Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Full- and Reduced-Fat Pepperoni after Manufacture of Sticks, Storage of Slices at 4°C or 21°C under Air and Vacuum, and Baking of Slices on Frozen Pizza at 135, 191 and 246°C

Authors:
  • RWRachel K. Wierzba
    Rachel K. Wierzba
  • AIAnne M. Ihnot
    Anne M. Ihnot
  • ARAnn M. Roering
    Ann M. Roering
  • TLTimothy D. Lorang
    Timothy D. Lorang
  • CKC. W. Kaspar
    C. W. Kaspar
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Abstract
Pepperoni batter was prepared with fat contents of about 15, 20, and 32% (wt/wt) and inoculated with a pediococcal starter culture and ≥2.0 × 107 CFU/g of a five-strain inoculum of Escherichia coli O157:H7. The batter was fermented at 96°F (ca. 36°C) and 85% relative humidity (RH) to pH ≤ 4.8 and then dried at 55°F (ca. 13°C) and 65% RH to a moisture/protein ratio of ≤1.6:1. For storage, slices were packaged under air or vacuum and stored at 39°F (ca. 4°C) and 70°F (ca. 21°C). For baking, frozen slices were placed on retail frozen cheese pizzas that were subsequently baked at 275°F (ca. 135°C), 375°F (ca. 191°C), or 475°F (ca. 246°C) for 0 to 20 min. Appreciable differences related to fat levels were observed after drying; pathogen numbers decreased by 1.04, 1.31 and 1.62 log10 units in sticks prepared from batter at initial fat levels of 15, 20, and 32%, respectively. During storage, the temperature rather than the atmosphere had the greater effect on pathogen numbers, with similar viability observed amo...