Microbiological shelf life of bulk-packaged Musculus gluteus medius supplemented with dietary vitamin E

Five Simmentaler type calves were fed diets supplemented with 500 mg vitami n E per day and five fed control diets. Rump steaks from each carcass were PVC-overwrapped and bulk packaged in 100% CO, or 20% CO2:80% O-2 Bulk packs were stored up to 32 days at 4 degrees C and steaks displayed up to 7 days at 4 degrees C. Bacterial counts of rump steaks from either packaging trea tment were not significantly influenced during bulk storage or retail displ ay by supplementation with dietary vitamin E. Both packaging treatments del ayed bacterial growth during bulk storage. Aerobic plate counts of rump ste aks stored in 100% CO2 were lower than those of rump steaks stored in 20% C O2: 80%: 92 This study showed that rump steaks supplemented with dietary vi tamin E can be bulk packaged in 20% CO2: 80% O-2 or 100% CO2 and stored for up to 42 days with shelf life of 4-7 days. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.