Potential of a simple HPLC-based approach for the identification of the spoilage status of minced beef stored at various temperatures and packaging systems

The shelf life of minced beef stored (i) aerobically, (ii) under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), and (iii) under MAP with oregano essential oil (MAP/OEO) at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C was investigated. The microbial association of meat and the temporal biochemical changes were monitored. Microbiological analyses, including total viable counts (TVC), Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and yeasts/moulds, were undertaken, in parallel with sensory assessment, pH measurement and HPLC analysis of the organic acid profiles. Spectral data collected by HPLC were subjected to statistical analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA) and factorial discriminant analysis (FDA). This revealed qualitative discrimination of the samples based on their spoilage status. Partial least squares regression (PLS-R) was used to evaluate quantitative predictions of TVC, Pseudomonas spp., Br. thermosphacta, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and yeasts/moulds. Overall, the HPLC analysis of organic acids, was found to be a potential method to evaluate the spoilage and microbial status of a meat sample regardless of the storage conditions. This could be a very useful tool for monitoring the quality of meat batches during transportation and storage in the meat food chain.     

Rapid monitoring of the spoilage of minced beef stored under conventionally and active packaging conditions using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in tandem with chemometrics

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was exploited to measure biochemical changes within fresh minced beef in an attempt to rapidly monitor beef spoilage. Minced beef packaged either aerobically, under modified atmosphere and using an active packaging were held from freshness to spoilage at 0, 5, 10, and 15 °C. Frequent FTIR measurements were collected directly from the sample surface using attenuated total reflectance, in parallel the total viable counts of bacteria, the sensory quality and the pH were also determined.     

Development of a smart packaging for the monitoring of fish spoilage

There is much interest from the fisheries industry in developing rapid methods to evaluate real-time freshness of fish and seafood products. Emphasis is on the ones that would reflect and account for the products history and their storage conditions from “harvest-to-home”. The development of a “smart packaging” that monitors the microbial breakdown products in the headspace of packaged fish is described. When fish spoils it releases a variety of basic volatile amines which are detectable with appropriate pH indicating sensors. These are prepared by entrapping within a polymer matrix a pH sensitive dye that responds, through visible color changes to the spoilage volatile compounds that contribute to a quantity known as total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N). Laboratory trials on fresh fish filets showed that the sensor accurately tracks the increase in amines concentration in the package headspace. The response was also found to correlate to changing microbial populations (total viable count or TVC and Pseudomonas spp.). In addition, leaching of the dye was assessed over time to assess the suitability of the sensor formulation for food packaging application.     

Polymer films releasing nisin and/or natamycin from polyvinyldichloride lacquer coating: Nisin and natamycin migration,efficiency in cheese packaging

Polyethylene films coated by commercially available polyvinyldichloride (PVdC) as well as nitrocellulose (NC) lacquer with addition of natamycin preparation Delvocid® (16.7% w/w of natamycin in lacquer) were studied at 6 and 23 °C to determine the preservative migration into distilled water. The films released natamycin at maximal level 2.34 ± 0.32 mg/dm². The diffusion coefficient of 0.79 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.29 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s and 1.03 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.17 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s was determined for natamycin transport in PVdC lacquer layer at 6 and 23 °C, respectively. For nitrocellulose lacquer the diffusion coefficient of 0.89 × 10⁻¹⁰ ± 0.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s was found at 23 °C. The coextruded polyamide/polyethylene film coated with the PVdC lacquer containing both nisin (16.7% w/w of preparation Nisaplin®) and natamycin (see above) provided inhibitory effect against selected indicator microorganisms (Penicillium expansum, Fusarium culmorum, Lactobacillus helveticus, Listeria ivanovií). This film was unsuitable for the packaging of the surface ripened cheese Olomoucké tvar??ky. On the other hand, it was able to prevent the growth of spoilage microorganisms on the surface of the packaged soft cheese Bla?ácké zlato.     

