Meat Trimmings Research Articles

Serologic Survey of Brucella spp. in Culled Invasive Alien Mammals from El Palmar National Park, Argentina, and in Exposed Consumers.

Brucellosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by Brucella spp. and transmitted from domestic and wild animals to humans. Brucellosis causes important economic losses in livestock, has a significant impact on public health, and may affect the health of wildlife. Hunting and consumption of meat from culled wildlife constitute a risk for Brucella spp. infection in humans and hunting dogs. In El Palmar National Park (EPNP), Argentina, the invasive alien mammals wild boar (Sus scrofa) and axis deer (Axis axis) are controlled, slaughtered in situ, and consumed by hunters, with meat trimmings and offal often fed to dogs. In this study, we evaluated but did not detect anti-Brucella antibodies in wild boar (n=95) and axis deer (n=238) from EPNP or in game consumers, dogs (n=39) and humans (n=61). These results suggest a lack of exposure to Brucella spp. at this site during the study period. Despite negative findings in the sampled location, One Health surveillance across multiple species contributes to our understanding of pathogen dynamics and enables targeted interventions to minimize health risks.

Batch-to-Batch Differences in Nutritional Quality of Selected Raw and Cooked Pork Offal

With a pressing need to enhance sustainability and reduce waste, harnessing the untapped nutritional wealth buried in by-products of the meat processing industry is more critical than ever. The research was aimed at comparing variation in raw material between batches and establishing a comprehensive database that would serve as a valuable resource for manufacturers seeking to exploit the potential of pork offal. This study is focused on analysing both raw and cooked offal, including liver, heart, kidney, spleen, blood, tongue, esophagus, as well as meat trimmings. Four batches were analysed with regard to their chemical composition, micro- and macro-element content, amino as well as fatty acid profile. The results indicate significant differences in raw material supplies from the same supplier across batches. In our study, all analysed pork offal and meat trimmings exhibited statistically significant variations between individual batches. Furthermore, clustering analysis conducted on the data will be beneficial in optimising recipes and formulations that utilise pork offal. This research may contribute to the sustainable utilisation of meat by-products, waste reduction and overall value enhancement in the meat processing industry.

Efficient expansion culture of bovine myogenic cells with differentiation capacity using muscle extract-supplemented medium

The production of tissue-engineered skeletal muscles for cell-based therapy and cultivated meat production requires a large number of myogenic cells capable of differentiating into myotubes. A suspension culture with a stirred bioreactor is a system that is feasibly scalable, but scaling up the production of myogenic cells while maintaining differentiation capacity requires an efficient culture technique. This remains challenging in suspension culture. On the other hand, conventional meat processing generates substantial by-products, including meat trimmings containing effective substances for myogenic cell cultures. Efficiently utilizing these by-products can reduce environmental impact and disposal costs. Here, we describe an expansion culture method for bovine myogenic cells (BMCs) using Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) supplemented with muscle extracts. During the 6-day planar culture, the proliferation rate using the culture medium supplemented with muscle extracts (CMME) and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) was 18 ± 3.3, three times higher than that achieved using DMEM with 10% FBS. Furthermore, a combination of CMME supplemented with 10% FBS and an iMatrix-511-coated dish could maintain differentiation capacity through passaging culture. Finally, we demonstrated a suspension culture with microcarriers using CMME with 10% FBS. Through 3 passages, the cumulative proliferation rate was 191.7 ± 35.1, four times higher than that of produced DMEM with 10% FBS. Using CMME, the cells maintained differentiation capacity in comparison to that using DMEM. This approach will contribute to both the reduction of wasted by-products from conventional meat production and the development of a suspension culture system for maintaining high-quality myogenic cells.

Trichinella Infection in Culled Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) from El Palmar National Park, Argentina, and Exposure Risk in Humans and Dogs Consuming Wild Boar Meat.

