Efficacy of plant extracts in inhibitingAeromonas hydrophilaandListeria monocytogenesin refrigerated,cooked poultry

Alcohol extracts of angelica root, banana purée, bay, caraway seed, carrot root, clove (eugenol), marjoram, pimento leaf and thyme were applied to cooked chicken to determine their antimicrobial activities against Aeromonas hydrophilaand Listeria monocytogenes.Skinless chicken breast meat was cooked to an internal temperature of 85°C, allowed to cool to c. 5°C, then treated by surface application with plant extracts. Low (10 cfu g⁻¹)or high (10⁵ cfu g⁻¹)populations of A. hydrophilaand L. monocytogeneswere applied and samples were stored at either 5 or 15°C for up to 14 or 7 days, respectively. Eugenol and pimento extracts were most effective in inhibiting growth of both bacteria. A. hydrophilawas the more sensitive to the two treatments, with 4 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹less growth occurring at 14 days at 5°C on eugenol-treated breast meat than on control samples. These results suggested that plant extracts might be useful as antimicrobials in cooked, ready-to-eat chicken meat.     

Effect of combinations of high-pressure treatment and bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes in raw milk cheese

The combined effect of high-pressure (HP) treatment and bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (BP-LAB) on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in cheeses made from raw milk that was inoculated with the pathogen at 4.80 log cfu mL⁻¹, a commercial starter and one of seven strains of BP-LAB was investigated. On day 3, the counts of L. monocytogenes were 7.03 log cfu g⁻¹ in a control cheese (without BP-LAB, not HP treated), 6.06–6.74 log cfu g⁻¹ in cheeses with BP-LAB, 6.13 log cfu g⁻¹ in a cheese without BP-LAB and treated on day 2 at 300 MPa, 2.01 log cfu g⁻¹ in a cheese without BP-LAB and treated on day 2 at 500 MPa, 3.83–5.43 log cfu g⁻¹ in cheeses with BP-LAB and treated on day 2 at 300 MPa, and 1.81 log cfu g⁻¹ or less in cheeses with BP-LAB and treated on day 2 at 500 MPa. HP treatment was more effective on day 51 than on day 2.     

Enterobacteriaceae in beef products from retail outlets in the Republic of Ireland and comparison of the presence and counts of E. coli O157:H7 in these products

This study investigated the prevalence and numbers of Enterobacteriaceae in minced beef and beef burgers purchased from supermarkets and butcher shops in the Republic of Ireland (RoI). Samples (n=1303) collected between June 2001 and April 2002 from every county in the RoI (∼60 per county) were examined for the presence of Enterobacteriaceae using method BS 5763. Overall, in the 43 beef products in which E. coli O157:H7 was present the Enterobacteriaceae counts ranged from 0.52 to 6.98 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹. There was no correlation between the number of Enterobacteriaceae and the presence of E. coli O157:H7. There were no significant differences between Enterobacteriaceae numbers in fresh, unpackaged, minced beef samples from butcher shops and supermarkets, or in fresh, unpackaged, beef burgers from butcher shops and supermarkets. However, there were significant differences among the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae detected in different minced beef products. The numbers of Enterobacteriaceae in fresh, unpackaged, minced beef (6.54–6.98 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹) were considerably higher than in preprepared or prepackaged minced beef (2.95–3.62 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹).     

Growth of Listeria Monocytogenes in Traditional Austrian Meat Jelly Products

Individual components of a traditional meat jelly (cooked meat chunks, gelatin and preboiled vegetable) with differences in pH and a_w can constitute a niche for the multiplication of Listeria. Listeria monocytogenes counts remained stable in jelly over 21 days at 2 and 8 °C, whereas in meat and vegetables, a >1 log₁₀ unit increase was observed after 7 days at 2 °C (or >5 log₁₀ at 8 °C). In the composed product, Listeria numbers remained stable at 2 °C (21 days), but increased more than 1 log₁₀ during 7 days at 8 °C. Improving safety of jellied meat by lowering pH is discussed.     