Development of bioactive food packaging materials using immobilised bacteriocins lacticin 3147 and nisaplin

Immobilisation of the bacteriocins nisin and lacticin 3147 to packaging materials was investigated. Stability of both cellulose-based bioactive inserts and anti-microbial polyethylene/polyamide pouches was examined over time. Anti-microbial activity against the indicator strain Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis HP, in addition to Listeria innocua DPC 1770 and Staphylococcus aureus MMPR3 was observed for all bacteriocin-adsorbed materials. Activity retention of the inserts showed an initial decrease in the first week of storage but remained stable for the remaining 3 months of the trial. However, adsorption of lacticin 3147 to plastic film was unsuccessful, nisin bound well and the resulting film maintained its activity for 3-month period, both at room temperature and under refrigeration. When applied to food systems, the anti-microbial packaging reduced the population of lactic acid bacteria in sliced cheese and ham stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) at refrigeration temperatures, thus extending the shelf life. Nisin-adsorbed bioactive inserts reduced levels of Listeria innocua by ≥2 log units in both products, and Staphylococcus aureus by 1.5 log units in cheese, and 2.8 log units in ham. Similar reductions were observed in cheese vacuum-packaged in nisin-adsorbed pouches.     

不同包装条件下冷却肉品质变化及腐败菌相研究

为寻找冷却猪肉合理的包装方式,延长货架期,将猪后腿肉分别进行托盘包装、真空包装、高氧气调包装（20%CO₂+80%O₂）和低氧气调包装（65%CO₂+35%O₂）处理,并以无包装组为对照,测定样品在4℃贮藏过程中挥发性盐基氮（TVB-N）值、色差值a*、丙二醛（MDA）值、微生物菌落（菌落总数、假单胞菌菌落数和热杀索丝菌菌落数）和感官评分。结果表明:无包装和托盘包装冷却猪肉货架期不超过4 d,高氧气调包装（20%CO₂+80%O₂）货架期为6 d,真空包装和低氧气调包装（65%CO₂+35%O₂）货架期长达9 d。真空和气调包装均有利于延长冷藏猪肉货架期,但真空包装使肉呈暗红色。气调包装中O₂和CO₂的含量影响肉的品质,高氧气调包装有利于好氧菌假单胞菌和热杀索丝菌的生长繁殖,同时促进脂质氧化,但可以很好维持肉色,低氧气调包装（65%CO₂+35%O₂）可以抑制细菌的生长和脂肪氧化。综合各项评判结果,得到最佳包装方式为低氧包装（65%CO₂+35%O₂）。      

Extension of the display life of lamb with an antioxidant active packaging

Fresh lamb steaks were treated with three different preparations of natural antioxidants: one group was packaged with a rosemary active film, the second group was packaged with an oregano active film, and the third group was sprayed on the meat surface with a rosemary extract before packaging in a high-oxygen atmosphere. Samples were stored under illumination at 1 ± 1 °C for 13 days. Metmyoglobin formation, lipid oxidation (TBARS), instrumental colour (CIE a^*), psychrotrophic bacterial counts (PCA), sensory discolouration and off-odour were determined. The use of a rosemary extract, a rosemary active film or an oregano active film resulted in enhanced oxidative stability of lamb steaks. Active films with oregano were significantly more efficient than those with rosemary, exerting an effect similar to that of direct addition of the rosemary extract; in fact, they extended fresh odour and colour from 8 to 13 days compared to the control.     

Indigenous and spoilage microbiota of farmed sea bream stored in ice identified by phenotypic and 16S rRNA gene analysis

Investigation of the initial and spoilage microbial diversity of iced stored sea bream was carried out. Culture dependent methods were used for bacterial enumeration and phenotypic identification of bacterial isolates, while culture independent methods, using bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplification, cloning and sequencing of DNA extracted directly from the flesh were also employed. The culture dependent approach revealed that the initial microbiota was dominated by Acinetobacter, Shewanella, Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium, while at the end of shelf-life determined by sensory analysis (16 days), the predominant microbiota was Pseudomonas and Shewanella. Culture independent approach showed that initially the sea bream flesh was strongly dominated by Acinetobacter, while Pseudomonas, Aeromonas salmonicida and Shewanella were the predominant phylotypes at the end of shelf-life. Initial and spoilage microbiota comprised of phylotypes previously identified by others using traditional or molecular techniques. However, Aeromonas has not been reported as part of the dominant microbiota of sea bream at the time of spoilage. Combination of classical and molecular methodologies better reveals the microbiota during storage by revealing bacteria that escape standard approaches and, thus, provides valuable complementary information regarding microbiological spoilage.     

