Effects of some commercial additives on the quality of sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage)

The effects of some commercial additives on the quality of sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage) were investigated during the ripening and storage periods. Microbial, chemical and sensory changes were followed for 15 days of ripening and 36 days of storage. Aerobic plate count (APC) increased (P < 0.05) from 5.19 to 6.09 log CFU/g during the first 10 days of ripening and afterwards decreased (P < 0.05) to 3.69 log CFU/g. APC and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) changed significantly (P < 0.05) with time and additives. LAB increased (P < 0.05) from 4.62 log CFU/g to about 5.47 log CFU/g during the first 10 days of the ripening period and decreased to 1.79 log CFU/g at the end of storage. Control sucuk without additives had the highest level of mould and yeast counts (5.09 log CFU/g). TBARS values increased gradually (P < 0.05) from 0.61 to 1.73 mg/kg and tyramine concentrations varied from 56.8 to 419 mg/kg. Control sucuk was found to have the lowest overall sensory quality (P < 0.05), and nitrate/nitrite concentration increased (P < 0.05) the overall sensory quality of the sausages. Pearson’s correlation test indicated that there was a link (P < 0.01) between the overall sensory quality and pH, TBARS values, mould and yeast counts, and putrescine concentration.     

Effects of starter cultures and additives on the quality of Turkish style sausage (sucuk)

The effects of starter cultures and additives on the quality of Turkish style sausage (sucuk) were investigated during ripening and storage. Total aerobic plate counts (aerobic bacteria), mould and yeast counts, pH, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value and biogenic amine formation were followed. Aerobic bacteria increased (P<0.05) during the first 10 days of ripening to 9.26 log CFU/g and they decreased (P<0.05) to 5.70 at the end of the storage. Larger reductions (P<0.05) were observed in sausages made with high levels of potassium sorbate, nitrite and nitrate than in those containing low levels of additives and those without additives at the end of storage. During the first 3 days of ripening, the pH values of all sausages decreased (P<0.05) from 5.98 to about 4.53. Later, the pH values increased slowly, due to decomposition of acids to an approximately constant value of about 5.20. TBA values were higher (P<0.05) in the sausages made without additives than in the others. Sausages prepared using high concentration of additives had lower (P<0.05) concentrations of biogenic amines than the others. Addition of starter culture with high concentration of additives (nitrite, nitrate, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate, potassium pyrophosphate and di-potassium hydrogenphosphate) decreased the formation of biogenic amine.     

The substitution of a traditional starter culture in mutton fermented sausages by Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis

Common starter cultures used in fermented mutton sausages were substituted by probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus CCDM 476 and Bifidobacterium animalis 241a. Technological properties of the traditional and the probiotic sausages were compared. The potential probiotic effect was evaluated by enumeration of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in stool samples of 15 volunteers before and after a 14-day consumption period. The numbers of lactobacilli (10⁷ cfu/g) and bifidobacteria (10³ cfu/g) in the final product did not affect the technological properties. The use of L. acidophilus as a starter culture was found more beneficial than the use of B. animalis. Even after 60 days of storage, high counts of L. acidophilus (10⁶ cfu/g) were detected; on the other hand, the counts of B. animalis were under the detection limit. Regarding sensory properties, the probiotic products showed better texture, and, curiously, a reduction of the typical smell of mutton. The numbers of lactobacilli in stool samples increased significantly after the consumption of the probiotic sausages.     

Microbial and chemical origins of the bactericidal activity of thermally treated yellow mustard powder toward Escherichia coli O157:H7 during dry sausage ripening

