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The aim of this study was to research the effect of different preservatives on quality and shelf life of fresh chilled meat stored at 4 °C for 12 days. This study used tea polyphenols (0.2%) and hydrogen peroxide (1.27 g/L) to treat chilled pork and measured its pH, TVB-N, TBARS, the total viable bacteria count (TVC) and sensory score. The results showed that the treatments with tea polyphenols and hydrogen peroxide significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the growth of TVC on fresh chilled pork. The TVC of sample treated with tea polyphenols and hydrogen peroxide increased from initial value 3.2 to 6.0 log CFU/g after 10 and 12 days, respectively. It was also found in pH, TVB-N, TBARS and sensory measurement that the tea polyphenols and hydrogen peroxide treatment could extend the storage period of chilled meat as well as hydrogen peroxide was slightly better than tea polyphenols. It could be suggested that both tea polyphenols and hydrogen peroxide treatment has great potential to extend the shelf life of fresh chilled pork.

The use of pork obtained from intensively growing hybrid animals as the main raw material in meat processing, in particular sausage production, is accompanied by undesirable variability of consumer characteristics of sausage products and a decrease in the economic indicators of enterprise performance. The main technological disadvantages of processed pork are reduced water-binding capacity and significant loss of meat fluid, which in practice is usually compensated by the increased use of food additives and non-meat ingredients. The aim of the study was to assess the possibility of targeted improvement of the technological properties of minced pork using a proteolytic enzyme of animal origin. Model samples of minced meat were developed and cured for 24 hours at a temperature of 4 °C. The following control samples were used: minced meat with the addition of 2% edible salt and minced meat with the addition of 2% edible salt and 0.2% sodium bicarbonate. Moreover, 0.0001% chymotrypsin was added to the test samples containing similar curing ingredients. During electrophoretic study, in samples with the enzyme, an increase in low-molecular fractions (20 kDa, 15 kDa and lower) was observed, which indicated the manifestation of proteolytic activity of chymotrypsin in model systems. Enzymatic treatment led to an increase in pH and water-binding capacity. Cooking loss was reduced by 3 to 6 times, compared to Control 1. After cooking, histological studies of model systems showed that the test samples subjected to enzymatic treatment were characterized by a denser arrangement of structural elements, less pronounced cellular components of muscle tissue and the presence of glutin formed as a result of protein breakdown, filling the microcapillaries. Thus, the use of an enzyme preparation provides an opportunity for targeted improvement of the technological properties of pork obtained from intensively growing hybrid animals.

The significance of pork meat quality extends far beyond mere consumer satisfaction, encompassing crucial aspects such as health and nutrition, economic impact, reputation and branding, food safety, and sustainability within the global food system. Influenced by a multitude of factors, each playing a pivotal role in shaping its sensory attributes and consumer appeal, pork meat quality stands as a cornerstone of the meat industry. Thus, understanding these factors are imperative for ensuring consistent high-quality pork production, aligning with consumer preferences, and elevating overall satisfaction levels. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the diverse factors affecting pork meat quality, including genetic characteristics, rearing systems, feed composition, gender differences, pre-slaughter handling, and meat aging processes.

Pork consumption has risen significantly in many emerging nations, with producers using various systems to meet demand. However, the profitability of these systems remains largely unexplored. Therefore, the drivers of profitability of pig production systems in Northern Uganda were examined. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire through a cross-sectional survey of 240 randomly selected pig farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis, and ordinary least squares model. Results revealed that the cost of initial stock (p < 0.1), cost of feed (p < 0.05), cost of vaccines (p < 0.01), output (p < 0.05), and quantity of feed (p < 0.05) were drivers of profitability in the farrow-to-finish pig production system. Further, profitability in the farrow-to-weaner pig production system was influenced by access to credit (p < 0.1), household size (p < 0.1), access to extension service (p < 0.01), and cost of initial stock (p < 0.05). In the weaner-to-slaughter pig production system, drivers of profitability included access to extension service (p < 0.1), cost of feed (p < 0.1), cost of vaccines (p < 0.05), and cost of initial stock (p < 0.05). Researchers recommend that the government arrange sufficient capacity-building initiatives and training, particularly on the farrow-to-weaner pig production system to increase the output and profitability of this production system. Further, the government and non-governmental organizations should make inputs such as vaccines, drugs, and breeding stock available to pig farmers at competitive market prices to enable farmers to make price-responsive decisions.

In order to explore the pork spoilage potential of Pseudomonas fragi and the antibacterial mechanism of garlic essential oil, P. fragi was isolated from chilled pork under aerobic storage conditions and tested its spoilage capacity. The isolates with strong spoilage capacity were selected for further investigation. The antibacterial activity of garlic essential oil against the selected strains was evaluated by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and plotting the bacterial growth curve. Furthermore, the antibacterial mechanism was investigated by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) observation as well as measuring cell membrane permeability, bacterial motility and metabolic activity. The results showed that P. fragi could cause pork spoilage. Garlic essential oil exhibited a strong inhibitory effect against P. fragi derived from pork, with a MIC of 0.125 μL/mL. Garlic essential oil could disrupt the normal structural morphology of P. fragi, enhance the permeability of the cell membrane, and inhibit bacterial metabolic activity and mobility. The results from this study can provide a theoretical foundation for the application of garlic essential oil as a natural food preservative.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of sous-vide on the thermal inactivation rules of Listeria monocytogenes in different matrix， the thermal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in different substrates at different temperatures was studied.MethodsFive lyophiliZed L. monocytogenes strains were inoculated into saline， MH broth， vacuum packed lean pork and streaky pork. The survival rates were evaluated at 55， 60， and 63 ℃. The decimal reduction time （D-value） and temperature dependence （Z-value） were determined for each strain in each matrix.ResultsThe D value and Z value of Listeria monocytogenes in pork were higher than those in normal saline and MH broth， the difference was statistically significant （P

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low-frequency alternating magnetic field assisted freezing (LF-MFF, –18 ℃) for different periods (12, 24, 36 and 48 h) on the quality of pork using fresh meat and conventional refrigerator freezing (–18 ℃, 36 h) as controls. The changes in the freezing rate, water-holding capacity, tenderness, color, pH, water migration and rheological properties of meat samples subjected to different freezing treatments were analyzed. The results indicated that compared with conventional refrigerator freezing, LF-MFF treatment at a magnetic intensity of 3 mT exhibited higher freezing rates and significantly improved pork quality (P < 0.05); among all freezing treatments, LF-MFF for 36–48 h improved the water-holding capacity, color and tenderness of pork (P < 0.05), thus maintaining better physicochemical properties. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) results showed that the proportion of immobilized water was significantly increased and the proportion of free water was decreased after 36–48 h LF-MFF when compared with conventional refrigerator freezing (P < 0.05). Furthermore, dynamic rheological results suggested that the samples subjected to LF-MFF for 36–48 h had higher G’ values and lower degrees of protein denaturation, indicating the formation of protein gels with better viscoelasticity. The Pearson correlation analysis indicated that the changes in physicochemical properties and moisture migration of pork after different freezing treatments were significantly correlated. Therefore, LF-MFF for 36–48 h could be the optimal freezing treatment for pork, which could maintain the physicochemical properties of pork, reduce moisture migration and inhibit protein denaturation, thereby improving the quality of frozen pork.

