Enterobacteriaceae, a hygiene indicator (Zeitoun, Debevere, &
Mossel, 1994), were also part of the microflora of ground chicken
meat (Fig. 1d). The initial population of Enterobacteriaceae
(3.4 log cfu/g) is indicative of adequate hygiene conditions of
production in the poultry plant. According to Adams and Moss (1997,
chap. 5) Enterobacteriaceae can grow under vacuum packaging and
high-pH values in meat and produce high levels of H2S giving meat
objectionable odours. The growth pattern of Enterobacteriaceae,
facultative anaerobic bacteria, was similar to that of LAB. The
combination of the citrus extract (0.2 ml/100 g) and O2 absorber was
the most effective in reducing the Enterobacteriaceae count i.e. from
6.4 to 4.6 log cfu/g on day 6 of storage (p < 0.05). Chouliara et al.
(2007) reported a slower growth of Enterobacteriaceae under MAP
(30% CO2/70% N2 and 70% CO2/30% N2) as compared to aerobic
packaging, while oregano oil at a concentration (0.1 ml/100 g), had
practically no effect on Enterobacteriaceae counts