Growth/survival of natural flora and Aeromonas hydrophila on refrigerated uncooked pork and turkey packaged in modified atmospheres

To evaluate the growth/survival of natural flora and Aeromonas hydrophila o n refrigerated normal low (pork) and high (turkey) pH meats packaged in mod ified atmospheres, A. hydrophila was inoculated onto fresh pork and turkey meat slices. Inoculated and control samples were packaged in modified atmos pheres (100% N-2, 20/80 and 40/60 CO2/O-2) or in air in plastic bags and ke pt at I and 7 degreesC. Samples packaged in air showed a similar microbiolo gical pattern to that usually observed in fresh meat stored aerobically Pac kaging in modified atmosphere produced a strong inhibition of bacterial gro wth at 1 degreesC, particularly in samples stored in CO2/O-2 enriched atmos pheres. Aeromonas hydrophila grew on turkey and pork meat stored in 100% N- 2 at I and 7 degrees C. Likewise, growth of this bacterium was detected on turkey stored in 20/80 CO2/O-2 at 7 degreesC. No growth was observed in 40/ 60 CO2/O-2 in any meat at both temperatures assayed (C) 2000 Academic Press .