Reduction in microbial load on buffalo meat by hot water dip treatment

Buffalo meat cuts from shoulder and leg portions were subjected to hot water treatment (70 and 80 °C for 30 and 60 s). Meat cuts dipped in water at ambient temperature served as control. The surface samples were analysed for microbial load, visual score for colour and numerical values of colour parameters (a(∗), b(∗), L(∗), W). Control samples of shoulder and leg meat had a mean total plate count (TPC) of 4.15 log CFU cm(-2) and 3.81 log CFU cm(-2) and enterobacteriaceae counts of 2.33 log CFU cm(-2) and 2.26 log CFU cm(-2), respectively. Treatment of meat cuts with hot water reduced the TPC significantly (p < 0.001)with a highest reduction of 1.60 log in leg meat and 1.80 log in shoulder meat at 80 °C. Hot water treatment of meat eliminated enterobacteriaceae. Although, there was discolouration of meat by hot water treatment, the colour regained during storage of meat at refrigerated temperature (4 ±1 °C). Hot water treatment of meat resulted in loss of redness (a(∗)), increase in lightness (L(∗)) and whiteness (W). After storage, a(∗) increased and L(∗) and W decreased. The results suggested that the dip treatment with hot water reduces the initial bacterial load substantially and improves the microbiological quality of buffalo meat without causing any permanent discolouration.