Effect of packaging during storage time on retail display microbial population of beef strip loins from two different production systems.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of packaging during storage of strip loins (to simulate export shipment) from steers fattened on intensive grazing systems (Uruguay; UR) or on a high-concentrate diet (United States; US) on retail display life microbial growth. Four or 3 different packaging treatments were applied to UR and US strip loin roasts or steaks during 35 d of storage; treatments were applied 7 d following slaughter. After 35 d of storage, the samples were evaluated during simulated retail display for up to 6 d. In Exp. 1, the treatments were vacuum packaging (VP), low-oxygen modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with N and CO (MAP/CO), low-oxygen MAP with N plus CO and CO, and VP plus an application of peroxyacetic acid (VP/PAA). In Exp. 2, block 1, the treatments were VP, MAP/CO, and VP with ethyl--lauroyl--arginate HCl incorporated into the film as an antimicrobial agent (VP/AM). In Exp. 2, block 2, the treatments were VP, MAP/CO, MAP/CO, and VP/AM. For retail display, VP treatments were sliced and repackaged in PVC overwrap, and MAP treatments were actually PVC overwrap trays that were removed from a master bag with the prescribed gas treatment. Regardless of production system and packaging treatment, mesophilic and psychrotrophic counts of 6.9 to 7.8 and 6.7 to 7.7 log10 CFU/cm, respectively, were obtained at the end of retail display, except for US samples in Exp. 2 (5.5 to 6.3 log CFU/cm). No differences ( > 0.05) were detected for spp. counts among packaging treatments in US steaks at the end of the display time in Exp.1, whereas, for UR steaks, both MAP treatments had lower ( < 0.05) spp. counts than VP treatments. spp. counts were lower ( < 0.05) in the MAP/CO treatment than in the other 3 treatments in US samples on d 6 of retail display for Exp. 2. At the end of display time and for Exp. 1, US steaks under MAP/CO had greater ( < 0.05) lactic acid bacteria (LAB) counts than samples in both VP treatments; no differences ( > 0.05) among packaging were detected for UR steaks. Both MAP and VP/AM treatments in the US samples for Exp. 2 had lower ( < 0.05) LAB counts on d 6 of display than the VP treatment, but no differences ( > 0.05) were found among packaging treatments for the UR samples. To maximize shelf life (storage and display life) of exported fresh beef, it is critical to minimize bacterial populations during processing and storage.

Effect of packaging during storage time on retail display shelf life of longissimus muscle from two different beef production systems.

Two studies were conducted to evaluate the influence of packaging and production system (PS) on retail display life color (L*, a*, and b*), fatty acid profile (% of total fatty acids), lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; mg malondialdehyde/kg of muscle), vitamin E content (µg/g of muscle), and odor (trained panelists) during storage of LM. Four (or 3) different packaging treatments were applied to LM from steers fattened on grazing systems (Uruguayan) or on high-concentrate diets (U.S.). From fabrication to application of treatments, Uruguayan LM were vacuum packaged for air shipment and U.S. LM were also vacuum packaged and kept in a cooler until Uruguayan samples arrived. Treatments were applied 7 d after slaughter. In Exp. 1, treatments were vacuum packaging (VP), low-oxygen (O) modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) with nitrogen (N2) and carbon dioxide (MAP/CO), low-O MAP with N2 plus CO and carbon monoxide (MAP/CO), and VP plus an application of peroxyacetic acid (VP/PAA). In Exp. 2 block 1, treatments were VP, MAP/CO, and VP with ethyl-arginate HCl incorporated into the film as an antimicrobial agent (VP/AM). In Exp. 2 block 2, treatments were VP, MAP/CO, MAP/CO, and VP/AM. After 35 d storage, steaks were evaluated during simulated retail display for up to 6 d. In Exp. 1, Uruguayan steaks under MAP/CO had greater ( < 0.05) a* values than VP/PAA and MAP/CO on d 6 of display. For U.S. beef, the MAP/CO had the reddest lean color ( < 0.05) compared with the other 3 packaging treatments on d 6 of display in Exp. 1. Packaging × PS × time interaction was significant ( < 0.05) in Exp. 1. In Exp. 2, MAP/CO in Uruguayan steaks also had the greatest a* values on d 6 of display, but no differences ( > 0.05) were detected among both VP and MAP/CO in U.S. steaks at this time. No significant ( > 0.05) packaging × PS × time interaction was observed in Exp. 2. Only PS (both experiments) and time (Exp. 1) affected ( < 0.05) L* values. In both experiments, U.S. steaks had greater ( < 0.05) L* values than Uruguayan steaks. Vitamin E content in Uruguayan steaks was greater ( < 0.05) than in U.S. steaks. Packaging × PS, PS × time, and packaging × PS × time interactions were not significant ( > 0.05) for any of the fatty acids. Beef from Uruguayan had lower ( < 0.05) SFA and MUFA and greater ( < 0.05) PUFA and n-6 and n-3 fatty acid percentages than U.S. beef. Complexity of fresh meat postmortem chemistry warrants a more comprehensive approach to maximize shelf life.

