu TVC/g) were observed at day 9, possibly as a consequence of the initial high microbial load (range 4.9-5.4 log(10)cfu TVC/g) and pH (average 6.7). Temperature and sampling day significantly influenced all microbial counts. Gas atmosphere had a small or negligible influence on levels of Enterobacteriaceae and LAB. For most microbial groups temperature significantly influenced bacterial levels up to day 6 of storage, while gas atmosphere had a significant effect at days 6 and 9. Both effects (temperature and gas atmosphere) were significant factors from day 0 for fluorescent Pseudomonas. Samples vacuum-packed and stored at 4°C showed the lowest microbial loads at day 9. Only for these samples was no sensory rejection observed at the end of the experiment.     

Shelf-life of vacuum-packed cooked ring sausages at different chill temperatures

Microbiological and sensory changes in 313 vacuum-packed cooked ring sausages from 28 different production runs and stored at 2, 4, 8 or 12 degrees C were monitored as a function of time. The sensory scores started to decrease at a level of approx. 10(7) lactobacilli/g. The judges began considering the samples unfit for human consumption when the lactobacilli counts were between 10(7) and 10(8) cfu/g; above a level of 10(8) cfu/g most of the samples were deemed unfit. At 2 degrees C, however, spoilage did not always seem to be microbiological, and four out of six different production runs were deemed unfit without any marked increase in microbial counts. In such cases, the judges described the sensory defects as a 'musty' rather than a sour aroma and taste. The sausages were deemed unfit when the lactobacilli were in a stationary growth phase which was considerably later than the point when the bacterial counts exceeded 10(7) cfu/g. The mean length of this delay was 30, 19, 16 and 7 days at 2, 4, 8 and 12 degrees C, respectively. The average shelf-lives were 55, 43, 29 and 17 days at 2, 4, 8 and 12 degrees C, respectively. The dependence of shelf-life on temperature can be formulated as follows: Shelf-life = 10(1.835 - 0.048 X temperature) The maximal shelf-life of this product, including nonmicrobiological spoilage, is assessed as approx. 10-11 weeks. A lactobacilli count greater than 10(7) cfu/g indicates that either the spoilage process has started or the product is already spoiled. When the lactobacilli count exceeds 10(8) cfu/g it is highly probable that the sausage sample is unacceptable.     

Influence of oxygen exclusion and temperature on pathogenic bacteria levels and sensory characteristics of packed ostrich steaks throughout refrigerated storage

Ostrich steaks (290) were obtained from Iliofibularis muscles. For microbiological and pH determinations, samples were inoculated with Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 11994 (80 steaks) or Escherichia coli ATCC 12806 (80), then air- or vacuum-packed and stored at either 4±1°C or 10±1°C. Analyses were carried out on days 0, 3, 6 and 9 of storage. For sensory evaluation, samples (130) were air- or vacuum-packed and stored at 4±1°C or at 10±1°C. Sensory attributes (odour, colour, drip loss, texture and general acceptability) were scored by six untrained judges using an unstructured nine-point hedonic scale on eleven sampling days (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, 27 and 30). Increases in microbial counts (log(10)cfu/g) were observed throughout storage in all groups of samples for both L. monocytogenes (from 6.39±0.43-6.62±0.32 at day 0 to 8.87±0.19-9.64±0.43 at day 9) and E. coli (from 5.57±0.15-5.68-0.40 to 7.79±0.96-9.64±0.17). Gas atmosphere influenced microbial counts from day 3 of storage with lower (P<0.05) values observed in vacuum- than in air-packed samples at 10°C (L. monocytogenes) or at 4 and 10°C (E. coli). Storage temperature significantly influenced bacterial counts throughout storage, especially in air-packed samples. Lower pH values in vacuum- than in air-packed samples were observed from day 6. Both effects (gas atmosphere and temperature) influenced the hedonic scores, with higher values assigned to vacuum-packed samples for most attributes (with the exception of drip loss) and sampling days. A marked influence of storage temperature on sensorial scores was obtained in air-packaged ostrich steaks. The shelf-life (time until the average general acceptability score fell below 5) was 6 (air-packed samples), 9 (vacuum-packed, 10°C), or 12 days (vacuum-packed, 4°C). The results being reported here suggest the importance of both oxygen exclusion and storage at low temperatures to reduce microbiological risks and improve the acceptability of ostrich meat. However, the short shelf-life of this product highlights the need to keep the time between slaughter and sale to a minimum.     

