Control of Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters and cooked pork chops by irradiation combined with modified atmosphere packaging.
This study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of controlling Listeria monocytogenes on frankfurters and cooked pork chops with irradiation and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) containing a high concentration of CO(2). Frankfurters and cooked pork chops were  inoculated with a five-strain cocktail of L. monocytogenes and packaged in vacuum or high-CO(2) MAP. Irradiation was applied to each product at 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 1.5 kGy. No significant packaging effect was found for the radiation sensitivity of L. monocytogenes. Radiation  D(10)-values for L. monocytogenes were 0.66 ± 0.03 and 0.70 ± 0.05 kGy on frankfurters and 0.60 ± 0.02 and 0.57 ± 0.02 kGy on cooked pork chops in vacuum and high-CO(2) MAP, respectively. High-CO(2) MAP was more effective  than vacuum packaging for controlling the growth of survivors during refrigerated storage. These results indicate that irradiation and high-CO(2) MAP can be used to improve control of L. monocytogenes in ready-to-eat meats.
Johnsonville Sausage, LLC, N6927 Johnsonville Way, Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin 53085, USA.
Li L
LL
Kudra
Joseph G
JG
Sebranek
James S
JS
Dickson
Elaine M
EM
Larson
Aubrey F
AF
Mendonca
Kenneth J
KJ
Prusa
Joseph C
JC
Cordray
Armitra
A
Jackson-Davis
Zheng
Z
Lu
D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D005506:Food Contamination / Q000032:analysis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005514:Food Irradiation; D005516:Food Microbiology; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects; D008461:Meat Products / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D012034:Refrigeration; D013997:Time Factors; D014618:Vacuum
D002245:Carbon Dioxide