Influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in high‐pressure‐treated oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

BACKGROUND: High‐pressure (HP) treatment is being increasingly employed for commercial processing of oysters, but there is relatively limited information on the microbiological quality and enzymatic activity of HP‐treated in‐shell oysters. The objective of this research was to study the influence of packaging strategy on microbiological and biochemical changes in oysters HP treated at 260 MPa for 3 min or 400 MPa for 5 min at 20 °C and stored at 0 °C either aerobically on ice, in vacuum packaging (VP) or under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP; 40% CO₂, 60% N₂), compared with changes in untreated oysters. RESULTS: Both HP treatments reduced the microbiological load to below the detection limit (<100 colony‐forming units g^?1). MAP and VP also delayed subsequent microbial growth compared with aerobically stored samples. After 21 days of storage, total volatile base levels remained lower than the proposed acceptability limits for all samples; however, after 28 days, only oysters HP treated at 400 MPa, irrespective of the packaging system used, did not exceed this limit. HP increased the thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substance (TBARS) values of oysters, indicating increased lipid oxidation. During storage, TBARS values of all MAP and VP oysters remained lower than those of aerobically stored oysters. CONCLUSION: HP treatment, in combination with adequate chilled storage and MAP, can extend the shelf‐life and safety of oysters. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fatty acids,volatile compounds and colour changes in high-pressure-treated oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Proximal composition, colour and levels of fatty acids and volatile compounds in oysters following high-pressure (HP) treatment at 260, 500 or 800 MPa for 3, 5 or 5 min, respectively, were investigated and compared to untreated oysters. HP-treated oysters had significantly (P < 0.05) higher pH than untreated oysters. HP treatment also modified the gross composition of oyster tissue, the moisture content of HP-treated oyster being higher than that of untreated oyster. HP treatment at 260 MPa had less negative effects on oyster tissue colour (Hunter L-, a- and b-values) than treatment at higher pressures. HP treatment of oysters resulted in no significant changes in the fatty acid profile compared to untreated oysters. HP treatment of oysters, however, changed the level of volatile components when compared to the headspace of fresh oysters; HP-treated samples had higher concentrations of dimethyl sulfide, 1-penten-3-one, phenol and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene relative to untreated samples. On the other hand, HP-treated oysters had lower concentrations of 1-penten-3-ol, 2,3-pentanedione, (E,E,Z)-1,3,5-octatriene and 1,3-octadiene than untreated samples.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure (HP) treatment is being increasingly employed for commercial processing of oysters. While the profiles of fatty acids and volatiles of fresh oysters have been extensively studied, no studies reporting the effects of HP on these have been reported. Compared to fresh oysters, HP treatment did not change significantly the fatty acid profile; however, differences in the headspace volatile profile of HP-treated oysters were noticed.     

Effects of high-pressure and heat treatments on physical and biochemical characteristics of oysters (Crassostrea gigas)

Physical and biochemical changes in oysters following high-pressure (HP) treatment at 260 MPa for 3 min or heat treatment (cool pasteurisation (CP) at 50 °C for 10 min or traditional pasteurisation (TP) at 75 °C for 8 min) were investigated and compared to changes in untreated oysters. HP or TP oysters had higher (P < 0.05) pH values (6.49–6.58) than untreated or CP oysters (6.45–6.46). HP and heat treatment both modified the gross composition of oyster tissue. The protein content of HP-treated oysters (6.9%) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared to control or heat-treated oysters (7.9–9.1%). The moisture content of HP-treated whole oyster tissue (86.5%) was higher than that of heat-treated or untreated oysters (83.5–84.7%), but HP or CP treatments did not affect the salt content or water activity of oysters. However, all treatments increased Hunter L- (66.3–68.9) while decreasing a- (− 1.6 to − 2.4) and b- (15.8–14.5) values of oyster tissue; overall, HP treatment had less negative effects on tissue colour of oysters than thermal treatments. HP-treated, CP and TP oysters had higher shucking yields (15.5%, 12.5% and 2.6%, respectively) than untreated oysters. One significant advantage of HP treatment over heat treatment of oysters was that the former process opened the oyster and separated the muscle of the oyster from the shell.     