Trichinellosis is a foodborne disease caused by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing Trichinella spp. larvae. Consumption of wild boar (Sus scrofa) meat represents an important source of human trichinellosis worldwide. In El Palmar National Park (EPNP), Argentina, invasive alien wild boars are controlled and meat from culled animals is released for public consumption following on-site artificial digestion (AD) testing. Meat trimmings and offal from the control program are often used as food for dogs (Canis familiaris). We evaluated infection and exposure to Trichinella spp. in wild boars from EPNP, as well as exposure to Trichinella spp. and associated risk factors in dogs and human consumers of wild boar meat. Trichinella spp. larvae were detected in muscle samples from 5/49 wild boars by AD (10.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.8%-23%), with a mean burden of 0.24 larvae per gram (lpg; range, 0.06-0.95 lpg). Anti-Trichinella antibodies were not detected in wild boar serum samples (n=42). In dogs, 12/34 were seropositive to Trichinella spp. (35.29%; 95%, CI, 20.3%-53.5%). Immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies were not detected in human serum samples (n=63). Our results reveal the presence, albeit at low prevalence, of Trichinella spp. in wild boars and exposure in dogs fed game offal. These findings suggest that the low prevalence and parasitic load in wild boars, together with the best practices applied by EPNP culling program personnel, contribute to keeping the risk of infection in people low. The dog results highlight that the parasite is circulating in the area, and therefore the risk of infection is not negligible. We recommend the implementation of an animal surveillance strategy in order to monitor the evolution of this zoonosis in the study area.

Resistomes and microbiome of meat trimmings and colon content from culled cows raised in conventional and organic production systems

BackgroundThe potential to distribute bacteria resistant to antimicrobial drugs in the meat supply is a public health concern. Market cows make up a fifth of the U.S. beef produced but little is known about the entire population of bacteria (the microbiome) and entirety of all resistance genes (the resistome) that are found in this population. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the resistomes and microbiome of beef, dairy, and organic dairy market cows at slaughter.MethodsFifty-four (N = 54) composite samples of both colon content and meat trimmings rinsate samples were collected over six visits to two harvest facilities from cows raised in three different production systems: conventional beef, conventional dairy, and organic dairy (n = 3 samples per visit per production system). Metagenomic DNA obtained from samples were analyzed using target-enriched sequencing (resistome) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing (microbiome).ResultsAll colon content samples had at least one identifiable antimicrobial resistance gene (ARG), while 21 of the 54 meat trimmings samples harbored at least one identifiable ARGs. Tetracycline ARGs were the most abundant class in both colon content and carcass meat trimmings. The resistome found on carcass meat trimmings was not significantly different by production system (P = 0.84, R2 = 0.00) or harvest facility (P = 0.10, R2 = 0.09). However, the resistome of colon content differed (P = 0.01; R2 = 0.05) among production systems, but not among the harvest facilities (P = 0.41; R2 = 0.00). Amplicon sequencing revealed differences (P < 0.05) in microbial populations in both meat trimmings and colon content between harvest facilities but not production systems (P > 0.05).ConclusionsThese data provide a baseline characterization of an important segment of the beef industry and highlight the effect that the production system where cattle are raised and the harvest facilities where an animal is processed can impact associated microbiome and resistomes.

EFFECT OF LEMON PEEL AND PULP EXTRACT ON SOME LOCAL KURDISH RAM MEAT QUALITIES AND ITS SHELF LIFE

To investigate the effectiveness of adding lemon peels and pulp extracts on some quality properties and shelf-life of the sheep longisimussdorsi muscle during refrigerated storage at 4±1°C for 0, 4, and 8 days for this purpose am meat trim of visible fat and connective tissue, they cut in small cubes. The meat samples divide into four equal proportions and mix with different concentrations of lemon peel and pulp extract according to the following formulations: Control; T1 1%; T2 2% and T3 3% of lemon peel and pulp extract, by applied immersion method. The results showed acceptable results of moisture content, Water-holding capacity cooking loss, thiobarbituric acid, met-myoglobin, myoglobin, and sensory traits of the samples treated with lemon peel in comparison to the control group. The phiso-chemical traits changed during the storage periods but the meat sample treated with lemon extract was more stable than control groups. These results suggested that using lemon peels and pulp extracts to maintain physio-chemical properties of ram meat and extend shelf-life during refrigerated storage, which may have implications of meat processors.

