Effects of sodium lactate on the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and enterotoxins in cig kofte (raw meatball)

Abstract

Cig kofte is a traditional raw meat product consumed almost everywhere in Turkey. It has a poor hygienic quality and can contain several pathogenic bacteria as no heating or cooking process is applied during any stage of manufacturing. The effects of sodium lactate on the presence of Staphylococcus aureus were investigated during the display-life of Cig kofte and the formation of enterotoxins was also investigated. For this purpose, Cig kofte samples were manufactured with different concentrations of sodium lactate (1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% NaL) and examined either in ambient (20 +/- 2 degrees C) or refrigerator (4 +/- 2 degrees C) storage. As a result, the shelf-life of Cig kofte was improved with NaL addition; the growth of S. aureus was delayed dependent on NaL concentration used, and enterotoxin generations were retarded up to 12 h in cold storage.