Influence of low-sodium mixtures of salts on the post-salting stage of dry-cured ham process

The reduction of added sodium chloride in dry-cured ham has been proposed to decrease the amount of sodium in the diet. The effect of substituting sodium chloride by potassium chloride, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride in some physicochemical characteristics of dry-cured ham throughout the post-salting stage was evaluated. The partial replacement of NaCl had significant effects on salt content at the end of the post-salting stage in the traditional process and this significantly affected a_w. The results showed that lower sodium hams, salted with a combination of NaCl and KCl, needed a maximum of 16 days more (32% increase) of post-salting than hams salted with 100% NaCl, while hams salted with a combination of NaCl, KCl, CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ needed a maximum of 26 days more (52% increase).     

The effect of pH and nitrite concentration on the antimicrobial impact of celery juice concentrate compared with conventional sodium nitrite on Listeria monocytogenes

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of pH and nitrite from celery juice concentrate (CJ) on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in broth and on ham slices, and to evaluate the impact of pH and nitrite from CJ on quality attributes of the ham. The pH of both broth and ham were increased by the addition of CJ. The CJ was less effective than conventional nitrite at 100 mg/kg nitrite in broth, but in ham, the CJ treatments at both 100 and 200 mg/kg resulted in growth of L. monocytogenes (p > 0.05) similar to that of the conventional nitrite at the same concentrations. Reducing the pH of CJ before addition to the ham had greater impact on L. monocytogenes growth at 200 mg/kg nitrite than at 100 mg/kg. Celery juice concentrate may increase meat product pH which could have implications for the antimicrobial impact of nitrite in some products.     

Processing of dry-cured ham in a reduced-oxygen atmosphere: Effects on physicochemical and microbiological parameters and mite growth

The effects of a reduced-oxygen atmosphere (ROA) ([O₂] < 4.5%) during part or the whole of dry-cured ham processing on microbiological and physico-chemical parameters and mite growth were investigated in two independent experiments. In Experiment 1, six hams were processed in ROA and six in air for 275 days; in Experiment 2, where lower RH was used, six hams were processed in ROA for 289 days, six for 214 days in air + 75 days in ROA, and six in air for 289 days. Microbiological analyses during the process and physicochemical analyses in final products were carried out. The use of ROA during the whole process increased the L∗ colour parameter in the subcutaneous fat and proteolysis index and decreased b∗ in the external part of the subcutaneous fat and cholesterol oxide concentration. The use of ROA combined with low RH retarded microbial growth and prevented mite growth.     

A note on the relationships between cured-cooked and dry-cured ham processing yields

Right and left hams from 353 pigs slaughtered at around 100 kg body weight were processed into cured-cooked hams and dry-cured hams, respectively. Weights and yields at various stages of each process, carcass lean content and fresh meat quality traits were registered. Technological yield of cured-cooked processing (saleable cooked ham weight/defatted–deboned fresh ham weight) was more closely correlated to ultimate pH (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) than to carcass leanness (r = −0.13, p < 0.05) whereas the reverse situation – r = 0.15 (p < 0.01) and r = −0.62 (p < 0.001), respectively – was found for technological yield of dry-cured processing (saleable dry ham weight/trimmed fresh ham weight). The correlation between the two technological yields was significantly positive but of fairly moderate magnitude (r = 0.36). The correlation between the overall yields (saleable processed ham weight/entire fresh ham weight) of the two processes revealed to be very close to zero (r = −0.01).     

Efficiency of high hydrostatic pressure at 600 MPa against food-borne microorganisms by challenge tests on convenience meat products

The food-borne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica and Campylobacter jejuni, and the spoilage lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Escherichia coli and the yeast Debaryomyces hansenii were inoculated on slices of cooked ham, dry cured ham and marinated beef loin. During storage at 4 °C, L. monocytogenes and LAB increased up to 3.5 log units while the other species, unable to grow under refrigeration, continued at the spiking level. The application of a 600 MPa treatment effectively inactivated most of the microorganisms, the counts of which, except for LAB that increased in cooked ham and in beef loin, progressively decreased or maintained below the detection limit during the whole storage (120 days at 4 °C).     