Cooking methods could have a great influence on the flavour of food, to investigate the effect of cooking methods on the aroma of pork, this study used electronic nose combined with gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) for multivariate statistical analyses of the volatile compounds in pork under different cooking methods. GC-IMS was used to characterise 100 volatile compounds (including monomers and dimers) of pork under different cooking methods. Finally, a stable model was established using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Results showed that, the cooking method is crucial for the formation of pork flavour compounds. Pork cooked by oven roasting and air fryer methods contained characteristic volatile compounds such as ethyl (E)-2-hexenoate, 1-octen-3-ol, (Z)-4-decenal, 3-nonen-2-one, (E)-2-hexen-1-ol, propyl butyrate, furazanone, and dipentenyl-M, as compared to the two cooking methods of steaming and boiling. The air fryer method pork contained higher levels of (E)-ethyl 2-hexenoate, 1-octen-3-ol, (Z)-4-decenal, and 3-nonen-2-one than the oven-roasted pork. Valeraldehyde and ethyl acetate were labelled as characteristic volatile substance compounds for both steamed and boiled cooking styles, and the results from the electronic nose sensor showed that the RPCA model was effective in identifying volatile substances in pork for each cooking style. The results of the study revealed the effects of different cooking methods on the volatile components of pork and found that the aromas of air fryer preparation and oven roasting were more similar, providing some reference for the cooking and processing of pork.

Pork plays a key role as an important protein source of high biological value, essential fatty acids, vitamins (B group) and microelements such as zinc, selenium and iron in the human diet. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate and compare the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, mineral content and technological properties of organic and conventional pork loin, with particular emphasis on their availability in the Polish market. In the study, a hypothesis that organic meat has a more beneficial composition from a nutritional perspective and better technological properties was tested. The research material consisted of pork loin (musculus longissimus dorsi et lumborum) available on the Polish market. The technological properties (pH, colour, free water, shear force) and nutritional value (proximate composition, the fatty acid profile and mineral compounds) were assessed. Organic pork was darker and leaner, and had lower pH and water-holding capacity. It contained higher Cu, which resulted in a higher coverage of requirements for Cu. It was characterized by a more favourable fatty acid composition, including a higher concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids and a lower level of saturated fatty acids and better atherogenic and thrombogenic indexes, which indicates its better nutritional value than conventional pork.

Amino acids are an essential source of human protein, and their content and composition are the main factors determining food protein utilization rate. Determining amino acids is essential in the component analysis of food. Therefore, a groundbreaking technique was developed utilizing ultra-high performance liquid chromatography interfaced with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS) for concurrently quantifying 18 amino acids across various types of meat. According to the test results, it can be known that the average content of glutamate (2.03 × 104 ± 3.94 × 103 μg/g in pig feet) was the highest in all meat samples, and the content of aspartate (0.0945 ± 0.0950 μg/g in pork) was the lowest, which was not detected in some samples such as beef and lean meat. Orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis (OPLS-DA) showed: (1) 13 amino acids (arginine, valine, serine, alanine, lysine, glycine, asparagine, methionine, proline, threonine, glutamate, phenylalanine, and leucine, VIP > 1) were used as characteristic amino acids between pork and pig feet; (2) serine, threonine, alanine, histidine, asparagine, and arginine (VIP > 1) were used as signature amino acids in different components of pork (lean meat, fat, and pigskin); (3) asparagine, glutamate, histidine, tyrosine, and valine (VIP > 1) were considered as signature amino acids in different types of meats (pork, mutton, beef, and chicken). This study provides a new UHPLC-QQQ-MS/MS method for the determination of amino acid content in meat and also provides data support for the comprehensive evaluation of the nutritional value of foods containing amino acids.

Market hog lymph nodes (LNs) can contaminate carcasses with Salmonella, as well as ground and comminuted pork products. The objective of this study was to perform a qualitative and quantitative analysis of LNs from several regions and seasons in the United States to establish a Salmonella prevalence and concentration baseline. Six types of LNs (axillary, mesenteric, subiliac, tracheobronchial, superficial inguinal, prescapular), and tonsils were sampled from market hog carcasses from different regions (east, central, and west) and seasons (winter, spring, and summer/fall). Salmonella was detected and enumerated using BAX®-System-SalQuant® methods and the BAX®-System Real-Time Salmonella Assay. Salmonella prevalence (N = 4,132) was 36% for tonsils, 35% for mesenteric LN, and less than 10% for the other LN types. Of the 601 carcasses tested, 62% were positive for Salmonella, with the highest prevalence occurring during spring in the east (90.9%), and the lowest prevalence occurring during spring in the central region (26.0%). Tonsil prevalence was greatest in the eastern region during spring. Mesenteric LN prevalence was high (>20%) regardless of season or region. Salmonella prevalence in tracheobronchial, subiliac, axillary, and superficial inguinal LNs was generally greatest during the spring or fall and in the eastern region. The median SalQuant® Salmonella concentration was 2.18 log10 Salmonella cells/sample. Median SalQuant® concentration for all other sample types fell below the limit of quantification (1 log10 Salmonella cells/sample). This longitudinal study can be used by the pork industry for risk assessments and risk-based decision-making.

In this study, different proportions of curcumin (CUR) and alizarin (ALI) were added to konjac glucomannan (KG)/ polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) to prepare an active intelligent packaging film and evaluate its potential to indicate pork freshness. The mixed indicator had a richer color hierarchy in the buffer solution with pH = 2–12. The surface of the KG-2C2A and KG-1C3A films is smoother and has fewer cross-section faults. With the increase of CUR content in the film, the crystal structure becomes more prominent, leading to poor compatibility with KG. The WAC of KG-3C1A and KG-1C3A films was significantly higher than that of the other groups, and they had better hydrophobicity. With the increase of CUR content in the films, the thermal stability of the films was enhanced, and the KG-C films showed the highest thermal stability. Among them, the KG-2A2C and KG-1C3A films showed the most significant color change during pork spoiling and could be used to monitor the freshness of pork. As a pH colorimetric indicator, CUR and ALI-coated KG films might be of great potential in fresh meat monitoring.

This study investigated the effects of ultrasonication on thawing rate, physicochemical properties, water migration, distribution and microstructure of pork at different frequency combination modes (mono-, dual- or tri-frequency sequential and simultaneous modes). The results showed that ultrasonic-assisted thawing increased the thawing rate and shortened the thawing time by 26.72–64.99 % compared to water immersion thawing, and inhibited the lipid oxidation. Regarding the quality characteristics of frozen pork, the samples thawed by combined tri-frequency sequential ultrasound mode (TSEU) at 20/50/35 kHz exhibited better water retention (lower thawing loss and cooking loss) and physicochemical quality (lowest hardness, highest tenderness, lower TBARS values). Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance results displayed that the mobility and loss of bound and free water in pork tissue reduced effectively after ultrasound treatment at 20/50/35 kHz. The microstructure analysis revealed that the microstructure of pork thawed by 20/50/35 kHz was closest to that of fresh meat, and the distribution of muscle fibers was close and regular. Therefore, TSEU at 20/50/35 kHz was considered to be the most appropriate treatment for pork thawing, which could significantly accelerate the thawing rate and maintaining the meat quality.

