Factors controlling the growth of Clostridium botulinum types A and B in pasteurized cured meats VI. Nitrite monitoring during storage of pasteurized pork slurries

Residual nitrite levels were monitored during storage for up to 6 months, in a model pork slurry system used to study the relative effects of curing ingredients and additives used in pasteurized cured meats to control the growth of Clostridium botulinum.
In 'low' pH slurries the rate of loss of nitrite fell with reducing storage temperature. Less residual nitrite remained after HIGH heat treatment but the rate of loss of that residual nitrite was slower during storage than nitrite remainly after LOW heat treatment. Inclusion of nitrate resulted in higher residual nitrite levels, particularly after HIGH heat and if stored below 20°C. If isoascorbate was added nitrite became undetectable within circa 30 days, even when nitrate had been added. The rate of loss of nitrite was slower in 'high' pH slurries (pH 6.3–6.8).
Monitoring levels of nitrite in the product soon after production would detect its accidental overuse but monitoring nitrite in the product during distribution or at retail, without knowledge of the composition and prior history of the product, gives little indication of the amount used at manufacture. The level of residual nitrite was not directly related to the ability of the curing mixture to control the growth of CI. botulinum types A and B. Some slurries in which C1. botulinum grew least during 6 months' storage contained no residual nitrite because isoascorbate was also present.     

Effect of antioxidants on stabilization of meat products fortified with n-3 fatty acids

The effects of an n-3 oil emulsion, with and without added antioxidants, on lipid oxidation in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-fortified meat products were studied. An emulsion of n-3 PUFAs was prepared (25% algal oil, 2.5% whey protein isolates, 10mM sodium citrate, 0.2% potassium sorbate, 500ppm of 70% mixed tocopherols, 100μM EDTA, pH 3, pasteurized at 75°C for 30min) and incorporated into fresh ground turkey, and fresh pork sausage (20% fat) to achieve a concentration of 500mg n-3 PUFA/110g meat. An antioxidant combination containing rosemary (0.2% w/w; radical quencher), citrate (0.5% w/w; sequestrant) and erythorbate (1g/kg product; reductant) was prepared and incorporated into ground turkey patties (5cm dia, 1.5cm thick) or fresh pork sausages (5cm dia, 1.5cm thick). Meat products were stored at 4°C or -18°C and analyzed for color (L*, a*, b* values), lipid oxidation (TBARS and lipid hydroperoxides) and n-3 PUFA profile. a* Values of refrigerated ground turkey patties decreased with storage, and an antioxidant combination effect was observed after 4 days (P<0.05). For fresh pork sausages at 4°C, control+antioxidant (CON+ANTI), and n-3+antioxidant (n-3+ANTI) groups showed greater a* values than controls (CON) indicating that the antioxidant combination stabilized meat color. TBARS and lipid hydroperoxides of both n-3 PUFA-enhanced meat products increased with storage (P<0.05); there were no significant changes in TBARS or lipid hydroperoxides for treatments containing the antioxidant combination (P<0.05). The actual level of n-3 PUFA incorporation in both meat products was greater than 87%; n-3 PUFA concentrations did not change within any treatment during storage (P>0.05). These results provide support for including antioxidant protection in n-3 PUFA fortified meat products.     

Effect of Turkey Meat, Phosphate, Sodium Lactate, Carrageenan, and Konjac on Residual Nitrite in Cured Meats

ABSTRACT: Wieners were chosen as the model system. They were made with mechanically separated turkey meat (MST) and retained more residual nitrite than other such sausages (p < 0.01). Use of sodium tripolyphosphate resulted in a slightly higher residual nitrite in the finished product (p < 0.05). Wieners containing both MST and sodium tripolyphosphate, or either MST or sodium tripolyphosphate showed higher pH values than the control group. A relationship between product pH and residual nitrite level was observed. Wieners retained more residual nitrite at higher pH. Addition of sodium lactate, carrageenan, and konjac to the wiener formulation did not influence the residual nitrite level in the finished product.     

