Initial experiments were conducted to determine the microbial development in blocks of ground beef. In the top layers of the meat, Pseudomonas spp. predominated. Attempts were made, as well, to measure the microenvironmental changes occurring in ground beef using pH, oxygen, and redox potential micro-electrodes. / Some of the extrinsic (relative humidity, O(,2)), as well as intrinsic factors (pH, redox potential, ions, nutrients) affecting microbial development in aerobically stored meats, were examined. The decrease in glucose levels observed during the aerobic storage of longissimus dorsi (l. dorsi) muscle at 4(DEGREES)C, was accompanied by an increase in the activity of glucose dehydrogenase, and by the appearance of gluconate and 2-ketogluconate on the meat surface. / The attachment of various meat spoilage organisms to l. dorsi muscle was studied. Generally, the pseudomonads attached in higher numbers than the other bacteria, but possessed lower attachment strengths. Investigations on the attachment of two competing organisms to l. dorsi muscle demonstrated that limited competition occurs between the organisms. / A model of the microbial ecology of aerobically stored fresh beef was developed, based on existing evidence. / Various chemicals were added to minced or whole meat to evaluate their effectiveness as food preservatives. As a single compound, potassium sorbate appeared to have the greatest potential as a meat preservative. Meats > into solutions of 5.0% potassium sorbate for 1 min had their shelf-life substantially increased as compared with control samples > into water.

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