The effects of irradiation dose (0, 0.5 and 1.0 kGy), various gas atmospheres and storage temperature (5, 15 and 25$ sp circ$C) on the physical, chemical, microbiological, and organoleptic changes in fresh pork were studied using factorial design experiments. The effects on toxin production by Clostridium botulinum were also investigated using challenge studies. Shelf life could be extended to 21 d when product was packaged in 0% O$ sb2$, irradiated at 1.0 kGy and stored at 5$ sp circ$C compared to 4 d for control samples. While the presence of O$ sb2$ in the package headspace enhanced the antimicrobial effects of low-dose irradiation, it adversely affected the organoleptic qualities of pork. Botulinum toxin was detected after only 2 d in all inoculated treatments stored at 25$ sp circ$C. At 15$ sp circ$C, toxin was produced faster when pork was initially packaged with O$ sb2$ or low levels of CO$ sb2$ (15-30%) as compared to 100% N$ sb2$. Higher levels of CO$ sb2$ (45-75%) delayed toxin production. In most treatments, spoilage preceded toxigenesis. Models were developed relating the above factors to the time until toxin production and to the probability of toxigenesis. Temperature, initial O$ sb2$ and irradiation were all significant factors.

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