Grape seed extract as antioxidant in cooked, cold stored turkey meat

Efficiency of four concentrations of grape seed extract (0.0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g/kg) in retarding oxidative rancidity was tested with cooked turkey breast meat. Development in lipid oxidation during 13 days of refrigerated storage was evaluated by means of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and volatile compound formation. Hexanal, pentanal, octanal, 2-octenal, 1-octen-3-ol, 2-octen-1-ol, and 1-penten-3-ol showed high correlations (r>0.95) with TBARS values and could, therefore, serve as markers for the oxidation process in the cooked turkey breast meat. Supplementation of grape seed extract prior to cooking significantly improved oxidative stability of minced turkey meat during heat treatment and storage. The ability of grape seed extract to prevent lipid oxidation was concentration-dependent. Vacuum-packaging considerably improved oxidative stability of meat regardless of the low concentration of grape seed extract used. It appears that grape seed extract could be very effective in inhibiting lipid oxidation of cooked turkey meat during chill-storage.     

Refrigerated shelf life of vacuum-packaged, previously frozen ostrich meat

Previously frozen ostrich meat was evaluated over 28 days to determine the refrigerated shelf life. Intact steaks and ground meat from three ostrich carcasses were vacuum-packaged, frozen to -40°C for 5 days, and stored in a 0°C walk-in cooler. Instrumental analysis of CIE L*a*b* values indicated that ostrich meat was very dark in color, initially and over time. Microbial growth stayed slightly below 1.0 × 10(7) CFU/g for up to 21 days of refrigerated storage. Sensorially evaluated color showed an increase (p <0.05) in darkness over time. Percentage of browning increased (p<0.05) over time from 1% initially to 55% for intact steaks and 75% for ground meat by 28 days. Sensory aroma scores significantly (p<0.05) changed over time, with unacceptable aroma occurring by 14 days. Previously frozen, vacuum-packaged ostrich meat stored under refrigerated conditions should be used within 10 days.     

Comparison between two statistical models for prediction of turkey breast meat colour

The aims of the present study were: (1) to determine the relevant objective measurements which could express visual assessment of turkey meat colour; and (2) to use these variables for the early prediction of the colour development of turkey breast meat.

The colour of the meat was assessed subjectively by an expert at a processing plant at 24 hr post mortem, using a four-category scale (score a: light-pale meat, score b: light pink meat or normal meat, score c: dark meat, score d: very dark meat).

Objective measurements included meat pH, temperature, dielectric loss factor, pigment concentration, L^* (lightness), a^* (redness) and b^* (yellowness) colour coordinates determined at different times post mortem.

Colour coordinates and pH were chosen as relevant variables when measured at 1 and 4 hr post mortem and were used in prediction models. Linear analysis (canonical discriminant analysis) showed that the efficiency of prediction was 15%. A non-linear analysis (neural network) gave better prediction; the colour of the meat being correctly predicted for 70% of the muscles.     

The effect of ionising radiation on the colour of leg and breast of poultry meat

The effect of irradiation (0 and 5 kGy) of chicken, goose and turkey breast and leg muscles and subsequent storage at 4°C was studied in relation to colour changes. The colour of the outside surface was measured on the breast on each day of storage for up to 7 days post irradiation and for breast and leg and day 7. The colour of a freshly cut interior surface of both breast and leg was measured after 7 days storage. L* values of control and irradiated chicken, goose and turkey breast muscles changed little during storage post irradiation. The a* values for unirradiated goose breast were significantly higher than irradiated goose breast but declined to values similar to irradiated goose breast after 7 days of storage. The b* values for irradiated turkey breast were significantly higher than unirradiated turkey breast at all times post irradiation treatment. Analysis of variance was performed on the day 7 CIELAB values of breast muscle for the effects of species, surface and irradiation and their interactions. After 7 days storage a* values of poultry breast were higher on the freshly cut surface due to irradiation in all species, with decreases in hue angle due to irradiation. The a* values of leg of all species at 7 day post irradiation was significantly higher in the irradiated treatment than the controls. The results for the turkey leg indicate that this effect may be mainly due to higher a* values of the freshly cut surface. The possible role of carboxy form of the haem pigments as the irradiated pigment form is discussed.     