Extended staphylococcal enterotoxin D expression in ham products

Staphylococcal enterotoxin D (SED) is one of the most frequently recovered enterotoxins in staphylococcal food poisoning (SFP) outbreaks. The expression and production of SED were investigated in three ham products, i.e. boiled ham, smoked ham and dry-cured Serrano ham incubated at room temperature for seven days. Staphylococcus aureus was also, as a reference, grown in cultivation broth during optimal growth conditions for seven days. In boiled and smoked ham, continuous sed expression was observed throughout the incubation period with a second increase in sed expression found after five days of incubation. In smoked ham, nine times less SED per colony-forming unit of S. aureus was detected than in boiled ham. In boiled ham, the SED levels unpredictably decreased after three days of incubation. In the Serrano ham, SED was detected after five days of incubation although S. aureus growth was poor and sed expression was too low to determine. After five days of incubation, all three products contained enough SED to cause SFP. These results show that the specific production levels of SED vary in the different ham products, and that toxin production was in part uncoupled from bacterial growth.     

Growth potential of Listeria monocytogenes strains in mixed ready-to-eat salads

In this study, a microbiological challenge test in three artificially contaminated retail mixed mayonnaise-based ready-to-eat salads stored at refrigerator temperatures (3 °C and 7 °C) for 48 h was carried out. Shrimp-tomato salad, smoked ham salad and garlic cheese salad were separately contaminated by a suspension of particular Listeria monocytogenes strains. The number of L. monocytogenes, Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci and total plate count (CFU/g) was determined. Listeria monocytogenes growth potential in the salads was calculated and evaluated.A significant increase in total plate count and L. monocytogenes count throughout storage of all three investigated salads was found. Enterobacteriaceae levels were high at the beginning in all salads but significantly (p < 0.05) decreased throughout the experiment depending on the temperature.All investigated L. monocytogenes strains demonstrated growth at both temperatures but expressed different growth potential. Especially garlic cheese salad and smoked ham salad were able to support the growth of Listeria. Shrimp-tomato salad supported growth the least. The growth potential increased with the increasing temperature and exceeded 0.5 log₁₀ CFU/g in many cases. If the potential for growth is > 0.5 log₁₀ CFU/g, food products can potentially endanger human health. Reference strain (ATCC 7644) showed the least growth potential almost in all cases in comparison with strains isolated from frozen pollock loins and from thermally treated specialty sausage containing preservatives. To eliminate the occurrence of microbiological risks, the shelf-life of the studied salads was estimated.     

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure,sodium nitrite and salt concentration on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on RTE ham and turkey

Growth of Listeria monocytogenes was evaluated for up to 182 days after inoculation on ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced ham and turkey breast formulated with sodium nitrite (0 or 200 ppm), sodium chloride (1.8% or 2.4%), and treated (no treatment or 600 MPa) with high hydrostatic pressure (HHP). HHP at 600 MPa for 3 min resulted in a 3.85–4.35 log CFU/g reduction in L. monocytogenes. With formulations at similar proximate analyses, one of the evaluation days (day 21) without HHP showed significantly greater growth of L. monocytogenes in ham than in turkey breast, but there were no significant differences on other evaluation days or with HHP. There were no differences in growth of L. monocytogenes due to sodium chloride level. Sodium nitrite provided a small, but significant inhibition of L. monocytogenes without HHP, but addition of sodium nitrite did not significantly affect growth of L. monocytogenes with use of HHP.     

Antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts and essential oils against foodborne pathogens in vitro and on the fate of inoculated pathogens in chocolate

The efficacy of commercially available plant extracts and essential oils used extensively as flavour ingredients in confectionery products were used as antimicrobials in laboratory media against the following microorganisms: Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Bacillus cereus. Using the disc diffusion method, inhibition zones in diameter >20 mm were observed by adding 10 μl of each antimicrobial substance on the following microorganisms: lemon flavour applied on E. coli O157:H7, lemongrass essences against S. aureus, plum using a B. cereus strain and strawberry flavour using a L. monocytogenes strain. E. coli O157:H7 strains were the most susceptible microorganisms inhibited by 18 extracts, followed by S. Typhimurium and S. aureus which were inhibited by 17 extracts. Lemon flavour, lemongrass essences, pineapple and strawberry flavour inhibited the foodborne pathogens at the lowest concentration (5 ml/100 ml). Plant extracts and essential oils with potent antimicrobial activities were tested in chocolate held at different temperatures (7 and 20 °C) in dry or humidified environment, which resulted in different a_w values of the product (i.e. 0.340, 0.450, and 0.822), in order to determine their efficacy on the fate of the inoculated pathogens. The most inhibitory action was observed by lemon flavour applied on chocolate inoculated with E. coli cocktail culture after storage at 20 °C for 9 days. Plant extracts tested on chocolate show an enhanced inhibitory effect during storage at 20 °C indicating that their application may provide protection in case of storage at the above temperature or even higher.     