Recovery of bacteria from poultry carcasses by rinsing,swabbing or excision of skin

Groups of 25 uneviscerated or eviscerated carcasses were obtained at four points in a commercial broiler chicken carcass dressing process. Carcasses from each point in the process were sampled by excision of skin from randomly selected sites, excision of skin from necks, swabbing carcasses with cellulose acetate sponges, or by rinsing whole carcasses. Total aerobic counts, coliforms and Escherichia coli recovered from each sample were enumerated. Values for the log mean number cm⁻² (log A) and the log of the total numbers recovered 25 cm⁻² (N) were calculated for each set of 25 counts. For sets of counts for the same group of bacteria obtained from carcasses at the same stage of processing, the three values for log A or three values for N for sets of counts obtained by excision of skin from randomly selected sites or necks, or by rinsing differed by < 0.5 log unit. However, about half the values for log A or N for sets of counts obtained by swabbing differed by >0.5 log unit from the corresponding values for sets of counts obtained by the other methods. Those data indicate that sampling of poultry carcasses by excision of skin from randomly selected sites or necks, or by rinsing will recover similar numbers of bacteria per unit area of carcass surface.     

The growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on minced bison and pieces of bison meat stored at 5 and 10 °C

This study investigated the growth and survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 on minced and whole pieces of bison meat. Growth curves of native microflora, including Pseudomonas spp. and Enterobacteriaceae were also generated. A marked E. coli O157:H7 strain was inoculated onto minced and whole pieces of bison meat at an initial level of 1.5 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹. The inoculated meat was stored at either 5 °C for 28 days or 10 °C for 21 days. Survival, but no growth, of E. coli O157:H7 was observed on both forms of bison meat stored at 5 °C, while significant growth of the organism was observed at 10 °C. E. coli O157:H7 counts on whole pieces were generally higher than counts observed on minced bison meat, and reached their highest population by 14 days, with a total increase of 3.36 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹ on whole pieces and 2.12 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹on minced bison meat stored at 10 °C. Under the same storage temperature, Pseudomonas spp. and total counts displayed similar growth patterns on both pieces and minced bison meat, while the Enterobacteriaceae showed a slower growth rate. This study showed that the growth of E. coli O157:H7 on bison meat is similar to that observed in studies of beef.     

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes in Galotyri,a traditional Greek soft acid-curd cheese,stored aerobically at 4°C and 12°C

Galotyri is a traditional Greek soft acid-curd cheese, which is made from ewes’ or goats’ milk and is consumed fresh. Because cheese processing may allow Listeria monocytogenes post-process contamination, this study evaluated survival of the pathogen in fresh cheese during storage. Portions (0.5 kg) of two commercial types (<2% salt) of Galotyri, one artisan (pH 4.0±0.1) and the other industrial (pH 3.8±0.1), were inoculated with ca. 3 or 7 log cfu g⁻¹ of a five-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes and stored aerobically at 4°C and 12°C. After 3 days, average declines of pathogen's populations (PALCAM agar) were 1.3–1.6 and 3.7–4.6 log cfu g⁻¹ in cheese samples for the low and high inocula, respectively. These declines were independent (P>0.05) of the cheese type or the storage temperature. From day 3, however, declines shifted to small or minimal to result in 1.4–1.8 log cfu g⁻¹ of survivors at 28 days of storage of all cheeses at 4°C, indicating a strong “tailing” independent of initial level of contamination. Low (1.2–1.7 log cfu g⁻¹) survival of L. monocytogenes also occurred in cheeses at 12°C for 14 days, which were prone to surface yeast spoilage. When ca. 3 log cfu g⁻¹ of L. monocytogenes were inoculated in laboratory scale prepared Galotyri of pH ≅4.4 and ≅3% salt, the pathogen died off at 14 and 21 days at 12°C and 4°C, respectively, in artisan type cheeses fermented with the natural starter. In contrast, the pathogen survived for 28 days in cheeses fermented with the industrial starter. These results indicate that L. monocytogenes cannot grow but may survive during retail storage of Galotyri despite its low pH of or slightly below 4.0. Although contamination of Galotyri with L. monocytogenes may be expected low (<100 cfu g⁻¹) in practice, that long-term survival of the pathogen in commercial cheeses was shown to be unaffected by the artificial contamination level (3 or 7 logs) and the storage temperature (4°C or 12°C), which should be a concern.     