Effect of modified atmosphere packaging,storage period,and storage temperature on the residual nitrate of sliced-pastırma,dry meat product,produced from fresh meat and frozen/thawed meat

The amount of nitrite in sliced-pastirma made, from fresh or frozen (which was stored at −18 °C for 240 days and then thawed at 10 °C for 24 h) M. Longissimus dorsi muscle was determined. Sliced-pastirma samples were stored in modified atmosphere packages (50% N₂ + 50% CO₂) at 4 and 10 °C for 150 days, and the amount of residual nitrite was measured after 0, 30, 60, 90, and 150 days of storage. The residual nitrite of pastirma samples made with frozen/thawed meat was higher than that of the pastirma made from fresh meat at both 0 day and at the end of the storage (150 days). The storage temperature (p < 0.01), storage period (p < 0.01) and the storage period × the storage temperature interaction (p < 0.01) had significant effects on the amount of the residual nitrite.     

Occurrence of pathogens in raw and ready-to-eat meat and poultry products collected from the retail marketplace in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

A total of 800 meat and poultry products were purchased from the retail marketplace in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The products consisted of raw ground beef, chicken legs, pork chops, and ready-to-eat fermented sausage, roast beef, processed turkey breast, chicken wieners, and beef wieners. The samples were analyzed to determine the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter spp., and Listeria monocytogenes. Shiga toxin-producing E. coli 022: H8 was found in one raw ground beef sample. Salmonella and Campylobacter were found in 30 and 62% of raw chicken legs, respectively. L. monocytogenes was found in 52% of raw ground beef, 34% of raw chicken legs, 24% of raw pork chops, 4% of fermented sausages, 3% of processed turkey breast, 5% of beef wieners, and 3% of chicken wieners. The occurrence of pathogens in this study is similar to that in retail products in many other international locales.     

Listeria monocytogenes Survival Model Validated in Simulated Uncooked-Fermented Meat Products for Effects of Nitrite and pH

Previous modeling studies in broth cultures demonstrated that acidity and nitrite increased the inactivation rate of Listeria monocytogenes. To validate this effect during storage of simulated uncooked-fermented meat products, lean beef was ground with salt, adjusted to pH 4.0–5.1, and treated with nitrite at 0–300 μg/mL. Samples were immediately inoculated with L. monocytogenes (10⁷ CFU/g) and survivors were enumerated over 21 days storage at 37°C. The time to achieve a four log decline as greatly affected by pH, ranging from 21 days at pH 5.0 to < 1.0 day at pH 4.0. Growth occurred at pH 5.1 after a long lag period. Nitrite additions did not affect survival, suggesting that the effective concentration was the rapidly decreasing residual nitrite level.     

肉制品中亚硝酸盐降解方法、机理及研究进展

指明了肉制品生产中亚硝酸盐的投放量和残留量标准。对肉制品中降解亚硝酸盐机理的历史、现状和发展情况进行了论述。     

Organochlorine pesticide residues in meat of various species

The quantity of organochlorine pesticides present in pork, rabbit, chicken, turkey and horse meat was determined. Levels of residual pesticide were rather higher in the latter three species than in the former two. They were not closely related to fat content.     

Effects of nitrite levels,endpoint temperature and storage on pink color development in turkey rolls

The objective of this research was to determine the relationship between minimum nitrite level, endpoint temperature and storage period on pink discoloration of turkey rolls. Rolls were prepared with 0, 3 or 5 parts per million (ppm) NO₂^–, cooked to an endpoint temperature of 75 °C or 85 °C and stored at 4 °C. During the 13-day storage period, on the 0th, 4th, 8th and 13th days cured pigment, total pigment, residual nitrite and color parameters were measured and sensory color was evaluated. At each endpoint temperature, addition of 3 ppm or 5 ppm NO₂^– significantly increased cured pigment and total pigment levels. Cured pigment levels of turkey rolls cooked to 75 °C were higher than rolls cooked to 85 °C, regardless of the NO₂^– level. There was a significant decrease in cured pigment levels at the end of the storage period (13th day). Analysis of residual NO₂^– in all treatment groups showed no detectable amounts. Endpoint temperature and addition of NO₂^– affected L* values: rolls cooked to the 75 °C endpoint had higher L* values. The additon of nitrite with the 75 °C endpoint temperature resulted in higher a* values. a* values also increased during the storage. The higher endpoint temperature (85 °C) resulted in lower a* values. Yellowness was not affected by final cooking temperature. Both the addition of NO₂^– and storage decreased b* values. The panel found no differences in pinkness intensity between the two levels of added nitrite (3 and 5 ppm). Sensory pinkness intensity in nitrite-added samples increased with increasing storage.     

