Identification and evaluation of volatile compounds of vacuum and modified atmosphere packaged beef strip loins

Effect of glucose, pH and lactic acid on Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Serratia liquefaciens within a commercial heat-shrunk vacuum-package film

Carnobacterium maltaromaticum, Brochothrix thermosphacta and Serratia liquefaciens are common spoilage organisms found within the microbiome of refrigerated vacuum-packaged (VP) beef. Extending and predicting VP beef shelf-life requires knowledge about how spoilage bacteria growth is influenced by environmental extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Multifactorial effects of pH, lactic acid (LA) and glucose on growth kinetics were quantified for C. maltaromaticum, B. thermosphacta and S. liquefaciens within a heat shrink-wrapped VP commercial film containing a simulated beef medium. LA, pH, and undissociated lactic acid (UDLA) significantly affected bacterial growth rate (p < 0.001), whereas 5.55 mM glucose produced a marginal effect. At 1.12 mM UDLA, growth rate and maximum population density decreased 20.9 and 3.5%, 56 and 7%, and 11 and 2% for C. maltaromaticum, B. thermosphacta, and S. liquefaciens, respectively.

Characterization of volatile metabolites associated with confinement odour during the shelf-life of vacuum packed lamb meat under different storage conditions

Confinement odour was investigated. Volatiles were extracted directly from the pack, using solid phase microextraction and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Sensory evaluation and microbiological analysis of the meat surface were also performed. Commercial samples of vacuum packed lamb legs (n=85), from two meat processing plants, were kept for 7weeks at -1.5°C then at different regimes of temperature (-1.5 to +4°C) until 11, 12 or 13weeks. Persistent odour was observed in 66% of samples, confinement odour in 24% and no odour in 11%. Volatiles associated with confinement odour (3-methyl-butanal, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and sulphur dioxide) corresponded with end/sub products of glucose fermentation and catabolism of amino acids by bacteria (all bacteria naturally found in meat and do not represent a risk to health). Confinement odour could indicate a stage at which the environment for bacteria growth is becoming favourable for the production of volatiles with strong odours that are noticed by the consumer.

Implementation of multivariate techniques for the selection of volatile compounds as indicators of sensory quality of raw beef

This study was performed in order to select volatile compounds to predict the off-odour and overall assessment of raw beef's freshness Maronesa breed, using multivariate analysis. M. longissimus dorsi packed in vacuum and MAP (70 % O2/20 % CO2/10 % N2) stored at 4 ºC were examined for off-odour perception as well as the overall assessment of freshness at 10 and 21 days post mortem. The results achieved in this study demonstrated that the selected volatile compounds could be considered as volatile indicators of beef spoilage, enclosing information for discrimination of Maronesa beef samples in sensory classes of odour corresponding to unspoiled and spoiled levels. Fifty-four volatile compounds were detected. A significant increase of aldehydes, ketones and alcohols were observed during storage in MAP. 2 and 3-methylbutanal, 2 and 3-methylbutanol, 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 2,3-octanedione, 3,5-octanedione, octanal and nonanal were suggested as indicators of beef spoilage. 3-methylpentane was considered as a marker in the first stages of spoilage in beef, decreasing during storage. Data were examined using PCR and PLSR models for different optimal subsets of volatile compounds. The simplicity and usefulness of the technique in using 0/1 data in preserving high levels of accuracy was also prevalent. The powerful analytical methodologies for reducing variables and the choice of optimal subsets could be advantageous in both basic research and the routine quality control of chilled beef.

Effect of ozone and potassium lactate on lipid oxidation and survival of Salmonella typhimurium on fresh pork

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of ozone gas and potassium lactate on lipid oxidation and survival of Salmonella typhimurium on fresh pork. A total of 144 samples of fresh pork samples were cut into pieces approximately (8x5x0.6) cm in size, then (0, 2 and 4%) potassium lactate (KL), inoculated with S. typhimurium was applied by spreading a 0.5 mL cell suspension over each sample. The pork samples were then packed in (6"x8") airtight polyethylene bags with a thickness of 87.5 microm and a volume of 3.5 L with and without ozone. Ozone gas was injected into the plastic bags at a rate of 0, 200, 500 and 1,000 mg h(-1) and the samples later stored at 8 degrees C. Thio-barbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) and microbial loads were determined on days 0, 5, 10 and 15. Data was statistically analyzed using SPSS software and differences among means detected at the 0.5% confident level using the Scheffe's test. Samples treated with 2 and 4% KL had significantly (p<0.01) lower TBARS value than non-treated samples. Combination of ozone and KL showed inhibitory effects on S. typhimurium in samples. S. typhimurium was sensitive to 4% KL with and without ozone. At 1,000 mg h(-1), ozone improved KL inhibitory effect on S. typhimurium. Ozone and KL are potential substances for inhibition of S. typhimurium.