Microbiological and chemical changes during the manufacture of Kefir made from cows’ milk,using a commercial starter culture

The counts of total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria (in three different culture media, M17 agar, MSE agar, and Rogosa agar) and yeasts, and some biochemical parameters (levels of lactose, glucose, galactose, L(+)- and D(−)-lactic acids, ethanol, titratable acidity and pH) were determined during 196 h of fermentation in five batches of Kefir made from cows’ milk using a commercial starter culture. Lactococcus spp. predominated during the first 48 h of fermentation (∼8 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹); Lactobacillus spp. became the predominant species after 48 h (∼8.5 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹). During the first 24 h of fermentation, the lactose content decreased from a mean value of 4.92% (w/w) to 4.02% (w/w); the concentration of L(+)-lactic acid increased from 0.01% to 0.76% (w/w) and the pH decreased to 4.24 over the same period. After 24 h of fermentation, the changes in the levels of lactose and L(+)-lactic acid, and in pH, occurred more slowly. Neither glucose nor galactose were detected during fermentation. The production of ethanol was limited, reaching a mean final value of 0.018% (w/w).     

Reducing SO2 in fresh pork burgers by adding chitosan

The use of 0.02 or 0.05% chitosan is proposed to reduce from 450 to 150 mg kg^− 1 the SO₂ required to preserve pork burgers aerobically packed and stored at 2 °C for up to 21 days under retail display conditions. The effects of chitosan and/or sulfite addition and the storage time were determined in fresh (color deterioration, lipid oxidation, pH, total viable counts, Escherichia coli and coliforms, Salmonella, appearance and odor) and cooked (appearance, odor, flavor and texture) burgers. The addition of either 0.02 or 0.05% chitosan was not detected by sensory analysis, and extended the shelf life of low-SO₂ burgers from 7 to 14 days. Chitosan enhanced the preservative effects of sulfite at a low dose, acting on the main causes of meat deterioration (bacterial spoilage, color stability and lipid oxidation), and provided good sensory properties to fresh and cooked pork burgers.     

Production of traditional Greek yoghurt using Lactobacillus strains with probiotic potential as starter adjuncts

Lactobacillus plantarum ACA-DC 146 and L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 were examined for their potential application as adjuncts in the production of traditional Greek set-type yoghurt. Both strains displayed low milk acidification activity, while no inhibition was observed towards or from the yoghurt starters used. Yoghurt produced with L. paracasei subsp. tolerans ACA-DC 4037 exhibited the best sensory properties, with a rich traditional smooth taste, and the strain was selected for further trials. Yoghurt produced with this strain as an adjunct had good physicochemical properties. After 2 weeks of refrigerated storage, microbial loads (>7.0 log cfu g⁻¹) were in accordance with international recommendations and guidelines for probiotic and starter cultures in milk products. Increasing the microbial load further, using concentrated and encapsulated inocula (10–11 log cfu g⁻¹), gave yoghurt with long fermentation times and poor organoleptic properties.     

Probiotic properties of folate producing Streptococcus thermophilus strains

This study aimed at assessing the probiotic potential of two high folate producing Streptococcus thermophilus strains (RD102 and RD104) isolated from Indian fermented milk products by both in vitro and in vivo tests. These strains were able to survive at pH 2.5 and 2% bile with a good bile salt hydrolase activity, cell surface hydrophobicity and sensitivity to most of the clinically important antibiotics. On evaluation for gastrointestinal transit tolerance these showed a viable count of 5 log cfu mL^?1 and 7 log cfu mL^?1, respectively in simulated gastrointestinal juice of pH 2.0 and 2% bile. During the in vivo feeding trial in mice the strains showed a viable count of about 7 log cfu g^?1 faeces and 6 log cfu g^?1 of large intestine, respectively. These strains were hence observed to possess favorable strain specific probiotic properties and have the potential to be a source of novel probiotics.     

