Title: | The effect of storage temperature and inoculum level on the time of onset of 'blown pack' spoilage |
Author(s): | Moschonas G; Bolton DJ; Sheridan JJ; McDowell DA; |
Address: | "Ashtown Food Research Centre, Teagasc, Dublin, Ireland" |
DOI: | 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04455.x |
ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-2672 (Electronic) 1364-5072 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "AIMS: To examine the effect of storage temperature and inoculum level on the time of onset of 'blown pack' spoilage (BPS) caused by psychrotolerant bacteria in vacuum-packed (VP) meats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Gas-producing species and strains (n = 11), recovered in our laboratory or reported as associated with BPS, were inoculated onto beef or lamb meat pieces at final levels of <10, 10, 10(2) and 10(3) CFU cm(-2), VP and stored at -1.5, 1 or 4 degrees C. Six strains produced observable amounts of gas within 42 days and a further four strains produced gas within 100 days. BPS was observed earliest in VP meats inoculated with Clostridium estertheticum ssp. estertheticum at all inoculum levels/storage temperature combinations examined. Storage temperature and inoculum level significantly affected (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05 respectively) the onset of BPS in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Controlling contamination levels and lowering the storage temperature delay the onset of BPS. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The study demonstrates the positive effects of low contamination-low temperature as control interventions preventing/delaying BPS in VP chilled meats and identifies some of the contaminants most likely to cause BPS in chilled stored VP meat products" |
Keywords: | Clostridium/*growth & development/metabolism *Cold Temperature *Food Contamination *Food Microbiology Meat/*microbiology Vacuum Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis; |
Notes: | "MedlineMoschonas, G Bolton, D J Sheridan, J J McDowell, D A eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2009/08/08 J Appl Microbiol. 2010 Feb; 108(2):532-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2009.04455.x. Epub 2009 Jun 30" |