Effect of Acid and Alkaline Pyrophosphate Blends on the Natural Flora of a Cooked Meat System

Cooked pork sausage was prepared by using tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) at 0 and 0.4% of the meat weight either separately or in different combinations. Samples were vacuum packaged and held in a refrigerated display case at 5°C for 21 days. Samples were also stored at room temperature (20-22°C) for 24 and 48 hr. Neither phosphate had an effect on microbial counts during refrigerated storage up to 21 days, but SAPP caused significantly lower counts of mesophilic and facultative anaerobic organisms after 48 hr of temperature abuse. The organisms affected were streptococci or very similar coccobacilli.     

Effects of Selected Commercial Phosphate Products on the Natural Bacterial Flora of a Cooked Meat System

Four commercial phosphate blends and a neutral pyrophosphate were used at three levels (0.30–0.65%) in the preparation of cooked sausage. Control treatments contained no phosphate. Vacuum-packaged sausage was stored at 5°C for 21 days or held at room temperature (20–22°C) for up to 48 hours after 7 days of refrigerated storage. Mesophilic and facultative anaerobic bacterial counts were highest in control treatments after 14 and 21 days at 5°C and after 24 and 48 hr at 20–22°C. For each phosphate, the level of addition was the determining factor in bacterial inhibition, since the highest phosphate level resulted in the lowest bacterial counts in sausage held at 5°C and 20–22°C. The level of phosphate was more important in prolonging shelf life than was the type of phosphate.     

Effect of Phosphates on Bacterial Growth in Refrigerated Uncooked Bratwurst

The effects of 0.5% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and sodium polyphosphate glassy (SPC) on aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacterial growth and on survival of inoculated Stuphylococcus aureus Z 88 were investigated in uncooked bratwurst stored at 5°C for 7 days. No significant microbial inhibition by phosphates was found, although SAPP addition resulted in consistently lower total aerobic plate counts. Phosphate-induced pH differences in the sausages had no effect on bacterial numbers. The possible role of meat enzymes in the hydrolysis of condensed phosphates to microbiologically inactive species is discussed.     

Effect of Inorganic Polyphosphates on Ground Beef Characteristics: Microbiological Effects on Frozen Beef Patties

Microbiological effects of 0.4% sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP), and three commercial phosphate blends were studied in frozen (90 days, ?20°C) and subsequently temperature-abused (24–25°C, 24 hr) beef patties. Phosphates did not significantly (p>0.05) reduce mesophilic, psychrotrophic, presumptive 5. aureus and lactic acid bacterial numbers during frozen storage of the patties, but one of the commercial blends and TSPP inhibited bacterial growth upon subsequent elevated-temperature abuse. However, bacterial inhibition by phosphates during temperature abuse was not sufficient to prevent spoilage of the patties.     

Effect of Sodium Erythorbate on Residual Nitrite, pH and Bacterial Growth in Liver Sausage Formulated with Different Levels of Mechanically Separated Pork

Some microbiological, chemical, and physical characteristics of liver sausage formulated with 0, 25, 50, and 75% mechanically separated pork (MSP), 156 ppm sodium nitrite and 0 or 550 ppm sodium erythorbate were studied during refrigerated storage (5°C, 6 days) and subsequent elevated-temperature holding (20–24°C, 48 hr). Growth of inoculated Clostridium sporogenes was inhibited by 156 ppm nitrite in all sausages even after 48 hr at 20–24°C, regardless of MSP level. Growth of aerobic mesophiles and facultative anaerobes at 20–24°C was also inhibited in sausage formulated with 156 ppm nitrite and 550 ppm erythorbate. Erythorbate addition and increased MSP levels resulted in higher Hunter a color values. Residual nitrite, pH values, and total iron content of liver sausage increased with increasing MSP content.     

Microbiology of a Ham-Type Product Made from Soy-Extended Cured Beef and Inoculated with Clostridium sporogenes PA3679

The microbiological stability of a new ham-type product made from soy-extended cured beef was examined under wholesale (2–4°C) and retail (5°C) refrigerated storage conditions, and during abuse-temperature holding for 24 and 48 hr at 24-25°C after inoculation with Closrridium sporogenes PA3679. No microbiological effects (P >0.05) could be attributed to the level of soy protein isolate in the injection brine (0, 5, 7.5 or 9%) on the basis of mesophilic, psychrotrophic, anaerobic and lactic bacterial counts. Samples held at 2-4°C did not exceed 10⁴ CFU/g after 4 wk for any bacterial type examined. Product shelf-life was > 3 wk at 5°C and 2 wk at 8–10°C. Inoculated PA3679 did not grow in the product during 24 or 48 hr simulated mishandling (24-2°C).     

