MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE AND VACUUM PACKAGING OF MEAT AND POULTRY PRODUCTS

Extension of the shelf-life of meat and poultry products is one of the technology needs to meet the demands of consumers. In this respect, increasing attention is put on packaging techniques. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and vacuum packaging (VP) are recent innovations that have been gaining importance as preservation techniques to improve the shelf-life of meat and poultry. MAP provides alterations of atmospheric gas concentrations in the pack. Controlled atmosphere (CA) packaging is also MAP, wherein the selected atmospheric concentration of gas is actively maintained throughout the storage period. In VP, air is completely removed. The three principal gases used in MAP are carbon dioxide (to inhibit bacteria and moulds), nitrogen (to avoid oxidation of fats and pack collapse), and oxygen (to prevent anaerobic growth). Retention of meat color is better in MAP than in VP. However, color is regained when meat is removed from VP packets and exposed to air. Microbial profiles of MAP- and VP-meat do not differ significantly. MAP offers several unique advantages for retaining the desirable market quality of products. The safety of MAP meat is still a concern under temperature abuse conditions but it can be improved by coupling with hurdle technology and proper preservation systems. Active packaging is a significant area of advancement of MAP technology to further improve the safety of meat and poultry products. This contribution critically reviews the existing knowledge on MAP and VP of meat and poultry in order to broaden our understanding of the subject and to suggest further areas of research to effectively use these technologies for marketing safe meat and poultry products.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum packaging on the shelf-life of refrigerated chub mackerel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Scomber japonicus</Emphasis>): biochemical and sensory attributes

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP 1: 70% CO₂/30% N₂ and MAP 2: 50% CO₂/30% N₂/20% O₂) and vacuum packaging (VP), on the shelf-life of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) fillets stored under refrigeration was studied. Quality assessment was based on sensory analysis and biochemical indices determination. Increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVBN) and trimethylamine nitrogen (TMAN) followed the order: MAP 1 < MAP 2 < VP < air (control samples). The presence of oxygen into the fish package (air or MAP) resulted in an increase in the 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values in comparison with samples packaged in the absence of oxygen. The most effective MAP used was MAP 1 which contributed to a considerably slower rate of fish spoilage. Based primarily on odour scores it was observed that raw chub mackerel fillets stored in the presence of air remained acceptable up to ca. 11 days, VP and MAP 2 samples up to ca. 15–16 days, while MAP 1 samples up to ca. 20–21 days of storage. On the other hand, flesh texture and flesh colour of all packaged samples received scores above or equal than the acceptability limit up to ca. 13–14 days of storage.     

Microbiological,chemical and sensory assessment of mussels (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Mytilus galloprovincialis</Emphasis>) stored under modified atmosphere packaging

Wild mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), were packaged aerobically under vaccum packaging(VP) and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP (50%/50% CO₂/N₂: M1, 80%/20% CO₂/N₂: M2, 65%/35% CO₂/N₂: M3), and stored at 2 ± 1 °C. Quality evaluation was carried out using microbiological, chemical and sensory analyses. Microbiological results revealed that M2 and M3 delayed microbial growth compared to M1. Of the chemical indices determined, the TVB-N and TMA-N values of M2 remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits of 35 mg N/100 g and 8 mg N/100 g, respectively, up to 8 days of storage. All of the MAP and VP mussel samples exceeded these limits after 12 days of storage. All samples retained desirable sensory characteristics during the first 8 days of storage. Based on microbiological and chemical analyses along with sensory evaluation, M2 and M3 gave a longer shelf-life compared with VP and M1. M2 gas mixture was the most effective for mussel preservation.     

EFFECT OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON COLOR STABILITY AND ON MICROBIOLOGY OF TURKEY BREAST MEAT

The effects of several modified atmospheres (100% O₂, 100% N₂, 100% CO₂+ O₂ scavenger, and 25% CO₂ 9% N₂ 66% O₂) and vacuum on the color stability of turkey were studied. Microbiological examinations were performed at days 0, 7, 14 and 21. pH and pigment content measurements were performed at days l and 2, respectively. Color coordinates were determined at intervals of 2, 5, 7, 11, 14 and 21 days storage in the CIELAB system (1976). Meat kept under vacuum and 100% CO₂+ O₂ scavenger treatment showed the highest a* values color stability (p < 0.05) and the lowest rate of myoglobin oxidation (p < 0.05). The level of microbiological contamination of turkey breast meat stored with 100% CO₂+ O₂ scavenger was the lowest. Conditioning breast turkey meat with 100% CO₂+ O₂ scavenger or under vacuum would improve the color stability during storage.     