Desiccation of adhering and biofilm Listeria monocytogenes on stainless steel: Survival and transfer to salmon products

The foodborne bacterial pathogen, Listeria monocytogenes, commonly contaminates foods during processing, where the microorganisms are potentially subjected to low relative humidity (RH) conditions for extended periods of time. The objective of this study was to examine survival during desiccation (43% RH and 15 °C) of biofilm L. monocytogenes N53-1 cells on stainless steel coupons and to assess subsequent transfer to salmon products. Formation of static biofilm (2 days at 100% RH and 15 °C) prior to desiccation for 23 days significantly (P < 0.05) improved survival of cells desiccated in initial low salt concentrations (0.5%) compared to the survival for non-biofilm cells also desiccated in low salt, indicating the protective effect of the biofilm matrix. Osmoadaptation of cells in 5% NaCl before formation of the static biofilm significantly (P < 0.05) increased long-term desiccation survival (49 days) irrespectively of the initial salt levels (0.5% and 5% NaCl). The efficiency of transfer (EOT) of desiccated biofilm cells was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than EOTs for desiccated non-biofilm bacteria, however, as biofilm formation enhanced desiccation survival more bacteria were still transferred to smoked and fresh salmon. In conclusion, the current work shows the protective effect of biofilm formation, salt and osmoadaptation on the desiccation survival of L. monocytogenes, which in turn increases the potential for cross-contamination during food processing.     

A multiplex magnetic capture hybridisation and multiplex Real-Time PCR protocol for pathogen detection in seafood

Seafood could become a source of bacterial pathogens by exposure to contaminated water or through processing practices, thus representing a public health hazard. Conventional culture-based analytical methods take several days to be completed, while the molecular rapid identification of bacterial pathogens is crucial for effective disease control. The developed application consist of a multiplex magnetic capture hybridisation (mMCH) assay for the simultaneous isolation of Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes DNA from seafood, using paramagnetic amino-modified nanoparticles with capture oligonucleotides, and a triplex Real-Time PCR with an Internal Amplification Control (IAC), in accordance with ISO 22174. The detection probability was 100% with 10 genome equivalents of each target species co-amplified in the same reaction. The complete molecular procedure was tested on raw and smoked salmon fillets artificially contaminated with known amounts of one or both target bacteria (1–10³ cfu/g), directly or after culture enrichment, and compared for equivalence with the standard methods. Results revealed a complete agreement between the two approaches, with a sensitivity of 1 cfu/g, in enriched samples, and higher sensitivity (10²–10³ cfu/g) of the molecular method in samples examined before culture enrichment. The proposed procedure was also able to identify a natural contamination by L. monocytogenes in smoked salmon with a considerable shortening of time.     

Antibacterial effects of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) concentrate on foodborne pathogens

Antibacterial effects of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) concentrate on foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Staphylococcus aureus in vitro were investigated. Cranberry concentrate at various concentrations was prepared in distilled water (DW) or Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) broth. Pathogens were inoculated in each sample and incubated at 21 and 4 °C for 0, 1, 5, 7, and 24 h (DW samples) and 0, 1, 3, and 5 days (BHI samples). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the effects of cranberry concentrate on cellular structure of pathogens. DW results showed that S. Typhimurium and L. monocytogenes were reduced to non-detectable levels at 5 h in 100 μl/ml treatment at 21 and 4 °C. At 24 h, no target pathogens were detected from the 100 μl/ml treatment. BHI data indicated that the 100 μl/ml treatment reduced the four pathogens by 3-8 log CFU/ml compared with the control on Day 5 at 21 and 4 °C. TEM revealed damage to the bacterial cell walls and membranes. Cranberry concentrate has antibacterial effects on the four foodborne pathogens. Based on potential health benefits and proven antimicrobial effects, American cranberry concentrate may have dual applications as a food preservative.     

