Lactic acid bacteria in marinades used for modified atmosphere packaged broiler chicken meat products

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in some marinades commonly used in Finland for modified atmosphere packaged poultry meat products were enumerated and identified to determine whether the marinades contained LAB species that cause meat spoilage. The concentrations of LAB in 51 marinade samples ranged from less than 100 to 8.0 x 10(5) CFU/ml. Seventeen of the samples produced LAB growth only after enrichment, and in five samples no growth was detected either by direct culturing or enrichment. Eighty-eight randomly selected isolates, 51 from the enumerated plates and 37 from enriched samples, were identified using a database of 16S and 23S rRNA gene HindIII restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns of over 300 type and references LAB strains as operational taxonomic units in numerical analyses. The predominating LAB in the enumerated samples was Lactobacillus plantarum (25 of 51 isolates). Eleven isolates were identified as Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei, and nine were Lactobacillus parabuchneri. None of these species are considered specific spoilage LAB in marinated modified atmosphere packaged poultry meat products nor have they been reported to dominate in unspoiled late-shelf-life products. These results indicate that even though marinades may contain high numbers of LAB, they are not necessarily sources of specific meat spoilage LAB. Therefore, risks associated with meat quality are not predicted by quantitative enumeration of LAB in marinades.     

Isolation and characterization of Carnobacterium, Lactococcus, and Enterococcus spp. from cooked, modified atmosphere packaged, refrigerated, poultry meat

The microbiota of commercially produced, cooked and modified atmosphere packaged poultry meat was followed during storage at 3.5 degrees C for up to 7 weeks. The dominant microbiota consisted of Lactococcus raffinolactis (117 isolates), Carnobacterium divergens (61 isolates), Carnobacterium piscicola (11 isolates), Lactococcus garvieae (four isolates), Lactococcus lactis (one isolate) and Enterococcus faecalis (three isolates). All isolates were screened for production of bacteriocins. Only C. piscicola isolates produced an inhibitory substance active against other lactic acid bacteria and against several Listeria spp. Species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers were used for the differentiation of Carnobacterium, L. raffinolactis, L. lactis, and L. garvieae strains associated with the modified atmosphere packaged poultry products. No false PCR products were observed with other closely related bacterial species.     

灵活气调包装 配合肉品市场

<正> 瑞士BELL AG集团在经济不景气的环境下,业务得以扩张,规模不断壮大,与其选用Multivac包装生产线不无关系。现荣幸邀请BELL AG公司计划与技术部经理Hanssmann先生接受访问,介绍该公司所选用的包装生产线的特点。(问:记者;答:Hanssmann先生) 可靠包装保证质量 问:请谈淡Multivac包装机的装置如何     

Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus parauberis from vacuum-packaging refrigerated seafood products

Streptococcus parauberis is known as an etiological agent of mastitis in cows and for producing streptococcosis in farmed fish, although its presence in foods has seldom been reported. In this work, two bacterial isolates were recovered from a spoiled vacuum-packaged refrigerated seafood product. Both isolates were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, exhibiting 99% homology with respect to S. parauberis. Both isolates were also characterized by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Genetic analysis revealed the clonal homogeneity of the isolates and their grouping together with other S. parauberis strains in a different cluster with respect to Streptococcus uberis strains. Proteomic analysis by MALDI-TOF MS allowed for the identification of five mass peaks in the range of 2200–6000 m/z that resulted to be specific to the species S. parauberis and allowed its rapid and direct identification with respect to other pathogenic and spoilage bacteria potentially present in seafood and other food products. This study represents, to our knowledge, the first report of S. parauberis in seafood in general and in vacuum-packed food products in particular. Moreover, it provides a rapid method based on MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of S. parauberis.     

Identification and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus parauberis isolated from bovine milk samples

The conventional identification of Streptococcus uberis/parauberis group (n = 137) in clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis samples originating from 111 different farms was compared with identification based on 16 and 23S rRNA gene HindIII RFLP patterns used as operational taxonomic units in numerical analyses. On the basis of ribopattern analysis only 2 isolates belonged to S. parauberis, which is thus not a frequent cause of bovine intramammary infections in Finland. According to in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing, Streptococcus uberis is susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics. The prevalence of erythromycin (15.6%) and oxytetracycline (40.6%) resistance of clinical S. uberis isolates was higher than reported previously among subclinical isolates. The 2 subclinical S. parauberis isolates were susceptible to all the antimicrobials tested.     

