Combined effect of modified atmosphere bulk packaging, dietary vitamin E supplementation and microbiological contamination on colour stability of Musculus gluteus medius

Five Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitamin E per day and five fed control diets. Rump steaks from each carcass were PVC-overwrapped and bulk packaged in 100% CO, or 20% CO₂:80% O₂. Bulk packs were stored up to 42 days at 4°C and steaks displayed up to 7 days at 4°C. Bacterial counts of rump steaks from either packaging treatment were not significantly influenced during bulk storage or retail display by supplementation with dietary vitamin E. Both packaging treatments delayed bacterial growth during bulk storage. Aerobic plate counts of rump steaks stored in 100% CO₂ were lower than those of rump steaks stored in 20% CO₂: 80%: O₂. This study showed that rump steaks supplemented with dietary vitamin E can be bulk packaged in 20% CO₂: 80% O₂ or 100% CO₂ and stored for up to 42 days with shelf life of 4–7 days.     

Colour changes and consumer acceptability of bulk packaged pork retail cuts stored under O(2), CO(2) and N(2)

A centralised bulk packaging technique, utilising various gas mixtures, c. 100% CO₂ + oxygen scavenger, c. 80% O₂:20% CO₂ and c. 25% CO₂:50% N₂:25% O₂, was evaluated in terms of consumer acceptability and colour. The inclusion of an oxygen scavenger ensured that pork retail chops bulk packaged in a 100% CO₂ were as acceptable after 0, and 14 days bulk storage and subsequent retail display than chops stored in oxygen-enriched atmospheres. The study also indicated that a saturation level of 10 and higher indicated that the appearance of the pork chop was acceptable to the consumer panel. From the results of this study it is apparent that consumers find pork retail packs, bulk packaged in oxygen depleted atmospheres, as acceptable as pork chops stored in oxygen enriched atmospheres.     

Centralized bulk pre-packaging of pork retail cuts

The performance of a commercial bulk pre-packaging system was compared to a laboratory system in terms of quality attributes such as microbiology, colour, odour, and acceptability of PVC-overwrapped pork retail cuts. A similar retail shelf life of 3 days was achieved after either 0, 7, or 14 days bulk storage with both packaging systems. The colour of the samples from both systems was pale to normal during the trial. After 14 days storage the samples from both systems were still acceptable and had a fresh meat odour. The results show that the commercial system (Cryovac GFII, Darex Africa (Pty) Ltd, Kemptonpark RSA) may be applied successfully for 100% CO₂ bulk packaging of PVC-overwrapped pork retail cuts.     

Centralised bulk pre-packaging of fresh pork retail cuts in various gas atmospheres

A centralised bulk pre-packaging technique (laboratory method), utilising various gas mixtures (c. 100% CO₂; c. 75% CO₂:25% N₂; c. 80% O₂: 20% CO₂ and c. 25% CO₂:50% N₂:25% O₂), was evaluated in terms of quality attributes such as microbiology, colour, odour and consumer acceptability. According to the bacterial counts recorded, all four packaging treatments were successful in prolonging the storage life (21 days c. 0°C) of centralised bulk pre-packaged pork retail cuts, while still ensuring a subsequent shelf life of at least 3 days (c. 0°C). The gas mixture comprising c. 25% CO₂:50% N₂:25% O₂ was the most successful treatment in terms of acceptability and colour scores.     

Effect of carbon monoxide in modified atmosphere packaging, storage time and endpoint cooking temperature on the internal color of enhanced pork

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of gas atmosphere, refrigerated storage time, and endpoint temperature on internal cooked color of injection-enhanced pork chops. Enhanced chops were packaged in 0.36% CO/20.34% CO₂ (CO-MAP), 80% O₂/20% CO₂ (HO-MAP), or PVC-overwrapped (PVC-OW; controls), stored at 4 °C for 0, 12, 19 or 26 days, displayed for 2 days then cooked to six endpoint temperatures (54, 60, 63, 71, 77, and 82 °C). L^*, a^*, and b^* values, hue angle and chroma were determined on the internal cut surface of cooked chops. Chops packaged in CO-MAP had the highest a^* values; a^* value began increasing on day 14. The lowest hue angles occurred in chops cooked to lower endpoint temperatures. Chops in CO-MAP had lower hue angles and higher chroma than those in HO-MAP and PVC-OW. Above 71 °C, hue angle and chroma increased. Overall, CO-MAP packaged chops stored for longer time periods then cooked to lower endpoint temperatures appeared reddest. HO-MAP packaged chops were less red, did not change over time, and appeared more well done at lower endpoint temperatures than those in other gas atmospheres. CO-MAP packaged chops retained redness even after cooking at 82 °C.     