Composition of the bacterial population of refrigerated beef, identified with direct 16S rRNA gene analysis and pure culture technique

The composition of the dominating population of freshly cut beef, and beef stored at 4 degrees C for 8 d, was studied by direct analysis of the 16S rRNA gene (PCR amplification, cloning and sequencing) and compared with pure culture technique where the isolates picked from the viable plate count were identified by sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The composition of the bacterial population was recorded at two different time points, at the start when the viable plate count of the meat was 4 x 10(2) colony forming unit (cfu) per cm(2) and when it was 5 x 10(7) cfu per cm(2). Direct gene analysis by PCR amplification generated 30 clones, and 79 isolates were picked from the plate count, and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. At the low initial bacterial load of the beef, the two sampling strategies showed variations in the composition of species. Direct 16S rRNA gene analysis revealed a domination of Bacillus-like sequences while no such sequences were found in isolates from the viable plate count. Instead the population of the plate count was dominated by Chryseobacterium spp. In contrast, the two sampling strategies matched on the multiplying beef population, where both methods indicated Pseudomonas spp. as the dominating group (99% of the population-sequences), irrespectively of sampling strategy. Pseudomonas panacis/Pseudomons brennerii was the dominating taxon (99% similarity to type strain), but sequences with highest similarity to Pseudomonas lundensis (99%), Pseudomonas beteli (99%) and Pseudomonas koreensis (100%) were also found.

Growth Depth Effects of Bacteria in Ground Turkey Meat Patties Subjected to High Carbon Dioxide or High Oxygen Atmospheres

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is used to extend the shelf life of ground meats by altering the gas atmosphere surrounding the meat. This study evaluated how deep MAP bactericidal effects penetrate into a ground meat patty. Patties made from freshly ground turkey breasts were subjected to 2 MAP treatments of high CO(2) (97%) or high O(2) (80% O(2), 20% CO(2)). Total plate and lactic acid bacterial counts were determined for 3 patty depths (top, middle, bottom). Meat surface color and the package gas headspace composition were also measured. All analyses were performed on 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 d. Changes in gas headspace and meat surface color were also measured at 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 d. High CO(2) atmosphere maintained a better meat surface color than high O(2) atmosphere over the whole storage period. Overall counts were lower (P < or = 0.05) in a high-CO(2) atmosphere compared with a high-O(2) modified atmosphere. Patties stored under a high-CO(2) atmosphere displayed slower bacterial growth in the top layer compared with the middle and bottom layers. Total plate count did not differ (P > or = 0.05) in layers for patties pack-aged in a high-O(2) atmosphere Lactic acid bacterial counts increased in the high-O(2) modified atmosphere by d 9 and 12 of storage; no increase was observed in CO(2)-packaged patties. Thus, high-CO(2) MAP slowed the growth of total bacteria as well as lactic acid bacteria. Also, there was slower growth in the top meat layer exposed to CO(2) compared with interior layers.

Beef quadriceps hot boning and modified-atmosphere packaging influence properties of injection-enhanced beef round muscles1,2

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effects of hot boning, modified atmosphere packaging, and injection enhancement on the oxidative and sensory properties of beef round muscles. The beef knuckle (quadriceps muscles) was partially hot boned within 1.5 h postmortem from one randomly selected side of each beef carcass (n = 14), whereas the quadriceps on the opposite side remained intact throughout a 48-h chilling period. At 5 d postmortem, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris muscles from both hot- and cold-boned sides were injected with an enhancement solution consisting of water, salt, phosphate, and natural flavorings (rosemary) at either 6 (Exp. 1) or 10% (Exp. 2) of fresh muscle weight. Enhanced muscles were then processed into 2.54-cm-thick steaks, which were allotted randomly to high-oxygen (HiOx; 80% O2:20% CO2) or ultra-low oxygen (LoOx; 80% N2:20% CO2) modified atmosphere packaging. Regardless of hot boning or enhancement, steaks packaged in LoOx had lower thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances values (P < 0.05), more beef flavor intensity (P < 0.05), fewer off flavors (P < 0.05), and were more tender (P < 0.05) than steaks packaged in HiOx. Hot boning the knuckle had no effect on oxidative (P > or = 0.99) and sensory properties (P > or = 0.85). Increasing the level of injection enhancement from 6 to 10% introduced more rosemary and phosphate into the muscles, thereby decreasing the extent of oxidation, but also imparting a nontypical beef flavor. Packaging in LoOx atmosphere offered the optimal result of decreased oxidation and improved tenderness, without detriment to flavor. Injection enhancement (both 6 and 10%) created off-flavors attributable to the enhancement solution; however, the 10% injection seemed to offer more resistance to lipid oxidation.