Work examines the origin of bactericidal activity in mustard flour and explores the relative contribution from starter cultures, E. coli O157:H7 itself and other sources. Bacteria can degrade naturally occurring glucosinolates in mustard and form isothiocyanates with antimicrobial activity. In the present work, 24 starter cultures (mostly from commercial mixtures) were screened for their capacity to decompose the glucosinolate, sinalbin. The most active pair, Pediococcus pentosaceus UM 121P and Staphylococcus carnosus UM 123M, were used together for the production of dry fermented sausage contaminated with E. coli O157:H7 (~ 6.5 log CFU/g). They were compared to industrial starters used previously (P. pentosaceus UM 116P and S. carnosus UM 109M) for their reduction of E. coli O157:H7 viability. Sausage batches containing hot mustard powder (active myrosinase), cold mustard powder (inactivated myrosinase), autoclaved mustard powder (inactivated myrosinase) and no mustard flour (control) were prepared. Interestingly, both pairs of starter cultures yielded similar results. Elimination of E. coli O157:H7 (> 5 log CFU/g) occurred after 31 days in the presence of hot flour and in 38 days when the cold flour was added. Reductions > 5 log CFU/g of the pathogen did not occur (up to 38 days) in the control group. It was found that E. coli O157:H7 itself had a greater effect on sinalbin conversion than either pair of starter cultures, and glucosinolate degradation by the starter cultures was less important in determining E. coli survival. The autoclaved powder caused more rapid bactericidal action against E. coli O157:H7, yielding a > 5 log CFU/g reduction in 18 days. This may have been a result of the formation and/or release of antimicrobial substances by the autoclave treatment. Autoclaved mustard powder could potentially solve an important challenge facing the meat industry as it strives to manufacture safe dry fermented sausages.     

Effects of starter cultures and nitrite levels on formation of biogenic amines in sucuk

The effects of starter cultures, starter A (Lactobacillus sakei+Staphylococcus carnosus) and starter B (Pediococcus acidilactici+Staphylococcus xylosus+Lactobacillus curvatus), nitrite levels (0, 75, and 150ppm) and ripening period on biogenic amine production were investigated in sucuk (Turkish dry-fermented sausage) production. Changes in biogenic amines, pH, water activity, moisture, non-protein nitrogen, nitrite and counts of lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae, and moulds-yeasts were determined. Ripening period had a very significant effect (P<0.01) on the all biogenic amines. Sausages produced by fermentation with starter cultures, as compared to natural fermentation (control), had lower amounts of putrescine, cadaverine and tyramine (P<0.05). Starter cultures A and B were found to have almost the same effect on the formation of biogenic amines. Use of nitrite in sucuk production affected the formation of biogenic amines except for spermidine and spermine (P<0.01). Lactic acid bacteria counts in the control group were lower than that of starter culture groups. Lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus, and moulds-yeasts counts increased during ripening period while levels of species of Enterobacteriaceae decreased, which was also found to be under the detectable level (<100cfug(-1)), by day 3 of ripening.     

Effect of autochthonous starter cultures in the production of “salchichón”, a traditional Iberian dry-fermented sausage, with different ripening processes

The aim of the study was to determine how two different ripening processes affected the development of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) plus Staphylococcus autochthonous starter cultures, and the physico-chemical and sensory characteristics of the Iberian dry-fermented sausages (Salchichón). Each of two strains of Pediococcus acidilactici (MS198 and MS200) and one of Staphylococcus vitulus (RS34) were associated to prepare two starter cultures: P198S34 and P200S34. Then salchichón was prepared following two different manufacturing procedures. Both starter cultures were able to compete well and colonize the sausages, although P200S34 was better adapted to process 1 ripening conditions. There were evident differences shown by the texture analysis, with the control batches being tougher. Also, the highest biogenic amine levels were found in control batches. While the use of these starter cultures does not produce a negative effect on the sensory characteristics of these traditional fermented sausages, it can improve their homogeneity and healthiness but an appropriate combination of strains should be chosen for each process.     

Survival of Listeria innocua in dry fermented sausages and changes in the typical microbiota and volatile profile as affected by the concentration of nitrate and nitrite