Inhibition of Clostridium sporogenes PA 3679 and Natural Bacterial Flora of Cooked Vacuum-Packaged Bratwurst by Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate and Sodium Tripolyphosphate With or Without Added Sodium Nitrite

Survival and growth of inoculated Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 and natural aerobic and anaerobic bacterial flora were studied in refrigerated (5°C) and subsequently temperature abused (24–25°C), cooked, vacuum-packaged bratwurst containing 0.5% sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) or sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) with or without sodium nitrite. Phosphates alone or combined with nitrite did not affect aerobic bacterial counts but resulted in reduced clostridial and anaerobic counts at 5°C. Upon temperature abuse, inhibition of all bacteria by SAPP was significant (P<0.05) for up to 48 hr and greatly enhanced by 100 ppm but not by 50 ppm sodium nitrite, whereas STPP lost its antimicrobial properties after 24 hr. Soluble orthophosphate levels had a positive correlation with bacterial inhibition in SAPP-treated bratwurst.     

The use of nisin as a preservative in fish sausage stored at ambient (28 ± 2 °C) and refrigerated (6 ± 2 °C) temperatures

Summary The efficacy of nisin at three different concentrations, 12.5, 25 and 50 ppm, on the keeping quality of fish sausage in synthetic casing at ambient (28 ± 2 °C) and refrigerated (6 ± 2 °C) temperatures was assessed. Gel strength, expressible water content, total volatile base nitrogen, total plate count and aerobic spore counts were affected by the storage temperatures and nisin concentrations used. Fish sausage treated with 50 ppm of nisin was acceptable after storage at ambient temperature for 20–22 days compared with the control, which were acceptable only for 2 days. The keeping quality of the sausages, at refrigerated temperature, varied from 30 days in the control to 150 days in 50‐ppm nisin‐treated samples. The residual nisin decreased slowly in samples stored at refrigerated temperature, whereas, in fish sausages stored at ambient temperature, the decrease was rapid. Nisin at 50‐ppm level showed a significant effect (P ≤ 0.05) on the gel strength and overall acceptability scores both at ambient and refrigerated temperature.     

Effects of Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Acetate, Phosphates and Sodium Chloride Alone or in Combination on Shelf Life of Vacuum-Packaged Pork Chops

Microbiological and some physical and chemical effects of treating pork chop surfaces with sodium acid pyrophosphate, a commercial phosphate blend, potassium sorbate and phosphate/sorbate/sodium acetate solutions, with or without sodium chloride, before packaging were studied in pork chops vacuum-packaged and stored at 2–4°C for 10 weeks. All treatments containing potassium sorbate reduced (P<0.05) counts of mesophiles, psychrotrophs, EnterobacteriaCeae, facultative anaerobes, and lactobacilli. Treatment of chops with 10% phosphates/ 10% potassium sorbate solutions improved pork color and decreased purge. Potassium sorbate alone reduced microbial counts more than it did when combined with phosphates, but chops were darker and had more exudate (P<0.05). Combined use of 10% phosphates/10% potassium sorbate extended shelf life in vacuum-packaged fresh pork chops to 10 weeks at 2–4°C compared with 4 weeks for untreated pork and protected meat color.     

Effect of Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate in Combination with Sodium Nitrite or Sodium Nitrite/Potassium Sorbate on Clostridium botulinum Growth and Toxin Production in Beef/Pork Frankfurter Emulsions

Combinations of sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP) with added sodium nitrite and/or potassium sorbate were tested at various pH levels to determine effectiveness in delaying Clostridium botulinum growth and toxin production in frankfurter emulsions. Formulations containing sodium nitrite (40 ppm), potassium sorbate (0.26%) and SAPP (0.4%) resulted in a greater delay of toxin production (12–18 days) than other combinations (6–12 days) having similar pH values. Treatments containing 0.4% SAPP appeared to be more inhibitory than their counterparts without SAPP, displaying less numbers of toxic samples during the 53-day storage period at 27°C. Aerobic mesophilic colony counts and residual nitrite data showed little difference among treatments.     

Production of a dry sausage from African catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell, 1822): microbial, chemical and sensory evaluations

Production of a dry sausage from African catfish and determination of its microbial, chemical and sensory properties during a 70‐day storage at both 4 and 22 °C were prompted. pH of the samples at 4 and 22 °C did not significantly change during the storage (P > 0.05). Moisture content of the samples was 74%, and reduced to 45% at 4 °C and to 22% at 22 °C. Protein content of the samples was 20.71%, and increased to 42.5% at 4 °C and to 57.99% at 22 °C. Total lipid content was 4.5%, and increased to 10.98% at 4 °C and to 15.68% at 22 °C (P < 0.05). Microbial analyses showed that there was a significant reduction in total aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophilic bacteria, total mould and yeast, total lactic acid bacteria, total Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus counts at both 4 and 22 °C (P < 0.05). Samples stored at 4 °C had significantly higher sensory ratings than that of the samples stored at 22 °C (P < 0.05).     

Shelf Life and Quality of Freshly Squeezed, Unpasteurized, Polyethylene-Bottled Citrus Juice

Florida's chief orange and grapefruit cultivars were used to produce five freshly squeezed, unpasteurized, polyethylene-bottled juices using commercial conditions. Juices were stored at different temperatures. Shelf life depended primarily on storage temperature: ?1.7°C, 20–23 days; 1.1°C, 16–22 days; 4.4°C, 10–16 days; and 7.8°C, 5–8 days. Staleness was the primary off-flavor limiting shelf life at the three lower temperatures while spoilage with diacetyl was primarily responsible at 7.8°C. At the three lower temperatures, microbial counts generally decreased markedly during storage, while at 7.8°C, an increase was generally noted. Ascorbic acid retention after 2 wk of storage at the three lowest storage temperatures was about 91–93% for two orange juices and 86–88% for the grapefruit juice.     

Solubility of Muscle Proteins as a Result of Autolysis and Microbiological Growth

Bovine Longissimus dorsi samples, collected aseptically 3 hr postmortem, were used to determine natural muscle enzyme activity. Samples of this tissue were inoculated with Pseudomonas putrefaciens or Lactobacillus casei and incubated 0, 1, 7, 14, and 21 days at 2°C and 0, 1, and 3 days at 25 and 37°C. Protein solubility, pH and microbial counts were determined after appropriate periods of storage. Only small differences were noted in the solubility of muscle proteins between the muscle treatments after 21 days of storage at 2°C compared to much larger differences noted after only 3 days of storage at higher incubation temperatures (25 and 37°C).     

Effect of Mechanically Separated Pork, Sodium Erythorbate and Sodium Nitrite Combinations on Clostridium sporogenes Survival and Growth in Liver Sausage

Liver sausage formulated with 50 or 75% mechanically separated pork (MSP), 75 or 150 ppm sodium nitrite and 0, 550 or 1100 ppm sodium erythorbate was examined for Clostridium sporogenes PA3679 survival and growth during refrigerated temperature storage (5°C, 6 days) and during subsequent exposure to elevated temperatures (22–24°C, 2 d). Sodium nitrite at 150 ppm inhibited clostridial growth in sausage held at 22–24°C, regardless of MSP content, if 550 ppm sodium erythorbate were also present. Sodium nitrite at 75 ppm combined with erythorbate at 550 and 1100 ppm did not inhibit C. sporogenes growth during simulated temperature mishandling of liver sausage. Residual nitrite decreased (P<0.05) with erythorbate addition but was unaffected by MSP.     

Survival and Growth of Salmonella hadar on Minimally Processed Cabbage as Influenced by Storage Abuse Conditions

Shredded, washed and centrifuged cabbage was packaged in monooriented polypropylene (OPP) bags, inoculated with Salmonella hadar and stored 10 days at 4°C, 12°C and 20°C. Microbiological, appearance, odor and headspace gas analysis were evaluated throughout storage. S. hadar and mesophilic aerobic and psychrotrophic microorganism growth was affected by storage time and temperature. S. hadar counts were lower (p<0.05) at 4°C than at 12°C and 20°C. The score ratings for general appearance, wilting, browning and off-odor showed that all samples were commercially acceptable. Results indicated that S. hadar could survive and proliferate on minimally processed cabbage, thereby posing a potential hazard to consumers.     

Bacillus cereus emetic toxin production in cooked rice

Three mesophilic strains of Bacillus cereus known to produce emetic toxin were used to model germination, growth and emetic toxin production in boiled rice cultures at incubation temperatures ranging from 8°C to 30°C. Minimum temperatures for germination and growth in boiled rice were found to be 15°C for all strains. Toxin production at 15°C was found to be significantly greater (P<0·01; reciprocal toxin titre of 373±124) than at 20°C and 30°C (reciprocal toxin titres 112±37 and 123±41, respectively). Toxin production became detectable after 48 h incubation at 15°C, with a maximum titre reached by 96 h. At 20°C and 30°C, toxin production was detected at 24 h incubation, with a maximum titre reached by 72 h. Toxin production at 15°C was detectable at lower bacterial counts (6·2 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹), than with incubation at 20°C and 30°C (>7·0 log₁₀ cfu g⁻¹). In this study, the lower temperature limit for germination and growth on solid laboratory medium was found to be 12°C for all strains, i.e. 3°C lower than that observed in boiled rice.     