Characterization and evaluation of the spoilage potential of Lactococcus piscium isolates from modified atmosphere packaged meat

A total of 222 psychrotrophic lactococci isolated from use-by day, modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) meat were identified to the species level by numerical analyses of EcoRI and ClaI ribopatterns and phylogenetic sequence analyses of 16S, rpoA and pheS genes. In addition, their meat spoilage potential was studied. The majority of the isolates (n=215) were identified as Lactococcus piscium, while seven isolates belonged to Lactococcus raffinolactis. L. piscium was shown to be adapted to growing in a variety of MAP meat products including broiler, turkey, pork, and minced meat from beef and pork, where they belonged to the predominating microbiota at the end of the storage. Numerical analyses of EcoRI and ClaI ribopatterns, and phylogenetic sequence analyses of rpoA and pheS genes were shown to be reliable tools in species level identification of meat lactococci. The spoilage potential of L. piscium was evaluated by inoculating representative isolates to MAP pork stored at 6 °C for 22 days. Development of spoilage population was monitored using a culture-independent T-RFLP approach. The sensory shelf life of pork inoculated with L. piscium was shortened compared to the uninoculated control. Alongside with the inoculated L. piscium isolates, Leuconostoc spp. present as initial contaminants in the samples thrived. This shows that even though lactococci were inoculated at higher levels compared to the natural microbiota, they did not occupy the niche and prevent the growth of other lactic acid bacteria.     

Diversity of lactic acid bacteria from modified atmosphere packaged sliced cooked meat products at sell-by date assessed by PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis

The predominant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) microbiota associated with three types of modified atmosphere packaged (MAP) sliced cooked meat products (i.e. ham, turkey and chicken) was analyzed at sell-by date using a combination of culturing and molecular population fingerprinting. Likewise routine analyses during industrial MAP production, meat samples were plated on the general heterotrophic Plate Count Agar (PCA) and on the LAB-specific de Man, Rogosa, Sharpe (MRS) agar under different temperature and atmosphere conditions. Subsequently, community DNA extracts were prepared from culturable bacterial fractions harvested from both media and used for PCR targeting the V3 hyper-variable region of the 16S rRNA gene followed by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of PCR amplicons (PCR-DGGE). Irrespective of aerobic or anaerobic incubation conditions, V3-16S rDNA DGGE fingerprints of culturable fractions from PCA and MRS medium displayed a high level of similarity indicating that LAB constituted the most dominant group in the culturable bacterial community. Comparison of DGGE profiles of fractions grown at 20, 28 or 37 °C indicated that part of the culturable community consisted of psychrotrophs. Four DGGE bands were common among cooked ham, turkey and chicken products, suggesting that these represent the microbiota circulating in the plant where all three MAP product types were sliced and packaged. Based on band sequencing and band position analysis using LAB reference strains, these four bands could be assigned to Lactobacillus sakei and/or the closely related Lactobacillus fuchuensis, Lactobacillus curvatus, Carnobacterium divergens and Leuconostoc carnosum. In conclusion, the PCR-DGGE approach described in this study allows to discriminate, identify and monitor core and occasional LAB microbiota of MAP sliced cooked meat products and provides valuable complementary information to the current plating procedures routinely used in industrial plants.     

Shelf life of modified atmosphere packed cooked meat products: a predictive model

The effect of temperature, concentration of dissolved CO2 and water activity on the growth of Lactobacillus sake was investigated by developing predictive models for the lag phase and the maximum specific growth rate of this specific spoilage organism for gas-packed cooked meat products. Two types of predictive model were compared: an extended Ratkowsky model and a response surface model. In general, response surface models showed a slightly better correlation, but the response surface model for the maximum specific growth rate showed illogical predictions at low water activities. The concentration of dissolved CO2 proved to be a significant independent variable for the maximum specific growth rate as well as for the lag phase of L. sake. Synergistic actions on the shelf life-extending effect were noticed between temperature and dissolved CO2, as well as between water activity and dissolved CO2. The developed models were validated by comparison with the existing model of Kant-Muermans et al. (1997) and by means of experiments in gas-packed cooked meat products. Both developed models proved to be useful in the prediction of the microbial shelf life of gas-packed cooked meat products.     