The high PSE incidence of pork reduced pork quality and restricted the down-stream processing of pork. Lots of scholars have studied the factors affecting the development of PSE pork recently, especially supplementary feeding before slaughter has become a research hotspot to reduce the incidence of PSE pork. However, there is a lack of systematic and in-depth review of the latest research results. This paper systematically summarizes the genetic and environmental factors affecting the development of PSE pork and the control measures. It mainly summarizes the effects and mechanism of the supplementation of vitamins, amino acids, electrolyte mineral elements, and natural compounds during fasting on PSE pork. The underlying mechanism of nutritional additives could reduce PSE incidence mainly includes increasing the content of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in serum, removing oxidizing free radicals and interrupting lipid peroxidation, delaying the decline of muscle pH after slaughter, improving the water holding capability of pork, and acting as the main source of energy material supply under stress. In addition, 1~3 h fasting time, −10~30 ℃ transport temperature, 6 min scalding time at 60 ℃, and the use of carbon dioxide stunning and two-stage chilling can also effectively reduce the occurrence of PSE meat.

Pork production is a significant agricultural enterprise in the United States and Canada. The United States is the third-largest global producer of pork and Canada ranks seventh in pork production. The North American Free Trade Agreement and its successor, the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, have facilitated trade and integration between the two countries. The majority of production systems are modern and intensive, characterized by large vertically integrated farms using advanced technologies. Both nations benefit from their status as major producers of feed grains, with the United States leading in corn and soybeans, while Canada excels in canola and barley production. The regulatory frameworks for food safety, animal welfare, and environmental stewardship differ slightly, with the FDA and USDA overseeing these aspects in the United States, and Health Canada and the Canada Food Inspection Agency in Canada. The United States and Canada also have well-established distribution networks for pork products, relying on both domestic and international markets. Export markets play a crucial role, with the United States being a major importer of Canadian pigs, and both countries exploring opportunities in Asia. Despite a rise in global demand, domestic pork consumption trends differ, with per capita consumption remaining stable in the USA and declining in Canada. Changing consumer preferences, including a demand for ethically raised and locally sourced pork, may influence production practices. Future trends in pig production include a focus on consumer concerns, sustainability, disease prevention, reduction of antimicrobial use, and advancements in technology. The industry is adapting to challenges such as disease outbreaks and changing regulations, with a strong emphasis on animal welfare. Labor and workforce considerations, along with advancements in technology and automation, are expected to shape the efficiency of pork production in the future.

Pig production is one of the viable enterprises of the livestock sub-sector of agriculture. It contributes significantly to the economy and animal protein supply to enhance food security in Africa and globally. This article explored the present status of pig production in Africa, the challenges, prospects and potentials. The pig population of Africa represents 4.6% of the global pig population. They are widely distributed across Africa except in Northern Africa where pig production is not popular due to religio-cultural reasons. They are mostly reared in rural parts of Africa by smallholder farmers, informing why majority of the pig population in most parts of Africa are indigenous breeds and their crosses. Pig plays important roles in the sustenance of livelihood in the rural communities and have cultural and social significance. The pig production system in Africa is predominantly traditional, but rapidly growing and transforming into the modern system. The annual pork production in Africa has grown from less than a million tonnes in year 2000 to over 2 million tonnes in 2021. Incidence of disease outbreak, especially African swine fever is one of the main constraints affecting pig production in Africa. Others are lack of skills and technical know-how, high ambient temperature, limited access to high-quality breeds, high cost of feed ingredients and veterinary inputs, unfriendly government policies, religious and cultural bias, inadequate processing facilities as well as under-developed value-chain. The projected human population of 2.5 billion in Africa by 2050, increasing urbanization and decreasing farming population are pointers to the need for increased food production. The production systems of pigs in Africa requires developmental research, improvements in housing, feed production and manufacturing, animal health, processing, capacity building and pig friendly policies for improved productivity and facilitation of export.

A research was carried out at the Ruteng’s Abattoir with the aim of: 1) finding out the amount of income earned by pig slaughterers, and 2) knowing the financial feasibility of the pig slaughtering business. The research method used is a survey. Sampling for pig slaughterers was carried out using simple random sampling. Since the number of pig slaughterers was only 7 people, all of them were taken as representative respondents. The analytical method used is income analysis and feasibility analysis of the pig farming business. The research results show that the income of pig slaughterers at the Ruteng’s Abattoir is IDR 48,053,738/month. The results of the financial analysis illustrate that B/C=0.60, BEP unit was 1,903.10 kg, BEP IDR was IDR 216,120,109, and R/C=1.60. The conclusions are the pig slaughtering business at the Ruteng’s Abattoir has been able to generate income for slaughterers and financially feasible.

Lairage, a part of the animal welfare practices, has been known to mitigate pre-slaughter stress in animals. However, research investigating the relationship between lairage and pork meat quality remains scarce. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the physicochemical quality and storage stability of pork from pigs subjected to immediate slaughter (CON) and those provided with a 24 h lairage before slaughter (LRG) over a 7-day storage period. The loins from 20 castrated pigs in each group, respectively, were collected at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days and used for analysis of meat quality and storage stability, including pH, meat color, moisture, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, fatty acid composition, lipid oxidation, antioxidant activity, and electrical resistance. Overall, there were no significant differences in physicochemical meat quality parameters between CON and LRG groups. Similarly, no differences were observed in the storage stability of pork including 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity and electrical resistance. However, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was significantly higher in LRG compared to CON. In conclusion, 24 h lairage for castrated pigs had limited impact on meat quality and storage stability but led to an increase in the unsaturated fatty acid proportion.

Streptococcus suis, a zoonotic bacterial pathogen circulated through swine, can cause severe infections in humans. Because human S. suis infections are not notifiable in most countries, incidence is underestimated. We aimed to increase insight into the molecular epidemiology of human S. suis infections in Europe. To procure data, we surveyed 7 reference laboratories and performed a systematic review of the scientific literature. We identified 236 cases of human S. suis infection from those sources and an additional 87 by scanning gray literature. We performed whole-genome sequencing to type 46 zoonotic S. suis isolates and combined them with 28 publicly available genomes in a core-genome phylogeny. Clonal complex (CC) 1 isolates accounted for 87% of typed human infections; CC20, CC25, CC87, and CC94 also caused infections. Emergence of diverse zoonotic clades and notable severity of illness in humans support classifying S. suis infection as a notifiable condition.

