Storage life at 2°C or-1.5°C of vacuum-packaged boneless and bone-in cuts from decontaminated beef carcasses

BACKGROUNDThe microbiological condition of beef produced at North American plants has been improved as a result of the use of effective carcass-decontaminating treatments. The effect of these treatments on the storage life of beef has not been established. In this study, beef primal cuts in vacuum packs stored at -1.5 or 2 degrees C for up to 160 days were assessed for their microbiological and organoleptic properties. RESULTSThe odours of boneless cuts were acceptable after storage at either temperature for 160days; and the flavours of steaks from boneless cuts stored at 2 or -1.5 degrees C for 70 or 120days, respectively, were acceptable. The storage life of bone-in cuts stored at 2 or -1.5 degrees C was, respectively, shorter or the same as that of boneless cuts stored at the same temperature. More than 20 microbial species that were mostly obligate aerobes were present on both types of cuts before storage. After storage for 30days, the microflora was dominated by carnobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae were present in the flora from early storage times. CONCLUSIONSA storage life of 120-140 days was attained by vacuum-packaged beef primals from decontaminated carcasses stored at -1.5 degrees C. The bone-in cuts stored at 2 degrees C were spoiled at earlier times, probably by Enterobacteriaceae. (c) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry