ABSTRACT
The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) and storage temperature on the microbial counts, the instrumental color, and the oxidation stability of sliced dry-cured Iberian loin from two categories and two leading companies. 600 MPa for 8 min was sufficient to decrease all the microbial counts without affecting the color and the oxidation status, the effect being modulated by the loin category and company, whose effect on those variables was marked. However, the subsequent 90-day storage softened the initial effect of HPP on microorganisms and allowed a significant effect of HPP to develop on color and oxidation. In addition, the coliform counts were higher after storage at 20°C than at 4°C, suggesting that refrigeration may be needed during long-term storage to ensure loin safety.