Effects of Electrical Stimulation, Hot Boning and Chilling on Bull Semimembranosus Muscle

Taste panel, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBS) and cooking loss characteristics of semimembranosus (SM) muscles from thirty electrically stimulated and hot-boned (ESHB) or control young bull sides were evaluated. At 2 hr postmortem, muscles were excised from electrically stimulated sides and chilled in a tray or in a cardboard box. All control sides and ESHB muscles were chilled at 5–7°C until 24 hr postmortem; then 2–4°C for 24 hr. At 48 hr postmortem, steaks were cut, vacuum packaged and aged (2–4°C) for 4 days. Beef flavor was more intense for control steaks than for steaks from either ESHB chilling treatment. No other differences were noted.     

Pallet Location and Freezing Rate Effects on the Oxidation of Lipids and Myoglobin in Commercial Fresh Pork Sausage

Effects of freezing rates on oxidation of commercial fresh pork sausage chubs were evaluated in association with location extremes on a production pallet. Three treatments requiring 9 hr, 2.4 days and 6.8 days for temperature declines from 7°C to ? 15°C were tested. Sausage chubs were analyzed after 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 wk of frozen (- 15°C) plus 3 wk of postfrozen refrigerated (1°C) storage. 2-Thiob-arbituric acid (TBA) numbers did not increase with slower freezing (P>0.05). Hunter “a” values were greater (P<0.05) for the two slower rates. Overall, pallet location of boxed chubs minimally affected oxidative stability. Significant correlations (P<0.05) suggested a positive relationship between lipid and myoglobin oxidation.     

INFLUENCE OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUND(S) EXTRACTED FROM MILK FERMENTED BY STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS ON KEEPING QUALITY OF MEAT AND MILK

The potential of a methanol-acetone (M-A) extract prepared from milk fermented by Streptococcus thermophilus in extending the shelf-life of meat and milk was investigated. In experiment I, increasing amounts (0, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 ml) of M-A extract with or without ascorbic acid were added to 20 g aliquots of ground beef subsequently stored at 5–7° C for 0, 3 and 6 days. Total and gramnegative bacterial counts and pH in ground beef treated with M-A extract were significantly (P<0.01) less than the corresponding values in control beef on days 3 and 6 for all dose levels tested with significant (P<0.01). In experiment II, rib-eye steaks were sprayed with H₂O or 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 ml of M-A extract and stored at 5–7° C for 0, 3 and 6 days. The total and gram-negative bacterial counts on the surface of steaks sprayed with M-A extract were significantly (P<0.01) lower than the counts in control steaks. Also, in experiment III, inhibition of bacterial growth by M-A extract was significant (P<0.01 or 0.05) both in milk stored at either room temperature or 5–7° C. M-A extract inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens inoculated into milk.     

Changes in appearance and natural microflora on iceberg lettuce treated in warm,chlorinated water and then stored at refrigeration temperature

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of warm, chlorinated water on the survival and subsequent growth of naturally occurring microorganisms and visual quality of fresh-cut iceberg lettuce. After dipping cut lettuce leaves in water containing 20 mg l⁻¹free chlorine for 90 s at 50°C, samples were stored at 5 or 15°C for up to 18 or 7 days, respectively. Populations of aerobic mesophiles, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria, and yeasts and molds were determined. The visual appearance and development of brown discoloration were monitored. Treatment of lettuce in warm (50°C) chlorinated water delayed browning of lettuce. Shelf life of lettuce stored at 5°C, as determined by subjective evaluation of color and general appearance, was about 5 days longer than that of lettuce stored at 15°C. Treatment in warm (50°) water, with or without 20 mg l⁻¹chlorine, and in chlorinated water at 20°C significantly (α= 0·05) reduced the initial population of mesophilic aerobic microflora by 1·73–1·96 log₁₀cfu g⁻¹. Populations increased, regardless of treatment, as storage time at 5°C and 15°C increased. The same trends were observed in populations of psychrotrophs and Enterobacteriaceae. Yeast populations increased slightly in lettuce stored at 5°C but were consistently about 3 logs lower than mesophilic aerobes. Populations of molds and lactic acid bacteria were less than 2 log₁₀cfu g⁻¹throughout storage at 5 or 15°C. Results suggest that heat (50°C) treatment may have delayed browning and reduced initial populations of some groups of micro-organisms naturally occurring on iceberg lettuce, but enhanced microbial growth during subsequent storage.