Optimization of high pressure processing to reduce the safety risk of low-salt ready-to-eat sliced turkey breast supplemented with carvacrol

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the optimization of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing for the microbial inactivation on low-sodium sliced vacuum-packaged turkey breast supplemented with a natural antimicrobial compound (carvacrol). Design/methodology/approach A response surface methodology was used to model and describe the effects of different pressures (200–650 MPa) and holding times (30–300 s) during HHP processing of low-salt ready-to-eat turkey breast supplemented with 200 mg/kg of carvacrol on survival of the target pathogen ( Listeria sp.) and spoilage microflora and on the quality attributes, including pH, syneresis, CIE color and lipid oxidation. Findings The HHP parameters influenced ( p <0.05) the lethality rates and syneresis but did not affect the pH values and lipid oxidation of the products evaluated. According to the required performance criteria for Listeria post-lethality treatment, a treatment at 600 MPa/180 s (at 25°C) appears to be suitable for the studied low-sodium product. The HHP bacterial inactivation effects can notably be potentiated via the presence of carvacrol, and is useful at sensory acceptable sub-inhibitory levels. Originality/value This study shows that combined HHP plus additives may produce similar safety and shelf-life extension effects with mild HHP treatments, creating a global increase in the quality of HHP-processed food in addition to reducing costs on equipment maintenance and increasing industry productivity.