The influence of multi stage alginate coating on survivability of potential probiotic bacteria in simulated gastric and intestinal juice

The probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus PTCC1643 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus PTCC1637, were encapsulated into uncoated calcium alginate beads and the same beads were coated with one or two layers of sodium alginate with the objective of enhancing survival during exposure to the adverse conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract. The survivability of the strains, was expressed as the destructive value (decimal reduction time). Particle size distribution was measured using laser diffraction technique. The thickness of the alginate beads increased with the addition of coating layers. No differences were detectable in the bead appearance by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The alginate coat prevented acid-induced reduction of the strains in simulated gastric juice (pH 1.5, 2 h), resulting in significantly (P < 0.05) higher numbers of survivors. After incubation in simulated gastric (60 min) and intestinal juices (pH 7.25, 2 h), number of surviving cells were 6.5 log cfu mL^?1 for L. acidophilus and 7.6 log cfu mL^?1 for L. rhamnosus by double layer coated alginate microspheres, respectively, while 2.3 and 2.0 log cfu mL^?1 were obtained for free cells, respectively.     

A survey of dry-salted natural casings for the presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores

A monitoring study was performed for the presence of Salmonella spp., Listeria monocytogenes and sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores in (internationally) traded dry-salted natural hog and sheep casings. Two hundred and fourteen consignments were examined for Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, and 138 for the Clostridium spores.None of the 214 sampled consignments (25 g amounts investigated) yielded Salmonella spp., or L. monocytogenes.Differential reinforced clostridial medium was effective in detecting the presence of sulphite-reducing clostridia. Iron sulphite agar (ISA) overall showed higher clostridia counts as compared to differential reinforced clostridial agar (DRCA). The maximum spore counts obtained on DRCA and ISA were 17.5 and 2500 cfu g⁻¹, respectively. From the casings from China, 3 (of 35 hog consignments) and 7 (of 22 sheep) showed spore counts above 100 cfu g⁻¹. From the remaining 81 samples, originating from Netherlands, New Zealand and UK, none showed a count above 100 cfu g⁻¹.The relevance of the presence of sulphite-reducing Clostridium spores for the manufacture of various meat products is discussed. It is recommended that determination of the Clostridium strains present is carried out and their properties investigated in relation to the manufacture of meat products, since some of the strains may be potentially pathogenic and/or able to spoil products.     

Antimicrobial activity of pediocin-producing Lactococcus lactis on Listeria monocytogenes,Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cheese

The antimicrobial activity of two pediocin-producing transformants obtained from wild strains of Lactococcus lactis on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli O157:H7 during cheese ripening was investigated. Cheeses were manufactured from milk inoculated with the three pathogens, each at approximately 6 log cfu mL⁻¹. Pediococcus acidilactici 347 (Ped⁺), Lc. lactis ESI 153, Lc. lactis ESI 515 (Nis⁺) and their respective pediocin-producing transformants Lc. lactis CL1 (Ped⁺) and Lc. lactis CL2 (Nis⁺, Ped⁺) were added at 1% as adjuncts to the starter culture. After 30 d, L. monocytogenes, S. aureus and E. coli O157:H7 counts were 5.30, 5.16 and 4.14 log cfu g⁻¹ in control cheese made without adjunct culture. On day 30, pediocin-producing derivatives Lc. lactis CL1 and Lc. lactis CL2 lowered L. monocytogenes counts by 2.97 and 1.64 log units, S. aureus by 0.98 and 0.40 log units, and E. coli O157:H7 by 0.84 and 1.69 log units with respect to control cheese. All cheeses made with nisin-producing LAB exhibited bacteriocin activity throughout ripening. Pediocin activity was only detected throughout the whole ripening period in cheese with Lc. lactis CL1. Because of the antimicrobial activity of pediocin PA-1, its production in situ by strains of LAB growing efficiently in milk would extend the application of this bacteriocin in cheese manufacture.     

