Fig. 5 shows the microbial growth in vacuum-packed HHP-treated
meat (at 300 and 600 MPa) and fresh meat samples (FM) during
refrigerated storage at 4 °C for a) mesophilic bacteria and b) lactic acid
bacteria. According to Articles 255 bis hese values can be considered as a reference for our chemical
pre-treated and HHP beef product.
In the case of fresh meat counts of mesophilic and lactic acid bacteria
were higher than the legally permitted levels at the third week of
refrigerated storage and Enterobacteriaceae counts were higher than
100 CFU/g after the second week.
The lactic acid bacteria and the mesophilic bacteria were the main
constituents of non-treated fresh meat's flora during the refrigerated
storage at 4 °C.