ORCID Profile
0000-0001-9527-2110
Current Organisation
University of Tasmania
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
Abstract: The objective of this study was to establish whether specific organisms play important roles in the spoilage rate of vacuum-packed (VP) lamb at low storage temperatures. The spoilage potential of representative organisms (n = 13) of the spoilage community of VP lamb were investigated through a series of shelf-life challenge trials. Each isolate was in idually inoculated onto sterile (irradiated) and non-sterile (i.e., containing natural microbial community) VP lamb meat. Meat quality was assessed over time by measuring sensorial qualities, bacterial growth and pH. Among all test organisms, Clostridium spp. had the highest spoilage potential and had a major effect on the spoilage rate of VP lamb (based on sensory assessment). C. estertheticum caused premature 'blown pack' spoilage however, the spoilage was delayed in a community setting. C. putrefaciens and C. algidicarnis caused premature spoilage of VP lamb independently and in a community setting. In contrast, all facultative anaerobes and Pseudomonas sp. tested were not capable of spoiling meat independently or within a community, expect for Carnobacterium ergens and Serratia spp., which spoiled meat prematurely when present in a community. Overall, these results highlight that Clostridium could be one of the main taxa driving the faster rate of quality loss of chilled VP lamb compared to beef. This research can help to inform opportunities for shelf-life extension by targeting organisms with 'high' spoilage potential, such as Clostridium.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.MEATSCI.2022.108781
Abstract: Vacuum-packed lamb produced in Australia has a shelf-life of 80-90 days under export conditions (-1 to 0 °C). However, access to some markets could involve >90 days transit time. Studies to understand the potential mechanisms of microbial spoilage of vacuum-packed lamb are, therefore, important to assist the development of shelf-life extension methods. Here, we investigated the effects of glucose on the shelf-life of vacuum-packed lamb. This was done by adding glucose (up to 4.64 mmol/kg) to the surface of meat and conducting a series of shelf-life trials, in which the sensorial qualities, bacterial growth, pH, and residual glucose and lactic acid were measured over time. Based on sensory analysis glucose extended the shelf-life, ranging from 8% to >76% increase relative to the control. Glucose reduced meat pH, potentially affecting the microbial community composition and the accumulation of spoilage metabolites. These results indicate that glucose plays an important role in microbial spoilage of vacuum-packed lamb possibly by pH reduction.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2018
Abstract: The extent and type of microbial growth on barley grain is a key determinant of malt quality for beer production, as problematic microbial products can persist into the brewing process and impact beer quality. Microbial composition on malting barley grain are influenced by field growth, storage and malting conditions. The present study investigated the efficacy of electrolysed water (EW) with free chlorine concentrations of 5, 50, 100 and 500 ppm, as well as peroxyacetic acid (PAA) at 100 and 500 ppm, as pre-steep treatments to control microbes on grains during the malting process. The research determined the reduction in the load of Pseudomonas spp., heterotrophic bacteria, yeasts and filamentous fungi on weathered and on non-weathered grains. Pseudomonas spp., heterotrophic bacteria and yeasts were significantly reduced up to 4 logs when treated with 500 ppm PAA. PAA reduced filamentous fungi but 500 ppm free chlorine EW showed greater reductions. None of the treatments had detrimental effect on grain germination. The variation in antimicrobial efficacy among treatments can be attributed to variations in microbial susceptibility as well as differences in anti-microbial mechanisms specific to each antimicrobial agent.
No related grants have been discovered for Laura Rood.