• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.169-177
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• 2016

This study was carried out to compare microbiological and hygienic quality characteristics of the products reached expiration date among meat products distributing in markets. A total of 20 meat products(6 hams, 3 bacons and 11 sausages) were examined for analyses of pH, Aw, TBARS, VBN, total aerobic microbial counts, and meat colors. The pH values of samples were between 5.33 and 6.59. The water activity (Aw) of samples ranged 0.90-0.93. TBARS and VBN values of samples were 0.11-0.59 and 2.37~14.75, respectively. The contaminated levels of total aerobic bacteria were less than 2.80 CFU/g. In meat color, L*, a*, and b* values of samples were in the range of 56-72, 5.2-34 and 0.7-16, respectively. It is suggested that the quality difference of meat products is attributed to the different additives and manufacturing processes. Therefore, we suggest that the results of this study are not only applied for evaluation of the microbiological and hygienic safety but also served as fundamental information for re-establishing the shelf-life of meat products.