The microscopic structure of pork neck after cooling with showering stiving and processing by culture Lactobacillus sakei

Abstract

Microstructural changes in meat that occur during refrigerated storage depend on the hygiene of slaughtering and primary processing of animal carcasses, their cooling conditions, storage period, and microbial contamination and reflect the processes of meat maturation and spoilage. To extend the shelf life of pork in half-carcasses in a chilled state, 20 heads of 6-month-old large white pigs were used, which were delivered to the meat processing enterprise for slaughter. All half carcasses were cooled in a refrigerating chamber using showering, 1 hour later they were divided into 2 groups: control (without treatment) and experimental with the final treatment with a suspension of lactic acid bacteria of the SafePro® B-2 strain (Lactobacillus sakei). It has been found that cooling of pork half-carcasses in a refrigerating chamber with stiving and final processing by a culture suspension of lactic-acid microorganisms of strain SafePro® B-2 (Lactobacillus sakei) on the 4th day of storage had a positive effect on the microscopic structure of the pork neck and was characterized by a uniform color distribution when histologic specimens of muscular tissue are colored with hematoxylin and eosin, and minor cracks in the sarcoplasm, preservation of transverse and longitudinal striation of muscular fibers in comparison with that of the unprocessed pork half-carcasses with cultures of lactic-acid microorganisms. The microscopic structure of the muscular tissue of the pork half-carcass neck after cooling with stiving and final processing by a culture of lactic-acid microorganisms of strain SafePro® B-2 for 7 days of storage had a more distinct histoarchitecture in comparison with that of the unprocessed pork half-carcasses, as well as was characterized by insignificant areas of muscular fibers with transverse cracks, suspended development period of autolysis processes, partial preservation of transverse and longitudinal striation of muscle fibers. This points to a positive effect of lactic acid bacteria of strain SafePro® B-2 (Lactobacillus sakei) on the quality of the pork meat and contributes to the extension of its shelf life under chilled vintage.