Inability of a bacteriophage pool to control beef spoilage

The biological control of beef spoilage, with a bacteriophage (phage) pool, was evaluated under simulated retail conditions. A pool of seven phages was selected with the potential to lyse 78% of 86 Pseudomonas test strains. Subsequent host range studies with 1023 pseudomonads from three meat species (beef, pork, lamb) and five abattoirs showed that 585 (57.2%) isolates were susceptible to the phage pool. Depending on bacterial origin, bacterial sensitivity to lysis by the phage pool varied from 25 to 72%. When added to ribeye steaks, the phage pool produced a significant reduction in Pseudomonas growth but this was not sufficient to produce any significant effect upon the retail shelf life of beef. The inability of phages to control beef spoilage was not attributed to a loss of phage virulence since sufficient densities (log pfu/cm² = 5 to 6) of virulent phage could be re-isolated from beef, 14 days after treatment. It was concluded that the efficacy of the current phage pool was limited by a narrow range of specificity.     

冷藏大口黑鲈鱼片品质变化规律及优势腐败菌致腐能力分析

本研究的目的为分析大口黑鲈鱼片冷藏过程中品质的变化规律和确定贮藏过程中的优势腐败菌及其致腐能力。以新鲜鲈鱼为原料,通过测定鲈鱼肉的质构特性、菌落总数、挥发性盐基氮(Total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N)和K值等指标,对冷藏过程中鱼片的品质和优势腐败菌及其致腐能力进行了分析,并通过16S rRNA序列鉴定分析各腐败菌的种属。质构特性、菌落总数、TVB-N 总挥发性盐基氮(total volatile basic nitrogen, TVB-N)、K值等品质相关指标的测定结果表明,随着贮藏时间的延长,鱼片的弹力、咀嚼性和胶着性均呈缓慢下降的趋势;菌落总数逐渐增长;TVB-N在贮藏前7 d变化不大,在第7 d后急速上升;K值在第7 d时超过了60%,达到了初期腐败。采用选择性培养基获得鲈鱼腐败期的特定菌落,结合菌落形态观察、16S rDNA与革兰氏染色技术,确定所属菌株属种,并评价各菌株的致腐能力。筛选出T2、C1和C2 三3株菌为4℃贮藏鲈鱼片的疑似优势腐败菌。16S rDNA鉴定这3株菌分别为希瓦氏菌、假单胞菌和普罗维登斯菌。根据接种这3三株腐败菌的大口黑鲈鱼片的TVB-N产量因子(YTVB-N/cfu)的评价结果,确定这三3株菌的致腐能力为假单胞菌>希瓦氏菌>普罗维登斯菌。假单胞菌为4℃贮藏的鲈鱼片腐败的优势菌。     

The effect of vacuum packaging on the microbial spoilage and shelf-life of ‚ready-to-use’︁ sliced carrots

The effect of vacuum packaging on the microbial spoilage of ?ready-to-use’? carrot slices and on the effect on shelf-life of the product is reported. The microbial development on vacuum packaged carrots was slower than that of non-vacuum packaged material. The predominant organisms present were Leuconostoc spp. in the vacuum packs as opposed to Erwinia spp. in the aerobic packs. Vacuum packaging of the sliced carrots significantly extended the shelf-life of the product when stored at 4°C from 5 to 8 days.     