Using an electronic nose for determining the spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef

The use of an electronic nose in the quantitative determination of the degree of spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef was evaluated. Beef from four different slaughterhouses was sliced, vacuum-packaged and stored at 4 degrees C for 8 weeks. Samples were withdrawn for bacterial (aerobic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, Brochothrix thermosphacta, Pseudomonas and Enterobacteriaceae) and sensorial analyses and analysis of the volatile compounds during the storage period. A trained panel was used for the sensorial evaluations. The volatile compounds were analysed using an electronic nose containing a sensory array composed of 10 metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors, four Tagushi type sensors and one CO2-sensitive sensor. Four of the 15 sensors were excluded due to lack of response or overloading. Partial least-squares regression was used to define the mathematical relationships between the degree of spoilage of vacuum-packaged beef, as determined by the sensory panel, and the signal magnitudes of the sensors of the electronic nose. The mathematical models were validated after 6 months using a new set of samples. The stability of the sensors during this period was examined and it was shown that the sensitivity of five of the 11 sensors used had changed. Using the six remaining sensors, the signal patterns obtained from the meat from the different slaughterhouses did not change over a period of 6 months. It was shown that the degree of spoilage, as calculated using a model based on two Tagushi sensors, correlated well with the degree of spoilage determined by the sensory panel (r2 = 0.94).

Bacterial spoilage of meat and cured meat products

The influence of environmental factors (product composition and storage conditions) on the selection, growth rate and metabolic activity of the bacterial flora is presented for meat (pork and beef) and cooked, cured meat products. The predominant bacteria associated with spoilage of refrigerated beef and pork, are Brochothrix thermosphacta, Carnobacterium spp., Enterobacteriaceae, Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Pseudomonas spp. and Shewanella putrefaciens. The main defects in meat are off-odours and off-flavours, but discolouration and gas production also occur. Bacteria associated with the spoilage of refrigerated meat products, causing defects such as sour off-flavours, discolouration, gas production, slime production and decrease in pH, consist of B. thermosphacta, Carnobacterium spp. Luctobacillus spp. Leuconostoc spp. and Weissella spp. Analysis of spoilage as measured by bacterial and chemical indicators is discussed. It is concluded that a multivariate approach based on spectra of chemical compounds, may be helpful in order to analyse spoilage, at least for spoilage caused by lactic acid bacteria. The consequences of bacteria bacteria interactions should be evaluated more.

Chemical/biochemical detection of spoilage

Although sensory and/or microbiological analyses are widely relied on when assigning shelf-life of foods or trouble shooting problems with spoilage under storage, they do have drawbacks. Delay in obtaining results is one of them. The expense of the expert panels required to obtain meaningful sensory evaluations is another, while spoilage is not always of microbial origin. Even when it is, there are an increasing number of situations, including that of meats and fish packaged in modified atmospheres, where the relationships between microbial growth and spoilage onset is poorly defined. Chemical analysis has long been recognized as a means of circumventing at least some of the drawbacks and its potential is reviewed below. From the data presented it can be concluded that chemical characterization of spoilage processes is presently of most value in trouble shooting i.e. establishing the causes of spoilage. Its value in assigning total or remaining shelf-life requires more knowledge of the chemical processes leading to reduced acceptability/spoilage and of their correlations with sensory and microbiological changes.

Survival of Vibrio cholerae O1 on plastic materials

Survival of environmental and clinical strains of Vibrio cholerae O1 was studied on glass and on two varieties of plastic materials. V. cholerae survived at least 2 days on glass, but was not recovered from polystyrene spoons after 15-20 min. Escherichia coli survived for at least 2 days on both glass slides and plastic spoons. Extracts, 10 and 50% (w/v) of ground plastic spoons in isotonic saline water, inactivated 10(4) vibrios in less than 2 h. Isotonic saline water rinses from polyethylene bags inactivated (0% survival) 15 out of 23 strains of V. cholerae in 1 h. A strain of V. cholerae (100-200 CFU/ml) directly suspended in 25 ml of isotonic saline per bag and maintained at 20 degrees C was progressively inactivated. The number of viable cells diminished 95% in 4 h in bags taken from non-sterile rolls. In sterile bags the decrease was 44% and 93% after 4 and 24 h, respectively. A variability up to 50% was observed in the antibacterial effect among the different bags, either sterile or taken from non-sterile rolls. These decreases in V. cholerae viability may result in false negative reports if water samples are collected and carried out in plastic bags.