EFFECT OF LEMON PEEL AND PULP EXTRACT ON SOME LOCAL KURDISH RAM MEAT QUALITIES AND ITS SHELF LIFE

To investigate the effectiveness of adding lemon peels and pulp extracts on some quality properties and shelf-life of the sheep longisimussdorsi muscle during refrigerated storage at 4±1°C for 0, 4, and 8 days for this purpose am meat trim of visible fat and connective tissue, they cut in small cubes. The meat samples divide into four equal proportions and mix with different concentrations of lemon peel and pulp extract according to the following formulations: Control; T1 1%; T2 2% and T3 3% of lemon peel and pulp extract, by applied immersion method. The results showed acceptable results of moisture content, Water-holding capacity cooking loss, thiobarbituric acid, met-myoglobin, myoglobin, and sensory traits of the samples treated with lemon peel in comparison to the control group. The phiso-chemical traits changed during the storage periods but the meat sample treated with lemon extract was more stable than control groups. These results suggested that using lemon peels and pulp extracts to maintain physio-chemical properties of ram meat and extend shelf-life during refrigerated storage, which may have implications of meat processors.

ERGONOMIC POSTURE ASSESSMENT OF BUTCHERS: A SMALL ENTERPRISE STUDY IN MALAYSIA FOOD INDUSTRY

The development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is crucial for improving the economy of a rural area. However, this can cause working posture problems, such as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs). This is especially true for butchers, who work in SMEs that still depend on manual handling processes without standard operating procedures. Posture analysis evaluations using the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tools have been used to analyse the working postures of butchers working in SMEs. The aim of this study was to identify butchers’ risks of working posture problems, and to propose an ergonomic workstation designed to reduce MSDs and CTDs. This study was focused on smoked meat preparation. The butchers there spend 5–8 hours a day cutting and trimming meat. The assessment was conducted using RULA and REBA worksheets. The RULA score for the meat trimming process was 7, with a score of 6 for the meat cutting process. As for REBA, the score was 5 for both the meat trimming and meat cutting processes. Based on these scores, the butchers were at higher risks for MSDs and CTDs. Therefore, a new ergonomic workstation design was proposed based on the principles of motion economy.

The use of 3D scanning to determine the weight of the chicken breast

An important problem of the poultry industry is the non-standard raw material in terms of the size and weight of slaughtered chickens, and thus the obtained carcasses. For example carcasses with too small breasts should not be divided and should be sent for sale in their entirety. Problems may also be caused by the dissection of too large carcasses. The breasts may require additional cutting to a certain weight, which results in the creation of significant quantities of meat trimmings with a lower market value and economically less efficient management directions. Therefore, it is necessary to develop methods allowing to estimate the share of the chicken breast (the most valuable element) before directing carcasses to cutting.The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of 3D scanning application to determine the weight of the whole breast and the weight of m. pectoralis major and minor in chicken carcasses. Raw material for the study was chicken carcasses (n = 25) significantly differentiated in terms of weight. 3D images were obtained using a set consisting of a scanner and a rotary table, on which a tripod with standard industrial stirrup was placed and chicken carcasses were hung on. 3D images of each carcass were divided into a series of cross-sections in different planes and their surface areas were determined. After the carcasses dissection, the weight of the whole breast and its muscles were determined, which were correlated with the cross-section areas. The smallest standard errors of prediction among the determined cross-section areas were obtained using the cross-section in the plane passing through the place of connection of the wings with the trunk and perpendicular to the plane of carcass symmetry (O4). The observed values of SEP (36.99 and 33.19 g for the breast and m. pectoralis major, respectively) were lower in this case than obtained in the industrial classification method based on the weight of the entire carcass.

