Effects of pork muscle quality on bacterial growth and retail case life

The effects of muscle quality (PSE, normal, DFD) upon the bacteriology and retail case life of pork chops were determined. Pork loin chops were processed from boneless backs after 90 days of frozen storage at −30°C. Variation in bacterial numbers was due to a highly significant ( p < 0·001) storage time by muscle quality interaction. During simulated retail display, total psychrotrophs, Pseudomonas spp., Brochothrix thermosphacta and Enterobacteriaceae were lowest on PSE pork and highest on DFD pork in comparison to normal pork. Differences in bacterial densities were due to a longer lag phase in PSE pork and a shorter lag phase in DFD pork than in normal pork. Of the three muscle quality groups, DFD was most susceptible to the development of spoilage odours, while PSE pork was most sensitive to deterioration in appearance.