Enumeration and identification of yeasts associated with commercial poultry processing and spoilage of refrigerated broiler carcasses

Yeasts associated with broiler carcasses taken from various stages of commercial poultry processing operations and broiler carcasses stored at refrigerated temperatures were enumerated and identified. Whole carcass rinses were performed to recover yeasts from carcasses taken from a processing facility and processed carcasses stored at 4 degrees C for up to 14 days. Yeasts in the carcass rinsates were enumerated on acidified potato dextrose agar and identified with the MIDI Sherlock Microbial Identification System. Dendrograms of fatty acid profiles of yeast were prepared to determine the degree of relatedness of the yeast isolates. Findings indicated that as the carcasses are moved through the processing line, significant decreases in the number of yeasts associated with broiler carcasses usually occur, and the composition of the yeast flora of the carcasses is altered. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in the yeast population of the carcasses generally occur during storage at 4 degrees C, however. Furthermore, it was determined that the same strain of yeast may be recovered from different carcasses at different points in the processing line and that the same strain of yeast may be isolated from carcasses processed on different days in the same processing facility.     

Class 1 and class 2 integrons in poultry carcasses from broiler house and poultry processing environments

Integrons have been identified as major genetic contributors to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in bacteria. The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of integrons in poultry processing at the broiler house and in processing plants. Class 1 and class 2 integrons were found throughout the processing environment. Of the two classes of integrons, class 1 was the most prevalent in all processing areas. The levels of both classes of integrons decreased from the farm to the processing plant. Within the chiller tank in the processing plant, the persistence of these sequences appears to be related to the free chlorine concentration of the chiller tank water. The variable regions of the amplified integrons showed size diversity (from 680 to 2,000 bp), suggesting diversity in types of antibiotic-resistance-coding gene cassettes. The presence of the class 1 and class 2 integrons in the chlorinated chiller tank suggests that these sequences are capable of withstanding this critical step in the reduction of microbial loads on poultry carcasses. The persistence of the integron gene sequences on the farm and throughout processing highlights the stability of these transmissible antibiotic-resistance-coding nucleotide sequences and their potential role as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistance-coding genetic elements within the poultry rearing and processing environments.     

Sodium lactate addition on the quality and shelf life of refrigerated sliced poultry sausage packaged in air or nitrogen atmosphere

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of sodium lactate addition on shelf-life extension of sliced poultry sausage packaged both in air and nitrogen atmospheres and stored in refrigerated conditions. Basic chemical composition, pH, and malonaldehyde content were assayed and color measurement using the reflection method was carried out. Microbiological examination consisted of determination of total number of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and number of lactic acid bacteria. Sensory evaluation of products was performed. Microbiological and sensory quality of sliced poultry meat sausage was dependent on the addition during production of sodium lactate and the composition of gases (air or nitrogen) used in packaging. Slices of poultry sausage with 1% as well as 2% of sodium lactate maintained their initial quality of evaluated sensory attributes longer, irrespective of the applied gases. Sodium lactate inhibited growth of aerobic psychrotrophic bacteria and lactic acid bacteria during refrigerated storage. Sodium lactate also inhibited the formation of malonaldehyde in sliced poultry sausage during refrigerated storage. The effectiveness of this process depended on the concentration of sodium lactate addition. It was concluded that 1% as well as 2% addition of sodium lactate could extend the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage packaged in air atmosphere and stored at 5 to 7 degrees C by 3 or 4 times, respectively. Sliced poultry sausage treated with 2% sodium lactate packed in nitrogen had the longest (35-day) shelf life. This was a sevenfold increase in the shelf life of sliced poultry sausage compared with the control.     

Preservation of fresh meat with active and modified atmosphere packaging conditions

The sensory, microbiological and physicochemical attributes of fresh meat stored at 5 and 15 degrees C were affected by the combined effect of volatile compounds of oregano essential oil and modified atmosphere packaging conditions (40% CO2/30% N2/30% O2, 100% CO2, 80% CO2/20% air, vacuum pack and air). It was found that the extension of shelf life of meat samples depended on the packaging conditions and augmented in the order: air < vacuum pack < 40% CO2/30% N2/30% O2 < 80% CO2/ 20% air < 100% CO2. Longer shelf life was observed in samples supplemented with the volatile compounds of oregano essential oil and stored under the same packaging conditions mentioned above. The extension of shelf life may be due to the synergistic effect of volatile compounds of oregano essential oil and the modified atmosphere packaging used on the microbiological and physicochemical characteristics of meat. Indeed, both these hurdles can prolong and delay microbial growth or suppress the final counts of the spoilage microorganisms in comparison with the 'control' samples. The effect of essential oil volatile compounds was even more pronounced on the physicochemical changes of meat samples caused by microbial association. Oregano essential oil delayed glucose and lactate consumption, both indicators of meat spoilage aerobically as well as under 40% CO2/30% N2/30% O2, and 100% CO2. Finally, changes in other metabolites such as formic acid were also observed.     

