Efficacy of N-halamine compound on reduction of microorganisms in absorbent food pads of raw beef

- Significant reductions of spoilage bacteria in MC coated pads were observed.
- MC coated absorbent pads reduced microbial loads in beef by 1 log CFU/g on average.
- MC coated pads reduced inoculated foodborne pathogens to under the detection limit.

The antimicrobial activity of N-halamine, 1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidinone (MC) loaded absorbent pads in meat packaging was investigated. Absorbent pads treated with MC reduced the levels of total aerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas spp., and lactic acid bacteria to under the detection limit (2 log CFU/g) for day 0 and day 1. On days 4, 7 and 11, the microbial loads were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in all MC treated absorbent pads. The levels of Enterobacteriaceae on the treated samples remained under the detection limit during the entire storage period. The lightness of packed beef with MC treated absorbent pads was not significantly increased until day 11, while in the control group there were significant differences compared to the initial meat from day 1. Microbial loads in meat samples with MC treated pads were also significantly lowered (p < 0.05) compared to the control on day 11. MC treated absorbent pads were able to reduce microbial loads in beef samples by 1 log CFU/g on average. MC was able to extend the shelf life of refrigerated raw beef.