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Effects of modified atmosphere packaging and low-dose irradiation on the shelf life and microbiological safety of fresh pork

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.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:QMM.70219
Date January 1991
CreatorsLambert, Anne
PublisherMcGill University
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation
Formatapplication/pdf
CoverageDoctor of Philosophy (Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry.)
RightsAll items in eScholarship@McGill are protected by copyright with all rights reserved unless otherwise indicated.
Relationalephsysno: 001245978, proquestno: AAINN72114, Theses scanned by UMI/ProQuest.

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