Effects of packaging atmospheres on shelf-life quality of ground ostrich meat

Fresh ground ostrich meat was packaged under high oxygen (O2), high nitrogen (N2), vacuum (VAC) and ambient air (AIR) atmospheres, stored at 4 ± 1 °C and displayed under 1700 ± 100 lux of fluorescent lighting for 9 days. The meat was evaluated for changes in typical shelf-life characteristics consisting of pH, color properties (CIE L^∗, a^∗, b^∗, and total color difference, ΔE), oxidative changes (thiobarbituric acid value and hexanal content) and bacterial counts (total viable cell, coliform, lactic acid bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp.) Initial meat pH was 6.16 and declined slightly during storage. TBA values and hexanal content were highest in O2 and lowest (P ? 0.05) in VAC and N2 atmospheres. Surface lightness (L^∗) and redness (a^∗) were highest in O2 packaging initially, decreasing (P ? 0.05) by day 9. ΔE of the ground ostrich increased during storage in only O₂ and AIR packaging. All packaging methods had generally similar effects on microbial outgrowth. Total aerobic bacteria attained >10⁶ CFU/g meat between day 3 and day 6. Ground ostrich meat was below saleable quality in less than 6 days based on all of the meat attributes. For O2 packaging however, quality based on lipid oxidation and color properties indicated a shelf-life of less than 3 days. Oxidation is likely the limiting factor for shelf-life of ground ostrich meat.     

气调和1-MCP对青菜保鲜贮藏的影响

利用1-甲基环丙烯（1-MCP，1-methylcyclopropene）和薄膜小包装气调技术（MAP技术）保鲜青菜，常温下贮藏8d，2℃下贮藏20d，对各种条件下的菜进行感官评价及测定贮藏期间叶绿素、色泽，硫代葡萄糖苷含量的值。研究表明经3％O2＋35ppm1-MCP处理的青菜在2℃下的保鲜效果最好，表现为外观正常，无腐烂、萎焉现象，色泽，叶绿素、硫代葡萄糖苷各项测定指标较好。经3％O2处理的青菜在常温和2℃下都能保持较好的品质。而经35ppm1-MCP和3％O2＋35ppm1-MCP处理的青菜在2℃中保鲜效果较好，但在常温下贮藏5d后保鲜效果较差。     

Influence of storage period and packaging method on sliced dry cured beef "Cecina de Leon": Effects on microbiological, physicochemical and sensory quality

Quality aspects of sliced dry-cured beef “Cecina de León” preserved in vacuum and gas mixtures (20%/80% CO₂/N₂ and 80%/20% CO₂/N₂) were studied. The evolution of microbiological, physicochemical and sensory parameters were analysed during storage (210 days) at 6 °C. Although microbial counts at 60 days of the gas-packaged samples were lower than the vacuum-packed ones, they were never higher than the spoilage limit (7 log ufc/g). A slight increase (p < 0.05) in pH was observed throughout storage of “Cecina de León” packaged under vacuum and in gas mixtures. However, a decrease (p < 0.05) in a_w was observed during storage of “Cecina de León” packaged under vacuum but a_w did not vary (p > 0.05) during storage in the gas-packaged samples. No changes were observed (p > 0.05) in lightness (L^*), redness (a^*) and yellowness (b^*) in vacuum and gas packaged samples during storage. However, sensorially evaluated colour showed lower values in gas packaged samples during 30 days storage. This difference was decisive in establishing the shelf-life of “Cecina de León” slices preserved in gas mixtures (20%/80% CO₂/N₂ and 80%/20% CO₂/N₂). Therefore, from a microbiological point of view, gas mixtures are more effective in extending the shelf-life of “Cecina de León” slices. It is concluded that vacuum packaging allows longer storage than gas-packaging as it maintains a good visual appearance of “Cecina de León”, the main parameter in consumers’ perception of meat quality.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the microbiological and sensory quality on a dry cured beef product: "Cecina de león"

