HEALTH NEWS

Study Title:

Whey Protein Coating Inhibits E. Coli on Roasted Turkey

Study Abstract

The effects of whey protein isolate (WPI) coatings incorporating a lactoperoxidase system (LPOS) on the inhibition of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on roasted turkey were studied by testing the initial inhibition as well as the inhibition during storage. The initial antimicrobial effects of WPI coatings incorporating LPOS (LPOS-WPI coatings) were examined with various inoculation levels and LPOS concentrations. LPOS-WPI coatings with 7 and 4% of LPOS demonstrated initial 3- and 2-log CFU/g reductions of S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7, respectively. The antimicrobial effect was observed regardless of whether the turkey was inoculated before or after coating. Storage studies were conducted for 42 days at 4 and 10 degrees C with S. enterica (6.0 log CFU/g)- or E. coli O157:H7 (5.6 log CFU/g)-inoculated sliced turkey. LPOS concentrations for the storage studies of S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 were 5 and 3% (wt/wt), respectively, in the coating solution and in an LPOS solution for spreading. LPOS-WPI coatings inhibited the growth of both S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 in turkey at both 4 and 10 degrees C for 42 days. The inhibition was more pronounced when the coating was formed on the surface of the turkey prior to inoculation than when the coating was formed on the inoculated surface. More effective inhibition of S. enterica and E. coli O157:H7 was observed with the LPOS-WPI coatings than with the LPOS solution-spreading treatment. LPOS-WPI coatings also retarded the growth of total aerobes during storage.

Study Information

Min S, Harris LJ, Krochta JM.
Inhibition of Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on roasted turkey by edible whey protein coatings incorporating the lactoperoxidase system.
J Food Prot.
2006 April
Department of Food Science and Technology, University of California, Davis 95616, USA.