A number of crab processors in the Maryland and Virginia region experienced an abnormally high incidence of spoilage in their pasteurized product in the fall of 1989. The spoilage was only seen in cans that were processed either shortly before or after hurricane Hugo and the majority of spoilage occurred in machine picked meat only. All processors pasteurized the meat at least to an Fi~5 of 32 minutes, which is the minimum National Blue Crab Industry Association (NBCIA) recommendation. Spoiled pasteurized crabmeat, processed in 1989 and 1990, were analyzed for their microbial content. Several cans that had spoiled in 1972 were also analyzed for microbial content Isolated organisms were tested for heat tolerance, and those organisms able to survive an F11~5 of 32 minutes or longer were identified. Can seams were evaluated to determine if the spoilage was due to post processing contamination. Approximate D-values were determined for the heat tolerant organisms. A psychrotrophic Clostridium sp. was found in all cans tested from a Maryland processor, Processor B. This processor only had spoilage in machine picked meat pasteurized after hurricane Hugo. Spoilage was seen in cans which had received a F 16/185 of 80 to 100 minutes. Spores from this organism had an approximate D-value of 6.5 minutes at 85 C in brain heart infusion broth (BHI). Cans from Processor B did not show any seam defects, and it was concluded that spoilage was due to the survival of spores, during pasteurization, from the Clostridium sp. that were able to outgrow at the temperature at which crabmeat is stored commercially. A Bacillus sp., possibly Bacillus pasteuranii, was found in one can from Processor B. Spores from this organism have an approximate D-value of 26.5 minutes in BHI broth at 85 C. This organism is unable to grow at refrigeration temperatures and it is not felt to have caused spoilage in the crabmeat. The Clostridium sp. found in cans from Processor B, pasteurized in 1989 and 1990, was also found in a can of jumbo lump meat from Processor D, processed in 1989, and a can of claw meat from Processor E, pasteurized around 1972. Cans from Processor A, who saw small amounts of spoilage before hurricane Hugo and in some hand- picked meat as well as machine piced meat had can seam measurements which did not meet specifications. It was concluded that spoilage from this processor was due to post-processing contamination. Crab processors must be aware that spores, from organisms that are able to outgrow at refrigeration temperatures, are able to survive pasteurization. The Clostridium sp. isolated in this study is one example. Processors will need to make sure their product is receiving sufficient heat to kill all spores of these organisms, while still maintaining a product with good sensory characteristics. It appears, from this study, that crab processors may want to increase the F-value that a lot of crabmeat receives after major storms, since the Clostridium sp. seemed to show up after hurricanes. Finally, crab processors need to be stringent in their sanitation and cleanliness so as to minimize the numbers of these types of organisms in their product. / Master of Science

FundaÃÃo Cearense de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e TecnolÃgico / The mangrove crab, Ucides cordatus is one of the most shellfish produced in Brazil, but his consumption becomes scarce during closed season. This study aimed development of freezedried products of the mangrove crab stored at ambient temperature and analyze the effect of lyophilization in relation to physicalchemical, microbiological, nutritional and sensory characteristics. Two products were developed: a "freeze-dried crab meat" and "freeze-dried crab cone". The product quality was evaluated through sensory tests, microbiological, TBARS, water activity, water holding capacity, centesimal composition, nutritional value, fatty acids content, and amino acid profile of volatile compounds. The best formulation of the "freeze-dried crab cone", acceptance by the tasters, corresponded to that contained only crab meat and dehydrated condiments. The lyophilized products were stored in two different packages (laminated polyethylene terephthalate) in the period 0 to 120 days of storage at ambient temperature. Both products did not suffer microbiological and sensory changes during this period, occurring only a slight increase in water activity and moisture. As to biochemical characteristics, freeze-dried products showed all essential amino acids in quantities greater than those recommended by FAO. In the freeze-dried products was higher concentration of fatty acids when compared to the fresh beef. The volatile compounds were detected in highest concentrations after rehydration of the product in heated water ( 100  C), mainly in relation to groups of aldehydes (hexanal and pentanal) and alcohol (2-methyl-3- phenyl-propanal and 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadien-3-ol). In general, the total volatile compounds were lowered after 240 days of storage at ambient temperature. Therefore, with this research was observed the feasibility of developing lyophilized products ("land crab freeze-dried meat" and "freeze-dried crab cone") the basis of land crab meat can be stored at ambient temperature with sensory attributes, physicalchemical and microbiological characteristics acceptable. / O caranguejo-uÃÃ, Ucides cordatus à um dos crustÃceos mais produzido no Brasil, porÃm o seu consumo torna-se escasso no perÃodo do defeso da espÃcie. Desta forma, o objetivo deste trabalho foi o desenvolvimento de produtos liofilizados do caranguejo-uÃa armazenados à temperatura ambiente e analisar o efeito da liofilizaÃÃo em relaÃÃo Ãs caracterÃsticas fÃsicoquÃmicas, microbiolÃgicas, nutricionais e a sensoriais. Foram desenvolvidos dois produtos: a âcarne de caranguejo liofilizadaâ e âcasquinha de caranguejo liofilizadaâ. A qualidade dos produtos foi avaliada, atravÃs de anÃlises sensoriais, microbiolÃgicas, TBARS, atividade de Ãgua, capacidade de retenÃÃo de Ãgua, composiÃÃo centesimal, valor nutricional, teor de Ãcidos graxos, perfil de aminoÃcidos e dos compostos volÃteis. A formulaÃÃo da âcasquinha de caranguejo liofilizadaâ de melhor aceitaÃÃo pelos degustadores correspondeu Ãquela que continha somente carne de caranguejo e condimentos desidratados. Os produtos liofilizados foram acondicionados em dois tipos de embalagens (laminada e tereftalato de polietileno) no perÃodo de 0 a 120 dias de armazenamento à temperatura ambiente. Ambos os produtos, nÃo sofreram alteraÃÃes microbiolÃgicas e sensoriais, neste perÃodo, ocorrendo apenas um leve aumento da atividade de Ãgua e umidade. Quanto Ãs caracterÃsticas bioquÃmicas, os produtos liofilizados apresentaram todos os aminoÃcidos essenciais em quantidades superiores Ãs recomendadas pela FAO. Nos produtos liofilizados houve maior concentraÃÃo dos Ãcidos graxos quando comparados com a carne in natura. Os compostos volÃteis foram detectados em maiores concentraÃÃes apÃs a reidrataÃÃo dos produtos, em Ãgua aquecida (Â100 ÂC), principalmente, no que se refere aos grupos dos aldeÃdos (hexanal e pentanal) e alcoÃis (2- metil-3-fenil-propanal e 3,7-dimetil-1,6-octadien-3-ol). De modo geral, o total dos compostos volÃteis foi reduzido apÃs 240 dias de armazenagem à temperatura ambiente. Portanto, com essa pesquisa observou-se a viabilidade de desenvolver produtos liofilizados (âcarne de caranguejo-uÃà liofilizadaâ e uma âcasquinha de caranguejo liofilizadaâ) a base de carne de caranguejo-uÃà que podem ser estocados a em temperatura ambiente com caracterÃsticas sensÃrias, fÃsico-quimica e microbiolÃgica aceitÃveis.