Behaviour of non-stressed and stressed Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni cells on fresh chicken burger meat packaged under modified atmosphere and inoculated with protective culture

Numerous investigations have provided evidence that chicken products are a source of Listeria monocytogenes and Campylobacter jejuni. Different strategies applied in final products are needed to prevent consumers' contamination. In this work, the combination of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and protective culture to control the growth of freeze stressed and non-stressed L. monocytogenes and C. jejuni on fresh chicken meat burger was studied. Meat burgers were inoculated with L. monocytogenes, C. jejuni and Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides PCK 18, as protective strain against L. monocytogenes. Prior to the addition of the protective culture, half of the L. monocytogenes and C. jejuni - inoculated meat was frozen at -18°C for 48h to subject cells to stress. Following the addition of the protective culture, meat burgers were packaged in air or MAP (50% CO(2)/50% O(2)) and stored under refrigeration conditions. L. monocytogenes counts were not reduced by the freezing temperature applied; however, the addition of Lc. pseudomesenteroides PCK 18 reduced its counts for 0.90 log cfu/g when chicken meat burgers were packaged under MAP. Furthermore, freezing stress was an effective strategy to reduce C. jejuni counts but only in combination with a high-O(2) MAP, it was completely eliminated. Chicken meat burgers' shelf-life under aerobic packaging conditions was reduced by the effect of freeze-thawing, while the use of MAP extended the product's shelf-life till 21days. Therefore, the combination of freezing, protective culture and MAP could extend the shelf-life and enhance the food safety of this kind of chicken products.     

Analysis of sensory quality changes during storage of a modified atmosphere packaged meat product (pizza topping) by an electronic nose system

The objective of this study was to determine whether an electronic nose could be used for measuring and modelling sensory quality changes in a pizza topping product during storage. A method involving a minimum of sample preparation in combination with a short sampling cycle mimicking an on-line situation was developed. A multivariate data analysis strategy involving principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares regressions (PLSR) was applied to determine the relationships between the electronic nose data, sensory analysis data and storage time. The results showed that the electronic nose was capable of detecting quality changes related to odour in the early stage and again from half-way to the last stage of the storage time, whereas the trained sensory panel could detect quality changes during the whole storage time. Applicability of the electronic nose for modelling the sensory perceived quality of the pizza topping product showed to be very promising indicating strong relationships between the electronic nose data and the perceived changes in odours during storage.     

Bacterial populations associated with poultry processing in a South African abattoir

Bacteria were isolated from yeast extract supplemented tryptone soya agar (TSAYE) plates (357 isolates) and violet red bile glucose agar (VRBGA) plates (311 isolates) of micro- biological surveys in a South African Grade B poultry abattoir. Bacterial populations from TSAYE plates of carcasses (neck skin) were dominated byAcinetobacterspp.,Escherichia coli, Micrococcusspp. andFlavobacteriumspp., which collectively comprised 75.4% of isolates, while isolates from VRBGA plates showed dominance ofEscherichia coli(80.0%). Environmental isolates dominant on TSAYE plates wereMicrococcusspp. from equipment surfaces and air samples of the defeathering area of the abattoir (48.5 and 68.7%, respectively) andBacillusspp. from air samples of the packaging area (37.4%). Isolates from TSAYE plates of scald tank water were dominated byE. coli(47.8%) andMicrococcusspp. (39.1%), while isolates from immersion chiller water were predominantlyE. coli(54.1%). Environmental isolates dominant on VRBGA plates wereE. coliin water samples and air of the defeathering and packaging areas (from 93.7 to 100%).E. coli, Enterobacterspp. andSerratiaspp. were dominant on VRBGA plates of equipment surfaces, collectively comprising 77.8% of isolates.     

Perceptual attributes of poultry and other meat products: a repertory grid application

Increased demand for processed poultry products through the growth of home meal replacements and ready to eat products, present an opportunity for the development of new value-added poultry products. Repertory grid interviews were conducted to generate insight into consumer driven product development of these products. Procrustes analysis revealed that healthiness, nutrition, convenience, and processing attributes were most important parameters for discriminating amongst 24 meat and meat alternatives. "White meat", "healthier", "leaner", "good source of protein", "easy to cook" and "convenient", were found to positively influence consumer preferences for unprocessed chicken products, eggs and salmon while price did not appear to be important for differentiating the products. Traditional processed fish and poultry products, such as chicken nuggets, represented undesirable composition, processing and quality concerns. Identification of consumer attributes for discriminating poultry products among other meat alternatives can guide the development of competitive value-added poultry products.     