Impact of high-pressure processing on microbial shelf-life and protein stability of refrigerated soymilk

The effects of pressure (400, 500 and 600 MPa), dwell time (1 and 5 min) and temperature (25 and 75 °C) on microbial quality and protein stability of soymilk during 28 days of storage (4 °C) were evaluated under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. After processing and during storage, there were significant differences in total bacterial count (TBC), numbers of psychrotrophs (PSY) and Enterobacteriaceae (ENT), and protein stability between untreated (control) and pressurized samples (P < 0.05). Pressure applied at an initial temperature of 75 °C resulted in a greater suppression in growth of PSY compared to TBC. No ENT was detected in pressurized samples throughout the storage period tested. Dwell time had no significant effect on log reduction of TBC at 25 or 75 °C (P > 0.05). Pressure at 400 MPa (5 min), 500 and 600 MPa (1 and 5 min) produced 100% sub-lethal injury in surviving bacterial populations irrespective of temperature. After 28 days of refrigerated storage, both aerobic and anaerobic pressurized samples had better or similar stability as the control on day one of storage. Soymilk control samples were spoiled after 7 days whereas pressurization increased soymilk shelf-life by at least 2 weeks. Pressure (600 MPa) at 75 °C for 1 min not only significantly reduced initial microbial populations and increased the microbial shelf-life but also extended the protein stability of soymilk (P < 0.05).     

Effect of modified atmosphere and temperature abuse on the growth from spores and cereulide production of Bacillus weihenstephanensis in a cooked chilled meat sausage

The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the germination and growth of toxin producing psychrotolerant Bacillus spp is not well described. A model agar system mimicking a cooked meat product was used in initial experiments. Incubation at refrigeration temperature of 8 °C for 5 weeks of 26 Bacillus weihenstephanensis including two emetic toxin (cereulide) producing strains showed that B. weihenstephanensis is sensitive to MAP containing CO₂. The sensitivity to 20% CO₂ was dependent on strain and oxygen level, being increased when oxygen was excluded from the MAP. Growth from spores was observed at the earliest within 2 weeks when 20% CO₂ was combined with 2% O₂ and in 3 weeks when combined with “0”% O₂ (the remaining atmosphere was made up from N₂). Results were validated in a cooked meat sausage model for two non-emetic and one emetic B. weihenstephanensis strain. The packaging film oxygen transfer rates (OTR) were 1.3 and 40 ml/m²/24 h and the atmospheres were 2% O₂/20% CO₂ and “0”% O₂/20% CO₂. Oxygen availability had a large impact on the growth from spores in the MAP meat sausage, only the most oxygen restricted condition (OTR of 1.3 ml/m²/24 h and “0”% O₂/20 % CO₂) inhibited growth of the three strains during 4 weeks storage at 8 °C. Cereulide production was undetectable during storage at 8 °C irrespective of choice of the MAP (quantified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry). MAP storage at 8 °C for 1 and 3 weeks followed by opening of packages and temperature abuse for 1.5 h daily at 20 °C during 1 week resulted in increased cell counts and variable cereulide production in the meat sausage. A pre-history at 8 °C for 1 week in MAP with OTR of 1.3 or 40 ml/m²/24 h and 2% O₂ resulted in cereulide concentrations of 0.816 – 1.353 µg/g meat sausage, while a pre-history under the most oxygen restricted condition (OTR of 1.3 ml/m²/24 h, “0”% O₂/20 % CO₂) resulted in minimal cereulide production (0.004 µg/g meat sausage) at abuse condition. Extension of MAP storage at 8 °C for 3 weeks followed by abuse resulted in a substantially reduced cereulide production.Data demonstrates that MAP can be used to inhibit growth of a psychrotolerant toxin producing Bacillus spp. during chill storage at 8 °C, and substantially reduce the risk of emetic food poisoning at abuse condition. Results are of relevance for improving safety of ready to eat processed chilled foods of extended durability.     

Defining the stability interfaces of apple juice: Implications on the optimisation and design of High Hydrostatic Pressure treatment

In this article an experimental approach is applied to determine the impact of High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) processing (350 to 550 MPa at 20 °C and for 1 to 25 min of holding time) on the survival of Issatchenkia orientalis and the spoilage of apple juice (with 300 ppm added ascorbic acid) during different storage conditions, i.e., 4 to 12 °C and 0 to 36 days of storage. Probabilistic modelling approaches based on logistic regression models were developed in order to describe quantitatively the spoilage/no spoilage and survival/death interfaces. For a microbially stable processed apple juice treated at 400 MPa, 10 °C and a holding time of 15 min the degradation kinetics of vitamin C were described quantitatively during subsequent storage at 4, 8, 12 °C. The rate of vitamin losses were highly reduced after the first 13 days of storage. The stability of the apple juice with respect to browning and cloudiness was evaluated by studying qualitatively the activity of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and pectin methyl esterase (PME) enzymes at combined treatments of HHP and temperature (10 to 50 °C, HHP at 750 MPa and holding time from 1 to 25 min). The highest achieved reduction of PPO and PME was 51.47% and PME 81.44%, respectively.