Ratiometric fluorescent films with high amine sensitivity and stability were developed to monitor the freshness of beef and pork. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and red carbon quantum dots (R-CQD) were used as the amine-responsive indicator and internal reference, respectively. The electrospun films prepared by immobilizing FITC and R-CQD complex (F-R) into polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) under 35 %, 55 % and 75 % of relative humidity (RH) were named F-R@PVDF-1, F-R@PVDF-2 and F-R@PVDF-3, respectively. In comparison, the F-R@PVDF-2 film exhibited the highest sensitivity to trimethylamine (TMA), demonstrating a limit of detection (LOD) value of 1.59 μM, and meanwhile high stability during storage with ΔE value of 1.99 after 14 days of storage at 4 °C. The F-R@PVDF-2 film also showed a significant fluorescent red-to-brown color change during meat freshness monitoring at 4 °C. Conclusively, this study reported a new ratiometric fluorescent film that can be used to track the freshness of meats in food packaging.

ABSTRACTThis study has employed 16S rDNA analysis to elucidate the characteristics of the microbial community in the surroundings, facilities, and meat samples collected from a pork wholesale market with the aim of revealing bacterial contamination. In addition, the efficacy of sodium hypochlorite disinfectant was assessed by comparing the bacterial communities in the viable samples before and after disinfection. The bacterial abundances in meat, chopping boards, and knives were positively correlated (r > 0.95, p

This study explores the transformative potential of sustainable pork production and processing as a tool to empower tribal women in the northeast region (NER) of India. The NER is faced with multiple challenges, such as poverty, gender inequality, and poor livelihood methods. Therefore, enhancing sustainable production and processing methods for pork, which is their staple food, presents not only an opportunity for the socio-economic development of the region but also an effective tool for the economic empowerment of tribal women. Through a primary survey of pork value chain actors in Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland (the largest producers and consumers of pork in the NER), the study outlines the current practices and barriers to sustainable pork production methods. Although the consumption of pork has remained unchanged and that of processed pork items is on the rise, the production of pork is drastically declining. Therefore, reviving pork production in the NER can be instrumental in building sustainable livelihood models, especially for tribal women in the region. The study explores the effectiveness of a community-based, ‘model village approach,’ where capacity building around sustainable pork production, processing, and waste management techniques results in the economic empowerment of women. The findings from the post-impact analysis of the capacity-building approach call for policy intervention and the establishment of supportive networks to enhance the growth of a sustainable pork production system across NER, thereby contributing to the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets proposed by the Indian economy.

The global demand for meat is projected to rise, necessitating a transformative shift in the meat industry towards sustainable and emission-neutral production models. For decades, price competition has driven intense rivalry among meat packers, with a focus on cost control and product differentiation. However, anticipated increases in input costs and challenges to meat supply present a unique opportunity for innovation. Meat production faces mounting pressures, particularly in Northern Europe, to transition from traditional industrialized systems to sustainable practices that address climate impacts. Despite substantial investments in alternative proteins, livestock remains an efficient converter of low-value inputs into high-value human nutrition. As meat becomes scarcer, its historical status as a luxury food is poised to resurface, offering a business opportunity for meat packers while prompting Western consumers to adopt more plant-rich diets. Technological advancements such as automation and AI have revolutionized meat production, enabling efficient processes, enhanced meat quality, and reduced environmental impacts. The future of meat production hinges on adopting circular and emission-neutral practices. The industry’s sustainability will depend on balancing efficiency with ecological harmony, transforming meat from a ubiquitous commodity to a luxury symbol of quality. Through technological innovation and a paradigm shift in production philosophy, the meat industry can meet the nutritional needs of a growing global population while adhering to stringent environmental standards.

[Objective] In order to explore the loss pattern of VC in kiwifruit pork jerky by twin-screw extrusion and solve the "black box" problem of nutrient loss during the extrusion process. [Methods] In this paper, a twin-screw extruder was used to produce kiwifruit pork jerky, and the VC content of the material before and after extrusion was determined by high performance liquid chromatography, and the Mean Residence Time （MRT） was used as the reaction time of the material in the barrel, and the VC loss rate under different extrusion conditions was dynamically analyzed. [Results] Increasing the temperature and moisture content of the barrel, decreasing the screw speed, and increasing the amount of dried fruit added during the extrusion process will increase the VC loss rate of the extruded material. The variation pattern of MRT and VC loss rate is basically consistent. Dynamic analysis shows that VC loss during the extrusion process follows a first-order dynamic model, and the VC loss rate constant is between 0.003 54 and 0.006 05 s-1. [Conclusion] MRT is an important factor affecting the variation of VC loss rate. A predictive model for VC loss rate can be obtained through multiple regression analysis, which can achieve reasonable prediction of the variation pattern of VC loss rate under different conditions and reduce production costs.

In 2021, 32% of adult meat consumers in Scotland exceeded the 70 g/d recommended limit of red and red processed meat (RPM) intake. We analyzed RPM consumption behaviors among adults in the Scottish Health Survey (2021) to better understand this consumer group. Consumers were categorized into low, medium, and high consumers, and overall, mean intake was 66 g/d. Males and individuals living in the most deprived areas were most likely to be high consumers (45% compared with 30% for males compared with females, respectively, and 44% compared with 32% for those in the most compared with least deprived areas, respectively). Dinners accounted for the majority of intake among high (55%) and medium (52%) consumers, whereas low consumers distributed intake between lunch (40%) and dinner (48%). Across all groups, consumption was highest on Sundays, and majority of RPM was purchased at supermarkets. Beef dishes and sandwiches were primary contributors among high and medium consumers. These insights can inform the design of effective strategies and policies aligned with meat reduction targets. For instance, strategies focusing on modifying traditional meat-centric dishes and sandwiches could be impactful.

Background Salmonella enterica are bacteria that include more than 2,500 serovars. Most of these serovars have been linked to human foodborne illnesses, mainly related to poultry and pigs. Thus, these animals are considered the reservoirs of many Salmonella serovars and strains related to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, serovars, β-lactam resistance genes, and the risk factors associated with Salmonella enterica in pork commercialized in open markets of Quito city. Methods For this, 165 pork meat samples were taken from municipal markets in three areas in the city. These samples were microbiologically processed following the ISO 6579-2014 standardized method. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used to identify Salmonella serotyping and resistance genes. Strains not identified by PCR were typed by the Kauffman White Le Minor scheme. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with the presence of the microorganism. Results Salmonella prevalence in pork was 9.1%. Identified serovars were 4, [5], 12: i:- (53.3%), Infantis (33.3%), and Derby (13.4%). Furthermore, the β-lactam resistance genes bla CTX-M-65 could be identified in three S. infantis isolates. Multivariate analysis showed that temperature (above 8°C) and cutting surfaces (wood) presented significant association values. Conclusions In conclusion, pork in traditional markets of Quito is contaminated with Salmonella enterica, whose main serovars pose a public health concern, and shows beta-lactam resistance.

The effects of irradiation on pork quality characteristics were investigated by combining sensory experiments, pork color, TBARS, volatile components, and differential metabolites. Pork irradiated at a dose of 1 kGy received the highest sensory scores, whereas pork irradiated at doses of 3 and 5 kGy obtained lower sensory scores, particularly with regard to odor. Irradiation makes pork more ruddy and promotes fat oxidation, leading to increased a* and TBARS values. The main volatile substances in irradiated pork were hydrocarbons, aldehydes, and alcohols, and hexanal, heptanal, and valeric acid were considered as important substances responsible for the generation of radiation-induced off-flavors. 65 differential metabolites were identified. l-pyroglutamic acid, l-glutamate, l-proline, fumarate acids, betaine, and l-anserine were considered as the main substances contributing to the differences in pork quality. In addition, metabolic pathways such as arginine biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism were found to be considerably affected by irradiation.