The involvement of nitrate and nitrite in the formation of N-nitrosamines in foods is a matter of great concern. This situation has led to revise the real amount of nitrate and nitrite needed in meat products to exert proper technological and safety activities, and also to extensive research to find alternatives to their use. The present study addresses the possibility of reducing the ingoing amounts of these additives below the legal limits established by the current European regulations. Different concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were tested on Spanish salchichón-type dry fermented sausages concerning their role in the microbiota and volatile profile. Sausages were manufactured with the maximum ingoing amounts established by the EU regulations (150 ppm NaNO₃ and 150 ppm NaNO₂), a 25% reduction and a 50% reduction; control sausages with no nitrate/nitrite addition were also prepared. The mixtures were inoculated with 5 log cfu/g of Listeria innocua as a surrogate for Listeria monocytogenes. L. innocua numbers in the final product were approximately 1.5 log cfu/g lower in the batch with the maximum nitrate/nitrite concentration when compared to 25 and 50% reduced batches, and about 2 log cfu/g in comparison to the control sausages. The final numbers of catalase-positive cocci were 1 log cfu/g higher in the 50% nitrate/nitrite reduced batch and 2 log cfu/g higher in the control sausages, compared to products manufactured with the maximum nitrate/nitrite concentration. This increase was related to a higher amount of volatile compounds derived from carbohydrate fermentation and amino acid degradation. Sausages with no addition of nitrate/nitrite showed higher amount of volatiles from lipid oxidation. Enterobacteriaceae counts reached detectable values (1-2 log cfu/g) in both nitrate/nitrite reduced sausages and in the control batch, while these organisms were not detected in the batch with the maximum ingoing amount. Nitrate and nitrite exerted a significant effect on the typical microbiota of dry fermented sausages and effectively contributed to control Listeria. These considerations should be taken into account in view of a future restriction in the use of these curing additives.     

Biogenic amine content in dry fermented sausages as influenced by a producer,spice mix,starter culture,sausage diameter and time of ripening

Sixteen types of dry fermented sausages were commercially produced as combinations of two producers (designated K and R), two starter cultures (Pediococcus pentosaceus, C; Lactobacillus curvatus + Staphylococcus carnosus, F), two spicing mixtures (H; P) and two casing diameters (4.5 cm, T; 7 cm, W), and were sampled at days zero, 14, 28 (end of ripening), 49, 70, 91 and 112 (samples were stored at 15 °C and relative humidity of 70% between days 28 and 112). Tyramine and putrescine content (Y, mg kg⁻¹) increased (P < 0.01) with increasing time of ripening/storage (X, days): Y = 52.0 + 5.19X − 0.0275X² (R² = 0.60) and Y = 37.0 + 3.45X − 0.0192X² (R² = 0.23), respectively. Smaller diameter (T), spice mix containing red pepper (P) and starter culture C decreased (P < 0.05) both tyramine and putrescine content in the sausages as compared to the W, H and F counterparts, respectively; content of both amines was lower (P < 0.05) in the K-sausages than in the R-sausages. Tyramine content in the sausages at the time interval 28 days of ripening + 21 days of storage was in the range from 170 (KHCU sausage combination) to 382 (RHFS) mg kg⁻¹.     

Viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 added solely or in co-culture with a yoghurt starter culture and implications on physico-chemical and related properties of Minas fresh cheese during storage

The effect of a probiotic culture of Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5), added solely or in co-culture with a starter culture of Streptococcus thermophilus, on texture, proteolysis and related properties of Minas fresh cheese during storage at 5 °C was investigated. Three cheese-making trials were prepared and produced with no addition of cultures (T1 - control), supplemented with La-5 (T2), and with La-5 + S. thermophilus (T3). Viable counts of La-5 remained above 6.00 log cfu g⁻¹ during the whole storage for T2, reaching 7.00 log cfu g⁻¹ on the 14th day. For T3, the counts of La-5 remained above 6.00 log cfu g⁻¹ after 7 days of storage. Due to the presence of S. thermophilus, T3 presented the highest proteolytic index increase and titratable acidity values. Nevertheless, these results and S. thermophilus addition had no influence on viability of La-5 which presented satisfactory populations for a probiotic food. Moreover, the use of a yoghurt culture for the production of Minas fresh cheese T3 supplemented with La-5 resulted in a good quality product, with a small rate of post-acidification, indicating that traditional yoghurt culture could be employed in co-culture with La-5 to improve the quality of this cheese.     