Effect of modified atmospheres on microbiological, color and sensory properties of refrigerated pork

Pork loin samples were stored (4 °C) in nylon polyethylene plastic bags using different modified atmospheres packaging (MAP): vacuum, 100% CO₂ 99% CO₂ + 1% CO, 100% O₂ or 100% CO followed by vacuum. Throughout the storage period Pseudomonas growth was limited in loins packaged in all MAPs evaluated, except for 100% O₂. Psychrotrophs reached 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ after 20 days of storage except for the loin samples in 100% O₂ MAP that present count above 10⁸ CFU g⁻¹. The 1% CO/99% CO₂ atmosphere was best for preserving the desirable pork loin color and the L* and a* values remained similar to the fresh meat values using this MAP. Pork loins in 99% CO₂/1% CO MAP obtained the highest consumer acceptance scores after 24 h of storage. These samples and those treated with CO and then vacuum packaged received the greatest acceptance scores even after 20 days of storage.     

Effect of carbon monoxide and high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging and phosphate enhanced, case-ready pork chops

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of CO-MAP compared to traditional high oxygen MAP (HiOx-MAP) packaging and enhanced with different phosphate on enhanced pork quality. Pork loins were enhanced to 10.5% over initial weight to contain 0.3% salt and 0.4% phosphate (either sodium tripolyphosphate [STP] or a blend of STP and sodium hexametaphosphate) on a finished weight basis. Chops were cut, packaged in atmospheres containing 0.4% CO/30.0% CO₂/69.6% N₂ (CO-MAP) or 80% O₂/20% CO₂ (HiOx-MAP), aged in the dark, then placed in a lighted retail display case for 48 h. Chops packaged in CO-MAP were redder (higher Minolta a^* values) and darker (lower Minolta b^* values) than chops packaged in HiOx-MAP. Based on sensory scores, the CO-MAP chops were pinker than the HiOx chops after cooking. CO-MAP chops also experienced less purge loss than chops in HiOx-MAP. Results indicate that CO-MAP had no effect on flavor or consumer acceptability and only minimal effects on other characteristics.     

Retail Shelf-Life of Pork Dipped in Organic Acid before Modified Atmosphere or Vacuum Packaging

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is increasingly popular for meat, but raw, chilled pork in vacuum or anoxic environments has a purple color. The retail shelf‐life of pork chops dipped in 500 ppm ascorbic acid, 250 ppm citric acid, or no acid dip and stored at 1 °C before simulated retail display in MAP with gas exchange or air‐permeable packaging after vacuum pouch storage was determined. The 80% N₂:20% CO₂ in MAP was exchanged with 80% O₂:20% CO₂, and chops were removed from vacuum packages and overwrapped with permeable film (VP‐PVC) on the 7th day before simulated retail display at 4 °C. Shelf‐life traits were determined at 1, 7, 8, 10, 12, and 14 d postpackaging. The pH values changed with time, but returned to post‐dipped, prepackaged levels at the end of simulated retail storage. Weight loss of chops increased (P < 0.05) in VP‐PVC compared with MAP. The a* values increased (P < 0.05) and L* and b* values decreased during simulated retail display, with higher L*, a*, and b* color values for chops in MAP than VP‐PVC. Log numbers of psychrotrophic microorganisms were higher (P < 0.05) on VP‐PVC samples than for chops in MAP on days 12 and 14. Psychrotrophic counts on ascorbic acid‐treated samples were decreased compared with citric acid or no dipping on pork during simulated retail display. Pork chops in MAP with gas exchange had lighter and redder color, increased weight retention, decreased psychrotrophic counts, and increased lipid oxidation compared with conventional vacuum and overwrap packaging systems.     

Influence of packaging method and length of chilled storage on microflora, tenderness and colour stability of venison loins