Objective Pork is an important source of animal protein in many countries. Subtle physiochemical changes occur during pork postmortem aging. The changes of apoptosis and autophagy in pork at 6 h to 72 h after slaughter were studied to provide evidence for pork quality. Methods In this article, morphological changes of postmortem pork was observed through Hematoxylin-eosin staining, apoptotic nuclei were observed by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, protein related to apoptosis and autophagy expressions were tested by western blot and LC3 level were expressed according to immunofluorescence assay. Results In this study, we found the occurrence of apoptosis in postmortem pork, and the process was characterized by nucleus condensation and fragmentation, formation of apoptotic bodies, increase in apoptosis-related Bax/Bcl-2 levels, and activation of caspases. Autophagy reached its peak between 24 and 48 h after slaughter, accompanied by the formation of autophagosomes on the cell membrane and expression of autophagy-related proteins beclin-1, P62, LC3-I, LC3-II, and ATG5. Conclusion Obvious apoptosis was observed at 12 h and autophagy reached its peak at 48 h. The present work provides the evidence for the occurrence of apoptosis and autophagy during postmortem aging of pork. In conclusion, the apoptosis and autophagy of muscle cells discovered in this study have important implications for pork in the meat industry.

The lipid oxidation degree of different pork varieties was different, which may be due to varying levels of antioxidant stability. The purpose of this research was to explore the endogenous antioxidant factors and disparities in oxidative stability between various pork varieties. According to the single-factor experimental design, six pigs from each of the Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY), Ningxiang pig (NX), and Rongchang pigs (RC) and were selected, and the longissimus dorsi muscle was used as the experimental sample to determine the fat and fatty acid content, lipid oxidation characterization value, antioxidant capacity and endogenous antioxidant factors of the four varieties pork. The results show that the RC exhibited the highest total fat and fatty acid content, whereas the DLY displayed the lowest levels (p < 0.05). The Thiobarbital acid reactants (TBRAS) of DLY were significantly higher than the other three varieties, and there was no significant difference in peroxide value (POV), conjugated diene (CD), and lipid peroxide (LPO), among the four pork varieties. NX exhibited the highest level of comprehensive antioxidant activity, while Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) displayed the lowest level of comprehensive antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). The results suggested that the antioxidant stability of the four varieties of pork was different. Compared with DLY, RC, and DW, NX showed the best antioxidant stability and the lowest lipid oxidation degree. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), vitamin E, and total phenol content (TPC) were significantly correlated with antioxidant capacity.

Animal-derived food safety incidents caused by zoonotic diseases occur frequently. In order to control and ensure the safety of pork consumption from its raw material source and to control the cost of pork and its products consumption, this study constructed a triple real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) method that can simultaneously detect hepatitis E virus (HEV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), and porcine δ corona virus (PDCoV) in pork and its products. The results showed that the triple qPCR method could only amplify the specific gene fragments of three target viruses, which had high specificity. The minimum detection limits of the three viruses (HEV, PEDV, and PDCoV) were 6.02, 6.98 and 6.92 copies/μL respectively. The coefficient of variation (CV%) within and between groups ranged from 0.10% to 3.0%, with good repeatability. The established method was applied to detect 248 samples of pork products and exports and 282 raw pig manure swabs, and parallel detection was also conducted using corresponding virus detection methods for comparison. The detection rates of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus, porcine deltacoronavirus, and hepatitis E virus in pork products and exports were all 0%, which was consistent with the results of the corresponding virus detection methods. The detection rates of the three viruses (PEDV, PDCoV, and HEV) using this method were 1.06%, 3.19% and 0.35%, respectively. The detection rates of the standard method for these three viruses were 1.06%, 3.19% and 0%, respectively. The study showed that the established triplex qPCR detection method can accurately and rapidly detect three viruses in pork and its products or pig samples, providing technical support for ensuring the market circulation of fresh pork and its products and blocking the transmission of viral foodborne diseases.

ObjectiveTo investigate the contamination levels of indicator polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） in pork in China and the dietary exposure and risks of Chinese residents.MethodsThe concentration of seven indicator PCBs （PCB 28， PCB 52， PCB 101， PCB 118， PCB 138， PCB 153， and PCB 180） in 203 pork samples from 13 provinces （autonomous regions， centrally administered municipality） in China in 2020 as monitoring sites were analyzed by combined isotope dilution-gas chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry. The health risk of the population exposure of indicator PCBs through pork was assessed in conjunction with date on pork consumption in each province.ResultsThe mean concentrations of the seven indicator PCBs （∑7PCBs） in pork ranged from 0.053 （Guangxi） to 0.826 ng/g fat （Zhejiang）， and P95 concentrations ranged from 0.091 （Guangxi） to 2.702 ng/g fat （Zhejiang）. PCB 28 and PCB 52 were the main fingerprint features. The mean and P95 levels of ∑7PCBs ingested daily by Chinese residents through pork consumption were 0.062±0.076 （ng/kg·BW） and 0.158±0.207 （ng/kg·BW）， respectively， and the exposure risk index （ERI） was less than 1.ConclusionThe contamination level of ∑7PCBs in pork in China， as well as the health risk of residents exposed to indicator PCBs through a pork diet was low.

Two new types of elastic porous silanized melamine sponges (MeS) were prepared by silylation reaction using octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (ATS), which were respectively designated as OTS@MeS and ATS@MeS. The silanized sponges were used to develop a modified quick, easy, check, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method that can quickly and efficiently separate interfering matrices from the extract through spontaneous solution infiltration and physical extrusion. In this study, an analytical method using the modified QuEChERS procedure combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was established for the simultaneous determination of 49 antibiotic residues in pork. Samples were extracted with 10 mL of acetonitrile containing 0.1% acetic acid, and then salted out with 2.0 g of Na2SO4 and 0.5 g of NaCl. After centrifugation, a 1 mL aliquot of the supernatant was cleaned up with a mixture of OTS@MeS and ATS@MeS. The chromatographic separation was conducted on an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipse Plus C18 column with gradient elution using a mobile phase comprised of methanol and aqueous solution (methanol/water, 5:95, V/V) containing 0.1% formic acid and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate. The qualitative and quantitative detection were performed by multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) using an electrospray ionization source in the positive ion mode. The results showed that the correlation coefficients for all analytes were greater than 0.999. The matrix effects (ME) were in the range of −13.5%−10.9%. The limits of detection (LOQ) and quantitation (LOQ) were 0.1–10.0 and 0.3–33.3 μg/kg, respectively. The recoveries at three spiked levels ranged from 65.0% to 112.7%, with intra- and interday relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.3%–11.8% and 2.4%–18.4%, respectively. The developed method was simple, rapid, highly sensitive and accurate, and could be used for the efficient and rapid determination of the 49 antibiotics residues in pork.