Tejido linfático asociado a mucosas: Células presentadoras de antígenos / Mucose associated lymphoid tissue: Antigen presenting cells

Se estudiaron al microscopio electrónico biopsias de mucosas normales y patológicas (cavidad bucal y cuello uterino), con especial atención a los sistemas de defensa existentes en las células epiteliales (CE) y en las células dendríticas (CD). Las CE, cuando están activadas, muestran su capacidad de fagocitar y procesar antígenos con la finalidad de presentarlos luego a las CD; los elementos implicados en esta función son vesículas de micropinocitosis, cuerpos multivesiculares, lisosomas, fagosomas, vesículas recubiertas por clatrina, gránulos de contenido denso recubiertos por una unidad de membrana, gránulos en cuyo interior se aprecian láminas que simulan hojas de cebolla, microcuerpos y gránulos con actividad de fosfatasa ácida. Las CD que recién han ingresado al interior del epitelio son de baja densidad electrónica y poseen grandes prolongaciones citoplasmáticas, que luego se reducen de tamaño, a la vez que aumenta la densidad de su citoplasma. Muestran vesículas de micropinocitosis, algunas recubiertas por clatrina, lisosomas y corpúsculos de Birberk. En este momento son reconocidas como células de Langerhans. Tanto en las CE como en las CD existen abundantes “pliegues marginales o de superficie“ (surface folds), conteniendo numerosas vesículas de micropinocitosis. Entre la CE y la CD se establecen íntimos contactos a través de los cuales las primeras presentan los antígenos fagocitados y tratados a las CD donde son terminados de procesar y se unen a las moléculas del complejo principal de histocompatibilidad y/o a moléculas con función similar (CD1). Las CD migran a los ganglios linfáticos donde presentan los antígenos a los linfocitos T y empieza el proceso de activación de estos, que conduce a la defensa frente a las noxas que han ingresado al organismo. De esta manera tanto las CD como las CE son un lazo de unión entre los sistemas de defensa innata y la adquirida.

We studied samples of normal and abnormal human mucosae, including oral tissue and uterine cervix, using electron microscopy. Special attention was given to the functions and mechanisms of defense carried out by the epithelial (EC) and dendritic cells (DC). Activated epithelial cells posses the capacity to uptake and process antigens, in order to present them, subsequently, to the dendritic cells. The structures and elements of the cells intervening on this function are: micropinocytic vesicles, multivesicular bodies, lysosomes, phagosomes, clathrin-covered vesicles, dense granules covered by a unit membrane, granules with onion likes leaves, microbodies, and dense granules with acid phosphatase activity. When they first arrive within the epithelial layers, the DC are clear with long cytoplasmic projections, which later become short, and the density of their cytoplasm increases. They possess mycropinocytic vesicles, some clathrine-covered vesicles, lysososmes and Birbeck granules. At this moment, they are known as Langerhans cells. EC and DC present many surface folds rich in micropynocytic vesicles. Between EC and DC there are many contacts (close junctions or tight junctions), through which antigens, phagocitized and processed by the EC, are given to the DC. These cells join them to major histocompatibility complex molecules or to other molecules with similar functions (CD1). Then the Langerhans cells travel to the lymphatic node to activate T cells and continue the immunologic task. So, in this way, both the EC and the DC are a link between the natural and the acquired immunological mechanisms.

Acceptability of lamb fed on pasture, concentrate or combinations of both systems by European consumers.

It is well known that the eating quality of lamb is highly affected by feeding systems. The aim of this study was to ascertain acceptability of Uruguayan lamb meat from animals fed on different diets (only pasture-D1, only concentrate-D4 and two combinations of both systems-D3 and D4) by consumers from different European countries (Spain, Germany, United Kingdom and France). One hundred and twenty castrated Corriedale lambs were reared to 28.2±0.8 kg live weight and then thirty lambs were allocated to each diet and reared to 40kg live weight. Sections of loin were cooked using contact grills until the internal temperature of the muscle reached 72°C (65°C in France), cut and then served to consumers. A minimum of 180 consumers per country evaluated overall liking, flavour and tenderness acceptability of lamb from the 4 diets in sessions of 10 consumers using 8-point category scales. Globally consumers preferred lamb fed on concentrate or the combination of concentrate and pasture to lamb fed only on pasture. However, different segments of consumers were identified in each country based on their lamb acceptability. This information contributes to the identification of developing different commercial strategies in relation to the consumer segments found.