Sections of venison loins (LD) weighing approximately 300 g from 12 red deer (Cervus elaphus) were packaged using four packaging methods: (a) vacuum packaging, (b) CO₂ flushed using a nylon containment film (CO₂-Nylon), (c) CO₂ flushed using an ultra-high barrier containment film (CO₂-UHB), and (d) CO₂ flushed using an aluminium foil laminate containment film (CO₂-Foil) and stored for 1, 6, 12 and 18 weeks at 0°C. Meat pH values were lower in all CO₂ flushed meat packages (P<0·05) than in vacuum packaged meat. Lactic acid bacteria and total anaerobic counts increased over storage time in all packages regardless of treatment up to values of log₁₀ 7·8 and 7·6 g⁻¹, respectively. Tenderness tended to increase as meat was stored for up to 18 weeks. Colour scores taken during simulated retail display indicated that colour deteriorated more rapidly when meat was stored for 12 and 18 weeks than for 1 and 6 weeks. Vacuum packaging and gas flushing (CO₂-Foil) resulted in higher initial colour scores than venison packaged in the CO₂-Nylon or CO₂-UHB materials. Venison stored for 18 weeks also exhibited a higher proportion of packages containing off odours, lower flavour desirability and flavour intensity scores as well as higher off flavour scores than meat stored for shorter times. The implications of these effects are discussed. Although there were few significant differences in microbial growth and sensory characteristics due to packaging method or containment film, vacuum packaging appeared to be the most economic and produced meat of better colour stability.     

VACUUM PACKAGING OF LAMB. 1. Microbial Considerations

SUMMARY –Paired loins from 148 lamb carcasses were utilized to determine the subsequent case-life of chops from loins that had been stored in vacuum packages. Bacterial samples which were obtained from the surface of the longissimus muscle were used to evaluate the retail case-life of loin chops. Longer periods of storage in vacuum packages were associated with higher initial psychrotrophic counts for subsequent loin chops. Comparisons between vacuum packaged loins that were stored at 0°C vs. 7°C indicated that storage temperatures of 7°C were more favorable for psychrotrophic bacteria growth and thus resulted in decreased subsequent case-life for chops from these loins. 8 days appears to be a reasonable maximum period for the storage of loins in vacuum packages. Fresh chops that were fabricated 8 days postmortem and displayed immediately exhibited an advantage of 1½1/4 days of increased case-life in comparison to those chops from loins which were vacuum packaged 8 days postmortem, stored under vacuum for 8 days, fabricated and subsequently displayed. The average case-life of fresh chops was 3½1/2 days when stored in a retail case at 0°C. The results of the present study indicate that vacuum packaging of lamb loins may be feasible; however, unless low storage temperatures are maintained and the storage interval is short, the retail case-life of chops will be reduced.     

Relationships between ultimate pH and microbial, chemical, and physical characteristics of vacuum-packaged pork loins

ABSTRACT:  This study evaluated the effect of ultimate pH (pHu) of pork on shelf life based upon microbial growth, drip loss, and oxidative rancidity (2-thiobarbituric acid [TBA] procedure) in vacuum-packaged loins stored at 4 °C. Glucose and lactate concentrations of the pork loins were also measured. Thirty-six pork loins (pH = 5.56 to 6.57) were collected at a commercial slaughter facility 1-d postslaughter. All pigs were from the same genetic line. Loins were grouped by pH (group: pH range): A: 5.55 to 5.70, B: 5.71 to 5.85, C: 5.86 to 6.00, D: 6.01 to 6.15, and E: > 6.16. They were analyzed at days 0, 6, 14, 24, and 34. For aerobic plate counts, groups A and B were significantly lower than C through E, while psychrotrophic or Enterobacteriaceae counts of groups A and A through C were significantly lower than groups B through E and D and E, respectively. Lactic acid bacteria counts were not significantly influenced by pHu. Group A had higher glucose concentrations than groups C through E and higher lactate concentrations than groups D through E on most sampling days. Group A had a higher TBA value than group E at days 0 and 34. Group A displayed greater drip loss than groups D and E at day 6 and groups B through D on days 24 and 34. Based on the microbial and drip loss results, a pork loin pHu of 5.8 to 5.9 appears to be optimum to provide a vacuum-packaged shelf life of at least 24 d with minimum drip loss.     

Microbiological effects of acid decontamination of pork carcasses at various locations in processing

The microbiological effect of hot (55° C), 1% (v/v) lactic acid sprayed on the surface of pork carcasses (n = 36) immediately after dehairing, after evisceration (immediately before chilling) or at both locations in slaughter/ processing was determined. Mean aerobic plate counts (APCs) of all acid-treated carcass surfaces were numerically lower than those of control carcasses: however, in most cases these reductions were not statistically significant (P>0·05). All samples tested for the presence of Salmonella and Listeria were negative. No significant differences in sensory characteristics or microbiological counts were evident for acid-treated and control carcass loins that were vacuum packaged and stored 0–14 days post-fabrication. Mean pH value and scores of sensory attributes such as lean color, surface discoloration, fat color, overall appearance and off-odor of chops from acid-treated carcasses were not significantly and/or consistently different from chops of comparable control carcasses. The role of bacterial attachment to pork skin and its effect on the decontaminating efficiency of lactic acid are discussed.     