Amino-acid composition and balance of collagen containing raw materials

A prospective source of additional food protein in the meat industry is collagen-containing raw materials: pork skin, connective tissue obtained at meat trimming, collagen-containing by-products, etc., which can be used as part of proteinand-fat emulsions. Collagen emulsions have a wide range of functional properties: moisture and fat retention, foam and gelling abilities, emulsifying activity, active foam, emulsions and dispersions stabilizers, so they can be used as a technological additive in the meat industry. Therefore, the most important task in the process is the complete use of collagen-containing raw materials with the maximum implementation of its properties. The paper presents the results of studies on determining the amino acid composition and balance of collagen-containing raw materials: pork skin, beef tendons, lungs, rumen, beef lips and ears, pork ears, udder, spleen, omasum, skin, head, feet, caruncle, stomach and intestines of poultry. It was determined that collagen-containing raw material contains all the essential amino acids: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine and cysteine, phenylalanine and tyrosine, threonine, valine with the amino acid count in the range of 17.1–185.0 %. At the same time, a more balanced amino acid composition in comparison with other types of collagen-containing raw materials is shown by: pork skin, udder, beef lips and trachea, chitterlings, omasum, rumen, lungs and spleen as evidenced by high values of amino acid score (up to 185 %), essential amino acid index (up to 1.1), utility factor of the amino acid composition (up to 0.84), as well as the approximate values of the comparable redundancy index (0.0007–0.0043). The research results confirm the prospectiveness of combining muscle and connective tissue proteins in recipes of meat products of high nutritional and biological value.

Physicochemical characteristics of smoked cooked linguiças made with ostrich meat trimmings

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of three formulations of smoked cooked linguiças, only differing in the lean meat used: (Formula 1 ― 100% ostrich meat; Formula 2 ― 50% ostrich meat + 50% pork; and Formula 3 ― 50% ostrich meat + 50% chicken), elaborated with ostrich meat trimmings. The formulas showed slightly higher moisture content (62.00-64.41%) than the maximum allowed in the legislation for cooked linguiças (60%) (Brasil, 2000). However, their protein content (19.99-22.14%) was at least 42% higher than the minimum required level (14%); the fat content (11.82-14.25%) was less than half the maximum permitted level (35%) in the same legislation, and at least 45% less than three well-known smoked cooked linguiça brands commercialized in Brazil; and the energy value (194.89-208.19 Kcal%) was at least 31% less than the same smoked linguiça brands; thus the three ostrich smoked linguiça formulas elaborated could be claimed "light" in fat content and energy value (European Union, 2006; Brasil, 2012). The present study showed that ostrich meat trimmings can be successfully used to elaborate healthy, "light", smoked cooked linguiças, competing in the market with traditional smoked cooked linguiças, and adding value in the ostrich meat chain.

Bacteriophage application on red meats and poultry: Effects on Salmonella population in final ground products

This research was conducted to study the effects of bacteriophage application during tumbling on Salmonella populations in ground meat and poultry. Red meat trim and poultry were inoculated with a Salmonella cocktail to result in a contamination level of 7logCFU/g in ground products. A commercial preparation containing bacteriophages S16 and Felix-O1a (FO1a) was applied during tumbling at 107 and 108PFU/ml. Samples were held at 4°C for 6h and 18h (red meat) and 30min and 6h (poultry). Overall, bacteriophage application on trim reduced 1 and 0.8logCFU/g of Salmonella in ground beef and ground pork, respectively. For ground chicken and ground turkey, Salmonella was reduced by 1.1 and 0.9logCFU/g, respectively. This study shows that bacteriophage application during tumbling of red meat trim and poultry can provide additional Salmonella control in ground products.