The effect of different fermentation intervals on the quality characteristics of heat-treated and traditional sucuks

Fermentation time has an influence on the quality characteristics of fermented meat products. The effect of heat treatment on physicochemical, sensory and microbiological properties of sucuk was determined during fermentation and after heat application, and the properties of heat-treated sucuk samples were compared with those of traditional sucuk. Optimum fermentation period was determined for sucuk samples with desirable characteristics. Heat-treated sucuks were fermented at different fermentation intervals (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 days). Nine days of fermentation was included for traditional sucuks. All process parameters were applied under industrial conditions. Heat treatment increased the pH values, dry matter contents (protein, fat and salt), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances of sucuks while decreasing the moisture content, free fatty acidity, and all bacterial counts (total viable and lactic acid bacteria, Staphylococcus/Micrococcus and Enterobacteriaceae) (P < 0.05). Significant differences in the instrumental color properties of heat-treated and traditional sucuk were found (P < 0.05). In terms of physicochemical, sensory and microbial properties, fermentation for three or more days before heat treatment resulted in sucuk samples with better acceptability, and produced sucuk samples with quality characteristics similar to those of traditional sucuks.     

Use of mild irradiation doses to control pathogenic bacteria on meat trimmings for production of patties aiming at provoking minimal changes in quality attributes

The objectives of the present work were to assess the use of moderate doses of gamma irradiation (2 to 5 kGy) and to reduce the risk of pathogen presence without altering the quality attributes of bovine trimmings and of patties made of irradiated trimmings. Microbiological indicators (coliforms, Pseudomonas spp and mesophilic aerobic counts), physicochemical indicators (pH, color and tiobarbituric acid) and sensory changes were evaluated during storage. 5 kGy irradiation doses slightly increased off flavors in patties. Two pathogenic markers (Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were inoculated at high or low loads to trimming samples which were subsequently irradiated and lethality curves were obtained. Provided that using irradiation doses ≤ 2.5 kGy are used, reductions of 2 log CFU/g of L. monocytogenes and 5 log CFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 are expected. It seems reasonable to suppose that irradiation can be successfully employed to improve the safety of frozen trimmings when initial pathogenic bacteria burdens are not extremely high.     

Tyrosine- and histidine-decarboxylase positive lactic acid bacteria and enterococci in dry fermented sausages

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and enterococci were isolated immediately after stuffing (day 0), at the end of ripening (28th day) and at the end of storage (112th day) from dry fermented sausages produced by two different producers (K; R) in two diameters (4.5 and 7 cm) using either of two spice mixtures (P; H) and either of two starter cultures (Pediococcus pentosaceus, C; Lactobacillus curvatus + Staphylococcus carnosus, F), resulting in a total of 16 different combinations. Tyrosine-decarboxylase DNA sequence (tyrdc) was identified on average in 88% and 44% of enterococci and LAB isolates, respectively at the end of ripening, the corresponding figures regarding histidine-decarboxylase gene sequence (hisdc) was 71% and 16%, respectively. Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis and L. casei/paracasei, and Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis were identified as tyramine/histamine producers in the sausages.     

复合发酵剂和天然香辛料对羊肉发酵香肠品质特性的影响

通过接种复合发酵剂和添加天然香辛料,采用相同的工艺条件生产4组羊肉发酵香肠,1组为对照组,2组为接种发酵剂组,3组为发酵剂+黑胡椒组,4组为发酵剂+黑胡椒+孜然组。分别测定4个组羊肉发酵香肠在发酵成熟和贮藏过程中pH值、Aw值、水分含量及微生物的变化。结果表明:在发酵结束(即第1.5天)时,试验组和对照组的pH值、Aw值和水分含量均呈下降趋势,试验组的pH值迅速降到最低值(即5.0以下),与对照组差异显著(P<0.05);在干燥成熟过程中,试验组的pH值、Aw值和水分含量迅速下降,添加香辛料组的pH值迅速回升,同时乳酸菌数维持在108cfu/g以上水平,高于对照组,细菌总数却低于对照组;在贮藏过程中,试验组的pH值和水分含量基本保持不变,且均低于对照组,而Aw值始终呈下降趋势,细菌总数小于对照组。上述结果表明,接种复合发酵剂和添加天然香辛料能迅速降低pH值、Aw值和水分含量,有效抑制腐败菌和致病菌的生长,提高羊肉发酵香肠的品质和保藏性。     