Time-dependent depletion of nitrite in pork/beef and chicken meat products and its effect on nitrite intake estimation

The food additive nitrite (E249, E250) is commonly used in meat curing as a food preservation method. Because of potential negative health effects of nitrite, its use is strictly regulated. In an earlier study we have shown that the calculated intake of nitrite in children can exceed the acceptable daily intake (ADI) when conversion from dietary nitrate to nitrite is included. This study examined time-dependent changes in nitrite levels in four Swedish meat products frequently eaten by children: pork/beef sausage, liver paté and two types of chicken sausage, and how the production process, storage and also boiling (e.g., simmering in salted water) and frying affect the initial added nitrite level. The results showed a steep decrease in nitrite level between the point of addition to the product and the first sampling of the product 24 h later. After this time, residual nitrite levels continued to decrease, but much more slowly, until the recommended use-by date. Interestingly, this continuing decrease in nitrite was much smaller in the chicken products than in the pork/beef products. In a pilot study on pork/beef sausage, we found no effects of boiling on residual nitrite levels, but frying decreased nitrite levels by 50%. In scenarios of time-dependent depletion of nitrite using the data obtained for sausages to represent all cured meat products and including conversion from dietary nitrate, calculated nitrite intake in 4-year-old children generally exceeded the ADI. Moreover, the actual intake of nitrite from cured meat is dependent on the type of meat source, with a higher residual nitrite levels in chicken products compared with pork/beef products. This may result in increased nitrite exposure among consumers shifting their consumption pattern of processed meats from red to white meat products.     

Incubation of curing brines for the production of ready-to-eat, uncured, no-nitrite-or-nitrate-added, ground, cooked and sliced ham

Salt concentration, vegetable juice powder (VJP) concentration and temperature were investigated to determine necessary conditions for incubation of curing brines including VJP and a starter culture containing Staphylococcus carnosus prior to production of naturally cured, no-nitrate/nitrite-added meat products. Subsequently, incubated brines were utilized to produce no-nitrate/nitrite-added sliced ham in which quality characteristics and residual nitrite concentrations were measured to determine feasibility of brine incubation for nitrate conversion prior to injection. Two ham treatments (one with VJP and starter culture; one with pre-converted VJP) and a nitrite-added control were used. No differences (P>0.05) were found for color in the VJP treatments. Control sliced ham was redder after 42 days of storage, retaining significantly (P<0.05) greater a* (redness) than either of the VJP treatments. Residual nitrite concentration was greater (P<0.05) in the control hams during the first week of storage. While the nitrite-added control retained greater red color and initially had more residual nitrite than the VJP treatments, the two VJP treatments did not differ from each other.     

Effects of Particle Size, Casing Diameter, and Addition of Emulsions and Residual Nitrite on Quality Attributes of Cooked Salami

Cooked salami was manufactured from raw materials of two particle sizes (6.5 and 13.0 mm) with and without the addition of 25% meat batter, and stuffed into two sizes of casings (64 and 90 mm). A fourth variable, three levels of added nitrite (110, 220, and 440 ppm) was also included in the experimental design. Increasing the particle size and casing diameter resulted in less shrinkage and a firmer product. The use of 25% added meat batter reduced shrinkage but made a softer product upon heat processing than without meat batter added. Neither sensory nor textural properties were significantly influenced (p < 0.05) by the level of nitrite added. Levels of residual nitrite decreased upon storage of the product up to 14 days.     

Cholesterol oxidation products in irradiated raw meat with different packaging and storage time

The effect of irradiation and packaging conditions on the formation of cholesterol oxidation products (COPs) as well as lipid oxidation products was determined in raw turkey leg, beef, and pork loin meat during 7 days of storage. Ground turkey leg, beef, and pork loin muscles were prepared as patties. The patties were individually packaged either in oxygen-permeable or impermeable bags, irradiated at 0 or 4.5 kGy using a Linear Accelerator, and stored at 4°C. The COPs such as 7-hydroxycholesterol, 7β-hydroxycholesterol, and 7-ketocholesterol were detected in fresh raw meats at 0 day at the level of 10.9 to 49.2 μg/g lipid. After 7 days of storage, other COPs such as epoxides, 20-hyroxycholesterol, and choletanetriol were formed in mainly aerobically packaged and irradiated raw meats. Packaging effect was more crucial on the cholesterol and lipid oxidation than irradiation. In aerobically packaged and irradiated meats, turkey leg muscles had higher COPs value than beef or pork did. COPs and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values had a strongly positive correlation in turkey leg and pork. But, cholesterol oxidation in beef proceeded in irradiated and aerobically stored samples despite of its low level of TBARS value.     

