Research progress in the use of lactic acid bacteria as natural biopreservatives against Pseudomonas spp. in meat and meat products: A review

Abstract

Meat and meat products represent excellent sources of key nutrients for human health, such as protein, essential amino acids, B vitamins, and minerals. However, they are recognized as highly perishable foods since they represent an ideal substrate for the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. Meat spoilage is a complex process that involves multiple microorganisms and a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic ecological factors. One of the most common causative agents of meat spoilage is represented by species of the genus Pseudomonas. To prevent the development of such undesired microorganisms, chemical preservatives are usually exploited by the meat industry. However, the growing consumers’ concerns about potential health issues linked to the consumption of chemical preservatives has prompted the food industry to develop alternative strategies to prevent microbial spoilage in meat and meat products. Besides to the application of physical strategies, the interest towards the use of natural preservatives, such as bioprotective microorganisms (e.g., lactic acid bacteria) and their metabolites, has rapidly grown. When used in meat and meat-based products, lactic acid bacteria exhibited a bioprotective activity against spoilage and even foodborne pathogens, thanks to the production of different inhibitory compounds including organic acids, bacteriocins, carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, ethanol, N-diacetyl, and lactones. This bioprotective activity might justify the use of lactic acid bacteria or their metabolites as natural preservatives to extend the shelf-life of the products. However, the effectiveness of antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas in meat and meat products still needs to be investigated to understand the influence of the type of end product, the type of packaging, and the storage conditions (time and temperature). Moreover, the antimicrobial activity of lactic acid bacteria must also be evaluated taking into consideration their ability to maintain the sensory features of fresh meat (whether whole or minced), without negatively affecting its sourness and acidity. Of note, the results herein discussed emphasize the challenges occurred in translating in vitro findings into practical applications due to the complex interactions between bacteria, antimicrobial compounds, and food matrices.