Industrial relevance

This paper demonstrates an approach based on quantitative probabilistic and qualitative studies for defining the stability interfaces of apple juice. Its applicability contributes on the design and optimisation of High Hydrostatic Pressure treatments.     

Effect of high-pressure treatment on microbiology,proteolysis, lipolysis and levels of flavour compounds in mature blue-veined cheese

The effect of high-pressure (HP) treatment (400 MPa, 600 MPa) on ripening of mature 42-day-old Irish blue-veined cheese was studied. Counts of non-starter lactic acid bacteria, lactococci, yeasts, moulds, enterococci and total aerobic bacteria significantly decreased due to HP, with moulds being most sensitive and 600 MPa the most effective treatment. The levels of pH 4.6-soluble nitrogen and (12%) trichloroacetic acid-soluble nitrogen increased immediately after both HP treatments; however, after 28 days of storage, values were lower in HP-treated cheeses than in the control cheese. Urea-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed increased breakdown of β-casein due to HP treatment at both 400 MPa and 600 MPa. Levels of free fatty acids were lower in HP-treated cheese than in the control, but not significantly so, and no significant changes could be observed in the level of flavour compounds of blue-veined cheese. Overall, HP treatment of blue-veined cheese reduced microbiological activity and decelerated proteolysis, with no statistically significant effects on development of flavour compounds.Industrial relevanceHigh-pressure treatment has been studied for the past 100 years; nevertheless, it was not applied in dairy industry, until recently, for a cheese spread. In this study, HP-induced inactivation of microbes and enzymes, which could arrest the ripening of high-quality mature (i.e., ripened) Irish farmhouse blue-veined cheese and thus extend shelf-life at optimal quality, was examined.     

Combined effect of an oxygen absorber and oregano essential oil on shelf life extension of rainbow trout fillets stored at 4 °C

In the present study the combined effect of an O₂ absorber and oregano essential oil (0.4% v/w) on shelf life extension of rainbow trout fillets (Onchorynchus mykiss) stored under refrigeration (4 °C) was investigated. The study was based on microbiological [TVC, Pseudomonas spp., Lactic Acid Bacteria, H₂S-producing bacteria including Shewanella putrefaciens, Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridium spp.), physicochemical (pH, PV, TBA, TVBN and Drip loss) and sensory (odor, taste) changes occurring in the product as a function of treatment and storage time. Aerobically-packaged rainbow trout fillets stored at 4 °C were taken as control samples. Results showed that TVC exceeded 7 log cfu/g on day 4 of storage for control samples, day 7–8 for samples containing oregano oil, day 9 for samples containing the O₂ absorber and day 12–13 for samples containing the O₂ absorber and oregano oil. Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacteriaceae and LAB were only partially inhibited by the O₂ absorber and/or the oregano oil. In all cases the inhibition effect was more pronounced when the combination of O₂ absorber with oregano essential oil was used. pH decreased from an initial value of 6.65–6.09 and subsequently increased to 6.86 due to formation of protein decomposition products. % Drip loss ranged between 7% and 11–12% at the end of the product shelf life. PV values ranged between 11.4 and 27.0 meq O₂/kg oil while malondialdehyde (MDA) ranged between 9.6 and 24.5 mg/kg. TVBN ranged between 10.6 and 54.6 mg/kg at the time of sensory rejection. Sensory shelf life was 4 days for the control samples, 7–8 days for samples containing oregano oil, 13–14 days for samples containing the O₂ absorber and 17 days for samples containing the O₂ absorber plus oregano oil.     

The fate of Listeria monocytogenes during the manufacture of Camembert-type cheese: A comparison between raw milk and milk treated with high hydrostatic pressure

Camembert-type cheese was produced from: raw bovine milk; raw milk inoculated with 2 or 4 log CFU/ml Listeria monocytogenes; raw milk inoculated with L. monocytogenes and subsequently pressure-treated at 500 MPa for 10 min at 20 °C; or uninoculated raw milk pressure-treated under these conditions. Cheeses produced from both pressure-treated milk and untreated milk had the typical composition, appearance and aroma of Camembert. Curd and cheese made from inoculated, untreated milk contained large numbers of L. monocytogenes throughout production. An initial inoculum of 1.95 log CFU/ml in milk increased to 4.52 log CFU/g in the curd and remained at a high level during ripening, with 3.85 log CFU/g in the final cheese. Pressure treatment inactivated L. monocytogenes in the raw milk at both inoculum levels and the pathogen was not detected in any of the final cheeses produced from pressure-treated milk. Therefore high pressure may be useful to inactivate L. monocytogenes in raw milk that is to be used for the production of soft, mould-ripened cheese.