New insights into meat by-product utilization

Meat industry generates large volumes of by-products like blood, bones, meat trimmings, skin, fatty tissues, horns, hoofs, feet, skull and viscera among others that are costly to be treated and disposed ecologically. These costs can be balanced through innovation to generate added value products that increase its profitability. Rendering results in feed ingredients for livestock, poultry and aquaculture as well as for pet foods. Energy valorization can be obtained through the thermochemical processing of meat and bone meal or the use of waste animal fats for the production of biodiesel. More recently, new applications have been reported like the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates as alternative to plastics produced from petroleum. Other interesting valorization strategies are based on the hydrolysis of by-products to obtain added value products like bioactive peptides with relevant physiological effects as antihypertensive, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, etc. with promising applications in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry. This paper reports and discusses the latest developments and trends in the use and valorisation of meat industry by-products.

The significance of clean and dirty animals for bacterial dynamics along the beef chain

This study investigated the bacterial dynamics along the beef chain for clean and dirty cattle in the slaughter and processing lines, using classic quantitative methods and molecular analyses. In addition, the Norwegian national guidelines for Good Hygiene Practices in Norway were evaluated. In these guidelines, cattle presented for slaughter are categorised according to hide cleanliness, resulting in separate processing lines for meat from very dirty animals and reduced prices to farmers. The study was conducted in two commercial abattoirs in Norway. Two groups were compared; 40 visually clean cattle and 40 visually dirty cattle presented for slaughter, with 20 from each group at each abattoir. The same animals were sampled at five sampling sites: hides, carcass surfaces after dehiding, just before chilling, after chilling, and meat trimmings. Meat trimmings were sampled in only one abattoir. Three hundred and sixty samples were collected by swabbing 100cm2 of the brisket area at the first four sampling sites, and sampling 200g of meat trimmings at the fifth site. The results showed that the hides of dirty cattle had more Enterobacteriaceae and higher Aerobic Plate Counts (APC) than visually clean cattle (P<0.05), however there was no significant difference for Escherichia coli. For the other sampling sites, there were no differences between the dirty and the clean group. An effect of chilling/drying of the carcass surfaces was demonstrated by the significant reduction in the number of carcasses on which E. coli and Enterobacteriaceae were detected; from 11% and 39% before chilling to 1% and 16% after chilling, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli were detected in only three and one of the meat trimming samples, respectively. Amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from 643 Enterobacteriaceae colonies derived from 107 samples demonstrated that Escherichia/Shigella were dominant within this family on the hides. However, after dehiding, after grading, and after chilling, the genera Citrobacter and Enterobacter dominated. The meat trimmings were dominated by the genera Kluyvera, Hafnia, and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae. The relative proportions of Escherichia/Shigella were higher for dirty animals than for clean animals, and were higher on hides than from sampling sites further down the chain (P<0.05). The minor differences in contamination on carcass surfaces and meat trimmings between clean and dirty cattle indicate that separate processing lines in Norwegian abattoirs seem to be unnecessary.

Bacteriological Characteristics of Fresh Ostrich Sausage (Linguiça)

The aim of this study was to evaluate bacteriological characteristics and shelf life of three formulations of ostrich sausages (linguicas), only differing in lean meat percentage: Formula 1, 100% ostrich meat; Formula 2, 75% ostrich meat + 25% pork; and Formula 3, 50% ostrich meat + 25% pork + 25% chicken. All linguicas were vacuum-packed and stored at 5 ± 2oC. Mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, sulfite-reducing Clostridia, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and Escherichia coli were enumerated and Salmonella spp were isolated and identified. Initial mesophilic and psychotropic bacteria counts were high. During storage time, sulfite-reducing Clostridia, coagulase-positive Staphylococci, and Escherichia coli counts never reached the tolerance limit established by the Brazilian legislation. However, Salmonella was isolated from a Formula 2 sample on day 1, therefore, it was considered inappropriate for consumption. The shelf lives of Formulas 1 and 3 were below 12 and 8 days, respectively. If initial bacterial counts had been lower, the shelf life of the evaluated formulas would probably be longer. This study showed that ostrich meat trimmings can be successfully used in the production of ostrich linguicas, and that the formula containing ostrich meat as the only source of lean meat presented the longest shelf life.