Development of new active packaging films coated with natural phenolic compounds to improve the oxidative stability of beef

The aim is to develop active packaging films containing natural antioxidants and to evaluate their capacity to enhance the oxidative stability of beef during refrigeration. The antioxidant activity of a natural extract obtained from a brewery residual waste was evaluated and compared with that of a commercial rosemary extract and two synthetic antioxidants (BHT and propyl gallate). Different concentrations of each antioxidant were also added directly to beef samples, resulting in a reduction in lipid oxidation of up to 70–80% relative to the control. Active antioxidant films coated with PVPP-WS extract reduced lipid oxidation by up to 80%, relative to the control, during cold storage. The use of active packaging films containing natural extracts could improve the oxidative stability of meat products and should therefore be of great interest in the food industry.     

Understanding spoilage microbial community and spoilage mechanisms in foods of animal origin

The increasing global population has resulted in increased demand for food. Goods quality and safe food is required for healthy living. However, food spoilage has resulted in food insecurity in different regions of the world. Spoilage of food occurs when the quality of food deteriorates from its original organoleptic properties observed at the time of processing. Food spoilage results in huge economic losses to both producers (farmers) and consumers. Factors such as storage temperature, pH, water availability, presence of spoilage microorganisms including bacteria and fungi, initial microbial load (total viable count—TVC), and processing influence the rate of food spoilage. This article reviews the spoilage microbiota and spoilage mechanisms in meat and dairy products and seafood. Understanding food spoilage mechanisms will assist in the development of robust technologies for the prevention of food spoilage and waste.     

冷鲜牛肉的优势腐败菌及其消长规律

冷鲜牛肉的腐败与微生物的种类和数量密切相关。对冷鲜牛肉的初始菌相和不同贮藏温度条件下菌相及pH的变化规律进行研究,结果表明:假单胞菌和乳酸菌是冷鲜牛肉初始菌相中的主要微生物;假单胞菌和热死环丝菌是冷鲜牛肉的优势腐败菌;不同贮藏温度下细菌总数达到107 cfu/g的时间为2～8 d,pH的变化范围为5.6～6.8。     

Influence of different shrinking temperatures and vacuum conditions on the ability of psychrotrophic Clostridium to cause 'blown pack' spoilage in chilled vacuum-packaged beef

This study determined the ability of psychrotrophic Clostridium strains isolated from vacuum-packaged beefs and abattoir environments to cause 'blown-pack' spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef stored at 2 and 15°C. The influence of shrinking temperatures (83, 84 and 87°C) and vacuum pressure (6 and 9mbar) on the occurrence of such spoilage as well as the effects of simulated transportation (500km) on the integrity of packages was determined. At 15°C and 2°C, twelve and six strains caused 'blown-pack' spoilage, respectively. The combination of vacuum pressure (9mbar) combined with shrinking temperature (87°C) retarded the occurrence of spoilage. The simulated transportation under the experimental conditions did not affect the integrity of packages. More studies that assess the factors that may contribute for the occurrence of 'blown-pack' spoilage should be performed to avoid the occurrence of such spoilage during its shelf-life.     

Influence of storage temperature on the quality of beef liver; pH as a reliable indicator of beef liver spoilage

The development of the microbial flora specifically involved in the spoilage of sliced beef livers packaged and stored under aerobic conditions at 0 and 3 °C for 14 days was studied. Changes in the pH value of the product were also determined. The possibility that pH value could be considered as a quick and reliable indicator of incipient spoilage was particularly considered. All microbial groups (except micrococci) showed differences in their rates of growth between 0 and 3 °C. Pseudomonads and lactic acid bacteria were the main components of the spoilage flora. When the 37 °C aerobic plate counts (APCs) reached 10⁵–10⁶ CFU g⁻¹ and the 20 °C APCs and pseudomonad counts reached 10⁶–10⁷ CFU g⁻¹, visible surface colonies (VSCs) were observed. The presence of VSCs is the most important criterion to determine organoleptic beef liver spoilage and has hence enabled us to establish a shelf-life of up to 8–10 and 5.5–6.5 days for samples stored at 0 and 3 °C respectively. Our study shows that the determination of pH, which is simple, economical and rapid, is capable of giving a reliable estimate of the spoilage status of beef livers. pH values lower than 6.15 may be considered as indicative of beef liver spoilage. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry     