Industrial relevance

This paper demonstrates the potential of high pressure (HP) for treatment of raw milk to be used in the manufacture of soft cheeses. HP treatment significantly reduced the level of Listeria monocytogenes in the raw milk and so allowed the production of safer non-thermally processed camembert-like soft cheese.     

Role of quantity and quality of fat in meat models inoculated with Listeria innocua or Salmonella Typhimurium treated by high pressure and refrigerated stored

Several variables can influence the effects of high hydrostatic pressure processing (HPP), but the role of fat in the treated sample is still uncertain. We designed a model by which controlling the known variables we could elucidate that role. We applied 400 MPa for 2 min to minced chicken samples inoculated with Listeria innocua and Salmonella Typhimurium mixed with 10% and 20% of three fat types with different fatty acid composition. Microbial counts were performed during 60 days of refrigerated storage either at 2 °C or 8 °C.Immediately after HPP bacterial growth was independent of the type and percentage of fat content, but a possible effect of type of fat could be observed after 60 days of cold storage.     

Changes on enzymatic activity and on sarcoplasmic and myofibrillar proteins of frozen-stored hake (Merluccius merluccius) pre-treated by high pressure

High-pressure (HP) pre-treatments were applied on European hake (Merluccius merluccius) followed by a frozen accelerated experiment (−10 °C). A central composite design ranging pressure levels (150–450 MPa) and frozen storage time (0–150 days) was used, being evaluated the enzymatic activities and muscle proteins. Acid phosphatase and calpain activities decreased after 150 days of frozen storage (58%/56% and 38%/56% for non-/HP-treated samples, respectively). Cathepsin B showed higher reductions (98%) for longer storage times. Furthermore, HP and frozen storage did not affect significantly cathepsin D activity, only slightly decreasing at 169 MPa. Furthermore, HP seemed to not affect myofibrillar proteins, while sarcoplasmic proteins were clearly affected by HP and frozen storage time, resulting in a reduction of about 53% or 23% for 431 or 450 MPa, respectively. Thus, HP could be used to lowering the deleterious effect of proteases on frozen European hake.     

Effect of different freezing processes on the microstructure of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fillets

Salmon fillets were frozen either by pressure shift freezing (PSF, 200 MPa, − 18 °C or 100 MPa, − 10 °C) or by air-blast freezing (ABF, − 30 °C, 1 m/s or 4 m/s) or direct-contact freezing, and then stored at − 20 °C for 6 months. The influence of these treatments on the microstructure of Salmon fillets was studied. The equivalent diameter of the intracellular ice crystals were 14.69 ± 4.11, 5.52 ± 2.11, and 30.65 ± 6.31 μm for the samples subjected respectively to PSF at 100, 200 MPa and ABF (− 30 °C, 4 m/s) after 2 days of storage. Smaller and more regular intracellular ice crystals were observed in fillets frozen by PSF (200 MPa) compared with PSF (100 MPa), ABF and direct-contact frozen ones. Significant differences were observed between the size of the ice crystals obtained after conventional freezing process and PSF. Large and extracellular ice crystals were observed in fillets frozen by ABF (1 m/s) and direct-contact frozen. Minimal changes in the size of ice crystals were observed during a 3 months storage.

Industrial relevance

This paper compares different freezing methods and subsequent frozen storage with respect to their effect on microstructures of salmon fillets. Pressure shift freezing at 200 MPa was superior to conventional freezing regarding small and regular ice crystal formation. Interestingly, during frozen storage for up to 3 months the high quality product obtained via pressure freezing at 200 MPa could be retained. For longer storage periods lower pressures (100 MPa) seem sufficient to achieve stable ice crystals.     