Background and Aim: Irradiation has become a preferred method for pork preservation in recent years. Electron-beam irradiation is notably recognized for its feasibility and safety among various irradiation methods. This meta-analysis study aims to elucidate the impact of electron-beam irradiation on oxidation parameters, color, sensory attributes, and microbiological conditions in pork. Materials and Methods: A total of 79 data from 22 articles were aggregated into an extensive database. The irradiation dose ranged from 0 to 20 kGy in this current meta-analysis. The observed parameters encompassed oxidation, color, sensory attributes, and microbiological conditions. A mixed-model approach was used to perform the meta-data analysis, in which irradiation dose was treated as fixed effects and distinct studies (articles) as random effects. Results: Electron-beam irradiation resulted in an increase in thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels and peroxide-oxygen value of pork (p < 0.01). Conversely, total volatile-base-nitrogen values (p < 0.05) were observed. Following irradiation, the pH value, lightness (L*), redness (a*), and yellowness (b*) remained unaffected. Pork color tended to decrease after irradiation treatment (p = 0.095 and p = 0.079, respectively) at 7 and 14 days of storage. The irradiation process resulted in an increase in the values of texture and juiciness parameters (p < 0.05). However, electron-beam irradiation resulted in decreased overall acceptability (p = 0.089). In terms of microbiological status, electron-beam irradiation led to a reduction in the populations of Salmonella (p < 0.01), Escherichia coli (p < 0.01), Listeria monocytogenes (p < 0.05), and coliforms (p < 0.05) at 7 and 14 days of storage. Conclusion: Electron-beam irradiation enhances lipid peroxidation in porcine meat. The color of the meat remained unchanged after treatment. However, with regard to sensory properties, electron-beam irradiation showed a tendency to decreased overall acceptability. Most microbiological parameters decreased following electron-beam irradiation.

As a result of the conducted scientific research, the use of raw materials with low allergenic activity has been justified for the development of a recipe for boiled sausages for feeding children suffering from food intolerance. The experimental work was carried out on the base of KubSAU named after. I.T. Trubilin. According to the research design, biotechnological requirements for the composition and quality of the products have been analyzed, intended for a group of young children. The basic quality requirements are shown to ensure the safety of baby sausages for feeding children from 1.5 years of age: protein content – no less than 12 g, fat – no more than 18 g, salt – no more than 1.5 g and others. The selection and assessment of the quality characteristics of raw materials with low allergenic characteristics, which can be used as part of a new formulation, have been carried out. Based on the data obtained a meat-based product for children over 1.5 years old has been formulated in the form of boiled sausages intended for children with food intolerance. A model of a recipe composition with specified quality characteristics has been developed, including turkey, pork, horse meat, corn flour, goat milk, zucchini, and parsley. Pilot batch of sausages has been developed with subsequent assessment of the nutritional and biological value of the recipe model for feeding children with food intolerance, which shows high characteristics of the new product. The daily satisfaction of young children in basic nutrients has been studied. The developed boiled sausage product meets the requirements for protein (13.23 g) and fat (16.36 g) content.

ABSTRACTThe demand for authentic meat has increased due to the growing consumption of halal meat. In this study, a combined metabolomics and chemometrics approach was employed to authenticate beef and pork samples from specific muscle groups. By using an untargeted metabolomics analysis, distinct metabolite profiles were observed in TB, LD, and BF muscles, differentiating pork from beef. Subsequently, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) results confirmed the distinguishable metabolite profiles between beef and pork. Cluster analysis further revealed that the metabolites in each muscle of beef and pork have different characteristics. Additionally, Partial Least Squares-Discriminant Analysis identified 15 potential metabolites could be used to authenticate the halal status of meat. Creatine, L-carnitine, carnosine, nicotinamide, L-phenylalanine, DL-lactic acid, acetyl L-carnitine, hypoxanthine, inosine, DL-malic acid, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, L-glutathione, Inosine-5-monophosphate (IMP), L-tyrosine, and palmitoylcarnitine is a potential metabolite to differentiate beef and pork. This study offers valuable insights into determining the halal status of meat based on metabolite profiles.

Background: Foodborne diseases are a serious public health concern, and food-producing animals are a major source of contamination. Methods: The present study analysed Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. isolated from faecal samples of 100 fattening pigs and from 52 samples of pork meat. Results: The results showed that the majority of the analysed meat samples were considered satisfactory in terms of microbiological quality (92.3% for E. coli and 94.2% for Salmonella spp.). Salmonella spp. was identified in 5.8% of the meat samples, whereas E. coli was detected in 89.5% of all samples (69.2% in meat and 100% in faecal samples). Furthermore, 1.9% of the faecal samples contained Shiga-toxin-producing E. coli and 3.9% contained enterotoxigenic E. coli. All sequenced isolates presented virulence genes for extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. Moreover, 75.0% of E. coli isolates from meat and 71.8% from faeces samples showed antibiotic resistance, with 40.7% and 51.4%, respectively, being multidrug-resistant (MDR). The most prevalent resistances were to tetracycline, ampicillin, and sulfamethoxazole, and one E. coli isolate showed resistance to extended-spectrum β-lactamase. Conclusions: This study highlights the role of pigs as a potential source of human contamination and the importance of a One Health approach to ensure food safety and to promote public health.

The quality of frozen pork is adversely affected upon thawing. In this study, the influence of various thawing methods for frozen pork, including cold water (18 °C), room temperature (18 °C), and refrigeration (4 °C) thawing, on physicochemical and nutrient substances were examined. The pork samples (a Chinese local breed: Anqing six-end-white pigs), which were thawed through the above conditions, were compared with controls (fresh porcine longissimus dorsi). Analyses were carried out to determine porcine longissimus dorsi shear force, pH value, crude protein content, antioxidant capacity, amino acid content, and fatty acid content. The results indicated that the shear force, pH value, crude protein content, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), and total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) content of the porcine longissimus dorsi muscle significantly decreased via the three thawing methods compared with the control group (p < 0.05). However, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, intramuscular fat content, inosinate and cholesterol content, essential amino acid content, and umami amino acid proportion in the cold thawing group were not significantly different from the control group (p > 0.05), but there were significant differences between the other two groups. The MDA content of the air thawing and hydrostatic thawing groups significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), with it being 42.6% and 50.8% higher than the control group, respectively. In addition, the monounsaturated fatty acid content in the pork subjected to the three thawing methods significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05), and the monounsaturated fatty acid content after cold thawing and hydrostatic thawing increased by 18.2% and 21.6%, respectively. In conclusion, refrigeration had less influence on the quality of the Anqing six-end-white pork and was the most suitable thawing method. This study provides a theoretical reference for frozen pork preservation for improving food quality and availing its economic benefits.

