Abstract
This study identified and characterized the optimum transit atmosphere and packaging system for transoceanic shipments of fresh beef in refrigerated vans. The efficacy of a 0.02% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) rinse for reducing microbial proliferation and improving fresh beef stability was evaluated. Research was conducted as three separate but closely related experiments. In all three experiments, one van had a modified (60% CO₂, 25% 0₂, 15% N₂) atmosphere. The short-term test shipment (from Richmond, California to Honolulu, Hawaii) was designated as Experiment I and involved two refrigerated vans containing blade chucks, sirloin tips and semi-boneless rounds which were either wrapped with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film or vacuum packaged. The intermediate-term shipment (Experiment II) included two vans of refrigerated meat consisting of trimmed hindquarters, rounds, loins and ribs which were shipped from Bellevue, Washington to Anchorage, Alaska in normal or modified atmospheres. One-half of the samples were unwrapped while the other samples were protected with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film during transit and storage. Half of the trimmed hindquarters and half of the wholesale ribs in each treatment were rinsed with a solution of 0.02% NaOCl prior to packaging; the other samples were not rinsed with NaOCl, Experiment III which involved a long-term test shipment from Ellensburg, Washington to Yokohama, Japan, included two vans of refrigerated beef (one with normal atmosphere and one with a modified atmosphere). Treatments for the beef quarters Included unprotected (unwrapped) quarters and use of cotton stockinettes, polyvinyl chloride film or calcium alginate (CA) coating..
Marriott, Norman Glenn (1976). Systems for packaging and distribution of fresh beef. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -613886.