Lipolysis in Urfa cheese produced from raw and pasteurized goats’ and cows’ milk with mesophilic or thermophilic cultures during ripening

Lipolysis was evaluated in Urfa cheese made from raw and pasteurized goats’ and cows’ milk with mesophilic or thermophilic cultures. The acid degree values (ADVs) of the cows’ milk cheeses were significantly (P < 0.05) higher until 60 d of storage than that of cheese made from goats’ milk. Total free fatty acid (FFA) contents of goats’ milk cheese were significantly (P < 0.001) lower than that of cows’ milk cheese throughout ripening, whereas goats’ milk cheese flavour was higher (P < 0.05) than cows’ milk cheese. Pasteurization of milk prior to cheese-making has a negative influence, not only on the level of lipolysis throughout ripening, but also on the relative amounts of short chain FFAs and sensory properties of the cheeses (P < 0.001). Cheese produced without starter bacteria underwent significantly (P < 0.05) higher lipolysis than cheeses produced with mesophilic or thermophilic starter bacteria, while cheese made with thermophilic starter culture had similar flavour to cheese made without starter culture.     

Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. on alfalfa seeds by caprylic acid and monocaprylin

Alfalfa and other seed sprouts have been implicated in several Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. human illness outbreaks in the U.S. Continuing food safety issues with alfalfa seeds necessitate the need for discovery and use of novel and effective antimicrobials. The potential use of caprylic acid (CA) and monocaprylin (MC) for reducing E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. populations on alfalfa seeds was evaluated. The effectiveness of three concentrations of CA and MC (25, 50, and 75 mM) to reduce E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. populations in 0.1% peptone water and on alfalfa seeds was evaluated. Surviving populations of E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were enumerated by direct plating on tryptic soy agar (TSA). Non-inoculated alfalfa seeds were soaked for up to 120 min to evaluate the effect of CA and MC solutions on seed germination rate. For planktonic cells, the efficacy of the treatments was: 75 MC > 50 MC > 25 MC > 75 CA > 50 CA > 25 CA. Both E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. were reduced to below the detection limit (0.6 log CFU/ml) within 10 min of exposure to 75 MC from initial populations of 7.65 ± 0.10 log CFU/ml and 7.71 ± 0.11 log CFU/ml, respectively. Maximum reductions of 1.56 ± 0.25 and 2.56 ± 0.17 log CFU/g for E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp., respectively, were achieved on inoculated alfalfa seeds (from initial populations of 4.74 ± 0.62 log CFU/g and 5.27 ± 0.20 log CFU/g, respectively) when treated with 75 MC for 90 min. Germination rates of CA or MC treated seeds ranged from 84% to 99%. The germination rates of CA or MC soaked seeds and water soaked seeds (control) were similar (P > 0.05) for soaking times of ≤ 90 min. Monocaprylin (75 mM) can be used to reduce E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella spp. on alfalfa seeds without compromising seed viability.     

Behavior of Salmonella during fermentation,drying and storage of cocoa beans

Due to cocoa being considered a possible source of Salmonella contamination in chocolate, the behavior of Salmonella during some cocoa pre-processing stages (fermentation, drying and storage) was investigated. The fermentation process was carried out on a pilot scale (2 kg beans/box) for 7 days. Every day a fermentation box was inoculated with a Salmonella pool (ca. 4 log MPN/g). The results showed that Salmonella did not affect (P > 0.05) the growth of the main microorganism groups involved in cocoa fermentation. On the other hand, the pathogen was influenced (P < 0.05) by yeast, acetic acid bacteria and pH. In spite of Salmonella showing counts ≤ 1 log MPN/g in the first days, at the end of fermentation it grew in all samples, reaching counts as high as 7.49 log MPN/g. For drying and storage, cocoa beans were inoculated during the fermentation (experiment A) or during the drying (experiment B). In these stages the decline of the water activity affected the pathogen behavior. In experiment A during the drying, Salmonella count increased in most of the samples. In experiment B either a slight growth or no growth in the samples inoculated up to 48 h was observed, whereas the other samples showed reductions from the initial count. After 30 days of storage at room temperature, the water activity decreased to 0.68, and reductions of Salmonella ranged from 0.93 to 2.52 log MPN/g. Despite the reductions observed during the storage, the pathogen was detected even after 120 days. Therefore, the results showed that Salmonella growth or survival depends on when the contamination occurs.     