Carcass traits and saleable meat yield of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Australia

Carcass traits and saleable meat yield (SMY) of female and castrated male alpacas in Australia at 18, 24 and 36months of age were investigated. Fifty huacaya alpacas, evenly distributed across 14, 20, 32month ages and two genders, were grazed on coastal summer pastures for four months. Dressing percentage and carcass length were collected at slaughter. At 24h post-mortem the carcasses were prepared into four SMY combinations. Thirty six month animals had heavier hot carcass weights (33.7±1kg) and longer carcasses (81.2±0.7cm) as expected. The percentage of total carcass bone (17.5±0.2%), fat trim (1.4±0.1%) and meat trim (7.8±0.4%) was assessed as a proportion of cold carcass weight. The proportion of fat increased and bone decreased with age. Females had more trim than males. SMY decreased in females and increased in males with age across all combinations suggesting that males are preferable for meat production.

Masná užitkovost holštýnských telat poražených v živé hmotnosti 300 kg

The aim of this work was to quantify basic feedlot performance and carcass value characteristics of Holstein bulls slaughtered as “young cattle” at 300 kg of live weight. The observation was carried out in a group of 12 Holstein bulls fattened in identical conditions and fed on a diet consisting of ad libitum amount of crushed grain (barley and wheat) and a limited amount of protein concentrate.The mean overall values were as follows: age and live weight at slaughter 275.9 days and 299.3 kg, daily weight gain and net weight gain since birth 0.962 kg and 0.527 kg, dressing percentage 48.3%, weight of cold right carcass half 71.0 kg, weight of bones 17.5 kg, weight of muscle 53.0 kg and separable fat 0.54 kg. The mean weight of hide was 21.6 kg. The great majority of calves were classified as O2, one calf graded R2. The forequarter to hindquarter ratio was 1.4 with mean weights 29.1 kg and 41.9 kg. The mean weight of neck was 3.9 kg, chuck 3.6 kg, shoulder 5.9 kg, fore shank 3.4 kg, loin 4.1 kg, filet 1.5 kg, round 18.2 kg and hind shank 1.3 kg. We found highly significant (P&lt;0.01) coefficients of correlation between carcass weight and live weight at slaughter (r=0.963) or daily weight gain (r=0.723). Net weight gain since birth was highly significantly (P&lt;0.01) correlated to live weight at slaughter (r=0.723) or to daily weight gain (r=0.982) and significantly correlated (P&lt;0.05) to age at slaughter (r= –0.665).Despite the average or worse-than-average feedlot performance parameters our experimental Holstein bulls had an adequate proportion of muscle (comparable with other literature sources), a high ratio of bones and a very low proportion of fat. Thanks to small meat trim, weights of the main dissection parts of fore-and hindquarters were comparable to those usually found in young Holstein bulls.

Effects of hygienic treatments during slaughtering on microbial dynamics and contamination of sheep meat

The aims of this study were to investigate bacterial dynamics in the sheep meat chain, from fleece to meat trimmings, using both quantitative and qualitative analyses, and to study the effects on microbial load associated with the hygienic interventions of: i) shearing sheep immediately before slaughter, ii) manual steam vacuum pasteurisation, iii) hot water pasteurisation of carcasses, followed by iv) chilling. A further aim was to provide evidence to determine whether or not unshorn sheep should be handled in a processing line separate from that of shorn sheep in Norwegian abattoirs. A total of 176 surface swab samples were collected from three sites along the value chain: i) on fleeces, ii) on carcasses at the end of the slaughter line, and iii) on carcasses after chilling for 24h, and 32 samples were collected from meat trimmings. The results showed that Aerobic Plate Counts (APC) were lower for the shorn group compared to the unshorn group, both on carcasses before chilling and after chilling (difference of 0.8 and 0.9logCFU/1000cm2 (p≤0.05), respectively) and in meat trimmings (difference of 0.5logCFU/g (p≤0.05)). Hygienic treatments were used on carcasses derived from unshorn sheep, and steam vacuum treatment reduced Escherichia coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and APC before chilling by 1.2, 1.0, and 0.6logCFU/1000cm2 (p≤0.05), respectively, and hot water pasteurisation, in addition to chilling, reduced E. coli, Enterobacteriaceae, and APC by 0.7, 1.0, and 0.9logCFU/1000cm2 (p≤0.05), respectively, compared with untreated carcasses. The effect of chilling was shown by the significant reduction of number of carcasses where E. coli were detected; from 65% (13/20) of the shorn group before chilling to 35% (7/20) after chilling, and from 90% (36/40) to 45% (9/20) of the unshorn group. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene derived from 316 colonies of Enterobacteriaceae showed a tendency for the relative proportion of the genus Escherichia/Shigella, compared with other genera within Enterobacteriaceae, to be greater for unshorn, untreated sheep than from the other groups at the sampling locations along the meat chain. The study showed that steam vacuum and hot water pasteurisation reduced the contamination of carcasses derived from unshorn sheep, down to the level of the shorn group, and thus can replace the separate processing line for unshorn sheep. Indeed, the low microbial contamination in meat trimmings for all groups indicates that the separate processing line is unnecessary.

