Reduction of spoilage microorganisms in fresh beef using hydrodynamic pressure processing

Hydrodynamic pressure processing (HDP) was investigated as a technology to reduce spoilage microorganisms found in fresh beef. In two separate studies (studies 1 and 2), retail ground beef and beef roasts were purchased (day 0). The roasts were divided into stew pieces (30 to 40 g). All meat samples, including control samples, were stored at 5 degrees C for 20 h in a plastic film. After storage, designated samples were treated with HDP In study 3, ground beef was treated with HDP (day 0) and stored aerobically (5 degrees C) for 14 days with control samples. Each meat type was vacuum-packaged for HDP (100 g binary explosive, steel shock wave container). The pHs and the aerobic plate counts (log10 CFU/g) were measured on day 0 (studies I and 2) and on days 0, 7, and 14 (study 3) for control samples and for HDP-treated samples. There was no pH difference between control and HDP-treated meat types (studies 1 and 2); HDP reduced bacteria in both meat types in study 1 (2 log) and study 2 (1.5 log) on day 0. In study 3, there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) in pH between control meat (8.2) and HDP-treated meat (5.6) after storage. There was an immediate reduction (1.5 log) of microorganisms following HDP (day 0) and a 4.5-log difference between control samples (9 log) and HDP-treated samples (4.5) after 14 days of storage. With HDP, it is possible to reduce spoilage microorganisms found in or on different meat types (ground beef versus stew pieces), which could extend the shelf life of meat products.