Probiotic meat products and human nutrition

• Published in: Process biochemistry (1991) 2012-12, Vol.47 (12), p.1761-1772
• Main Authors: Kołożyn-Krajewska, Danuta, Dolatowski, Zbigniew J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benefits; carbohydrates; fermentation; ham; human nutrition; lactic acid bacteria; livestock and meat industry; manufacturing; Meat, Technology; milk; pasteurization; Probiotics; Quality; Risk; sausages
• ISSN: 1359-5113; 1873-3298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2012.09.017

► Production of meat probiotic products is limited by the number of technological factors. ► Probiotic strains should be present in the product in the number at least 106/g to have an impact on the health of consumers. ► More research is required to identify the strains and combinations of probiotic bacteria strains that produce health benefits. ► The risk connected with probiotic meats consumption may be biogenic amines. Raw cured and ripened meat products have been traditionally manufactured using the fermentation of native or added carbohydrates by lactic acid bacteria found in meat or in its environment. The commercial application of probiotic microorganisms in dry fermented meat products is not yet common. Probiotic bacterial strains that can be used in the manufacturing of dry fermented meat products should be capable of surviving in conditions found in fermented products; furthermore, they should dominate other microorganisms found in the finished product. The initial number of microorganisms in sausage filling or on the surface of ham or loin cannot be reduced as in milk pasteurization, for example. Therefore, the choice of appropriate microorganisms is important. Probiotic meat products are a relatively new and not very well recognized field of meat industry, but the most important issue is to find a compromise between technological aspects, safety, quality and health-beneficial effects of food. Therefore, the object of this review is on the one hand to analyze technological possibilities and quality parameters of probiotic meat products, and on the other hand to discuss risks and benefits of probiotic meat used in human nutrition.