Creatine and creatinine evolution during the processing of dry-cured ham

Dry-curing of ham involves many biochemical reactions that depend on the processing conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the dry-cured processing on the concentration of creatine, creatinine and the creatinine/creatine ratio. Dry-cured hams under study were salted using three different salt mixtures (100% NaCl; NaCl and KCl at 50% each; and 55% NaCl, 25% KCl, 15% CaCl₂ and 5% MgCl₂) in order to observe its influence on creatinine formation but no significant differences were found between them at any time of processing. However, significant differences between different post-salting times (20, 50 and 80 days) and the ripened hams (7, 9 and 11 months of ripening) were observed. Results showed that creatine and creatinine remain stable once the ripening period is reached. These results were confirmed when analysing dry-cured ham samples submitted to extreme conditions of temperature and time (20, 30, 40 and 70 °C during 0, 20, 40 and 60 min) as well as commercial dry-cured hams with more than 12 months of processing.     

Effects of the applications of oil drip onto surface and of the use of a temperature of 35 °C for 4 days on some physicochemical,microbiological and sensory characteristics of dry-cured ham

The effects of: a) applications of oil drip (from aged salted pork fat) onto dry-cured ham surface and b) application of a temperature of 35 °C for 4 days after 234 days of processing (HTST treatment) were evaluated. The oil application reduced moisture, proteolysis and white film in semimembranosus, microbial counts in adductor and the intensity of hollow extent, toasted flavour, adhesiveness, pastiness (in semimembranosus) and chewiness (in semimembranosus and biceps femoris) and increased the intensity of nutty flavour (in both muscles), aged flavour, hardness, fibrousness and overall liking (in semimembranosus). The HTST did not affect any ham characteristics.     

Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella on fresh-cut celery

Illnesses from Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella have been associated with the consumption of numerous produce items. Little is known about the effect of consumer handling practices on the fate of these pathogens on celery. The objective of this study was to determine pathogen behavior at different temperatures under different storage conditions. Commercial fresh-cut celery was inoculated at ca. 3 log CFU/g onto either freshly cut or outer uncut surfaces and stored in either sealed polyethylene bags or closed containers. Samples were enumerated following storage for 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7 days when held at 4 °C or 12 °C, and after 0, 8, and 17 h, and 1, and 2 days when held at 22 °C. At 4 °C, all populations declined by 0.5–1.0 log CFU/g over 7 days. At 12 °C, E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella populations did not change, while L. monocytogenes populations increased by ca. 0.5 log CFU/g over 7 days. At 22 °C, E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and L. monocytogenes populations increased by ca. 1, 2, or 0.3 log CFU/g, respectively, with the majority of growth occurring during the first 17 h. On occasion, populations on cut surfaces were significantly higher than those on uncut surfaces. Results indicate that populations are reduced under refrigeration, but survive and may grow at elevated temperatures.     

Advances in the ultrasound characterization of dry-cured meat products

In this work, the feasibility of using non-contact ultrasonic techniques (air-coupled and scanning acoustic microscopy, SAM) for characterizing different dry-cured meat products was assessed. Air-coupled ultrasonic measurements were performed on vacuum packaged sliced dry-cured ham, and compared with contact measurements. The average ultrasonic velocity in dry-cured ham was 1846 ± 49 m/s and 1842 ± 42 m/s for air-coupled and contact measurements, respectively. The deviation (1% relative error) between both techniques was related to the influence of the heterogeneous structure and composition of dry-cured ham and the transducer focusing. The SAM was used to characterize dry-cured ham and chorizo samples. B-scan images for dry-cured ham and chorizo showed two dominant reflections from the sample, linked to reflections in the lean and fatty tissues. The results indicate that contact ultrasonic measurements could be replaced by the air-coupled technique, reducing the measuring time and the material handling. On the other hand, SAM technique allows the microscopic characterization of dry-cured meat products.     