Effects of distribution packaging method and storage time on the physical properties and retail display characteristics of pork

The sensory characteristics of pork chops from bone-in loins and Boston butts (n = 65 each) were affected little by primal loin and the butt packaging method (paper wrap, vacuum pack and gas flush) and storage time (7, 10 and 14 days) under industry conditions. However, loin chops fabricated from vacuum-packaged loins after 14 days of storage had less (P < 0·05) discoloration and two-toning than chops fabricated from other loins. All loin chops were placed in retail display and overwrapped with a polyvinyl chloride film after fabrication at each storage time. Vacuum-packed butts stored for 10 and 14 days produced chops with less discoloration and two-toning, and higher overall appearance scores (P < 0·05) compared to chops from paper-wrapped or gas-flushed cuts. Vacuum-packaging resulted in higher quality retail cuts than paper-wrapped or gas-flushed packaging. Thus, it is recommended that the pork industry and retail distribution system utilize vacuum-packaging as the primary method to store and ship fresh pork before retail sale.     

Effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin E on characteristics of lamb meat packed under modified atmosphere

The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on modified-atmosphere packed lamb meat during storage was studied. Thirty-six weaned male Manchego breed lambs were fed diets supplemented with three different vitamin E concentrations (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg feed) for an average of 37 days, in the 13–26 kg live weight growth range. Slices of m. longissimus dorsi were packaged under modified atmosphere (70% O₂ and 30% CO₂), stored at 2 ± 1 °C in darkness for 14 and 28 days. Meat quality parameters after both storage periods were assessed. Dietary vitamin E supplementation significantly increased -tocopherol concentration in muscle. Initially, lipid oxidation (TBARS), meat colour and bacterial load were similar in all groups. Lipid and colour oxidation of meat increased significantly (P < 0.001) throughout storage. The increase was greater in non-supplemented lambs than in supplemented ones. The bacterial counts after 28 days of storage reached the limit for microbiological shelf life (7 log₁₀cfu/cm²). Dietary vitamin E supplementation increased the shelf life of meat packaged under modified atmosphere to 14 days. TBARS, pigment oxidation and bacterial load were inside the acceptable limit. The meat maintained its quality for 28 days of storage only when lambs were fed with the 1000 mg/kg dietary supplement, though the bacterial load was at the limit of acceptability.     

Sodium Lactate/Sodium Tripolyphosphate Combination Effects on Aerobic Plate Counts, pH and Color of Fresh Pork Longissimus Muscle

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sodium lactate/sodium tripolyphosphate pump combinations on the characteristics of pork loins. The product was manufactured to simulate fresh pumped pork loins currently available in the retail market. Paired fresh pork loins (longissimus muscle), pumped to contain 0, 1 or 2% sodium lactate (SL) and/or 0, 0·2 or 0·4% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) were vacuum packaged and stored at 4°C for 28 days. In pork containing 0·4% STP, samples with 1 or 2% SL had lower pH values than those with 0% SL. Pork containing 1 or 2% SL generally had lower aerobic plate counts than those with 0% SL. Pork with 0·4% STP was darker (lower L* value) and redder (higher a* value) than that with 0 or 0·2% STP. When aerobic plate counts and color characteristics are used as the criteria, the optimum SL/STP combination for solutions used to pump fresh pork loins that are vacuum packaged and held under refrigeration was 1% SL with 0·2% STP.     

Beef shelf life in low O(2) and high CO(2) atmospheres containing different low CO concentrations

The use of atmospheres with low concentrations of CO (0.1 to 1%), in combination with O₂ (24%), high CO₂ (50%) and N₂ (25 to 25.9%), for preserving chilled beef steaks was investigated. The atmosphere used as reference contained 70% O₂+20% CO₂+10% N₂. Bacterial counts showed that all atmospheres containing CO greatly reduced total aerobic population numbers, including Brochothrix thermosphacta. Lactic acid bacteria, however, were not affected. CO concentrations of 0.5–0.75% were able to extend shelf life by 5–10 days at 1±1°C, as demonstrated by delayed metmyoglobin formation (less than 40% of total myoglobin after 29 days of storage), stabilisation of red colour (no change of CIE a* and hue angle after 23 days), maintenance of fresh meat odour (no variation of sensory score after 24 days) and significant (P<0.01) slowing of oxidative reactions (TBARS).     