Control of Listeriamonocytogenes on commercially-produced frankfurters prepared with and without potassium lactate and sodium diacetate and surface treated with lauric arginate using the Sprayed Lethality in Container (SLIC®) delivery method

Viability of Listeriamonocytogenes was monitored on frankfurters formulated with or without potassium lactate and sodium diacetate at a ratio of ca. 7:1 and treated with lauric arginate (LAE; 22 or 44 ppm) using the Sprayed Lethality in Container (SLIC®) delivery method. Without antimicrobials, pathogen numbers remained relatively constant at ca. 3.3 log CFU/package for ca. 30 d, but then increased to ca. 8.4 log CFU/package over 120 d. Regardless of whether or not lactate and diacetate were included, when treated with LAE, pathogen numbers decreased from ca. 3.3 log CFU/package to ca. 1.5 log CFU/package within 2 h, but then increased to 7.3 and 6.7 log CFU/package, respectively, after 120 d. When frankfurters were formulated with lactate and diacetate and treated with LAE, pathogen numbers decreased by ca. 2.0 log CFU/package within 2 h and remained relatively unchanged over the 120 d. These data confirm that LAE provides an initial lethality towards L. monocytogenes and when used in combination with reduced levels/ratio of lactate and diacetate as an ingredient for frankfurters provides inhibition throughout shelf life.     

Effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Staphylococcus xylosus on the Quality Characteristics of Dry Fermented Sausage "Sucuk"

ABSTRACT:  The effect of starter culture, containing the strains Lactobacillus plantarum GM77 and Staphylococcus xylosus GM92, isolated from traditional sucuk, on the quality characteristics of dry fermented sausage (sucuk) during ripening period was studied. The microbiological (lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus , Enterobacteriaceae) and physicochemical (pH, a_w, NPN, TBARS) properties and volatile compounds, extracted by solid phase microextraction and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were determined in sucuk samples with starter culture and in the control group (without starter culture). Both starter culture and ripening period had significant effects on lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus counts, and pH and a_w values ( P  < 0.01). The highest value for nonprotein nitrogen (NPN) was observed to occur in samples with starter culture ( P  < 0.05). TBARS value increased during ripening, the highest value was determined at 14th day in samples with starter culture. Among volatile compounds, terpenes were the major group in sucuk. Other volatile compounds (aldehydes, ketones, sulfur compounds, acids, esters, aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and alcohols) can be found in fewer amounts. While the use of starter culture was affecting a few compounds, ripening period had affected most of the compounds.     

Effects of Inoculation of Commercial Starter Cultures on the Quality and Histamine Accumulation in Fermented Sausages

To meet the requirements of high‐quality safe products, starter cultures are used to produce fermented sausages. The effects of 3 commercial starter cultures, namely SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181, on histamine accumulation and quality parameters including microbial quality, pH, water activity, and total volatile base nitrogen, as well as the color and texture properties, were evaluated during the fermentation and ripening of fermented sausages. Although initial counts of Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas were similar in the 4 batches, the growth of these microorganisms was significantly inhibited (P < 0.05) in batches SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181 throughout the fermentation and ripening period. The counts of E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas increased to maximum levels of 3.89, 4.41, and 5.15 log₁₀ colony forming units/g in the control sausages, respectively. At the end of ripening, the levels of histamine were 8.85, 0.32, 7.82, and 3.18 mg/kg for batches C, SM‐194, T‐SPX, and SM‐181, respectively. The results revealed that commercial starter cultures, particularly starter cultures SM‐194 and SM‐181, made a great contribution to histamine reduction. In addition, batches inoculated with starter cultures showed a stronger acidification and lower level of total volatile base nitrogen than the control sample during production (P < 0.05). In conclusion, it seems that the inoculation of commercial starter cultures, particularly starter cultures SM‐194 and SM‐181, contributes to improving microbial quality, hygienic quality and food safety of fermented sausages.     

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.