Extending the Shelf- Life of Meat By Integrated Methods of Preservation and drying

Abstract

This study was carried out to develop suitable methods for preservation of meat using traditional methods and some food additives. Shelf-life of dried meat was studied through chemical, physical and microbiological analysis. The meat was obtained from top round cuts bulls from commerical meats in Kafure area, khartoum North. The meat was treated using additives: spices (coriender), salt and edible oil. The meat was dehydrated by different methods: sun drying for 3 days, sun drying for 7 days, shade drying for 3 days and shade drying for 7 days. Meat slices were analysed chemically, physically and biologically during dehydration period. After drying slices were ground and stored at room temperature, and analysis were carried out immediately after drying for 7 days and then after 3 and 6 months of storage and chemical, physical and microbiological analysis were carried out. The results indicated that meat dehydrated by sun had lower moisture content than that dehydrated by shade. On the other hand crude protein, fat, and ash were found to increase with period of drying in sun and shade. The study also showed that the edible oil was best choice than salt and spice for meat treatment, with regard to numbers and types of microorganisms. Increasing in storage period of dehydrated meat had a decreasing effect on moisture content, and appearant inreasing in crude protien, fat and ash, was observed. Total viable bacterial count of dehydrated meat decreased slightly during storage period but the count of coliforms bacteria and E.coli in all dehydrated and treated meats decreased with increasing of storage time. Moulds were found to increase only in meat treated by spices during the storage, while yeasts were absent in all methods of dehydration.