Prolonged consumption of animal-derived foods containing high levels of lincomycin (LIN) residues can adversely impact human health. Therefore, it is essential to develop specific antibodies and immunoassay methods for LIN. This study utilized computational chemistry to predict the efficacy of LIN haptens prior to chemical synthesis, with subsequent confirmation obtained through an immunization experiment. A hybridoma cell line named LIN/1B11 was established, which is specific to LIN. The optimized indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) method exhibited high specificity for detecting LIN residues, with an IC50 value of 0.57 ± 0.03 µg/kg. The method effectively detected LIN residues in pork and milk samples, achieving a limit of detection (LOD) ranging from 0.81 to 1.20 µg/kg and a limit of quantification (LOQ) ranging from 2.09 to 2.29 µg/kg, with recovery rates between 81.9% and 108.8%. This study offers a valuable tool for identifying LIN residues in animal-derived food products. Furthermore, the efficient hapten prediction method presented herein improves antibody preparation efficiency and provides a simple method for researchers in screening haptens.

Currently, there is a growing demand for ready-to-eat, prepared, high-quality, preservative-free products. However, the shelf-life of these products is often so short that a relatively high percentage of these products cannot be sold and end up as food waste. In this study, pork loin with different marinades (paprika and herbs) was treated with different high hydrostatic pressures (0 MPa, 300 MPa, 450 MPa and 600 MPa) and a bioactive component (piperine) and then the quality of the meat was examined after 0, 4, 8, 12 and 14 days of cold storage. Changes were monitored using color, pH, texture and microbiological analyses. Both pressure, piperine enrichment, storage time and the interactions of different factors had a significant effect on the quality of the loin samples with different marinades. Due to the denaturation of myoglobin, meat slices were less red and lighter after HHP treatment. The addition of piperine reduced this lightness. The pH increased with increasing pressure and decreased with storage time. HHP treatment significantly increased meat hardness, with samples treated at 600 MPa being 19% harder than those treated at 450 MPa. Microbiological results indicated that HHP at 450 MPa and 600 MPa effectively reduced anaerobic total live plate counts, ensuring satisfactory sensory and microbiological quality throughout storage. Piperine fortification also resulted in a more favorable microbiological status during storage without any perceptible change in quality properties during storage. These findings underscore the effectiveness of HHP and piperine enrichment in enhancing the safety and quality of marinated meats.

The objective was to characterize the effects of increasing carcass weight on pork carcass characteristics and yields from traditional and alternative fabrication methods, as well as evaluate the size of novel retail cuts. Pigs (n = 85) were slaughtered and divided into 3 hot carcass weight (HCW) categories: Average (99 to 109 kg), Heavy (116 to 126 kg), and Very Heavy (134 to 144 kg). Loin muscle area (LMA) and back fat depth were measured on all carcasses. Paired right and left sides were fabricated traditionally and alternatively (shoulder separation at the 4th/5th rib), respectively. From the alternative side, the serratus ventralis (SV) was removed from the cellar-trimmed butt, and the triceps brachii (TB) was removed from the picnic shoulder. All individual primals and subprimals were weighed for yield calculations. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS including the main effect of weight class, with sex and sire line as fixed blocking effects. Differences were considered significant at P ≤ 0.05. Regardless of fabrication method, whole primal and subprimal weights increased (P < 0.01) in heavier carcass weight classes compared with lighter classes, but when expressed as a percentage of chilled side weight, these increases did not often translate into meaningful differences in distribution of carcass weight. While the alternative shoulder-loin separation reduced loin and belly length, loins and bellies from heavier carcasses weighed more than those from carcasses typically produced in the U.S. pork industry today. Serratus ventralis weight was increased (P < 0.01) approximately 0.28 kg from Average to Very Heavy, while the TB weight was increased (P < 0.01) approximately 0.24 kg from Average to Very Heavy. At heavier weights, alternative fabrication of carcasses yielded novel cuts from the shoulder including the SV and TB that were of size to warrant further exploration as retail offerings.

Aim of study: To assess the boar taint prevalence in the Portuguese pork industry through an observational study model by measuring skatole and androstenone levels in fat and to compare it with the estimated thresholds for these compounds among Portuguese consumers. Area of study: Portugal. Material and methods: Adipose tissue samples from 140 animals (102 entire males and 38 females) were collected in three Portuguese abattoirs for boar taint quantification. Cut-off limits were determined using best-estimate thresholds (BET) for skatole and androstenone. Main results: Boar taint quantification for the 140 animals revealed levels of 36.0±4.7 ng/g of skatole and 64.5±21.3 ng/g of androstenone, and values were significantly higher in males. Group BET values were 35.4 ng/g and 566.3 ng/g for skatole and androstenone, respectively. BET values were exceeded in 28.8% of the samples for skatole and 0.7% for androstenone. Research highlights: The investigation revealed a generally low level of boar taint in the samples of this small-scale study on skatole and androstenone prevalence in Portugal's pork supply chain. However, occasionally a significantly elevated boar taint levels suggest that relying solely on slaughtering sexually immature males might not fully resolve this issue.

Cooling the pork half-carcasses in a refrigerating chamber with showering had no significant impact on their surface temperature. Still, it reduced the core temperature of the meat in 1 hour after cooling compared with air-cooling. pH-value of all pork half-carcasses that were subjected to cooling with the showering method, as well as the final processing of the pork with suspensions of Lactobacillus sakei and Leuconostoc carnosum in 1 hour and on the 4th day of storage in a chilled condition was within the limits typical for fresh and high-quality meat. The greatest weight loss of the pork half-carcasses occurred during the first 24 hours when they were being cooled. The weight loss of the pork half-carcasses in a chilled condition during 1 day when they were being cooled in a refrigerating chamber without the use of showering was 2.27%, when they were being cooled with the use of showering – 1.65%, when they were being cooled with the use of showering and final processing with SafePro® В-SF-43 (Leuconostoc carnosum) – 1.61% and SafePro® В-2 (Lactobacillus sakei) – 1.25% in comparison with the output of a hot carcass. Microorganism cultures of strains SafePro® B-SF-43 and SafePro® B-2, when they are applied at a dose of 106/cm2, had contributed to a colonization of the meat with the lactic-acid microorganisms and a significant decrease in the number of QMAFAnM in the neck and spine areas in 1 hour after cooling. S. aureus, Salmonella spp., and L. monocytogenes were not detected in the meat of the pork half-carcasses in all processing options during 4 days of storage in a chilled condition.

This brief report characterizes and maps changes in six key aspects of pig animal welfare (AW) legislation in 13 countries in the European Union (EU) during the period 1991-2020, focusing primarily on aspects of AW likely to impact the economic performance and international competitiveness of the pig production sector. National AW legislation in the selected EU member states that exceed the EU minimum levels within the six selected key areas are also mapped. Analysis of changes in AW over time, using legislative texts, academic literature, and an expert survey, revealed that AW-legislation at the national level has generally become more stringent, in line with EU directives, and that a number of member states have introduced additional AW legislation that exceed EU minimum levels. This review helps to uncover historical changes in and can form the basis for further research investigating effects of changes in AW legislation.