The aim of this study was to investigate the shelf-life of commercial “Cecina de León” (CL) packaged in vacuum (VP) and in CO₂/N₂ atmospheres (20/80% CO₂/N₂ and 80/20% CO₂/N₂). Packaged product was stored at 6 °C, measuring microbiological, physico-chemical and sensory parameters during 210 days. The values obtained for mesophilic aerobic, anaerobic and psychrotrophic counts did not vary in both the vacuum and the gas packaged samples after 210 days of storage. Enterobacteria and enterococci were always below the detection limit, and in the gas-packaged CL, pseudomonad numbers were significantly inhibited. No changes were observed in the counts of the typical microflora of CL (Lactic Acid Bacteria, yeasts and moulds and Micrococcaceae) up to 210 days and no differences (p > 0.05) were found between the counts in the VP and in the gas-packaged samples. A pronounced initial fading was observed in redness (a^∗) within the first 15 days in the VP samples and within the second month in the gas-packaged samples attributed to the presence of white film on surface of CL portions. No differences were observed (p > 0.05) in texture parameters evaluated between packaging methods during storage, and the values found are within the range for CL not packaged. The sensory properties of CL stored in 20/80% CO₂/N₂ were slightly less acceptable than the samples packed under vacuum and under 80/20% CO₂/N₂ at 210 days of storage. It is concluded that no clear advantage of the gas packaging was observed compared to the VP of “Cecina de León”.     

Biodiversity and dynamics of the bacterial community of packaged king scallop (Pecten maximus) meat during cold storage

The microbial biodiversity and dynamics of king scallops meat and coral during cold storage (cold chain rupture: 1/3 storage time at 4 °C followed by 2/3 at 8 °C), was assessed by combining culture-dependant and -independent methods. Products were packaged as follows: aerobic, vacuum packed and 3 different CO₂/N₂ modified atmospheres and the impact of these conditions on the microbial communities was assessed. Results indicated that under air (current packaging condition), the dominant species corresponded to Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas spp. and Shewanella spp. These species have regularly been associated in the literature with food (especially seafood), and product spoilage. Moellerella wisconsensis was the only species detected on VRBG medium, however, its impact on the food product is unclear. Packaging conditions influenced the ecosystem equilibrium and biodiversity. Except for day 8, the lowest counts for all studied flora were observed for modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) containing >80% CO₂. Moreover, in these conditions, higher biodiversity by Temporal Temperature Gradient Gel Electrophoresis (TTGE) and the non-detection of specific flora (i.e. Pseudoalteromonas haloplanktis) were observed. At day 8, scallops packaged using these conditions were still acceptable from a sensorial point of view (odour), although the initial load of the king scallop was high (total psychrotrophic flora reached 5.5 log CFU/g).     

The effects of high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging on protein oxidation of bovine M. longissimus dorsi muscle during chilled storage

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) extends the shelf life of beef, especially in the context of visual colour. High O₂ MAP (70-80%) may cause quality deterioration through lipid and protein oxidation, the latter linked to a reduction in meat tenderness. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of MAP in comparison to vacuum packaging (VP) on protein oxidation and subsequent tenderness of LD (M. longissimus dorsi) beef steaks during chilled storage (4 °C) of periods up to 14 days. Steaks were analysed for carbonyl content, free thiol groups, drip loss, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) and SDS-PAGE of extracted myofibrillar proteins. Free thiol groups were lower in high O₂ MAP (80% O₂/20% CO₂) steaks, after 14 days of storage, indicating protein oxidation compared to VP steaks. SDS-PAGE (non reducing conditions) showed the presence of high molecular weight cross linked myosin heavy chain aggregates in the high O₂ atmosphere packaged steaks, which were absent in VP steaks.     

An Integrated Approach to Factors Affecting the Shelf Life of Products in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

The aim of this work was to analyze the main factors influencing the shelf life of peanut products in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Roasted and salted peanuts produced by three well-known commercial companies were presented as examples. Different types of packaging (multilayer laminated materials, cans) with different gas mixture composition (0-1% O₂, 1-3% O_2, 3-6% O₂) were compared. The main aim of shelf-life investigation is to ensure consumer acceptance of a product. Factors affecting the shelf life of products in MAP are presented as an integrated pyramid. All elements of this shelf-life pyramid should be analyzed and included during shelf-life investigations. This study indicates that estimation of the shelf life of a food is integrally related to its packaging (e.g., peanuts in MAP); both product conditions and the package as well as gas mixture composition should be considered.     

An Integrated Approach to Factors Affecting the Shelf Life of Products in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Abstract

The aim of this work was to analyze the main factors influencing the shelf life of peanut products in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Roasted and salted peanuts produced by three well-known commercial companies were presented as examples. Different types of packaging (multilayer laminated materials, cans) with different gas mixture composition (0–1% O₂, 1–3% O_2, 3–6% O₂) were compared. The main aim of shelf-life investigation is to ensure consumer acceptance of a product. Factors affecting the shelf life of products in MAP are presented as an integrated pyramid. All elements of this shelf-life pyramid should be analyzed and included during shelf-life investigations. This study indicates that estimation of the shelf life of a food is integrally related to its packaging (e.g., peanuts in MAP); both product conditions and the package as well as gas mixture composition should be considered.     