Microbiological quality of maatjes herring stored in air and under modified atmosphere at 4 and 10 degrees C

Microbiological and sensory changes of maatjes herring stored in air (experiment I) and under modified atmosphere (MAP) (experiments II and III) were evaluated during storage at 4 and 10 degrees C. Microbial (total and psychrotrophic viable bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Enterobacteriaceae) counts and chemical analyses (chloride content, fat content, dry matter, ash and pH) were performed. A Quality Index Method (QIM) scheme developed for maatjes herring was used for sensory evaluation. The main reasons for sensory rejections at both storage temperatures were a strong rancid taste for herring stored in air (Experiment I) and a sour, bitter, rotten taste and an aftertaste like old flower water for MAP herring (Experiments II and III). A soft texture of freshly produced samples (Experiment II) was noticed. The sensory shelf-life of maatjes herring stored in air (Experiment I) was three days at both 4 and 10 degrees C. The MAP herring in Experiments II and III had a shelf-life of 5 and 6 days, respectively, at both storage temperatures. Rancidity due to oxidation of fat was the main spoilage indicator for air-stored maatjes herring. Autolytic enzymes may affect textural deterioration. The characteristic off-odour and off-taste in the MAP herring (Experiments II and III) were may well be attributable to microbial metabolism. On the day of sensory rejection, total viable counts for herring in all three experiments (Experiments I-III) stored at 4 degrees C did not reach 10(6)cfu/g, which is considered the limit of acceptability for maatjes herring given by the Dutch fishery authorities. It appears that total viable counts have minor significance in the sensory assessment of maatjes herring.     

贮藏温度和时间对哈尔滨红肠微生物菌相变化及理化性质的影响

研究贮藏温度和时间对哈尔滨红肠微生物菌相及理化性质的影响。将红肠贮藏在4 ℃ 或室温（（20±2）℃）条件下,研究第0、2、4、6天红肠菌落总数、乳酸菌、假单胞菌和葡萄球菌的数量变化,并分析不同贮藏温度和时间对红肠的感官、pH值、硫代巴比妥酸值、红色度（a*值）、亮度（L*值）及质构特性的影响。结果表明,在0～2 d菌落总数增长速率最快,6 d室温红肠样品菌落总数和葡萄球菌显著多于4 ℃的红肠样品（P＜0.05）。乳酸菌和假单胞菌在6 d数量较多,其中4 ℃和室温贮藏的红肠中假单胞菌分别上升到5.1（lg（CFU/g））和6.2（lg（CFU/g））。随着贮藏时间的延长,红肠的感官质量逐渐降低,pH值也逐渐降低,而硫代巴比妥酸值逐渐增大。a*和L*值变化不大,质构特性中硬度和咀嚼性逐渐变大,弹性和黏聚性的变化不大。研究表明假单胞菌和乳酸菌是红肠贮藏过程中主要的优势腐败菌,随着贮藏时间延长红肠的质量下降。     

Effect of dipping in pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit juice phenolic solution on the shelf life of chicken meat under refrigerated storage (4°C)

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of dipping in pomegranate fruit juice phenolics (PFJP) solution on the shelf life of chicken meat held under refrigerated storage at 4°C. Breast muscle obtained from spent hens was dipped (1:2w/v; muscle: liquid) in sterile water or in sterile water with 0.02% (v/v) PFJP, packed, stored at 4°C for 28 days and samples were analyzed on 2 days of intervals. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values were lower in samples treated with PFJP. Total sulfhydryl and protein bound sulfhydryl content values were higher in samples treated with PFJP. Microbial quality evaluation showed that aerobic and psychrotrophic counts were higher in samples treated without PFJP. Sensory evaluation revealed that acceptability level of samples treated without PFJP decreased on 12th day of storage. It is concluded that spent hen breast meat samples dipped in 0.02% PFJP reduced protein oxidation and inhibited microbial growth and sensorily acceptable up to 12 days of refrigerated storage at 4°C.     

A combination of modified atmosphere and antimicrobial packaging to extend the shelf-life of beefsteaks stored at chill temperature

An antimicrobial polyethylene (PE) film was obtained by coating a nisin-based antimicrobial solution. PE sheets were coated on both sides and were used for the packaging of beefsteaks to be stored in air or modified atmosphere packaging (MAP, 60% O(2)-40% CO(2)). Microbial populations, species diversity, headspace volatile organic compounds, colour and sensory properties were monitored after 0, 1, 7 and 12days of storage at 4°C. The viable counts showed that there was an effect of MAP and antimicrobial film on the development of all the spoilage associated microbial populations. Carnobacterium spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas fragi and Rhanella aquatilis were found in most of the samples. C. maltaromaticum was identified in MRS bulk cells from samples stored in air as well as MAP. Quantitative data of headspace-SPME-GC/MS analysis showed that during storage the production of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) was affected by the use of the treated film and the MAP storage. Compounds such as phenylethylalcohol, nonanal, decanal and ethylbutanoate were produced only from 7 to 12day of storage and only in the samples stored in air. In agreement with the microbiological and VOCs data, the meat stored in active packaging scored the best rankings in the sensory evaluation. Principal component analysis of microbial, sensory and instrumental data showed that beefsteaks stored with the combination of MAP and active packaging for 12days at 4°C differed from the other samples that were more associated to high microbial loads, VOCs concentration and meat off odour perception. In conclusion, the antimicrobial sheets in combination with MAP storage at 4°C were effective for the storage of beefsteaks by retarding the growth of spoilage bacteria, determining lower concentration of VOCs and keeping acceptable levels of colour and other sensory parameters for more than 10days.     