Use of dietary vitamin E and selenium (Se) to increase the shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged light lamb meat

The aim of this work was to determine the increase in the shelf life of modified atmosphere packaged fresh lamb meat due to the effect of dietary vitamin E and selenium supplementation on colour and lipid oxidation. 128 lambs were fed on a concentrate with standard levels of vitamin E (C), a concentrate enriched with vitamin E (V), a concentrate with sodium selenite (S) and a concentrate enriched with both vitamin E and sodium selenite (VS). The lambs were slaughtered at 27.3±1.45 kg LW, and chops stored on MAP for 7, 9, 11 and 13 days. CIELab colour and TBARs were studied on these days. Use of dietary vitamin E extended the shelf life a further 4 days from the commercial sell-by date in terms of lightness, hue angle, metmyoglobin formation and lipid oxidation. Selenium could be used to increase the lightness of meat without vitamin E supplementation in lambs' diets.     

Toxicological issues associated with production and processing of meat

Meat is a very complex and continuously changing ex vivo system of various high- and low-molecular substances that can be used for satisfying needs of the human organism for metabolic energy, building material and fulfilling of the other vital functions. A great majority of these substances are useful and safe for the consumer. Yet, meat and meat products may always contain substances exerting detrimental effects to the consumer's organism. The present paper is a literature review of the most important potentially toxic substances found in meat and meat products; their classification, ways of getting into the meat or formation during meat processing, undesirable physiological outcomes and biochemical mechanisms of their toxic effects, and methods for reduction of these responses.     

Effect of storage temperatures and time on shelf‐life of sliced and modified atmosphere packaged Pastırma,a dried meat product,produced from beef

The effects of modified atmosphere on some physical, chemical and microbiological properties of sliced past?rma made from beef Longissimus dorsi muscle were investigated. Sliced‐past?rma samples (moisture 43.65 ± 0.15%, pH 5.71 ± 0.02) were stored in modified atmosphere packages (50% N₂ + 50% CO₂) at 4 and 10 °C for 150 days. The storage period had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on moisture, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, free fatty acid, non‐protein nitrogen, water‐soluble nitrogen, colour values and total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and Micrococcus/Staphylococcus counts. The storage temperatures (4 and 10 °C) also had a significant effect (p < 0.01) on moisture, pH, thiobarbituric acid reactive subctances, free fatty acid, water soluble nitrogen, a* values, total aerobic bacteria lactic acid bacteria, and Micrococcus/Staphylococcus counts. It was determined that the storage period × the storage temperature interactions had a significant (p < 0.01) effect on the values of pH, a* and the counts of total aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus. It was also observed that the yeast and mold count was the highest in the first storage period and decreased throughout storage. Enterobacteriaceae count was also below the detectable level (<2.00 cfu g^?1) throughout the storage period. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Isolation and molecular characterization of antibiotic-resistant lactic acid bacteria from poultry and swine meat products

The transfer via the food chain from animals to humans of microbes that are resistant to antimicrobial agents is of increasing concern. To determine the contributions of nonpathogenic microflora to the occurrence and spread of antibiotic resistance (AR) genes in the food chain, 123 lactic acid bacteria were isolated from 29 samples of raw and processed pork and chicken meat products that had previously tested positive for one or more AR genes that encode clinically relevant ARs: tet(M), tet(O), tet(K), erm(A), erm(B), erm(C), aac (6')-Ie aph (2")-Ia, mecA, and blaZ. All of the isolates were initially tested for their AR gene profiles by PCR. The 59 isolates carrying a tet, erm, or blaZ gene were taken through molecular identification, analyzed by determination of the MIC, and subjected to genetic fingerprinting. Lactococcus garvieae was the predominant species (28 isolates), followed by Lactobacillus plantarum (11 isolates) and L. salivarius (6 isolates), whereas Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactobacillus johnsonii, L. reuteri, L. crispatus, and L. brevis were identified at lower frequencies. The tet(M) and erm(B) genes were the most frequently detected. Assessment of multiple resistances in 18 tet positive (tet+) isolates revealed that tet(M) plus erm(B) and tet(K) plus erm(B) were the most frequent AR gene patterns. Partial sequencing of the tet(M) open reading frame of three selected strains showed high sequence similarities (> 99%) with tet(M) genes previously found in human pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes and Neisseria meningitidis). Southern hybridization with plasmid profiles revealed these strains contained tet(M)-carrying plasmids.