Lactic acid pre-treatment was examined to enhance the antimicrobial action of electron (e-) beam
irradiation of beef trim. Meat samples were inoculated with Escherichia coli O157:H7, non-O157 VTEC
E. coli or Salmonella cocktails and treated with 5% lactic acid at 55 C. Samples were packaged aerobically
or vacuum-packed, kept at 4 C and treated with 1 kGy e-beam energy. Frozen samples were treated with
1, 3 or 7 kGy and stored at 20 C for 5 d. Lactic acid enhanced the antimicrobial action of 1 kGy e-beam
treatment against Salmonella by causing an additional