Abstract:

In order to explore the quality change and establish prediction model of microorganisms in chilled pork under different package conditions, the values of L*, pH, TVBN value and total microorganism counts of chiller pork under pallet, vacuum and modified atmosphere packaging were determined during the storage at 4, 7 ℃and 10 ℃. Results showed that the value of L* and pH exhibited an initial decrease and a final increase; however, the TVBN value and microorganism counts exhibited a gradual increase. In addition, an obvious difference of these characteristics was observed in different package conditions. Based on Gompertz equation and experimental data, a growth equation for microorganisms was established to be lgN=lgN0+Aexp{－exp [－B(t－M)]} with the aid of Matlab software. Through the verification using the secondary model and confidence of tested data, the establish model could precisely describe the growth of microorganisms with higher reliability and versatility. Finally, a prediction model of shelf-life have also been established to be shelf-life (d) = {[lg(MSL)－lg(N0)]×ln10}/(U×24)＋LPD.

Key words: chilled pork, different packaging, total counts of microorganisms, prediction model