Lipolytic and proteolytic properties of dry-cured boneless hams ripened in modified atmospheres

We studied proteolytic and lipolytic properties of dry-cured boneless ham (porcine quadriceps femoris) made with chilled (10°C, 48 h) or frozen/thawed meat (frozen at -20°C frozen for 90 days and followed by thawing at 10°C for 48 h) were determined. Dry-cured meats were stored in modified atmosphere packages (100% N(2) and a mixture of 75% N(2)+25% CO(2)) at 15°C with the intention of reducing ripening space. Results showed that dry-cured hams made with frozen/thawed raw meat had more salt, volatile fatty acids and free fatty acid content after salting and smoking. Whereas, samples prepared with chilled meats contained more nitrogenous compounds (water-soluble nitrogen, non-protein nitrogen, and free amino acids). Volatile and free fatty acid contents in all samples significantly increased with storage. Acetic acid was the predominant volatile fatty acid. To confirm lipolytic activity in dry-cured ham stored in modified atmospheres, we calculated the lipolytic coefficient. The lipolytic coefficients of all samples were positive values and significantly (P<0.05) increased with storage indicating lipolysis in samples were still active. Furthermore, nitrogenous compounds in dry-cured ham significantly (P<0.05) increased with storage indicating proteolysis in samples were not affected by modified atmosphere storage. Aerobic, anaerobic and lactic acid bacteria counts in dry-cured meats were stable to modified atmospheres storage for 20 weeks at 15°C. Flavor, texture and color score in sensory evaluation for dry-cured ham made with chilled meat were significantly higher than that made with frozen/thawed meat. All samples had high overall acceptance scores in sensory evaluation. Results in this study suggested that dry-cured boneless ham stored in modified atmospheres for 20 weeks at 15°C was another feasibility to ripen the meat without affecting lipolysis, proteolysis, microbiology and sensory quality.     

Effect of inoculation of mesophilic lactic acid bacteria on microbial and sensory changes of minced goat meat during storage under vacuum and subsequent aerobic storage

Minced goat meat inoculated with cell suspensions of Lactococcus lactis ssp lactis (Lc. lactis) or Lactobacillus plantarum was stored under vacuum in PETPE film at 4°C and transferred to aerobic storage for 7 days in LDPE bags. During storage under vacuum, the lactic counts of the inoculated samples dropped followed by the development of spontaneous lactic flora. The pH of meat was lower in the treated samples than in the control. Towards the end of vacuum storage cell densities were lower than those in the control only for psychrotrophs in L. plantarum treatment and coliforms and staphylococcal counts in Lc. lactis treatment. There were increases in lactic counts in both treated and control samples during aerobic storage after previous vacuum storage of 18 days in trial 1 and 9 days in trial 2 with reductions in the counts of different bacterial groups and deterioration in colour of the treated samples compared with the control. When goat meat chunks were surface sanitized in alcohol and treated with lactic cell suspension and vacuum stored, there was development of acid and salty taste (acceptable) in the treated samples whereas the control showed a bland taste.     

Assessment of hot peppers for aflatoxin and mold proliferation during storage

Aflatoxin contamination and mold proliferation in three hot pepper hybrids (Sky Red, Maha, and Wonder King) were studied during 5 months of storage at three temperatures (20, 25, and 30°C) and under different packaging conditions (low-density polyethylene bags and jute bags). The presence of aflatoxins in hot pepper samples was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with a UV-Vis detector. Sampling for analysis of aflatoxins, total mold counts, and Aspergillus counts was carried out at 0, 50, 100, and 150 days of storage. Hot peppers packed in jute bags were more susceptible to aflatoxin contamination than those packed in polyethylene bags; aflatoxin concentrations were 75% higher in peppers stored in jute bags. The effect of storage temperature resulted in aflatoxin concentrations that were 61% higher in hot peppers stored at 25 and 30°C than in those stored at 20°C. Of the three pepper hybrids, Wonder King was more susceptible to aflatoxin contamination, with a maximum of 1.50 μg/kg when packed in jute bags and stored at 25°C for 150 days. However, no sample exceeded the maximum permitted level for total aflatoxins in spices established by European Union regulations (10 μg/kg). Total mold counts and Aspergillus counts increased with storage duration, but all counts were significantly lower in peppers stored in polyethylene bags. A gradual increase in temperature during prolonged storage of hot peppers in combination with aeration may be the main reasons for increases in fungal biomass and Aspergillus proliferation with the subsequent aflatoxin production.