Influence of post-mortem treatments on turkey and chicken meat texture

Toughness of poultry breast muscle was influenced by the rate of rigor onset, the rate of cooling and chilled storage time. The pH of the breast muscle at 20 min after stunning (pH₂₀) in 52-day-old chickens varied from 5.9 to 6.9, and in 70-day-old turkeys from 6.2 to 6.8. In turkey meat with pH₂₀ > 6.4, toughening was induced by immersion chilling to 7°C within 65 min post mortem and subsequent 'tanking' in iced water. Unaged, thawed meat from chicken carcasses, in which freezing commenced about 2 h after stunning was tougher than that from carcasses chilled for 16 h before freezing. Both were tender after 7 days chilled storage. Electrical stimulation of carcasses using 94 V decreased pH₂₀ by an average of 0.3 unit in turkey, with no overall increase in tenderness. In chicken, it decreased the pH₂₀ by 0.5 unit, but caused an overall toughening due to increased rigor shortening in carcasses with pH₂₀ < 5.8.     

Genotoxicity testing of cooked cured meat pigment (CCMP) and meat emulsion coagulates prepared with CCMP

The preformed cooked cured meat pigment (CCMP) synthesized directly from bovine red blood cells or through a hemin intermediate was found to be a viable colorant for application to comminuted pork as a nitrite substitute. However the genotoxicity of CCMP and meat emulsion coagulates prepared with CCMP has not been evaluated. Therefore the objectives of this work were to investigate genotoxicity of CCMP and the influence of CCMP addition on genotoxicity and the content of residual nitrite in model meat emulsion coagulates. Meat emulsions were prepared from white (musculus longissimus dorsi) and red (musculus quadriceps femoris) pork muscles with two different amounts of synthesized pigment CCMP. Comparatively, emulsions with fixed addition of nitrite salt and emulsions without any addition for color development were made. Genotoxicity of CCMP and meat emulsion coagulates was tested with the SOS/umu test and the Ames test. Neither CCMP nor meat emulsion coagulates prepared with CCMP or nitrite salt were genotoxic in the SOS/umu test. In the Ames test using Salmonella Typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100 samples of coagulates prepared with CCMP and with nitrite showed weak mutagenic activity in Salmonella Typhimurium strain TA100 but only in the absence of the metabolic activation, while CCMP was not mutagenic. Coagulates prepared with CCMP contained significantly less residual nitrite than coagulates prepared with nitrite salt. These results indicate that from the human health standpoint the substitution of nitrite salt with CCMP would be highly recommendable.     

煮羊肉不同组织低温贮藏品质特性的变化

为了深入研究煮制羊肉不同组织在低温贮藏期间的品质变化特征,本实验以煮制羊肉的瘦肉,肥瘦相间和肥肉部分为主要原材料,采用真空包装的方式,对其在4 ℃或低温下贮藏28 d（每隔1周取一次样）期间的pH、质构特征、色差、挥发性盐基氮（Total Volatile Base Nitrogen, TVB-N）、菌落总体数量及其感官评价等相关指标的变化进行了研究。结果显示:在4 ℃下贮藏,熟制羊肉不同组织的pH变化相似,都是呈现先下降后上升的趋势;肥肉的质构特性都高于瘦肉和肥瘦相间肉的特性;在贮藏期间,羊肉不同组织的L*值和a*值都表现为逐渐减小的趋势（P<0.05）,瘦肉的b*值表现为增大的趋势（P<0.05）,而肥瘦相间和肥肉都表现为减小的趋势（P<0.05);羊肉三种不同组织的挥发性盐基氮（Total Volatile Base Nitrogen,TVB-N）和菌落总数的含量则一直处于增加的状态,肥肉的增加速度及数量高于瘦肉和肥瘦相间组织,它们的感官评价都呈现逐渐下降的趋势。并且在贮藏时间达到14 d时,羊肉的品质已经发生腐败现象。结果表明,在贮藏期间瘦肉组织的品质更好。