Assessment of technological characteristics and microbiological quality of marinated turkey meat with the use of dairy products and lemon juice

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of marinating turkey meat with buttermilk and acid whey on the technological traits and microbiological quality of the product. Methods: Slices of turkey meat muscles were marinated for 12 hours in buttermilk (n = 30), acid whey (n = 30) and comparatively, in lemon juice (n = 30). The control group (n = 30) consisted of unmarinated slices of turkey breast muscles. Physical parameters (pH, water holding capacity, colour L*a*b*, shear force, weight loss) were assessed and quantitative and qualitative microbiological evaluation of raw and roasted products was performed. The microbiological parameters were determined as the total viable counts of mesophilic aerobic bacteria, of the Enterobacteriaceae family, and Pseudomonas spp. Bacterial identification was performed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Results: Marinating turkey meat in buttermilk and whey compared to marinating in lemon juice and the control sample resulted in a higher (p