Thermal Inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Beef Treated with Marination and Tenderization Ingredients

Internalization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in nonintact beef products during mechanical tenderization or during injection of marination and tenderization ingredients is of concern if such products are undercooked. This study tested organic acids (0.2% citric acid and 0.3% acetic acid), potassium and calcium salts (1.8% potassium lactate, 0.63% calcium lactate, 0.86% calcium ascorbate, and 0.23% calcium chloride), and sodium chloride (2.5%) for their influence on thermal destruction of E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef serving as a model system. Ground beef batches (700 g; 5% fat) were mixed with equal volumes (22 ml) of each treatment solution or distilled water and portions (30 g) of treated ground beef were extruded in test tubes (2.5 by 10 cm). A five-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 (0.3 ml; 7 log CFU/g) was introduced at the center of the sample with a pipette. After overnight storage (4°C), simulating product marination, samples were heated to 60 or 65°C internal temperature, simulating rare and medium rare doneness of beef, in a circulating water bath. At 65°C, treatments with citric and acetic acid showed greater (P < 0.05) reduction (4 to 5 log CFU/g) of E. coli O157:H7 than all the other ingredients and the control (3 to 4 log CFU/g). Sodium chloride reduced weight losses (16 to 18% compared with 20 to 27% by citric or acetic acid) and resulted in a 4-log reduction in counts during cooking to 65°C. Ingredients such as citric or acetic acid may improve thermal inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 internalized in nonintact beef products, while sodium chloride may reduce cooking losses in such products.