Effect of high-pressure-processing on the microbiology,proteolysis, texture and flavour of Brie cheese during ripening and refrigerated storage

Brie cheeses were high pressure (HP)-treated at 400 or 600 MPa on days 14 or 21 after manufacture to prevent over-ripening. Lactic acid bacteria and Penicillium camemberti numbers declined markedly after HP treatment. In control cheese pH increased 2.0 units from day 21 to day 60, but less than 0.3 units in HP-treated cheeses. Cheeses treated at 600 MPa showed the maximum concentrations of residual caseins during refrigerated storage and control cheese the minimum concentrations. A 7.6-fold increase in hydrophobic peptides was recorded from day 21 to day 60 in control cheese and 0.8–1.6-fold increases in HP-treated cheeses. The maximum aminopeptidase activity was detected in control cheese, the highest free amino acid concentrations in cheeses treated at 400 MPa. The firmest texture was recorded for cheeses treated on day 14 at 400 or 600 MPa. HP-treated cheeses showed higher flavour quality scores than control cheese from day 60 onwards.     

Microbial inactivation after high-pressure processing at 600 MPa in commercial meat products over its shelf life

The behaviour of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated after high-pressure treatment (600 MPa 6 min, 31 °C) and during chilled storage at 4 °C for up to 120 days of commercial meat products. The objective was to determine if this pressure treatment is a valid process to reduce the safety risks associated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, and if it effectively avoids or delays the growth of spoilage microorganisms during the chilled storage time evaluated. The meat products covered by this study were cooked meat products (sliced cooked ham, pH 6.25, a_w 0.978), dry cured meat products (sliced dry cured ham, pH 5.81, a_w 0.890), and raw marinated meats (sliced marinated beef loin, pH 5.88, a_w 0.985). HPP at 600 MPa for 6 min was an efficient method for avoiding the growth of yeasts and Enterobacteriaceae with a potential to produce off-flavours and for delaying the growth of lactic acid bacteria as spoilage microorganisms. HPP reduced the safety risks associated with Salmonella and L. monocytogenes in sliced marinated beef loin.     

Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure on the Physical,Microbial, and Chemical Attributes of Oysters (Crassostrea virginica)

The change in the quality attributes (physical, microbial, and chemical) of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) after high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment at 300 MPa at room temperature (RT, 25 °C) 300, 450, and 500 MPa at 0 °C for 2 min and control oysters without treatment were evaluated over 3 wk. The texture and tissue yield percentages of oysters HHP treated at 300 MPa, RT increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared to control. Aerobic and psychrotrophic bacteria in control oysters reached the spoilage point of 7 log CFU/g after 15 d. Coliform counts (log MPN/g) were low during storage with total and fecal coliforms less than 3.5 and 1.0. High pressure treated oysters at 500 MPa at 0 °C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than oysters HHP treated at 300 MPa at 0 °C in lipid oxidation values. The highest pressure (500 MPa) treatment in this study, significantly (P < 0.05) decreased unsaturated fatty acid percentage compared to control. The glycogen content of control oysters at 3 wk was significantly higher (P < 0.05) when compared to HHP treated oysters [300 MPa, (RT); 450 MPa (0 °C); and 500 MPa (0 °C)]. HHP treatments of oysters were not significantly different in pH, percent salt extractable protein (SEP), and total lipid values compared to control. Based on our results, HHP prolongs the physical, microbial, and chemical quality of oysters.     

Combined effect of an O2 absorber and oregano essential oil on shelf-life extension of Greek cod roe paste (tarama salad) stored at 4 °C

In the present study the combined effect of an O₂ absorber and oregano essential oil (0.1% v/w) on shelf life extension of Greek cod roe paste (tarama salad) stored under refrigeration (4 °C) was investigated. The study was based on microbiological [Total viable count (TVC), Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB), Enterobacteriaceae, H₂S-producing, yeast and molds and Clostridium spp.), physicochemical (pH, fatty acid composition, thiobarbituric acid (TBA), and color) and sensory (color, odor, and taste) changes occurring in the product as a function of treatment and storage time. Aerobically packaged tarama salad stored at 4 °C was taken as the control sample. Results showed that TVC exceeded 7 log cfu/g on day 12–13 of storage for control samples and day 31–32 for samples containing oregano oil. Samples containing either the O₂ absorber or the O₂ absorber plus oregano oil never reached 7 log cfu/g during the 60 day storage period. LAB were only partially inhibited by the oregano oil and/or the O₂ absorber. Yeasts and molds were totally inhibited by the O₂ absorber. Enterobacteriaceae populations were below the method detection limit (2 log cfu/g) H₂S-producing bacteria were the dominant spoilage microorganisms. Clostridum spp. was absent in 25 g sample. pH decreased from an initial value of 4.36 to 3.03 depending on specific treatment. Color parameters L and b increased and a decreased in control samples as well as in samples containing oregano oil. Color parameters remained unaffected in samples containing the O₂ absorber. TBA expressed as malondialdehyde (MDA) values increased from 1.5 mg/kg to 3.4, 3.2 and 2.9 mg/kg for samples containing oregano oil, the O₂ absorber and O₂ absorber plus oregano oil at the point of sensory rejection, respectively. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) increased during storage with a respective decrease in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) both in control samples and samples containing oregano oil. Fatty acid composition remained unaffected in all samples containing the O₂ absorber. Sensory shelf life was 24 days for the control samples, 32 days for samples containing oregano oil, 60 days for samples containing the O₂ absorber and at least 60 days for samples containing the O₂ absorber plus oregano oil.

