This study was conducted to confirm the synergistic inactivation effect of flower pollen when applied with heat treatment to Escherichia coli O157:H7. The reduction of the number of E. coli O157:H7 was monitored during heat treatment at 55, 57.5, 60, 62.5 and 65C. The D‐values in the culture were D55 = 10.03 ± 0.59, D57.5 = 3.84 ± 0.05, D60 = 2.76 ± 0.19, D62.5 = 1.31 ± 0.20 and D65 = 1.04 ± 0.01 min, respectively, which were reduced to D55 = 3.13 ± 0.12, D57.5 = 3.02 ± 0.14, D60 = 1.80 ± 0.05, D62.5 = 1.11 ± 0.03 and D65 = 0.79 ± 0.01 min with the addition of pollen (80 mg/mL). The z‐value without addition of pollen was 10.24C, which increased to 15.11C with addition of pollen. The D‐values in ground pork were D55 = 5.59 ± 0.11, D57.5 = 2.58 ± 0.05, D60 = 2.07 ± 0.19, D62.5 = 1.30 ± 0.03 and D65 = 0.87 ± 0.02 min. When treated with the addition of pollen (150 mg/mL), the D‐values decreased to D55 = 1.87 ± 0.05, D57.5 = 1.56 ± 0.02, D60 = 1.11 ± 0.01, D62.5 = 0.73 ± 0.01 and D65 = 0.50 ± 0.00 min. The z‐value increased from 13.05C to 16.86C.
Practical Applications
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study applying flower pollen as a natural antimicrobial additive to improve the effect of heat treatment at the time of the sterilization of a meat product. Flower pollen might be provided by cultivating plant resources. It implies that the cost of flower pollen could be dramatically reduced and the cost reduction with suitable degree of antimicrobial activity gives a great benefit to the users in the processed food industries.