PHYSICAL AND MICROBIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK LOINS IN MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGES

Bone-in pork loins (n = 45) were selected from a commercial facility, subjected to one of three gas flush packaging treatments: NC: 75% N₂, 25% CO₂; ONC₁: 45% 0₂, 35% N₂, 20% CO₂; ONC₂: 66% O₂, 9% N₂, 25% CO₂, and stored for 7, 14 or 21 days at 0±2C. After storage, treatment and storage effects on visual evaluations, storage characteristics, microbial analysis and retail display characteristics were determined. The ONC¹ and ONC²treated loins had less discoloration after 21 days than NC treated loins, and NC treated chops had the least desirable retail display characteristics (P < 0.05). Fewer (P < 0.05) lactic acid producing bacteria (day 21) were found on NC treated loins, resulting in chops with a shorter retail shelf-life. These results indicate that higher oxygen levels (45 and 66%) are necessary for the modified atmosphere storage of fresh pork loins for 21 days.     

The display life of retail-packaged beef steaks after their storage in master packs under various atmospheres

Beef strip loins were divided into four portions. One portion of each loin was vacuum-packaged and then stored at −1·5°C. The other portions were each divided into three steaks, which were retail-packaged. The retail packs were master-packaged under atmospheres of N₂, CO₂, or O₂ + CO₂ (2 : 1, v/v) and then stored at 2°C. Product was assessed after storage times of up to 60 days. At each assessment, a vacuum pack and a master pack of each type, each containing product from the same loin, were withdrawn from storage. The vacuum-packaged product was cut into three steaks, which were retail-packaged. The newly prepared retail packs and those from the master packs were displayed in a retail cabinet, at air temperatures that averaged between 3 and 5·7°C, and were assessed twice daily until the product was judged to be unacceptable. When first assessed, steaks cut from vacuum-packaged product were generally considered desirable, with little metmyoglobin in the surface pigment, although the edges of same steaks were discoloured. Steaks stored under N₂ or CO₂ for 4 days or less were only slightly desirable at best, with metmyoglobin forming relatively large fractions of the surface pigment. However, after storage under N₂ or CO₂ for 6 days or more, metmyoglobin fractions were low, and the steaks bloomed to a desirable red colour. Steaks stored under O₂ + CO₂ had lower metmyoglobin fractions, and were desirable after storage for up to 8 days. However, the fractions of metmyoglobin increased, and steaks were judged to be less desirable after longer storage times. Steaks stored under O₂ + CO₂ for 20 days were unacceptable. After storage, the numbers of bacteria on steaks from vacuum packs and N₂, CO₂, and O₂ + CO₂ atmospheres were, respectively, <10⁴, <10⁶, <10⁵, and <10⁴ CFU/cm². The flora from steaks stored under CO₂ were composed wholly of lactic acid bacteria. Other flora were dominated by lactic acid bacteria, but contained fractions of enterobacteria and/or Brochothrix thermosphacta.

The appearance of product from vacuum packs generally was unacceptable after 72 h of display. The display life of steaks stored under N₂ or CO₂ was shorter than that of the product from vacuum packs when product was stored for 2 days or less, or 46 days or more. After other storage times, the product from vacuum packs or master packs with N₂ or CO₂ atmospheres had a similar display life. The display life of product stored under O₂ + CO₂ was similar to that of product from vacuum packs or CO₂ or O₂ + CO₂ was similar to that of product from vacuum packs after storage times of 8 days or less but was shorter after storage times of 12 or 16 days. The flora on displayed product from vacuum packs or CO₂ or O₂ + CO₂. atmospheres did not attain the maximum number of 10⁷ CFU/cm². and the product did not develop off-odours of microbial origin. However, numbers of 10⁷ CFU/cm² were approached or attained during display of product stored under N₂ for 28 days or longer, and some of that product developed moderate off-odours. It then appears that, under temperature regimes that are common in commercial practice, retail-packaged strip-loin steaks with a display life of 2 days or longer can be obtained from master packs after storage periods of up to about 2, 4, or 7 weeks, respectively, with master-pack atmospheres of O₂ + COPin2 (2 : 1, v/v), N₂, or CO₂.     

The effect of vacuum packaging and gaseous atmosphere on microbial growth in tripe

Changes in bacterial flora of tripe samples, stored at 4°C in air, vacuum packaged or in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere were studied. Aerobic plate counts showed a rapid increase in samples stored in air reaching a level of 1·6 × 10⁹/g from an initial level of 9·0 × 10³/g. The aerobic bacterial population inhibited in both vacuum packed and CO₂-enriched atmosphere storage. The shelf lives of samples stored in air, under vacuum packaging or in gas mixtures, were 4, 8 and 9 days, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae and anaerobic counts tended to be higher under vacuum storage than in a CO₂-enriched atmosphere. The numbers of lactic acid-producing bacteria were generally found to be lower under vacuum storage than in gas mixtures.     

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.