Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life

Poultry meat is the most consumed meat worldwide due to its low fat content, sensory qualities, and affordability. However, its rapid spoilage, especially when minced for products like hamburgers, is a challenge. Strategies such as sulfite addition or modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can help con...

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Main Authors: Elena González-Fandos, Alba Martínez Laorden, Santiago Condón Usón, María Jesús Serrano Andrés
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Microorganisms
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/754
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author Elena González-Fandos
Alba Martínez Laorden
Santiago Condón Usón
María Jesús Serrano Andrés
author_facet Elena González-Fandos
Alba Martínez Laorden
Santiago Condón Usón
María Jesús Serrano Andrés
author_sort Elena González-Fandos
collection DOAJ
description Poultry meat is the most consumed meat worldwide due to its low fat content, sensory qualities, and affordability. However, its rapid spoilage, especially when minced for products like hamburgers, is a challenge. Strategies such as sulfite addition or modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can help control spoilage and microbial growth. This study evaluated both approaches by analyzing bacterial development in poultry hamburgers through total viable counts and MALDI-TOF identification, combining food-pathogens detection. The addition of 5 mg/kg sulfites had a limited effect, whereas increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels in the packaging significantly extended the shelf life by reducing the bacterial growth rates and prolonging the lag phases. The most affected bacteria were aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, as well as <i>Brochothrix thermosphacta</i>. <i>Carnobacterium</i> spp. dominated the aerobic mesophilic group, while <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. was prevalent in <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> and aerobic mesophilic isolates, highlighting its role in spoilage. <i>Hafnia alvei</i> was also relevant in the final spoilage stages. These results suggest the importance of these bacteria in poultry hamburger decay and demonstrate that MAP is an effective method to delay spoilage.
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spelling doaj-art-c02313378c2d4d82a3dbdf42dd7ab3722025-08-20T02:18:20ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-03-0113475410.3390/microorganisms13040754Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf LifeElena González-Fandos0Alba Martínez Laorden1Santiago Condón Usón2María Jesús Serrano Andrés3Department of Food Technology, CIVA Research Center, University of La Rioja, de la Paz Avenue, 26006 Logroño, SpainDepartment of Food Technology, CIVA Research Center, University of La Rioja, de la Paz Avenue, 26006 Logroño, SpainFood Science and Technology Department, Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza, Miguel Servet St. 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainInstituto Agroalimentario de Aragón IA2, Universidad de Zaragoza-Centro de Investigación y Tecnología Agroalimentaria de Aragón (CITA), Miguel Servet St. 177, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainPoultry meat is the most consumed meat worldwide due to its low fat content, sensory qualities, and affordability. However, its rapid spoilage, especially when minced for products like hamburgers, is a challenge. Strategies such as sulfite addition or modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) can help control spoilage and microbial growth. This study evaluated both approaches by analyzing bacterial development in poultry hamburgers through total viable counts and MALDI-TOF identification, combining food-pathogens detection. The addition of 5 mg/kg sulfites had a limited effect, whereas increasing CO<sub>2</sub> levels in the packaging significantly extended the shelf life by reducing the bacterial growth rates and prolonging the lag phases. The most affected bacteria were aerobic mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria, as well as <i>Brochothrix thermosphacta</i>. <i>Carnobacterium</i> spp. dominated the aerobic mesophilic group, while <i>Enterobacter</i> spp. was prevalent in <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> and aerobic mesophilic isolates, highlighting its role in spoilage. <i>Hafnia alvei</i> was also relevant in the final spoilage stages. These results suggest the importance of these bacteria in poultry hamburger decay and demonstrate that MAP is an effective method to delay spoilage.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/754meat productsbacterial identificationMALDI-TOFdecay
spellingShingle Elena González-Fandos
Alba Martínez Laorden
Santiago Condón Usón
María Jesús Serrano Andrés
Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
Microorganisms
meat products
bacterial identification
MALDI-TOF
decay
title Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
title_full Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
title_fullStr Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
title_full_unstemmed Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
title_short Growth and Diversity of Spoiling and Foodborne Bacteria in Poultry Hamburgers in Modified Atmosphere and with Sulfites During Shelf Life
title_sort growth and diversity of spoiling and foodborne bacteria in poultry hamburgers in modified atmosphere and with sulfites during shelf life
topic meat products
bacterial identification
MALDI-TOF
decay
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/4/754
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