The distribution of Staphylococcus sp. on bovine meat from abattoir deboning rooms

In developing countries such as South Africa, Staphylococcus aureus has been shown consistently to be one of the most important micro-organisms responsible for food poisoning outbreaks. In this study, the staphylococci in selected South African abattoirs were quantified, identified and further characterized in terms of coagulase types. The highest staphylococci counts (1.7×10⁶ cfu g⁻¹) were observed in the meat from the high throughput (Grade A) abattoir during week 3. The counts exceeded the National Guidelines (10² cfu g⁻¹) without exception and at least 50% surpassed the levels sufficient to produce toxins (10⁵ cfu g⁻¹) determined for S. aureus. Species were dominated by S. capitis, S. xylosus, S. auricularis, S. aureus and S. intermedius. In terms of the coagulase types of S. aureus, type V was the most dominant and type VI the least. It became evident that the hygiene practices implemented by the abattoirs investigated in this study were not effective enough in reducing the contamination levels of the staphylococci from carcasses. It is therefore recommended that the sampled abattoirs revise their manufacturing strategies in order to reduce the levels of staphylococcal contamination which have been shown to be transferred through food handlers, surfaces, equipment and the environment.     

Fate of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in the presence of nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis strain during manufacture of Jben,a Moroccan traditional fresh cheese

The inhibitory effect of nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis UL730 on the growth of enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus J10 during manufacture of Jben, a Moroccan traditional fresh cheese prepared from recombined milk, was investigated.With an inoculum level of 10³ cfu mL⁻¹, S. aureus was absent in Jben four days after inoculation when the nisin-producing lactococcus was used as lactic starter. In contrast, it survived after that period, when the starter was non-nisin-producing. No staphylococcal thermonuclease was detected in all Jben samples made from milk inoculated with S. aureus at the level of 10³ cfu mL⁻¹.With a higher inoculum of 10⁵ cfu mL⁻¹, S. aureus was still present in Jben after manufacture and persisted during the storage of the product for 3 days in the laboratory, even when the starter used was nisin-producing. Staphylococcal thermonuclease and type C enterotoxin were detected in all Jben samples made from milk inoculated with 10⁵ cfu mL⁻¹. Thermonuclease and enterotoxin were already produced in the coagulum, at 24 h after milk inoculation with S. aureus.     

Microbial shelf-life of high-pressure-homogenised milk

The anti-bacterial effect of high pressure homogenisation (HPH) on milk is widely reported but the shelf-life of HPH-treated milk, as reported in this communication has not been studied thus far. Raw whole milk was homogenised at 200 or 250 MPa at 55 or 70 °C and counts of total bacteria (TBC), psychrotrophs, pseudomonads, coliforms, lactobacilli, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were determined throughout subsequent storage for 14 days at 4 °C. Immediately after HPH treatment, counts of all bacteria were below the level of detection but after storage for 14 days at 4 °C, TBC, psychrotroph and pseudomonad counts had reached ∼10⁸ cfu mL⁻¹ in all samples treated with HPH. The limited shelf-life obtained indicates that HPH of milk at these processing parameters it is not a suitable alternative to pasteurisation for extending the shelf-life of milk.     

Effects of cooked temperature on pork tenderness and relationships among muscle physiology and pork quality traits in loins from Landrace and Berkshire swine