Objective: To achieve rapid, quantitative and high-throughput detection of aminoglycoside antibiotic residues in pork. Methods: Square-array aligned SERS substrates based on Au nanoflowers （AuNFs） were prepared using PP synthetic paper as a substrate. Pork samples were pre-treated by QuEChERs method and subjected to SRES. Results: Using 4-mercaptobenzoic acid as the SERS probe molecule, the substrate exhibited good homogeneity, SERS enhancement effect, reproducibility and stability. the SERS signal intensities at the characteristic peaks at 475, 619 cm-1 showed good linear relationships with the logarithms of the concentrations of gentamicin sulphate and neomycin sulphate, respectively （R2 of 0.991 6 and 0.990 7, respectively）. The limits of detections （LODs） were as low as 1×10-9, 1×10-8 mol/L, respectively, and were successfully applied to the rapid, quantitative and high-throughput determination of aminoglycoside antibiotics in pork. Conclusion: The experimental method provides an economical, efficient, time-saving and highly sensitive way for the application of SERS technology for the detection of antibiotic residues in real meat samples.

Background Salmonella enterica are bacteria that include more than 2,500 serovars. Most of these serovars have been linked to human foodborne illnesses, mainly related to poultry and pigs. Thus, these animals are considered the reservoirs of many Salmonella serovars and strains related to antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, serovars, β-lactam resistance genes, and the risk factors associated with Salmonella enterica in pork commercialized in open markets of Quito city. Methods For this, 165 pork meat samples were taken from municipal markets in three areas in the city. These samples were microbiologically processed following the ISO 6579-2014 standardized method. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test was used to identify Salmonella serotyping and resistance genes. Strains not identified by PCR were typed by the Kauffman White Le Minor scheme. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with the presence of the microorganism. Results Salmonella prevalence in pork was 9.1%. Identified serovars were 4, [5], 12: i:- (53.3%), Infantis (33.3%), and Derby (13.4%). Furthermore, the β-lactam resistance genes bla CTX-M-65 could be identified in three S. infantis isolates. Multivariate analysis showed that temperature (above 8°C) and cutting surfaces (wood) presented significant association values. Conclusions In conclusion, pork in traditional markets of Quito is contaminated with Salmonella enterica, whose main serovars pose a public health concern, and shows beta-lactam resistance.

The use of antibiotics is still intensive in animal production. Among the most used veterinary products in pig farming, tetracyclines can be highlighted. When used in excess, these substances can leave residues in food, which depending on the concentration pose a risk on consumers. Brazil, as one of the world’s largest producer and exporter of animal protein, must be attentive to the laws and ensure that their meat products are safe for human health. So, the concentration of veterinary residues eventually detected must be below the maximum residue limits (MRLs) stipulated by the regulatory agencies. To contribute with subsidies for decision making in pork safety to the annual monitoring program, performed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, this study aimed to evaluate the residues of tetracyclines in swine muscle from the federal inspection system, by validated and officially accepted analytical methodology (HPLC-UV). Any suspect results obtained from the HPLC-UV analysis can be confirmed immediately by injecting the samples onto a LC-MS/MS system. The results showed that all evaluated samples had concentrations of tetracycline residues below the MRL, and therefore, can be considered safe for human consumption.

In order to investigate the effects of thermal processing methods on the quality and oxidation characteristics of pork, boiled, microwaved, roasted, or deep-fried pork loin was evaluated for quality indicators such as cooking loss, color, shear force, texture, basic chemical composition, odor and taste and oxidation indicators such as protein carbonyl content and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) value. The results showed that compared with the control group (raw pork), the quality and oxidation characteristics of cooked pork samples were significantly different. The decreasing order of cooking loss rate during different thermal treatments was roasting > microwave > deep-frying > boiling; protein and ash contents were positively correlated with cooking loss, while water content was negatively correlated with cooking loss. The most significant color changes were found in deep-fried pork, whose elasticity, cohesiveness and shear force were significantly different compared with the other treated groups. Protein carbonyl content was significantly higher in microwaved pork than the other treated groups (P < 0.05). Roasted pork exhibited the highest TBARS value. Electronic nose results showed an increase in the content of volatile flavor substances after thermal processing, and electronic tongue results indicated that the umami intensity of deep-fried pork was the highest. The results of this study can provide reference for the selection of pork thermal processing methods.

Objective: A method for the determination of aminophylline residues in edible tissues （muscle, liver and kidney） of pigs by solid-phase extraction combined with high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was established. Methods: After extracted by methanol, the aminophylline was purified by PRiME HLB solid phase extraction column in one step, and then separated by a C18 chromatographic column. 0.1% formic acid solution and acetonitrile were invoked as the aqueous phase and the organic phase for gradient elution, respectively. Electrospray positive voltage ionization and multi reaction monitoring （MRM） mode are used for compound detection, and matrix matching standard was used for quantification. Results: The analysis of aminophylline drugs was completed within 3.5 minutes, and the results showed good linear relationship （R＞0.998 0） on different matrices in the concentration range of 0.05~1.0 μg/mL. The average recoveries ranged from 87.2% to 101.3%, and the relative standard deviations ranged from 0.7% to 6.2% （n=6）. The detection limit was 2 μg/kg and the quantification limit was 5 μg/kg. Conclusion: The method which is simple and efficient, has good repeatability and high sensitivity. It is suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of aminophylline drug residues in edible tissues of pigs.

Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous protozoan parasite of public health concern, with severe health consequences among immunocompromised individuals and pregnant mothers. Pigs are intermediate hosts of this zoonotic parasite and consumption of undercooked pork is a risk factor for T. gondii infection. We investigated the seroprevalence and risk factors for T. gondii in pigs in Kenya. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a non-integrated abattoir in Kiambu, Kenya, where 446 blood samples were collected from slaughtered pigs between 5 January and 5 March 2021. For each pig sampled, additional data were collected on the county of origin, farm size, sex and live weight. Serum was harvested from each pig blood sample, and these were subjected to indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests to detect the presence of immunoglobin G (IgG) for T. gondii infection. The overall seroprevalence for T. gondii was 34.53% (95% C.I. 30.16–39.17). Risk factors for T. gondii seropositivity in pigs included farm size (p < 0.001) and the live weight of pigs (p = 0.044). The high seroprevalence of T. gondii indicates that consumers of raw and undercooked pork may be at a high risk of infection. It is therefore recommended that strategies for the mitigation of risk of exposure in populations should prioritize public health education for pig farmers, pork handlers and consumers on risk reduction measures along the pork value chains.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is one of the most widely developed thermal analysis methods for meat samples for halal authentication of food or processed products. Research on adulteration detection for various types of meat and its derivatives has been developed before and still requires organic solvents. Therefore, the concept of the "green method" is being tried to develop in this research. DSC analyses are performed in the same experimental conditions for all sample powder: sample mass 2 mg, temperature range 30–400 °C, and heating rate 20 °C min−1. The results showed there is a characteristic minor endothermic peak for each meat. Chemometric analysis was carried out using the principal component analysis (PCA) method to ensure that the thermal characteristics of each meat were utterly different in both pure and mixed meat. The results of this analysis indicate that each pure meat has a different score plot. Therefore, the developed thermal analysis method is quite reliable in determining the different types of meat based on the characteristic minor endothermic peak in the thermogram and the score plot from PCA analysis.