The effect of liquid smoking of fillets of trout (Salmo gairdnerii) on sensory,microbiological and chemical changes during chilled storage

The storage time at 4 ± 1 °C of liquid smoked fillets of trout (Salmo gairdnerii) produced with a new smoking technique, using a combination of liquid smoke and steaming at 2 bar pressure for 30, 45 and 60 min, was studied. Maximum total viable counts (TVC) were reached after 25 days in the samples processed for 30 min and after 48 days in those processed for 45 and 60 min. However, panellists rejected the samples long after maximum TVC was observed. The increase of TVC was also confirmed using a particle size analyser, indicating a possible direct detection of microbial growth. A reduction of about 50% in the C22:6n − 3/C16:0 ratio was found across the whole period of storage, indicating lipid oxidation. The hypoxanthine/inosine (Hx/Ino) ratio showed a good relationship with both TVC and sensory results. Thus, when the Hx/Ino ratio was higher than 1.3, the products had reached their maximum acceptable TVC and were approaching their rejection time by the panellists, indicating that the Hx/Ino ratio is a good indicator of the shelf-life of smoked products of trout (S. gairdnerii).     

The effects of X-ray radiation on Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri inoculated on whole Roma tomatoes

In the last two decades several foodborne disease outbreaks associated with produce were reported. Tomatoes, in particular, have been associated with several multi-state Salmonella outbreaks. Inactivation of inoculated Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica and Shigella flexneri on whole Roma tomato surfaces by X-ray at 0.1, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0, and 1.5 kGy was studied. The main purpose of this study was to achieve a 5 log reduction in consistent with the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods. Moreover, the effect of X-ray on inherent microflora (mesophilic counts, psychrotrophic counts and yeast and mold counts) of untreated and treated Roma tomatoes, during storage at ambient temperature (22 °C) for 20 days was also determined. Mixtures of three or two strains of each tested organism was spot inoculated (100 μl) onto the surface of Roma tomatoes (approximately 7–9 log per tomato), separately, and air-dried, followed by treatment with X-ray doses at 22 °C and 55–60% relative humidity. Surviving bacterial populations on tomato surfaces were evaluated using a nonselective medium (tryptic soy agar) with a selective medium overlay for each bacteria; E. coli O157:H7 (CT-SMAC agar), L. monocytogenes (MOA), and S. enterica and S. flexneri (XLD). Treatment with X-ray significantly reduced the population of the tested pathogens on whole Roma tomato surfaces, compared with the control. Approximately 4.2, 2.3, 3.7 and 3.6 log CFU reduction of E. coli O157:H7, L. monocytogenes, S. enterica and S. flexneri per tomato were achieved by treatment with 0.75 kGy X-ray, respectively. More than a 5 log CFU reduction per tomato was achieved at 1.0 or 1.5 kGy X-ray for all tested pathogens. Furthermore, treatment with X-ray significantly reduced the inherent microflora on Roma tomatoes. Inherent levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than the control sample throughout storage for 20 days.     

Effects of high pressure application (400 and 900 MPa) and refrigerated storage time on the oxidative stability of sliced skin vacuum packed dry-cured ham

The effect of high pressure processing at 400 MPa and 900 MPa on the oxidative stability of sliced and vacuum packaged commercial dry-cured ham was determined by analyzing the antioxidant enzyme activities, TBARS levels (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), vitamin E content and physicochemical characteristics during refrigerated storage for 50 days in different light conditions. In dry-cured ham pressurized at 400 MPa color changes and sensory analyses were also assessed. The high pressure process at 900 MPa produced a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities and increased vitamin E content. In contrast, pressurization at 400 MPa, increased SOD activity, and showed no effect on vitamin E content and GSHPx activity. In general the physicochemical parameters determined (fat, moisture and collagen) were unaffected by pressurization. Treatment at 400 MPa increased the instrumental color measurement of lightness (L* values, CIELAB). This level of pressure also modified the hardness, chewiness, saltiness and color intensity. These changes of the sensory attributes in dry-cured ham were significant, but small.     

Effects of high hydrostatic pressure and varying concentrations of sodium nitrite from traditional and vegetable-based sources on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced ham

The objective of this study was to determine the effect the source of added nitrite and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) had on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes on ready-to-eat (RTE) sliced ham. Use of 600 MPa HHP for 3 min resulted in an immediate 3.9–4.3 log CFU/g reduction in L. monocytogenes numbers, while use of 400 MPa HHP (3 min) provided less than 1 log CFU/g reduction. With the 600 MPa HHP treatment, sliced ham with a conventional concentration of sodium nitrite (200 ppm) was not different in L. monocytogenes growth from use with 50 or 100 ppm of sodium nitrite in pre-converted celery powder. Instrumental color values as well as residual nitrite and residual nitrate concentrations for cured (sodium nitrite and nitrite from celery powder) and uncured ham formulations are discussed.