The effect of, and associations between, loin muscle morphology and pork quality indicator traits were assessed at three cooked temperatures in loin chops from 38 purebred Berkshire and 52 purebred Landrace swine. Three loin chops from each pig were randomly assigned to cooked temperature treatments of 62, 71, or 79 °C and loin tenderness was assessed as Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Cooked temperature (P < 0.001), breed (P < 0.001) and breed × cooked temperature (P < 0.001) effects influenced loin chop WBSF, whereby WBSF increased as cooked temperature increased. Chops from Landrace pigs had greater WBSF at each cooked temperature compared with chops from Berkshire pigs. Chops from Landrace pigs became less tender with increasing cooked temperature, whereas chops from Berkshire pigs became less tender only when cooked to 79 °C. In loins from Landrace pigs, Minolta a1 at 62 °C (R² = 0.07), and average muscle fiber diameter at 71 °C and 79 °C (R² = 0.07 and 0.24, respectively), contributed to WBSF variation. In contrast, for loins from Berkshire pigs, loin ultimate pH and intramuscular fat percentage accounted for 27% and 30% of the variation in WBSF at 62 °C and 71 °C, respectively, and loin ultimate pH accounted for 7% of variation in WBSF at 79 °C. Results suggest that loins from Berkshire pigs have properties that resist toughening at greater cooked temperatures and that associations between quality measures and loin tenderness differ between Landrace and Berkshire pigs.     

Effect of gutting on microbiological,chemical, and sensory properties of aquacultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored in ice

The effect of gutting on microbiological, chemical, and sensory properties of aqua-cultured sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) stored in ice was studied. Pseudomonads and H₂S-producing bacteria (including Shewanella putrefaciens) were the dominant bacteria at the end of the 16-day storage period in ice for both whole ungutted and gutted sea bass. Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae were also found in the spoilage microflora of ungutted and gutted sea bass but their counts were always less than those of Pseudomonads and H₂S-producing bacteria. Bacterial counts of whole ungutted sea bass were always higher than those obtained for gutted sea bass samples. Mesophilic counts for gutted and ungutted fish exceeded 7 log cfu g⁻¹ after 9 and 15 days of ice storage, respectively. Of the chemical indicators of spoilage, TMA values of ungutted sea bass increased very slowly whereas for gutted samples higher values were obtained reaching a final value of 0.73 and 4.39 mg N 100 g⁻¹, respectively (day 16). TVB-N values showed no significant increase for whole ungutted sea bass during storage reaching a value of 27.7 mg N 100 g⁻¹ (day 16) whereas for gutted fish 36.9 mg N 100 g⁻¹ was recorded. TBA values remained low for ungutted sea bass samples until day 16 of storage, whereas for gutted fish were variable. Of the chemical indices used, none proved useful means of monitoring early ungutted and gutted sea bass freshness in ice. Sensory assessment using the EC freshness scale gave a grade E for up to 5 days for the ungutted sea bass, a grade A for a further 2 days and a grade B for an additional 4 days, after which sea bass was graded as C (unfit). Gutted sea bass was given a grade E for up to 3 days, a grade A for the 4–7th days, and a grade B for the 8–10th days of storage, whereas on day 11 it was graded as unfit. Acceptability scores for odor, taste and texture of cooked ungutted and gutted sea bass decreased with time of storage. Results of this study indicate that the shelf-life of whole ungutted and gutted sea bass stored in ice as determined by the overall acceptability sensory scores and microbiological data is 13 and 8 days, respectively.     

Effect of thermosonication,pulsed electric field and their combination on inactivation of Listeria innocua in milk

The impact of thermosonication (TS) and pulsed electric field (PEF), individually and combined, on the survival of Listeria innocua 11288 (NCTC) in milk was investigated. TS (400 W, 160 s) without pre-heating reduced L. innocua by 1.2 log₁₀ cfu mL^?1, while shorter treatment times produced negligible inactivation, suggesting TS to be a hurdle rather than an effective standalone treatment. PEF (30 and 40 kV cm^?1, 50 μs) at 10 °C caused a reduction of L. innocua of 1.1 and 3.3 log cycles, respectively. The highest field strength (40 kV cm^?1) combined with TS (80 s) led to 6.8 log₁₀ cfu mL^?1 inactivation. Milk pre-heated to 55 °C (over 60 s) prior to TS followed by PEF (30 and 40 kV cm^?1) showed inactivation between 4.5 and 6.9 log₁₀ cfu mL^?1, the latter being comparable (P > 0.05) with thermal pasteurisation. The data indicate that TS followed by PEF represents a valid alternative for L. innocua inactivation in milk.