冷却牛肉的气调保鲜包装

本文对肉牛背最长肌进行不同水平的气调保鲜包装(O2、20%～80%、CO220%～60%、N20%～20%),贮存期间每隔两天对菌落总数、大肠菌群、pH、脂肪氧化值(TBARS)、高铁肌红蛋白含量(metMb%)、挥发性盐基氮(TVB-N)、感官评定进行分析。结果表明,保存在60%O2、、20%CO2、20%N2组获得最佳综合保鲜效果。在3±1℃下可使贮存期延长至12d。     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on visual quality and glucosinolates of broccoli florets

Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) florets were packaged in polyethylene bags with no holes (M₀), two microholes (M₁), and four macroholes (M₂), and then stored at 4 or 20 °C. The effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on visual quality and glucosinolate contents were determined by comparing with non-wrapped florets. The results showed that MAP treatments, especially with M₀ and M₁, extended the shelf life and reduced the postharvest deterioration of broccoli florets stored at 4 and 20 °C. All three MAP treatments reduced the decreasing concentration rates of individual, total aliphatic and indole glucosinolates in broccoli florets when compared to those in the control, with M₀ being the most significant, followed by M₁ and M₂ during 23 days of storage at 4 °C or 5 days of storage at 20 °C. Broccoli florets with M₀ treatment maintained the visual quality and glucosinolate contents for 13 days at 4 °C and 3 days at 20 °C.     

真空包装低温灌肠胀袋气体成分分析

将真空包装的低温灌肠置7℃条件下贮藏直至腐败胀袋，用美国Agilent GC 6890-MS5973N型气相色谱-质谱联用仪分析胀袋气体成分，结果表明：胀袋气体的主要成分是CO2，以及一些易挥发的烷烃、酮和有机酸类物质。说明腐败微生物发酵产酸、产气是导致低温灌肠腐败变质的主要因素。     

FUNDAMENTALS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE USE OF BACTERIOCINS PRODUCED BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA IN MEAT PRODUCTS

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proteinaceous compounds that may present antimicrobial activity towards important foodborne pathogens and spoilage-related microflora. Due to these properties, bacteriocin-producing strains or purified bacteriocins have a great potential of use in biologically based food preservation systems. Despite the growing number of articles describing the isolation of bacteriocinogenic strains, genetic determinants for production, as well as the purification and biochemical characterization of these inhibitory substances, there are only limited reports of successful application of bacteriocins to meats.

This paper presents a critical review of the methods available for screening of bacteriocin-producing LAB strains from meats and also discusses the proposed mechanisms of action for LAB bacteriocins. Additionally, an overview of the Brazilian experience in the application of LAB bacteriocins to meats and meat products is given.     

FUNDAMENTALS AND PERSPECTIVES FOR THE USE OF BACTERIOCINS PRODUCED BY LACTIC ACID BACTERIA IN MEAT PRODUCTS

Bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are proteinaceous compounds that may present antimicrobial activity towards important foodborne pathogens and spoilage-related microflora. Due to these properties, bacteriocin-producing strains or purified bacteriocins have a great potential of use in biologically based food preservation systems. Despite the growing number of articles describing the isolation of bacteriocinogenic strains, genetic determinants for production, as well as the purification and biochemical characterization of these inhibitory substances, there are only limited reports of successful application of bacteriocins to meats.

This paper presents a critical review of the methods available for screening of bacteriocin-producing LAB strains from meats and also discusses the proposed mechanisms of action for LAB bacteriocins. Additionally, an overview of the Brazilian experience in the application of LAB bacteriocins to meats and meat products is given.     

金枪鱼气调保鲜技术的研究进展

气调保鲜技术通过抑制微生物繁殖和降低氧化速率以达到延长水产品货架期的目的。在金枪鱼气调保鲜中,CO2的抑菌作用十分重要,O2对于肉色保持也必不可少,而经CO发色的肉制品是否可以食用国内外仍存在较大分歧。气调包装金枪鱼货架期的延长取决于贮藏温度、气体比例、包装材料、包装物体积比以及初始微生物的含量等因素,其中贮藏温度最为关键。气调包装对水产品货架期的延长明显优于空气包装。本文主要介绍了金枪鱼气调保鲜技术的研究现状,并指出可以从包装外形、气调包装和其他保鲜方法的结合,以及温度波动下气调包装是否能有效减损保质等方面进行今后的研究。