Use of mild irradiation doses to control pathogenic bacteria on meat trimmings for production of patties aiming at provoking minimal changes in quality attributes

The objectives of the present work were to assess the use of moderate doses of gamma irradiation (2 to 5kGy) and to reduce the risk of pathogen presence without altering the quality attributes of bovine trimmings and of patties made of irradiated trimmings. Microbiological indicators (coliforms, Pseudomonas spp and mesophilic aerobic counts), physicochemical indicators (pH, color and tiobarbituric acid) and sensory changes were evaluated during storage. 5 kGy irradiation doses slightly increased off flavors in patties. Two pathogenic markers (Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli O157:H7) were inoculated at high or low loads to trimming samples which were subsequently irradiated and lethality curves were obtained. Provided that using irradiation doses ≤2.5kGy are used, reductions of 2logCFU/g of L. monocytogenes and 5logCFU/g of E. coli O157:H7 are expected. It seems reasonable to suppose that irradiation can be successfully employed to improve the safety of frozen trimmings when initial pathogenic bacteria burdens are not extremely high.

General patterns of background microbiota and selected bacterial pathogens during production of fermented sausages in Serbia

The presence of Salmonella spp. or Escherichia coli O157 and background microbiota, pH and aw were determined in raw fermented sausages produced from pork or beef and without lactic acid bacteria starters. The investigation was conducted at five meat processing plants, and the sampling was done at five steps of the production process at each plant. In meat trimmings, total viable count (TVC) ranged around 6 log CFU/g and around 5–6 log CFU/g in the pork and the beef sausages, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae count (EBC) ranged in the vicinity of 3–4 log CFU/g, whilst E. coli count (ECC) ranges were comparably lower (by 1–2 logs). During chopping of both the pork and the beef trimmings, the levels of TVC, EBC and ECC increased by 1–1.5 logs. After the additives and the spices were added, background microbiota tended to slightly decrease, generally more noticeably in pork sausages and with ECC. During the fermentation-drying stage, in both pork and beef sausages, initial TVC levels (6–7 log CFU/g) increased by the mid-process (by approximately 1.5–2 logs) and remained at those levels in finished products. During the same period, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) increased from initial levels of 5.5–6 log CFU/g to around 7–8 log CFU/g in pork and around 8–9 log CFU/g in beef sausages, and became the predominant microbial group. Salmonella spp. was found in the first three stages of the production process (trimmings, trimmings chopping, mixing with additives/spices), in two of three meat processing plants, but not at later stages of the production process. E. coli O157 was found only in one sample of chopped trimmings in one meat processing plant. The background microbiota patterns and levels were, generally, similar to those commonly reported for raw fermented sausages in other published studies. The initial presence of foodborne pathogens in raw fermented sausage production may be considered as a potential meat safety risk, because in the case of high initial pathogen counts, their total elimination cannot be assumed.