Nisin A extends the shelf life of high-fat chilled dairy dessert, a milk-based pudding.
OBJECTIVE
The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness of nisin A to control the growth of spore-forming bacteria, Bacillus and Paenibacillus, in chilled high-fat, milk pudding and to reduce heat treatment to improve aroma and flavour.


RESULTS
Nisin A was added to milk pudding containing 5·0 and 7·5% fat to final concentrations of 40, 80, 120 and 240 IU ml(-1). Spores from Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus cereus and Paenibacillus jamilae were inoculated into samples at 10 spores ml(-1) prior to pasteurization at 130°C for 2 s. Milk pudding without inoculation was pasteurized using less heat condition (100, 110 and 120°C for 2 s) to measure the effect of adjusting the ingredients to prevent naturally occurring bacteria. The viable cells during storage at 15, 20 and 30°C showed nisin A inhibited spiked bacteria to varying degrees depending on species, sensitivities to nisin A concentration and fat content, and inhibited natural populations at 80 IU g(-1) nisin A in 5·0% fat and at 120 IU g(-1) in 7·5% fat milk pudding. An aroma compound analysis and organoleptic assessment showed processing at 110 and 120°C decreased the temperature-dependent unpleasant odours, for example, reduced dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide by 1·2-1·5 times and increased rankings in taste tests compared with 130°C treated pudding.


CONCLUSIONS
Nisin A was found to be effective as a natural preservative to control spoilage bacteria in high-fat milk pudding and extend its shelf life, when using reduced heat treatments to improve the flavour and aroma without compromising food safety.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report showing nisin A is effective in reducing spoilage bacteria in high-fat, chilled dessert, milk pudding. Therefore, nisin A can be used to improve milk puddings to satisfy both industry and consumer demand for food quality and safety.
Laboratory of Animal Products Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan; Food Technology Research Laboratories, R&D Division, Meiji Co., Ltd., Odawara, Kanagawa, Japan.
S
S
Oshima
A
A
Hirano
H
H
Kamikado
J
J
Nishimura
Y
Y
Kawai
T
T
Saito
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001409:Bacillus cereus / Q000187:drug effects; D001413:Bacillus thuringiensis / Q000187:drug effects; D003611:Dairy Products / Q000382:microbiology*; D005520:Food Preservatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061353:Food Storage; D006358:Hot Temperature; D009561:Nisin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D056507:Paenibacillus / Q000187:drug effects; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005520:Food Preservatives; D009561:Nisin; C102526:nisin A
Bacillus cereus; Bacillus thuringiensis; chilled dessert; nisin; pudding; spoilage