Industrial relevance

Oxygen absorbers as well as plant essential oils are considered natural means of preservation and may substantially extend the shelf life of foodstuffs while maintaining desirable sensory attributes (taste, odor and color).     

Effect of different high pressure treatments on shucking,biochemical, physical and sensory characteristics of oysters to elaborate a traditional Taiwanese oyster omelette

BACKGROUND: Whole oysters (Crassostrea gigas) were processed using high‐pressure (HP) treatment (150–300 MPa) to determine their shucking and biochemical properties. Subsequently, HP‐treated oysters were cooked at 160 °C for 90 s, as when preparing the oyster omelette dish, to evaluate their physical and sensory characteristics as compared to raw oysters. RESULTS: The treatments of 250 and 300 MPa for 2 min and 0 min, respectively, resulted in 100% release. The pH of HP‐treated oysters increased slightly from 6.50 to 6.82, and the moisture contents of the HP‐treated oysters with or without further cooking were all higher than those of the control. The brightness, yellowness and cutting strength of HP‐treated oysters with further cooking changed insignificantly, while the redness decreased compared to the control. Sensory evaluation showed that oysters treated at 250 and 300 MPa oysters after cooking received higher quality scores than the control. CONCLUSIONS: HP processing at 250 and 300 MPa proved to be a good method for oyster shucking. The HP‐treated oysters cooked in the oyster omelette are acceptable to consumers. Overall, the application of HP as a processing method to improve the quality and acceptability of oysters and their related products would be possible. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

A comparative study of changes in the microbiota of apple juice treated by high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) or high pressure homogenisation (HPH)

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of High Pressure Homogenisation (HPH) compared with High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP) on the microbiological quality of raw apple juice during storage at ideal (4 °C) and abuse (12 °C) temperatures. In the case of HPH, only low numbers of micro-organisms were detected after treatment at 300 MPa (typically between 2 and 3 log.ml⁻¹). These were identified as Streptomyces spp., and numbers did not increase during storage of the juice for 35 days, irrespective of storage temperature. In the case of HHP, the total aerobic counts were also reduced significantly (p < 0.05) after treatment for 1 min at 500 and 600 MPa and the numbers did not increase significantly during storage at 4 °C. However, during storage at 12 °C the counts did increase significantly (p < 0.05) and by day 14 counts at 500 MPa were not significantly different from the control juice. This confirms that good temperature control is important if the full benefits of HHP treatment are to be realised.Frateuria aurantia dominated the microbiota of the HHP apple juice stored at 12 °C along with low levels of Bacillus and Streptomyces spp.The HPH and HHP juices both turned brown during storage indicating that neither treatment was sufficient to inactivate polyphenol oxidase. The enzyme is known to be pressure resistant and this discolouration was controlled by a heat treatment (70 °C for 1 min) used in commercial practice and given prior to HP treatment.     

Modelling the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in fresh green coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) water

The behaviour of Listeria monocytogenes in the fresh coconut water stored at 4 °C, 10 °C and 35 °C was studied. The coconut water was aseptically extracted from green coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) and samples were inoculated in triplicate with a mixture of 5 strains of L. monocytogenes with a mean population of approximately 3 log₁₀ CFU/mL. The kinetic parameters of the bacteria were estimated from the Baranyi model, and compared with predictions of the Pathogen Modelling Program so as to predict its behaviour in the beverage. The results demonstrated that fresh green coconut water was a beverage propitious for the survival and growth of L. monocytogenes and that refrigeration at 10 °C or 4 °C retarded, but did not inhibit, growth of this bacterium. Temperature abuse at 35 °C considerably reduced the lagtimes. The study shows that L. monocytogenes growth in fresh green coconut water is controlled for several days by storage at low temperature, mainly at 4 °C. Thus, for risk population this product should only be drunk directly from the coconut or despite the sensorial alterations should be consumed pasteurized.