大豆储藏真菌危害早期预测的研究

对大豆储藏中水分和温度的变化,与真菌生长关系进行了研究,建立了一种大豆真菌危害早期预测方法。将样品含水量分别调至11.4%、12.1%、13.0%、13.9%、14.3%和14.7%,经低温平衡后,于10、15、20、25、30、35℃温箱中储藏,每隔10 d取样1次,检测样品中真菌生长变化情况,试验周期为180 d。结果表明,11.4%水分大豆在6个试验温度下储藏均是安全的,12.1%水分样品在20℃以上储藏,检出有真菌生长,随着水分增加,真菌生长逐渐加快,大豆储藏水分与真菌生长速度具有良好的相关性。大豆在15℃以下储藏,低温对真菌生长有明显的抑制作用。超过20℃时这种影响会随着温度上升逐步变小。本试验对不同水分大豆储藏温度与真菌生长起始时间进行了幂函数拟合,得到了大豆储藏水分、温度,及真菌起始生长时间预测关系曲线,通过本曲线,可对高水分大豆短期储藏安全性进行早期预测。     

Microbial spoilage analysis and its effect on chemical changes and shelf‐life of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) stored in air at various temperatures

Microbial activity and spoilage of Norway lobster (Nephrops norvegicus) from Greek temperate waters, stored in air at 20, 5 and 0 °C was assessed. Microbial spoilage population, Total Volatile‐Base Nitrogen (TVB‐N), Trimethylamine‐Nitrogen (TMA‐N), pH and organoleptic changes were determined. Shelf‐life of Norway lobster stored at 20, 5 and 0 °C was 24, 72 and 96 h respectively. The product was spoiled due to the development of TVB‐N and melanosis of the carapace, as TVB‐N was apparent from the early stages of storage and correlated very well with microbial growth and shelf‐life. Pseudomonas sp. was the predominant spoilage bacterium. Product rejection coincided with TVB‐N levels of 330–400 mg kg^?1 and Pseudomonas sp. population level of about 5 × 10⁵ cfu g^?1. Pseudomonas sp. and TVB‐N are presumably the Specific Spoilage Organism and the Chemical Spoilage Index of the product.     

Shelf‐life characteristics of fresh oysters and ground beef as affected by bacteriocin‐coated plastic packaging film

Fresh oysters and ground beef were wrapped in antimicrobial films coated with a bacteriocin (nisin or lacticin NK24) incorporated into a polyamide binder layer. The packaged foods were stored at 3 and 10 °C and changes in counts of total aerobic bacteria and coliform bacteria were monitored together with appropriate quality attributes in order to determine the influence of the bacteriocin‐coated films on quality preservation and shelf‐life extension. Compared to plain low‐density polyethylene film, plastic films with incorporated bacteriocins slowed down microbial growth on packaged oysters and ground beef at both temperatures, contributed in some degree to the preservation of chemical quality and extended shelf‐life significantly. The effects of the antimicrobial films on the suppression of coliform bacterial growth were more pronounced at 10 than at 3 °C , while the effects on total aerobic bacteria were consistently evident at both temperatures. There was no difference in food quality preservation between the two types of antimicrobial film. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Survey of micro-organisms associated with spoilage of cosmetic creams manufactured in South Africa

Two studies were conducted to determine the predominant micro-organisms found in spoiled cosmetic creams manufactured in South Africa. The products evaluated included facial creams and hand and body lotions. Spoiled cosmetic creams were obtained from different manufacturers and analysed microbiologically for the presence of bacteria, yeasts and moulds. The frequency and relative density (percentage) of micro-organisms isolated from naturally spoiled creams were calculated. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter gergoviae were the most predominant bacteria, whilst Candida parapsilosis and Aspergillus flavus were the most predominant yeast and mould, respectively. Of all the samples examined, approximately two-thirds (69%) were due to microbial spoilage. This study highlighted the importance of adopting suitable quality control guidelines for the local cosmetics industry, similar to those currently used by international cosmetics manufacturers.